Low cumulative

[anitadesai]

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After a pretty low undergrad gpa, I spent two years trying to fix it. Graduated with a 3.8 GPA, second degree thid year. Below is my current gpa according to the aacomas calculator..
Science GPA- 3.49
Cumulative- 3.2
Non-Science- 3.0

Taking MCAT on July 2nd, applying for entering class of Fall 2014.

I have been thinking of applying to a DO Linkage Postbac program but since taking my mcat so late, not sure if I will still have a chance.

Should I apply this year, or a cumulative 3.2 is too low?

 

[coolingglasses]

I would've posted this here: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/forumdisplay.php?f=418

or in the Underdogs thread, but no, it's probably fine unless you score in the low 20s on your MCAT.

 

[user3]

24+ on the MCAT should get you in somewhere. the decent sci gpa will definitely help you.

 

[Goro]

A 3.2 is at the low end of competitive, but if you have a rising trend, that's good. So quit fussing, I think you'll get plenty of interviews if you can do well on MCAT.

After a pretty low undergrad gpa, I spent two years trying to fix it. Graduated with a 3.8 GPA, second degree thid year. Below is my current gpa according to the aacomas calculator..
Science GPA- 3.49
Cumulative- 3.2
Non-Science- 3.0

Taking MCAT on July 2nd, applying for entering class of Fall 2014.

I have been thinking of applying to a DO Linkage Postbac program but since taking my mcat so late, not sure if I will still have a chance.

Should I apply this year, or a cumulative 3.2 is too low?

 

[anitadesai]

'
Thanks for the feedback!

I am thinking of taking a few courses during summer session after I am done with MCAT. I took a lot of higher level science classes (Biochem1, Biochem2, Physical Chem, etc) and made As in them. Didn't get a chance to retake Gen Chem 1, Gen Chem2 and Physics, in which I have C. On the AMCOMAS calculator, the GPA difference btw retaking a class or taking a new class does not make much of a difference. I am trying to decide if I should retake the Gen Chems or take higher level science classes during the summer.

 

[wjs010]

'
Thanks for the feedback!

I am thinking of taking a few courses during summer session after I am done with MCAT. I took a lot of higher level science classes (Biochem1, Biochem2, Physical Chem, etc) and made As in them. Didn't get a chance to retake Gen Chem 1, Gen Chem2 and Physics, in which I have C. On the AMCOMAS calculator, the GPA difference btw retaking a class or taking a new class does not make much of a difference. I am trying to decide if I should retake the Gen Chems or take higher level science classes during the summer.

I would take whichever makes your gpa higher

 

[Jewels86]

How about a Spanish course, nutrition or kinesology (intro to physical fitness)? I know the kinesology counts towards the sGPA (I looked that up).

 

[Elevencents]

Almost identical to me - 3.2c 3.5s. Rock that MCAT and best of luck with your application cycle!

 

[Mehd School]

'
Thanks for the feedback!

I am thinking of taking a few courses during summer session after I am done with MCAT. I took a lot of higher level science classes (Biochem1, Biochem2, Physical Chem, etc) and made As in them. Didn't get a chance to retake Gen Chem 1, Gen Chem2 and Physics, in which I have C. On the AMCOMAS calculator, the GPA difference btw retaking a class or taking a new class does not make much of a difference. I am trying to decide if I should retake the Gen Chems or take higher level science classes during the summer.

Whaaaaat. Are you certain? I raised my sGPA from a 3.25 to a 3.5+ in under 30 hours thanks to a couple retakes. I've taken over 160 hours and retakes are far and away the most efficient way to shoot up your gpa. Especially replacing C's or lower with A's.

*EDIT* I'll throw a little math at you here. Lets say that your 3.2 cumulative is over 120 hours, the average for a bachelors. That would put you at 384 honor points for the 120 hours. Say you were to retake those 3 C's and replace them with A's and assume each class is 3 credit hours. You would add 3*6=18 extra honor points and 0 extra hours. This immediately puts you at a 3.35 GPA.

Now lets say you take 9 hours of new courses instead of retakes (3 new courses). You add 36 honor points an 9 hours. This puts you at 420 honor points at 129 hours for a GPA of 3.25.

TL;DR - Retaking those 3 courses instead of taking 3 new courses raises your cGPA by an extra 0.1! Your sGPA would see probably around double the increase.