graduating this march, with a low GPA cumalative is 3.1, but upper divs bio were 2.7, going to take the Mcat in april. Is applying to DO schools even worth it? I went 3 quarters on academic probation because of bad grades then pulled it up by taking 5 classes last quarter and getting almost all As, but over all my performance is weak. Should i apply for post bac programs masters or SMP? any advice will do just looking for routes to take. I am open to caribbean schools but I feel like my GPA is low even for that ( like SGU or Ross).
What should I do?
- Thread starter Tamman
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What is your sGPA? Apply broadly as long as your sGPA is 3.0+. If not, retake some of the science classes before application cycle (or during summer and update your transcript). As long as you do well on your MCAT you should be fine.
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This is one of those times I will have to say wait another year and then apply. I don't think you are in a situation that warrants a formal post-bacc or SMP. I would just say focus on grades first and foremost and do the MCAT in the summer from May to August. Even if the score is good, I would still say wait it out till the 2017 cycle. Main thing is to show a long term improvement. 1&1/2 years of good grades should be enough to prove you are ready.
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Don't apply.
Retake courses you got a C in and wait a year. Do a SMP if you want to, or simply retake. Your odds of getting accepted with a 2.7/3.1 are not favorable.
I won't get started on carribean. I will simply tell you, NO.
Retake courses you got a C in and wait a year. Do a SMP if you want to, or simply retake. Your odds of getting accepted with a 2.7/3.1 are not favorable.
I won't get started on carribean. I will simply tell you, NO.
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Yes retake your lowest science courses (C/D/F) and get it above 3.0 as much as you can. Don't apply Carrib and don't apply with sub 3.0's
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You need around 28+ MCAT, 3.3sgpa, 3.5cgpa to even have a chance for this upcoming cycle. It's getting super competitive.
With that in mind, I would say rock the MCAT coming up, retake classes or do SMP to pull up those grades and apply a year after. NEVER GO TO CARIBBEAN. You should see the threads in Med/Osteo forum how many Caribbean students are looking to switch into DO but really don't have a good chance.
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This is the best post so far - with hard numbers. But the numbers are high for sure. Yes the averages are getting higher each year, so technically if you wait the averages will obviously be higher next year. But you need to get a decent MCAT and do some grade repair if you want a shot, so you will have to wait.
If you can get your c/sGPA to 3.3 and get a 26 MCAT, and you apply to 15-20 schools in June (and get your secondaries and letters back fast) then you will absolutely get in. If you want a dang near 100% guarantee at a school then yes: cGPA 3.5, MCAT 28+. But from how low you are coming, that might take a lot of time, so a 3.3 and 26 is probably more feasible.
So yea, retake some classes (especially science classes) that you got a C or lower in. Get an MCAT 26+ and then talk to us next spring and people can help you make a list of schools. Dont even think of applying until you get those numbers down, you will be throwing your time and money away.
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PS dont you think about applying Caribbean... Spend 48 hours looking on here why its a bad choice and you will realize its a pipe dream to nowhere.
If you cant get into DO school after a year or two of grade repair then apply to Pod school (personal message me if you want to know more about it), or go on to some other career. The risk of paying out $250,000 only to end up not being able to practice in the United States, or failing out entirely, is a reality that more and more Carib grads are going to run in to, particularly around 2020. That kind of money is "go to jail" kind of debt. You WILL have to repay it, regardless of whether or not you actually can become a practicing physician. It is better to just pick a different career than take that kind of financial risk.
If you cant get into DO school after a year or two of grade repair then apply to Pod school (personal message me if you want to know more about it), or go on to some other career. The risk of paying out $250,000 only to end up not being able to practice in the United States, or failing out entirely, is a reality that more and more Carib grads are going to run in to, particularly around 2020. That kind of money is "go to jail" kind of debt. You WILL have to repay it, regardless of whether or not you actually can become a practicing physician. It is better to just pick a different career than take that kind of financial risk.
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If your sGPA is < 3.0, then the fastest thing to do is retake any F/D/C science coursework and use grade replacement.
The next best thing would be a SMP or post-bac.
There's no such thing as "too low" for Carib diploma mills. As long as you're breathing and can write a tuition check, you're in.
Really, don't think about that as an option unless you like the idea of being unemployed and deeply in debt.
The next best thing would be a SMP or post-bac.
There's no such thing as "too low" for Carib diploma mills. As long as you're breathing and can write a tuition check, you're in.
Really, don't think about that as an option unless you like the idea of being unemployed and deeply in debt.
