Personal profile - GPA issue

[mattch1]

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My undergraduate GPA is a 2.94, BCPM is 2.64. In my junior and senior years and post-bacc I got between a 3.1 and 3.4. All pre-reqs are done.

I got a 33 on the Jan MCAT.

I didn't know I wanted to pursue medicine until after college, and didn't give academics their due priority. I convey this well in my personal statement.

I have lots of hospital, clinical, volunteer experience and want to pursue Family Practice. I'm from rural WV, am fluent in Spanish, and have lived and worked (in hospitals) abroad for 1.5 yrs. I graduated in 2005 and since then I've worked as a Conservation biologist in Yellowstone, Alaska, and now work in instructional support at the Univ. of Washington in the Biology dept.

As I see it now, my main hurdle is my undergrad GPA.

I'm looking for some advice for a recommended course of action to pursue an MD or DO. I have a tentative plan now, but I don't want it to bias opinions, so I will post it after I get some replies. Is it worth applying to DO schools? MD schools? Post-bacc Masters? Any comments would be helpful!! What do you think?!?
Thanks alot!
mattch1

 

[gman33]

If you are interested in DO, then the best route would be to retake all your UG classes in which you received low grades. Since they only count the retakes in your gpa, this would be the fastest way to raise the GPA. For MD schools, you'd need to essentially do another 120 credits at 4.0 to even get in the competitive range. You could try to do about 2 years of upper-level science courses and then follow it up with a SMP.

If I was you, I'd retake some classes and shoot for DO.

 

[mattch1]

So, next ? is... Is it reasonable to think that I'll be accepted to an SMP (I'm applying now), improve my cred's, and apply after that?

I know SMP's competitiveness approach that of medical school - but at least they have the flexibility to look at my upward trend to 3.33 and MCAT of 33 (wow, lots of 3's ?) and bet on my potential. Thanks again,
mattch1

 

[ntmed]

I'm looking for some advice for a recommended course of action to pursue an MD or DO.

I'm a nontraditional student, started medical school in my late 30's. I applied to, and was accepted at both MD and DO programs. I ended up attending an MD program. I'm a PGY-3 resident now.

A couple comments before answering your question:

You're correct that your overall GPA is your biggest issue. But for what it's worth, a 3.1-3.4 GPA in your last 2 years along with a 33 MCAT isn't too bad. IMHO, you should apply on June 1st of this year and see what happens. However, you should continue to take classes in order to improve your academic standing, in case you don't get in the first time you apply. You don't need to retake classes you did poorly in (unless you want to). Instead, take upper level biology classes that you know you can get A's in. Even better, enroll in a non-thesis masters program in Biology. Then you can reapply next June (June 2009) with a strong graduate GPA plus a 33 MCAT.

Back to your specific question about MD vs DO:

The simple answer is to apply to osteopathic (DO) programs if you agree with the osteopathic approach to medicine. Another option is to apply to both allopathic (MD) and osteopathic programs, to hedge against not getting accepted anywhere.

I liked the osteopathic programs I investigated. I also liked the osteopathic philosophy. But in the end, I felt there would be more opportunity going the allopathic route. If you're not sure, there are several books on the subject. Two that I read are: Discover Osteopathy, Peta Sneddon and Paolo Cosechi (written by Osteopaths to give you an insider's view) and The D.O.'s. Osteopathic Medicine in America, Norman Gevitz (written by a non-Osteopath to maybe give you a more objective view).

In addition, talk to DOs in your area, or in the area you hope to practice. You'll need to do this anyway, since you are required to shadow a DO before applying to osteopathic medical schools.

 

[ntmed]

ntmed,
Thanks for the help! Am I correct in understanding that when you said 'apply on June 1st' you meant to apply to DO schools? Thanks again! 😀
mattch1

I think you should apply to both MD and DO programs this June 1st, assuming you're interested in both types of schools.

In addition, because of your low GPA, you should apply to a lot of schools. Most applicants apply to about 11 programs. You should probably apply to at least twice that number.

And like I said before, chances are you will need to reapply. So continue to take classes (like do a quick masters in Biology). This way, when you reapply, your application will be that much stronger.

Best of luck.

 

[ncb]

I applied this year with a balanced 33 MCAT, an undergrad engineering gpa of 3.33, a post-bac gpa of 3.36, 1 year of clinical, a few months of research, and normal LOR. So far 20+ rejections, 1 interview, and 0 acceptances. With your GPA its a gamble, but its up to you if you want to take the risk.

 

[mattch1]

ncb,
Did you ask the admissions committees the reasons for your rejections? I think that info holds valuable tidbits. I think they'll say that your GPA was below their magic number in undergrad and post-bacc work. I'm *planning* to get 3.6+ in SMP work.

Did you apply to DO schools? I have lots of unique clinical experiences abroad and in the US and am also planning on applying to DO and MD schools. Plus I want to do Family Practice which piques interest among some circles 🙂.
We'll see! Thanks for the advice!
mattch1

 

[SAK413]

NCB, can I ask where you did your undergraduate and postbac? Do you think that matters?

 

[ncb]

I did not ask for the reasons for my rejections, but I'm guessing its most likely my GPA. I plan to if I am not offered admission. Also, I did not apply to DO schools.

I did undergrad at an Ivy and postbacc at Harvard Extension (open enrollment, but a difficult program) so I am not sure if the difficulty of the school is considered.

One more thing. I didn't mention that I applied slightly late. I completed all of my secondaries in Sept./Oct.