Who got accepted with less than a 3.0 GPA?

[cubicw86]

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Anyone out there got accepted to a DO school with a low ass GPA?

We want to encourage those with low GPA that there still a fighting chance 🙂


tell us your GPA, MCAT score, and the university of acceptance
we appreciate it

 

[TexasTriathlete]

Holla.

~2.7 GPA
33 MCAT
GA-PCOM

 

[libo1369]

GPA: 2.99 Before my last semester which I aced but still wasn't on my transcript.
MCAT: 27
RVU acceptance and once I come up with the money will matriculate.

Also my for my GPA I had a slump for my sophmore and junior year in which my grandfather died my dad committed suicide, I was married, my foster parent committed suicide, and I had a child.

 

[MikeMD]

GPA: 2.99 Before my last semester which I aced but still wasn't on my transcript.
MCAT: 27
RVU acceptance and once I come up with the money will matriculate.

Also my for my GPA I had a slump for my sophmore and junior year in which my grandfather died my dad committed suicide, I was married, my foster parent committed suicide, and I had a child.

congrats on RVU, you deserve it 👍

 

[JaggerPlate]

GPA: 2.99 Before my last semester which I aced but still wasn't on my transcript.
MCAT: 27
RVU acceptance and once I come up with the money will matriculate.

Also my for my GPA I had a slump for my sophmore and junior year in which my grandfather died my dad committed suicide, I was married, my foster parent committed suicide, and I had a child.

Jeeze ... I'm really sorry you had to go through that situation. It speaks very highly of your character that you were able to press on and achieve your goals!! 👍

 

[DrMidlife]

I've never felt so shamed and unworthy as when an adcom went line-by-line through my transcripts, which are riddled with F's, D's and W's. Getting a 31 on the MCAT really didn't help my story.

There's nothing I can do about having a 25 year college record on 5 transcripts. But if I could do it over, I would have done an SMP this year, so that I'd have a valid reason to not feel like a mercy admit.

But I got in. I'm over 3.0 in Texas, but got no love there.

AMCAS GPAs: BCPM 2.67, AO 3.62, Total 3.09
TMDSAS GPAs: Overall 3.12, Science 3.00, Non-science 3.13
AACOMAS GPAs: Science: 2.984 Non-Science 3.276 Total 3.197

 

[TexasTriathlete]

I have found that if you're going to apply as an "older" applicant here in TX, you had better be close to stellar. Particularly with regards to GPA. They don't cut you any slack for past mistakes.

 

[Eudjinn]

Overall GPA: 3.357
Science GPA: 2.962
Non-Science GPA: 3.529
MCAT: 26Q (10PS, 8VR, 8BS)

I thought the science GPA would do me in, but I got into NSUCOM and NYCOM. High waitlist at TOURO-NY

 

[Syncope82]

gpa here 3.0ish, science gpa is 3.5
MCAT first attempt 23...2nd attempt 31 ( all thanks to TPR)

The biggest question they ask about me is how in the world I managed to get a 9pt increase in the mcat and I simply said that I took the first test without studying and was not serious enough at that point to pursue medicne. Once i realized how bad I wanted to study m edicine, I studied very hard for it. I told them it was probably my "last showdown" to become a dr and I wanted to do well on it to prove that I am committed to medicine and will study hard when it counts and it has worked 🙂

 

[ShyRem]

Gee, I a 3.2 and a 29 MCAT and got NO love from NYCOM.

Numbers aren't everything.

 

[gmard33]

I didn't even get a secondary from NYCOM👎... but I got into 4 other school...so I could really care less now.

Yea PCOM!!😀

 

[spazzz]

Holla.

~2.7 GPA
33 MCAT
GA-PCOM

i think you are the exception to the rule here. Your other credits are much better........

I think it's maybe a bit easier as a non-trad to explain your subpar GPA when you're post bacc grades are much better.

Personally, I think there is little difference in number between 3.0 and 2.9, however that sub par 3.0 mark will always be an uphill battle no matter what programs you apply for. To the OP, try and get a 3.0, like a greater than MCAT, many doors will magically open with above a 3.0 and above a 26 MCAT.

 

[Eudjinn]

I think NYCOM favors in-state applicants quite a bit or maybe even applicants who are very local. Think about it: tuition is very high so it makes sense to take those applicants who can live at home and save money in that sense. That's my big speculation, but honestly I have no clue because they take OOS also. Like you say ShyRem, it is confirmation that it's not really all about numbers. There's obviously deeper factors at play here.

 

[MLT2MT2DO]

I've never felt so shamed and unworthy as when an adcom went line-by-line through my transcripts, which are riddled with F's, D's and W's. Getting a 31 on the MCAT really didn't help my story.

There's nothing I can do about having a 25 year college record on 5 transcripts. But if I could do it over, I would have done an SMP this year, so that I'd have a valid reason to not feel like a mercy admit.

But I got in. I'm over 3.0 in Texas, but got no love there.

AMCAS GPAs: BCPM 2.67, AO 3.62, Total 3.09
TMDSAS GPAs: Overall 3.12, Science 3.00, Non-science 3.13
AACOMAS GPAs: Science: 2.984 Non-Science 3.276 Total 3.197

I understand you don't need it now that you have been accepted, but why didn't you retake those D's and F's to boost your AACOMAS GPA?

 

[DrMidlife]

I understand you don't need it now that you have been accepted, but why didn't you retake those D's and F's to boost your AACOMAS GPA?

I did.

A retake will change the GPA as reported by AACOMAS, but it doesn't mean adcoms don't see the original grade.

Edit: Again, that was 25 years of coursework across 5 transcripts. I've taken over 100 classes, and I have over 200 semester units. Not a whole lot of opportunity to change such a record.

 

[justletmeinplz]

3.41 science GPA (at UF) and 32 MCAT and I'm sweatin' getting into NSU. Someone tell me I'm crazy and that I'll get a phone call tomorrow. LOL.

 

[pamolive]

I did! 2.9 Science, 2.9 Cum, 28Q MCAT. I got into DCOM, waitlisted at touro ny, and waiting on a decision from KCOM.

 

[scpod]

I have found that if you're going to apply as an "older" applicant here in TX, you had better be close to stellar. Particularly with regards to GPA. They don't cut you any slack for past mistakes.

I had a 3.94 GPA and never got a look from TX-- the only places I applied that didn't offer an interview. Then again, I only had a 29 MCAT.

 

[fisko82]

edited

 

[DC DOC]

nevermind, not here to ruffle feathers.

I saw that, Ha HA! Nice save! I believe you deserve the bigger man/woman award.

 

[fisko82]

edited

 

[DC DOC]

haha ssshhh 😛 Nah, I just thought it wasn't very nice of me, even if it were true, I didn't see what good could come from it. Carry on w/ the positive vibes and success stories! 👍

I like your style. On with the vibes!👍

 

[pamolive]

haha ssshhh 😛 Nah, I just thought it wasn't very nice of me, even if it were true, I didn't see what good could come from it. Carry on w/ the positive vibes and success stories! 👍

What did you say?

 

[Syncope82]

I guess if you have a low gpa in states like CA or TX, you may have a great disadvantage

 

[sexyman]

nevermind, not here to ruffle feathers.

wow that is lame. If you really wanted to not say what you said then you wouldn't have replaced it with this ^.

 

[fisko82]

wow that is lame. If you really wanted to not say what you said then you wouldn't have replaced it with this ^.

And to think, we were mcat buds on april 16th. I hardly know you anymore sexyman 🙁

I replaced it with "not ruffling feathers" bit because some people saw what I wrote and I thought they might have quoted me already with what I originally posted. But for you, april 16th bud, I'll edit it entirely. Cheers. 👍

 

[DocLove06]

Is this thread for bragging purposes? What an insult to the Osteopathic Community.

 

[Syncope82]

Is this thread for bragging purposes? What an insult to the Osteopathic Community.

they take other aspects of the app of a greater weight such as extracurriculars/research/ and medical experience...there are other qualities to an applicant other than pure numbers 🙄

 

[DrMidlife]

they take other aspects of the app of a greater weight such as extracurriculars/research/ and medical experience...there are other qualities to an applicant other than pure numbers 🙄

Sure, but with low numbers, an acceptance is an anecdote. Want to hear about all the schools, MD and DO, that rejected me? Note to the wise: don't plan on being an anecdote.

 

[DrMidlife]

Is this thread for bragging purposes? What an insult to the Osteopathic Community.

Hardly bragging. More like a cautionary tale.

 

[Syncope82]

Sure, but with low numbers, an acceptance is an anecdote. Want to hear about all the schools, MD and DO, that rejected me? Note to the wise: don't plan on being an anecdote.

ok so you say an acceptance in an anecdote...but then you say you don't want to be an anecdote....are you saying you don't want an acceptance? 😕

 

[DrMidlife]

ok so you say an acceptance in an anecdote...but then you say you don't want to be an anecdote....are you saying you don't want an acceptance? 😕

I'm saying I hate being an anecdote. Feels like crap. I'm saying don't do it like I did it. Don't use somebody else's bad numbers as an excuse to get bad numbers. Clean transcripts make for a fun interview day.

 

[MikeyLu2010]

Texas is pretty brutal..thats why i had to go to FL! instead of wasting another couple of years trying to boost up the stats and reapplying.

 

[fightingirish]

When I first started applying, I had a 2.85 science GPA and right around a 3.0 Overall. Finished with a 2.89 science and a 3.09 Overall when I graduated, not that they looked at that.
34Q MCAT first time, back when they made you take it on paper.

Applied to the PCOMs and the LECOMs only with secondaries finished in mid-March (really really really late, not recommended). I really didn't think I would be competitive, and my advisor even said for me not to bother. He said something to the nature of "We haven't had anybody accepted this year with a science GPA under a 3.0, much less an overall lower than a 3.0. I'd suggest a post bacc program". I kinda tested the waters with just the 4 applications, really not thinking that I would be very competitive.

Despite those thoughts, I was invited for interviews at the LECOMs, and accepted at LECOM-B, waitlisted at LECOM. It somehow worked out great for me, I really like it down here in Bradenton. The PBL environment was much better for me, especially since my low GPA was partly due to my inability to stay awake during lecture.

I'm not bragging at all about this. I really wish I had a better GPA than I did during undergrad. I luckily didn't fail anything, just had a habit of getting a B or a B- in every single class. I was always in the same spot on the curve (at least I'm consistent, right?).

My reason in posting is to potentially encourage an applicant with a stellar resume aside from the GPA to apply. My resume really wasn't the best (I had some research/publications, shadowing, volunteer, extracurriculars), but I personally thought it was weak compared with my friends.

 

[Boner]

I'm saying I hate being an anecdote. Feels like crap. I'm saying don't do it like I did it. Don't use somebody else's bad numbers as an excuse to get bad numbers. Clean transcripts make for a fun interview day.

Agree with you, Midlife. Acceptance with a sub-3.0 is the exception and by no means the rule. And despite what pre-meds will say, admissions, for the most part, is a numbers game. Please also take note that those who gain admission with sub-3.0 GPAs are tending to get acceptances from brand spankin new schools, which are by no means as competitive as established schools. Admission gets more and more competitive with each passing year. For now, you'll see sub-par GPAs limited to newer schools. But in the future, a sub-par GPA is going to be screened out. In fact, some schools already screen sub-3.0s.

 

[Obnoxious Dad]

The whole GPA business is a red herring. This is the reason Med Schools make people take the MCAT.

I went to a commuter college where everyone was anonymous and I had a 3.1 before the days of grade inflation. My grade point at the University of Chicago would have been zilch. I would have flunked out of an Engineering School.

Everyone with half a brain knows that some universities are more competitive than others and some programs within the same university are more difficult than others. Even admissions committees know this. They know that a top flight chemistry degree with calculus, calculus based physics and numerous other horrors is more rigorous than a degree in history (my undergraduate major) with the bare minimum of premed classes that would include algebra based physics.

Admissions committees are also aware that some people weren't born with a silver spoon in their ear. Some people have to pay their own way.

If you got into med school with a low GPA, don't be ashamed. Be glad. Be proud!

 

[gasapple]

When I first started applying, I had a 2.85 science GPA and right around a 3.0 Overall. Finished with a 2.89 science and a 3.09 Overall when I graduated, not that they looked at that.
34Q MCAT first time, back when they made you take it on paper.

My reason in posting is to potentially encourage an applicant with a stellar resume aside from the GPA to apply. My resume really wasn't the best (I had some research/publications, shadowing, volunteer, extracurriculars), but I personally thought it was weak compared with my friends.

As a non-trad, my story is strangely similar to FightingIrish's with a comparable MCAT (paper-based and multiple times) and GPA (overall 3.0, sci 3.2). I appreciate Fightings intent behind posting his story as encouragement for those with a strike or two against them who are willing to put in the effort to achieve their goals. It can be done but will require a very diligent effort. I had some similar setbacks in undergrad based on an unforecasted, real-life "turbulence" and worked for many years on my overall resume - including research publications as well as extracurriculars. Thankfully, I've pulled through with a few acceptances (established and new), as well as one state allo waitlist again this year.

 

[gasapple]

Please also take note that those who gain admission with sub-3.0 GPAs are tending to get acceptances from brand spankin new schools, which are by no means as competitive as established schools. Admission gets more and more competitive with each passing year. For now, you'll see sub-par GPAs limited to newer schools. But in the future, a sub-par GPA is going to be screened out. In fact, some schools already screen sub-3.0s.

As an addition, there still needs to exist criteria which offset a subpar GPA such as a more competitive MCAT or some other sincere resume enhancement in order to be considered. Based on my interviews and experience this is still a requirement, even at the newer schools. The "newer" schools will typically take more time (less volume) to view an applicant and the approach does work well for those who've suffered a few setbacks on their journey. This "broader view" approach is usually the case at most DO schools, period - and I'm thankful for it.

 

[Syncope82]

The whole GPA business is a red herring. This is the reason Med Schools make people take the MCAT.

I went to a commuter college where everyone was anonymous and I had a 3.1 before the days of grade inflation. My grade point at the University of Chicago would have been zilch. I would have flunked out of an Engineering School.

Everyone with half a brain knows that some universities are more competitive than others and some programs within the same university are more difficult than others. Even admissions committees know this. They know that a top flight chemistry degree with calculus, calculus based physics and numerous other horrors is more rigorous than a degree in history (my undergraduate major) with the bare minimum of premed classes that would include algebra based physics.

Admissions committees are also aware that some people weren't born with a silver spoon in their ear. Some people have to pay their own way.

If you got into med school with a low GPA, don't be ashamed. Be glad. Be proud!

I agree...GPA's are not standardized....at my school, orgo 1 and 2 had Gaussian distributions with a class of 500. The professor was "highly noted" and was very strict. So that means only 40 people or so get A's....and 40 people fail...the majority end up with a C. Fortunately, I was one to get a high A and my proff only gave LOR's to the top 5 students out of 500...so that may have definitley helped me out.

Students also have hard times as well...deaths in the family, illness, etc. which may contribute to their lower gpa...

but in my case, I was able to prove that I can excel when I choose to. High MCAT and an excellent science GPA allowed them to overlook a lower gpa..

You are right about the new schools. DCOM accepted way too many people off the bat, giving a lower gpa and mcat than the DO norm, however, this year that will change due to a higher demand

 

[cubicw86]

thank you soo much, this is very encouraging.
I know that I started this thread a couple years ago before even thinking about medical school, and now that I'm about to apply, this post really gave me some positive energy 🙂

thank you

 

[Aljazera]

Same here, I have 12 W's and 2 Fs and Ds (in pre-reqs) which i retook already. My GPA is 2.98 before i factor in my 2 Bs I got for Biochemistry and Physics (so 3.0?)

Now I have to aim for high MCAT.

Hope everything pans out, in the end.

 

[jkmph]

I'm applying with a ~3.15 sGPA and ~3.25 cGPA. That includes my MPH courses at Emory which raise each of those by about 0.11. My MCAT is 31S. I consider myself a reasonably strong candidate including my EC's and LORs. However I intend to stay modest and not count my chicken's before they hatch.

 

[Desperate]

Same here, I have 12 W's and 2 Fs and Ds (in pre-reqs) which i retook already. My GPA is 2.98 before i factor in my 2 Bs I got for Biochemistry and Physics (so 3.0?)

Now I have to aim for high MCAT.

Hope everything pans out, in the end.

I have the exact same number of W's and F's, but no D's in pre reqs. I wish you the best, I still have a while before I apply. I thought I was the only person applying with blemishes on their transcript.

 

[Mtnbiker]

.

 

[DO2Be2013]

3.09 overall GPA; 3.18 science. 31-S MCAT.

Accepted everywhere I applied (LECOM-E, LECOM-B, UNECOM and PCOM). Matriculating at PCOM in about two weeks.

My AAMC GPA would've been sub-3.0.

Getting in with a low GPA is a hard road. From the point at which I decided to pursue med school to now has been over three years filled with taking (and in some cases re-taking) lots of science credits four nights a week while working full-time. I have a 4.0 in my last 60-70 credits of coursework (over 200 credits total now) and they were by far the most rigorous courses on my whole transcript. I'm not going to feel guilty about how my stats "reflect" upon the osteopathic community. Had I gotten accepted three years ago with my pathetic GPA and/or gotten a lower MCAT, then yes. But I feel like I put in the hard work to redeem my record and earned a decent MCAT, so I'm certainly not going to feel badly about anything.

That said, if I could go back to age 18 or 19 and do things differently, knowing what I know now, then of course I would. I'm not trying to encourage getting a low GPA or slacking your way into med school. But I am trying to encourage non-trads with a low GPA from a past life that, with a lot of hard work, they can still have a shot at getting in. But you've gotta pay your dues (and rock the MCAT)...

 

[DO2Be2013]

It was my understanding that graduate level courses won't raise your sGPA or cGPA... or is that an AMCAS only thing?

I'd love to hear that AACOMAS will accept graduate level courses, since that would be a big help to my less-than-stellar GPA.

I'm pretty sure that my AACOMAS application calculated an "overall" GPA that included both my undergrad and graduate coursework.

 

[jkmph]

I'm pretty sure that my AACOMAS application calculated an "overall" GPA that included both my undergrad and graduate coursework.

Correct. Also DO2Be I like your story. Your stats are virtually identical to mine which I find very encouraging.

 

[taylormade2006]

I'm pretty sure that my AACOMAS application calculated an "overall" GPA that included both my undergrad and graduate coursework.

When putting your grades in on AACOMAS, if you put them in as "Graduate" doesn't it just ask for the name of the class and the grade? It doesn't ask for credits, so how could it calculate GPA?

Im doing it right now and its only asking for name of class and grade, but not credit hours...Am I doing it wrong?

 

[DO2Be2013]

When putting your grades in on AACOMAS, if you put them in as "Graduate" doesn't it just ask for the name of the class and the grade? It doesn't ask for credits, so how could it calculate GPA?

Im doing it right now and its only asking for name of class and grade, but not credit hours...Am I doing it wrong?

Hmm, I don't remember having that issue. Although it has been over a year now since I did it, so I can't remember it very clearly. I don't recall having an issue with not knowing where to enter credits. I sent my graduate transcripts for verification and those courses were definitely counted in my overall GPA (but not my undergrad GPA) so I don't know.

I do recall that the help desk people were super fast and very helpful if you e-mailed them with a question, which I did several times. Why don't you just shoot them an e-mail and ask about it?

 

[clearwaters26]

Hi everyone!
This is my very FIRST time using a forum (let alone exposing my academics). I have been reading the posts here on SDN and have found them VERY helpful. so i figured i should try to get some suggestions on my situation...

okay, im a non trad... ive been in school (seems like forever.. lol) for a long time.
I graduated with a B.A. in biology just recently (this past summer). My GPA im not sure what it really is- ive been to 3 different colleges... but as I had added all my course work on the AACOMAS application- it came down to it a hideous 2.5. (it has not been verified yet..)

a lil bit about my past is...
-I graduated from highschool a year early (Very bad idea..)
-went to a CC (okay grades..)
-transferred to a 4 yr university (this is where the drama starts). basically i did horrible there. if i could take that part out of my academics, my gpa would be in the 3.3 range...
-I dropped out for a year. went over seas, did relief work/volunteer and then returned to a CC. i did a couple of semester there just to get my gpa high enough to transfer to a different 4 yr university. my gpa at CC was always above a 3.7. made it to the deans and presidents list.
-I then transferred to a 4 yr university- received my degree in biology (finally 🙂 ) did decent here (B's).

I just want to know if i have ANY chance at all? oh btw, im a ny resident.

here are the grades ive received on the pre reqs:

Bio I&II : C, B+

Chem I&II: A, A

Physics I & II: B-, B+

Orgo I&II: A, A

and ive taken some math as well:

Calc I: B
Calc II: A-
Calc III:B
Sats: A

although my pre req grades arent too bad- what ruined my gpa was a few semesters where i did really awful and ended up not dropping the classes on time and therefore, i have a semester worth of just F's.... i tried to get them dropped, but because i was a week late in submitting the paper work, the school wouldnt allow it...

i dont want to bring up excuses or anything. i screwed up because i let my personal/family problems get to me.

in any case, im not the person that grew up thinking i would become a doctor some day or that i wanted to. i knew when i started college that i wanted something in the science field. I just didnt know what exactly. after volunteering a few months overseas as a relief worker, i got a little perspective on life. getting back to my point- my undergrad is flawed from every angle. but i wont ever give up. Any suggestions???!!

Im currently studying for the MCATs (the test is in 3 weeks for me!)

ive been looking into post bacs - but i have to keep in mind, they wont do miracles to my under grad gpa, especially since i graduated with over 170 credits hours...

I'd appreciate ANY help. and sorry for the length of this post.