Hi everyone, I’d really appreciate some honest feedback on my application.
I graduated in 2025 with a 2.5 GPA, but my last two semesters were both 3.6. After graduating, I completed a DIY post-bacc (~40 credits) where I retook all prerequisites + some upper-level biology, and earned a 3.8 GPA.
I’m taking the MCAT soon. My practice scores so far have been: 506 → 510 → 515
ECs: • Red Cross President — ~4000 hours • Sorority/philanthropy involvement — ~2000 hours • Animal shelter volunteering — 300 hours • Free clinic volunteering — 200 hours • Pharmacy Technician — ~7000 hours (6 years) • Medical Assistant — 500 hours • Shadowing: • DO hospital physician — 16 hours • Army DO physician — 160 hours • Research — 180 hours
Letters of Rec: • 1 MD physician • 1 DO physician • 2 science professors (neuroscience + genetics) • 1 pharmacy manager (Can get more if needed)
Context: My GPA was impacted by personal and financial challenges during undergrad, but I showed a strong upward trend and significantly improved in my post-bacc.
Questions: • Realistically, what are my chances for DO vs MD? • Should I apply this cycle or wait depending on MCAT score? • Are there specific schools that are more forgiving of low undergrad GPAs with strong post-bacc performance? • Anything I should improve before applying?