Retake class, take upper level, or Im fine

[asdf123g]

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my s/cGPA is a little below average for most DO schools by about ~.15-0.2 (both GPA's are above 3.2 but less than 3.6)

My MCAT is slightly greater than 27 (balanced) which is good for DO. I visited a new (ish) school during a random visit and an adcomm told me before I received my MCAT I should consider taking an additional upper level bio course like biochem or anatomy (one of those tougher classes you take in medschool) rather than retaking say gen bio which I did poorly in (relatively speaking 😉 ) to bring up my GPA as this was my concern. Im assuming this adcomm reccomended an upper level based on my GPA as I did not have my MCAT score in. I was a bio major so I already have a quite a few upper levels though (including a few you take in medschool). For this particular school, I know my MCAT is 2 points above their average. Do you think my higher MCAT negates having to retake or take another upper level or no? I have graduated university already.

thanks and happy holidays!

 

[referee3]

Your MCAT is average for most schools and your GPA is not fantastic either. I found an easy way to boost GPA and make your transcript look stronger is to take upper level sciences classes. Many of them sound hard, but are actually much less work than, say Gen Bio. Since you've already graduated you prob will not want to take a lot more classes since that will cost a good deal of money. I would say just take 2 or maybe 3 upper level science courses. Def take Biochem as it will noticeably help you in med school.

Hope that helps!

 

[PlaqueBuster]

Retake if your grades are in the C range. If B- or higher don't even bother. Also, understand that your GPA will only get a boost if you actually get an A- or A the second time around. Going from C+ to B will not be that helpful so make sure you are serious about getting that A. If you have upper level courses then you don't have to take another one. I think the adcom was giving you general advice.

 

[baxt1412]

like plaquebuster said, retake anything lower than a B-. if that is only one or two classes, that is okay. just keep a strong trend of getting mostly As as you continue on through your classes and you'll do fine.

 

[asdf123g]

I have a heavy heavy upward trend which I forgot to mention. Is it still necessary to take another 1-2 upper levels? Its just that I've already taken a bunch and have proven I can handle them...to me, its like what's another one or two gonna show (btw...I've taken biochem already and I did well). As for like gen bio, its like what is retaking that gonna show if I've proven that I can handle the upper levels? But retaking gen bio and the lower levels would "pad" by GPA.

 

[baxt1412]

I'm guessing you will be fine with your GPA where it is already and with your MCAT. You won't have free reign at ANY DO school, but with an early app I feel confident in saying that you should get multiple II as long as your essays aren't terrible and no red flags.

 

[asdf123g]

Any other opinions? Cuz what @baxt1412 said contradicts the other posters. Im in a weird position.

 

[PlaqueBuster]

Any other opinions? Cuz what @baxt1412 said contradicts the other posters. Im in a weird position.

Well you aren't specific with your GPA. Get your sGPA above 3.25 and maybe it is since your range is 3.2-3.6. Your mcat is fine. Since you graduated there is no point taking any more classes since you already say you took some upepr levle bio courses. The best thing you can do at this point is get medical related experience which is shdowing (specifically a DO), volunteering at a hospital, research, EMT, etc. Show schools you are investing time in towards this career and that can help boost your app even with a lower gpa. If you are so concerned about it then consider a post-bacc but I really don't think it is necessary.

 

[baxt1412]

my s/cGPA is a little below average for most DO schools by about ~.15-0.2 (both GPA's are above 3.2 but less than 3.6)

My MCAT is slightly greater than 27 (balanced) which is good for DO. I visited a new (ish) school during a random visit and an adcomm told me before I received my MCAT I should consider taking an additional upper level bio course like biochem or anatomy (one of those tougher classes you take in medschool) rather than retaking say gen bio which I did poorly in (relatively speaking 😉 ) to bring up my GPA as this was my concern. Im assuming this adcomm reccomended an upper level based on my GPA as I did not have my MCAT score in. I was a bio major so I already have a quite a few upper levels though (including a few you take in medschool). For this particular school, I know my MCAT is 2 points above their average. Do you think my higher MCAT negates having to retake or take another upper level or no? I have graduated university already.

thanks and happy holidays!

first off, giving that large of a range for a GPA isn't helping anyone decide any relative chances for an II for you. You could give a rough GPA such as 3.4x or 3.3x if you are trying to remain anonymous and make this a lot easier for everyone.

A 27 MCAT along with a ~3.4 c and sGPA will likely get you II at many of the newer and lower schools if you apply early. (to name a few: CUSOM, WVSOM, ACOM, VCOM (any of the 3 probably), MUCOM, LMU, ATSU, LECOM, etc). I really do feel pretty confident in saying your MCAT is fine as long as you aren't shooting for DMU, KCUMB, CCOM, etc. Even then, it's potentially okay depending on the rest of your "story". It's hard to say anything about the GPA because a 3.2 is potentially an auto-reject at some schools but a 3.6 would be fine for almost any DO school probably.

 

[PlaqueBuster]

first off, giving that large of a range for a GPA isn't helping anyone decide any relative chances for an II for you. You could give a rough GPA such as 3.4x or 3.3x if you are trying to remain anonymous and make this a lot easier for everyone.

A 27 MCAT along with a ~3.4 c and sGPA will likely get you II at many of the newer and lower schools if you apply early. (to name a few: CUSOM, WVSOM, ACOM, VCOM (any of the 3 probably), MUCOM, LMU, ATSU, LECOM, etc). I really do feel pretty confident in saying your MCAT is fine as long as you aren't shooting for DMU, KCUMB, CCOM, etc. Even then, it's potentially okay depending on the rest of your "story". It's hard to say anything about the GPA because a 3.2 is potentially an auto-reject at some schools but a 3.6 would be fine for almost any DO school probably.

Don't forget LUCOM

 

[baxt1412]

Don't forget LUCOM

🤣

 

[asdf123g]

cGPA= 3.4x
sGPA=3.3x
MCAT= 28 or 29

the conflicting opinions on this matter is unsettling. Not sure if i should retake, take upper level as I was advised at the new-ish school that was listed on your post @baxt1412 (one of the first 4)...but again that was prior to my MCAT score being released.

 

[PlaqueBuster]

If you goal is DO schools, then your mcat is fine. Your gpa is onthe lower end so you need to sell schools on your EC, LOR, and interview if you get one. Taking upper level courses will not help you tremendously especially if you do not get an A (lower grades will lower the gpa). So I suggest you apply next cycle and get some clinical experience int he meanwhile to stregthen app

 

[Gordon Gekko]

Agree with ^^. Also trust in User3. Continue your ECs, apply broadly day 1, have your secondary essays ready to go, and you will get several DO interviews.

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

as was said, only retake a course that is a C or lower, and you MUST get an A in it. If you choose to take UL science, they look better, and will also boost your GPA, but again, MUST be As...

 

[asdf123g]

If I took an upper level science, my grades would barely go up even with an A. If I retook a lower level, I'd have a higher effect on my GPA (C+/B- --> A). I have a C in like 1 NON-science classes that I dont believe are offered at my local community college so those are out of the question.

 

[67552931811]

cGPA= 3.4x
sGPA=3.3x
MCAT= 28 or 29

the conflicting opinions on this matter is unsettling. Not sure if i should retake, take upper level as I was advised at the new-ish school that was listed on your post @baxt1412 (one of the first 4)...but again that was prior to my MCAT score being released.

If I had a 28/29, with a 3.3 sGPA, I would do everything within my power to get my sGPA up as fast as possible (to maximize my chances). However, this would be if I was only applying DO (things would be much more nuanced if I was applying MD as well).

....Again, that's just what I would do.

 

[asdf123g]

@ChiTownBHawks : So would you suggest retaking lower level science courses then? I have proven I can handle upper levels...so whats another upper level...and by that same token, what am i proving with another lower level?