Another one of those famous questions: My Chances?

[wannabedoc34]

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I am not sure what I should do?

THE NUMBERS GAME: 2.64 Science 🙁 , 3.5+ non-science. 3.1 overall. 27O. Worked in the hospital for 3 years now (500+ hours), research (about to get published by dec.), interning abroad in a hospital, 2 LOR from MDs - part time job for 3 years (12+ hours a week).

DO/MD schools? Are they all out of reach for me?

I am thinking about taking a few more classes to boost my GPA up to a 2.8/2.9ish..and maybe cross 3.0?!?! (should I just stay 5 years and take a bunch of science classes - maybe do a double?) - waste of time?

Post-Bacc? Carribbean?

Please weigh in. I need help. (Apply or not to apply that is the question?)

 

[DD214_DOC]

Many DO schools have a cumulative and science GPA cutoff of 2.75, which you fall below by quite a bit. Realistically, you probably should take more classes to boost that GPA or consider doing a post-bacc or master's program.

I wouldn't waste my time in the Caribbean except for St. George's on Grenada and, believe it or not, your science GPA is quite low for even there. SGU's average stats are 3.3/3.2 cumulative/science. Your MCAT is decent, but not really high enough to make up for your science GPA.

It is true that DO schools tend to, "look at the whole applicant" (whatever that means) and it is also true that you held a job during college. While it's not easy to maintain a GPA and work, many people still do it and maintain a higher GPA than you have.

Since you really don't meet the cutoff, I would save my money this cycle. It's not really worth spending all that cash for the freak chance someone accepts you. Sticking around in ungergrad, raising your science to a high 2.0 isn't going to help much either. I would probably do a master's in some science or a post-bacc affiliated with a med school to show that you can handle higher-level coursework. Just be sure you do well.

Good luck 👍

 

[Echinoidea]

What caused the 2.64 sci GPA? Was it a string of C's in many science classes, or mostly A's and a couple of F's? If it's a couple of F's that are dragging it down, then retake the courses (I know, $$$, but you have to do what it takes) and AACOMAS will take the higher of the 2 grades, allowing you to significantly raise your GPA. I would bet that if you can get your science GPA to a 3.0, together with your MCAT score, then you stand a decent shot at an interview at a DO school.

 

[Robz]

maybe its just poor in a few science classes (like the prereqs) and didn't take any more. Therefore a 3.5 pulls that science GPA up to a combined above 3.0.

Hey JKD I was aware of a 2.75 cum cut off for school but I wasn't aware of a 2.75 cut off for science only....

 

[JohnDO]

Hey there. It sounds like the only thing holding you back is your science gpa. Do you have your degree? If so, why not look into some post-bacc science coursework [or master's] this year to push that science GPA up. If you don't have your degree yet, look into how many more science courses you'll be taking, and how far you can raise your GPA before you graduate.

 

[skypilot]

I would either go the SGU route or retake all your sciences in a one year post bacc. DO schools will replaces the old grades with the new ones and your GPA will vault above 3.0!

An important question is have you turned the corner academically and can now do well. If not, you aren't ready for med school yet and the post bacc might help you get ready.

You might try applying to some of the DO schools with lesser stats and really writing a fabulous personal statement.

Good luck.

 

[jiy76]

What are the chances of acceptance to a D.O school lets say NYCOM with a 3.2 gpa and a 2.9 science (Due mainly to an awful freshman year)with a 27 mcat(10p 9v 8B) Will one get an interview if they apply early with these stats?

 

[skypilot]

What are the chances of acceptance to a D.O school lets say NYCOM with a 3.2 gpa and a 2.9 science (Due mainly to an awful freshman year)with a 27 mcat(10p 9v 8B) Will one get an interview if they apply early with these stats?

Try the new osteopathic school in Virginia. Write an awesome personal statement.

You also might consider retaking a few of the courses from Freshman year to replace the grades.

 

[jiy76]

One doesnt even have a chance even with an mcat score higher than the avg D.O matriculant? the gpa is a little lower than avg but shouldn't there be somewhat of a chance?

 

[Fin-Nor]

of course it is possible, but it's hard to tell the chances and likelyhood...

it was suggested that you take some of those classes over so that your chance, once again, will increase versus if you were not to.

your mcat is pretty decent and your grades can use a little boost. admissions process is an unpredictable event and doing anything that will better yourself will be of benefit...

it would be too much of a hassle to apply and not get admissions vs retaking and applying the first time around.

imho 😎

 

[jiy76]

If you retake a class that u didnt get an F in will aamcomas account for both grades?

 

[Fin-Nor]

If you retake a class that u didnt get an F in will aamcomas account for both grades?

i believe that they take the higher of the two grades and calculate ur gpa from there... but it will always show on your transcript though.

correct me if im wrong.

 

[jiy76]

If thats the case the gpa is a 3.25 with a 3.1 science and a 27 mcat Is this any better? Someone throw me a bone!

 

[wannabedoc34]

What happened was when I took all my prereqs (my first 1.5 years in college), I wasnt serious. MY GPA is solid after that (but then again, I had finished all my prereqs). Back then I wasnt serious about becomnig a doc, but after my experience, I am. I have an upward trend but then again, I've only taken 3 PCMB classes (good grades in those).

How do the post-bacc work? Do I need a good GPA to get in there as well?

 

[Fin-Nor]

If thats the case the gpa is a 3.25 with a 3.1 science and a 27 mcat Is this any better? Someone throw me a bone!

our "bone" will do you no good. give our advise some consideration and look at what's best for you and your situation. i can sit here and say, "sure you will with 100% probability make it in this year!!!" and if you don't, our bone is still no good.

we can only provide with our opinion and what we think* may help you in your admissions.

 

[Luck]

One doesnt even have a chance even with an mcat score higher than the avg D.O matriculant? the gpa is a little lower than avg but shouldn't there be somewhat of a chance?

You do but the problem is a 27 is not that much above the average and your gpa is a bit on the low side. If you had a 30 I'd say you had an excellent chance at NYCOM.

With your stats, I recommend apply really early to NYCOM and you have a good chance. Their class is huge so that improves your chances. I would recommend the newer schools such as TUCOM-LV, LECOM-B, and PCOM-A because their average stats will most likely be lower since they will need to fill their classes.

 

[PublicEnemy]

this is for anyone who has a very low gpa, like <2.7 science, postbac. repeat courses you got worse than a c in. DO schools give you this opportunity. even replacing a few C's with some A's o A-'s can go a long way in terms of pulling your gpa up, at least above pre-screen cutoffs. many schools won't even send you secondaries if you don't match prescreen requirements. so definitely consider DO because they give you this second chance to really improve your gpa dramatically in a hurry. but if you've got your heart set on MD schools, then in my opinion you'll still need to improve that science gpa at least over 3.0 and i think this is regardless of whether or not you'll do a masters program. chances are greatly improved by at least showing a new trend of good grades in postbacc classes, whether prereqs or upper level science classes, and though even a 3.0 is really low in terms of md schools, a masters with good grades at that point gives you some added credibility. for people with really low grades, getting up to a 3.0 is almost like earning a clean slate, but then you have to actually achieve something also, like showing achievement in a masters program or a higher mcat score. just my opinion.

 

[medic170]

What are the chances of acceptance to a D.O school lets say NYCOM with a 3.2 gpa and a 2.9 science (Due mainly to an awful freshman year)with a 27 mcat(10p 9v 8B) Will one get an interview if they apply early with these stats?

There is so much more to it than those 3 numbers. How are your LOR's, ec's, health care experiences? Did you work during school? For example, in my case, I am a non-trad and a non-science major. I am applying with an overall 3.3, science 2.99(had a bad junior year due to illness), 28 MCAT, but I have worked full time to pay for school, I have been a medic for 6 years, I have research experience, health care experience in the field, in urgent care, in offices and shadowing, and great letters from several D.O.s. The point is, you have to consider your background, your circumstances, and the trest of your application along with your numbers, and then judge whether you think you should apply or retake some classes

 

[jiy76]

My prob is that the very poor grades were in freshman year. Since then i have taken advanced classes and done much better. I know it would pad my AAMCOMAS gpa to retake the classes (I have retaken one and got an A) but it is such a waste of my time the poor grades clearly do not reflect my abilities. I had a physical recurring illness that required surgery and I was immature freshman year. My gpa has not been under a 3.3 any semester since freshman year but due to how poorly i did that year my overall gpa is only about a 3.25.Even If you just omit the year without replacing the grades with better ones my gpa is over a 3.5. Wont any school take this into consideration? This sucks, I had a brutal year and now no one will give me a chance.

 

[medic170]

My prob is that the very poor grades were in freshman year. Since then i have taken advanced classes and done much better. I know it would pad my AAMCOMAS gpa to retake the classes (I have retaken one and got an A) but it is such a waste of my time the poor grades clearly do not reflect my abilities. I had a physical recurring illness that required surgery and I was immature freshman year. My gpa has not been under a 3.3 any semester since freshman year but due to how poorly i did that year my overall gpa is only about a 3.25.Even If you just omit the year without replacing the grades with better ones my gpa is over a 3.5. Wont any school take this into consideration? This sucks, I had a brutal year and now no one will give me a chance.

I would not retake the classes. I think htis is overrated anyway. The Adcoms know that anybody can take a class twice and get an A the second time. Maybe take some upper sciences, but IMHO retaking is not worth it unless your gpa is really low.

 

[NRAI2001]

Apply to the carribeans, except for sgu they are pretty easy to get into. Some dont even require the mcat. Many schools like Ross and st. mathews take applicants with lower stats and give them a "second chance". The only thing is they let many people in, but many people fail and drop out, so hopefully u changed ur study habits.

 

[NRAI2001]

this is for anyone who has a very low gpa, like <2.7 science, postbac. repeat courses you got worse than a c in. DO schools give you this opportunity. even replacing a few C's with some A's o A-'s can go a long way in terms of pulling your gpa up, at least above pre-screen cutoffs. many schools won't even send you secondaries if you don't match prescreen requirements. so definitely consider DO because they give you this second chance to really improve your gpa dramatically in a hurry. but if you've got your heart set on MD schools, then in my opinion you'll still need to improve that science gpa at least over 3.0 and i think this is regardless of whether or not you'll do a masters program. chances are greatly improved by at least showing a new trend of good grades in postbacc classes, whether prereqs or upper level science classes, and though even a 3.0 is really low in terms of md schools, a masters with good grades at that point gives you some added credibility. for people with really low grades, getting up to a 3.0 is almost like earning a clean slate, but then you have to actually achieve something also, like showing achievement in a masters program or a higher mcat score. just my opinion.

Wow i didnt know that DO schools let u retake classes and subsitute grades. I know amcas surely doesn't. This almost seems like a way to bring up stats for DO schools and make themselves look better, with stats more comparable to MD schools. SO the stats that DO schools claim to say they have are really actually much higher than what they should be.

 

[Luck]

Wow i didnt know that DO schools let u retake classes and subsitute grades. I know amcas surely doesn't. This almost seems like a way to bring up stats for DO schools and make themselves look better, with stats more comparable to MD schools. SO the stats that DO schools claim to say they have are really actually much higher than what they should be.

I doubt this is the case. How many people that you know retakes their classes if they got a C. This may happen if the applicants got a D or F but its not every day that a DO applicant gets a D or F and takes it again to get an A. It's also not every day an applicant gets a D or F period. As a result, the averages are probably not significantly skewed.

 

[NRAI2001]

I doubt this is the case. How many people that you know retakes their classes if they got a C. This may happen if the applicants got a D or F but its not every day that a DO applicant gets a D or F and takes it again to get an A. It's also not every day an applicant gets a D or F period. As a result, the averages are probably not significantly skewed.

O ok, yea it seemed kinda wierd. I m sure that it only happens on occasion.

 

[irishlaydi]

hi. So, here's my problem. I became very sick last fall and ended up pushing my way thru my semester of grad school even though I was in bed or at the Dr's or hospital all the time. I didn't want to waste a whole semester. i started medical leave as soon as the semester was over. However, I got my grades and did fine (A-) in one class where I could do work from home, and no mandatory attendence...however, the other was a journal club and i had no choice but to miss several classes and a presentation. I contacted my prof before EVERY class I missed and he said it was fine, he understood. I knew I would have to take the course over again. HOwever, the prof ended up giving me an E as final grade, which is F here!!! I was shocked and mad. i met with the prof asap and he said he didn't realize INC (incomplete) was an option!!! what?! anyway, he wasn't able to change it, even after petitions to the dean...WHAT DO I DO??? since being on medical leave I have finalized plans to apply to med school but I know this grade is going to hurt immensely. ANY ADVICE??????????
thanks so much

 

[medic170]

hi. So, here's my problem. I became very sick last fall and ended up pushing my way thru my semester of grad school even though I was in bed or at the Dr's or hospital all the time. I didn't want to waste a whole semester. i started medical leave as soon as the semester was over. However, I got my grades and did fine (A-) in one class where I could do work from home, and no mandatory attendence...however, the other was a journal club and i had no choice but to miss several classes and a presentation. I contacted my prof before EVERY class I missed and he said it was fine, he understood. I knew I would have to take the course over again. HOwever, the prof ended up giving me an E as final grade, which is F here!!! I was shocked and mad. i met with the prof asap and he said he didn't realize INC (incomplete) was an option!!! what?! anyway, he wasn't able to change it, even after petitions to the dean...WHAT DO I DO??? since being on medical leave I have finalized plans to apply to med school but I know this grade is going to hurt immensely. ANY ADVICE??????????
thanks so much

Retake it and explin in your PS

 

[OSUdoc08]

Apply to DO schools. Note that you are retaking the class this coming year, and explain it in your personal statement, as mentioned above.

If you don't get in, apply for post-bacc, and try again next year.

PM me if you want to know what out-of-state schools are good to apply to.

But get that class taken ASAP---if it is too late to take it as a summer session at your school or at a community college, take it this fall for sure!