DO Chances for a DO program?

[kfox926]

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Hi everyone! I'm a nontraditional student; 26 yrs old, married with a 4 year old and working full time as a pharm tech for 8 years. I have over 100 hours of shadowing multiple doctors (MD and DO). I'm doing research in my undergrad, participated in my health science club for 2 years now and I have a cgpa of 3.14 and a sgpa of 3.07. I still have two semesters remaining with all upper division sciences. And I took 3 semesters of classes at a community college with a cgpa of 3.8. I'm not sure how heavily those grades weigh in the whole picture since it's a community college. I'm taking the MCAT spring 2018 after I graduate since Bio chem will be in my last semester.
Based on this information, do I seem like a decent applicant for DO programs?

Thanks!!!



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[sab3156]

Hi,

Your GPAs are low. If you get your sGPA higher, you should be fine. It may help to volunteer for a few hours a week in a clinical setting (I volunteered as a patient transporter at a hospital ER).

This doesn't need to be said, but try and do as well as you can on the MCAT.

Try to get straight A's in your upper level science classes. Do your GPAs contain any retaken courses? You should retake science courses you did poorly in and try to get A's. The osteopathic application considers only your last attempt at the course, so it may significantly boost your GPAs.

Depending on whether or not you are a URM and how well you do on the MCAT and in your future courses (if your GPA is bumped up), you may also consider applying to MD schools, especially if you have a state school that heavily prefers in-state applicants. But I'm not sure about this, maybe someone else can comment on it.

 

[kfox926]

I did not retake any courses. I got Cs in both gen Chems, they were really a struggle for me. But I got an A in organic 1 and I'm taking organic 2 next semester and I expect the same grade. My last semester was awesome; physiology, organic 1, genetics, physics 1. All As except genetics was a B+. When I transferred to my college from a community college, I got a C in a bio course. Im retaking that one so there will only be 2 Cs for gen chem and a C in a history class on my transcripts. My next two semesters are all sciences, as was this past one. So I think I definitely have the potential to finish strong with a hard course load. And I think once the 3.8 for those ~24 credits gets added together my GPAs should come up a bit.


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[pseud0]

Your gpa is quite low. If you absolutely demolish the MCAT you're fine, otherwise you will run into a ton of problems. A lot will hinge on your MCAT score.

 

[AlteredScale]

Moving to WAMC.

 

[Goro]

What I see is someone whose grades cratered when transferring from the CC to the 4 year school. This is not good. As of right now, your numbers are circling the drain. You need to start aceing things. No med school is doing you any favors by admitting you if you're at risk for failing out.

 

[kfox926]

So, I used a GPA calculator that I found on this site and my cgpa is 3.34 and sgpa is 3.18. If I retake two classes it jumps significantly. Sgpa 3.42 cgpa 3.47


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[psu228]

So, I used a GPA calculator that I found on this site and my cgpa is 3.34 and sgpa is 3.18. If I retake two classes it jumps significantly. Sgpa 3.42 cgpa 3.47


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Retake them, then. I had to retake two classes and it totally changed my attitude about how feasible my chances are. It really makes a big difference for the sGPA especially! Also, taking these classes again and doing well in them will be a good basis for the MCAT.

 

[kfox926]

I'm definitely going to retake them. Just by playing with that GPA calculator and thinking about the grades I will achieve in the next two semesters, there's no reason why I can't have a 3.5/3.5. I think I would definitely have a good chance at medical school. Maybe even a state MD school in my state.


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