NOW WHAT?!

[Nerdeka]

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Went to top 10 school with sGPA: 3.13.
Took a year of post-bacc sciences at a state school:
1st semester 12 credits: 4.0
2nd semester 22 credits (with 5 at CC): 3.86
(assumed, could be a 4.0 (unlikely) or a 3.69 (unlikely)).

now sGPA: 3.33

Because of debt, I will not take any more post-bacc classes at the university, but do plan on taking ~11 credits of summer classes at the CC to hopefully push the sGPA to 3.40 while working uber/lyft + searching for a gap year job.

I haven't shadowed at all.
I haven't don't any ECs this past school year.
I haven't taken the MCAT yet.

Good plan for applying June 2018?

 

[libertyyne]

What else do you have going on.
MCAT?
Urm /orm, life story?
State of residence ?
Ecs?

Edit: no MCAT = no useful advice.
You could potentially be competitive for do.

Come back after an MCAT.

 

[Nerdeka]

What else do you have going on.
MCAT?
Urm /orm, life story?
State of residence ?
Ecs?

Edit: no MCAT = no useful advice.
You could potentially be competitive for do.

Come back after an MCAT.

Illinois
First-generation American/college student.
AVERAGE ECs!
LOL

I plan on rocking the MCAT, but my main question is: should I continue working on the GPA?

 

[Turkishking]

Illinois
First-generation American/college student.
AVERAGE ECs!
LOL

I plan on rocking the MCAT, but my main question is: should I continue working on the GPA?

You should have focused on EC's as well. Average EC's will do, but you should have focused on it. Now rock the MCAT, and apply broadly. But that's my opinion.

 

[libertyyne]

Illinois
First-generation American/college student.
AVERAGE ECs!
LOL

I plan on rocking the MCAT, but my main question is: should I continue working on the GPA?

512+ = possible shot at state schools for MD.
504< mcat<510 = DO .
<504 = strongly consider podiatry or retake.

 

[Nerdeka]

You should have focused on EC's as well. Average EC's will do, but you should have focused on it. Now rock the MCAT, and apply broadly. But that's my opinion.

It was almost impossible with 22 credits (mid-day to evening classes as well). Plus it's not like I stopped volunteering, I took a break and will continue. Don't even know if I need to put the gap on apps?

 

[Nerdeka]

512+ = possible shot at state schools for MD.
504< mcat<510 = DO .
<504 = strongly consider podiatry or retake.

So leave the GPA at 3.33 or push it up to 3.40 first? It's also significantly higher for DO since I retook Chem 1/2 and Physics 1/2 and plan on retaking Biochem/Organic.

 

[libertyyne]

So leave the GPA at 3.33 or push it up to 3.40 first? It's also significantly higher for DO since I retook Chem 1/2 and Physics 1/2 and plan on retaking Biochem/Organic.

DO does not do grade replacement anymore.

 

[Turkishking]

It was almost impossible with 22 credits (mid-day to evening classes as well). Plus it's not like I stopped volunteering, I took a break and will continue. Don't even know if I need to put the gap on apps?

Not sure either.

 

[Nerdeka]

DO does not do grade replacement anymore.

In that case, should I even retake Organic?

 

[Nerdeka]

I'm more concerned with my GPA, I know everything else I need to do (MCAT/ECs)

 

[Turkishking]

I'm more concerned with my GPA, I know everything else I need to do (MCAT/ECs)

Well as long as you do well, I think you will get in some where.

 

[candbgirl]

Depending on your MCAT you will probably be competitive for DO. But realize that DO is becoming more competitive every year. A 3.3 might not get you in but a 3.4 might not either. Develop the best possible application possible and then apply. The best possible application includes all areas not just GPA.


Sent from my iPad using SDN mobile app

 

[efle]

Retaking doesn't have any benefit for DO any more, they average now like MD schools do. So only retake something if it is a prereq and you got below a C in it.

I second the above about needing an MCAT. That will probably make it very clear what you are/are not competitive for. Can you study your ass off for it over the summer and take it in 2-3 months?

 

[ridethecliche]

Oh sheettt. When did the DO schools change over from doing replacement?

 

[efle]

Oh sheettt. When did the DO schools change over from doing replacement?

They changed suddenly and without warning just a few months back, with the new policy immediately applicable for the Summer 2017 cycle start. People were livid, there was a huge thread about it in the DO forums. Lots of people that were deep into post-baccs just logged in one day to find out they were screwed.

 

[P0ke]

They changed suddenly and without warning just a few months back, with the new policy immediately applicable for the Summer 2017 cycle start. People were livid, there was a huge thread about it in the DO forums. Lots of people that were deep into post-baccs just logged in one day to find out they were screwed.

Yeah that's really unforgiving to the student who did badly at first, and then shaped up and started getting good grades, but still has too many bad grades for it to make a dent in their GPA. They could even be a much better student now than someone with a higher GPA, but it doesn't matter anymore. Everyone has to be perfect from the get-go.

 

[Goro]

Yeah that's really unforgiving to the student who did badly at first, and then shaped up and started getting good grades, but still has too many bad grades for it to make a dent in their GPA. They could even be a much better student now than someone with a higher GPA, but it doesn't matter anymore. Everyone has to be perfect from the get-go.

This is NOT true. There are plenty of MD and all DO schools that reward reinvention.

@Nerdeka Start doing ECs and shadowing now, because I am worried that you may give the appearance of box checking. IF you have a decent amount of ECs, just something, in addition to the shadowing. This demonstrates commitment. Do not retake any coursework unless you feel that you are unprepared for MCAT.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

<504 = strongly consider podiatry or retake.

Nah I'd say <500 to consider pod. A 3.3 and 500+ has a decent chance at the newer and rural DO schools.

OP your MCAT is key, I also agree with @libertyyne that you need to add to your ECs. Someone with low stats needs to compensate with other things

 

[ridethecliche]

They changed suddenly and without warning just a few months back, with the new policy immediately applicable for the Summer 2017 cycle start. People were livid, there was a huge thread about it in the DO forums. Lots of people that were deep into post-baccs just logged in one day to find out they were screwed.

Thatttssss pretttyyyyy farkkkeedddd.

I wonder if it's going to lower their stats then, since now they won't have inflated GPA's with retakes etc.

 

[Goro]

Thatttssss pretttyyyyy farkkkeedddd.

I wonder if it's going to lower their stats then, since now they won't have inflated GPA's with retakes etc.

It will definitely cut down on their applicants. The big question, as you allude to, is whether they have to lower their GPA floors. My wily old Admissions dean doesn't think it will be an issue at my school.

 

[vellez]

You plan on rocking the MCAT. Famous last words.

 

[Nerdeka]

This is NOT true. There are plenty of MD and all DO schools that reward reinvention.

@Nerdeka Start doing ECs and shadowing now, because I am worried that you may give the appearance of box checking. IF you have a decent amount of ECs, just something, in addition to the shadowing. This demonstrates commitment. Do not retake any coursework unless you feel that you are unprepared for MCAT.

I have 4+ years of ECs, I'll continue the ones I enjoy the most (volunteering in homeless shelter/hospital) and work to pay off debt.

 

[Nerdeka]

You plan on rocking the MCAT. Famous last words.

I took Kaplan and did decent. I just flaked on the test because of anxiety issues which is what I need to tackle first before taking the MCAT to be honest.

 

[Lawpy]

It will definitely cut down on their applicants. The big question, as you allude to, is whether they have to lower their GPA floors. My wily old Admissions dean doesn't think it will be an issue at my school.

I heard some DO schools are still implementing some form of grade replacement policy despite AACOMAS eliminating it back in January. Any idea whether this is true and what schools they are?

 

[Goro]

I heard some DO schools are still implementing some form of grade replacement policy despite AACOMAS eliminating it back in January. Any idea whether this is true and what schools they are?

I've read that AZCOM and/or PCOM