Originally posted by doctamon
I am in a boat somewhat similar to yours Fenrezz in that I had a horrible experience during my first attempt at College and ended up with about a 2.0 GPA.
I dropped out for about 10 years, returned and kicked ass. Unfortunately, I had so many credits from my first try that my GPA was only raised to about a 2.7. I made A's in all my Chem, Bio, Organic and Physics as well as my major courses.
Unfortunately, a number of my F's from previous years were in classes like Calculus, which I didn't retake. I'm wondering if it would be worthwhile to go back and take a series of calculus just to help my GPA out or should I concentrate on other things?
My MCAT was okay: 10VR, 9BS, 9PS, WS S, but I'm thinking of trying again in April.
Anybody have any ideas about if and how I might be considered for an interview at a DO school?
Yeah that sounds like what I had to go through. It's a tricky situation. The MCAT score is fine, but the GPA is on the low side for med schools. I'd like to think your recent performace means something, but I really don't know how closely the adcoms look at transcripts before deciding to give an interview. In other words, I don't know if they look at the bottom line GPA, or at the list of classes responsible for that GPA (and hence, the classes responsible for the increase in GPA). I was counting on that too when I applied, but the simple truth is that they have so many applications to look at. I came to the conclusion that they probably don't have time to comb through each application until after you get the interview.
I would apply with what you got, but in the meantime, you'll want to replace those F's. Even a couple of F's can strangle your GPA, as well as any D's and, if possible, C's too. Normally I wouldnt recommend to someone to replace C's but replacing lower grades spikes your GPA up more so than just adding additional A's to your transcripts. That way you can increase GPA faster and get more bang for your buck. Do whatever you can to get the overall number (and especially science GPA) as close to, or over, 3.0.
Your MCAT score is good, though. I personally know people who've been accepted to MD schools with less so you're in the range of DO schools. Shadow a DO and get a strong letter of recommendation, and make sure to do plenty of health related volunteer time. One thing I'll say about DO schools, and this is my opinion, but they definetely put stock in older students with life experience, over just accepting a person with just statistical numbers, more so than MD schools do.
If worse comes to worse, and you don't get in, you can reapply next year, with stronger numbers and the preception of dedication to going to D.O. school.
First and foremost, though, get rid of those F's.
