Hi all, sorry if this has already been posted before. I am interesting in going to DO school, but did not apply this cycle due to low stats (cGPA 3.4, sGPA 3.09, MCAT 500). In the year before I apply, I want to do either a post bacc or masters in order to increase my admissions chances. I also plan to retake my MCAT, as I know I can do much better. I have heard that SMPs are a "last resort" and if you do bad, you are done. Can anyone clarify the difference between the 2 and the benefits of each? And possibly provide some names of programs that would be beneficial for someone with low GPA/MCAT hoping to go to DO school? thank you!
Masters or Postbacc for DO school?
- Thread starter futuemd6
- Start date
From the aacomas website regarding gpa:
““Cumulative Undergrad” row indicates freshman through post-baccalaureate work, and the “Overall” row includes freshman through doctoral degree level work.“
I believe admissions committees will be looking at the cumulative undergrad gpa and science undergrad gpa mostly for admission purposes. The masters grades would be reported with the “overall” , so it won’t have as much pull. Therefore, doing a post-bacc is always more favorable and often cheaper.
With this being said - your stats aren’t that bad. Your science gpa is a little low but definitely workable. I would suggest retaking the MCAT and maybe taking a few more upper level science courses to bring up your sgpa a little.
““Cumulative Undergrad” row indicates freshman through post-baccalaureate work, and the “Overall” row includes freshman through doctoral degree level work.“
I believe admissions committees will be looking at the cumulative undergrad gpa and science undergrad gpa mostly for admission purposes. The masters grades would be reported with the “overall” , so it won’t have as much pull. Therefore, doing a post-bacc is always more favorable and often cheaper.
With this being said - your stats aren’t that bad. Your science gpa is a little low but definitely workable. I would suggest retaking the MCAT and maybe taking a few more upper level science courses to bring up your sgpa a little.
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2017
- Messages
- 1,979
- Reaction score
- 3,176
Apply broadly to D.O. schools and you will get in, assuming your volunteering, clinical experiences and essays are up to par
- Joined
- Jun 11, 2010
- Messages
- 74,837
- Reaction score
- 120,061
Note: do bad in either a post-bac or SNP and you're done.
Read this:
Goro's advice for pre-meds who need reinvention
- Joined
- Feb 18, 2018
- Messages
- 7
- Reaction score
- 0
Can you really get in with those stats?
I am a senior, so would you say the best way to go about this would be to do a DIY postbac? What about a masters at medical school with a linkage (LECOM, Temple, etc.)?
Retake the MCAT and do much better, and you will get in. Don't waste money on an expensive masters or postbacc.
- Joined
- Jul 9, 2016
- Messages
- 307
- Reaction score
- 608
A science GPA of 3.09 is really limiting and a 500 MCAT is also. You might have some luck at the new D.O. schools with lower admission standards but I personally would not want to go to these schools unless it's the absolute last resort.
The fastest and cheapest option can be a DIY post-bacc. Take upper level science courses and crush them, which will prove to adcoms that you can handle it. Retake the MCAT and get >505 and you will be golden.
The fastest and cheapest option can be a DIY post-bacc. Take upper level science courses and crush them, which will prove to adcoms that you can handle it. Retake the MCAT and get >505 and you will be golden.
- Joined
- Jun 12, 2011
- Messages
- 4,246
- Reaction score
- 2,673
Agree. Take a look at ICOM the newest COM on the block, they opened in the middle of the application cycle and have been bombarded with 2K+ applicants for 150 spots. unless you are from Idaho, a 3.1 and 500 MCAT is not getting in.
OP, if you cant retake the mcat and get a higher score, I would look into Podiatry schools.
OP, if you cant retake the mcat and get a higher score, I would look into Podiatry schools.
- Joined
- Dec 7, 2016
- Messages
- 1,262
- Reaction score
- 2,062
I have a similar GPA. See the Osteopathic underdawg thread. My MCAT, however, was a 509. Given my experience and those that I have spoken with, I think it would be reasonable to consider the following:
-retake the MCAT if you can score >505 (this might be the single most effective addition you can make for your application)
- Do a short DIY postbacc in upper level science courses to show improvement
- make sure you have very strong ECs if at all possible (100s hrs clinical volunteering, 100s hrs non-clinical, research if possible, helping the underserved)
I received 7 IIs this cycle with a 509 MCAT and similar GPA, with strong ECs and essays that were pretty well written. I would tend to disagree with posters that suggest you should immediately pursue podiatry or an SMP (very expensive + risky). Further, you should target a variety of schools, not just low-tier DO schools. I would recommend targeting some low, mid, and upper tier DO schools, as well as your state MD and some low-tier MD programs (in the event they see something in you).
If you are applying as a college junior or senior, however, I would really take another year or two to gain ECs. I think that can really help applicants like you and me (at least I believe it strongly helped me).
