Possible to get in with 3.3.-3.6 SMP GPA at a DO school?

[loopydoop]

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Title - with upward trend, basically had low undergrad gpa and first sem of this program didnt do great (no fails or anything). got on ADHD meds, anxiety meds and therapy and now seeing straight A's. If i dont get in anywhere 2025-2026 cycle, wondering if its worth applying 26-27 with 3.3 smp gpa or hold out and do second year of program to raise gpa to 3.6-3.8 (very confident in doing so) and applying 27-28.

 

[couldbedr]

That low of a GPA shouldn't be a major red flag if you can supplement it with a decent MCAT score. What is your MCAT? If you have anything maybe 500+ you should have a chance to get into the newer DO schools with that current GPA.

 

[loopydoop]

That low of a GPA shouldn't be a major red flag if you can supplement it with a decent MCAT score. What is your MCAT? If you have anything maybe 500+ you should have a chance to get into the newer DO schools with that current GPA.

MCAT was 503, scheduled to retake in august if i dont get in, also 5k clinical, several pubs, several hundred volunteering and reserch

 

[couldbedr]

I'm no expert, but I believe you have a chance next cycle with that current upward trend of a GPA. DId you apply late this cycle? If so, applying right when applications open will really increase your chances.

 

[loopydoop]

I'm no expert, but I believe you have a chance next cycle with that current upward trend of a GPA. DId you apply late this cycle? If so, applying right when applications open will really increase your chances.

I applied sorta on the later side, like mid august and some DO schools in the fall. I had 1 interview -> WL, willd defintly apply earlier when i reapply. so you think cycle of 26-27 i should be okay?

 

[couldbedr]

I dont want to give you a definite answer, but with a 503 MCAT I could see some schools gain interest if you can advertise yourself well on the personal statement. The application is more than GPA, and with your clinical experience you should have a chance next cycle if you apply broadly to schools that you fit their standards. A moderator will be able to provide a better answer than me, so hopefully one of them will pop in.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Previously

Thread 'feeling lost'

Oct 25, 2025

2.9 undergrad/science gpa large upward trend, 496 -> 503 MCAT, 5k clinical, 700 research, started non profit + 150 other volunteer, 100 shadowing, and a few other stuff/jobs, and my story includes my taking care of my severely autistic sister/working full time. Currently in an SMP at a DO school, its going okay but I recently found out I dont qualify for linkage becuase of their ugrad gpa requirement. I genuinely dont know what to do and am constantly comparing myself to others. I applied this cycle as a just a shot in the dark to all my local MD/DO schools and have one II at one of the DO...

• loopydoop
• Replies: 14
• Forum: Pre-Medical (MD)

 

[Goro]

Title - with upward trend, basically had low undergrad gpa and first sem of this program didnt do great (no fails or anything). got on ADHD meds, anxiety meds and therapy and now seeing straight A's. If i dont get in anywhere 2025-2026 cycle, wondering if its worth applying 26-27 with 3.3 smp gpa or hold out and do second year of program to raise gpa to 3.6-3.8 (very confident in doing so) and applying 27-28.

Yes with a 3.6.
No with a 3.3.

 

[loopydoop]

Yes with a 3.6.
No with a 3.3.

3.6 enough for MD?

 

[Goro]

3.6 enough for MD?

Probably not. You’re supposed to ace an SMP, not Beece+ it.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

3.6 enough for MD?

If you are really itching for MD, take the second year. 3.8 SMP GPA is the bar. Watch your grad tuition loan cap.

 

[Calizboosted76]

If the 3.3 was undergrad GPA I would have said yes. However given this is the SMP GPA, adcoms will look at you as not having proven yourself yet. Good luck. You got this.

 

[AJ25]

Probably not. You’re supposed to ace an SMP, not Beece+ it.

I disagree. I know exactly 1 person in my SPM class who got straight A's. He was also rejected 3x by the school before and had a sub-500 MCAT. He got those A's like his life depended on it! That's not the experience for the rest of the class however.

In some of those classes, all you can do is a B. C's are not good though and will kill the app.

3.3-3.5+ in our SMP will get you into the DO program and we are one of the more competitive DO programs.

 

[Goro]

I disagree. I know exactly 1 person in my SPM class who got straight A's. He was also rejected 3x by the school before and had a sub-500 MCAT. He got those A's like his life depended on it! That's not the experience for the rest of the class however.

In some of those classes, all you can do is a B. C's are not good though and will kill the app.

3.3-3.5+ in our SMP will get you into the DO program and we are one of the more competitive DO programs.

My experience with the sdners who successfully reinvented the selves with special masters programs had gpas in the high threes. Getting accepted to a deal School that will be okay if it's going to be lower maybe as low as 3.3
Your story about your classmate with the 4.0 GPA is irrelevant to the case at hand.

 

[AJ25]

My experience with the sdners who successfully reinvented the selves with special masters programs had gpas in the high threes. Getting accepted to a deal School that will be okay if it's going to be lower maybe as low as 3.3
Your story about your classmate with the 4.0 GPA is irrelevant to the case at hand.

As per my discussion with our program director, a 3.0 in our program is sufficient proof that you can handle our DO program.

I am not advising anyone to go into an SMP and just come out with a 3.0. What I'm saying is these programs are better indicators of your success in the DO program and you certainly don't need a 4.0 to prove that you are ready for medical school. That should help provide some clarity to those who are considering these programs.

As far as the classmate story, it is relevant because it demonstrates that you can use an SMP to compensate for something else in your app. In his case, they looked past the MCAT.

 

[biggerb832]

You should take the 2nd year and try to get a 3.8, a higher GPA will let you get access to schools beyond just newer DOs, if you want to go to an established DO for example. IMO if you're retaking, you gotta get a minimum of 508 (+5 pts) or higher else retakes don't tend to look too good. If you're aiming MD, then 510 or higher and getting a 3.8 is low end but very workable, you'd need to rely on ECs and making a good school list with that, but you could get an A. Regardless, good luck!

 

[Goro]

As per my discussion with our program director, a 3.0 in our program is sufficient proof that you can handle our DO program.

I am not advising anyone to go into an SMP and just come out with a 3.0. What I'm saying is these programs are better indicators of your success in the DO program and you certainly don't need a 4.0 to prove that you are ready for medical school. That should help provide some clarity to those who are considering these programs.

As far as the classmate story, it is relevant because it demonstrates that you can use an SMP to compensate for something else in your app. In his case, they looked past the MCAT.

At my school, we see just the opposite, and SMP grads <3.2 struggle mightily in the COM, and are at a special risk for failing comlex.

We are probably both correct

 

[AJ25]

At my school, we see just the opposite, and SMP grads <3.2 struggle mightily in the COM, and are at a special risk for failing comlex.

We are probably both correct

I agree,

On that note, what are your observations of why students struggle? Is it really a lack of basic knowledge or discipline?

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I agree,

On that note, what are your observations of why students struggle? Is it really a lack of basic knowledge or discipline?

At this level, I'm not sure that "discipline" and "basic knowledge" are separable.

 

[AJ25]

At this level, I'm not sure that "discipline" and "basic knowledge" are separable.

I ask this because I am a nontraditional student and some of my classmates had very different experiences in both high school and undergrad which I feel put them at an edge with both the MS and now DO programs.

 

[Goro]

I agree,

On that note, what are your observations of why students struggle? Is it really a lack of basic knowledge or discipline?

Great question!!!

I suspect that those particular students learned to study better, but never enough to get to the level required for med school.