I need some serious help determining what to do with my future. (AACOMAS Changes)

[kelminak]

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Hi friends,

I came here years ago with a terrible GPA with years of classes behind it asking how I could become a physician. As per the usual advice, I was told to retake the classes I did poorly in so that I could apply to DO schools. I'll be finishing my 7th year of undergrad this year to raise my GPA from what I believe the lowest was a 1.9 to over a 3.1 with grade replacement. With the changes, my GPA has plummeted to a 2.4. I took the MCAT and got a 28 (7/12/9) and was hoping to apply this summer since I finally had a GPA that wouldn't be screened out. Now I honestly don't think I have hope anywhere and I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do. Taking additional courses won't put the slighest dent in my GPA and no SMPs will look at me. This is how it was *supposed* to look when I applied:

GPA: 3.1
MCAT: 28 (7/12/9)
ECs: 500+ Hours volunteering at local hospital, 50 hours shadowing DO pediatrician

I was far from the realm of picky and would have applied to all of the newest schools, but now I don't even know what I'm supposed to do. I feel completely deceived and I've wasted years of my life (not to mention tens of thousands of dollars) trying to build myself up for nothing. I'm enrolled in my school to finish up a second degree in health sciences (these classes count as part of sGPA and would have brought me up to the 3.1, at 3.03 currently). Should I even start the next semester? I wasn't even concerned about paying this money back since I'd be a physician, but now the debt is starting to look extremely real to me and I could very quickly drop everything and save myself the thousands of dollars of taking this semester.

Thank you all for your help and I feel for anyone that is going through something similar.

 

[radian313]

Hi friends,

I came here years ago with a terrible GPA with years of classes behind it asking how I could become a physician. As per the usual advice, I was told to retake the classes I did poorly in so that I could apply to DO schools. I'll be finishing my 7th year of undergrad this year to raise my GPA from what I believe the lowest was a 1.9 to over a 3.1 with grade replacement. With the changes, my GPA has plummeted to a 2.4. I took the MCAT and got a 28 (7/12/9) and was hoping to apply this summer since I finally had a GPA that wouldn't be screened out. Now I honestly don't think I have hope anywhere and I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do. Taking additional courses won't put the slighest dent in my GPA and no SMPs will look at me. This is how it was *supposed* to look when I applied:

GPA: 3.1
MCAT: 28 (7/12/9)
ECs: 500+ Hours volunteering at local hospital, 50 hours shadowing DO pediatrician

I was far from the realm of picky and would have applied to all of the newest schools, but now I don't even know what I'm supposed to do. I feel completely deceived and I've wasted years of my life (not to mention tens of thousands of dollars) trying to build myself up for nothing. I'm enrolled in my school to finish up a second degree in health sciences (these classes count as part of sGPA and would have brought me up to the 3.1, at 3.03 currently). Should I even start the next semester? I wasn't even concerned about paying this money back since I'd be a physician, but now the debt is starting to look extremely real to me and I could very quickly drop everything and save myself the thousands of dollars of taking this semester.

Thank you all for your help and I feel for anyone that is going through something similar.

Why dont you put in an application right now? I know I will get heat for this, but with a 2.4, I can safely say you will sadly have no chance. I think most schools want a 2.7-2.8 atleast (with a C or above in all pre-reqs). I know it sounds like a lot but try your best, some schools have a rollover thing (on a case by case basis), some do it , some dont. Atleast with that, youll have an admission somewhere since the rules are only for the next cycle. If you can't, then it seems you need to find a program willing to take you (that has an articulation agreement), such as the VCOM post bac, but for that you need to increase your GPA.

I applied in Jan 2016 for the same year, and I netted a few interviews, and got 2 acceptances. Was it stressful yes, but was it worth it, well I am currently sitting as a OMS-I.

 

[radian313]

Hi friends,

I came here years ago with a terrible GPA with years of classes behind it asking how I could become a physician. As per the usual advice, I was told to retake the classes I did poorly in so that I could apply to DO schools. I'll be finishing my 7th year of undergrad this year to raise my GPA from what I believe the lowest was a 1.9 to over a 3.1 with grade replacement. With the changes, my GPA has plummeted to a 2.4. I took the MCAT and got a 28 (7/12/9) and was hoping to apply this summer since I finally had a GPA that wouldn't be screened out. Now I honestly don't think I have hope anywhere and I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do. Taking additional courses won't put the slighest dent in my GPA and no SMPs will look at me. This is how it was *supposed* to look when I applied:

GPA: 3.1
MCAT: 28 (7/12/9)
ECs: 500+ Hours volunteering at local hospital, 50 hours shadowing DO pediatrician

I was far from the realm of picky and would have applied to all of the newest schools, but now I don't even know what I'm supposed to do. I feel completely deceived and I've wasted years of my life (not to mention tens of thousands of dollars) trying to build myself up for nothing. I'm enrolled in my school to finish up a second degree in health sciences (these classes count as part of sGPA and would have brought me up to the 3.1, at 3.03 currently). Should I even start the next semester? I wasn't even concerned about paying this money back since I'd be a physician, but now the debt is starting to look extremely real to me and I could very quickly drop everything and save myself the thousands of dollars of taking this semester.

Thank you all for your help and I feel for anyone that is going through something similar.

With your current stats, right off the bat I can say, apply to, WVSOM, ACOM, LECOM (check if they screen out anything below a 8 subsection), LMU-DCOM, KYCOM......you MIGHT get lucky with these...

 

[kelminak]

Why dont you put in an application right now? I know I will get heat for this, but with a 2.4, I can safely say you will sadly have no chance. I think most schools want a 2.7-2.8 atleast (with a C or above in all pre-reqs). I know it sounds like a lot but try your best, some schools have a rollover thing (on a case by case basis), some do it , some dont. Atleast with that, youll have an admission somewhere since the rules are only for the next cycle. If you can't, then it seems you need to find a program willing to take you (that has an articulation agreement), such as the VCOM post bac, but for that you need to increase your GPA.

I applied in Jan 2016 for the same year, and I netted a few interviews, and got 2 acceptances. Was it stressful yes, but was it worth it, well I am currently sitting as a OMS-I.

Thank you for the advice. Were your stats as abysmal as mine? Without the upcoming semester. I'm barely sitting at a 3.0 (though my recent credits are higher than this). I feel like by applying this late, I just wouldn't get an acceptance anywhere. @Goro Would I even have a shot applying this late with a GPA that low??

 

[0dee]

This is a tough one .. Most MD SMPs require a 2.7 or higher, especially the ones with direct linkage to their medical school like Drexel and Temple.
I'm assuming it will take a ton of credits for you to raise that cumulative GPA to above a 3.0, so I think you only have one of two routes to take.

1) Apply broadly this cycle even if your chances are slim, because you never know what happens. It's just an extra 1-2k of debt.
2) try to find a plan B, whether it is pharmacy, working in health care using your degree, podiatry, etc..

 

[Mad Jack]

Give it a shot, your chances now might be better than never. I hate to be this guy, but I almost want to say that the Caribbean might be a good option. SGU, Ross, Saba, or the other one might take you on. I'd apply DO in the same cycle and hope for the best. Give like, 10 schools a shot this cycle if you have the cash- I know UNE interviews late, could give us a ring. Good luck, I'm sorry this happened to you.

 

[radian313]

Thank you for the advice. Were your stats as abysmal as mine? Without the upcoming semester. I'm barely sitting at a 3.0 (though my recent credits are higher than this). I feel like by applying this late, I just wouldn't get an acceptance anywhere. @Goro Would I even have a shot applying this late with a GPA that low??

My stats were higher but nothing extraordinary. It was more my work experience and and ECs that they loved. For example I was invited to talk about Osteopathic medicine and my own health issues on a radio show for which I sent the audio transcript to the schools directly. A 3.0 is low, I wount lie. Think of it as a trauma surgeon giving the last dose of Epi and TPA before calling it because with a 2.4 even podiatry schools want atleast a 2.5 I think.

If I were you I'd talk to the schools directly and explain your situation and talk about your positive upper trend (assuming you have one). This is a shot in the dark, but it's either this or you are looking at more debt to salvage your GPA let alone time.

 

[Goro]

I can't recommend applying right now.

Thank you for the advice. Were your stats as abysmal as mine? Without the upcoming semester. I'm barely sitting at a 3.0 (though my recent credits are higher than this). I feel like by applying this late, I just wouldn't get an acceptance anywhere. @Goro Would I even have a shot applying this late with a GPA that low??

 

[FCMike11]

I'd apply right now, to EVERY new school. I think you have a chance to snag some interviews. But do it today. My thoughts but Goro knows more than I do.

I just feel like your chances completely tank for next cycle.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using SDN mobile

 

[radian313]

Give it a shot, your chances now might be better than never. I hate to be this guy, but I almost want to say that the Caribbean might be a good option. SGU, Ross, Saba, or the other one might take you on. I'd apply DO in the same cycle and hope for the best. Give like, 10 schools a shot this cycle if you have the cash- I know UNE interviews late, could give us a ring. Good luck, I'm sorry this happened to you.

Sgu and Ross will place him or her in their prep (post bac) program where he or she will need a 3.5 or something to matriculate into the medical program.

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

The chances of getting in now are very slim, but at least you'll quiet that "what if?" voice. Otherwise, I'm sorry to say but the truth is that a career in medicine is unlikely and you should begin planning for an alternative.

 

[Wjldenver]

Hi friends,

I came here years ago with a terrible GPA with years of classes behind it asking how I could become a physician. As per the usual advice, I was told to retake the classes I did poorly in so that I could apply to DO schools. I'll be finishing my 7th year of undergrad this year to raise my GPA from what I believe the lowest was a 1.9 to over a 3.1 with grade replacement. With the changes, my GPA has plummeted to a 2.4. I took the MCAT and got a 28 (7/12/9) and was hoping to apply this summer since I finally had a GPA that wouldn't be screened out. Now I honestly don't think I have hope anywhere and I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do. Taking additional courses won't put the slighest dent in my GPA and no SMPs will look at me. This is how it was *supposed* to look when I applied:

GPA: 3.1
MCAT: 28 (7/12/9)
ECs: 500+ Hours volunteering at local hospital, 50 hours shadowing DO pediatrician

I was far from the realm of picky and would have applied to all of the newest schools, but now I don't even know what I'm supposed to do. I feel completely deceived and I've wasted years of my life (not to mention tens of thousands of dollars) trying to build myself up for nothing. I'm enrolled in my school to finish up a second degree in health sciences (these classes count as part of sGPA and would have brought me up to the 3.1, at 3.03 currently). Should I even start the next semester? I wasn't even concerned about paying this money back since I'd be a physician, but now the debt is starting to look extremely real to me and I could very quickly drop everything and save myself the thousands of dollars of taking this semester.

Thank you all for your help and I feel for anyone that is going through something similar.

I think you should apply right now to the new schools. All you have to lose is a few $'s. The problem is, even the Plan B career scenario for you has risks. Look at the admission stats for the University of Colorado's PA program.

Cognitive Statistics for Class of 2019 (1570 applicants and 44 matriculants)
Average cumulative GPA

3.73

Average science GPA

3.68

GRE Verbal Scores

69%

GRE Quantitative Scores

61%

 

[Mad Jack]

Sgu and Ross will place him or her in their prep (post bac) program where he or she will need a 3.5 or something to matriculate into the medical program.

You sure? I've heard of people getting direct entry with GPAs as low as 2.8 to Ross recently. Don't know about SGU, but they've taken a real hit lately.

 

[radian313]

You sure? I've heard of people getting direct entry with GPAs as low as 2.8 to Ross recently. Don't know about SGU, but they've taken a real hit lately.

Its admissions, and ofcourse I dont work for them, but having friends who attended both schools, they bank on lower stats applications in the "hope" they fail them out just to suck up some $$. Sounds vicious but its my opinion that is shared by many.

 

[Mad Jack]

Its admissions, and ofcourse I dont work for them, but having friends who attended both schools, they bank on lower stats applications in the "hope" they fail them out just to suck up some $$. Sounds vicious but its my opinion that is shared by many.

I've heard of that occurring, but the ones I've known that got admitted straight through were similar to OP- years of good behavior but a hole too deep to climb out of. If you've just got a low GPA, you go straight to the prep program pile though.

 

[radian313]

I've heard of that occurring, but the ones I've known that got admitted straight through were similar to OP- years of good behavior but a hole too deep to climb out of. If you've just got a low GPA, you go straight to the prep program pile though.

If I had a choice, I rather do PA school, Dental, or Podiatry before going down there. I visited friends who were there, and man, Idk how people do it. Such a cut throat atmosphere. Not to take anything away from the OP post, but unless you are sure of success down there, I would never consider it.

 

[Shotapp]

Edited

OP, if I were you, I would probably take a break from pursuing medical school or work/move to an advantageous state like Texas, Louisiana, or Michigan (Wayne state I believe substitutes your last 32 credits for your GPA). I would work for a year (by that time you would have established residency), then do a post-bac, get a good Mcat and apply to schools in said states. Or I would fill out apps for SMP right now and apply and see where you get accepted. Knock the SMP out of the park, get a decent Mcat 505+, maintain your volunteering and apply.

The Carribean should never be an option.

 

[Mad Jack]

If I had a choice, I rather do PA school, Dental, or Podiatry before going down there. I visited friends who were there, and man, Idk how people do it. Such a cut throat atmosphere. Not to take anything away from the OP post, but unless you are sure of success down there, I would never consider it.

PA schools aren't going to take someone with that low of a GPA- the lowest one I've seen requires a 3.0 for consideration. Podiatry maybe. Dentistry I'm pretty sure is out. APRN is a possibility.

 

[kelminak]

I wouldn't consider going to the Carib. I'd have no support and I've read enough horror stories to know that it wouldn't be safe. I honestly didn't have an alternative and didn't expect to need one considering I was playing by all the rules. I was willing to try repeatedly until I got in somewhere (they were opening a new DO school in my state THIS CYCLE for f***s sake). Goro says no, other people saying yes, and I still have no idea what I'm supposed to do. I don't have my LoRs yet because I requested it from my DO I shadowed in September and they still didn't write it (maybe the won't who knows) and everything is just falling apart. I had this ironed out so perfectly and I think I, more than anyone I know, am taking the biggest shaft by this change. Having my GPA tank by .7 right before I applied with no warning makes absolutely no sense. Why wouldn't there be a grace period?? I'm so frustrated and lost.

 

[radian313]

PA schools aren't going to take someone with that low of a GPA- the lowest one I've seen requires a 3.0 for consideration.

I was speaking from my opinion in that if I was not getting success in the application cycle for medical schools in the USA, then Id consider something here versus overseas. Never said a 2.4 would be acceptable for PA schools as they too are quite hard to get into.

 

[Mad Jack]

I was speaking from my opinion in that if I was not getting success in the application cycle for medical schools in the USA, then Id consider something here versus overseas. Never said a 2.4 would be acceptable for PA schools as they too are quite hard to get into.

Oh yeah, I totally agree with that. Sorry, trying to think of how OP might be best helped. This is a fairly tragic situation.

 

[Shotapp]

Medical schools are not going anywhere. Regroup and come back with a vengeance.

 

[radian313]

Oh yeah, I totally agree with that. Sorry, trying to think of how OP might be best helped. This is a fairly tragic situation.

Please dont apologize. You are right, I cant imagine spending so much money with literally nothing to show for. I always thought, what if this happened to someone? Well now that it has, its sad. Very sad. People will have closer to 20K of loans with very little chance of matriculating. If rules were going to be changed, thats fine, atleast give an ample amount of time to prepare for it.

 

[kelminak]

Would I be considered for a post-bacc program with a guaranteed admission if I meet certain benchmarks? I could apply to the VCOM one and some others that do guaranteed admission. It's not what I had planned, but what's another year at this point considering I had all of my eggs in this basket?

 

[Mad Jack]

Please dont apologize. You are right, I cant imagine spending so much money with literally nothing to show for. I always thought, what if this happened to someone? Well now that it has, its sad. Very sad. People will have closer to 20K of loans with very little chance of matriculating. If rules were going to be changed, thats fine, atleast give an ample amount of time to prepare for it.

Yeah, this is a pretty damn cold move. I'm fine with the rules changing, but people planned their lives around this.

 

[radian313]

Op, I would try to apply asap this cycle. If not, apply to almost every DO school in the country this summer, maybe they'll show you some love even with the low GPA. Applying next cycle would only work if your MCAT is valid tho (i.e. not like x years old )

Concurrently next fall I would shoot applications into the big four Caribbean schools and Windsor, as well as Irish and Australian med schools. I think you have the academic ability to succeed as an img, as displayed by your retakes gpa as well as mcat. The dislike for overseas schools is quite visible yes, but a lot of students match and become doctors so keep that in mind.

Good luck!

Success academically does not equate to professional success in gaining residency. There is a reason why the rules for AACOMAS were changed. Its because they are trying to merge the standards for residencies between Allopathic and Osteopathic making a larger pool of applicants in the USA for the limited residency spots. What does that mean for IMG? It MAY mean limited spots going forward. International schools may have been a viable option 10 years ago, but not anymore. Its a dangerous path to take, regardless of how intellectually capable someone is. Sometimes it really isnt you, as opposed to it actually being the system being changed that in this case is going to be against you if you were to become a IMG.

 

[psu228]

Hi friends,

I came here years ago with a terrible GPA with years of classes behind it asking how I could become a physician. As per the usual advice, I was told to retake the classes I did poorly in so that I could apply to DO schools. I'll be finishing my 7th year of undergrad this year to raise my GPA from what I believe the lowest was a 1.9 to over a 3.1 with grade replacement. With the changes, my GPA has plummeted to a 2.4. I took the MCAT and got a 28 (7/12/9) and was hoping to apply this summer since I finally had a GPA that wouldn't be screened out. Now I honestly don't think I have hope anywhere and I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do. Taking additional courses won't put the slighest dent in my GPA and no SMPs will look at me. This is how it was *supposed* to look when I applied:

GPA: 3.1
MCAT: 28 (7/12/9)
ECs: 500+ Hours volunteering at local hospital, 50 hours shadowing DO pediatrician

I was far from the realm of picky and would have applied to all of the newest schools, but now I don't even know what I'm supposed to do. I feel completely deceived and I've wasted years of my life (not to mention tens of thousands of dollars) trying to build myself up for nothing. I'm enrolled in my school to finish up a second degree in health sciences (these classes count as part of sGPA and would have brought me up to the 3.1, at 3.03 currently). Should I even start the next semester? I wasn't even concerned about paying this money back since I'd be a physician, but now the debt is starting to look extremely real to me and I could very quickly drop everything and save myself the thousands of dollars of taking this semester.

Thank you all for your help and I feel for anyone that is going through something similar.

Hey man,

I'm really sorry you're dealing with this.

If I were you;
-I wouldn't apply to DO schools right now. Your MCAT is average. Your GPA with grade replacement is still below average significantly. You don't have a DO letter yet and you'd really need one now.
-I wouldn't apply to Caribbean schools. They were a risky move before all this happened and before the merger was announced. Who knows whats going to happen in the next few years.
-I would apply to SMP programs RIGHT NOW. You have a solid chance at acceptance if you apply to SMPs this cycle with your replaced GPA and MCAT, shadowing etc. If you do an SMP next year and knock it out of the park, you have a new lease on life. You just need to make sure medicine is what you want to do in order to go down this path, cause we're talking like 40k at least for one of these programs. Apply before May 1st. Start researching where you'd want to go, what programs have open applications still, etc.

Good luck dude.

 

[MakeLifeHappen13]

As I see it you have three choices going forward:

1) Acquire your letters ASAP and apply this cycle to the new schools. Many of them interview well into March-April and have accepted applicants with similar stats.

2) Apply to SMP programs and Ace it in order to prove your worth to medical schools. Retake the MCAT and get a higher score, ideally 507+, then apply for the '19 entering class.

3) Cut your losses and consider another career within the healthcare field.

Obviously choice #2 is going to require more time, money, and effort but I think it is the safest choice.

Do not consider Caribbean. With the changes occurring within the medical education world in the next few years it seems like the chances for IMGs is going from bad to worse.

 

[Kgizzle]

SMP +1... God AACOMAS screwed some good hard working people out of being considered.

 

[JDtoMD16]

Hey we have talked before and are in virtually identical situations. So in case you were wondering...I've been busy doing my application this weekend for about 5-7 programs and will target 3-4 SMPs linked with said programs. I have been told that SMPs will bounce over your AACOMAS app if you send one to the DO program, thus grade replacement will be calculated in.

#shootfirstaskquestionslater


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[AlbinoHawk DO]

I wouldn't consider going to the Carib. I'd have no support and I've read enough horror stories to know that it wouldn't be safe. I honestly didn't have an alternative and didn't expect to need one considering I was playing by all the rules. I was willing to try repeatedly until I got in somewhere (they were opening a new DO school in my state THIS CYCLE for f***s sake). Goro says no, other people saying yes, and I still have no idea what I'm supposed to do. I don't have my LoRs yet because I requested it from my DO I shadowed in September and they still didn't write it (maybe the won't who knows) and everything is just falling apart. I had this ironed out so perfectly and I think I, more than anyone I know, am taking the biggest shaft by this change. Having my GPA tank by .7 right before I applied with no warning makes absolutely no sense. Why wouldn't there be a grace period?? I'm so frustrated and lost.

The reason why there is no grace period is because of aacomas. I've heard their vendor told them 2 years ago they would only do replacement for 1 year and the vendor went above and beyond and did an extra year. This makes me think a grace period now is impossible.

Definitely look into other careers. Personally I think podiatry is the best if you can manage to snag an admission.

 

[FCMike11]

The reason why there is no grace period is because of aacomas. I've heard their vendor told them 2 years ago they would only do replacement for 1 year and the vendor went above and beyond and did an extra year. This makes me think a grace period now is impossible.

Definitely look into other careers. Personally I think podiatry is the best if you can manage to snag an admission.

That sounds reasonable but AACOMAS REALLY should of given a notice a year ago to all applicants, in my opinion. Our OP here could have made an app cycle of this year.

 

[kelminak]

Would it be worth contacting schools to see if they will do any sort of different calculations in specific cases? I don't mind taking the time to write each school an email if there's a sliver of a chance they'd honor the old retake policy.

 

[futuredrummerdoctor]

Hey man,

I'm really sorry you're dealing with this.

If I were you;
-I wouldn't apply to DO schools right now. Your MCAT is average. Your GPA with grade replacement is still below average significantly. You don't have a DO letter yet and you'd really need one now.
-I wouldn't apply to Caribbean schools. They were a risky move before all this happened and before the merger was announced. Who knows whats going to happen in the next few years.
-I would apply to SMP programs RIGHT NOW. You have a solid chance at acceptance if you apply to SMPs this cycle with your replaced GPA and MCAT, shadowing etc. If you do an SMP next year and knock it out of the park, you have a new lease on life. You just need to make sure medicine is what you want to do in order to go down this path, cause we're talking like 40k at least for one of these programs. Apply before May 1st. Start researching where you'd want to go, what programs have open applications still, etc.

Good luck dude.

I agree with this post and @Shotapp 's post. I also believe in OP. You're going to get in eventually, it might just take you a couple extra years, but it's okay. I think you can do it

 

[psu228]

Would it be worth contacting schools to see if they will do any sort of different calculations in specific cases? I don't mind taking the time to write each school an email if there's a sliver of a chance they'd honor the old retake policy.

I think this would be a waste of time sadly. If you had say, a 2.9 after this change, then maybe. I do believe DO schools will still look highly upon retakes. But they need to report the GPAs they got from AACOM for their average matriculation stats, which really, really matter to them. Even if they appreciate your retakes, at the end of the day they need to report their averages with your 2.4. That's a huge obstacle for almost all schools. The established DO schools don't need to do that given their app numbers, and the new ones won't because they want to establish their legitimacy.

I'm sorry man. I'm no expert though and it's your decision. If I were in your shoes I would just apply to SMPs.

 

[DoctorDropout]

I don't know if this is something you want to do or even the best advice, but what about becoming a radiology technician? Right now radiology based classes are classified as "other science", so obtaining the certification, which is around the length of time as an associates degree, will add science to your GPA. All the while, you will be building yourself a very solid career with the opportunity for great pay. Technicians are paid ~50k a year and you would have the option of getting additional certification in Radiation Therapy where you can make around 80k a year.

By doing this, you're not giving up on the possibility of applying to a DO school and your also setting yourself up for a good career.

Anyone else, chime in, because I'm thinking of doing this myself! 😀

 

[zero0]

How is your GPA for the last 60 credits? If it's really high, as expected of a post-bac performance, I think you'd have a shot.

Scratch that, I really can't recommend applying after remembering how expensive the whole ordeal is. It would be soul crushing to jump through all of those interview cycle hoops and not get in anywhere.

Maybe give podiatry a shot like somebody recommended. I think you'd have luck there. Even lower tier dental schools are an option if you can get around a 3.0 cumulative.

 

[Alienman52]

My best advice would be instead of enrolling in a formal SMP, perhaps you could do a "DIY" SMP. Take upper level courses on your own, and ace them. Show adcoms that you are not the person you once were, and that you can really handle those upper division courses. Stop retaking undergrad courses as getting an A in a retake will have the same quantitative effect on your gpa, but less of a qualitative effect (less wow factor.)

Good luck to you OP.


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[AlbinoHawk DO]

Would it be worth contacting schools to see if they will do any sort of different calculations in specific cases? I don't mind taking the time to write each school an email if there's a sliver of a chance they'd honor the old retake policy.

At the point you're at, I would exhaust every last possible venue of hope.

 

[JDtoMD16]

Would it be worth contacting schools to see if they will do any sort of different calculations in specific cases? I don't mind taking the time to write each school an email if there's a sliver of a chance they'd honor the old retake policy.

For what it is worth, I already contacted 4 admissions departments. Each one had a eerily similar almost scripted statement saying, "I'm sorry but we have decided as a school to abide by the calculations submitted by AACOMAS for the upcoming cycle...but hey! we look at each and every application holistically!!!" 😴

 

[futuredrummerdoctor]

If you don't get into any smp programs, just take hard upper level science courses somewhere and retake the mcat and apply again DO broadly.

Edit: don't give up

 

[BucketDoctor]

I know PNWU looks at your last 60-90 credit attempts. I am not sure about other schools. I would contact schools you are interested in to see how they look at your gpa.

If you apply to SMPs, I would contact them to see how they look at your gpa. Maybe some will look at your last 60-90 credit attempts as well. I am not really sure if they do this but it is worth a shot asking them.

The dumbest question is the one that was never asked.

 

[naivePremed]

Wait; do SMPs consider courses that you have retaken and calculate the replacements in the GPA when you apply? I am wondering cause I am in the same boat and need to know if I stand a good chance for the SMPs, thank you.

 

[bigindian4891]

One of the downsides of anyone applying this late in the cycle is if you do not get in, then you become a reapplicant next year with an even lower GPA.

 

[BucketDoctor]

Wait; do SMPs consider courses that you have retaken and calculate the replacements in the GPA when you apply? I am wondering cause I am in the same boat and need to know if I stand a good chance for the SMPs, thank you.

I would call some SMP to see what their policy is about calculating gpa. I don't have the slightest clue if they do grade replacement or not in their gpa calculations.

 

[kelminak]

My best advice would be instead of enrolling in a formal SMP, perhaps you could do a "DIY" SMP. Take upper level courses on your own, and ace them. Show adcoms that you are not the person you once were, and that you can really handle those upper division courses. Stop retaking undergrad courses as getting an A in a retake will have the same quantitative effect on your gpa, but less of a qualitative effect (less wow factor.)

Good luck to you OP.


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If you don't get into any smp programs, just take hard upper level science courses somewhere and retake the mcat and apply again DO broadly.

Edit: don't give up

That's what I've already been doing for years to get my GPA to this point. Additionally "DIY" work doesn't put any dent into my GPA. I've gone to undergrad for 7 years to get my GPA back over a 3.0 from the gutter status it was before. It's starting to look like an SMP would be my last hope. I'm pretty crushed as I was so freaking set to apply this summer.

 

[Alienman52]

That's what I've already been doing for years to get my GPA to this point. Additionally "DIY" work doesn't put any dent into my GPA. I've gone to undergrad for 7 years to get my GPA back over a 3.0 from the gutter status it was before. It's starting to look like an SMP would be my last hope. I'm pretty crushed as I was so freaking set to apply this summer.

Retaking undergrad courses won't do anything for you anymore (unless you have a D/F in one of the pre reqs. In that case retake those.)

Taking upper level science division courses and acing them may not have much of an effect on your GPA but it will show adcoms that you can handle the work regardless of what your GPA says. That's why I said it's sort of a DIY SMP. It's not the quantitative value that matters, it's the qualitative wow factor
of acing those upper level courses is what I'm getting at, and what I think might really help your situation.


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[Shotapp]

SMPs are high risk/high reward, last attempts to get into medical schools. SMPs will not touch your undergrad GPA so your best bet is to continue your post-bac and take more upper-level science classes. Try to raise your GPA as close as possible to a 2.75 for both. Study very hard for the MCAT and apply.

Edit: I got accepted to an SMP that is to start this coming Fall but I am going to decline my acceptance and continue with my post-bac.

 

[GypsyHummus]

OP, as someone who was banking on grade replacement to get into DO schools, got smacked down by the MCAT, and now is completely shut off from DO school because of this grade replacement situation, I applied to podiatry schools.

I would recommend either do the SMP or go to pod school.

I will say this however, the competition for podiatry schools is starting to increase. I had around a 3.4c 3.2s GPA with a low 490's MCAT. Everyone I interviewed with had higher stats than me. Everyone had 500+ on the MCAT and above a 3.5

Luckily, pharmacy school is not out of the question for you.

 

[kelminak]

OP, as someone who was banking on grade replacement to get into DO schools, got smacked down by the MCAT, and now is completely shut off from DO school because of this grade replacement situation, I applied to podiatry schools.

I would recommend either do the SMP or go to pod school.

I will say this however, the competition for podiatry schools is starting to increase. I had around a 3.4c 3.2s GPA with a low 490's MCAT. Everyone I interviewed with had higher stats than me. Everyone had 500+ on the MCAT and above a 3.5

Luckily, pharmacy school is not out of the question for you.

Unfortunately pod school school nor pharmacy school is a career I'm interested. It was pretty much physician or bust. If I can't figure out how to get into an SMP with a guaranteed linkage, then I might as well jump ship to do IT work which I have a knack for but didn't want to make a career out of.