Low GPA... options?

[waveringatom]

Hi there guys. First thread. Tried to search through previous forums but some new policies have changed so haven't seen anything updated.

I have a 2.9 sGPA, 3.1 cGPA. Taking the MCAT in July.

I'm really intent on either MD or DO. I was actually relying on DO's grade forgiveness policy but that is over for the new cycle ,which is unfortunate. At this point I'm viewing DO and MD as being equally competitive.

Is it recommended that I go back for a DIY Postbac or stick with an SMP? I'm planning to apply to both MD and DO now.

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[predent2151]

DIY Postbacc, take upper lvl physiology courses, make As


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[chickpeagoals]

I agree with predent2151 in that you should complete a DIY. If you do well (3.6+ in all of your courses), then you might be competitive for MD.

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[lemony]

I graduated college with cGPA 3.38 and sGPA 3.36. I debated between SMP and DIY postbac as well. Ultimately chose to do DIY post bac (~80 credits).
Final GPA: 3.65 sGPA and 3.64 cGPA

Reasoning? SMP are difficult and risky.. If you don't do well, no more med schools for you. I've seen this happen and said person went to a Caribbean school after re-applying twice (applied after post-bac). If you do a DIY postbac, can always go do a SMP afterwards.

 

[waveringatom]

DIY Postbacc, take upper lvl physiology courses, make As


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So when I'm doing a post bac, I would be applying for the 2019 cycle (for med school), correct?

Without knowing your grade trends year by year that will show improvement, I cant advise what may be best. But if you have had major trends then the overall GPA is misleading. Certainly, I would consider MCAT possibly premature at this point

Prerequisite med school classes had high trends for first 60 credits (inorganic chem, bio, physics etc)

Last 60 were bio upper divisions like anatomy, biochem, ecology and those were the classes that brought me down.

I know I can't make a concrete decision in what to do without a MCAT score, but if I have to take a SMP or DIY post bac, I would like to know which one would be preferable

 

[waveringatom]

@Goro any input?

 

[waveringatom]

I graduated college with cGPA 3.38 and sGPA 3.36. I debated between SMP and DIY postbac as well. Ultimately chose to do DIY post bac (~80 credits).
Final GPA: 3.65 sGPA and 3.64 cGPA

Reasoning? SMP are difficult and risky.. If you don't do well, no more med schools for you. I've seen this happen and said person went to a Caribbean school after re-applying twice (applied after post-bac). If you do a DIY postbac, can always go do a SMP afterwards.

How long did 80 credits take you?

 

[Goro]

So when I'm doing a post bac, I would be applying for the 2019 cycle (for med school), correct?

Prerequisite med school classes had high trends for first 60 credits (inorganic chem, bio, physics etc)

Last 60 were bio upper divisions like anatomy, biochem, ecology and those were the classes that brought me down.

I know I can't make a concrete decision in what to do without a MCAT score, but if I have to take a SMP or DIY post bac, I would like to know which one would be preferable

I have previously written as to the plusses and minuses of a post-bac vs SMP. The fact that your GPA went down with increasingly challenging biology courses is concerning.

I suggest the SMP.

 

[waveringatom]

I have previously written as to the plusses and minuses of a post-bac vs SMP. The fact that your GPA went down with increasingly challenging biology courses is concerning.

I suggest the SMP.

Got it. Thank you!!

It wasnt because the classes were hard. It was just circumstance with battling family deaths and dealing with own depression.

The only class that really brought me down was anatomy (D+) but retook it for a B.

I know I can handle the rigor of postbac classes. My situation is better now too. Just some things to take into account

 

[lemony]

How long did 80 credits take you?

5 semesters