Applying MD with a 3.6 sGPA lowered because of just one class

[RTC19]

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I am the primary person taking care of my elderly grandparents right now. I had an emergency with my grandma and was the only person around to take her to the ER at 3 am this morning and missed an exam in my 7 am class.

I emailed the professor, hoping he would let me make up the exam but he is unable to accommodate that request. I am past the withdrawal deadline for summer school, meaning I am going to fail the class simply because grading is based on so few points (just the midterm and final - I missed the midterm). They used to accept doctor's notes/documentation of emergencies after the withdrawal deadline, but I guess that policy has changed and they won't anymore.

This appreciably lowered my science GPA down to 3.6 as compared to the 3.9 that it was. My cumulative is still good (3.8), which I worry makes the discrepancy between the cumulative and science GPA's more concerning.

From my understanding, I am now borderline for MD applications and in good standing for DO applications.

1.) Say I apply DO and get in. I understand that matching into competitive programs is more difficult coming from a DO school. Am I at greater risk of ending up in a malignant residency program as a DO? (I am thinking Peds/Psych/FM.)

2.) Because I am otherwise an A student, do you think I can apply to lower-tier MD schools and get into one? I am not from an especially in-state friendly state (IL).

 

[ZukosRedemption]

You're fine, 3.6 is not low. Rock the MCAT and you're good to go.

 

[FreeRadicals]

Medical emergencies are always excused for classes (regardless if during the semester or summer). I'd speak to a higher authority with proper documentation.

 

[dodolol21]

contact the Dean for students at your school, this is a serious and legitimate excuse. Don't accept an F that quickly. 3.9 to 3.6 is a HUGE drop and for no reason in this case.

 

[DUCKTOR]

I'm sorry to hear about that. I know all schools are different, but I agree with the others to fight for it. Hope your grandma's doing good.

 

[Walter Raleigh]

Appeal this - to the Dean, if necessary. You have a legitimate reason to get a withdrawal, under extenuating circumstances. And you're a good student - so they'll be more likely to cut you a break or give you the benefit of the doubt.

 

[Catalystik]

I am the primary person taking care of my elderly grandparents right now. I had an emergency with my grandma and was the only person around to take her to the ER at 3 am this morning and missed an exam in my 7 am class.

I emailed the professor, hoping he would let me make up the exam but he is unable to accommodate that request. I am past the withdrawal deadline for summer school, meaning I am going to fail the class simply because grading is based on so few points (just the midterm and final - I missed the midterm). They used to accept doctor's notes/documentation of emergencies after the withdrawal deadline, but I guess that policy has changed and they won't anymore.

This appreciably lowered my science GPA down to 3.6 as compared to the 3.9 that it was. My cumulative is still good (3.8), which I worry makes the discrepancy between the cumulative and science GPA's more concerning.

From my understanding, I am now borderline for MD applications and in good standing for DO applications.

1.) Say I apply DO and get in. I understand that matching into competitive programs is more difficult coming from a DO school. Am I at greater risk of ending up in a malignant residency program as a DO? (I am thinking Peds/Psych/FM.)

2.) Because I am otherwise an A student, do you think I can apply to lower-tier MD schools and get into one? I am not from an especially in-state friendly state (IL).

I'm sorry this happened to you and I hope your grandmother is doing better.

You are not borderline for MD applications. Average matriculant has a 3.71 cGPA/3.64 BCPM GPA. Within your state, you're competitive for four MD schools (5 if you live south of I-80, came from the inner city, or grew up rural).

 

[LizzyM]

How many courses have you taken thus far and how many more BCPM courses do you have left. One course should not tank your sGPA. That said, do take this higher to see if you can get some concession for the fact that a family member had a medical emergency. Be sure you have documentation that your grandmother was in the ER at 7 a.m. and that you were with her as the responsible family member.

Also, if this is a required course, you will need to retake an a good grade (A) in a retake will average the two attempts to a 2.0 which will soften the blow a bit.

Edit: With a withdrawal, you will need to retake but at least there will be no hit to your GPA. Congrats on finding a school official who was on your side and who make things right for you.

 

[Walter Raleigh]

How many courses have you taken thus far and how many more BCPM courses do you have left. One course should not tank your sGPA. That said, do take this higher to see if you can get some concession for the fact that a family member had a medical emergency. Be sure you have documentation that your grandmother was in the ER at 7 a.m. and that you were with her as the responsible family member.

Also, if this is a required course, you will need to retake an a good grade (A) in a retake will average the two attempts to a 2.0 which will soften the blow a bit.

Agreed. It may be possible that OP can score a withdrawal. In that case, they're golden. If not, acing a retake and explaining the poor grade in a secondary - if applicable - can put things to rest. A single F in an otherwise stellar academic record isn't a *big* red flag at all.

 

[RTC19]

Thank you all so much for your help. 🙂 The Dean of Students at my non-flagship state school is notoriously an incredibly unhelpful person. However, I was able to talk to the Math dpt chair, who is just a generally really good person and has taught me in class before and knows I am generally pretty hard-working and not the type to lie about things. He told me about an exception-filing process to the hard and fast withdrawal deadline that the Academic Advising office didn't tell me about and was not listed on their website. I was granted an exception and allowed a W. So, my GPA wound up making it out of this situation unscathed, even though I will have to apply to medical school a year later. That's okay though.

I'm sorry this happened to you and I hope your grandmother is doing better.

You are not borderline for MD applications. Average matriculant has a 3.71 cGPA/3.64 BCPM GPA. Within your state, you're competitive for four MD schools (5 if you live south of I-80, came from the inner city, or grew up rural).

Thanks so much for your reply, Cat. This made me feel a lot better on a very rough day. Grandma is still in the hospital. But, the bright side of this situation is that I had to drop both the lecture and lab (package deal around here, you can't drop one without the other) and was granted a little bit of FMLA from work so I can stay in the hospital with her. A very sweet nurse brought me a recliner and I appreciate being able to have the time with Grandma. (I was mostly raised by this set of grandparents.) So, it all worked out in the end.

 

[FreeRadicals]

Thank you all so much for your help. 🙂 The Dean of Students at my non-flagship state school is notoriously an incredibly unhelpful person. However, I was able to talk to the Math dpt chair, who is just a generally really good person and has taught me in class before and knows I am generally pretty hard-working and not the type to lie about things. He told me about an exception-filing process to the hard and fast withdrawal deadline that the Academic Advising office didn't tell me about and was not listed on their website. I was granted an exception and allowed a W. So, my GPA wound up making it out of this situation unscathed, even though I will have to apply to medical school a year later. That's okay though.



Thanks so much for your reply, Cat. This made me feel a lot better on a very rough day. Grandma is still in the hospital. But, the bright side of this situation is that I had to drop both the lecture and lab (package deal around here, you can't drop one without the other) and was granted a little bit of FMLA from work so I can stay in the hospital with her. A very sweet nurse brought me a recliner and I appreciate being able to have the time with Grandma. (I was mostly raised by this set of grandparents.) So, it all worked out in the end.

Glad it worked out. Hope your grandma gets well soon.

 

[RTC19]

Glad it worked out. Hope your grandma gets well soon.

Thank you so much. *Hug*

 

[Catalystik]

Thank you all so much for your help. 🙂 The Dean of Students at my non-flagship state school is notoriously an incredibly unhelpful person. However, I was able to talk to the Math dpt chair, who is just a generally really good person and has taught me in class before and knows I am generally pretty hard-working and not the type to lie about things. He told me about an exception-filing process to the hard and fast withdrawal deadline that the Academic Advising office didn't tell me about and was not listed on their website. I was granted an exception and allowed a W. So, my GPA wound up making it out of this situation unscathed, even though I will have to apply to medical school a year later. That's okay though.



Thanks so much for your reply, Cat. This made me feel a lot better on a very rough day. Grandma is still in the hospital. But, the bright side of this situation is that I had to drop both the lecture and lab (package deal around here, you can't drop one without the other) and was granted a little bit of FMLA from work so I can stay in the hospital with her. A very sweet nurse brought me a recliner and I appreciate being able to have the time with Grandma. (I was mostly raised by this set of grandparents.) So, it all worked out in the end.

Hearing your news made my day. Thanks for reporting back.

 

[Walter Raleigh]

Good on you! You found someone that'd be in your corner - and as I'd said before, the fact that you were an excellent student likely brought you some advocacy and the benefit of the doubt. Your explanation of a family health emergency will likely pass muster with most medical schools. Make sure to do well on the MCAT and the sky's the limit.