Weird GPA Trend

[htwinner]

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So my freshman GPA is a 3.7, Sophomore GPA 2.6, and Junior GPA ~3.8. I had a really hard time my sophomore year with classes like organic chem and calc, and just wasn’t serious about school at all. I got lost and didn’t know what I wanted to do even though I was on the pre-med track from the start.

I got serious about medicine starting Junior year (osteopathic medicine specifically) after I researched about it and shadowed DO's/attended open houses. I am anticipating straight A’s this semester as well, making my Junior year GPA ~3.8.

Though I did not get anything below a C in my sophomore year, C’s were the majority of my grades.

When I apply:
Cumulative GPA: 3.45
Science GPA: 3.32
MCAT: Haven't taken it yet

My question is: what are my chances with such a strange GPA trend? Should I retake those important pre-reqs? I’m not exactly sure how I would explain my sophomore year as I know for a fact it would come up in interviews.

 

[Goro]

You and every other pre-med in history. A V-shaped curve is really common, and if you can maintain that super GPA in your senior year, and do well on MCAT, then any DO school, and a good number of MD schools are doable.

So my freshman GPA is a 3.7, Sophomore GPA 2.6, and Junior GPA ~3.8. I had a really hard time my sophomore year with classes like organic chem and calc, and just wasn’t serious about school at all. I got lost and didn’t know what I wanted to do even though I was on the pre-med track from the start.

I got serious about medicine starting Junior year (osteopathic medicine specifically) after I researched about it and shadowed DO's/attended open houses. I am anticipating straight A’s this semester as well, making my Junior year GPA ~3.8.

Though I did not get anything below a C in my sophomore year, C’s were the majority of my grades.

When I apply:
Cumulative GPA: 3.45
Science GPA: 3.32
MCAT: Haven't taken it yet

My question is: what are my chances with such a strange GPA trend? Should I retake those important pre-reqs? I’m not exactly sure how I would explain my sophomore year as I know for a fact it would come up in interviews.

 

[GrapesofRath]

Don't apply this cycle, wait a year and if you can keep up that 3.8 you'll have 3 years of strong performance, including your two most recent years, and only 1 poor one. You'll be fine then and can apply to both DO and MD schools.

Re-taking C's for the purpose of an MD school is pointless. If you are focused on DO's it could beneficial to re-take some of those C's but you are better off in my opinion simply taking upper level classes and getting A's in those. Don't take up credits you could be using on upper level classes on re taking classes for your senior year. Different schools, even DO's that will replace the C's, will have different interpretations on how significant it really is that someone re-took a C two years after the fact and got an A and whether it really sheds you in a much more positive light. There won't be any open interpretation to taking upper level science classes senior year and doing well in them. Furthermore, 3.45/3.3 isn't low enough that you need grade replacement to artificially enhance your GPA. You're in solid position to be very competitive for DO schools.

 

[DetectiveAlonzo]

Study for your MCAT and APPLY NOW!

 

[GrapesofRath]

In response to @DetectiveAlonzo if you want to go to a DO school yes take the mcat and if you get a 28+ your very competitive then. If your goal is MD though it'll take more take some time off to boost your app and you need to get a 33+ or percentile equivalent on the new mcat to have a very solid shot in all likelihood. Good luck mate