DO Postbac + 23, acceptance for DO?

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

hpgryffn

Full Member
7+ Year Member
Joined
Mar 3, 2014
Messages
136
Reaction score
52
Hey all, so i've recently applied to a couple of post bac programs and have been accepted to Midwestern MA at CCOM, TCMC MBS, and LECOM Postbac.
A little background info on me:
-23 MCAT (6p/8b/9v) retake from a 17 before
-sgpa 3.2, cgpa 3.56 probably around 3.6 by the time i graduate this may
-publication as co author in nanoscale journal
-200 hr volunteer (letter of rec from child life specialist i worked under)
-120 hrs shadowing MD (need to find a DO soon perhaps?) great letter of rec, can obtain another MD rec before next cycle
-extensive research hours (+ amazing rec letter, menotr liked me a lot)
-good letters of rec from 4 science profs, 1 english in a prehealth letter
-have been working as an EMT in a EMS company since january 2015
-treasurer of a non-profit org that organizes medical mission trips to underserved communities globally (have gone on 1 last yr, plan to go on one June this yr)

I applied last cycle (for fall 2015) although it was quite late, I ended up sending majority of my secondaries in jan/feb. So far I've been rejected w/o interview from Western Uni COM lebanon and pomona, LMU Debusk, A.T. Still, VCOM, and Des Moines. I've yet to hear anything from LECOM Brandenton, Rowan, LUCOM, and PCOM, though it's really late in the cycle I understand and don't really expect any interview invites.

I am now considering post bacs for my gap year, and with that being said I am wondering which offer I should accept and whether a 23 + a postbac with a 3.5 gpa will help me get into any of the lower tier DO schools, and which I should look into. I'm not too keen on retaking the MCAT a 3rd time esp the new one but if I truly must to get into med school ill grind my teeth and do it.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Members don't see this ad.
 
GPAs are not your problem so doing post-bacc is not going to help much. There is not much else other than retaking your MCAT and try to aim for 500+. You are in a very dangerous zone being a re-applicant with two bad previous MCATs, but a good MCAT could potentially redeem you.
 
that MCAT is the most detrimental. i was in your shoes few years ago. spend serious time prepping for MCAT and try again! you can do it!
 
Members don't see this ad :)
Hey all, so i've recently applied to a couple of post bac programs and have been accepted to Midwestern MA at CCOM, TCMC MBS, and LECOM Postbac.
A little background info on me:
-23 MCAT (6p/8b/9v) retake from a 17 before
-sgpa 3.2, cgpa 3.56 probably around 3.6 by the time i graduate this may
-publication as co author in nanoscale journal
-200 hr volunteer (letter of rec from child life specialist i worked under)
-120 hrs shadowing MD (need to find a DO soon perhaps?) great letter of rec, can obtain another MD rec before next cycle
-extensive research hours (+ amazing rec letter, menotr liked me a lot)
-good letters of rec from 4 science profs, 1 english in a prehealth letter
-have been working as an EMT in a EMS company since january 2015
-treasurer of a non-profit org that organizes medical mission trips to underserved communities globally (have gone on 1 last yr, plan to go on one June this yr)

I applied last cycle (for fall 2015) although it was quite late, I ended up sending majority of my secondaries in jan/feb. So far I've been rejected w/o interview from Western Uni COM lebanon and pomona, LMU Debusk, A.T. Still, VCOM, and Des Moines. I've yet to hear anything from LECOM Brandenton, Rowan, LUCOM, and PCOM, though it's really late in the cycle I understand and don't really expect any interview invites.

I am now considering post bacs for my gap year, and with that being said I am wondering which offer I should accept and whether a 23 + a postbac with a 3.5 gpa will help me get into any of the lower tier DO schools, and which I should look into. I'm not too keen on retaking the MCAT a 3rd time esp the new one but if I truly must to get into med school ill grind my teeth and do it.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I am totally new at all of this. A good person to personally ask on this site is Goro. I have learned so much from him and even the members of my family who are Doctors say "Go ask Goro!". With that being said................I am presently attending the TCMC post bac program. You are very fortunate because I was told when applying you needed a 26 or more on MCAT for admittance. With that being said, realistically your MCAT is a tad low but look how much you brought it up from the first time! TCMC will give you a course in the summer to prep you on taking the MCAT. Who wants to take that killer over again????....... but after taking this refresher course, I am positive that you will bring it up. I think a ball park figure would be 26 or better for a DO school at least. Your gpa to me looks good with a 3.6 and after taking your post bac, that science gpa will go up. Having a post bac will be very advantageous. Your stats look very very good to me! I think the next cycle, you will be looking great. The next decision now..........you can apply in this new cycle to your medical schools (DO and MD) after retaking the MCAT while doing your Post Bac OR wait and devote full time to your Post Bac, retake the MCAT and then apply to medical schools. That would actually by your gap year! Try to take the MCAT as close as you can to this refresher course. The courses in your Post Bac are going to be brutal with studying. (at least it was for me!) You will have to devote a lot of time as you are taking 18 credits in sciences east semester in Post Bac. There is ABSOLUTELY no guarantee that you will be accepted into the medical school where you are taking your Post Bac. Do the best you can do as they really only take a limited amount of Post Bacs into the MD or DO program. Many of us did not get in or were put on an alternate list..... but with that being said, I did receive 3 acceptances to DO schools this cycle and one alternate list for MD and to be honest, my "extras" were not as good as yours! I am certified as an EMT, had good references but did not have the research hours like you do. I think after taking a Post Bac and retaking your MCAT (striving to get at least a three point increase), you will be good to go. I hope I helped you. Also, a big must........................apply to medical schools the second the cycle opens up. As soon as the cycle opened, my primaries were in. DO NOT WAIT ON THIS!!!! I think applying early is the key to getting in somewhere. TCMC was very obliging with me missing classes (with permission) and going on my interviews. Not a good thing however because I missed lectures and had to make up the work. My first year in Medical school should be much easier because I have taken all of these science courses in Post Bac. I am more prepared for Medical School now! I received my acceptances WHILE in my Post Bac but the medical schools where I was accepted did want to see my first semester grades. I wish you all the best! At the very end...............let me know what schools your were accepted into in the future! I will be on here for a number of years!
 
I am totally new at all of this. A good person to personally ask on this site is Goro. I have learned so much from him and even the members of my family who are Doctors say "Go ask Goro!". With that being said................I am presently attending the TCMC post bac program. You are very fortunate because I was told when applying you needed a 26 or more on MCAT for admittance. With that being said, realistically your MCAT is a tad low but look how much you brought it up from the first time! TCMC will give you a course in the summer to prep you on taking the MCAT. Who wants to take that killer over again????....... but after taking this refresher course, I am positive that you will bring it up. I think a ball park figure would be 26 or better for a DO school at least. Your gpa to me looks good with a 3.6 and after taking your post bac, that science gpa will go up. Having a post bac will be very advantageous. Your stats look very very good to me! I think the next cycle, you will be looking great. The next decision now..........you can apply in this new cycle to your medical schools (DO and MD) after retaking the MCAT while doing your Post Bac OR wait and devote full time to your Post Bac, retake the MCAT and then apply to medical schools. That would actually by your gap year! Try to take the MCAT as close as you can to this refresher course. The courses in your Post Bac are going to be brutal with studying. (at least it was for me!) You will have to devote a lot of time as you are taking 18 credits in sciences east semester in Post Bac. There is ABSOLUTELY no guarantee that you will be accepted into the medical school where you are taking your Post Bac. Do the best you can do as they really only take a limited amount of Post Bacs into the MD or DO program. Many of us did not get in or were put on an alternate list..... but with that being said, I did receive 3 acceptances to DO schools this cycle and one alternate list for MD and to be honest, my "extras" were not as good as yours! I am certified as an EMT, had good references but did not have the research hours like you do. I think after taking a Post Bac and retaking your MCAT (striving to get at least a three point increase), you will be good to go. I hope I helped you. Also, a big must........................apply to medical schools the second the cycle opens up. As soon as the cycle opened, my primaries were in. DO NOT WAIT ON THIS!!!! I think applying early is the key to getting in somewhere. TCMC was very obliging with me missing classes (with permission) and going on my interviews. Not a good thing however because I missed lectures and had to make up the work. My first year in Medical school should be much easier because I have taken all of these science courses in Post Bac. I am more prepared for Medical School now! I received my acceptances WHILE in my Post Bac but the medical schools where I was accepted did want to see my first semester grades. I wish you all the best! At the very end...............let me know what schools your were accepted into in the future! I will be on here for a number of years!

Thank you so much for responding so in-depth! I really appreciate it. Since you are currently in the TCMC MBS I'd love to ask you some questions which I think other people that have been applying this cycle can benefit from as well.
In your class were there any students that got accepted to DO schools with less than a 25?
I know the mbs program provides you with a mcat review course but i think i saw that it was online? So do most people live on campus/near campus while doing this and then continue with classes when the mbs classes start?
Were there any classes that you took with the med students or is it classes taught by professors that teach med classes?
Are profs willing to write any rec letters? (i plan on applying for this upcoming cycle so it might be late)
I've heard great things regarding how the administration at tcmc really strives to make sure their students end up at med school, either DO or MD, do you believe this is true?

Once again thank you so so much for all your help thus far, and I will definitely keep you updated!
 
Thank you so much for responding so in-depth! I really appreciate it. Since you are currently in the TCMC MBS I'd love to ask you some questions which I think other people that have been applying this cycle can benefit from as well.
In your class were there any students that got accepted to DO schools with less than a 25?
I know the mbs program provides you with a mcat review course but i think i saw that it was online? So do most people live on campus/near campus while doing this and then continue with classes when the mbs classes start?
Were there any classes that you took with the med students or is it classes taught by professors that teach med classes?
Are profs willing to write any rec letters? (i plan on applying for this upcoming cycle so it might be late)
I've heard great things regarding how the administration at tcmc really strives to make sure their students end up at med school, either DO or MD, do you believe this is true?

Once again thank you so so much for all your help thus far, and I will definitely keep you updated!

sending you a personal message!
 
Agree. Your only chances as of now with those MCAT scores are with the newest schools. You'd be auto-rejected at mine.


GPAs are not your problem so doing post-bacc is not going to help much. There is not much else other than retaking your MCAT and try to aim for 500+. You are in a very dangerous zone being a re-applicant with two bad previous MCATs, but a good MCAT could potentially redeem you.
 
Top