Hopefully improved re-applicant

[reapinIL]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi all! I previously applied to med school during undergrad with a pretty shotty application (3.3 gpa, 27 MCAT, no shadowing, some research, some volunteer), and didn't even get an interview. Since then I went to grad school, got my MS, am working at an awesome research university (will have a first author pub by the time I apply this year), >25 hours shadowing (with plans to do more), and lots of volunteer hours. My gpa from grad school is still only a 3.0 because my PI gave me a c for my research hours one summer (8 hours of c, ouch) because of a personal experience outside that affected my work. I just retook the MCAT and got a 33, so I'm pumped about that. But I'm still worried about my low gpa and the fact I'll have to make yes to institutional action because the c my PI gave me dropped me below the required 3.0 for my program for one semester. Other than that, my classes were all A's and B's for grad school.

Clearly, I'm going to explain my increased level of maturity since undergrad, and even grad school. But I'm still worried about my previous lack of focus and subsequent low marks. How much are they going to follow me during my re-application? I'm worried I may not even get interviews...

Thanks for listening! 🙂

 

[Avoidthetiger]

Do you still only have a 3.3 for your undergraduate GPA? I believe that is going to harm you more than your graduate GPA if you are applying to MD schools. From what I have heard, most schools look at grad coursework as "extracurricular" and "resume boosters" rather than carrying about your GPA. You will need to explain why your PI thought you deserved a C for your summer research - so i hope that is an understandable reason. But med schools might want to know why your undergrad GPA is lower than the normal applicant more.

Overall though, it looks like you have developed a very good application to med school. And I wouldn't worry about one bad grad summer preventing you from getting an interview/acceptance. If your undergrad GPA is still a 3.3 though, I would consider applying broadly and to both DO and MD programs.

 

[reapinIL]

Thank you so much for your response! My gpa is still that low 🙁 I've never been one to believe re-taking multiple courses simply to improve gpa is ok...just my moral compass. Not to offend anyone else. But I actually think my science gpa is higher than 3.3...I haven't done the calculation on just that. My grad PI and I have since developed a very strong relationship and he already offered to write me a LOR and explain what had happened and how I have improved. I'm definitely planning on applying broadly, but probably not to DO schools this time around (have not shadowed a DO, only MD). Anyway, thanks again! And good luck to all re-applicants!!

 

[Avoidthetiger]

With a 3.3/27 MCAT, I would definitely recommending applying DO as well as MD -- unless you state school gives you a good chance of being accepted. If the IL in your username, stands for IL, the mean scores are 3.6/29 to be accepted @ SIU and 3.5/30 @ UIC... so you are below the mean in both your MCAT and GPA and would be fighting an uphill battle.

I myself applied DO last year with a 3.6/32 to be on the safe side. I shadowed 2 DO docs for about 15 hours over the course of July. Right after my first time shadowing a DO (for 3 hours), i submitted my application, saying I attended to shadow them more. If you have a few hours to spare, I would recommend shadowing a DO for a few hours just to include it in your application... but you don't need to ask a DO for a LOR (for some schools -- so only apply to those schools) and you don't need a lot of experiences with DOs to be offered an interview/acceptance. I would highly recommend not knocking out applying DO just because you haven't shadowed one. Try to make some time to shadow one, and if you still can't, apply anyways.

 

[reapinIL]

Thanks again...Maybe you didn't catch it in my original post, but I retook the MCAT recently and received a 33, so that puts me well above the average for both of those schools. My grades for coursework also show an upward trend.

As for DO, I'm not really sure I even want to apply. The difference between osteopathic and allopathic medicine is significant to me. I understand that a student in DO school can still apply and be accepted to allopathic residency programs, but the underlying medicine is unique in each medical school program. I'm not sure if that type of medicine is what I want to practice. However, I do appreciate your suggestion. 🙂

 

[Avoidthetiger]

I did catch the 33 the first time. I just forgot. The 3.3 is going to give you a touch time still though, but based on past applicants, you have just over a 50% chance of being accepted with a 3.3/33. If you do not want to apply DO, you should be OK. I do not see a difference in the type of medicine DOs practice compared to MDs. They learn osteopathic principles and OMM in school -- but most DOs do not actually do that in their practice. It's just an additional thing you need to learn in the school -- but everything else is the same.