When To Apply?

[SoWasRed]

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Hello Student Doctor. I am a 29 year old post bacc student. I started back full time in January and by the end of this semester I will have taken 7 of the 8 prereqs and will be taking orgo 2 in the spring. In addition I will have taken statistics, microbiology, cell physiology, and epidemiology which is a 400 level Bio course at my school. My postbacc/sgpa so far is 3.85. They are the same since I was a Communication studies major when I graduated 6 years ago and did not take any science classes. In addition to orgo 2 + lab I will be taking Biochemistry in the spring as well as the Kaplan mcat course. By June I will have over 200+ clinical volunteering hours in a formal premed volunteering program as well as 75+ hours in shadowing experience. The problem is that my ugpa was 2.65 before starting back and I have done the calculations and I will be very borderline a 3.0 cgpa come May. "If" I happen to be in the 2.95-2.98 range is it worth taking 2 summer classes to get my cgpa above 3.0 and apply July 1, or should I apply June 1 with my sub 3.0 gpa, high sgpa/postbacc gpa, hopefully a 30+ MCAT, and what will be a great personal statement. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

it is definitely worth it to get above the 3.0 mark. Simply because there are a number of schools that have a 3.0 cutoff. It might not be an issue, but you really want to set yourself as best as you can. Two classes can bump you over this threshold so do it.

Also understand that some schools will love your awesome postbac work, others will look at your cGPA and sGPA alone and make a decision. This conclusion is based on reading the school specific threads this year. Many people are getting rejected outright with a 4.0 post bac for 30-60 credits. Not saying it will be a huge factor, but know that it could be an issue.

Are you applying for MD and DO? DO schools seem to be a little more forgiving with rocky pasts and a little more accepting of nontrads. With DO schools you can also retake classes you did bad in and the grade will be replaced complete, a benefit not given by MD schools.

 

[SoWasRed]

Thanks for the response. I am applying to both MD and DO schools. There is a very good possibility that come May my DO cgpa will be above the 3.0 barrier and the MD slightly lower due to the fact that I retook 2 classes during undergrad. In that case I could apploy DO June 1 and then MD July 1ish correct?

 

[FrkyBgStok]

yes, but just know that MD acceptance will be very tough with that GPA. i suppose it is possible, but understand that the DO is much more likely.