2007-2008 "what are my chances"/"what should I do"/"where to apply" Thread

[medhacker]

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i am actually instater when it comes to CCOM. I have applied to about 14 different Osteo schools and 19 Allopathic schools. It doesnt hurt to try imo, most of the allopathic schools are from chicagoland area, or close to chicago, a few other ones are those that are easier to get into in other parts of the country. just waiting to get my aacomas applications mailed out, verified but havent been mailed yet.


do you think telling them in my secondaries and interviews that i started my own gelateria during my time off from school would be a good thing?

Most definitely!

This is a sure-bet set you apart EC

It will also give you tons to talk about during your interview.

 

[Lamont]

i didnt see much reason for discussion after nate answered it...he was dead on. everything matters, dont make C's if you can avoid it. retake the D's/F's. Dont get them. go study, get off SDN (especially the person w/ D's and F's!!!), and go have a life. you are in college, enjoy it. med school is not so enjoyable.

 

[ellinopedo182]

Most definitely!

This is a sure-bet set you apart EC

It will also give you tons to talk about during your interview.

do u think i can bribe them with free gelatos? lol. jk

 

[medhacker]

do u think i can bribe them with free gelatos? lol. jk

You do your thing romeo... 🙂

 

[stinkywinky]

I begin classes at a DO school out of state in a week. However, I am on my state school's waitlist. It is becoming more likely that I will be accepted from that waitlist after my DO school's classes begin. For personal reasons, it is important that I attend medical school in state, if at all possible. Unfortunately, my state school starts classes 2 weeks after the DO school. Does anyone know if I can drop out of one medical school after classes have begun in order to attend another? I know that this probably is not a very nice thing to do, but feel that the timing of things is out of my control. Has this happened to anyone else?

 

[146233]

This is an in-state MD school? It's definitely not a nice thing to do, but there's nothing that forbids you from doing it. However, student loans may have been disbursed, there may be issues with withdrawing and getting tuition refunds (to return said loans), etc. A very sticky situation, but I understand the desire to attend a state school. I'd wait for others to chime in. Good luck.

 

[Toohotinvegas33]

Depending on your school, you they will refund a portion of their tuition. I suggest if you really want to go to your state school to wait another year. Or you could go to your DO school, rent an apartment on a monthly lease and then move back once you here from your state school and screw the people who first saw you potential.

 

[ellinopedo182]

If your lab and lecture course where differentiated by the registrar/department then they are factored in separately afaik. Your grades look good. The only thing I would recommend is possibly retaking the two "C" classes and seeing if you can bring the grade up. Some schools cutoff at a C, others a C-. If you retake and get As or Bs (you really should get As) then I'd say you'd be highly competetive.

another question, i see that a lot of the DO schools allow orgo 2 to be substituted for biochem. I took biochem and got a B, you think it is possible that they would accept that in place of orgo 2 for those schools that allow this substitution, or am i just trying my best to stay away from retaking it?

i dont know about you guys, but i graduated in 2006 and have opened up a business since and going back to school will be a PITA. But, then again, my cafe is located across the street from the university i graduated from 🙄 i guess i may be stuck retaking it.

p.s. my science grades are like this, 18 A's, 2 A-'s, 4 B+'s, 2 B's, 1 C, 1 C-... = 3.5 Science GPA, does this look good to schools (excluding the C-!!!!!!)?

 

[JaggerPlate]

another question, i see that a lot of the DO schools allow orgo 2 to be substituted for biochem. I took biochem and got a B, you think it is possible that they would accept that in place of orgo 2 for those schools that allow this substitution, or am i just trying my best to stay away from retaking it?

i dont know about you guys, but i graduated in 2006 and have opened up a business since and going back to school will be a PITA. But, then again, my cafe is located across the street from the university i graduated from 🙄 i guess i may be stuck retaking it.

p.s. my science grades are like this, 18 A's, 2 A-'s, 4 B+'s, 2 B's, 1 C, 1 C-... = 3.5 Science GPA, does this look good to schools (excluding the C-!!!!!!)?

Don't know about the Bio Chem/O Chem question, but I can say that your gpa looks great. Retake that C- for sure though, because that could exclude you from some schools right off the bat and you are golden.

 

[DocBR]

I begin classes at a DO school out of state in a week. However, I am on my state school's waitlist. It is becoming more likely that I will be accepted from that waitlist after my DO school's classes begin. For personal reasons, it is important that I attend medical school in state, if at all possible. Unfortunately, my state school starts classes 2 weeks after the DO school. Does anyone know if I can drop out of one medical school after classes have begun in order to attend another? I know that this probably is not a very nice thing to do, but feel that the timing of things is out of my control. Has this happened to anyone else?

To be perfectly blunt;

It is not only "not a nice thing to do" but kind of a d-bag move.

You say that it is likely that you will be accepted at the state school. In the mean time, if you go through 2 weeks of school at the DO school then drop out, not only do you lose the money, but you also screw some other worthy student out of a spot at said DO school.

If you are gung-ho on your instate school, drop your acceptance out of state and face the possibility of waiting a year.

 

[chudat]

Why exactly is math not factored into the science Gpa? Also, what about other science related classes such as physiology, anatomy, microbiology and such?

 

[ShyRem]

I begin classes at a DO school out of state in a week. However, I am on my state school's waitlist. It is becoming more likely that I will be accepted from that waitlist after my DO school's classes begin. For personal reasons, it is important that I attend medical school in state, if at all possible. Unfortunately, my state school starts classes 2 weeks after the DO school. Does anyone know if I can drop out of one medical school after classes have begun in order to attend another? I know that this probably is not a very nice thing to do, but feel that the timing of things is out of my control. Has this happened to anyone else?

If it's important to you to be instate, then be instate. If it's important to you to become a physician, then you can either go to the DO school (and STAY THERE) or wait and see if you get into your state school and risk reapplying next year.

Either way, I view this as an ethical question and one regarding your level of commitment. Perhaps you need to talk to your state school a little more and lay it on the line to them. I do feel that once you make a decision to enter a particular school you should stay there.

 

[cat8softball]

I graduated with a 3.97 GPA but I have a 23 on my MCAT. Physics kills me I got a 10 in verbal 8 in biological sciences and 5 in physical sciences. I have worked as a lab technician at NYU for a year now and I have some volunteer activities and a ton of extracurriculars. What do you think my chances of getting in to a DO program are? Thanks for your help in advance.

 

[Jpc984]

I graduated with a 3.97 GPA but I have a 23 on my MCAT. Physics kills me I got a 10 in verbal 8 in biological sciences and 5 in physical sciences. I have worked as a lab technician at NYU for a year now and I have some volunteer activities and a ton of extracurriculars. What do you think my chances of getting in to a DO program are? Thanks for your help in advance.

You have a great GPA but that 5 in Physical Sciences is going to hurt.

 

[stinkywinky]

If it's important to you to be instate, then be instate. If it's important to you to become a physician, then you can either go to the DO school (and STAY THERE) or wait and see if you get into your state school and risk reapplying next year.

Either way, I view this as an ethical question and one regarding your level of commitment. Perhaps you need to talk to your state school a little more and lay it on the line to them. I do feel that once you make a decision to enter a particular school you should stay there.

Thanks for all the responses, atleast the nonjudgemental ones. I do agree that this is an ethical dilemma, which is why I am asking for advice. I am planning on talking with my state school. I do not want to screw someone out of the chance of attending medical school. It took me 3 years to get here.

 

[Kappy1]

i am actually instater when it comes to CCOM. I have applied to about 14 different Osteo schools and 19 Allopathic schools. It doesnt hurt to try imo, most of the allopathic schools are from chicagoland area, or close to chicago, a few other ones are those that are easier to get into in other parts of the country. just waiting to get my aacomas applications mailed out, verified but havent been mailed yet.


do you think telling them in my secondaries and interviews that i started my own gelateria during my time off from school would be a good thing?

Then you are fine you should get accepted somewhere. Anything that shows you in a leadership role should definetly be mentioned.

 

[Kappy1]

I graduated with a 3.97 GPA but I have a 23 on my MCAT. Physics kills me I got a 10 in verbal 8 in biological sciences and 5 in physical sciences. I have worked as a lab technician at NYU for a year now and I have some volunteer activities and a ton of extracurriculars. What do you think my chances of getting in to a DO program are? Thanks for your help in advance.

If you have not retaken the MCAT's I would recommend doing so. What you can do is apply now and check with schools you are interested in to see if they will accept a latter MCAT. I know some school last year accepted January MCAT scores if they sugnifigantly improved. Most of those were placed on the schools waiting list and showed that they improved their score and gained acceptance.

If you really do not want to take the MCAT's again then apply broadly. To ~10+ D.O. schools. If you are instate in NY and have good E.C.'s you can be accepted with a 23 to NYCOM. I know someone who was accepted with 21 off the waiting list but, neveless accepted. NYCOM likes instater and drops their standard slightly for them. I hope you are accepted to the school of your choice. Good Luck!!!

 

[suenos]

question for gasapple..
you said you did slightly worse the second time.. how did that pan out for you with admissions? how did schools respond to it?

 

[pchong]

From the looks of it, a 21 isn't a great score or you wouldn't be fretting about it. In my opinion, you should retake it because standardized tests are a way of life for medical students. I wouldn't be so much worried with how you do now but think ahead and think about the boards...if this pre-med test kicks you ass what about the other standardized tests you will surely have to face? If you score lower then try again, and again after that if you are not satisfied. I had a 24, gambled and got a 30 (there was no question I wouldn't retake the beast). But only take it when you feel confident and ready...the rest is not up to you. Good luck.

 

[choppo23]

Hey guys, I have a 2.76 from a liberal arts school in Lousiana, and was a star on the baseball team. I re-took a few classes that are important to Med School and aced them. Does this show that I am dedicated enough to get into Med School.

I also have 2 first author scientific journal articles and 6 total publications. I am currently working in a lab at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, performing cardio thoracic surgery on mice, and other animals. I am well-trained in echocardiography, and my services are sufficient to warrant my boss's trust in me. I am THE person who performs all of these functions for my entire department at Einstein.

However, I feel that I can be a successful surgeon on the MD level and am very interested in attending a top-notch medical school. Do you guys think that my academic record and current laboratory experience will be sufficent to obtain a position in a future MD class, provided that I perfrom exceptional on the MCATs?

Any help/advice/criticism is welcome. Thanks in advance.

Sincerely,

Mark

 

[cabound]

Hi!

This is my second year applying, and although I swore I would get everything in early...I didn't.

I have a 3.23 GPA, 3.01 Science (suxxx I know, but there is a significant upward trend 😳)

I got a 29S, and in the past year since I graduated, I've gotten a good amt of clinical experience (tech at ICU, shadowing, nurse assistant at nursing home, volunteering...); research experience, and I'm enrolled in a post-bacc program (although the classes are online..and sort of being "put off" bc of all this application havoc)

My AMCAS is still "under review" and my AACOMAS just mailed out designations on 8/5.

Am I screwed? or headed out of the country..... 🙁

 

[DocBR]

Hey guys, I have a 2.76 from a liberal arts school in Lousiana, and was a star on the baseball team. I re-took a few classes that are important to Med School and aced them. Does this show that I am dedicated enough to get into Med School.



I also have 2 first author scientific journal articles and 6 total publications. I am currently working in a lab at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, performing cardio thoracic surgery on mice, and other animals. I am well-trained in echocardiography, and my services are sufficient to warrant my boss's trust in me. I am THE person who performs all of these functions for my entire department at Einstein.



However, I feel that I can be a successful surgeon on the MD level and am very interested in attending a top-notch medical school. Do you guys think that my academic record and current laboratory experience will be sufficent to obtain a position in a future MD class, provided that I perfrom exceptional on the MCATs?



Any help/advice/criticism is welcome. Thanks in advance.



Sincerely,



Mark

This question might be better asked at the pre-allo board not the pre-osteo board.

I went through both application cycles though, and from my understanding most schools have a defacto cut off at 3.0 for gpa. Osteo schools are more forgiving, and with your impressive extra cirriculars and strides for improvement, I think you would at least get a few interviews on the DO side (provided that you do well on the MCAT).

 

[ssj27krillin]

i don't think u should be so high set on a "top-notch" school. Go anywhere to get ur MD or DO then u can go after ur top-notch school during ur residency. the 2.76 is pretty low but if u dominate the mcat and apply to enough schools, i think u'll get in somewhere.

 

[mhcclass2]

GPA: 3.1
SGPA: ~3.0
MCAT: Taking September 8th.
My practice MCAT average is 30.
Plenty of Volunteer hours at a hospital.
14 week Clinical internship in AK with an MD and 3 DO's
Biology Tutor
Community youth sports coaching
2 year religious mission in Cambodia
Marathon runner
Married with 4 kids

I know, I'm trying to reach here, but help me out. What do you all think about my chances and where should I apply if the MCAT goes as expected?

 

[Abobo]

Hi all,
I am trying to come up with a realistic list of DO schools to apply to, and I was wondering if anyone has suggestions.

My AACOMAS hasn't been processed yet, but I believe my science gpa will be 3.5, my latest MCAT score is a 25, and I have a decent amount of volunteer experience. Some random things I have done/am doing include AmeriCorps and shadowing a rural family practictioner.

Two schools I am looking at are Nova and Kansas, but I'm not sure if that's a stretch or if I have a good chance at them...

Greatly appreciate your thoughts.

 

[ClockworkDoc]

Please make some suggestions for me. What are the top DO programs and where do I have a shot at. Please see my MDapps profile below. Thank you so much for the help.

EDIT: Right now I am considering Western (COMP), PCOM, Nova, and LECOM.

 

[Kappy1]

Please make some suggestions for me. What are the top DO programs and where do I have a shot at. Please see my MDapps profile below. Thank you so much for the help.

EDIT: Right now I am considering Western (COMP), PCOM, Nova, and LECOM.

You will probably be accepted into some MD program with your stats. You are very competitive for any DO program in the country. CCOM, AZCOM, MSUCOM, UMDNJ-SOM, and NYCOM are also very good programs. Look at the match lists from all of these schools and the ones you have mentioned.

I know for NYCOM someone matched into Harvard for pediatrics, John Hopkins for surgery, NYU for Physical and Rehablitation Medicine. They also matched into so other IV league and other top programs such as Yale and Dartmouth, and Baylor.

 

[SugarBuster]

I've already learned a lot by reading this and comparing myself to others (something everyone always says not to do, but inevitable when you're a pre-med). Shooting for a DO school in the western part of the U.S. Here are my stats! Feedback is appreciated.

3.4 undergrad GPA, graduated from UCLA (if that matters)
3.59 (can I round up and say 3.6?) post-bacc GPA
4 years working in the medical field, mostly primary care
29 MCAT
Not much volunteer experience (I've been busy working and going to school!)
Minimal research experience, nothing long-term

😕

 

[poly800rock]

If you have great stats there is never a late time. Most schools only plan on accepting a certain number of people each month because they want to make sure that they have room for the 35+ MCAT 3.95GPA people who don't apply until February. Lots of people are still getting accepted in March and April because there are still seats available. By then, the school has a pretty solid waitlist built up to fill in any spots that are vacant.

That said, for most people it's best to send it in as early as possible but this "late" stuff is really a "myth" IMO. The notion that you have a better chance to get in with a 22 MCAT, for instance, if you apply early on is a little silly. There are more than enough applicants these days for schools to fill their classes 2 or 3 times over. Even with the new schools being added every year the statistics of accepted students are on the rise. You might think that with all the new spots that stats would go down, but that's not the case.

People are just now starting to get back into medicine. For a long time the numbers of applicants dwindled because many of the smartest kids around were looking at other carreers. The dot-com boom kept a lot of people out of medicine. In 1995 there were nearly 11,000 osteopathic applicants for less than 2500 spots. By 2001 there were less than 7,000 applicants for 3,000 spots. By 2005 there were 4,000 spots for first-year students, but 8,000 applicants (the numbers of applicants are climbing again). Do you see the recent trend? Even though the number of seats is increasing it is still getting harder and harder to get a spot because more and more quality applicants are returning to medicine. But not only are you dealing with students fresh out of college, a lot of those people who stayed away from med school 10 years ago are coming back in as non-trads. The average age of med school students is climbing quickly now as they look toward a second career.

Rather than worry about what is "early" or "late" in the cycle, your best strategy is to work as hard as you can to improve your own application-- in any way possible. Don't look at it as competing against the other applicants. Look at it as if you were trying to be the best you can be. If you do that, you'll be successful in life no matter where you end up.

i don't know if i really agree with this. I worked in undergrad admissions at an ivy and the same game applied. Granted the circumstances change, med school vs. undergrad, but the concept is exactly the same. I know for a fact that if you're complete early, you'll get an early read, and the more apps that get read as the cycle continues, the GPA, MCAT/SAT bar gets raised.

that being said, yeah, improve your app. I spent probably longer than i wanted to on my personal statement and was overly critical simply because I've had to read so many of them in my past career and have seen how much weight can be put on the personal statement, especially if you're on the fence. Think of it this way. If an applicant with a great personal statement with a decent stats competes with a student with a slightly better stats, how else can the school decide in a situation which student they want? and the D.O. philosophy of "the whole candidate" should come into play.

just a guess

 

[Kappy1]

I've already learned a lot by reading this and comparing myself to others (something everyone always says not to do, but inevitable when you're a pre-med). Shooting for a DO school in the western part of the U.S. Here are my stats! Feedback is appreciated.

3.4 undergrad GPA, graduated from UCLA (if that matters)
3.59 (can I round up and say 3.6?) post-bacc GPA
4 years working in the medical field, mostly primary care
29 MCAT
Not much volunteer experience (I've been busy working and going to school!)
Minimal research experience, nothing long-term

😕

I believe you will need to do either more volunteer work or research. What about shadowing? In terms of your GPA everything is added up together meaning undergrad and postback. Obviously schools will look closer at your most recent grades from the post back. If you want to go to an MD program you probably can, if you do more research, volunteer work, shadowing, and if you are willing to look in to medical programs eastward.

If you do some more EC work and want to stay on the westcoast I think you will have a good shot at any of these schools: Touro-MI, Western, Azcom, AT-still in Mesa, and Touro-NV. I hope you are accepted to the school of your choice. Good Luck!!!!

 

[SugarBuster]

Thanks for the feedback! I am wondering how important research is in general to DO schools. I have a lot of very valuable (valuable to me, that is, in terms of life experience) primary care experience, and I am interested in primary care. A lot of DO schools place emphasis on preparing their graduates to be good primary care physicians, right? I am hoping my years of clinical experience and patient contact will compensate for my deficiencies in terms of research ... what do you think?

Sorry if this is a redundant thread.

 

[superfan56]

Thanks for the feedback! I am wondering how important research is in general to DO schools. I have a lot of very valuable (valuable to me, that is, in terms of life experience) primary care experience, and I am interested in primary care. A lot of DO schools place emphasis on preparing their graduates to be good primary care physicians, right? I am hoping my years of clinical experience and patient contact will compensate for my deficiencies in terms of research ... what do you think?

Sorry if this is a redundant thread.

every school i've talked to has been way more receptive to clinical vs. research.

for me.

I'm a non trad...
VR 11, PS 7, BS 10, P
BCP: 3.40
Overall GPA: 3.14
Post bac GPA (undergrad classes) 3.7

ec's
Extensive volunteering and shadowing opportunities with MD/DO doctors.
200+ hours in the ER
Humanitarian/medical volunteer in Vietnam for 2 months: everything from delivering food to dispensing medicine, teaching english, and rebuilding houses destroyed by monsoon season
Clinical Reseach Assistant recruiting and interviewing patients for various clinical trials including Allergan Posurdex Steroid Injections for Macula Edema due to Diabetes and Vein Occlusions
Research assistant: Design, test and run experiments studying antiviral African ethnomedicinal plants and their inhibitory effects on HSV2 and Vaccinia viruses
Extensive traveler, backpacked around south east asia twice since undergraduate graduation in 2003, have been able to shadow doctors abroad.
Camp volunteer for physically/mentally disabled children for 4 years, as a team leader and consouler
Semi-accomplished touring band with several records released. Able to tour up and down the east coast several times
college radio station music director/dj.

anywhere I should cross off in the secondary? MSU is a reach, but i'm so impressed by their mission statement.

 

[Jpc984]

every school i've talked to has been way more receptive to clinical vs. research.

for me.

I'm a non trad...
VR 11, PS 7, BS 10, P
BCP: 3.40
Overall GPA: 3.14
Post bac GPA (undergrad classes) 3.7

ec's
Extensive volunteering and shadowing opportunities with MD/DO doctors.
200+ hours in the ER
Humanitarian/medical volunteer in Vietnam for 2 months: everything from delivering food to dispensing medicine, teaching english, and rebuilding houses destroyed by monsoon season
Clinical Reseach Assistant recruiting and interviewing patients for various clinical trials including Allergan Posurdex Steroid Injections for Macula Edema due to Diabetes and Vein Occlusions
Research assistant: Design, test and run experiments studying antiviral African ethnomedicinal plants and their inhibitory effects on HSV2 and Vaccinia viruses
Extensive traveler, backpacked around south east asia twice since undergraduate graduation in 2003, have been able to shadow doctors abroad.
Camp volunteer for physically/mentally disabled children for 4 years, as a team leader and consouler
Semi-accomplished touring band with several records released. Able to tour up and down the east coast several times
college radio station music director/dj.

anywhere I should cross off in the secondary? MSU is a reach, but i'm so impressed by their mission statement.

Everything looks good to me. Do you have any ties to Michigan? They are rough against out-of-stater's.

 

[superfan56]

Everything looks good to me. Do you have any ties to Michigan? They are rough against out-of-stater's.

yeah, i know the stats are tough there, but seriously, reading their mission statement is the only reason i did apply there. It might be all BS, but they seem to really stress the experiences factor, which i think i have.

 

[Jpc984]

yeah, i know the stats are tough there, but seriously, reading their mission statement is the only reason i did apply there. It might be all BS, but they seem to really stress the experiences factor, which i think i have.

I think they mean their mission statement.

 

[iwanttobedoc43]

ok so hopefully i dont get flammed for this...

I have a 28M mcat (on my second attempt) and a 3.81 gpa (3.67 bcpm).
My undergrad is a top 30 public school. My extracurriculars are very solid...volunteering, tons of research, and shadowing, and leadership of clubs. I think my LORs are good too.

anyways I applied to a lot of MD schools (20+) but I am having trouble figuring out which DO schools to apply to. I am currently shadowing a DO physician so i probably wont be getting an LOR from him until maybe mid-september...I have so far applied to OUCOM, UNECOM, PCOM, and CCOM but after a few rejections already to some MD schools, I think I should add more DO schools because i dont want to not get in anywhere and have to reapply. (I am complete at most of my MD schools but since I dont have my DO LOR I am worried that when i am finally complete at my DO schools i will be late and I wont get into any of them...I am estimating completion at DO schools by the end of september - at best) My aacomas has been verified and i have received secondaries from all those schools i just have been lazy in compeleting the secondaries becuase i dont have the LOR yet.

I have no preference for DO or MD... I would be very happy doing either. I just want peoples suggestions given my stats on maybe 2 or 3 more DO schools to add.

I want to go into some kind of specialty. Please don't give me the lectures on if you heart is here then dont do this blah blah blah...i am a very frequent reader of these forums and I am pretty knowledgeable about the process but... i just cant seem to find any sites or anything that has the osteopathic schools information that I am looking for ( i wish there was an osteopathic schools msar)!

Well thanks in advance for the help.

 

[iwanttobedoc43]

can anyone help?!

 

[gasapple]

ok so hopefully i dont get flammed for this...

I have a 28M mcat (on my second attempt) and a 3.81 gpa (3.67 bcpm).
My undergrad is a top 30 public school. My extracurriculars are very solid...volunteering, tons of research, and shadowing, and leadership of clubs. I think my LORs are good too.

anyways I applied to a lot of MD schools (20+) but I am having trouble figuring out which DO schools to apply to. I am currently shadowing a DO physician so i probably wont be getting an LOR from him until maybe mid-september...I have so far applied to OUCOM, UNECOM, PCOM, and CCOM but after a few rejections already to some MD schools, I think I should add more DO schools because i dont want to not get in anywhere and have to reapply. (I am complete at most of my MD schools but since I dont have my DO LOR I am worried that when i am finally complete at my DO schools i will be late and I wont get into any of them...I am estimating completion at DO schools by the end of september - at best) My aacomas has been verified and i have received secondaries from all those schools i just have been lazy in compeleting the secondaries becuase i dont have the LOR yet.

I have no preference for DO or MD... I would be very happy doing either. I just want peoples suggestions given my stats on maybe 2 or 3 more DO schools to add.

I want to go into some kind of specialty. Please don't give me the lectures on if you heart is here then dont do this blah blah blah...i am a very frequent reader of these forums and I am pretty knowledgeable about the process but... i just cant seem to find any sites or anything that has the osteopathic schools information that I am looking for ( i wish there was an osteopathic schools msar)!

Well thanks in advance for the help.

Please research the schools and if you feel your heart is there, apply to that school!

LMAO 👍



Seriously, you should search this forum more closely. If you've been around, you'd most likely know which DO medical schools to apply based on the criteria you mention. I think a majority of the schools would be a good bet. The school really doesn't make a HUGE impact on whether or not you specialize, it's your Step scores that make the difference.

 

[farookiano]

Hi
I have a 4.00 pre med gpa, 3.98 overall GPA
but a 22O on the MCAT, planning to take it again in sep
im an EMT
i did research for a year, still doing it
shadowing a doctor (MD not DO)
i have volunteer work
i applied to 10 schools
what do you guys think

 

[Kappy1]

Hi
I have a 4.00 pre med gpa, 3.98 overall GPA
but a 22O on the MCAT, planning to take it again in sep
im an EMT
i did research for a year, still doing it
shadowing a doctor (MD not DO)
i have volunteer work
i applied to 10 schools
what do you guys think

With a 22 I would add some more schools. ~5 more or so. I think you may have a shot somewhere. I think you will definitely get interviews. If you could get your score up by even two or three points I think you will be able to be accpted no problem. With your current stats it isn't impossible. It is still a little early in the application cycle. But the best advice is to apply early and broadly.

Hopefully you can go up a few points and you will be fine. I would look at schools stats to see which schools to add. Also you will have a good shot at some of the newer DO schools. They are slightly less competative less competative.

I hope you are accepted to the school of your choice. Good Luck!!!!

 

[farookiano]

thanks a lot
Ya i am taking the exam again sep 8
i have been scoring above than 25
so hopefully i will break 25 on the real one
Thanks a lot
Good luck to you 2

 

[Crt428]

Hi,

I've applied to all allopathic schools but am getting really nervous about my chances so have started to research DO options as well.

My stats: 3.4 gpa, 3.25 science,
MCAT = 30
4 years of research experience (2 as undergrad where I published a paper, and 2 now at Children's Hospital doing cancer research, where I'll publish at least 1 more paper)
Hospital Volunteer work and MD shadowing, 3 summer's worth

My main concerns are that it may be too late for me to start an AAMCOS application, and that I don't have an osteopathic recommendation letter. I'm in the process of calling osteopaths now though to schedule some shadowing. Any thoughts?

 

[ejmed]

Hi, i plan on applying to schools at the completion of next year. However, i will be retaking two courses (Physics 2 and a biology course i did terrible in) the summer of that year, should i still submit my primaries as early as possible, or should i wait until i get those retake grades back. Thank you

 

[Tanner82]

Hi, i plan on applying to schools at the completion of next year. However, i will be retaking two courses (Physics 2 and a biology course i did terrible in) the summer of that year, should i still submit my primaries as early as possible, or should i wait until i get those retake grades back. Thank you

i would personally wait until after the retakes... they can really improve your gpa. just make sure you move swiftly with sending your transcripts out after the grades are in. While some people may recieve secondaries before you, you can check sdn for the essay prompts and have everything ready to send in as soon as you recieve them. You will still be early in the game, just make sure your lor's are ready and you are on top of sending your transcripts asap... good luck

 

[gasapple]

question for gasapple..
you said you did slightly worse the second time.. how did that pan out for you with admissions? how did schools respond to it?

Hi there. I'm not sure it had very much of an impact, but to be honest, I can't say authoritatively. Contrary to what some say, a slight point decrease isn't the end of the world for an app, it's just not ideal. The highest is still considered and I think the attempts shows diligence. I'd probably still go for it if the numbers are near the average even with a slight decrease.

 

[tonka]

3.3 Overal GPA
2.76 Science GPA
Graduated from a UC and took extra classes at local community college. Struggled during undergrad trying to juggle a full course load as well as working full time. 2-3 years of volunteer experience and a year working for a doctor in his office.

As for my MCAT, I will be taking it early next year and so far on my practice exams I've been scoring about average, 24.

I was just wondering if anyone had any opinions on my chances of getting into any school? Thanks.

 

[EEL08]

AACOMAS hasn't processed my money order yet so I won't know my GPAs for a while but here is what I'm estimating:
3.2 something overall
3.4 something science
3.6 graduate

Just got my MCAT scores about 10 minutes ago:
VR 9 PS 6 BS 7 O for a whopping 22O

So I'm about to see if I can find a September 11 spot open but I'm not sure how to study for the next few weeks. I didn't study at all for verbal and obviously that's not my problem. My B.S. is in Counseling and Bible and verbal and writing tend to be my strong suits. The Physics section was really calculation heavy. I mainly studied by reading the Kaplan books but did not take the class. Should I focus on doing problems in my EK 1001 books because that seems to be my main problem?

My EC's include:
3-4 semesters serving breakfast in a homeless shelter (~16 hours/sem)
3 months (practicum) volunteering with troubled teens in a group home
10 months working with the mentally ill population
6 months on the oncology/renal floor then 4 months in the ER volunteering at the osteopathic hospital
3 hours, yes hours, with Habitat for Humanity
May 2007-present (practicum) volunteering for a study, visiting elderly Meals on Wheels clients performing HgA1c and blood glucose tests and discussing their diabetes

So what's the minimum MCAT score I need to get in? Just kidding 😛 Any advice?

 

[cktashn3]

Okay here are my stats:

1.) Science GPA 3.38
Overall 3.43

2.) MCAT (got results back today and not too thrilled about them)
Overall 25M
verbal- 9
physical sciences- 7
biological- 9
writing- M

3.) Clinical Experience

HIV tester, volunteer at Optical Clinic, Diabetes camp counselor

4.) Extracurricular

Ambassador for CALS at UF, member of AED, campus job, research with peanuts

5.) I am shadowing a DO right now, who is writing my LOR

Please let me know what you guys think, I would greatly appreciate any type of reassurance if applicable 🙂

 

[DannMann99]

Was wondering if you guys could lend your opinions.


27T MCAT
(9V, 9B, 9P)

3.62 cumulative gpa
(upward trend though, 3.1 freshman year, 4.0 this past year)
3.52 Science GPA

Major: Biochemistry
Minor: Political Science

Volunteer EMT for over a year now (48hours / month)
President of my universities PreMed group for 2 years now.

I don't know any DO's though to get a LOR or shadow opportunity 🙁
What are my chances of getting in?

I applied to PCOM-PA, LECOM-PA, and OUCOM. What do you guys think?
Should I apply to more schools? (I think LECOM wont let me in without a LOR from a DO)

 

[scdocusc]

you dont "need" a D.O. letter but I wouldnt consider applying without one. Try to make an effort and shadow a D.O. asap.