Course Retakes-serious DO chances?

[Barbells&Babies18]

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If I retake courses I messed up years ago (returned to school immediately after a tragic loss and just plain failed a ton of classes bc I would just stop going mid-course), my stats would be cGPA 3.62 sGPA 3.71 MCAT 26 (7/11/8). Also planning on really studying and retaking MCAT as my weakness is content (took the courses 10+ years ago and took the first MCAT as a "practice run").

I know my MD chances are out due to my non-retake GPA but after researching DO schools, I actually think it's a better fit for me philosophy wise. However since there are no local DO schools, it would require my husband changing careers & uprooting my entire family so not something I can take lightly.

Before I add 2 years to my undergrad for retakes & consider uprooting my family, I need to know if those stats plus a better MCAT would really give me a GREAT shot at a good DO school?! Thank you guys!!

 

[chizledfrmstone]

If I retake courses I messed up years ago (returned to school immediately after a tragic loss and just plain failed a ton of classes bc I would just stop going mid-course), my stats would be cGPA 3.62 sGPA 3.71 MCAT 26 (7/11/8). Also planning on really studying and retaking MCAT as my weakness is content (took the courses 10+ years ago and took the first MCAT as a "practice run").

I know my MD chances are out due to my non-retake GPA but after researching DO schools, I actually think it's a better fit for me philosophy wise. However since there are no local DO schools, it would require my husband changing careers & uprooting my entire family so not something I can take lightly.

Before I add 2 years to my undergrad for retakes & consider uprooting my family, I need to know if those stats plus a better MCAT would really give me a GREAT shot at a good DO school?! Thank you guys!!

If you were to apply broadly today you would definitely get in somewhere (with the stats you mentioned). I don't know what the environment will be like in 2 years. Things could get more competitive or less competitive. I think places like MSU prefer that students don't retake a lot of courses.

Take advantage of the grade replacement and retake the classes you did worst in first.

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

What are your stats right now? Is your MCAT current?

 

[Barbells&Babies18]

Ok my stats right now would be c2.9 s2.71 MCAT 26 (July 2014)

I haven't been focused on retakes bc honestly I didn't even realize that was an option. Doing the retakes only adds a year to my undergrad and I'll be retaking 6 classes (theatre, genetics, pchem, calculus 2, literature, and analytical chem).

I was a chem major and returned to school WAY too soon after a tragic death failing courses due to just stop going to class when grief overcame my wall of denial. Took some time off to be an EMT/Paramedic and then returned to school to get my associates in science & then as a psychology major (I switched to psychology bc it's interesting & I could do online classes and stay home with my babies). So just need general ed classes & these sciences plus a few PreQ (thanks to crappy transfers).

My stats when I actually apply will be c3.48 s3.5 because you apply before receiving fall & spring semester grades. Still have a good shot with those?! Thanks y'all!!

 

[Barbells&Babies18]

Also since I'm due with baby #3 in March I'm taking spring & summer semester off. Gonna use that time to study for the new MCAT Jan-Aug and take it in Aug before fall semester starts. Then in Aug all my babies (5 yo, 2 yo, & 5 months) will go to daycare so I can do classes, DO shadowing & ECs. Just hoping that putting them in Childcare (time not spent with them plus major $$) will all be worth it if I can get into a DO school!!

I love my children who are my #1 priority but becoming a physician is my lifelong dream! So just trying to balance everything with as little sacrifice as possible on the kids' part! (I literally do schoolwork only in early mornings before they get up, naptime & late nights after they go to bed so that while they are up, I'm with them 100%). Thanks y'all for the help!!

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

Is there a particular reason you wouldn't want to wait to apply the following year after all your grades are recorded? Having a higher GPA and strong MCAT gives you a much better chance, as well as having some time off before school starts.

 

[Barbells&Babies18]

Is there a particular reason you wouldn't want to wait to apply the following year after all your grades are recorded? Having a higher GPA and strong MCAT gives you a much better chance, as well as having some time off before school starts.

No there isn't a reason. I've actually really thought about that. My plan was to apply my senior year and if I wasn't accepted, reapply after my senior year. Would a gap year or year break hurt my chances? I would actually really enjoy the extra year with my family though I'm already behind being 28 years old (so old right?! Haha).

 

[67552931811]

No there isn't a reason. I've actually really thought about that. My plan was to apply my senior year and if I wasn't accepted, reapply after my senior year. Would a gap year or year break hurt my chances? I would actually really enjoy the extra year with my family though I'm already behind being 28 years old (so old right?! Haha).

No, you'll be alright. Tons of people that get accepted take gap years. In fact, at one of my interviews only 4 or 5 ppl out of 30 were NOT in a gap year.

 

[Barbells&Babies18]

No, you'll be alright. Tons of people that get accepted take gap years. In fact, at one of my interviews only 4 or 5 ppl out of 30 were NOT in a gap year.

Thank you!! This actually works out way better for my family & me!! 🙂

 

[67552931811]

Thank you!! This actually works out way better for my family & me!! 🙂

You're welcome. Also, you're not that old- I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Barbells&Babies18]

You're welcome. Also, you're not that old- I wouldn't worry about it.

Haha. I know I'm not that old being only 28 but in doctor years that's pretty old. With undergrad & gap year, I would be starting DO school at 31 going on 32!

 

[67552931811]

.

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

Okay, well I started at 35, & will graduate at 39...

 

[Barbells&Babies18]

Okay, well I started at 35, & will graduate at 39...

Go you!!! That's awesome!!! I was feeling so defeated recently and y'all are making me hopeful & encouraged!!

I definitely don't think there is a bad age to go to medical school or a wrong way to go about it! I just want to make sure I don't do anything that makes my situation worse or makes things harder on myself! A gap year would be fantastic but I don't want to look back & regret it bc it hurt me in the long run!! That's all I'm trying to do is make sure every step I take is the right one for my family & my chances!! Thanks y'all for the advice!!

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

I'd do a gap year. Med school is hard... and I'm glad I had the time off to enjoy some R&R before I started... RVU has a tough schedule and I was basically in school for almost a solid year with the exception of a few weeks worth of breaks for 1st year. I was really burned out after 2nd year, and that was WITH a gap year... So unless you have some killer stamina, to study for the next 6 years straight and hardcore, take the break... it won't hurt your chances, if anything it will improve them because your GPA will be higher!