GPA: How much does time forgive?

[Greg K]

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If anyone could help me out with this it would be super appreciated. I graduated from UG in 2006 and wasn't the greatest student (3.16) but after eight years in the military I left the service to complete a post-bacc w/virtually all my science requirements and did well (3.82) which reflected on the MCAT (519). When all the numbers are crunched my composite GPA between UG and PB is roughly 3.41 cGPA, 3.57 sGPA.

My question is, when targeting schools how should I be looking at my GPA v. school averages and ranges on the MSAR? 3.16 ain't going no where but the more current 3.82 w/the MCAT to back it up tells a different story. I've been using the composite numbers, is that the correct route or should I be using a higher number given a decade has passed since UG?

 

[ChrisMack390]

You are fine. Awesome MCAT, awesome post-bacc, military is very favorably looked at.

I would apply as if I had a 3.6 or 3.7 GPA. Coupled with a 519, you are good to go on the stats end of things.

 

[GreenDuck12]

Target MD schools with higher MCAT ranges. While this may seem counter intuitive, it indicates that they (may) place more weight on MCAT than GPA and will accept an above average MCAT with a below average GPA. Apply broadly to both MD and some DO programs for best results.

If anyone could help me out with this it would be super appreciated. I graduated from UG in 2006 and wasn't the greatest student (3.16) but after eight years in the military I left the service to complete a post-bacc w/virtually all my science requirements and did well (3.82) which reflected on the MCAT (519). When all the numbers are crunched my composite GPA between UG and PB is roughly 3.41 cGPA, 3.57 sGPA.

My question is, when targeting schools how should I be looking at my GPA v. school averages and ranges on the MSAR? 3.16 ain't going no where but the more current 3.82 w/the MCAT to back it up tells a different story. I've been using the composite numbers, is that the correct route or should I be using a higher number given a decade has passed since UG?

 

[DrMikeP]

Along with above, Consider applying DO. You'd have an excellent chance!

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

 

[DocWinter]

You have left no doubt that you are not the same 3.16 student 10 years ago. No legitimate admissions council would haggle over that.

If you choose DO you would be accepted handily, and should also have interest from average MD programs. Apply broadly if going MD.

 

[AlphaBeta<3]

If anyone could help me out with this it would be super appreciated. I graduated from UG in 2006 and wasn't the greatest student (3.16) but after eight years in the military I left the service to complete a post-bacc w/virtually all my science requirements and did well (3.82) which reflected on the MCAT (519). When all the numbers are crunched my composite GPA between UG and PB is roughly 3.41 cGPA, 3.57 sGPA.

My question is, when targeting schools how should I be looking at my GPA v. school averages and ranges on the MSAR? 3.16 ain't going no where but the more current 3.82 w/the MCAT to back it up tells a different story. I've been using the composite numbers, is that the correct route or should I be using a higher number given a decade has passed since UG?

I think you can apply to top schools.
The Military advantage is really strong.

 

[Promethean]

If money is no object, apply everywhere you might remotely consider going. There is no harm in sending an application to schools that may be a reach for you, as long as you can afford the apps. This is a part of the process where spending a little more has the potential to pay off, if it gives you a shot at a school you'd love that you think might be beyond your grasp. If it gets you an interview, it was money well spent. Nothing is more expensive than having to re-apply next year, since that also delays the time until you are able to earn an attending income.

I had a 1.37 gpa my freshman year, as I was homeless with no family support. When I eventually went back to school a few years later, there were lots of 4.0 and 3.75 semesters to make it up. If I could bounce back from a 1.37, your 3.16 isn't going to hold you back, with all that you've done in the meantime.

 

[Greg K]

Thank you for the feedback everyone, the plan right now is to apply widely and to a diverse pool of schools w/the reaches as well as the schools were I've made by way into the medians (good things about the eight years of service, it correlated to eight years of saving up money for secondaries lol). @Promethean that is an incredibly motivating story, congratulations. For my glide year I'll be working w/homeless populations via Americorps and might need to hear more to pass along as a success story.

@gonnif I would love your input on my situation if possible.

 

[DrMidlife]

the advice in this thread is nice & cheerful but i don't think it's helpful. nobody seems interested in avoiding the loss of time & money & momentum in a premature app.

there's a huge body of work on SDN from those who have recovered from similar damage. Your low GPA competition is reading ravenously, to understand what they're up against. They want your seat. they're reading everything that comes up on a search for "low gpa". they're skeptical about individual opinions.

you're required to submit every transcript. every grade is averaged into GPA calcs. med schools MIGHT have weighting protocols. the easiest protocol is to autoscreen at a threshold, such as 3.0 or 3.2.

60% of med school applicants are rejected every year. what they tend to have in common isn't a lack of real world experience or commitment to medicine. what they tend to have in common is comparatively crappy numbers.

my 25 year old transcripts carried as much weight as my fresh ones.

during one DO interview i was expected to go through my transcripts from the beginning and explain every grade lower than a B. 6 transcripts covering 25 years.

please do a whole lot more reading.

best of luck to you.

 

[GreenDuck12]

@DrMidlife

Just out of curiosity, when you mention the auto screen of 3.0 or 3.2, is that for overall cGPA or GPA per transcript or both? Given that the OP's numbers are "GPA between UG and PB is roughly 3.41 cGPA, 3.57 sGPA," I would think he/she would be safe from being auto rejected?

 

[GrapesofRath]

While there are often times to rain on someone's parade on this site to some extent as threads reeking of unrealistic expectations and wishful thinking are hardly uncommon, I wouldnt really call this one of those times.

Use your overall GPA that combines UG and PB work. It's not 3.16 and it's not 3.81. You have a 3.41 cGPA and 3.57 sGPA with a solid showing of recent excellence. That's not particularly low. sGPA is close to the MD matriculant average actually. The schools that might directly screen out a 3.41/3.57 OP has no business applying to anyway(ie the Harvard's and Stanford's of the world).

As for targeting schools, cases like yours arent clear cut and always kind of tricky. But military experience, a 519 and a strong recent GPA trend carries alot of weight. 10th percentile MSAR GPA's are a guideline, nothing more, especially when you have a 37/519 that will be above the 90th percentile at many schools. Academics aren't really the concern here though. You've done just about all you can to remediate them and alleviate concerns the best you can and put your numerical numbers in a competitive position

 

[Goro]

Ditto this! And OP, many thanks to you for your service to our country.

You are fine. Awesome MCAT, awesome post-bacc, military is very favorably looked at.

I would apply as if I had a 3.6 or 3.7 GPA. Coupled with a 519, you are good to go on the stats end of things.