How much of a problem will my transcript be on my application?

[VBGLL]

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[OhioG]

Schools will understand you were probably in some PSEO program. So technically you were in college for 6 not 8 years.

The withdrawls in 1 semester might be better than through out. Be sure you are able to explain what happened.

I don't know much about deferred grades. I know someone who deferred a lab for a year. (took 2/3 of the quarter, had to go to Haiti post earthquake, took the final the following spring).

Repeat the F if possible. Can only help your GPA. (though not much but schools require you to not have any D's or Fs).

Dont worry too much. Everyone takes a different path. You at least had work as a reason.

 

[CopToEM]

1) My first college class was in 2002. I graduated in 2010. Looks like it took me 8 years.

Don't sweat it. I started undergrad in 2004 and finished in 2012. If you discuss in your PS why you struggled to do all semesters concurrently (full-time employment, etc) it will explain it. No one ever asked me why it took me 8 years to complete undergrad. It was well understood.

2) 5 Withdrawls.

Again, you withdrew for the same reasons mentioned above so don't sweat it. I dropped out of college for two entire years. Withdrawals are pretty common anyway and that's not something many people ever cite as an issue in applications. I had a few myself and was never asked about them.

3) I took a weight training course 8 times in my freshman/sophomore years. And an "F" in one of the 1.00 credit courses (it was repeated with a P)

It's a Phys Ed... they're unlikely to care.

4) Deferred grade for 10 months on correspondence course. Shows up for a full year on my transcript.

Not sure what grade deferral is so can't help much here.

5) Freshman GPA: 3.7
Sophomore GPA: 3.45
Junior GPA: 2.60-- -> [Was working 50 hours per week in addition to full-time school]
Senior GPA: 3.85

Stong GPAs, don't sweat the JR year.

Alright, so here's the bottom line. Although you think this is a mess and your transcript is convoluted the schools aren't actually going to see your university transcripts. AACOMAS just uses those to verify what you put into your application. Your first 30 credits will go in as freshmen, next 30 sophomore, next 30 junior, and then anything beyond 90 will go in as senior.

Regardless of what anyone else tells you, schools will appreciate your determination. Clearly, you were serious about school because you remained in it and didn't drop out for good. You held onto your dream and now your application is on their desk. Sure, a couple of blemishes, but overall your GPAs are very strong. The challenge you have now is simply conveying that through your PS, secondaries, and interview in a way that puts your entire road to medical school into a 'determined' light.

That is, "My life has not been easy and the struggles to receive my education have been vast. However, through it all, I have held onto my dream and it has given me the drive and determination necessary to become an osteopathic physician."

Your story is very much like mine so if reading my PS would help I'd be happy to send you a copy.