Re-Applicant with 3.1 GPA

[Sweetheart07]

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Hey guys!

I just graduated about 2 weeks ago. I am re-applying for MD/DO this cycle. I have a 3.12 GPA and I am re-taking my MCAT in August (got a 21 when I took it last year). I just wanted input on my chances of getting in with my GPA.. I am spending the next three months working my butt off to get a great score on the MCAT.. So yeah, please tell me what you guys recommend I should do for my studying, if you have any idea about stats on getting in or which schools I should apply to, or any other information that might be helpful as a re-applicant. Thank you!!

 

[DrMidlife]

Information that would be helpful for you is an understanding of your competition and your odds.

You should fire whoever is advising you. You should not have applied with a 3.ish and a 21. You should not reapply with a 3.1ish. Taking the MCAT in August is too late for this app year. You may find that your mastery of content is not good enough yet for you to do better on a retake. Most MCAT retakes result in the same score or lower.

Look around SDN for best practices for improving a weak GPA. You might want to consider one of the 2 year masters programs that some DO schools have.

Regroup and reconsider your plan. It's okay to take some time off and work for a couple of years before you get back in school to do something about that GPA. Med school will still be there.

Best of luck to you.

 

[Stagg737]

Information that would be helpful for you is an understanding of your competition and your odds.

You should fire whoever is advising you. You should not have applied with a 3.ish and a 21. You should not reapply with a 3.1ish. Taking the MCAT in August is too late for this app year.

Hate to break your heart, but I agree with everything DrMidlife said. I think anyone with any sense should have told you that you are an extremely weak candidate with those stats, especially if you don't have ridiculous amounts of extracurriculars/research/volunteering or clinical hours to support you. Unless you're a specific URM in a specific state (a native american in North Dakota for example), your odds are pretty much zero. DO NOT retake the MCAT unless you have put in significant time studying, taken many practice tests, and have consistently scored at least a 26ish on those practice tests. Getting a second score that low would be devastating to your already slim chances.

Look into masters/grad programs. It won't remedy your GPA, but you need to show med schools you can succeed in med school level classes. If the best you could get was a 3.1 as an undergrad, what is going to happen when things are immeasurably harder in med school? This is what admissions committees will consider.

 

[radian313]

Are you going DO or MD? 3.1 is very very low for MD....for DO its low as well...but with a 28+ MCAT...you CAN prove your worth, if you have unique experiences in the form of good ECs....any upward trends? On paper you may seem like a weak candidate, with just telling us that you have a 3.1....but what is the breakdown of your app, what about your science GPA? I think your best bet is with the following options

1. Evaluate what kind of doctor do you want to be? DO or MD?
2. If MD, yes you need to do a 2 years SMP/post pac somewhere get atleast a 3.5 in it
3. If DO then do the grade replacement route only if you are not taking the MCAT this year
4. If you are taking the MCAT this year for DO cycle, push it back so as late as september, apply to one school and get yourself verified....when you take the exam and get a decent enough score apply to those schools...ONLY if you are within their averages....if not well then dont waste money on applying...just retake your classes from September till May of next year, thats about 40 credits worth of retakes, I think you can bring your GPA up to atleast a 3.4ish....then reapply next year....

Ive been told taking a August/september MCAT isnt late, as some of the AdComs on here will tell you as long as your secondaries are in by December, you are OK. Good luck

 

[Goro]

100% concur with this and the other posts here. An app submission as late as Dec is indeed not too late at my school.

Are you going DO or MD? 3.1 is very very low for MD....for DO its low as well...but with a 28+ MCAT...you CAN prove your worth, if you have unique experiences in the form of good ECs....any upward trends? On paper you may seem like a weak candidate, with just telling us that you have a 3.1....but what is the breakdown of your app, what about your science GPA? I think your best bet is with the following options

1. Evaluate what kind of doctor do you want to be? DO or MD?
2. If MD, yes you need to do a 2 years SMP/post pac somewhere get atleast a 3.5 in it
3. If DO then do the grade replacement route only if you are not taking the MCAT this year
4. If you are taking the MCAT this year for DO cycle, push it back so as late as september, apply to one school and get yourself verified....when you take the exam and get a decent enough score apply to those schools...ONLY if you are within their averages....if not well then dont waste money on applying...just retake your classes from September till May of next year, thats about 40 credits worth of retakes, I think you can bring your GPA up to atleast a 3.4ish....then reapply next year....

Ive been told taking a August/september MCAT isnt late, as some of the AdComs on here will tell you as long as your secondaries are in by December, you are OK. Good luck

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

Don't even bother applying if you get an MCAT under 25, but even if you get the 25, your chances are very low. You'd need >27 to have hope at the newer programs. If I were you, I'd retake coursework and apply once the GPA is > 3.3 and the MCAT >26.