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

[Daydreamer2008]

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I'm applying to 3 schools (fee waiver) and already have the two CA schools in mind. For the third school I'm not sure if I should apply to Chicago or New York, any ideas? 🙂

Oh, and I have a 3.4 AMCAS Gpa's and 32 mcat (11V 11P 10B)

Nevermind I went with Nova. But thanks for responding😎

 

[DOMedschool]

To get an acceptance with a 21 mcat is not unheard of. It is definitely not a lock but I have definitely known a handful of people who had that type of MCAT score and got in. Osteopathic Medical schools generally don't weed you out with the MCAT score. They value the whole application so if you are a well balanced student, then you got a shot.

Having said that, if you can improve your score to mid 20s, then your chances will increase a lot. 😀

 

[Beau Geste]

Hey guys.... I need some feedback myself here.

GPA:

BCPM: 3.36
Overall: 3.53
MCAT, May 31: V 7 P 8 B 8 W Q (23Q)

Own my own therapy practice
2 pubs in peer-reviewed journal (not 1st author but have LOR from primary investigator)
Undergrad teaching experience
Honored Orgo classes
Lots of other good stuff... don't want to bore you.

My secondaries are complete at DMU, CCOM, and ATSU-K and I'm considering casting my net a bit wider for DO schools.

Retaking MCAT in Sept - I don't think my scores are representative of what I can do. I was killing my practice tests (my highest was a 35!) and ended up with a 23?

Can you guys give me some constructive feedback on what you think my chances are?

Thanks.

 

[Jpc984]

Hey guys.... I need some feedback myself here.

GPA:

BCPM: 3.36
Overall: 3.53
MCAT, May 31: V 7 P 8 B 8 W Q (23Q)

Own my own therapy practice
2 pubs in peer-reviewed journal (not 1st author but have LOR from primary investigator)
Undergrad teaching experience
Honored Orgo classes
Lots of other good stuff... don't want to bore you.

My secondaries are complete at DMU, CCOM, and ATSU-K and I'm considering casting my net a bit wider for DO schools.

Retaking MCAT in Sept - I don't think my scores are representative of what I can do. I was killing my practice tests (my highest was a 35!) and ended up with a 23?

Can you guys give me some constructive feedback on what you think my chances are?

Thanks.

Your MCAT may hurt you a little bit, but you have excellent e.c's. Are you planning to apply now or after you take the MCAT again? GL

 

[Beau Geste]

Your MCAT may hurt you a little bit, but you have excellent e.c's. Are you planning to apply now or after you take the MCAT again? GL

I've already applied and will just update my app. when my new scores come out. I want to be ahead of the game!

P.S. thanks for your reply!

 

[Jpc984]

I've already applied and will just update my app. when my new scores come out. I want to be ahead of the game!

P.S. thanks for your reply!

Good Idea. Apply broadly, and be careful of cutoffs.

 

[IUgrad]

Hey guys.... I need some feedback myself here.

GPA:

BCPM: 3.36
Overall: 3.53
MCAT, May 31: V 7 P 8 B 8 W Q (23Q)

Own my own therapy practice
2 pubs in peer-reviewed journal (not 1st author but have LOR from primary investigator)
Undergrad teaching experience
Honored Orgo classes
Lots of other good stuff... don't want to bore you.

My secondaries are complete at DMU, CCOM, and ATSU-K and I'm considering casting my net a bit wider for DO schools.

Retaking MCAT in Sept - I don't think my scores are representative of what I can do. I was killing my practice tests (my highest was a 35!) and ended up with a 23?

Can you guys give me some constructive feedback on what you think my chances are?

Thanks.

Meg,

You have some really great life experiences (own a therapy practice - wow, that's cool!) that I bet will count for a lot. From what I've read about D.O., you seem like you're the kind of student they seek - well-rounded with broad life experiences.

That's the great thing about the D.O. schools, in my opinion, that they consider more than just the numbers. But, I bet after Sept MCAT, you'll have great numbers, too! 👍 Good luck!

 

[lsk87]

My gpa for each semester is as follows:
Freshman Fall: 3.84
Freshman Spring: 3.57
Freshman Summer: 2.75
Sophomore Fall: 3.21
Sophomore Spring: 2.87
Sophomore Summer: 4.00
Junior Fall: 4.00
Junior Spring: 4.00

I know I don't have necessarily an upward trend from my freshman year...but does it really look that bad?

 

[spicedmanna]

My gpa for each semester is as follows:
Freshman Fall: 3.84
Freshman Spring: 3.57
Freshman Summer: 2.75
Sophomore Fall: 3.21
Sophomore Spring: 2.87
Sophomore Summer: 4.00
Junior Fall: 4.00
Junior Spring: 4.00

I know I don't have necessarily an upward trend from my freshman year...but does it really look that bad?

What's your overall/science GPA? Well, some questions come to mind, one being, "What happened during/between Freshman Summer and Sophomore Spring that your performance would drop like that?" Another question that comes to my mind is, "What classes did you not perform as well during those times (and perhaps in others)?" You recovered nicely following that middle period dip, however.

 

[BrianD]

GPA:
3.23 Overall
2.96 Science GPA (currently retaking a 3hr class I got a D in right now)

MCAT:
27M
10PS 7V 10BS

Extracurricular/Awards:
1.5 years of infectious disease research at UT Southwestern
Shadowed FP DO for ~30 hours with DO LOR
Volunteer tutor for local school district
President's List Fall 2004

http://mdapplicants.com/viewprofile.php?myid=7690

Update: So this past summer, I took two science classes. I retook my D in O-chem II and made an A and got an A in Molecular Basis of Cancer.

After doing the calculations with the grade replacement, I end up with this:
3.23 => 3.32 overall
2.96 =>3.18 science

My secondaries are complete at LECOM-B, LECOM-P, LMU-DCOM, TUCOM-NV, TUCOM-CA, ATSU-KCOM, and ATSU-SOMA.

My last letter of rec should be here any day now. I hope I get lucky. 🙁

 

[lsk87]

well my family was going through some trouble at the time, it was at the point my mom went back to india and i had to drive back home every weekend...i know that's not a great reason, but it's the truth, i hardly got any studying done then...i got a B in physics 1, B in Ochem 1, C in Ochem 2, C in cell bio, but have done well in everything else

overall: 3.66
science: 3.35
mcat:33

but i know they look at individual semesters correct?

 

[spicedmanna]

well my family was going through some trouble at the time, it was at the point my mom went back to india and i had to drive back home every weekend...i know that's not a great reason, but it's the truth, i hardly got any studying done then...i got a B in physics 1, B in Ochem 1, C in Ochem 2, C in cell bio, but have done well in everything else

overall: 3.66
science: 3.35
mcat:33

but i know they look at individual semesters correct?

Well, I'm most certainly not an adcomm member, but I think you will be okay. My assessment is that, academically, you look pretty solid overall, with an obvious blip in the middle. It looks like you took an academic hit for family reasons, with your mother being away. From the information that you presented here, you seemed to have refocused and recovered well since then, however.

Yes, it is likely that at some point during the process, your academic record will be assessed. If elements of your record raises a red flag with the members of the committee and/or interviewers, they may inquire about it. I doubt it will break you, however. Your MCAT seems strong to me and your overall performance seems decent. Again, I'm no adcomm member, but I don't think it will be a tremendous deal or concern. You may be able to make yourself stronger and perhaps address concerns by trending (or continuing to trend) A's in your more advanced science classes, if you haven't already. I suspect that you are already doing this, however.

I'm assuming you are good everywhere else, too. That is, I am assuming that you have good EC's, which include volunteer work and clinical experience, and that you also have good LORs.

 

[DocBR]

well my family was going through some trouble at the time, it was at the point my mom went back to india and i had to drive back home every weekend...i know that's not a great reason, but it's the truth, i hardly got any studying done then...i got a B in physics 1, B in Ochem 1, C in Ochem 2, C in cell bio, but have done well in everything else

overall: 3.66
science: 3.35
mcat:33

but i know they look at individual semesters correct?

What years did you receive these C's?


They do look at the individual semesters, but over all your gpa is decent, and you have a good MCAT score. My guess is the most that will happen is they will say "Hmmm, interesting trend in your first few semesters. Is there anything you'd like to say about this?"

Then, as long as you stay calm and are not overly defensive about it, they will just brush it off.

 

[madcye]

Overall GPA - 3.54
Science GPA - 3.63
MCAT - 26 🙁
V - 9, P - 8, B - 9, M

Schools Applied - Top from L-R
Western U, Touro N.Cali, UNECOM, ATSUCOM - AZ, Touro - NY.

Just turned in apps how long before I know if I get secondaries?

Thanks

 

[jzeidenb]

I did nt know this, so my sci gpa is a 3.4 now instead of a 3.53 which i was expecting. Does this hurt my chance at soime of the higher tier DO schools?

 

[spicedmanna]

I did nt know this, so my sci gpa is a 3.4 now instead of a 3.53 which i was expecting. Does this hurt my chance at soime of the higher tier DO schools?

Firstly, there are not really any tiers for osteopathic schools. Secondly, you can't really assess chances with science GPA alone. More information would be needed to assist you in that area. However, it is my opinion that unless a single factor is extreme (bad or good) it is unlikely to make or break you. Lastly, I imagine that adcomm members consider things on a case-by-case basis and tend to look at the complete file. While I don't know for certain, I bet your science GPA will be taken in context of all of your other factors. By itself, your science GPA doesn't really jump out to me as particularly troublesome, even if it were slightly lower than the average at a few, more numerically competitive schools (I'm not saying that it is; I can neither confirm nor deny this, since I don't have the averages of the schools in front of me). I wouldn't obsess over it, however, assuming everything else in your application is good.

 

[jzeidenb]

Firstly, there are not really any tiers for osteopathic schools. Secondly, you can't really assess chances with science GPA alone. More information would be needed to assist you if we were to that area. However, it is my opinion that unless a single factor is extreme (bad or good) it probably won't make or break you. Lastly, I imagine that adcomm members consider things on a case-by-case basis and tend to look at the complete file. I bet your science GPA will be taken in context with all your other factors. By itself, your science GPA doesn't jump out to me as particularly troublesome, even if it were slightly lower than the average at a few, more numerically competitive schools (I can neither confirm nor deny this, since I don't have the averages of the schools in front of me). I wouldn't obsess over it, as long as everything else in your application is good.

As it stands now

Overall 3.54
Sci 3.42
MCAT 28P PS- 9 VR- 10 BS- 9

im taking the exam again though and ive gotten 30-31 on all but 1 of my practices, so hopefully i can pull that off again on thursday.

good clinical and research experience, especially this summer, which wasnt on my app last year.

 

[spicedmanna]

As it stands now

Overall 3.54
Sci 3.42
MCAT 28P PS- 9 VR- 10 BS- 9

im taking the exam again though and ive gotten 30-31 on all but 1 of my practices, so hopefully i can pull that off again on thursday.

good clinical and research experience, especially this summer, which wasnt on my app last year.

I think you should be alright. You seem to be a solid applicant thus far. In general, I'd say your chances look bright, at least given the information you provided.

Good luck on your retake. I hope you do score significantly higher.

 

[jzeidenb]

What do you think my chances at getting into OU would be? I know im out of state but my DO letter of recommendation is an alum there and he is now a chief of medicine at a hospital in cleveland.

 

[MSmentor018]

To get an acceptance with a 21 mcat is not unheard of. It is definitely not a lock but I have definitely known a handful of people who had that type of MCAT score and got in. Osteopathic Medical schools generally don't weed you out with the MCAT score. They value the whole application so if you are a well balanced student, then you got a shot.

Having said that, if you can improve your score to mid 20s, then your chances will increase a lot. 😀

absolutely!! I know at least 10 who got in with a 21. you never know who will give you the interview b/c 21 is not that competitive. it may/may not be the place you want to go....so it's a choice of starting med school now vs taking the mcat over again. I've only heard of 1 person getting in with a lower score (she worked for me, I wrote her LOR)...but she had special circumstances.

 

[mshheaddoc]

Just to give you some hope, I know quite a few "instaters" that applied to OSU with a 3.7+ GPA and low MCAT (21-24) and you will find a few of them there. I know 2 people there that got in with 21's. So it can happen. Your GPA offsets the average MCAT. Really focus on your weaknesses and work on test anxiety because you DON'T want to freak yourself out.

 

[spicedmanna]

What do you think my chances at getting into OU would be? I know im out of state but my DO letter of recommendation is an alum there and he is now a chief of medicine at a hospital in cleveland.

I really wouldn't know. I'm not an adcomm member, and I don't have any experience with that school. Perhaps someone who does can say more.

 

[jzeidenb]

also, how soon after your gpa calculations do the designations get mailed out? It shows everythign on my app is completed except that it has not been mailed to any of the schools

 

[Beau Geste]

Meg,

You have some really great life experiences (own a therapy practice - wow, that's cool!) that I bet will count for a lot. From what I've read about D.O., you seem like you're the kind of student they seek - well-rounded with broad life experiences.

That's the great thing about the D.O. schools, in my opinion, that they consider more than just the numbers. But, I bet after Sept MCAT, you'll have great numbers, too! 👍 Good luck!

Thanks! I hope they are better than the allo schools at just looking at numbers then tossing aside what isn't perfect 🙂

 

[gujusnike]

Just a quick question:

If I applied pretty broadly 20+ DO schools and about the same MD. Honestly, I do not plan on filling out every secondary and pursuing each and every one. I only did this as a precaution and better to overestimate than under. I am whittling down the apps to my liking and just added many schools because I wanted to finish the primary at an early date.

Will adcoms push this fact at interviews? Do they know which schools I've applied to? I know if certain prompts ask how many schools did you make application this year, but besides those schools, will others know about them?

 

[nismith17]

My MCAT was a 22-R 6P;8V;8B (the periodic table didn't load and it set me up for rest of the exam). My GPA was 3.72, I graduated in May Magna Cum Laude.

I completed undergrad in three years, was in a club, chartered a club, was an RA, did clinical research at a hospital, and worked two part-time jobs all three years.

Now I am working at a hospital as a full-time research assistant. I applied to 13 schools and am retaking the MCAT in Aug. Just want some opinions on what my chances are of getting in with what I have.

I have an interview at WVSOM Sept 7th.

 

[JimT30]

My MCAT was a 22-R 6P;8V;8B (the periodic table didn't load and it set me up for rest of the exam). My GPA was 3.72, I graduated in May Magna Cum Laude.

I completed undergrad in three years, was in a club, chartered a club, was an RA, did clinical research at a hospital, and worked two part-time jobs all three years.

Now I am working at a hospital as a full-time research assistant. I applied to 13 schools and am retaking the MCAT in Aug. Just want some opinions on what my chances are of getting in with what I have.

I have an interview at WVSOM Sept 7th.

Better than someone who gets no interviews👍

 

[spicedmanna]

also, how soon after your gpa calculations do the designations get mailed out? It shows everythign on my app is completed except that it has not been mailed to any of the schools

I don't exactly recall, but my general impression is that it takes about a week, more or less. You can check the following thread for some ideas about the timeframe:

AACOMAS Verification Thread

 

[jzeidenb]

good to know.. that timing couldnt be more perfect actually. Ill probably start getting secondaries as soon as my MCAT is done on thursday

 

[gujusnike]

When does it start getting to the mid-late cycle for each of the following?

A) Primaries (AACOMAS)
B) Secondaries
C) Interviews

 

[scpod]

When does it start getting to the mid-late cycle for each of the following?

A) Primaries (AACOMAS)
B) Secondaries
C) Interviews

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.

 

[ellinopedo182]

Science GPA: 3.49
Non Science GPA: 3.91
Cum GPA: 3.71

Graduated Magna Cum Laude.
Alpha Sigma Nu Jesuit Honors Society (top 2-5% of school).
Golden Key.
7times deans list.
50hrs ER Volunteer
50hrs Tutor at Literacy Center
Worked a lot during school year/summer
Speak Greek and English (English is second language) fluently.
Speak German (5yrs) and Italian (1yr-studied in italy).
Greek Orthodox Youth Association member/event coordinator
Hellenic Student Association board member/webmaster
Orthodox Christian Fellowship board member/webmaster
Turkish Intercultural Club member


Opened my own Cafe/Gelateria in Chicago after i graduated university.

MCAT: BIO -11 PHYS -7 VERB -6 WRIT -Q

Very strong LOR -- but none from DO/MD.

 

[Kappy1]

Science GPA: 3.49
Non Science GPA: 3.91
Cum GPA: 3.71

Graduated Magna Cum Laude.
Alpha Sigma Nu Jesuit Honors Society (top 2-5% of school).
Golden Key.
7times deans list.
50hrs ER Volunteer
50hrs Tutor at Literacy Center
Worked a lot during school year/summer
Speak Greek and English (English is second language) fluently.
Speak German (5yrs) and Italian (1yr-studied in italy).
Greek Orthodox Youth Association member/event coordinator
Hellenic Student Association board member/webmaster
Orthodox Christian Fellowship board member/webmaster
Turkish Intercultural Club member


Opened my own Cafe/Gelateria in Chicago after i graduated university.

MCAT: BIO -11 PHYS -7 VERB -6 WRIT -Q

Very strong LOR -- but none from DO/MD.

I think you have a good chance. Apply early and broadly and you should be fine. I hope you are accepted to the school of your choice. Good Luck!!!!

 

[ellinopedo182]

Every school that i've seen has a C minimum for pre-req courses

What about those that are lecture+lab? I got a C-/A in lect/lab for Organic Chem II. Orgo Chem I i got a B+/A.

Orgo I B+/A
Orgo II C-/A
Chm I A/A
Chm II A/A
PhysI A/A
PhysII A/A
Bio I B+/A
Bio II C+/A

All other science classes (15 classes) were 2 A-'s, 1 B, and the rest A's. Are my lecture and lab grades averaged together (3:1 credits) or are they looked at seperately? My science GPA is a 3.5 while my non-science is 3.91.

Should i be worried?

 

[ellinopedo182]

I think you have a good chance. Apply early and broadly and you should be fine. I hope you are accepted to the school of your choice. Good Luck!!!!

i already applied, just waiting for AACOMAS to mail everything out, my gpa was recently verified and all. I already got 4 secondaries from allopathy schools, just waiting for Osteopathy schools. Strongly considering Midwestern Chicago, NYCOM, and Midwestern Arizona.

 

[ellinopedo182]

man i was in ur same bind. took mcats in april, scored a 21 though i was scoring 23-26 on my kaplan ones. Was really upset, esp. since my gpa (sci 3.5,nonsci 3.91,cum 3.71) and have e.c., strong lors, and everything else is great. i studied the Biological section with examkrackers, and a little physical section with examkrackers... retook the test. From having a 7,7,7,M i ended up the second time around with a 11,7,6,Q and i scored an 11 in bio, and a 6 in verbal. Though i was able to raise my mcat from a 21 to a 24, still kinda dissappointed. Though i do love my biological grade of 11.

study hard, and retake the test. I would suggest examkrackers for biological portion, they are great.

 

[Bacchus]

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.

 

[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.

i graduated a year ago, i dont know how i would be able to go back and retake the class unless they asked me to do so.

I think with my 3.5 science GPA, and my 3.71 cumulative, they may be a little easier on me for a C-. I guess we will see soon.

 

[Bacchus]

Yeah, but be wary of what schools accept a C vs a C-.

 

[LauraDO]

Ok, my situation, I'm going to try for 2008 but I realize I might have to try again the next cycle. My top choice school is LMU, I'm from Knoxville, graduated from Vanderbilt University Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Poly Sci and tons of 'extra's. I'm an alternative student, currently 26, had a successful career in political consulting after school and then this last year decided to go back to school to pursue a degree in Chinese and Naturopathic Medicine (LaC) I have also been doing alot of research working with the med school near by OHSU on CAM related projects. After a year of this I realized it was no where near enough for me, and so am focused on the Osteopathic route. I will be finishing up my pre-reqs this year, right now my sci GPA is about 3.4 but I really have not taken enough classes to make that count, but I have alot of science know-how and back ground despite limited 'academic' classes. I will take MCAT in Jan., will be shadowing an osteopath this year and continuing to take specific classes in Naturopathic medicine while taking my pre-reqs.

I talked to the LMU director of admissions and they said that they would accept Jan. MCAT still and there was a chance especially with my in-state status. So I guess I see hope, but I'm looking for advice as to the best things to do to increase my chances and make my application shine even though it will be submitted later

 

[Beau Geste]

Laura, your academic credentials sound awesome. I have no doubt that if your MCAT scores are competitive you'll get an acceptance either this year or next. If you don't get in this year, it would be because of a late application, not a bad applicant.

 

[Beau Geste]

P.S. I used to think CAM was a bunch of hogwash, but after lots of research and starting this past month I've been using some natural alternatives to medicine and feeling pretty great (read omega-3 and other natural anti-inflammatory, healthy diet, antioxidant-rich foods and supplements for energy, and natural sleep aids rather than benadryl or sleeping pills).

I think there is something to be said for adding CAM to conventional medicine, which is why the DO route is so attractive for me 🙂

 

[LauraDO]

Thanks megboo, that's encouraging to hear, I agree with you completely on CAM, I think that there is alot there and the combo is what is really powerful, I have issues with going this route alone because I don't nessesarily believe that garlic can solve all sulfur pathway processing problems 🙂 (case in point I'm doing a research study on parkinson's right now and this one ND student I"m working with actually said to me, that after reading about the biochemical pathways involved she really thought that adding more sulfur foods such as garlic could cure some of the free radical oxidation going on and prevent the neurological damage) I think the CAM peeps only understand things from one direction and the allopathic peeps only understand it from the other

But the combo is dynamite!

ok, rant over, do you think there is anything else I can do to make my application look better?

 

[spicedmanna]

Very strong LOR -- but none from DO/MD.

Make sure to get a letter from a physician, because a physician letter is most often a requirement. The letter should come preferably from a DO, but an MD letter will work with many, if not most, schools. Some schools will explicitly require a LOR from a DO, however, so keep that mind. Be sure to check the LOR requirements for each school through the AACOM Guidebook and make sure you meet the requirements for ones you are applying to.

Good luck.

 

[Beau Geste]

The big parts of the app are:

1. GPA
2. MCAT
3. LORs
4. Work experience in healthcare
5. Volunteer experience in healthcare
6. Shadowing an MD and DO
7. Other volunteering (non-medical)
8. Hobbies
9. Research

Outside of the first 3, most people are lacking in experience working/volunteering in healthcare and having research experience. You have the research experience, and if you have experience actually working or volunteering in healthcare, that shows you have gained a feel for the "goings-on" in healthcare. It's not just getting a file and walking in to see a patient (I wish).

Also, most med schools require an MD or DO letter so shadowing is important, even if it's just for a day.

Having interests outside of medicine and also volunteering show that you're not just trying to pad your resume, and that there's more to you than wanting to get into med school 😉

Maybe others can add to this but that's off the top of my head.

 

[Beau Geste]

Thanks megboo, that's encouraging to hear, I agree with you completely on CAM, I think that there is alot there and the combo is what is really powerful, I have issues with going this route alone because I don't nessesarily believe that garlic can solve all sulfur pathway processing problems 🙂 (case in point I'm doing a research study on parkinson's right now and this one ND student I"m working with actually said to me, that after reading about the biochemical pathways involved she really thought that adding more sulfur foods such as garlic could cure some of the free radical oxidation going on and prevent the neurological damage) I think the CAM peeps only understand things from one direction and the allopathic peeps only understand it from the other

But the combo is dynamite!

ok, rant over, do you think there is anything else I can do to make my application look better?

LOL garlic is great but not a replacement for dopamine and receptors.

 

[clc8503]

Nate is right. A grade is a grade..there's nothing you can do about it after it's done and over with. I ahd a horrible freshman/soph year. I got a C+ in gen. chem I, physics I, and bio I...however, i'm taking gen. chem II right now and have an A at the moment..I also got an A in physics II and a B in bio II...not saying that i'm in great standing right now, but it's all about showing an upward trend and good grades in upper level science courses. I think you'll be fine. Keep your head up.

Actually there is something that the OP can about the "C's". The OP can retake the classes and the new grades will be the only ones that are factored into his or her overall gpa by ADCOMs. They are more forgiving than allopathic programs that calculate everything into the GPA (retakes and origional grades). So yeah, there is definately something that the OP can do and if he or she does indeed take these couses again and achieves A's, it will boost his or her GPA dramatically. I origionally had 7 hours worth of C's on my transcript. I retook them and and got all A's. If you replace the C's that I origionally made with the A's that I got the second time around, that brings my ADCOMs GPA from a 3.37 to 3.51. That's a big difference and it's only going up from there.

OP: You do not have to retake these classes but it will be very beneficial to do so. Retaking them will only allow you to better yourself.

 

[GreenShirt]

i graduated a year ago, i dont know how i would be able to go back and retake the class unless they asked me to do so.

I think with my 3.5 science GPA, and my 3.71 cumulative, they may be a little easier on me for a C-. I guess we will see soon.

If a school has a certain pre-req that you don't meet, they won't over look it b/c your overall GPA is good. Most schools require chemistry w/ lab, but I'm not sure how they look at separate lecture/lab grades. I would contact the schools individually to make sure, otherwise you will end up w/ a conditional acceptance pending your completion of the course. You may be required to go back and re-take the course or the equivalent of it at a community college or elsewhere. But its definitely something you want to start looking into now so that you don't have to rush to squeeze it in later.

 

[Kappy1]

i already applied, just waiting for AACOMAS to mail everything out, my gpa was recently verified and all. I already got 4 secondaries from allopathy schools, just waiting for Osteopathy schools. Strongly considering Midwestern Chicago, NYCOM, and Midwestern Arizona.

I would apply to more broadly in terms of Osteopathic Schools around nine or ten schools. CCOM, NYCOM, Midwestern Arizona have MCAT averages around a 27. If you are instate for any of those schools that can help. If you are from NY you should be fine for NYCOM . Many of the schools make their standards slightly lower for instaters.

 

[ellinopedo182]

I would apply to more broadly in terms of Osteopathic Schools around nine or ten schools. CCOM, NYCOM, Midwestern Arizona have MCAT averages around a 27. If you are instate for any of those schools that can help. If you are from NY you should be fine for NYCOM . Many of the schools make their standards slightly lower for instaters.

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?