Applying to medical school can be daunting, especially if your GPA isn't as high as you'd like it to be. Many students worry that a lower GPA will prevent them from getting accepted into an osteopathic (DO) medical school. However, AACOMAS (the application system for DO schools) offers unique opportunities for applicants with less-than-perfect academic records.

At AcceptMed, we’ve worked with countless students who were initially discouraged by their GPA but still gained acceptance into medical school. While a high GPA is important, it is not the only factor admissions committees consider. If you have strong extracurriculars, clinical experience, letters of recommendation, and a compelling personal statement, you can still make a competitive case for acceptance.

Understand How AACOMAS Calculates Your GPA

Before panicking about your GPA, it’s important to understand how AACOMAS evaluates your academic performance. Unlike AMCAS (which is used for MD schools), AACOMAS calculates GPAs slightly differently:

• Overall GPA: The average of all coursework completed at every institution you attended.
• Science GPA (sGPA): The average of all grades in biology, chemistry, physics, and math (BCPM) courses.
• Non-Science GPA: The average of all grades in courses outside of BCPM subjects.

Key Takeaway: A low overall GPA doesn’t necessarily mean a low science GPA. Many DO schools pay special attention to your sGPA, so if your science grades are strong, you still have a good chance.

Highlight Upward Trends in Your GPA

Admissions committees understand that students grow academically over time. If your GPA started low but has improved significantly in later semesters, you can use this to your advantage.

How to Showcase an Upward Trend:

• If your early college years had poor grades but you improved in your junior and senior years, mention this in your personal statement or secondary applications.
• If you retook difficult science courses and performed better, be sure to highlight your improvement.
• Consider writing an explanation statement in secondaries about any challenges you faced and how you overcame them.

Key Takeaway: Many DO schools appreciate students who show perseverance and growth, so make sure your application highlights your academic improvement.

Strengthen Your Application With Post-Bacc or SMP Programs

If your science GPA is low, one of the best ways to improve your chances is to take additional coursework before applying. Two common options are:

Post-Baccalaureate Programs

• Designed for students who need to improve their academic record.
• Usually consists of upper-level science courses to boost your GPA.
• Best for students who want to improve their science grades without committing to a full degree.

Special Master’s Programs (SMPs)

• A graduate-level program designed to mirror the first year of medical school.
• Completing an SMP with a strong GPA can prove to admissions committees that you’re capable of handling medical coursework.
• Some SMPs have linkage agreements with DO schools, meaning strong performance can lead to automatic interviews or acceptance.

Key Takeaway: If your GPA is significantly below the average for DO schools, completing a Post-Bacc or SMP program can drastically improve your chances of acceptance.

Ace the MCAT to Compensate for a Low GPA

Your MCAT score is another crucial component of your AACOMAS application. A strong MCAT score can help balance a lower GPA by demonstrating your academic ability.

Strategies for a High MCAT Score:

• Devote at least 3-6 months to structured MCAT preparation.
• Focus on your weakest science areas to compensate for lower grades.
• Consider taking an MCAT prep course or working with a tutor if necessary.
• Take multiple full-length practice exams to ensure you’re prepared for the actual test.

Key Takeaway: A strong MCAT score (505+) can show that your academic abilities are better than your GPA suggests.

Gain Extensive Clinical and Volunteer Experience

Osteopathic schools place a strong emphasis on holistic and patient-centered care, so a well-rounded application with strong clinical experience can help offset a low GPA.

What Clinical Experiences Matter Most?

• Shadowing a DO physician (some schools require this).
• Hands-on patient care (EMT, medical scribe, CNA, phlebotomist, etc.).
• Community service and volunteer work, especially in underserved areas.

How to Use This to Your Advantage:

• Show your commitment to medicine by having meaningful, long-term clinical experiences.
• If you’re applying with a lower GPA, your experiences should demonstrate that you have the qualities of a great future physician—compassion, leadership, and dedication.

Key Takeaway: DO schools highly value hands-on patient experience, so strong clinical involvement can make your application more competitive.

Craft a Personal Statement That Emphasizes Growth and Resilience

Your personal statement is a powerful opportunity to address concerns about your GPA while showing what makes you a strong candidate.

How to Write a Strong Personal Statement:

• Focus on why you want to become a DO physician—this is especially important for AACOMAS.
• If applicable, briefly address your low GPA and explain how you’ve grown academically.
• Emphasize resilience, adaptability, and how you’ve learned from past academic challenges.

Key Takeaway: Your personal statement should tell a compelling story about your journey to medicine while reinforcing your academic improvements and commitment to patient care.

Secure Strong Letters of Recommendation

Since your GPA might not be as competitive, your letters of recommendation can help reinforce your abilities and potential as a future physician.

Who Should Write Your Letters?

• A science professor who can speak to your academic growth and ability.
• A physician (preferably a DO) who can attest to your commitment to osteopathic medicine.
• A mentor, supervisor, or clinical experience leader who can highlight your dedication to patient care.

Key Takeaway: Strong letters from supportive mentors can help admissions committees look past a lower GPA.

Apply Early to Maximize Your Chances

Like AMCAS, AACOMAS uses rolling admissions, meaning the earlier you apply, the better your chances. If you have a lower GPA:

• Submit your application in May or June to be among the first reviewed.
• Ensure all transcripts, letters, and MCAT scores are ready ahead of time.
• Start secondaries immediately—some schools send them within days of receiving your application.

Key Takeaway: A low GPA applicant should apply as early as possible to take advantage of rolling admissions.

You Can Still Get Accepted With a Lower GPA

While a lower GPA can be a challenge, it does not mean the end of your medical school dreams. By strengthening your clinical experiences, acing the MCAT, securing strong letters, and applying early, you can still be a competitive DO applicant.

• An upward GPA trend can show growth and improvement—make sure to highlight it.
• Post-Bacc and SMP programs can help boost your academic record if needed.
• A high MCAT score can help balance a lower GPA.
• Strong clinical experiences and volunteering show commitment to patient care.
• Applying early is critical for maximizing your chances.