Where to apply with my low GPA?

[SpongeBobDude]

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Hey guys,
I am a non-trad 35 y.o. student, I got 507 mcat on 1st try (128, 125, 126, 128), I have my Bachelor's Degree BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration) cGPA 3.1 (ouch) and after working for 7 years full time in business I then took all prerequisites with labs (total of 18 courses) with sGPA 3.94, I got 3 LORs from DO shadowing and 2 LORs from science faculty, I got 6 months of volunteering at Hospital, another 6 months of volunteering at Red Cross abroad, some scholarship/achievements (was a math medalist during my BBA).

So my cGPA from my BBA hurts a lot, and I was thinking what are my chances and where should I apply?
Thank you.

 

[deleted407021]

Apply broadly aside from those schools where you do not meet the cutoff. You can find which ones have such minimums through the AACOM info pdf or through Google.

You have a decent shot, esp. with that sGPA and MCAT.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Honestly if your sGPA is the 3.9 above then you are good, I don't see adcoms caring much about your BBA GPA from 7 years ago when you have rocked your recent science courses. Keep volunteering and such to boost those ECs. Good on the DO letters. Honestly you would probably get a look from everyone. Apply broadly and apply TODAY if you are wanting to apply this cycle. I would be surprised if you didn't get, at least, a handful of interviews. I have no idea how schools like KCUMB with GPA cutoff a would view your cGPA.

 

[mathnerd88]

You can certainly try applying this cycle, but it is actually almost to start getting late in the process. You have decent stats with the exception of that cGPA, which would screen you out at some schools.

 

[SpongeBobDude]

Thanks guys, I very much appreciate your help!

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

If you wait until next cycle to apply see if you can do some quick retakes of your lowest BBA classes to try and get that cGPA above a 3.25. That way you would be past all of the cutoffs. It would be a shame that it would keep you from applying to some schools with an otherwise solid app. Is your cGPA including your recent science courses?

 

[SpongeBobDude]

If you wait until next cycle to apply see if you can do some quick retakes of your lowest BBA classes to try and get that cGPA above a 3.25. That way you would be past all of the cutoffs. It would be a shame that it would keep you from applying to some schools with an otherwise solid app. Is your cGPA including your recent science courses?

No, it's just my BBA without recent science courses.

 

[j4pac]

I honestly wouldn't retake courses, especially BS business classes. Your sGPA is fantastic and I am sure that there will be plenty enough programs that are willing to overlook the low cGPA. Save your money...apply broadly, early next cycle with what you currently have.

 

[arc5005]

I find it so awesome when there are people older than me, aka in their 30s*, still applying to med school and making the right steps towards a path to be successful and happy. It's never too late. Good Luck to you.

*also makes me feel young, and not super behind. (thank you)

 

[mathnerd88]

I honestly wouldn't retake courses, especially BS business classes. Your sGPA is fantastic and I am sure that there will be plenty enough programs that are willing to overlook the low cGPA. Save your money...apply broadly, early next cycle with what you currently have.

True, but some schools autoscreen anything less than 3.2. Be careful of those.

 

[arc5005]

I'm confused. Wouldn't your science classes (the 3.9) bring up your 3.1 9cGPA from your BBA). All undergraduate work should be included in your cGPA.

 

[Snoozer33]

As someone in nearly your exact position, take a semester and repair your cGPA and apply early next cycle. I applied late last cycle and got nothing out of it. I fixed my cGPA by replacing all the F's from my first UG degree and applied early this cycle and I am sitting on multiple acceptances. Don't worry about your age! You have time.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

No, it's just my BBA without recent science courses.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Then your cGPA is NOT 3.1. The recent courses will pull it higher. Recalculate and then give us an update. You have a good app and should get some love

 

[arc5005]

Then your cGPA is NOT 3.1. The recent courses will pull it higher. Recalculate and then give us an update. You have a good app and should get some love

No, it's just my BBA without recent science courses.

Your cGPA should consist of ALL UNDERGRADUATE COURSES. Any classes that are re-takes should only include the highest grade received in the course (for DO). Please recalculate this using a GPA Calculator.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/aacomas-gpa-calculator-revised.839864/

Get back to us after with your real stats. cGPA and sGPA including ALL UNDERGRADUATE COURSES TAKEN.

 

[Goro]

100% agree!

Apply broadly aside from those schools where you do not meet the cutoff. You can find which ones have such minimums through the AACOM info pdf or through Google.

You have a decent shot, esp. with that sGPA and MCAT.