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

[scdocusc]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Its easy to be a chemist and a pre-med student. I graduated with a biology/ Chemistry degree and was hired by the government to be a chemist for the department of health and environmental control. I pretty much try not to burn off my skin with 10 molar HCL.

 

[Empi]

Chemistry is like having dental work, you dread it, hate it while you're in the midst of it, and are happy you endured it when it's over.

At least that has been my experience.

And, "But I study my ass off," has been my knee jerk reaction as well.

 

[NewHope]

Hi guys!
I'm an older applicant (37) with lots of clinical exp in allied health and nursing. Got all my prereqs but haven't taken MCAT yet. I'm taking it in January. I also applied and (of course) was accepted to a couple of Carib schools with good rep. I don't want to turn it into yet another pointless D.O vs Carib MD thread. Honestly, at 37 just getting on that road.....I don't think anyone would be too impressed or question either one if and when I get there. But D.O makes a lot more sence if I have a realistic chance at it. I only want to apply regional (Tri-State, and greater NY area) b/c of my family. But I'm also trained in several types of body work, and definitely will enjoy OMM.

So, I guess it boils down to will not having MCAT on record at this time will seriously hurt me? My GPA is quite old but 3.65, and 3.7 for science. Worked along side D.Os for many years, and have great L.O.Rs. Mychoices are TUROCOM NY, and NYCOM, and few others in 3-4 hour drive area from NY.
Do you think I stand a chance. Though, I realise that by fall 2008 I could be halfway done with my basic science, and at least in theory closer to my goal.
I don't want to loose more time in waiting game if 2008 is not realistic.

Honest advices are greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Terpskins99]

Hi guys!
I'm an older applicant (37) with lots of clinical exp in allied health and nursing. Got all my prereqs but haven't taken MCAT yet. I'm taking it in January. I also applied and (of course) was accepted to a couple of Carib schools with good rep. I don't want to turn it into yet another pointless D.O vs Carib MD thread. Honestly, at 37 just getting on that road.....I don't think anyone would be too impressed or question either one if and when I get there. But D.O makes a lot more sence if I have a realistic chance at it. I only want to apply regional (Tri-State, and greater NY area) b/c of my family. But I'm also trained in several types of body work, and definitely will enjoy OMM.

So, I guess it boils down to will not having MCAT on record at this time will seriously hurt me? My GPA is quite old but 3.65, and 3.7 for science. Worked along side D.Os for many years, and have great L.O.Rs. Mychoices are TUROCOM NY, and NYCOM, and few others in 3-4 hour drive area from NY.
Do you think I stand a chance. Though, I realise that by fall 2008 I could be halfway done with my basic science, and at least in theory closer to my goal.
I don't want to loose more time in waiting game if 2008 is not realistic.

Honest advices are greatly appreciated.

Thanks

I'm not sure if you can submit your aacomas without an MCAT score. And after that... same deal with the secondaries. You need to contact the site along with the admissions office of the schools you are applying to.

I've heard of DO students submitting their applications VERY late in the process (its not unheard of for DO interviews to occur as late as July).

But honestly... if you have the pre-req's down and with that GPA, you're in pretty good standing. Can you possibly take the MCAT's earlier? Say October/November?

 

[LauraDO]

I'm going through the same thing and will be taking mcat in Jan. as well, I've talked to a bunch of the schools (none you are interested in, unfortunatly) and most of them say, no problem, you can submit accomas pre-mcat, some won't interview you until you get the scores in, but most will especially with your other stats, you shouldn't worry

 

[NewHope]

I'm not sure if you can submit your aacomas without an MCAT score. And after that... same deal with the secondaries. You need to contact the site along with the admissions office of the schools you are applying to.

I've heard of DO students submitting their applications VERY late in the process (its not unheard of for DO interviews to occur as late as July).

But honestly... if you have the pre-req's down and with that GPA, you're in pretty good standing. Can you possibly take the MCAT's earlier? Say October/November?

Thanks for the quick response.

Unfortunately, I blew it with MCAT registration. First I wasn't ready (or so I thought), but then there was nothing after September 8th in U.S. But I should be ready in January. I know there were quite a few ppl on the waiting lists for both Touro and NYCOM. Obviously they should get first priority, and then there are quite a few of new applicants. It's just other than MCAT I should be in O.K shape b/c I had professional life in health care close to two decades.

 

[NewHope]

I'm going through the same thing and will be taking mcat in Jan. as well, I've talked to a bunch of the schools (none you are interested in, unfortunatly) and most of them say, no problem, you can submit accomas pre-mcat, some won't interview you until you get the scores in, but most will especially with your other stats, you shouldn't worry

Hey LauraDO!
Thanks. It's a good news. I think if apply broadly I'd have more chance then. BTW I also have CAM background (Acu and OM) in addition to RN. So, we'll see.

 

[Hexanol]

I don't want to burst your bubble or anything but yeah, you will be at a disadvantage. Without an MCAT score, most schools won't even consider your application until they receive your scores. If you're planning on taking it in January, then they won't receive it till February which means that you are already VERY late in the process and your competition for every school is that much tougher.

Secondly, some schools won't accept a January MCAT score (so I've heard), so please please contact the Admissions Office at your schools and ask!

If I were you, I'd do anything I could to try to move up my MCAT date to September/October. If not, you gotta do what you gotta do but I would also possibly think about waiting another cycle if you can. I udnerstand that may be very difficult in your situation.

And Random question. How did you get accepted to a Carribean MD school without an MCAT score? Is it a FULLY accredited US school? (ie. St. George, AUC, Ross)

 

[NewHope]

I don't want to burst your bubble or anything but yeah, you will be at a disadvantage. Without an MCAT score, most schools won't even consider your application until they receive your scores. If you're planning on taking it in January, then they won't receive it till February which means that you are already VERY late in the process and your competition for every school is that much tougher.

Secondly, some schools won't accept a January MCAT score (so I've heard), so please please contact the Admissions Office at your schools and ask!

If I were you, I'd do anything I could to try to move up my MCAT date to September/October. If not, you gotta do what you gotta do but I would also possibly think about waiting another cycle if you can. I udnerstand that may be very difficult in your situation.

And Random question. How did you get accepted to a Carribean MD school without an MCAT score? Is it a FULLY accredited US school? (ie. St. George, AUC, Ross)

As I've said before....there are no dates available to take MCAT anywhere in North America until January of 2008. It sucks (for me) but that's a reality.
There are no such thing as fully accredited Caribbean school. The "Big 3" you've mentioned are approved by some States like NY, CA, FL which have such process in place, and that allows graduates to practice in all 50 States. But ALL foreign schools are not LCME, thus no accreditation in U.S. Yes, I did get in ROSS w/o MCAT before it became a requirement in 2004, but did not attend. I did get in Saba and SMU (yes I know about SMU and Cali report), but I'm older and don't really care about all 50 States practice privillege, though it would be nice to have. Thus a dilemma.....go to Carib now or try D.O, and may be make it to 2008?

Thanks for your reply

 

[littlealex]

It's really not that feasible to apply with a January MCAT... is it?

Although with your years of experience and strong GPA, you'll be very competitive even as a super late applicant as long as you do decent on the MCAT. Go for 33+ and I don't see how they can not accept you.

 

[EEL08]

As I've said before....there are no dates available to take MCAT anywhere in North America until January of 2008. It sucks (for me) but that's a reality.
There are no such thing as fully accredited Caribbean school. The "Big 3" you've mentioned are approved by some States like NY, CA, FL which have such process in place, and that allows graduates to practice in all 50 States. But ALL foreign schools are not LCME, thus no accreditation in U.S. Yes, I did get in ROSS w/o MCAT before it became a requirement in 2004, but did not attend. I did get in Saba and SMU (yes I know about SMU and Cali report), but I'm older and don't really care about all 50 States practice privillege, though it would be nice to have. Thus a dilemma.....go to Carib now or try D.O, and may be make it to 2008?

Thanks for your reply

Well if you're ready to take it and you don't mind flying there's open seats in Fort Worth, TX for Sept 11.

 

[NewHope]

Well if you're ready to take it and you don't mind flying there's open seats in Fort Worth, TX for Sept 11.

Thanks. This actually may work for me. Just found seat tn Houston, TX. I didn't even see sept 11 as an option when I was searching month and a half ago...lol. Thanks for a tip.

 

[evoviiigsr]

I have a GPA of 3.3 and a science GPA of around 3.2.. My school is small, but pretty competitive if that means anything. I received an MCAT score of 26. I have completed the AMCAS but will withdraw for this cycle. I was wondering if it is too late to get started on the AACOMAS and what my chances are at any DO school given when I am applying and my subpar stats.

As for EC's, not many. I did research this summer (no publications), did an intense one month internship in hospital, in a children's hospital committee at my school for 1 year, no DO or MD shadowing. I hear many DO schools require a DO letter, does that screw me over?

Thanks in advance!

 

[EEL08]

Thanks. This actually may work for me. Just found seat tn Houston, TX. I didn't even see sept 11 as an option when I was searching month and a half ago...lol. Thanks for a tip.

No problem! They actually recently opened September 11 as a test day so it probably wasn't an option when you checked the last time. Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[udsoccer7]

Here are my stats:

GPA 3.38
Science GPA
MCAT 23-I recently retook the exam, definately did better, but thinking of taking it again cause I still think I can do better.

I was a College Athlete(captain of team), Member of Fraternity(held various positions), Student Athlete Advisory Council, did research at college for a semester. I've done volunteer work with the Red Cross and Easter Seals. Worked with under-priveleged children with the Department of Children and Family Services. Worked in a pediatricians office for 2 summers. I've shadowed DO's in cardiology (10 hours), Family Practice(40 hours), and otolaryngology (10 hours), plus countless hours at the pediatricians office.
Since graduating, I have been doing research at the University of Chicago Medical Center.
Pretty good LOR.

I really want to go to CCOM. Any chance?

 

[cabound]

Hi! I was wondering if someone had some advice... I applied to over 40 schools (crazy i know.) but I really wanted to try everywhere to see if someone would take me. I have a low gpa and a decent mcat score (cum 3.23, bcpm 3.0, mcat 29S), but I really want to go to medical school...and I would love to start next year =) at this point... I've turned in about 20 secondaries... and these happen to be some of my better choices..as you aleady know, it has cost so much and I have a stack of more secondaries to fill...

should I wait to hear from schools before I continue filling secondaries for schools I dont really want to go to.. but would if I got in??

haha.. i know it's a random question, I just wondered if anyone could relate or help me figure it out. (i applied to both allo and osteo schools... I prefer osteo.. but then again, i wanna be a doctor, so whoever wil take me!!)

Thanks!

 

[StringerBell]

I applied to over 40 schools (crazy i know.) but I really wanted to try everywhere to see if someone would take me. should I wait to hear from schools before I continue filling secondaries for schools I dont really want to go to..i wanna be a doctor, so whoever wil take me!!

Seems to me like you have some conflicts in your statements there...

You wanted to try everywhere to see who would take you...but then some of your secondaries are schools you don't really want to go to...but you are looking for whoever will take you.

Sounds like you're not very sure of your chances. As a result, if you really want to be a doctor, then you better do those secondaries, unless you're totally sure you wouldn't go there or you're really sure they wouldn't take you and are merely trying to get your $75 secondary application fee. (Which, in the grand scheme of things, doesn't matter a whole lot, so I doubt they're really fishing for that.)

So if you'll really go anyplace that takes you, get those secondaries out! There are people with lower stats who have still gotten in, so you have a shot, at least! Good luck!

 

[Dr JPH]

if I has a 3.2 GPA and 29 MCAT I would prefer osteo as well.

 

[ShyRem]

Y'know, funny thing... I had officially about a 3.2 GPA and a 29 MCAT. Even though my recent grades were 3.6+ (I started over since it had been so long), 20 year old craptacular grades from teenage-itis infected years dragged it down.

Yeah, what's funny about that? This: I got flat out rejected from several DO schools but got interviews at some MD schools. Waitlisted at MD schools. The difference here is that I applied places I wanted to go, whether MD or DO. I looked at all the schools and decided which ones I liked based on a wide variety of things. Some happened to be DO, some happened to be MD. And after the interview trail, a DO school was tied for first place on my list with an MD school.

So the point: Apply where you wish. But if you're not willing to go to that school, DO NOT APPLY. And remember: numbers aren't everything, and there's a lot of crap shoot in med school applications.

That all being said, I'm moving this to the appropriate thread of "what should I do?"

 

[orangr85]

i agree with shyrem, unless someone is super "gung ho" about d.o , or M.d., i think the quality of education a school provides, coupled with how much u like the school itself, is more important than the d.o. or m.d. badge itself. ( especially to those who say " a doctor is a doctor" )


although, shyrem, i find it rough that you got flat out rejected with those stats...i would think those were good enough to get accepted, if not at least interviewed , at most any D.O schools!!

 

[desijigga]

I have a GPA of 3.3 and a science GPA of around 3.2.. My school is small, but pretty competitive if that means anything. I received an MCAT score of 26. I have completed the AMCAS but will withdraw for this cycle. I was wondering if it is too late to get started on the AACOMAS and what my chances are at any DO school given when I am applying and my subpar stats.

As for EC's, not many. I did research this summer (no publications), did an intense one month internship in hospital, in a children's hospital committee at my school for 1 year, no DO or MD shadowing. I hear many DO schools require a DO letter, does that screw me over?

Thanks in advance!

Below average gpa, good MCAT. I think you have a decent shot, I don't think its that late yet (just get AACOMAS in ASAP and turn the secondaries within a week you receive them). You might want to get some DO shadowing down and some more volunteering, it looks good the DO applications.

 

[desijigga]

Here are my stats:

GPA 3.38
Science GPA
MCAT 23-I recently retook the exam, definately did better, but thinking of taking it again cause I still think I can do better.

I was a College Athlete(captain of team), Member of Fraternity(held various positions), Student Athlete Advisory Council, did research at college for a semester. I've done volunteer work with the Red Cross and Easter Seals. Worked with under-priveleged children with the Department of Children and Family Services. Worked in a pediatricians office for 2 summers. I've shadowed DO's in cardiology (10 hours), Family Practice(40 hours), and otolaryngology (10 hours), plus countless hours at the pediatricians office.
Since graduating, I have been doing research at the University of Chicago Medical Center.
Pretty good LOR.

I really want to go to CCOM. Any chance?

You have good EC's, but the MCAT will hurt you. If you did better second time around, I believe you have a real good shot to get in somewhere. GL

 

[simbalimba]

Major: Psychology
GPA: 3.7 (SGPA: 3.73) upward trend but I received a D in a course sophmore year, philosophy course, I retook it and got an A.
MCAT: 30Q (10,10,10) very even😀

Extra curriculers: I don't have any of the usual "preside of this society or co-chair of that club" but I have been a teacher at my sunday school for the past four years. I have shadowed DO's and have letters from them. All of my LORS are good. I have 2 years of research work and volunteering at hospital. I know that I am late in the application cycle though so am slightly worried.

I wanted to know how my chances are? Which schools I should apply to? I am an IL resident and so my number 1 choice for DO would be CCOM. But would appreciate advice on what other schools I should apply to/ stand a good chance at? Thanks!

 

[CTrainSJU]

Major: Psychology
GPA: 3.7 (SGPA: 3.73) upward trend but I received a D in a course sophmore year, philosophy course, I retook it and got an A.
MCAT: 30Q (10,10,10) very even😀

Extra curriculers: I don't have any of the usual "preside of this society or co-chair of that club" but I have been a teacher at my sunday school for the past four years. I have shadowed DO's and have letters from them. All of my LORS are good. I have 2 years of research work and volunteering at hospital. I know that I am late in the application cycle though so am slightly worried.

I wanted to know how my chances are? Which schools I should apply to? I am an IL resident and so my number 1 choice for DO would be CCOM. But would appreciate advice on what other schools I should apply to/ stand a good chance at? Thanks!

First off, you're not THAT late. I would apply anywhere. You're stats are good. In AACOMAS, that D won't even factor into your GPA ( I did the same thing with a gan chem course). I wasn't president of anything in college and I know a lot of other med students who weren't in club leadership positions either. You have done some shadowing and have some good LORs so I would apply anywhere and everywhere.

 

[xxMedic2Docxx]

Hello all,

I was devastated when I got a 23 on my MCAT (P5, V8, B10, O). I was very busy when I was trying to study for the MCAT. My wife had a baby, I was working full-time as a paramedic, and was finishing my BS degree. I was panicked & signed up for Aug 20th test. This time I finished all of the questions but the test seemed much harder than the June 16th version. Hopefully, I was able to raise my physcial science section maintaining VR and Bio. I've heard mixed opinions on SDN on taking the Kaplan MCAT class.

25yo
~3.45-3.5 gpa
~3.6 science gpa
Molecular Bioscience degree
--> Took genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, & comp. anatomy and got A's
Paramedic for 5 years
ACLS instructor
BLS instructor
Haiti Missions Trip
Volunteer at church

Since I have a family I don't want to waste another year retaking and reapplying with no guarantee on being accepted. I'd like to go to KCUMB or KCOM if at all possible. What are my chances? Any advice from someone whose been in a similar situation.

Thanks a lot!

 

[anilt007]

I finished my AACOMAS primary about 2 and a half weeks ago, waiting to get verified right now. I wanted to know what you guys thought of my chances.

MCAT
Physical: 9
Verbal: 7
Biological: 9
Writing: Q
Total 25Q

I have a 3.3 Undergrad Science GPA and a 3.62 Cumlative GPA

EC's: Volunteering at a Free Health Clinic, volunteering with the blind, Boys and Girls club of America, Volunteering abroad for Tsunami relief in Thailand, Volunteering at Singapore Science Center in Singapore, Positions with my Business Fraternity include Asst VP of Professional, and house rep. Also a Student Senator. Shadowed a few DO's and MD's.

What do you guys think?

 

[bob1312]

a

 

[dancinRN1022]

I have a GPA of 3.3 and a science GPA of around 3.2.. My school is small, but pretty competitive if that means anything. I received an MCAT score of 26. I have completed the AMCAS but will withdraw for this cycle. I was wondering if it is too late to get started on the AACOMAS and what my chances are at any DO school given when I am applying and my subpar stats.

As for EC's, not many. I did research this summer (no publications), did an intense one month internship in hospital, in a children's hospital committee at my school for 1 year, no DO or MD shadowing. I hear many DO schools require a DO letter, does that screw me over?

Thanks in advance!

why did u withdraw from the AMCAS...because u felt that you weren't competetive enough??? i think u shouldn't withdraw... and u can't give up without even throwing your hat into the ring!!!... just try the best you can... i don't know how to comment on your stats since i am applyng right now as well... but i don't think u should give up🙂

 

[whitethunder10]

3.05 undergrad gpa (graduated with BA in Journalism University of Wisconsin - Madison)
need to take all science prereqs
need to take MCAT

Lots of experience - 30 years old - wrote commercials that were on TV...

 

[Jpc984]

3.05 undergrad gpa (graduated with BA in Journalism University of Wisconsin - Madison)
need to take all science prereqs
need to take MCAT

Lots of experience - 30 years old - wrote commercials that were on TV...

It's hard to say without your MCAT or science prereqs.

 

[jesse0081]

Just a little background info about me: I have a BS in Respiratory Care, and currently work full time at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania as a critial care therapist. I was originally planning on applying to PA school (which is still an option), but have decided I would really like to give medical school a shot (especially since my wife agrees!). The problem is, I need a few more classes. All of the physics and chemistry classes I've taken won't count because they were either "principles" or "intro" classes, as most allied health programs require. So I would need general chem. 1 & 2, organic chem. 1 & 2. physics 1 & 2, and although I have already had a year of biology, I am not satisfied with my grades and would like to retake it. I will still have to work full time while taking these classes, and worry I won't get A's in every class. Assuming I got B's in every class, would that be acceptable? I currently have a 3.4 GPA. Again, not to blame everything on work, but I've been working full time since I was out of high school and haven't been able to put as much time into studying as I'd like. I also worry about the MCAT's, because I always seem to go blank while taking standardized tests.

Also, before working as an RT, I worked at the hospital for 3 years in patient transport, and by the time I apply to medical school, I will have worked as an RT for 2.5 years (also worked at the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia). I wonder...would this clinical experience count for anything?

If anyone could give me any advice or tips, I would really appreciate it.

 

[TexasTriathlete]

You've got a great chance. But you've got a lot of work to do. You'll need those classes and the MCAT first.

And if you prepare properly for the MCAT, it is easy, IMO. And right now, you're in a position where you can take classes that will help you prepare for it, and nothing else. And take a prep class.

As of right now, you're in a lot better shape than I was when I started back to school for my med school pre-requisites, and I'm probably going to get in somewhere.

 

[Terpskins99]

No problem! They actually recently opened September 11 as a test day so it probably wasn't an option when you checked the last time. Good luck with whatever you decide!

Yop, I confirmed it myself.

September 11th is available (Registration ends on September 4th... SO GET ON IT ASAP).

How much preparation have you done so far? What kind of score are you shooting for? If you're aiming for DO, I think a 25-27 would be fine with a solid GPA. You don't need a 30. Especially if you get your secondaries submitted early.

What kind of scores are you looking at now?

 

[SouthShoreEMT]

3.5 overall
3.5 science
EMT for two years
no MCAT yet but I should do (insert "you cant predict comment here") average to above average based on other standardized test (SAT 1320) performance.
NY state resident, looking to get into NYCOM.
Attend a state school (SUNY).
No LORs or Shadowing yet.

 

[Terpskins99]

3.5 overall
3.5 science
EMT for two years
no MCAT yet but I should do (insert "you cant predict comment here") average to above average based on other standardized test (SAT 1320) performance.
NY state resident, looking to get into NYCOM.
Attend a state school (SUNY).
No LORs or Shadowing yet.

Shadowing isn't a necessity (I had pretty much zero experience in a hospital when I applied), but you do need LOR's.

SAT's aren't the best predictor of MCAT performance (possibly a little with the verbal reasoning... but VR is all reading comprehension, and they're considerably more complex than SAT passages). Your best bet is doing timed practice MCAT sections and using their scale to project how you'd do on the real thing.

Btw, LSAT passages (not the arguments or games sections) are GREAT preparation for MCAT VR section. Their passages are even tougher than the MCAT's, and if you can ace the LSAT passages, the MCAT VR should be a piece of cake.

 

[Jug]

Total GPA 3.5
Science GPA 3.3
Biology Major with Literary Minor
and an embarrassing 18N on my MCAT.
A year and a half at local hospital as a patient care assistant, over 100 hours shadowing, undergraduate research in genetics, as well as volunteer experienc, and a LOR from a KCOM alumni and my research advisor. My first choice school is KCOM, but have recieved secondaries from KCOM, CCOM, and UNECOM.
My MCAT suffered because I was not allowed to take more pain medication for a kidney stone that was cutting into an artery in my ureter. The testing center was kind of a pain about that, otherwise, I feel I would have gotten at least a 23.

 

[Meatwad]

Total GPA 3.5
Science GPA 3.3
Biology Major with Literary Minor
and an embarrassing 18N on my MCAT.
A year and a half at local hospital as a patient care assistant, over 100 hours shadowing, undergraduate research in genetics, as well as volunteer experienc, and a LOR from a KCOM alumni and my research advisor. My first choice school is KCOM, but have recieved secondaries from KCOM, CCOM, and UNECOM.
My MCAT suffered because I was not allowed to take more pain medication for a kidney stone that was cutting into an artery in my ureter. The testing center was kind of a pain about that, otherwise, I feel I would have gotten at least a 23.

You couldn't exit the room between sections and take your meds? That's pretty weird.

You do know you could petition for special testing circumstances, right? Yours is certainly legit. I believe it will be annotated on the MCAT results that you tested under special conditions. Of course, you will be able to explain why you needed these conditions if you can secure some interviews.

An 18 is real low... even if you had a 4.0, that'd be a stretch. Try to get those special testing conditions and retake.

 

[Jug]

You couldn't exit the room between sections and take your meds? That's pretty weird.

You do know you could petition for special testing circumstances, right? Yours is certainly legit. I believe it will be annotated on the MCAT results that you tested under special conditions. Of course, you will be able to explain why you needed these conditions if you can secure some interviews.

An 18 is real low... even if you had a 4.0, that'd be a stretch. Try to get those special testing conditions and retake.

The supervising faculty made everyone completely empty their pockets and lock everthing up in a locker that we were not allowed to get into during breaks. I tried explaining the situation, but it didn't matter. At this point, there just aren't any seats open for another shot at the MCAT and I can't afford it anyway.

 

[Meatwad]

The supervising faculty made everyone completely empty their pockets and lock everthing up in a locker that we were not allowed to get into during breaks. I tried explaining the situation, but it didn't matter. At this point, there just aren't any seats open for another shot at the MCAT and I can't afford it anyway.

Take out a loan from a bank. Do whatever you can, because honestly an 18N is very low and you might even get screened out. Definitely try to explain this in interviews, but who knows what they will think? Maybe they will take less pity on you because they feel you should have planned this out ahead of time better (i.e. gotten a doctor's note that you needed special testing circumstances). Good luck.

 

[quitomate]

gpa/science 3.2/2.6 🙁

MCAT: Will take next week (9-11). average of 28 on practice tests.

Volunteer/Leadership: Tutor, Mentor @ elementary school, Spanish interpreter at local hospital, International humanitarian service (Kenya, 2 weeks). Abou 60+ hours a year for the past 5 years.

Research: 1 year w/ publication. Currently working with physician in research project. one publication. anotherone to follow.

Shadowing: 40+ hours. None were DO.

Patient exposure: 4 hours. I just started volunteering as an interpreter.

LOR: The physician that I am doing research with currently. I can also get one from a boss I had when I worked as a mentor for HS students.

I am hoping to apply to western comp. Could anyone tell me what my chances are and what I can do to improve? I am looking into shadowing a DO after I take the MCAT next week.

Thank you very much.

 

[Bob08]

I was just wondering, I applied to ATStills-Kirksville, CCOM, Ohio university COM and a few others with a 3.5GPA(cumulative) and a 3.6 science GPA with 27M on the MCAT. Are these stats competitive? I have also shadowed a surgeon for three years volunteered at a hospital for two and been president of the Bio-Honor society for the past year. What do you think?

 

[superfan56]

gpa/science 3.2/2.6 🙁

MCAT: Will take next week (9-11). average of 28 on practice tests.

Volunteer/Leadership: Tutor, Mentor @ elementary school, Spanish interpreter at local hospital, International humanitarian service (Kenya, 2 weeks). Abou 60+ hours a year for the past 5 years.

Research: 1 year w/ publication. Currently working with physician in research project. one publication. anotherone to follow.

Shadowing: 40+ hours. None were DO.

Patient exposure: 4 hours. I just started volunteering as an interpreter.

LOR: The physician that I am doing research with currently. I can also get one from a boss I had when I worked as a mentor for HS students.

I am hoping to apply to western comp. Could anyone tell me what my chances are and what I can do to improve? I am looking into shadowing a DO after I take the MCAT next week.

Thank you very much.

that 2.6 is going to hurt you at western. i haven't been on their website in a while, like 2-3 years, but i remember it said that all your pre-req's had to be C or better iirc.

 

[Kappy1]

I was just wondering, I applied to ATStills-Kirksville, CCOM, Ohio university COM and a few others with a 3.5GPA(cumulative) and a 3.6 science GPA with 27M on the MCAT. Are these stats competitive? I have also shadowed a surgeon for three years volunteered at a hospital for two and been president of the Bio-Honor society for the past year. What do you think?

I think you have a good shot. I would apply to state MD programs as well. I would also broaden the DO schools you are planning to apply to. Apply to about 10 DO schools. I hope you get into the school of your choice. Good Luck!!!

 

[DO dreamin]

Hello all. I'm finished with my degree and my pre-reqs and will be taking the mcats in january. I plan to apply in June 08 but thought what the hell, i might as well apply to the few schools with an April deadline. I realize that getting in so late in this cycle is very slim but i figure its worth a shot.

I have a 3.4 gpa and 3.5 science (3.7 bcmp) ?mcat >24

My question is this- if i do this will it hurt my chances for 08? Are reapplicants generally looked upon as bad (regected from previous) or good (dedicated)

TYIA

 

[TexasTriathlete]

Call each school you are looking at to confirm that they accept the january mcat

 

[huckaaa]

Hi everyone! I recently graduated with a B.S. in Biology and am now interested in becoming a DO. My question is should I retake some of the pre-reqs I didn't do as well in which would boost my GPA significantly or take higher level courses which with all my hours wouldn't change my GPA much? I know only the higher grade is counted but it is still a repeat so I'm not sure which would look better on an application.

 

[TexasTriathlete]

What are your numbers?

 

[huckaaa]

Right now I have a 2.8 overall and a 2.7 science. If I retake some classes I can raise that to around 3.2/3.15. I know those are still low but I do have a 30 MCAT and work/volunteer/shadowing experience. I was considering a Master's or just taking some master's coursework but I have so many hours that even all A's wouldn't move my gpa much.

 

[TexasTriathlete]

If this is something you can correct in a semester, it might be worth your time. I'd do it.

 

[TexasTriathlete]

By the way, look at my mdapplicants profile. I also have a strong upward trend, with about a 3.4-ish gpa in my second degree, and I can tell you that I've struggled. Got 2 interviews the first time around, but only applied allopathic. Now I'm applying to a broad range of schools. We'll see how it goes.