What are my chances?

[Dexter12]

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Hi guys,

I need some advice. I have been thinking of how to go about my situation. I haven't taken the MCAT yet but I plan on taking that in the summer. Because of my grades, I keep getting discouraged on whether I should even bother apply. So let me know what you think.

I'm a philosophy major with a biology minor.

cGPA: 3.2
sGPA: 2.9
MCAT: no score yet

EC: Involved in a couple of organizations and holding office in one or two
Research: Worked in a lab for a year, decided that it wasn't for me.
Patient exposure: I've been volunteering once a week for the past two years at a hospital
I also worked ~15 hrs a week in a nursing home (non-health related work) during undergrad.

Anyways, I want to know what you think. I know with these stats, it's almost impossible to get into an MD program. However, I have nothing against D.O and I would be more than happy to get into either programs. Is it possible for me to get into a D.O program? Maybe take a couple classes over to improve the sGPA since they have a grade replacement program. Or are these scores very low that I only have a chance in the Carribean? Anyways, thanks for listening and any input is welcome!

 

[ToldYouSo]

Hi guys,

I need some advice. I have been thinking of how to go about my situation. I haven't taken the MCAT yet but I plan on taking that in the summer. Because of my grades, I keep getting discouraged on whether I should even bother apply. So let me know what you think.

I'm a philosophy major with a biology minor.

cGPA: 3.2
sGPA: 2.9
MCAT: no score yet

EC: Involved in a couple of organizations and holding office in one or two
Research: Worked in a lab for a year, decided that it wasn't for me.
Patient exposure: I've been volunteering once a week for the past two years at a hospital
I also worked ~15 hrs a week in a nursing home (non-health related work) during undergrad.

Anyways, I want to know what you think. I know with these stats, it's almost impossible to get into an MD program. However, I have nothing against D.O and I would be more than happy to get into either programs. Is it possible for me to get into a D.O program? Maybe take a couple classes over to improve the sGPA since they have a grade replacement program. Or are these scores very low that I only have a chance in the Carribean? Anyways, thanks for listening and any input is welcome!

Your stats aren't abysmal for DO schools, but you're definitely going to need to take advantage of the grade replacement policy that DO schools offer. Retake any pre-req or science classes you got a C or less in and your gpa should be in good shape, assuming you study and do well on the MCAT. There's a great 3 month study program on that board so definitely check it out as you don't wanna slip up anymore.

 

[Dexter12]

Your stats aren't abysmal for DO schools, but you're definitely going to need to take advantage of the grade replacement policy that DO schools offer. Retake any pre-req or science classes you got a C or less in and your gpa should be in good shape, assuming you study and do well on the MCAT. There's a great 3 month study program on that board so definitely check it out as you don't wanna slip up anymore.

Thank you for your input! Greatly appreciated. I will most likely do that. I have one more year left, I plan to take a year off and retake the classes as well as apply early.

 

[Catalystik]

I agree with ToldYouSo. Besides making your transcript more appealing and doing well on the MCAT, get in some DO physician shadowing (50 hours is about the average) and consider getting involved in some off-campus nonmedical community service for a cause you care about (at least an hour a week). Your clinical experience, research, and leadership look good.

Use this tool to see the impact that retaking classes will have. Keep in mind that retakes must have the same credit hours or greater to invoke replacement. Retakes need not happen at the same school.
DO GPA calculation spreadsheet: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=450050
Newer modified version: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=839864

Scroll down to see what AACOMAS sGPA includes: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=552026

 

[Morsetlis]

You have some work to do about that GPA. Wait until your MCAT score roll in to see how high you need to boost it, and whether SMPs or formal post-baccs are needed.