How to increase chances?

[sharpieLIFE]

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I've kinda blown my undergrad GPA. It's about a 2.9 cGPA and sGPA.
And to add insult to injury I blew my grad GPA (MS in Bio). It's a 3.2
My MCAT is a 30.
I'll be applying to med schools this cycle since I'm 30 and don't want to wait any longer.
During my gap year if I were to get an MPH....would it help me get into osteopathic med schools ?

 

[user3]

what is your GPA with your graduate grades collapsed onto your undergrad grades?

You might get screened out from some places, but if you apply broadly to 15-20 schools, you should almost certainly get in somewhere. There will also be 1 or 2 new schools opening.

 

[YourMD]

Don't worry about the MPH. I would retake a few of your u undergrad c ' s for a PGA boost.

 

[sharpieLIFE]

What DO schools do you think will screen me out?

 

[user3]

What DO schools do you think will screen me out?

DMU, KCUMB, Touro-NV, Touro-CA, Campbell, Marian, Western's, VCOM's

People that apply broadly/early with around 3.0/26 seem to do fine as far as getting an acceptance somewhere. You may not get your pick of schools, but you should almost certainly get in somewhere.

 

[PlaqueBuster]

retake the sciences. Your track record shows DO schools that you are not prepared for rigorous coursework since you have below average undergrad and grad gpa. How would school's believe that you can pass the courses at medical school?

 

[doapplicant2015]

You need to get those GPAs above 3.0 before you apply even if you have to take 3 courses over the summer to do so. You absolutely will be wasting your time by applying with sub 3.0's.

In addition I would suggest continuing your retakes over the fall semester next year while you're applying so that you can update schools come December. Since your MS would have been your saving grace, you cannot mess these next courses up. While your stats may have gotten you in during past application cycles, if next year is similar or more competitive than this year was, you are going to be SOL without those retakes.

 

[user3]

You absolutely will be wasting your time by applying with sub 3.0's.

WRONG.

I have seen numerous people with ~3.0/27-28 get multiple interviews and acceptances when applying broadly. I have even seen people with ~3.0 science GPA's and 24-25 receive acceptances at the newer schools fairly frequently.

2.9/30 is enough to get in somewhere-- not everywhere, but somewhere.

 

[doapplicant2015]

wrong. I have seen numerous people with 3.0/26-28 get multiple interviews and acceptances when applying broadly. 2.9/30 is enough to get in somewhere.

see users legloom, cookiesncream, victoriax87, and ogmora if you don't believe me.

From a quick search of one of the posters you mentioned, they are an OMS I this year in an inaugural class after applying last cycle. It was made abundantly clear at every interview this year that applications increased 20%+ this cycle. If that trend continues next year it is only going to get more competitive.

I understand you like to post optimistically but someone with a cGPA AND sGPA below 3.0 is going to have a near impossible time getting an acceptance from now on. If OP wants to "increase chances" it is imperative not to apply with lower than 3.0's.

 

[user3]

From a quick search of one of the posters you mentioned, they are an OMS I this year in an inaugural class after applying last cycle. It was made abundantly clear at every interview this year that applications increased 20%+ this cycle. If that trend continues next year it is only going to get more competitive.

I understand you like to post optimistically but someone with a cGPA AND sGPA below 3.0 is going to have a near impossible time getting an acceptance from now on. If OP wants to "increase chances" it is imperative not to apply with lower than 3.0's.

you are welcome to your opinion.

We'll see what happens.

 

[UBC2014]

WRONG.

I have seen numerous people with ~3.0/27-28 get multiple interviews and acceptances when applying broadly. I have even seen people with ~3.0 science GPA's and 24-25 receive acceptances at the newer schools fairly frequently.

2.9/30 is enough to get in somewhere-- not everywhere, but somewhere.

A history of poor grades, and then not rectifying them with the MS, is definitely not something a school is going to be going "yippie lets take em!"

A sub 3.0 is dangerous territory without some form of strong upward trend - most people who get in with sub 3.0 or even low 3.0's, usually have a strong upward trend of recent work. It is clear the OP does not have this.

Posters were suggesting the OP to retake a few classes and take some classes to show schools they are actually capable and ready. The MSc would have saved them but then they threw that too, so they need to do their due diligence and take more coursework at the undergrad level AND do WELL.

The 30 MCAT is fine, but nothing that amazing that would look over the long-term academic deficiency.


@OP Don't bother with the MPH. Retake 2-3 of your lowest undergrad science classes either now or during the summer before you apply, and throw in an upper level or two during the first term of the cycle which you can update them on.

 

[sharpieLIFE]

Do you think I'll get screened out of NYCOM or Touro NY?
If I get my ugpa up to a 3.3 and the sGPA a 3.1 would that be okay for those schools?

 

[doapplicant2015]

Do you think I'll get screened out of NYCOM or Touro NY?
If I get my ugpa up to a 3.3 and the sGPA a 3.1 would that be okay for those schools?

Are you from NY? Those GPAs + your MCAT will put you in interview range for TouroNY. NYCOM I'm not sure.

What is your volunteering, community service, etc like?

 

[drsmpc]

A full year of science retakes from your undergrad = what you should be doing in you gap year. Nothing but As expected. Then go ahead an apply. Applying this cycle I feel would be a waste of money. Pretty much what UBC2014 said.

 

[sharpieLIFE]

I don't have much volunteering or community service. I was hoping to do that during my gap year.
Can anyone else comment if they think I'll have a shot at NYCOM?

 

[s5260205]

I don't have much volunteering or community service. I was hoping to do that during my gap year.
Can anyone else comment if they think I'll have a shot at NYCOM?

No one is going to know for certain, especially with the increased competition each year. Your chances are honestly not great but you never know until you apply. Do everything you can to increase your competitiveness, including raising your GPAs and strengthening your extracurriculars.

 

[drsmpc]

I think there are too many obstacles in your way at the moment, but thank-fully they can be sorted out in your gap year.

Honestly, embark on that gap year like a man/woman on a mission. Organize your time. Take 3 classes each semester. Volunteer in the evenings. weekends. Work part-time to support yourself necessary. Absolutely kill it. If you do everything well, come next year you should stand a decent chance.

 

[user3]

A history of poor grades, and then not rectifying them with the MS, is definitely not something a school is going to be going "yippie lets take em!"

A sub 3.0 is dangerous territory without some form of strong upward trend - most people who get in with sub 3.0 or even low 3.0's, usually have a strong upward trend of recent work. It is clear the OP does not have this.

Posters were suggesting the OP to retake a few classes and take some classes to show schools they are actually capable and ready. The MSc would have saved them but then they threw that too, so they need to do their due diligence and take more coursework at the undergrad level AND do WELL.

The 30 MCAT is fine, but nothing that amazing that would look over the long-term academic deficiency.


@OP Don't bother with the MPH. Retake 2-3 of your lowest undergrad science classes either now or during the summer before you apply, and throw in an upper level or two during the first term of the cycle which you can update them on.

Most schools will look at the GPA's of grad and undergrad work combined, which would put him even closer to 3.0 if not above.

Going thru underdog threads- legloom, ogmora, Cookiesncream, docwinter, cajunmedic, dreamcatcher, victoriax87 were all admitted with around 2.9-3.0 sgpa's and 24-28. If they can get in somewhere so can OP.

 

[user3]

I've kinda blown my undergrad GPA. It's about a 2.9 cGPA and sGPA.
And to add insult to injury I blew my grad GPA (MS in Bio). It's a 3.2
My MCAT is a 30.
I'll be applying to med schools this cycle since I'm 30 and don't want to wait any longer.
During my gap year if I were to get an MPH....would it help me get into osteopathic med schools ?

What is your state of residence?

 

[stickshifthonda]

Most schools will look at the GPA's of grad and undergrad work combined, which would put him even closer to 3.0 if not above.

Going thru underdog threads- legloom, ogmora, Cookiesncream, docwinter, cajunmedic, dreamcatcher, victoriax87 were all admitted with around 2.9-3.0 sgpa's and 24-28. If they can get in somewhere so can OP.

Again, OP, is it possible? Yes. Is it probable? Without community service experience, unknown amounts of shadowing, the caliber of your school (not really a factor but worth noting), and not much knowledge about your story in general, we can't say for sure, but my inclination is no.

Like others have said, if you're truly interested in medicine, you have to show a school a hell of a lot of applicant with a <3.0cGPA&sGPA and a 3.2grad GPA. Time to prove to them that you're worthy somehow- including that you've explored your options, understand what you're getting into, and if you get interviews own your mistakes and move forward!

My story is a whole lot less complex than yours and with such high application numbers, I even have struggled to get into school. It happened, but it wasn't easy and took a ton of planning and hard work. I got grilled at a DO interview about my GPA, and no offense, it wasn't close to a 3.0.

Just my opinion. I want everyone to reach their goals and succeed, but would hate to see you not put your best foot forward your first cycle and hurt your chances in the future!

 

[MedNation907]

Is there at least an upward trend in either UG or MS grades? It would help if, for instance, the bulk of your low scores were halfway through the year and you cleaned them up the last two years. Regardless, I would remediate your GPA as much as possible. Hopefully you can re-take classes in the first summer session, apply in June and update your GPA in August when the session ends.