Need advice on when to apply this summer

[redwings54]

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Hello. I am getting mixed signals on when to apply to osteopathic schools this summer. I am a boarderline candidate with a 3.05 GPA, 2.81 science and a 25 MCAT. I have lots of ECs including research, publications, a fellowship in holistic medicine and a clinical job in a hospital. My quandry is that I am going to be taking two classes this summer to boost the GPA. I am going to retake physics 2 to replace a C+ and one other. I dont know whether I should retake biochem, I got a B-, or take a upper level bio class. If I retake both and Ace them, my GPA will rise to 3.13 with a 3.03 science. If I only retake physics, I will have a 3.12/3.01 GPA. My premed advisor is suggesting I wait until I get the grades to submit my application so I can send it in with the higher GPA. I am thinking that I should send it in ASAP with the 3.05/2.81 and submit new grades when I get them, probably when I submit secondaries. When should I apply? And should I retake the classes I got B-'s in or just take upper level classes to boost the GPA? Thanks all.

 

[jkhamlin]

Hello. I am getting mixed signals on when to apply to osteopathic schools this summer. I am a boarderline candidate with a 3.05 GPA, 2.81 science and a 25 MCAT. I have lots of ECs including research, publications, a fellowship in holistic medicine and a clinical job in a hospital. My quandry is that I am going to be taking two classes this summer to boost the GPA. I am going to retake physics 2 to replace a C+ and one other. I dont know whether I should retake biochem, I got a B-, or take a upper level bio class. If I retake both and Ace them, my GPA will rise to 3.13 with a 3.03 science. If I only retake physics, I will have a 3.12/3.01 GPA. My premed advisor is suggesting I wait until I get the grades to submit my application so I can send it in with the higher GPA. I am thinking that I should send it in ASAP with the 3.05/2.81 and submit new grades when I get them, probably when I submit secondaries. When should I apply? And should I retake the classes I got B-'s in or just take upper level classes to boost the GPA? Thanks all.

Start sending things in now. The schools will start a file on you. AACOMAS will start a file. Just be sure to send the right things to the right places. Everything will come together in the end. The important thing is to apply as early as possible. This is one mistake I made last year. I got mixed signals too, but in hindsight I know now I should have got it in ASAP. It won't matter any more now that your grades are lower than you expect them to be later. You can send an updated transcript later.

 

[nvshelat]

Hello. I am getting mixed signals on when to apply to osteopathic schools this summer. I am a boarderline candidate with a 3.05 GPA, 2.81 science and a 25 MCAT. I have lots of ECs including research, publications, a fellowship in holistic medicine and a clinical job in a hospital. My quandry is that I am going to be taking two classes this summer to boost the GPA. I am going to retake physics 2 to replace a C+ and one other. I dont know whether I should retake biochem, I got a B-, or take a upper level bio class. If I retake both and Ace them, my GPA will rise to 3.13 with a 3.03 science. If I only retake physics, I will have a 3.12/3.01 GPA. My premed advisor is suggesting I wait until I get the grades to submit my application so I can send it in with the higher GPA. I am thinking that I should send it in ASAP with the 3.05/2.81 and submit new grades when I get them, probably when I submit secondaries. When should I apply? And should I retake the classes I got B-'s in or just take upper level classes to boost the GPA? Thanks all.

I'm in the exact same position and got different opinions from different people. I'm deciding to postpone sending my app till mid August (once my summer grades are in) mainly bc the DO school I'm looking at (UMDNJ SOM) doesn't start accepting apps till July; I figure mid/end August isn't that late to apply if they don't even start looking at them until July. Some ppl would say that applying later hurts your chances, but I don't think that this would be too late (assuming you have everything else ready to go by the time your summer grades come in), and you could just as easily argue that having less than a 3.0 could get you shot down even if you do apply early. Since it comes down to "apply earlier with a lower gpa or later with a higher gpa", and youre borderline, I would say apply a bit later, making sure you have everything ready to go by the time your grades come in, since your grade boost is a significant one. Obviously the case would be different if you were going from a 3.7 to a 3.75, then you'd be crazy to wait; but since you're borderline, I'd wait - it just makes your app look better on first glance. Others will disagree. Anyway, you can always call the admissions people and ask what their opinion is. In any case, remember you'll have to explain your original grades in your interview. Good luck, let me know what you decide.

 

[jkhamlin]

I'm in the exact same position and got different opinions from different people. I'm deciding to postpone sending my app till mid August (once my summer grades are in) mainly bc the DO school I'm looking at (UMDNJ SOM) doesn't start accepting apps till July; I figure mid/end August isn't that late to apply if they don't even start looking at them until July. Some ppl would say that applying later hurts your chances, but I don't think that this would be too late (assuming you have everything else ready to go by the time your summer grades come in), and you could just as easily argue that having less than a 3.0 could get you shot down even if you do apply early. Since it comes down to "apply earlier with a lower gpa or later with a higher gpa", and youre borderline, I would say apply a bit later, making sure you have everything ready to go by the time your grades come in, since your grade boost is a significant one. Obviously the case would be different if you were going from a 3.7 to a 3.75, then you'd be crazy to wait; but since you're borderline, I'd wait - it just makes your app look better on first glance. Others will disagree. Anyway, you can always call the admissions people and ask what their opinion is. In any case, remember you'll have to explain your original grades in your interview. Good luck, let me know what you decide.

It doesn't really work that way. Having my app in as late as it was, and then sending new transcripts and updating my completed file twice moved my app at OSU from not even being considered to getting an interview in the last round. If I had my app in earlier, who knows, I would have been in the running for more open seats. They really care about whatever is most current. They won't glance at it and never look again. They will see the same grades that they will see later with the update. Believe me, not everything comes together to complete your file exactly when you plan it. If you have something to send in (ie transcripts) send it now. It won't hurt, and it will probably help.