How are 'old' grades figured in?

[OLYWA]

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Hey all, I am a non-trad with dreams of PNUHS for 08.

I have a BS (Paramedics) from 1995, which included the requisite courses in Bio and Chem. Unfortunately, due to an incredibly difficult program (CWU) and a little Wernicke's encephalopathy (i.e....I partied)...my GPA regarding my BCPM from this era is around a 2.68.

Ten years later I decide to pursue my DO. In the last 2 years I have completed all of my prereqs with around a 3.1 (hey...I work 60 hour weeks ok...cut me some slack).

My question centers around the following.

When filling out my AACOMAS, I am forced to place ALL OF MY PREVIOUSLY TAKEN classes on there. And I assume my cumulative (both science and otherwise) is figured accordingly. Unfortunately, my BCPM suffers as a result of classes taken 10 years ago.

How are my 'older' grades figured in?

If they are figured in...can I then re-take them and submit my new A's? Re-takes are common...but do they apply to courses taken years ago?

And yes...I fully realize that at interview time (at least I hope) the ADCOM will understand the 10 year difference in GPA. The problem is...I need to actually make it to an interview...and if numbers only are submitted...I need to play that angle strategically.

Any help here is appreciated.

 

[pguin]

Im not sure how helpful I can be on answering all of your questions but maybe I can help with a few.

Unfortunately, I think your gpa problem may be very prohibitive especially since even your new coursework wasn't absolutely stellar (I know you had to work during the time and trust me I understand!, Im just not sure the admissions committee will) You may want to start looking into some graduate programs and try to excel in a masters program. Especially since you don't want to matriculate for 2 years anyways.

Also, you didn't list any MCAT information but this could be a very important part of getting yourself into an interview where you can explain your situation. An excellent MCAT score (30 or higher) will definately make up for some gpa problems but if you have a lower MCAT (23 or lower) you may be risking that your app is rejected before they ever hear your story.

I wish I could tell you for sure if you will be able to retake coursework and replace grades but my gut feeling is that it you might be able to replace your pre-req science coursework but not any of the rest of your grades. However, someone else will have to confirm this.

Good luck with your application and I hope every thing goes well!

http://www.mdapplicants.com/viewprofile.php?myid=6672

 

[Jamers]

Hey all, I am a non-trad with dreams of PNUHS for 08.

I have a BS (Paramedics) from 1995, which included the requisite courses in Bio and Chem. Unfortunately, due to an incredibly difficult program (CWU) and a little Wernicke's encephalopathy (i.e....I partied)...my GPA regarding my BCPM from this era is around a 2.68.

Ten years later I decide to pursue my DO. In the last 2 years I have completed all of my prereqs with around a 3.1 (hey...I work 60 hour weeks ok...cut me some slack).

My question centers around the following.

When filling out my AACOMAS, I am forced to place ALL OF MY PREVIOUSLY TAKEN classes on there. And I assume my cumulative (both science and otherwise) is figured accordingly. Unfortunately, my BCPM suffers as a result of classes taken 10 years ago.

How are my 'older' grades figured in?

If they are figured in...can I then re-take them and submit my new A's? Re-takes are common...but do they apply to courses taken years ago?

And yes...I fully realize that at interview time (at least I hope) the ADCOM will understand the 10 year difference in GPA. The problem is...I need to actually make it to an interview...and if numbers only are submitted...I need to play that angle strategically.

Any help here is appreciated.

At the very top of the page is a thread called "FAQ's..." this should answer all of your questions.

 

[Hardbody]

Hey all, I am a non-trad with dreams of PNUHS for 08.

I have a BS (Paramedics) from 1995, which included the requisite courses in Bio and Chem. Unfortunately, due to an incredibly difficult program (CWU) and a little Wernicke's encephalopathy (i.e....I partied)...my GPA regarding my BCPM from this era is around a 2.68.

Ten years later I decide to pursue my DO. In the last 2 years I have completed all of my prereqs with around a 3.1 (hey...I work 60 hour weeks ok...cut me some slack).

My question centers around the following.

When filling out my AACOMAS, I am forced to place ALL OF MY PREVIOUSLY TAKEN classes on there. And I assume my cumulative (both science and otherwise) is figured accordingly. Unfortunately, my BCPM suffers as a result of classes taken 10 years ago.

How are my 'older' grades figured in?

If they are figured in...can I then re-take them and submit my new A's? Re-takes are common...but do they apply to courses taken years ago?
And yes...I fully realize that at interview time (at least I hope) the ADCOM will understand the 10 year difference in GPA. The problem is...I need to actually make it to an interview...and if numbers only are submitted...I need to play that angle strategically.

Any help here is appreciated.

Yes, they will count retakes and not your old grades toward your GPA, but adcoms will still see the old grades. That being said, a 3.1 probably isn't going to impress many people. I am sure that you will find some people that got into medical school (particularly the osteopathic schools) with that low of a GPA, but they likely made up for it in other ways such as a good MCAT score. Your paramedic background will likely help you a lot, but you still need to get your GPA up to a reasonable range and do well on the MCAT.

BTW, do not be delusional, the MCAT is a tough test and if you are working 60 hours a week, you are bound to perform poorly on that test. As arogant as I am, I thought I could pull a 30 on the MCAT with three and a half weeks of studying, but I didn't (I got a 29). I would recommend that you take 12 weeks to prepare for the MCAT, studying 6-8 hours a day at least 6 days a week. Good luck!