Low cGPA, Avg sGPA, High MCAT

[nontrad78]

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AACOMAS cGPA: 3.13, sGPA: 3.35, MCAT: 32

Have strong ECs, but am concerned that my low cGPA will keep me out of contention with schools. My non-science GPA is just under 3.0, and is mainly due to upper division, theoretical math classes from over 10 years ago. I was a math major, very good with computational math, but proofs courses really were difficult for me. My recent coursework shows a tremendous upward trend in the some pre-req retakes and upper division (>70 hours) portion of a BS in Biochem, and GPA > 3.8.

With a low cGPA, will many schools still delve deeper into my application to see the difference in grades, and then of course look at my ECs and PS?

 

[doreegon]

I'm in a simillar situation. I took many upper level philosophy classes for my minor and accumulated a number of B's. My GPA's are slightly higher than yours, but your MCAT is two points higher than mine.

If you make it past the screening then you might get some interviews. I would apply broadly and look for schools that focus on MCAT in their awarding of IIs. The upward trend is a good sign, with that MCAT score you clearly know the pertinent material. Make that upward trend a reoccuring theme in your PS and secondary statements and you've got a good shot.

Good luck.

 

[el_duderino]

I think you'll be OK. 3.13/3.35 should be above the auto-screen for any school that does so.

 

[deleted436726]

I have very similar stats and an identical MCAT - I'll keep you posted as to how I fare this cycle 😛

 

[dial1010usa]

Is it better to apply now or in December after hoping getting straight A's in rest of 5 classes to raise GPA from 3.1 to 3.3?
MCAT in September...hoping to hit 30+

 

[chizledfrmstone]

Is it better to apply now or in December after hoping getting straight A's in rest of 5 classes to raise GPA from 3.1 to 3.3?
MCAT in September...hoping to hit 30+

I was hoping to be in Harvard at this point in life.

If your goals are realistic then and only then should you wait.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

Your current stats with decent EC and a broad application should land you several interviews.

 

[SpartanWolverine]

I agree that applying broadly will land you a fair number of interviews.

I was quite successful with a similar cGPA, somewhat lower sGPA, and somewhat higher MCAT... so I'm confident, with good ECs and an upward trend, that you'll be okay.

 

[nontrad78]

Thanks all for the responses.

My ECs include 6 years working at a homeless shelter, mostly managing. this included working closely with clinic to provide services for their clients, but also worked on some vulnerable individuals task forces. Shadowed an MD (rural family practitioner) for many years, and many hours (probably +200), but it's my father, so I know that won't carry as much weight. Volunteered for over 10 years providing in home assistance to a terminally ill man. Quite a few other volunteer things through time at homeless shelter.

I've already submitted my primary (6/20, ready for review at 6/24), and though I mentioned that my school work was poor the first time around, I didn't spend too much time on them. I wanted to focus more on what my current motivation (homeless healthcare) and experiences have been.

I applied to 15 DO programs, and some may not have been the best to apply to for my stats, but here's the list (in no particular order):

DMU
ATSU-SOMA
ATSU
Touro NY
Touro Nevada
ACOM
PCOM
Western-COMP - Lebanon
Nova
LMU-DCOM
AZCOM
CCOM
LECOM
LECOM-Bradenton
RVU

I took Marian out because the website explicitly said the minimum for secondaries was 3.25. It now looks like that may not be the case. I also misinterpreted the WVSOM, WCU-COM, and VCOM mission statements and websites, concluding that they all had fairly strong regional biases. I'm really not in a great position to put out more primary apps, but if this list is risky, I'll do what I need to to make sure I get in somewhere.

 

[nontrad78]

Is it better to apply now or in December after hoping getting straight A's in rest of 5 classes to raise GPA from 3.1 to 3.3?
MCAT in September...hoping to hit 30+

Wouldn't your application just update with the new grades? Seems to me like December is pretty late. I would think if you're waiting until December, you may as well wait until June, maybe get in another few retakes, and you could bump the GPA even more. That might take the pressure off having to shoot for 30+.

 

[nontrad78]

Also, I have a letter from an MD I worked with at shelter clinic. No real DO work though.

 

[el_duderino]

Wouldn't your application just update with the new grades? Seems to me like December is pretty late. I would think if you're waiting until December, you may as well wait until June, maybe get in another few retakes, and you could bump the GPA even more. That might take the pressure off having to shoot for 30+.

No. Once you're verified, you're done. You can't update the app with new grades.

You can, however, send an update letter to the school indicating your new grades and new GPA.

 

[nontrad78]

Oh, wow, that's interesting. Certainly changes the strategy. I'm so TMDSAS-centric that I sometimes forget the nuance of different application services. In my case, I'll only be adding graduate courses, none of which will make much of a difference in my GPA or the evaluation of my application, assuming nothing drastic happens.

 

[JDMcNugent]

No. Once you're verified, you're done. You can't update the app with new grades.

You can, however, send an update letter to the school indicating your new grades and new GPA.

The application can't be manually updated by applicants to input new grades but an updated transcript can be sent to AACOMAS and they will update the GPA and send a revised application to all of the schools that an application was sent.

 

[el_duderino]

My bad, I thought this was the MD section.

 

[nontrad78]

I'm in a simillar situation. I took many upper level philosophy classes for my minor and accumulated a number of B's. My GPA's are slightly higher than yours, but your MCAT is two points higher than mine.

If you make it past the screening then you might get some interviews. I would apply broadly and look for schools that focus on MCAT in their awarding of IIs. The upward trend is a good sign, with that MCAT score you clearly know the pertinent material. Make that upward trend a reoccuring theme in your PS and secondary statements and you've got a good shot.

Good luck.

I'll keep you posted for sure, and all the best. Unfortunately, in my case, many of the lower grades were F's, D's, and C's. Since they were upper division math courses, retakes are really not a good option, and so the GPA is about at it's max. If things don't go well this cycle, then I'll have to weigh caribbean.

 

[JDMcNugent]

I'll keep you posted for sure, and all the best. Unfortunately, in my case, many of the lower grades were F's, D's, and C's. Since they were upper division math courses, retakes are really not a good option, and so the GPA is about at it's max. If things don't go well this cycle, then I'll have to weigh caribbean.

I honestly don't think you have a ton to worry about. Your MCAT is 5 points higher than the avg. matriculant and your sGPA is around average for matriculants or slightly below. Your upward trend is also a bonus so schools will definitely look at that. I think your 32 MCAT score is going to do you many favors, especially at the Touros since they really love high MCAT scores. Just be able to explain any shortcomings (which you have identified as your cgpa) in an interview and you'll be fine.

 

[nontrad78]

Thanks for the feedback. I have a sense that it's going to work out alright also, the waiting is the hardest part (thanks tom). I just need one acceptance. The more I look at my list of schools, the more relaxed I get. There isn't really a school on there that I would dread going to, though there are some out there that I think would be pretty bad fits for my family and I. My tops are DMU, PCOM, ATSU-SOMA, and maybe TouroNY. Anywhere else would be just fine by me as well.

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

Your list is fine. Applying to more will give you more invites, but I'd predict at minimum 4 interviews from this list.

Thanks all for the responses.

My ECs include 6 years working at a homeless shelter, mostly managing. this included working closely with clinic to provide services for their clients, but also worked on some vulnerable individuals task forces. Shadowed an MD (rural family practitioner) for many years, and many hours (probably +200), but it's my father, so I know that won't carry as much weight. Volunteered for over 10 years providing in home assistance to a terminally ill man. Quite a few other volunteer things through time at homeless shelter.

I've already submitted my primary (6/20, ready for review at 6/24), and though I mentioned that my school work was poor the first time around, I didn't spend too much time on them. I wanted to focus more on what my current motivation (homeless healthcare) and experiences have been.

I applied to 15 DO programs, and some may not have been the best to apply to for my stats, but here's the list (in no particular order):

DMU
ATSU-SOMA
ATSU
Touro NY
Touro Nevada
ACOM
PCOM
Western-COMP - Lebanon
Nova
LMU-DCOM
AZCOM
CCOM
LECOM
LECOM-Bradenton
RVU

I took Marian out because the website explicitly said the minimum for secondaries was 3.25. It now looks like that may not be the case. I also misinterpreted the WVSOM, WCU-COM, and VCOM mission statements and websites, concluding that they all had fairly strong regional biases. I'm really not in a great position to put out more primary apps, but if this list is risky, I'll do what I need to to make sure I get in somewhere.

 

[nontrad78]

I'd be good with 4. Marian is really the only one I somewhat regret not having on here, but some of that has to do with my wife's potential for finding work. It definitely looks like a strong school, and there looks to be some great opportunity for clinical exposures in Indy and the rest of the state, but my bet is that those minimums are much more strict than what has been alluded to in the school specific thread for MU-COM.

 

[GreyF0X]

AACOMAS cGPA: 3.13, sGPA: 3.35, MCAT: 32

Have strong ECs, but am concerned that my low cGPA will keep me out of contention with schools. My non-science GPA is just under 3.0, and is mainly due to upper division, theoretical math classes from over 10 years ago. I was a math major, very good with computational math, but proofs courses really were difficult for me. My recent coursework shows a tremendous upward trend in the some pre-req retakes and upper division (>70 hours) portion of a BS in Biochem, and GPA > 3.8.

With a low cGPA, will many schools still delve deeper into my application to see the difference in grades, and then of course look at my ECs and PS?

Your MCAT is very good. I think you would have a chance at most DO schools, save the ones with the regional bias. Hows TMDSAS going? I think i remember your post from a little while back, the most ideal scenario would be going to TCOM.

 

[user3]

I'd be good with 4. Marian is really the only one I somewhat regret not having on here, but some of that has to do with my wife's potential for finding work. It definitely looks like a strong school, and there looks to be some great opportunity for clinical exposures in Indy and the rest of the state, but my bet is that those minimums are much more strict than what has been alluded to in the school specific thread for MU-COM.

no need to be worried about chances. Even if you had a 25 you would be good to get in somewhere.

and throw in MUCOM if you are interested, its only like $35 or $50 to add a school.

 

[SpartanWolverine]

... Even if you had a 25 you would be good to get in somewhere.

I know this is a losing battle with you, but I don't think 3.13/3.35/25 would be "good to get in somewhere". Maybe someone might be lucky to get in somewhere with those numbers and extenuating circumstances...

... but I don't think they should. This combination would show a very clear lack of academic preparedness.

 

[nontrad78]

Your MCAT is very good. I think you would have a chance at most DO schools, save the ones with the regional bias. Hows TMDSAS going? I think i remember your post from a little while back, the most ideal scenario would be going to TCOM.

Still waiting on word from any TMDSAS schools. I'm not holding out much hope. That cGPA is a 2.87, while the BCPM is 2.92. If only TCOM did grade replacement...
Thanks for checking in though. Although the out of state schools, and their accompanying debt, are not my first choices, at 36 years of age, having a second chance to become a practicing physician is more than anything I could have imagined a few years ago.

 

[nontrad78]

no need to be worried about chances. Even if you had a 25 you would be good to get in somewhere.

and throw in MUCOM if you are interested, its only like $35 or $50 to add a school.

The consensus is looking like MU-COM is worth throwing my hat into. My wife's connection to the state is a draw. I'm still waiting to get verified through AACOMAS, but after that, I'll probably go ahead and add them on to my list.

 

[GreyF0X]

Still waiting on word from any TMDSAS schools. I'm not holding out much hope. That cGPA is a 2.87, while the BCPM is 2.92. If only TCOM did grade replacement...
Thanks for checking in though. Although the out of state schools, and their accompanying debt, are not my first choices, at 36 years of age, having a second chance to become a practicing physician is more than anything I could have imagined a few years ago.

Oh man, i think they may have a 3.0 GPA cutoff, i wish TCOM did grade replacement, that would be awesome. Keep me updated, I'm sure you will get into a school OOS for sure.

EDIT: removed quote

 

[anon01]

Nontrad, I received a secondary at Marian with 3.0xcGPA/3.7sGPA/32 MCAT and I think it would be worth the time and money to send your app in. That said I feel like I am in a similar boat as you and I have already received an ii from LECOM. Best of luck!

 

[nontrad78]

Oh man, i think they may have a 3.0 GPA cutoff, i wish TCOM did grade replacement, that would be awesome. Keep me updated, I'm sure you will get into a school OOS for sure.

EDIT: removed quote

I think it's a valid discussion, and I don't mind this particular thread being a venue for it. I think user3 was just saying I'd be good even with a lower MCAT score, and not to worry, and I think the response was more of a general discussion about those types of numbers, not specific to my situation. I'll keep you posted on things without a doubt. TCOM claims they have no minimum GPA or cutoff, but realistically, they're average accepted GPA is around a 3.6, and in Texas there's no shortage of applicants with numbers closer to that than me. How about your application(s)?

 

[nontrad78]

Nontrad, I received a secondary at Marian with 3.0xcGPA/3.7sGPA/32 MCAT and I think it would be worth the time and money to send your app in. That said I feel like I am in a similar boat as you and I have already received an ii from LECOM. Best of luck!

Good to know. I'll definitely add it to the list. Your sGPA is way stronger than mine, nice work. Congratulations on the ii from LECOM, we've got some friends that just moved to Pittsburgh, so we would at least know some folks in the general vicinity if that's where I turn out going. Good luck to you too!

 

[GreyF0X]

I think it's a valid discussion, and I don't mind this particular thread being a venue for it. I think user3 was just saying I'd be good even with a lower MCAT score, and not to worry, and I think the response was more of a general discussion about those types of numbers, not specific to my situation. I'll keep you posted on things without a doubt. TCOM claims they have no minimum GPA or cutoff, but realistically, they're average accepted GPA is around a 3.6, and in Texas there's no shortage of applicants with numbers closer to that than me. How about your application(s)?

Haha yeah, thats why i removed the quote. Yeah, the GPA averages keep going up every year, but you have an above average MCAT and great EC's, hopefully that has some weight. I'm trying to work on my EC's and take my MCAT but ill be way too late for this cycle. Really want to apply to NOVA and TCOM, haven't really thought about other schools. Currently sitting at a 3.5 c/s with 4.0 in DIY post back work of 40 hours. Just need to get this MCAT out of the way.

 

[nontrad78]

Haha yeah, thats why i removed the quote. Yeah, the GPA averages keep going up every year, but you have an above average MCAT and great EC's, hopefully that has some weight. I'm trying to work on my EC's and take my MCAT but ill be way too late for this cycle. Really want to apply to NOVA and TCOM, haven't really thought about other schools. Currently sitting at a 3.5 c/s with 4.0 in DIY post back work of 40 hours. Just need to get this MCAT out of the way.

Your numbers look great. if you're pulling a 4.0, then you've certainly got the skills to pull the score you need to on MCAT. I'm not sure where your state of residence is, but TCOM has a strong in state bias, i'm pretty sure they keep it at about 90% in state, plus they have a SMP that they accept some applicants for. Something to keep in mind, but really, since they're secondary is free, and the TMDSAS is only $140, you may as well. The secondary isn't very taxing, and just by filling out TMDSAS, you apply to UT Houston, UTMB (Galveston), UTHSC in San Antonio, and UT Southwestern (must fill out secondary, but it's also pretty straight forward and free).

I'll be interested in seeing how your preparation for MCAT goes. It's not much, but one of the things that really helped me was using the MCAT M Prep Question a Day. I started doing those about 4-5 months prior, and really didn't have much time to prepare for outside of that until about 2 weeks until the exam. After that I tried to really focus on verbal, and just did about 3-4 hours worth of passages for verbal, and PS and BS per day. Thankfully, I have been tutoring physics and chemistry for years, and so my PS ended up being a 14, so that pulled my overall score up quite a bit.

 

[GreyF0X]

Your numbers look great. if you're pulling a 4.0, then you've certainly got the skills to pull the score you need to on MCAT. I'm not sure where your state of residence is, but TCOM has a strong in state bias, i'm pretty sure they keep it at about 90% in state, plus they have a SMP that they accept some applicants for. Something to keep in mind, but really, since they're secondary is free, and the TMDSAS is only $140, you may as well. The secondary isn't very taxing, and just by filling out TMDSAS, you apply to UT Houston, UTMB (Galveston), UTHSC in San Antonio, and UT Southwestern (must fill out secondary, but it's also pretty straight forward and free).

I'll be interested in seeing how your preparation for MCAT goes. It's not much, but one of the things that really helped me was using the MCAT M Prep Question a Day. I started doing those about 4-5 months prior, and really didn't have much time to prepare for outside of that until about 2 weeks until the exam. After that I tried to really focus on verbal, and just did about 3-4 hours worth of passages for verbal, and PS and BS per day. Thankfully, I have been tutoring physics and chemistry for years, and so my PS ended up being a 14, so that pulled my overall score up quite a bit.

TX resident here, so TCOM is definitely on my list, however, i believe my TMDSAS GPA is a bit lower, not sure by how much. Hopefully i can do get a good score on the MCAT. Thanks for the advice, i will definitely keep you updated. Good luck on your cycle!

 

[nontrad78]

Of course, I'm just an applicant, so take it as it is, but best of luck!

 

[nontrad78]

Nontrad, I received a secondary at Marian with 3.0xcGPA/3.7sGPA/32 MCAT and I think it would be worth the time and money to send your app in. That said I feel like I am in a similar boat as you and I have already received an ii from LECOM. Best of luck!

In looking over MU website, I'm seeing that they require a minimum of 3.10 in last 120 hours. Although my last 70 hours is at over a 3.8, the 50 hours prior to that included all of my nosedive semesters, so I'm well below that minimum at a 2.77. I'll just have to call the admissions office to have them clarify their stance on these types of issues. I understand that the website indicates minimums, but since there has been an official (or a inexplicable imposter) from the school on the school specific thread giving different information, I'm a little uncertain. I'll post what I find out.

 

[anon01]

In looking over MU website, I'm seeing that they require a minimum of 3.10 in last 120 hours. Although my last 70 hours is at over a 3.8, the 50 hours prior to that included all of my nosedive semesters, so I'm well below that minimum at a 2.77. I'll just have to call the admissions office to have them clarify their stance on these types of issues. I understand that the website indicates minimums, but since there has been an official (or a inexplicable imposter) from the school on the school specific thread giving different information, I'm a little uncertain. I'll post what I find out.

I am a non-trad and finished a post-bacc myself. In 40-50 credit hours I maintained ~3.8 including some retakes so you can only imagine my cum-GPA before this..call and ask it is definitely worth a shot.

 

[nontrad78]

I am a non-trad and finished a post-bacc myself. In 40-50 credit hours I maintained ~3.8 including some retakes so you can only imagine my cum-GPA before this..call and ask it is definitely worth a shot.

Agreed. Seems like maybe they could add a 'Coursework completed in the last __ years' minimum requirement. Before returning to school in Jan 2012, my last course was taken in 2003, and prior to that, it was 2001. I'll give them a ring, this week. The more I look into the school, the more intriguing it is.

 

[Goro]

Quit fussing and start applying! You're fine!

AACOMAS cGPA: 3.13, sGPA: 3.35, MCAT: 32

Have strong ECs, but am concerned that my low cGPA will keep me out of contention with schools. My non-science GPA is just under 3.0, and is mainly due to upper division, theoretical math classes from over 10 years ago. I was a math major, very good with computational math, but proofs courses really were difficult for me. My recent coursework shows a tremendous upward trend in the some pre-req retakes and upper division (>70 hours) portion of a BS in Biochem, and GPA > 3.8.

With a low cGPA, will many schools still delve deeper into my application to see the difference in grades, and then of course look at my ECs and PS?

 

[nontrad78]

Quit fussing and start applying! You're fine!

Good advice. I've been submitted and ready for review since June 23, and just waiting for verification. Working on essays while I wait on processing. May add a school or two more to the list after I've been verified, but waiting for word back from Marian on some of the confusing details of their minimum standards.

 

[InDistress99]

MCAT: 11 P.S 9 VR 11 B.S Total 31
GPA: sGPA 2.89 cGPA 3.09 (AMCAS) sGPA 3.01 sGPA 3.13 (AACOMAS)

I'm a Texas resident, I have about 300 hours worth of shadowing, 120 hours volunteering at a hospital, 600 volunteering in a lab, 200 working in a lab.

Do y'all think I have a chance?

 

[mrh125]

MCAT: 11 P.S 9 VR 11 B.S Total 31
GPA: sGPA 2.89 cGPA 3.09 (AMCAS) sGPA 3.01 sGPA 3.13 (AACOMAS)

I'm a Texas resident, I have about 300 hours worth of shadowing, 120 hours volunteering at a hospital, 600 volunteering in a lab, 200 working in a lab.

Do y'all think I have a chance?

you're good for DOs. apply