Need help/input on a school list. Opinions on my situation? Low GPA, MCAT. But major upward trend.

[Pazuzu]

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I want some advice. What should my DO school list look like for applying 2015-2016 cycle?

I have a low GPA and low MCAT, but the GPA is a strong upward trend due to post-bacc class retakes and a master's degree. I'll try to break it down so you can see what the admin will see. My MCAT was low due to a crazy personal situation (explained later below)

College (120 credits): 2.48 Science, 2.90 Cumulative
Post-Bacc Grade Repair (46 Credits, 42 of which was Science): 3.58 Science, 3.60 Cumulative
Graduate Degree (43 Credits, 12 of which was Science): 3.57 Science, 3.73 Cumulative

OVERALL GPA: 3.22 Science, 3.32 Cumulative

Unfortunately my terrible college GPA is still weighing down the overall. But would admissions take a strong look at the fact that my post-bacc retakes and graduate degree has been solid? Almost 90 credits of ~3.6 GPA since my terrible initial college experience.

I've taken the MCAT once and it is a terrible 23. I was scoring 28-29 on my AAMC practice tests. I know the 23 is terrible (7/8/8), but there was a pretty BAD personal situation. I caught my fiancee cheating on me and so that ended our relationship. I took the MCAT about a week later after that whole engagement blew up. My mind wasn't in the right spot for the test and I probably should've just voided the test. But what can I say? I guess I have a habit of messing up and then getting my stuff straightened out. I am in much better spirits and have moved on, am signed up to retake the 2015 MCAT on June 19th. Which I know is another beast, but I think I'll manage and be okay.

ECs are excellent. Shadowing, 2 years of EMT/Rescue squad, clubs (some leadership roles), hospital volunteering, medical mission trips, worked/interned for some health organizations/coalitions, worked for an organ donation group.

LOR will be fine with my PHC (they're pretty lenient) and the DO I am shadowing.

I have decided to go all-in and apply as broadly, as early, and as smart as I can.

I plan on Submitting application to a group of lower-tier/less competitive schools. And then once my new MCAT comes in (scores should be in by end of July), I would apply to the remaining schools that are more competitive.

So I need help on devising a list of schools divided into those 2 groups. Any help? I have money saved, so amount is no issue, I will apply to all that I can reasonably expect a shot from.

I wasn't sure about which schools auto-reject based off of what stats. Any success stories from anyone in my similar situation? Opinions on how my GPA will be viewed

 

[xBODOMx]

Wrong forum, but;

Congrats. Great upward trend. Your MCAT will screen you out of almost every school right now though.

For lower tier:
CUSOM, VCOM-Carolina, VCOM-Auburn, WCU, MU-COM, LMU-DCOM, New school in New Mexico opening (2016 maybe), LECOM, ACOM

Gamble tier
ATSU-SOMA, ATSU-Kirksville, RVU, Western - Oregon, some other schools

Higher tier, completely depends on your retake.
AZCOM, CCOM, DMU, KCUMB, Western California,

 

[BorntobeDO?]

LUCOM should be on the low tier list also. I would read up on both them and WCU before applying tho. LUCOM can be polarizing, and WCU has students openly bashing the school and arguing with faculty about its attendance policy. Both will be options at your scores tho, just be cognizant ahead of time what you are getting into.

 

[CanIdoIt?]

retake mcat

 

[Pazuzu]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll definitely build off of it. Yeah I am already scheduled for June to retake the mcat. Just wanted opinions on how my GPA trend is going to be viewed and which schools I should try to take a stab at earlier in the application cycle

 

[PlaqueBuster]

I am confused. Did you retake your classes during the post-bacc? AACOMAS des grade-replacement and that should take care of all your lower sciences. You need a stronger mcat score but I believe you will be fine at all lower tier schools.

 

[xBODOMx]

LUCOM should be on the low tier list also. I would read up on both them and WCU before applying tho. LUCOM can be polarizing, and WCU has students openly bashing the school and arguing with faculty about its attendance policy. Both will be options at your scores tho, just be cognizant ahead of time what you are getting into.

Yeah this is why I didn't include them. I would just avoid them to be honest, but it's really up to you.

 

[Pazuzu]

I am confused. Did you retake your classes during the post-bacc? AACOMAS des grade-replacement and that should take care of all your lower sciences. You need a stronger mcat score but I believe you will be fine at all lower tier schools.

Yeah, I was a Biology major and had taken all the pre-med requirements and a butt-load of additional science classes. But there were alot of C's. So during my Post-Bac, I essentially retook all my pre-med classes and whatever other science retakes that I could (equivalent courses available at the "new" college I went to).

I think my GPA is fine (taking into consideration that the last 90 credits were ~3.6 (both science and cumm), I think even factoring last 120 credits, its still around 3.45. I really hope that admissions takes a look into the PB (post bacc) and GR (Graduate) lines for my GPA.

My MCAT is keeping me down, I really wish I had done better. I know my potential for scoring higher (i was just going through a rough personal time). I guess the "good news" is that an MCAT is easily fixed with one test. I had to do around 3 years of retakes (almost all science/pre-med retakes) to get my GPA from 2.5 to 3.3. So I guess that part is at least done.

 

[JW2020]

Many DO schools will take note of your upward trend. Just focus on rocking the MCAT and you'll be fine as long as you apply broadly.

 

[Goro]

We're very gun-shy of people who make poor choices.

Obviously, your performance on the next MCAT will make or break you. Do NOT take this exam unless you are 100% ready for it.

Your PB GPA salvages your GPA.



I've taken the MCAT once and it is a terrible 23. I was scoring 28-29 on my AAMC practice tests. I know the 23 is terrible (7/8/8), but there was a pretty BAD personal situation. I caught my fiancee cheating on me and so that ended our relationship. I took the MCAT about a week later after that whole engagement blew up. My mind wasn't in the right spot for the test and I probably should've just voided the test. But what can I say? I guess I have a habit of messing up and then getting my stuff straightened out. I am in much better spirits and have moved on, am signed up to retake the 2015 MCAT on June 19th.