Apply or Wait?

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SodaApplePeel

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Hey guys,

My girlfriend is considering applying this cycle.

She has a 2.9 sGPA/ 3.1 cGPA and a 511 MCAT. The issue is she has a C- in Bio Lab 1. All of her other grades meet the requirements. No local universities offer Bio I in the summer and so if she did end up taking it she would need to wait till the Fall or Spring.

She also has a ton of volunteer experience. She was an EMT for 2 years, did 2 years of research and has something like 2000+ volunteer hours. She has been working as a medical scribe for the past 2 years, so has great clinical exposure. She can get a letter of rec from a DO as well.

Would it be better for her to retake Bio Lab 1 in the fall and apply to DO school by January, or apply now?

Alternatively, could she apply now, take Bio Lab 1 in the fall and just update the schools on her grade?
She will mostly be applying to bottom tier/ new DO schools

Thanks, she's a mess over what to do and any help would be appreciated.
 
I'd retake Bio Lab. Correct me if I'm wrong but most schools say you have to have a C+ or higher in pre req classes. They may reject you before the secondary application process. I'd wait a year. Maybe take a "recommended class" like microbiology, anatomy, or something like that as well to strengthen her GPA.

I'd check requirements of the schools first then go from there.
 
Doctor-In-Training99 said:
I'd retake Bio Lab. Correct me if I'm wrong but most schools say you have to have a C+ or higher in pre req classes. They may reject you before the secondary application process. I'd wait a year. Maybe take a "recommended class" like microbiology, anatomy, or something like that as well to strengthen her GPA.

I'd check requirements of the schools first then go from there.
Click to expand...

All 7 of the schools she currently has on her list have a minimum C requirement. However, I spoke to another friend who said these are soft-set requirements.

My GF believes that since her MCAT is so much higher than the average for these schools, she shouldn't have a problem.
 
SodaApplePeel said:
All 7 of the schools she currently has on her list have a minimum C requirement. However, I spoke to another friend who said these are soft-set requirements.

My GF believes that since her MCAT is so much higher than the average for these schools, she shouldn't have a problem.
Click to expand...

You could try but you could potentially just be wasting a lot of money on the application process for 7 schools. I'd wait a year and then go for it. Your chances will be better plus with a higher GPA you can apply to higher tier DO schools and maybe even one or two MDs.

Something to keep in mind is that there will be other applicants who have a similar or better MCAT than she does who will meet the requirements and they may get in before she does.
 
She needs to increase her sGPA to 3.0 before she applies. Otherwise she could be screened out at some schools. Another year of science courses at a local college would be a good idea, enough courses to raise her sGPA to 3.0. The she could apply broadly to at least 15 DO schools.
 
Faha said:
She needs to increase her sGPA to 3.0 before she applies. Otherwise she could be screened out at some schools. Another year of science courses at a local college would be a good idea, enough courses to raise her sGPA to 3.0. The she could apply broadly to at least 15 DO schools.
Click to expand...

^Completely agree
 
Faha said:
She needs to increase her sGPA to 3.0 before she applies. Otherwise she could be screened out at some schools. Another year of science courses at a local college would be a good idea, enough courses to raise her sGPA to 3.0. The she could apply broadly to at least 15 DO schools.
Click to expand...

Does it matter if it is a community college or 4-year college?

The 4-year college near us is 2x the price of a community college. However, I have read that med schools look down on community colleges.
 
Faha said:
She needs to increase her sGPA to 3.0 before she applies. Otherwise she could be screened out at some schools. Another year of science courses at a local college would be a good idea, enough courses to raise her sGPA to 3.0. The she could apply broadly to at least 15 DO schools.
Click to expand...
Agree 100% with my wise colleague!
 
Here is an idea. Apply to 1 throw away school where she doesn't want to go and get her application verified.
With Bio lab take some more science classes, CC are fine.
Calculate her sGPA if it's >3.0 by taking 2-3 more science classes.
Let her take summer science classes at CC.
 
Doctor-In-Training99 said:
I'd retake Bio Lab. Correct me if I'm wrong but most schools say you have to have a C+ or higher in pre req classes. They may reject you before the secondary application process. I'd wait a year. Maybe take a "recommended class" like microbiology, anatomy, or something like that as well to strengthen her GPA.

I'd check requirements of the schools first then go from there.
Click to expand...

Is this a thing? I have failed a prereq before, and am currently taking it. So, as a result, I'll be screened out of secondaries because of this?
 
DowningJP said:
Is this a thing? I have failed a prereq before, and am currently taking it. So, as a result, I'll be screened out of secondaries because of this?
Click to expand...

I think they can. I mean if it says its a requirement for the school that is what they use to screen out people. But if you retake the class and do well I believe it replaced the other grade.
 
Doctor-In-Training99 said:
I think they can. I mean if it says its a requirement for the school that is what they use to screen out people. But if you retake the class and do well I believe it replaced the other grade.
Click to expand...

CCOM and AZCOM specifically say its a requirement for admission to complete prerequisites. Other schools say at least prior to matriculation. Maybe its just semantics, but I think it might actually refer to what you are saying.
 
DowningJP said:
CCOM and AZCOM specifically say its a requirement for admission to complete prerequisites. Other schools say at least prior to matriculation. Maybe its just semantics, but I think it might actually refer to what you are saying.
Click to expand...

I'm sure it varies from school to school. I know there was one school that would not let me apply with any grade less than a C for pre reqs. I think as long as you retake it and get above a C you'll be fine.
 
Goro said:
Agree 100% with my wise colleague!
Click to expand...

We talked and she would be taking 8 credits in the fall and 8 credits in the spring. I know that's not a full-year, however with 16 credits of at least a B+ she would be able to raise her sGPA to a 3.0.

These would also be at a community college, I don't know if that is looked down on or not.
 
Last edited:
SodaApplePeel said:
We talked and she would be taking 8 credits in the fall and 8 credits in the spring. I know that's not a full-year, however with 16 credits of at least a B+ she would be able to raise her sGPA to a 3.0.

These would also be at a community college, I don't know if that is looked down on or not.
Click to expand...
That's only 2 courses a semester. I still haven't seen evidence of her ability to handle the type of course load anywhere near what 1st semester of med school would be. Believe it or not, our students success is paramount to faculty. We dont want to see course failure/remediation on a students academic record or God forbid repeating a year. This is a red flag for residencies and will get you screened by some. I still believe she needs Post Bac or Smp to hit the ground running when she becomes a 1st yr med student. I am in the minority here, so keep this in mind. Regardless, I hope she is successful with her application and please let us know how it all works out. Good luck and best wishes!
 
Angus Avagadro said:
That's only 2 courses a semester. I still haven't seen evidence of her ability to handle the type of course load anywhere near what 1st semester of med school would be. Believe it or not, our students success is paramount to faculty. We dont want to see course failure/remediation on a students academic record or God forbid repeating a year. This is a red flag for residencies and will get you screened by some. I still believe she needs Post Bac or Smp to hit the ground running when she becomes a 1st yr med student. I am in the minority here, so keep this in mind. Regardless, I hope she is successful with her application and please let us know how it all works out. Good luck and best wishes!
Click to expand...

This is very very true. She could greatly benefit from doing a masters and proving to committees that she can handle a difficult course load. DO programs look at every part of your application so unfortunately just a good MCAT isn't enough to get in. I believe if she did well in a Master's program and successfully completed it she could open a lot more doors for herself. @SodaApplePeel
 
Doctor-In-Training99 said:
I'd retake Bio Lab. Correct me if I'm wrong but most schools say you have to have a C+ or higher in pre req classes. They may reject you before the secondary application process. I'd wait a year. Maybe take a "recommended class" like microbiology, anatomy, or something like that as well to strengthen her GPA.

I'd check requirements of the schools first then go from there.
Click to expand...

I think it’s “C” not C+
 
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