How to improve my application? (low GPA)

[tpain707]

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Hello, I'm interested in applying to DO schools next year. After college I decided that I wanted to go to medical school. I'm upset about my low GPA and am looking for advice on improving my application strength.

Here are my stats:
UC Berkeley BA degree in Molecular and Cell Biology: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and a minor in Spanish
3.1 cGPA 2.73sGPA
506 MCAT 2015 (re-take on June 2)
1 year research experience in a cell biology laboratory
24 year-old Caucasian male
Fluent in Spanish
1 year experience teaching English in Spain
Currently working as a medical scribe in a Pulmonology/Sleep Medicine out-patient clinic

I got a C in Ochem 2, a C in Bio 1.
I got a C+ in Physics 1, a C+ in Biology 1 lab, and a C+ in two upper-division molecular and cell biology courses.
The rest of my grades are A's and B's.
I plan on re-taking Bio 1 this summer at the UC Berkeley extension and 2 courses in the fall that I got C's in. I believe this is called a "diy post-bacc."

Does anyone have any advice on improving my application strength? Also, does anyone have any information about AACOMAS' policy on grade replacement?

Thank you for your consideration.

 

[DO2015CA]

Just retake the classes and apply. Unless you can do significantly better than 506 why bother. With that low gpa you aren't getting into any MD schools and the 506 is good for any DO school so why spend all the time retaking it

Take the classes at CC instead of a UC, it doesn't matter

 

[deleted407021]

Aye, I suggest retaking your Cs, as well. Especially since they're all prereq/science classes.

Unless you're scoring significantly higher than 506 on full-length practice exams, I wouldn't advise trying to retake the MCAT. Besides, a 506 is a good score for DO programs.

 

[DantheManimal]

Scoring even a 516 with that GPA will get you into zero MD schools. On the other hand, scoring a 506, which you did, will get you into all DO schools. Not sure who's telling you to retake the MCAT. The ONLY thing you have to do is fix the GPA. Here are your options:
1. Postbac (preferably one with matriculation agreement)
2. CC grade replacement (take at least 3-4 classes per semester)
3. There is no 3. Do one of those two things.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Retake those courses, and definitely don't retake the MCAT. A 506 is good enough for all DO schools. Aim to get your GPAs above 3.2. Ideally 3.4 but a 3.2 and a 506 should net you an acceptance somewhere

 

[jwilliams1993]

Retake the classes that you KNOW you can get an A in. It proves you really mastered the material (as opposed to taking a rough class and just getting a B-... it reinforces the poor grade you got the first time). Additionally, I suggest doing some shadowing. I know you have some clinical hours but for some schools, it doesn't count as shadowing. I had a school this cycle reach out to me and tell me that despite working in an ER for four years, I needed true shadowing listed on my application to be competitive. Reach out to a doc and start piling up some hours!! Also I wouldn't worry about retaking the MCAT. Your score was just fine!