What is the best path for me? Prefer DO

[deleted446889]

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Hey everyone,

Once I accepted that I need to do serious GPA repair before I can apply, I've been searching and reading lots of threads however I haven't found something that matches my situation closely especially since grade replacement is gone.

I have a 3.37 cGPA, 2.9 sGPA. Haven't taken the MCAT yet but am aiming for 510+. Solid ECs.

I don't want to say I don't care about going MD, but I am really okay, and might even prefer DO schools as I love the MSK system and my dream is to do PM&R or FM>Sports Med.

The DO grade replacement route seemed ideal for me but it is no longer an option so I am not sure how to best proceed.

I have been eyeing SMPs, but I'm not sure it's the best fit for me as the high risk doesn't seem justified when I'm perfectly alright with DO schools.

I see three possibilities that suit me.

1) If I get a great MCAT score, try an app cycle focusing on ALL DO schools and maybe low-tier MD schools? Not sure if this is even viable with a 2.9 sGPA. I might be able to squeeze the sGPA above 3.0 if a neuropsychology and physiological psychology count.

2) Do a year of post-bacc work getting 3.7+ then apply, especially if my MCAT score is below 510. Does post-bacc work get calculated with my UG GPAs, or do schools calculate it separately? Not sure which would be better. I'm not really hot on this option because it doesn't feel as secure as doing an SMP. Can a year of 3.7+ post-bacc work make the difference I need?

3) DO or MD SMP. I've read a bunch on MD SMPs and the reward is obviously great. I also feel that if I need to I can do well in it. I'm just not sure if the risk is worth it because I really would be fine without going MD. If I could get some advice regarding DO SMPs that would be awesome.

Last question, is it now completely useless to retake C's in prereqs? I ask because retaking Physics I and II (got C's) would be easy to do at the CC nearby while I still work. Taking upper level science classes is much harder because the CC doesn't have any and I'd have to move somewhere. Retaking Physics would also bump my sGPA over 3.0 regardless of grade replacement. Is it worth it?

My tentative plan is to first get a great MCAT score, then do 1 followed by 2 or 3. Please advise on the best path for me. Thank you so much!

 

[deleted446889]

Some more details about me:

-I've actually been an A/B student in many hard science classes but my sGPA is dragged down so low because of 3 C's from my dual enrollment years, and bad performance in physical sciences (C's in Chem 1/2 and Physics 1/2).

-1000+ hours of clinical experience. 1 year scribing in the ER and now working at Orthopedic office. My doc is a DO so hoping to get a great LOR from him.

-200+ hours volunteering over 3 years at Give Kids The World with handicapped children.

-Long history of youth leadership and volunteering with my religious center.

-Writing a book (non-academic) which I hope to complete soon.

 

[ctran019]

I had a significantly lower cGPA and sGPA than yours when I started my ~2 year commitment to retaking courses at a CC and have a significantly lower MCAT score that what you will obtain. That being said, I am currently sitting on 3 acceptances, so here's my advice.

Regardless of your MCAT, you want to at least a 3.25 cGPA/sGPA for secondary cutoffs at most established DO schools such as KCUMB. However, your current GPA along with any decent MCAT score (507+) will likely land you in a newer DO school.

It really depends what you want. How quickly you can bring the sGPA up? Do you have personal time constraints? I'd consider a DO or MD SMP if I didn't have more than 2 years to retake courses because your GPA probably won't move much at all.

I would prioritize taking D's and F's. If you can only retake C's, I'd further consider a 1 year SMP with direct linkages.

Overall: If you need to get in now then consider a DO/MD SMP. If you can get above a 3.25 sGPA via post-bac then apply normal cycle to all DO schools and you'll have many options for places to attend. If you don't want to retake courses, but get a stellar MCAT then apply normally, but expect only get accepted to newer DO schools.

 

[Goro]

A great MCAT will not salvage that lethal sGPA, for either Do ro MD. You need to demonstrate that you can handle med school. So far, you haven't.


1) If I get a great MCAT score, try an app cycle focusing on ALL DO schools and maybe low-tier MD schools? Not sure if this is even viable with a 2.9 sGPA. I might be able to squeeze the sGPA above 3.0 if a neuropsychology and physiological psychology count.

I recommend this.
2) Do a year of post-bacc work getting 3.7+ then apply, especially if my MCAT score is below 510.

For all med schools, your UG GPSA ends when you graduate. From then on things get added to your cGPA for DO schools., as well as your gGPA.
Does post-bacc work get calculated with my UG GPAs, or do schools calculate it separately? Not sure which would be better. I'm not really hot on this option because it doesn't feel as secure as doing an SMP.
Yes, but you need a good MCAT as well.
Can a year of 3.7+ post-bacc work make the difference I need?

I also recommend this. More high risk, but high reward. SMPs are a dime a dozen, BTW.
3) DO or MD SMP. I've read a bunch on MD SMPs and the reward is obviously great. I also feel that if I need to I can do well in it. I'm just not sure if the risk is worth it because I really would be fine without going MD. If I could get some advice regarding DO SMPs that would be awesome.

At this point, yes. From now om, it's about showing off a good gGPA. Show that the you of now is not the you of then. Go read my post here:
Goro’s advice for DO applicants in the absence of grade replacement

Last question, is it now completely useless to retake C's in prereqs?

 

[deleted446889]

I had a significantly lower cGPA and sGPA than yours when I started my ~2 year commitment to retaking courses at a CC and have a significantly lower MCAT score that what you will obtain. That being said, I am currently sitting on 3 acceptances, so here's my advice.

Regardless of your MCAT, you want to at least a 3.25 cGPA/sGPA for secondary cutoffs at most established DO schools such as KCUMB. However, your current GPA along with any decent MCAT score (507+) will likely land you in a newer DO school.

It really depends what you want. How quickly you can bring the sGPA up? Do you have personal time constraints? I'd consider a DO or MD SMP if I didn't have more than 2 years to retake courses because your GPA probably won't move much at all.

I would prioritize taking D's and F's. If you can only retake C's, I'd further consider a 1 year SMP with direct linkages.

Overall: If you need to get in now then consider a DO/MD SMP. If you can get above a 3.25 sGPA via post-bac then apply normal cycle to all DO schools and you'll have many options for places to attend. If you don't want to retake courses, but get a stellar MCAT then apply normally, but expect only get accepted to newer DO schools.

Congrats on the acceptances! Happy for you.

Thanks for the advice. I can raise my sGPA to above a 3.25 with 30ish credits of straight A's. I would still have to move out of state and take a year to do this, so I have to really think hard about what is the best thing to do.

 

[deleted446889]

A great MCAT will not salvage that lethal sGPA, for either Do ro MD. You need to demonstrate that you can handle med school. So far, you haven't.


1) If I get a great MCAT score, try an app cycle focusing on ALL DO schools and maybe low-tier MD schools? Not sure if this is even viable with a 2.9 sGPA. I might be able to squeeze the sGPA above 3.0 if a neuropsychology and physiological psychology count.

I recommend this.
2) Do a year of post-bacc work getting 3.7+ then apply, especially if my MCAT score is below 510.

For all med schools, your UG GPSA ends when you graduate. From then on things get added to your cGPA for DO schools., as well as your gGPA.
Does post-bacc work get calculated with my UG GPAs, or do schools calculate it separately? Not sure which would be better. I'm not really hot on this option because it doesn't feel as secure as doing an SMP.
Yes, but you need a good MCAT as well.
Can a year of 3.7+ post-bacc work make the difference I need?

I also recommend this. More high risk, but high reward. SMPs are a dime a dozen, BTW.
3) DO or MD SMP. I've read a bunch on MD SMPs and the reward is obviously great. I also feel that if I need to I can do well in it. I'm just not sure if the risk is worth it because I really would be fine without going MD. If I could get some advice regarding DO SMPs that would be awesome.

At this point, yes. From now om, it's about showing off a good gGPA. Show that the you of now is not the you of then. Go read my post here:
Goro’s advice for DO applicants in the absence of grade replacement

Last question, is it now completely useless to retake C's in prereqs?

Thanks Goro. Does your advice change at all if I'm dead set on going DO? I realize I definitely have more work to do to show the me of now is not the me of then, but is there any way to tailor that specifically for DO schools? Does that mean I should not pursue MD SMPs?

I'm interested in subjects like kinesiology/exercise physiology and it counts as other science for AACOMAS sGPA, but the downside is that it does not for AMCAS and it probably doesn't show that I can handle rigorous medical curriculum, correct? So post-bacc work is only effective if I take classes like histology, microbiology, etc?

What are your thoughts on dedicated post-bacc enrichment programs some colleges offer? Are they essentially the same thing as DIY post-bacc?

It's a bit overwhelming because there's so many different ways to go, so thanks again for all your guidance.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Option 2 is probably your best option IMO. Do well in a post bac, can even be DIY, and you should be okay for DO. The MCAT will also play a large role at that point.

The SMP route is also viable but I would only consider it with an MCAT 512+. It is also more risky as you have already noted.

 

[deleted446889]

Option 2 is probably your best option IMO. Do well in a post bac, can even be DIY, and you should be okay for DO. The MCAT will also play a large role at that point.

The SMP route is also viable but I would only consider it with an MCAT 512+. It is also more risky as you have already noted.

Yep looks that way, thanks! There's so many ways to do a DIY post-bacc (basically any college, any pace, etc) do you have any recommendations on the best way to go about it?

 

[Goro]

MCAT score can be a bit lower.

. Does your advice change at all if I'm dead set on going DO? I realize I definitely have more work to do to show the me of now is not the me of then, but is there any way to tailor that specifically for DO schools?

There's no distinction. Either will be fine.

Does that mean I should not pursue MD SMPs?



Take whatever you're interested in. But it still should have some rigor.

I'm interested in subjects like kinesiology/exercise physiology and it counts as other science for AACOMAS sGPA, but the downside is that it does not for AMCAS and it probably doesn't show that I can handle rigorous medical curriculum, correct? So post-bacc work is only effective if I take classes like histology, microbiology, etc?

Don't know. These sound like programs for ca changers.


What are your thoughts on dedicated post-bacc enrichment programs some colleges offer?


I don't believe so.


Are they essentially the same thing as DIY post-bacc?

It's a bit overwhelming because there's so many different ways to go, so thanks again for all your guidance.[/QUOTE]