GPA questions on AMCAS/AACOMAS app

[AlphaKeto]

So just to keep it short, I did horribly my first go at college. Didn't want to be there, had better things to do in my mind at the time. etc. 9 years later. I graduate cum laude with 2 years of research and first author on a published paper. So I'm filling out my apps and slowly feeling my past catch up with me as I see my nice GPA drop as I add the D's and F's from my old school. Now my total is sitting at a 2.9. My question is this. Will most schools automatically look at your total GPA and ignore you if it's too low or will they primarily look at your graduating GPA from your graduating institution. In other words will they be looking at what you entered or your actual transcripts primarily. Also would the stark contrast between my old scores and my new scores be taken into account or will it just look bad no matter what?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[beBrave]

So just to keep it short, I did horribly my first go at college. Didn't want to be there, had better things to do in my mind at the time. etc. 9 years later. I graduate cum laude with 2 years of research and first author on a published paper. So I'm filling out my apps and slowly feeling my past catch up with me as I see my nice GPA drop as I add the D's and F's from my old school. Now my total is sitting at a 2.9. My question is this. Will most schools automatically look at your total GPA and ignore you if it's too low or will they primarily look at your graduating GPA from your graduating institution. In other words will they be looking at what you entered or your actual transcripts primarily. Also would the stark contrast between my old scores and my new scores be taken into account or will it just look bad no matter what?

Medical schools will always look at your entire Undergraduate GPA. In my experience some DO schools will cut off at 2.76 however they are known to actually go below this depending on the rest of your application. If you retook any coursework, a DO school will only count the highest grade earned for a class retake (so some of those F's might not count anymore) while MD schools will average all scores (meaning your F will get a boost if you retook the class).

Various MD schools will automatically reject you because you are below a 3.0 however don't feel bad about this; the key is to research your schools and know which ones have a specific GPA cutoff (calling the school is the best option if it doesn't specifically state GPA requirements on the website or if it isn't clear; also if a school states that they prefer a 3.0, then it means they will consider below a 3.0). There are various MD schools that actually state that they are looking for students with Non traditional backgrounds or that have overcome exceptional circumstances. Again its all about knowing the school that you are applying to. You have good prospects of being accepted into a DO program and potentially some MD programs with bit of Shadowing and volunteer work. Just don't give up; remain positive, keep focused and stay determined. You've come this far so see it through.

 

[AlphaKeto]

Medical schools will always look at your entire Undergraduate GPA. In my experience some DO schools will cut off at 2.76 however they are known to actually go below this depending on the rest of your application. If you retook any coursework, a DO school will only count the highest grade earned for a class retake (so some of those F's might not count anymore) while MD schools will average all scores (meaning your F will get a boost if you retook the class).

Various MD schools will automatically reject you because you are below a 3.0 however don't feel bad about this; the key is to research your schools and know which ones have a specific GPA cutoff (calling the school is the best option if it doesn't specifically state GPA requirements on the website or if it isn't clear; also if a school states that they prefer a 3.0, then it means they will consider below a 3.0). There are various MD schools that actually state that they are looking for students with Non traditional backgrounds or that have overcome exceptional circumstances. Again its all about knowing the school that you are applying to. You have good prospects of being accepted into a DO program and potentially some MD programs with bit of Shadowing and volunteer work. Just don't give up; remain positive, keep focused and stay determined. You've come this far so see it through.

That's pretty good news. Without the retakes I'm at a 2.9 overall 3.0 science. Dropping some of those F's I should be at 3.2-3.3 for DO schools.

 

[beBrave]

That's pretty good news. Without the retakes I'm at a 2.9 overall 3.0 science. Dropping some of those F's I should be at 3.2-3.3 for DO schools.

Cheers

 

[TriagePreMed]

I think there are a few schools in Michigan that only take into consideration your last 60 units? Anyway, if you can retake courses and get that 3.3, you'll be far better off than gambling on 2-3 schools.

How the past comes after us :-(

 

[Goro]

We receive soemthing like 4-5K applications every year. it's simply not possible to look at every one of them and consider for an interview.

Therefore, we look at cGPA, the whole thing. If you fall below our minimum, you get the rejection letter.

We do look at performance in the last two years of your undergrade and give it more weight.

If you want to look good, re-take any F/D/C grade and it will do wonders for your GPA under AACOMAS grade replacement policy. To be competetive at DO schools, you need to get that cGPA >3.0, ideally, up to 3.4.

So just to keep it short, I did horribly my first go at college. Didn't want to be there, had better things to do in my mind at the time. etc. 9 years later. I graduate cum laude with 2 years of research and first author on a published paper. So I'm filling out my apps and slowly feeling my past catch up with me as I see my nice GPA drop as I add the D's and F's from my old school. Now my total is sitting at a 2.9. My question is this. Will most schools automatically look at your total GPA and ignore you if it's too low or will they primarily look at your graduating GPA from your graduating institution. In other words will they be looking at what you entered or your actual transcripts primarily. Also would the stark contrast between my old scores and my new scores be taken into account or will it just look bad no matter what?