On shaky ground. Should she continue taking classes

[WayneWilliamsPT]

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My friend is considering applying to medical school alongside myself. Her gpa has fluctuated some, but she still plans to apply as she has the summer and Fall semester of A's.She has no more classes after this. She has taken both Chem 1&2 multiple times.
3.5 cum gpa
3.2 sgpa ( C's in chem 1,2 and Physics 1 .An A in Physics 2. A's in Orgo 1 & 2 and Cell Bio
MCAT: 29
shadowing: Around 150 in Pathology, Family Medicine, Cyto
EC's: Tutored for about 2 years, Volunteer for special needs children every summer for a week. Name on 2 publications
Employment: Student Assistant and Research Tech for 2 years

Should she apply?

 

[deleted407021]

Her GPAs aren't bad and neither is the MCAT. Her apparent lack of clinical exposure may be a problem, but her other volunteering looks ok. She may want to shadow a physician in a hospital so she can demonstrate a basic understanding of how that environment works and feels. She has an upward trend, which is great......stream of consciousness, kinda. Sorry.

I'd say keep up the good work, get some more clinical exposure and maybe shadow a bit more in a more clinical setting unless "Cyto" is something clinical? As far as whether or not she should apply, I'll leave that assessment up to the experts. But I'll say that she's doing alright.


p.s. remember that math courses aren't counted under sGPA in AACOMAS.

 

[PlaqueBuster]

seems like an upward trend in grades and above average mcat for DO. so apply early in June. make sure she has a DO physician LOR

 

[Goro]

Concur.

Her GPAs aren't bad and neither is the MCAT. Her apparent lack of clinical exposure may be a problem, but her other volunteering looks ok. She may want to shadow a physician in a hospital so she can demonstrate a basic understanding of how that environment works and feels. She has an upward trend, which is great......stream of consciousness, kinda. Sorry.

I'd say keep up the good work, get some more clinical exposure and maybe shadow a bit more in a more clinical setting unless "Cyto" is something clinical? As far as whether or not she should apply, I'll leave that assessment up to the experts. But I'll say that she's doing alright.


p.s. remember that math courses aren't counted under sGPA in AACOMAS.

 

[hallowmann]

Get stats seem fine to me. She should apply. She's shadowed path, FM, and cytology, so that's some clinical exposure. I think she'd be fine to get in now as is.

 

[WayneWilliamsPT]

Get stats seem fine to me. She should apply. She's shadowed path, FM, and cytology, so that's some clinical exposure. I think she'd be fine to get in now as is.

Even with the C's. She has taken them multiple times and can't seem to get any higher?

 

[hallowmann]

Even with the C's. She has taken them multiple times and can't seem to get any higher?

They're not great, but it helps that it's not in Bio. It also helps that O.Chem went well. A few C's, even in pre-reqs, won't kill an app. She might have to explain them on interviews, but with the solid MCAT and overall OK GPAs, she'll be fine if she applies DO early and broadly.

 

[PlasticBag]

They're not great, but it helps that it's not in Bio. It also helps that O.Chem went well. A few C's, even in pre-reqs, won't kill an app. She might have to explain them on interviews, but with the solid MCAT and overall OK GPAs, she'll be fine if she applies DO early and broadly.

Is it an app killer if the C's are in a post-bac? I'm taking science classes for the first time in a postbac program (my BA and MA are in humanities) and my postbac gpa is about 3.5... I have mostly A's (in physics I and II, gen bio I and II, and gen chem II) but I got C+ in ochem I and genetics (should NOT have taken them together).

I'm taking ochem II now and it's not looking too hot, probably some form of a C...

I plan to retake ochem II and possibly genetics next semester but I'm feeling hopeless since it's a postbac program so I can't say I was stupid my freshman year, etc. Am I screwed beyond redemption?

Sorry for stealing the thread.

 

[hallowmann]

Is it an app killer if the C's are in a post-bac? I'm taking science classes for the first time in a postbac program (my BA and MA are in humanities) and my postbac gpa is about 3.5... I have mostly A's (in physics I and II, gen bio I and II, and gen chem II) but I got C+ in ochem I and genetics (should NOT have taken them together).

I'm taking ochem II now and it's not looking too hot, probably some form of a C...

I plan to retake ochem II and possibly genetics next semester but I'm feeling hopeless since it's a postbac program so I can't say I was stupid my freshman year, etc. Am I screwed beyond redemption?

Sorry for stealing the thread.

Its not a great sign, but again, I wouldn't say it's an "app killer". At this point, just do the best you can. This is the first time you're taking sciences, and many people struggle with O.Chem, but it still doesn't look good for these to be the most recent grades. If you can pile on some more A's in sciences before you apply, I think you'll be fine.

Make sure to apply early and broadly though. Too many people don't apply broadly enough to the newer and lower stat schools until layer and they find they haven't heard from anywhere else.

 

[PlasticBag]

Its not a great sign, but again, I wouldn't say it's an "app killer". At this point, just do the best you can. This is the first time you're taking sciences, and many people struggle with O.Chem, but it still doesn't look good for these to be the most recent grades. If you can pile on some more A's in sciences before you apply, I think you'll be fine.

Make sure to apply early and broadly though. Too many people don't apply broadly enough to the newer and lower stat schools until layer and they find they haven't heard from anywhere else.

Thanks! Do you think I should retake two C's next semester or retake one and then take a new class and hopefully get an A in it?

I applied already but no ii's so far. I also had to wait until Dec for my DO letter so ugh... Definitely preparing to reapply. 29 mcat btw. I'm still hoping to maybe hear back from PCOM-GA and NYIT-COM

 

[WayneWilliamsPT]

Thanks! Do you think I should retake two C's next semester or retake one and then take a new class and hopefully get an A in it?

I applied already but no ii's so far. I also had to wait until Dec for my DO letter so ugh... Definitely preparing to reapply. 29 mcat btw. I'm still hoping to maybe hear back from PCOM-GA and NYIT-COM

I think the fact that you seemingly applied late did not help your cause, but I think that with that if you had applied earlier you would surely have at least two ii. What else did you have going on in your app?

 

[hallowmann]

Thanks! Do you think I should retake two C's next semester or retake one and then take a new class and hopefully get an A in it?

I applied already but no ii's so far. I also had to wait until Dec for my DO letter so ugh... Definitely preparing to reapply. 29 mcat btw. I'm still hoping to maybe hear back from PCOM-GA and NYIT-COM

If its not a huge cost/investment, I would retake them, but don't let that stop you from applying day 1 next cycle. Timing is actually a big deal, and applying broadly is just as important. With you're stats and broad and early app, you should have a seat.

 

[PlasticBag]

I think the fact that you seemingly applied late did not help your cause, but I think that with that if you had applied earlier you would surely have at least two ii. What else did you have going on in your app?

What else, I have a three year long research commitment with a leadership role, one publication, a couple of posters. Clinical experience about 400 h (but mainly as a clinical research assistant, maybe that's bad? A lot of interactions with patients though), community service also about that amount but ended two years ago (again, bad?).

Master's gpa 3.97 from top 10. BA gpa 3.5.

What else... I'm not URM, not a legacy, and cannot afford to donate a wing to any med school.

Moved to the US only a few years ago so a tiny little bit of an "unusual" background?

 

[PlasticBag]

If its not a huge cost/investment, I would retake them, but don't let that stop you from applying day 1 next cycle. Timing is actually a big deal, and applying broadly is just as important. With you're stats and broad and early app, you should have a seat.

If classes end around late May, I guess I should have an updated transcript in June.

I'm a bit limited geographically, can only apply to CCOM, AZCOM, touro-CA, touro-NY, NYIT-COM, Western, PCOM-GA...

Thanks for your help, btw.

 

[hallowmann]

If classes end around late May, I guess I should have an updated transcript in June.

I'm a bit limited geographically, can only apply to CCOM, AZCOM, touro-CA, touro-NY, NYIT-COM, Western, PCOM-GA...

Thanks for your help, btw.

Are those all you can apply to? That's a very top heavy list, with the exception of maybe PCOM-GA. Good luck. I hope it works out. Applying early will definitely help with those schools.

 

[PlaqueBuster]

@PlasticBag my advice is you go ahead and apply and see what happens this cycle. No need to broaden your schools because you have a shot at getting in to those good schools. I don't reocmmend going to a worse DO school just because you want to get in this year. This is a 4 year committment and you build connections through the rotation hospitals. So if you do not get in this year then apply early next cycle. Don't settle for a poor cycle since you can get into top DO schools

 

[Maverick626]

My friend is considering applying to medical school alongside myself. Her gpa has fluctuated some, but she still plans to apply as she has the summer and Fall semester of A's.She has no more classes after this. She has taken both Chem 1&2 multiple times.
3.5 cum gpa
3.2 sgpa ( C's in chem 1,2 and Physics 1 .An A in Physics 2. A's in Orgo 1 & 2 and Cell Bio
MCAT: 29
shadowing: Around 150 in Pathology, Family Medicine, Cyto
EC's: Tutored for about 2 years, Volunteer for special needs children every summer for a week. Name on 2 publications
Employment: Student Assistant and Research Tech for 2 years

Should she apply?

As long as she is applying for the right reasons then yes, absolutely apply! If she is applying out of boredom, family pressure, social pressure, etc. than she would be doing herself and others a disservice. If she is smart, caring, and passionate about healthcare than she can make it! Remember, all she has to do is get in somewhere and I know plenty of people who didn't look great on paper but wrote excellent essays and rocked excellent interviews who have gotten in to medical school. An unsure applicant whines, complains, and prays. A passionate applicant continually works hard, strives, and thrives! (and probably prays too! lol) At the end of the day, if she wants to be a Doctor, there is only one way to get it done and it starts with the application. Best of luck!

 

[PlasticBag]

@PlasticBag my advice is you go ahead and apply and see what happens this cycle. No need to broaden your schools because you have a shot at getting in to those good schools. I don't reocmmend going to a worse DO school just because you want to get in this year. This is a 4 year committment and you build connections through the rotation hospitals. So if you do not get in this year then apply early next cycle. Don't settle for a poor cycle since you can get into top DO schools

Thanks, I'm complete at all those schools (pcom-ga and nycom in nov, the rest in dec due to my late DO letter), I'd be happy at any of those schools. Maybe I'll get lucky with one ii... From January on I'll be preparing to reapply. If I don't get any ii's even next cycle... ugh, too early to despair about it yet.

Thanks for encouragement, I really need it.