Help!!

[JCS86]

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I just checked my grades and I got a C- in Regional Human Anatomy(this was a bad semester as my mother took very ill right in the middle of the semester). Do I still have a chance to get into a DO schoo? I also had a bad freshman year finishing with a 2.5 GPA. I retook those classes and did pretty well compared to the first time (B's as opposed to c- and d's. I have yet to take calculus, physics and organic chemistry. I also have many,many volunteer hours, a physician shadowing internship, im in an honor society, and I have a DO to shadow. If I can do extremely well in all of these (A's and B+) what is the minimum mcat I would need to have a chance? You can be brutally honest, I am not sensitive.

 

[jkhamlin]

I just checked my grades and I got a C- in Regional Human Anatomy(this was a bad semester as my mother took very ill right in the middle of the semester). Do I still have a chance to get into a DO schoo? I also had a bad freshman year finishing with a 2.5 GPA. I retook those classes and did pretty well compared to the first time (B's as opposed to c- and d's. I have yet to take calculus, physics and organic chemistry. I also have many,many volunteer hours, a physician shadowing internship, im in an honor society, and I have a DO to shadow. If I can do extremely well in all of these (A's and B+) what is the minimum mcat I would need to have a chance? You can be brutally honest, I am not sensitive.

You will be fine if you get decent grades in the rest of those classes. Trust me, I'm speaking from experience. I would say an MCAT of around 27 and above would be fine, but it really depends on the school.

 

[Vix206]

i think you still have a chance. admissions committees are understanding of unusual circumstances during a semester (in your case - a family member's illness, in other cases - surgery, extended illness, etc.). but you should try to incorporate that into your personal statement (i was advised to by my pre-med committee) and in addition, you should make sure that's included in your committee letter. other excuses for low grades like - i goofed off, i wasn't used to college, etc. don't fly as well. so just make sure to work your butt off from now on and try to make it up. i used to doubt if i was good enough to be pre-med, and now i realized i was just being spaztic. if you really want this, you will find a way. good luck!

 

[mikeeb]

you need to make sure your gpa gets above a 3.0 sci gpa/ overall at the least because some schools have a 3.0 min. you can always make up that C- because DO schools will take the higher grade when the gpa is calculated. As far as your MCAT i would say anything above a 26 would get you some interviews, of course higher the better. but to get an acceptance it is all up to you at the interview. From the looks of it you still have a lot of classes to take, so just do well in those and get a solid GPA. good luck, take it one step at a time!!!😀

 

[JCS86]

Thank you very much jkhamlin! Do you recommend doing anything else to strengthen my application further (besides the good grades and mcat scores)?

 

[JCS86]

So do you guys think I should retake anatomy?

 

[Vix206]

it's up to you. if you GPA can survive with it, then i say no. but if you really think that you can get a much better grade, then yes.

 

[JCS86]

Thank you to everyone for you help! I thought I was done for. Your words have been very encouraging and informative. ;o)

 

[AustinFinklea]

I think you have a good chance, IF you get the grades you said you might get. The thing about DO med schools is that interviews and acceptances are given based on many factors ragarding the applicant; not just your MCAT and GPA. What you lack in one thing, you should do everything you can to kill the other. Many people have gotten interviews with poor grades in some classes and havent done too hot on the MCAT either. What sets these applicants apart is their tremendous hours given through volunteer, community service, work experience, etc. Also, because Calculus is not a required class for most DO schools if not all, I wouldnt take it unless you feel the need. My brother is a PGY2 in cleveland and he said that he took Calc and it did nothing but lower his semesters GPA a tad. Its up to you of course. I am sure that someone might suggest that you take it, but its up to you.

Good luck

 

[jkhamlin]

Thank you very much jkhamlin! Do you recommend doing anything else to strengthen my application further (besides the good grades and mcat scores)?

A lot of shadowing, volunteer if you can, work in a hospital, do research. There are lots of things to do, and they are not limited to these. Be creative. Do something that is a good learning experience, fits your personality and talents, and will show AdComms that you are a determined to be a doctor. Also, when it comes time to interview, do not underestimate the importance of a practice interview or two with a career center; and, don't listen to the people who say interviews don't matter. They do.

 

[jkhamlin]

Also, because Calculus is not a required class for most DO schools if not all, I wouldnt take it unless you feel the need. My brother is a PGY2 in cleveland and he said that he took Calc and it did nothing but lower his semesters GPA a tad. Its up to you of course. I am sure that someone might suggest that you take it, but its up to you.

Good luck

Calculus is required for science majors at many schools. It was at mine.

 

[DoctorMom78]

Relax. Just focus on doing better from this point on. Also, make sure you have excellent ECs and do well on the MCAT and I think you will be fine. Good luck! 😀