I am planning on applying to the California, Nevada and Arizona osteopathic schools for the 2006 entering class. I am a non-traditional (30 yrs old) applicant who took about 8 years to earn a BS and another 4 to earn a MS, while working 40-50 hrs per week the entire time. For the lower division half of my BS, at a community college where I took alot of my general science, my GPA was pretty low (2.5). For the upper division half of my BS my GPA was better (3.4). This averages out to about a 2.95 for my BS (Biology). Then during my MS (Biology)my GPA was 3.85. My question is will the admissions comitee give more weight to my recent grades, or simple look at my 2.95 undergrad GPA? Anyone have a similar experience in applying to these schools?
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Recent grades given more weight?
Started by Slitherin
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Osteopathic schools will consider improvements in your GPA, however you will need to get a pretty good score on your MCAT to cover up 2.95 from undegrad, just take some undegrad classes to boost that GPA and you will be fine. Do not forget that osteopathic schools will only consider the best grade if you shall re-take a class, so if you have done poorly in some classes, re-take and you will be amazed to see how that will help your GPA.
Slitherin said:
They will average the two scores together. I just know that Nevada rejected me cause my combined score was under what they wanted. They didn't make a distinction between newer and older grades. I dont know for California or Arizona.
The director of admissions at TUCOM told me that they specifically look for trends in your application, which make your most recent grades the most important onces. If they see them going up they are more forgiving of some earlier mistakes. If they see them going down, they are nervous. At the same time, they DO consider your over all GPA as well...not just your recent trend.
He said they look at the MCAT the same way...if they see a trend of high grades and a lower MCAT they are forgiving of it as a "bad day." If they see a trend of bad grades and a good MCAT they think of it as a "lucky one time" day. They are not looking for a short-term, quick evaluation. They want to see a general trend in everything that points to a succesful student.
He said they look at the MCAT the same way...if they see a trend of high grades and a lower MCAT they are forgiving of it as a "bad day." If they see a trend of bad grades and a good MCAT they think of it as a "lucky one time" day. They are not looking for a short-term, quick evaluation. They want to see a general trend in everything that points to a succesful student.
I would say yes. I had a significant upward trend (1st 1/2 of undergrad about 3.1, 2nd 1/2 of undergrad 3.95) and it was noticed by the schools that I interviewed at. The 2.95 being under that magic 3 may raise a few eyebrows--but in general, improvements are looked upon favorably. A good MCAT to back up your recent good grades would take you a long way.
