out of state applicants

[Alshera]

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I am an Indiana resident and Indiana unfortunetly doesn't have a DO school. I was looking at DO schools and saw that a handful have gpa requirements between 2.5-3.0. Does anyone know if that only applies to instate applicants? I have a 2.97 and am wondering if I even have a shot at a DO program. I took the MCAT's last year and only got a 27, but I think I've found a more effective study technique and am planning on retaking it in July. Any advice or comments are greatly appreciated. 😕

 

[nascardoc]

I am an Indiana resident and Indiana unfortunetly doesn't have a DO school. I was looking at DO schools and saw that a handful have gpa requirements between 2.5-3.0. Does anyone know if that only applies to instate applicants? I have a 2.97 and am wondering if I even have a shot at a DO program. I took the MCAT's last year and only got a 27, but I think I've found a more effective study technique and am planning on retaking it in July. Any advice or comments are greatly appreciated. 😕

From what I understand, the GPA requirements are for everybody applying, not just ISS. There are three schools I remember off the top of my head with strict GPA requirements, those being DMU (3.0 for both overall and science), CCOM and AZCOM (2.75 for both). I know there are others and future posters can say what they are.

I think you will have a good chance applying to DO schools. Your MCAT is good (either above or at the average of schools) and if you get a better score in July, then even better. In a previous post, you mentioned that your school won't allow a grade replacement after so many hours, but AACOMAS will only factor in your best grade for a class in your GPA calculations. Your GPA will need to be higher to increase your chances, so do well in your post-bacc. Retaking any classes in which you got a low grade can only help you if you do better.

I think if you would have applied this year, you would have gotten at least an interview or two, so if you increase your stats, you should have no problem getting an acceptance, given you have good ECs and interview well. Good luck.

 

[droberge]

Your MCAT score is very good for DO schools as long as you have a good distribution (no section below 7 or 8). Unless you can bring up the score significantly (low or mid 30's range) I would not bother, it would be more valuable to apply early. The GPA is going to hurt you as you know. I would apply to many schools and do it now! I think some school will be willing to give you consideration. Just make sure you check out each school's website because many have a cutoff of 2.9 or 3.0. Good luck!

 

[Kappy1]

I am an Indiana resident and Indiana unfortunetly doesn't have a DO school. I was looking at DO schools and saw that a handful have gpa requirements between 2.5-3.0. Does anyone know if that only applies to instate applicants? I have a 2.97 and am wondering if I even have a shot at a DO program. I took the MCAT's last year and only got a 27, but I think I've found a more effective study technique and am planning on retaking it in July. Any advice or comments are greatly appreciated. 😕

I think you should work on the GPA. Your MCAT is the average score for most DO schools. I would advise against taking the MCAT over unless you are confident that you can score higher. I think the time should be put towards your courses. Take an extra year in school and boost that GPA. Take 100 level courses in many different fields. These courses are usually easier ask around for good instructors and make sure you get in the A range. For good instructors you can look at ratemyprofessor.com for my school it was very helpful. It will also make you a better applicant because you will be showing ADCOM's that you are a well rounded student. If your Science GPA is low. Take some upper level science and math coureses like, biochem, genetics, cell bio, microbiology, statstics, calculus, etc... Find good instructors that will make a difference between an A and a C in a course. I hope you are accepted to the school of your choice. Good Luck!!!

 

[Alshera]

I called IU (indiana university) and asked if I could take additional UG classes and to raise my gpa. They promptly told me that since I have graduated, my taking additional undergrad classes will count towards a non-degree continuing education gpa. If anyone knows if this is wrong please tell me.

However, from what I understand from the previous post, if I retake a class, AACOMAS will only look at the best grade?

I have also gotten accepted into a SMP program at Indiana University, the program has a ton of grad. level science courses, and I'm confident I can get above a 3.5 in the program. Personally, it took me most of undergrad to really figure out how I needed to study for science classes, but I've matured a lot in that regard and I feel pretty good about this program. Do you think I should still take additional ug science classes as well?
The MCAT, I really feel I can get a 30?, I scored low on physics and inorganic and thats because I really just didn't have time to study for them as much as I needed. Which is a lot because I am terrible at physics.
Thank you so much for your posts! I'd love more advice or suggestions, especially the ones that say I might as well not even apply like I got in the allopathic forum 😛

 

[nascardoc]

I called IU (indiana university) and asked if I could take additional UG classes and to raise my gpa. They promptly told me that since I have graduated, my taking additional undergrad classes will count towards a non-degree continuing education gpa. If anyone knows if this is wrong please tell me.

However, from what I understand from the previous post, if I retake a class, AACOMAS will only look at the best grade?

I have also gotten accepted into a SMP program at Indiana University, the program has a ton of grad. level science courses, and I'm confident I can get above a 3.5 in the program. Personally, it took me most of undergrad to really figure out how I needed to study for science classes, but I've matured a lot in that regard and I feel pretty good about this program. Do you think I should still take additional ug science classes as well?
The MCAT, I really feel I can get a 30?, I scored low on physics and inorganic and thats because I really just didn't have time to study for them as much as I needed. Which is a lot because I am terrible at physics.
Thank you so much for your posts! I'd love more advice or suggestions, especially the ones that say I might as well not even apply like I got in the allopathic forum 😛

As for your first question, yes, any ug classes you take now that you have graduated will count towards a non-degree continuing eduation gpa. I did this myself at my school. Although that will be a seperate gpa from your ug work, your grades will still count towards your overall and science gpas in AACOMAS. Also, if you retake any classes, those grades, given they are higher, will factor into your new non-degree gpa, but will also replace the previous grade for AACOMAS and raise your overall and science gpas.

Without knowing which ug classes you've taken, it is hard to say if you should take more. If you haven't taken a genetics, A&P, or some other classes, then those would be worth taking. Otherwise, stick to your classes for your SMP program.

What was your score breakdown for your first MCAT?

 

[fido]

As for your first question, yes, any ug classes you take now that you have graduated will count towards a non-degree continuing eduation gpa. I did this myself at my school. Although that will be a seperate gpa from your ug work, your grades will still count towards your overall and science gpas in AACOMAS. Also, if you retake any classes, those grades, given they are higher, will factor into your new non-degree gpa, but will also replace the previous grade for AACOMAS and raise your overall and science gpas.
Without knowing which ug classes you've taken, it is hard to say if you should take more. If you haven't taken a genetics, A&P, or some other classes, then those would be worth taking. Otherwise, stick to your classes for your SMP program.

What was your score breakdown for your first MCAT?

don't worry at this point about your MCAT score if you going to apply DO.
don't worry if your school will count the new course’s GPA since your GPA will be recount by AACOMAS.
apply early and your will get somewhere

 

[Alshera]

I'd love to go somewhere close to indiana, which is CCOM and they have a 3.0 limit, thats why i'd lvoe to raise my gpa. As for my MCAT, I would still like to be competitive for both DO and MD programs, althought I've always leaned more to DO schools because I agree with a holistic approach to medicine.

 

[nascardoc]

I'd love to go somewhere close to indiana, which is CCOM and they have a 3.0 limit, thats why i'd lvoe to raise my gpa. As for my MCAT, I would still like to be competitive for both DO and MD programs, althought I've always leaned more to DO schools because I agree with a holistic approach to medicine.

CCOM's limit is actually 2.75 and they accept no grade lower than a C. http://www.midwestern.edu/ccom/ As long as none of your grades are a C- or below, you meet their minimum requirements with your gpas. Your MCAT is at their average as well.

As far as other schools around IN, you have DCOM (8 hrs from Chicago), DMU, KCOM, KCUMB, OUCOM, and MSUCOM. LECOM-E is not a bad drive either.

 

[IUgrad]

I called IU (indiana university) and asked if I could take additional UG classes and to raise my gpa. They promptly told me that since I have graduated, my taking additional undergrad classes will count towards a non-degree continuing education gpa. If anyone knows if this is wrong please tell me.

Whoever you spoke to told you wrong. I a dual BA/BS degree from IU and I also came back there for my post-bac classes, and I know for sure that undergrad classes count toward your overall GPA (as long as you don't take them as a grad student). They did not separate my pre-/post-degree courses on my transcripts that I sent to AMCAS; they only noted at which point my degrees were received. All my courses counted toward my final undergrad GPA.

Good luck!

 

[Alshera]

IUGrad, why did you do a postbacci instead of IU's master's program?

Those of you in DO programs, do you think you'll stick with the DO or do an allopathic residency??

 

[IUgrad]

IUGrad, why did you do a postbacci instead of IU's master's program?

Those of you in DO programs, do you think you'll stick with the DO or do an allopathic residency??

From my understanding, there are two different post-bac program types: 1) for those who have never taken the science prereqs and 2) for those who have had the prereqs and MCAT but are wanting to improve their candidacy/GPA/MCAT through further courses. I fell in the former category (I hadn't had any science since high school), and I think that IU's master's program is for those in the latter category (I believe you need to have taken the MCAT to apply, if I remember correctly).

 

[Alshera]

Thank you everyone for all the great advice!