To apply or not

[noppo]

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My cGPA is 3.55, and my sGPA is 3.22 (DO GPA 3.19), MCAT 515, Undergrad major: Asian Language. I am 25 and currently working full time in a hospital as a tech in a hospital that sees a lot of low income people, refugees etc. I am fluent in an Asian Language I have studied since high school and have received some impressive scholarships and have some volunteer /work experience related to this. I also have plenty of volunteer EC activities etc, but I worry the more time that passes the less good they look. I also have appropriate letters of Rec. set up, including one from DO.

Plan 1.
Apply DO and some low tier MD schools in state where I am at the 10th percentile.

Plan 2.
But, If I wait one year and apply next cycle, I will get my DO sGPA up to at least 3.6 by retaking the ochemII and physics II, which are currently C's from my senior year when I needed to work two jobs. My MD sGPA could get up 3.45 through the retakes and adding other classes.

My major question is how competitive is my current sGPA, because DO program GPA requirements are going up. I think I have a really strong application other than the two C's I received my senior year, but I have very strong non science and science performance since then.

 

[mavric1298]

Wait, I'm confused. How is your DO GPA lower than both your sGPA and cGPA? And how is your MD GPA going to go up that much? Thats a big jump from someone who should have 130+ credits --> you know repeat classes don't replace on MD apps right?

I don't see any reason why you shouldn't apply unless you are leaving something out....MCAT is good for both, but MD GPA is going to be rough, but for DO I would think you might be okay depending on trending. Someone else might be able to speak to that better than I

 

[Neurodoct]

Just to avoid any confusion OP your DO science GPA does not contain any mathematics courses it is very rare to see a DO sGPA lower than an MD sGPA. Based off your current stats as you stand, you are a very good candidate for DO schools and possibly for lower tier MD schools as the MCAT score is respectable.

 

[noppo]

Whoops, I mean my sGPA calculated for DO is lower without my math courses, unfortunately, since I have A's in those. I also haven't done any grade replacement, I have taken biochem and anatomy recently and received A's. I am thinking if I do grade replacement this fall and spring, my DO sgpa will jump to ~3.6. That way I won't be screened out of some schools for my sub 3.2 sGPA

 

[noppo]

BTW, thanks for the advice! I was hearing that the stats for DO matriculants is increasing and I was a little nervous about moving forward this cycle. I am also taking Molgen this summer, so I will update courses in aacomas when I get the grades and apply to schools with 3.2 cutoff afterwards. So I will be submitting soon.

 

[Neurodoct]

BTW, thanks for the advice! I was hearing that the stats for DO matriculants is increasing and I was a little nervous about moving forward this cycle. I am also taking Molgen this summer, so I will update courses in aacomas when I get the grades and apply to schools with 3.2 cutoff afterwards. So I will be submitting soon.

No problem. You should, however, do your own research regarding allopathic and osteopathic schools and see how the trends have been for the past few years. You are right standards for osteopathic schools have risen over the past few years, but maybe not as much as you think. Refer to the link for a better understanding.

http://www.aacom.org/docs/default-source/data-and-trends/2012-15-app-report.pdf?sfvrsn=10

 

[GreenDuck12]

The higher the GPA the more competitive you will be. I do not see any downside to taking some additional classes / retaking C's.

 

[mavric1298]

^ there is one HUGE downside, which is losing a year of MCAT eligibility, when there is no reason to. Apply - but still plan on retaking, then if you don't get in you will be in an excellent position next cycle, which you may or may not need


Sent from my iPad using SDN mobile

 

[noppo]

That is a very fair point mavric1298. Now I am faced with my nightmare scenario of working full time while taking classes, and finding time to go to interviews.... I guess I can do my hard retake (ochem II) in the spring.

 

[noppo]

Update: After three interviews this cycle, 2 MD and 1 DO. I got an offer from the DO program in February, still on a waitlist for 1 MD. But, I am so relieved to be starting.
To posterity I have this advice: I think what helped me was a strong narrative of why I wanted to be a physician that came through in my major choice, extracurricular activities, work, and attitude. So I think it is important to have a thread that ties together different aspects of your life, and highlights the unique contributions you can make to the school and profession. Even with subpar stats I was able to make it work, by unique, sustained, and difficult activities.

Also, I didn't retake any classes, I just took micro, physiology, biostats, and mol gen.

 

[TXMED_1695]

I love when people post an update with their outcome. Congratulations!

Update: After three interviews this cycle, 2 MD and 1 DO. I got an offer from the DO program in February, still on a waitlist. But, I am so relieved to be starting.
To posterity I have this advice: I think what helped me was a strong narrative of why I wanted to be a physician that came through in my major choice, extracurricular activities, work, and attitude. So I think it is important to have a thread that ties together different aspects of your life, and highlights the unique contributions you can make to the school and profession. Even with subpar stats I was able to make it work, by unique, sustained, and difficult activities.

Also, I didn't retake any classes, I just took micro, physiology, biostats, and mol gen.