DO DO chances?

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Hey guys,

I've posted here before but I haven't yet asked about DO schools and I'm trying to cover my bases. I just need to know how my ranges fit and how well I should do on the MCAT in order to have a decent shot at acceptance *hopefully* by next cycle.

So my stats in a nut-shell, non-trad, no sciences (in the process of completing them now) and taking the MCAT in the fall. Probably won't help much, but I've only taken one diagnostic and scored a 26 (10 PS, 8 VR, 8 BS).

My current cGPA (for DO) is 3.15 and sGPA 2.94 (should be much higher later) and I've only finished my first semester of science pre-reqs.

ECs:

Data entry for psychiatric research (1 month to present)
Editor and designer for PKU support website (1 month to present)
Third Place at the 73-Hour Film Festival at Northern Arizona University
Mental Health Technician II (7 months full-time: Think nurses aide on a psych ward that gives group therapy)
Volunteer at Physical Therapy Ward (9 months: 90 hours)
Mental Health Worker (8 months to present, 30 hours a week: Think mental health worker II with the additional responsibility of case planning, med distribution/education, and community integration)
Volunteer at Triage and Emergency Ward (8 months to present: 65 hours)
Pre-Med and BioChem, Pharm, Phys society (8 months to present)

I'm looking into trying to shadow a DO/MD in Cali (since I go there fairly frequently ) and looking into doing some microbio research but still have to do some leg work. Any pointers is really appreciated.

Originally Posted by PhiPhenomenon

Hey guys,

I've posted here before but I haven't yet asked about DO schools and I'm trying to cover my bases. I just need to know how my ranges fit and how well I should do on the MCAT in order to have a decent shot at acceptance *hopefully* by next cycle.

So my stats in a nut-shell, non-trad, no sciences (in the process of completing them now) and taking the MCAT in the fall. Probably won't help much, but I've only taken one diagnostic and scored a 26 (10 PS, 8 VR, 8 BS).

My current cGPA (for DO) is 3.15 and sGPA 2.94 (should be much higher later) and I've only finished my first semester of science pre-reqs.

ECs:

Data entry for psychiatric research (1 month to present)
Editor and designer for PKU support website (1 month to present)
Third Place at the 73-Hour Film Festival at Northern Arizona University
Mental Health Technician II (7 months full-time: Think nurses aide on a psych ward that gives group therapy)
Volunteer at Physical Therapy Ward (9 months: 90 hours)
Mental Health Worker (8 months to present, 30 hours a week: Think mental health worker II with the additional responsibility of case planning, med distribution/education, and community integration)
Volunteer at Triage and Emergency Ward (8 months to present: 65 hours)
Pre-Med and BioChem, Pharm, Phys society (8 months to present)

I'm looking into trying to shadow a DO/MD in Cali (since I go there fairly frequently ) and looking into doing some microbio research but still have to do some leg work. Any pointers is really appreciated.

when you mean next cycle do you mean the cycle coming up? Because if so, if you take the mcat in the fall it's going to set you back some. If you take it in august youll get your scores in sep and wont be able to submit secondaries until then. And your gpa is a bit low so that will hurt your chances.

To add to this, I think if you apply early, have a solid mcat, and get shadowing in with a DO you might have a reasonable shot, you need to make sure you get secondaries in asap though and apply early

Thanks for the info. When should I take the MCAT?

To answer your question, yes I mean to apply for 2013.

I think it would be much smarter to apply for 2014, you will be able to be much more prepared for that cycle (with the information that you give us) and be able to pull up your GPA/MCAT to make yourself more competitive.

Hmm... would you suggest I withhold my application entirely or still give it a college try (I know the expenses are a bitch)?

Withold until you get that sGPA >3.0. You wouldn't even get an interview at my school with a 45Z on the MCAT.

And when you do, shoot for >25

Originally Posted by PhiPhenomenon

Hmm... would you suggest I withhold my application entirely or still give it a college try (I know the expenses are a bitch)?

Originally Posted by Goro

Withold until you get that sGPA >3.0. You wouldn't even get an interview at my school with a 45Z on the MCAT.

And when you do, shoot for >25

That should be by this summer buddy. lol

I'm guessing my sGPA should be at ~3.20 by summer time (I don't have many credits)

Oh and btw there are a few osteopaths practicing here in Vancouver BUT they aren't physicians. Would getting in touch with those guys count for much or should I just ignore that?

As a Canadian applicant, I would consider you to be too weak. If you're applying as an American, you'd be below average, but with a fighting chance. Personally, I'd wait another year to beef up the EC and bring up both GPA's.

Originally Posted by TriagePreMed

As a Canadian applicant, I would consider you to be too weak. If you're applying as an American, you'd be below average, but with a fighting chance. Personally, I'd wait another year to beef up the EC and bring up both GPA's.

Yep and thanks for the input. Would applying, knowing in the back of my head I *probably* wouldn't get in right away, be worth it?

Originally Posted by PhiPhenomenon

Yep and thanks for the input. Would applying, knowing in the back of my head I *probably* wouldn't get in right away, be worth it?

Not sure about being worth it, but it will definately cost you. Please think of all the monetary fees associated with the application and the secondaries.
And of course the subsequent post-rejection stigma of reapplicant as well as emotional toll.

Originally Posted by Woland

Not sure about being worth it, but it will definately cost you. Please think of all the monetary fees associated with the application and the secondaries.
And of course the subsequent post-rejection stigma of reapplicant as well as emotional toll.

I'm aware of the cost issue but schools look unfavorably on re-applicants?