Calculus/effects of certain classes

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

pgswimmer

Full Member
5+ Year Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2017
Messages
205
Reaction score
170
Hello,

I was wondering if DO schools look more at the overall GPA or at your grades in specific classes. I’m in a bit of a unique situation. I have nonverbal learning disability which causes a lot of problems in spacial perception has made Calc 2, physics I, and the first semester of Organic (which was mostly stereochemistry) a struggle. I did fine in second semester physics, second semester organic, biochem, analytical, and tons of other upper level science classes, but my C- in calc 2, C+ in physics and C- in my first semester of organic are bringing me down a lot. I was wondering how much this mattered. I did extremely well in the second semester of organic which was more reaction based, I just struggled a lot with the 3d visualization aspect.

Should I retake any of these classes? Most DO Schools I’ve looked at require a semester of organic plus a second semester of organic or biochem. I did great in second semester organic and biochem which means I should have met the requirements right?

I also have a 509 MCAT score and got a 512 on a practice test last night. Should be able to beat that when I retake in 2 months. Currently a junior beginning to make my list of schools


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Hello,

I was wondering if DO schools look more at the overall GPA or at your grades in specific classes. I’m in a bit of a unique situation. I have nonverbal learning disability which causes a lot of problems in spacial perception has made Calc 2, physics I, and the first semester of Organic (which was mostly stereochemistry) a struggle. I did fine in second semester physics, second semester organic, biochem, analytical, and tons of other upper level science classes, but my C- in calc 2, C+ in physics and C- in my first semester of organic are bringing me down a lot. I was wondering how much this mattered. I did extremely well in the second semester of organic which was more reaction based, I just struggled a lot with the 3d visualization aspect.

Should I retake any of these classes? Most DO Schools I’ve looked at require a semester of organic plus a second semester of organic or biochem. I did great in second semester organic and biochem which means I should have met the requirements right?

I also have a 509 MCAT score and got a 512 on a practice test last night. Should be able to beat that when I retake in 2 months. Currently a junior beginning to make my list of schools


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You'll be fine. I had a 511 mcat, 3.1 gpa with C's in multivariable calc, differential equations, linear algebra, and physics. I did fine during interview season.
 
You'll be fine. I had a 511 mcat, 3.1 gpa with C's in multivariable calc, differential equations, linear algebra, and physics. I did fine during interview season.

Where did you get an interview at with those stats?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Hello,

I was wondering if DO schools look more at the overall GPA or at your grades in specific classes. I’m in a bit of a unique situation. I have nonverbal learning disability which causes a lot of problems in spacial perception has made Calc 2, physics I, and the first semester of Organic (which was mostly stereochemistry) a struggle. I did fine in second semester physics, second semester organic, biochem, analytical, and tons of other upper level science classes, but my C- in calc 2, C+ in physics and C- in my first semester of organic are bringing me down a lot. I was wondering how much this mattered. I did extremely well in the second semester of organic which was more reaction based, I just struggled a lot with the 3d visualization aspect.

Should I retake any of these classes? Most DO Schools I’ve looked at require a semester of organic plus a second semester of organic or biochem. I did great in second semester organic and biochem which means I should have met the requirements right?

I also have a 509 MCAT score and got a 512 on a practice test last night. Should be able to beat that when I retake in 2 months. Currently a junior beginning to make my list of schools

Most schools will need you to re-take Orgo 1 prior to matriculation, because they require a C or higher for pre-reqs.
 
Most schools will need you to re-take Orgo 1 prior to matriculation, because they require a C or higher for pre-reqs.

Okay. I wasn’t sure about that because many of them say you can need 2 semester substitute a semester of orgo for biochem so I just thought the good grades I got in biochem and orgo 2 may be enough


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Most schools will need you to re-take Orgo 1 prior to matriculation, because they require a C or higher for pre-reqs.

If you want to go DO route I will not retake MCAT. It will look bad if your score goes lower than 509. Your MCAT score is pretty good for DO schools. You need to bring your s/GPA up. How's your EC? Shadow DO? Focus on those areas as well.
 
If you want to go DO route I will not retake MCAT. It will look bad if your score goes lower than 509. Your MCAT score is pretty good for DO schools. You need to bring your s/GPA up. How's your EC? Shadow DO? Focus on those areas as well.

I think my EC’s are good. I have about 200 hours of shadowing in cardiology, am shadowing a DO emergency room physician over break and probably doing shadowing with an orthopedic surgeon this summer. I’ve done 3 years of research, was an RA, a teaching assistant for anatomy and a member of a swim team that won a national title. I’m also an Eagle Scout and got the heroism award for lifesaving all of which I feel like will help make up for the gpa. I’m trying to figure out which schools to apply to at the moment based on my applicant profile


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
100% agreed and that's what I suggested you too unless you want to go MD route.
How's your c/sGPA?

It should be a 3.1 as long as calculus isn’t factored in. I’ve had all A’s and B+s except for the C+ in physics and the C- in orgo 1. I can definitely get it higher this semester as I’m getting A’s in 3 upper level sciences


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
It should be a 3.1 as long as calculus isn’t factored in. I’ve had all A’s and B+s except for the C+ in physics and the C- in orgo 1. I can definitely get it higher this semester as I’m getting A’s in 3 upper level sciences


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
DO won't count calculus for sGPA so your sGPA should be higher. All pre-reqs should be C and higher so you need to re-take orgo 1.
 
DO won't count calculus for sGPA so your sGPA should be higher. All pre-reqs should be C and higher so you need to re-take orgo 1.

Got it. So orgo 1 isn’t offered at my school in the fall and so I will have to take it again spring senior year. How do I communicate to schools that I’ll be retaking it? Or will I be automatically blacklisted because of the grade?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
From my research, you don't need to retake the C- because they will substitute it with Biochem. Many schools just have recommended coursework now instead of hard pre-reqs. But then again, each school is different, just speaking in general terms
 
If you don't already know about it, be sure to see this too. Some people have similar stats (aka me): ***The Official 2017-2018 Osteopathic Underdawgs***

I’ve seen it. Makes me feel a lot better. I think I have a decent shot at getting in somewhere given my MCAT score is pretty good and I’ve got good EC’s. Lots of other people in similar situations seem to have made it


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Top