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

[busupshot83]

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Thanks for the info my friend.

 

[Meatwad]

West Indians are probably not considered an ethnicity because most people are either:

1) of African descent (URM)
2) of South Asian descent (not a URM whatsoever)
3) a mix of these two (in which case I'd assume you could claim URM)
4) indigenous ethnicity

I doubt there are a lot of pure Arawak applying to US med schools, so the demand for a pure West Indian URM box is limited.

Thanks for the info my friend.

Not a problem. Best of luck in your pursuits.

 

[umean2tellme]

Anthropology major/ bio minor
University of Miami (graduate next spring)
gpa 3.2 overall (science roughly 2.9 or 3.0 but i'm not sure how to adjust it for math classes and some other stuff that might be considered nat sci)

mcat: 28s (10 vr 9ps 9 bs) took it 8/9/07
NOt a lot of extracurriculars
Have been full time student and working full time as a licensed practical nurse in a skilled nursing facility/nursing home for past two years
anime club, minority students association of premed students (maps) member
Volunteer at a free clinic

do my stats look atleast decent to get into NOVA?

 

[Jpc984]

Anthropology major/ bio minor
University of Miami (graduate next spring)
gpa 3.2 overall (science roughly 2.9 or 3.0 but i'm not sure how to adjust it for math classes and some other stuff that might be considered nat sci)

mcat: 28s (10 vr 9ps 9 bs) took it 8/9/07
NOt a lot of extracurriculars
Have been full time student and working full time as a licensed practical nurse in a skilled nursing facility/nursing home for past two years
anime club, minority students association of premed students (maps) member
Volunteer at a free clinic

do my stats look atleast decent to get into NOVA?

You will not inlcude math in your science gpa. Your MCAT is good. You are a nurse so you have plenty of clinical experience. I would say your stats are good. Have you shadowed any osteopathic physicians?

 

[umean2tellme]

You will not inlcude math in your science gpa. Your MCAT is good. You are a nurse so you have plenty of clinical experience. I would say your stats are good. Have you shadowed any osteopathic physicians?

I am still looking for one. I see so many MD's coming thru my job and i know a few would let me shadow them, but no DO's that I've met. I'm still trying to work out how i'm going to approach the one i researched. He's an orthopedic surgeon who has sent some of his patients to my facility yet I have never met him.

Oh and what counts as natural science? I always thought it included calculus and also I took forensic anthropology: osteology and physical (or biological) anthropology which count as natural science as far as my university goes, but will DO schools also consider it nat sci, cuz if so that would help me out a lot. thx for your reply.

 

[Jpc984]

I am still looking for one. I see so many MD's coming thru my job and i know a few would let me shadow them, but no DO's that I've met. I'm still trying to work out how i'm going to approach the one i researched. He's an orthopedic surgeon who has sent some of his patients to my facility yet I have never met him.

Oh and what counts as natural science? I always thought it included calculus and also I took forensic anthropology: osteology and physical (or biological) anthropology which count as natural science as far as my university goes, but will DO schools also consider it nat sci, cuz if so that would help me out a lot. thx for your reply.

Physical Anthropology is under Other Science in AACOMAS so that counts towards your science gpa!

 

[nadh]

For those of you who already got in or have interview invites, please advise me as to where I should apply based on your own scores. I need 5 match schools and 3 reach/dream schools to apply to.

Sci GPA: 3.26
Cum GPA: 3.58
MCAT: 27 (8,8,11)

*Good EC's and recs but nothing extraordinarily fantastic. ie. I don't have a purple heart, didn't save any starving children during Peace Corps, didn't discover a cure for cancer.
*I am out of state for ANY school and am NOT a minority.
*I'm also very broke, so I need to be realistic.

My numbers aren't good enough to gaurantee an acceptance, but I need some schools where at least an interview invite is likely.

 

[Jpc984]

For those of you who already got in or have interview invites, please advise me as to where I should apply based on your own scores. I need 5 match schools and 3 reach/dream schools to apply to.

Sci GPA: 3.26
Cum GPA: 3.58
MCAT: 27 (8,8,11)

*Good EC's and recs but nothing extraordinarily fantastic. ie. I don't have a purple heart, didn't save any starving children during Peace Corps, didn't discover a cure for cancer.
*I am out of state for ANY school and am NOT a minority.
*I'm also very broke, so I need to be realistic.

My numbers aren't good enough to gaurantee an acceptance, but I need some schools where at least an interview invite is likely.

You have similar to numbers to me (3.5, 3.39) 27O. I have plenty of interviews. I would apply to the private schools and none of the state schools (if money is a factor for you). Here is my list I applied to: NSUCOM, CCOM, PCOM, TOURO-Nevada, AZCOM, LECOM E, LECOM B, KCOM, VCOM, KCUMB, and DMU

 

[hashemiaan]

Hey guys,
I hope everythig is going well.
I need some advise regarding My unique situation

I graduated a year ago with low GPA and took Mcat which was horrible(18) and I decide to do Podiatry instead of DO but then I changed my mind( I knew I could do better than that) and I dropped the school . The reason that I dropped the school was not the grade. As a matter of fact, I did so good with GPA of 3.8 for the first year. Currently, I’m doing MPH but taking 2 courses a semester. Anyway, I’m planning to apply for next year. Consider my situation what I could do to strengthen my application. Btw, My recent score for MCAT is 34 O. I would appreciate your response

Thanks

 

[Jpc984]

Hey guys,
I hope everythig is going well.
I need some advise regarding My unique situation

I graduated a year ago with low GPA and took Mcat which was horrible(18) and I decide to do Podiatry instead of DO but then I changed my mind( I knew I could do better than that) and I dropped the school . The reason that I dropped the school was not the grade. As a matter of fact, I did so good with GPA of 3.8 for the first year. Currently, I’m doing MPH but taking 2 courses a semester. Anyway, I’m planning to apply for next year. Consider my situation what I could do to strengthen my application. Btw, My recent score for MCAT is 34 O. I would appreciate your response

Thanks

Well, a 34O certainly looks good. Your undergraduate GPA and Graduate GPA are calculated different so that can be a factor. Also, explain in detail why you left Podiatry schools to schools in your ps.

 

[JaggerPlate]

Hey guys,
I hope everythig is going well.
I need some advise regarding My unique situation

I graduated a year ago with low GPA and took Mcat which was horrible(18) and I decide to do Podiatry instead of DO but then I changed my mind( I knew I could do better than that) and I dropped the school . The reason that I dropped the school was not the grade. As a matter of fact, I did so good with GPA of 3.8 for the first year. Currently, I’m doing MPH but taking 2 courses a semester. Anyway, I’m planning to apply for next year. Consider my situation what I could do to strengthen my application. Btw, My recent score for MCAT is 34 O. I would appreciate your response

Thanks

Soo ... you took the MCAT and accepted into podiatry (with an 18 mind you), then you dropped out of Podiatry and now your in a masters program doing two courses a semester and now you have a 34 on the MCAT?? Ummm something seems fishy here.

 

[hashemiaan]

Soo ... you took the MCAT and accepted into podiatry (with an 18 mind you), then you dropped out of Podiatry and now your in a masters program doing two courses a semester and now you have a 34 on the MCAT?? Ummm something seems fishy here.

Wat's fishy here?

 

[JaggerPlate]

Wat's fishy here?

Just your story. That is all though ...😉

 

[hashemiaan]

Just your story. That is all though ...😉

Well there is more to it but i don't think the whole think matters. i took my MCAT( first time) when I had family problem. so I wasn't ready for it. I went to Podiatry school in San Fransico due to some pressure from my family. But I always wanted to do DO. I took my MCAT this summer and I scored 34 which is reasonably high. So i wanna know what other thing i could do to strength my application for next year.

 

[Toohotinvegas33]

With you unique situation , I think you should call the schools your interested in, and lay out your story.The admissions office at DMU is especially easy to work with.

 

[Jug]

I previously posted about my chances of getting in to a D.O. school with a VERY low (18) MCAT score. Would it help to contact admissions committees and inform them that I was experiencing medical problems that I can provide documentation for when I took the exam? My scores are very conflicting with my grades, and I am hoping that they will see that. Please, if anyone has any advice I could really use it.

 

[horhay1241]

I previously posted about my chances of getting in to a D.O. school with a VERY low (18) MCAT score. Would it help to contact admissions committees and inform them that I was experiencing medical problems that I can provide documentation for when I took the exam? My scores are very conflicting with my grades, and I am hoping that they will see that. Please, if anyone has any advice I could really use it.

It doesn't hurt to try and explain what happened, but I really think you should try and retake ASAP. Maybe due to the circumstances, they will accept a January MCAT for 08 admission, or make some other accommodation for you. Good Luck!

 

[micdoc6513]

Try not to get too stressed out about medical school applications. Remember you can only change what is in the future. So work hard and study hard for your MCATs but remember that the MCAT is only one test. You definitely want to do your best but even if you MCAT score is not stellar you could still get an interview at a medical school. Just try to be flexible and continue to work hard and eventually you will get in someday. Hopefully, it will be at OU-COM as it is a great medical school!

 

[EEL08]

I think the OP probably has their scores back by now.

 

[Jug]

It doesn't hurt to try and explain what happened, but I really think you should try and retake ASAP. Maybe due to the circumstances, they will accept a January MCAT for 08 admission, or make some other accommodation for you. Good Luck!

I wanted to retake, but all of the seats were filled. Should I just send an email to the admissions committee or what? What do you think?

 

[TexasTriathlete]

Anyone can make an excuse for a low MCAT score. You're going to have to take it again and do better for them to take you at your word.

 

[Jug]

Anyone can make an excuse for a low MCAT score. You're going to have to take it again and do better for them to take you at your word.

I know, I was just really hoping that I would not have to wait until the next cycle to get my shot, but I guess I did get my shot, and blew it. A year isn't that long anyway. Thanks for just putting it out there.

 

[TexasTriathlete]

Well the good news is that you can't possibly do worse. My advice to you: prepare for the MCAT like crazy. Do tons of practice passages and questions. Get it down pat. Then go in and increase your score by 10 points. Nobody will second-guess you if you say you just had a bad day the first time.

 

[Jug]

Yeah, I know that I can do at least a 26. I was murdering the practice exams, at least 30 every time. I'm hoping to work out something with taking a Jan exam and getting in this cycle. I've got one more surgery, and that's it. I'll be good to go.

 

[GQMO16]

so i just got my re-take mcat score back and somehow i did even worse the 2nd time, i orginally got a 25 and my 2nd time i got a 23...im scared that this will worsen my application and i pretty much have like no shot at getting into any DO school now...ive already gotten back many of my secondaries and even gotten an interview and am complete at a couple schools...how badly is this new score gonna hurt me? do i still have a shot? i dunno wat to do anymore? this is the worst day ive had in a while

 

[Kappy1]

Calm down. You are not the only one to do worse on a second MCAT. As long as all other parts of your application are strong you still have a good shot and can be accepted. You have an interview and need to focous your energy on that. You should be prepared to answer why do you think your MCAT score dropped after taking it a second time? There is no real easy answer to the question. People with a 23 are accepted to DO schools. Also you recieved a 25 the first time and that will count for something. I hope you get accepted to the school of your choice. Good Luck!!!

 

[JaggerPlate]

Yeah I don't think it's uncommon to do worse on the MCAT the second time around. People stress themselves out about doing better ... don't worry.

 

[GQMO16]

yea but i went from a 10 in bio to a 5 the second time around...maybe i focused alll my efforts on improving verbal and physical, i just dont get it cuz i thoguth i had bio down

 

[desijigga]

GQMO16 - did you take your's on August 14th also? It was my first time taking it and I got creamed also. I think it had a really harsh curve.

So I finally got my score yesterday, and after seeing it I fell out of my chair, my whole weekend was ruined. I knew I should have gotten a much higher score, I just don't know what happened. It was my first time taking the MCAT.

Well here are my stats: MI resident
overall gpa : 3.35
science gpa: 3.20
MCAT: 25 P (8 vr, 8 ps, 9 bs) I was consistently getting high 20's to low 30's on my practice exams. AHHH!!

I have decent EC's.
DO shadowing (200 + hours), my brother is a DO (MSUCOM) so I have been able to work with him a lot.
I did research for 1.5 years in radiology dept. at MSU
Lots of clinical experience
ER volunteer, ortho technician, Detroit clinic volunteer
Other community activities (soup kitchens, red cross, etc)
2 science prof LORs, 1 DO LOR
I graduated past may from MSU, I will be working again in the next month as a clinical Research Assistant in the Detroit children's hospital.

I'm complete at MSUCOM, PCOM. Almost done at LECOM, DMU, AZCOM, CCOM, KCOM. (waiting for my science prof LORs, should be in this week or next week). Waiting for secondary from WVSOM, VCOM, UNECOM, NYCOM (all of them were waiting for my MCAT score).

I'm guessing I probably have no shot at AZCOM, CCOM, PCOM, DMU. I really want to go to MSUCOM or PCOM. So what are my chances? I was thinking I should just go for it since I submitted most of my secondaries.

Thanks guys

 

[TexasTriathlete]

How do you go from a 10 to a 5 on the same section in such a short period of time? Either you were incredibly lucky the first time, or it just wasn't your day the second time.

 

[EEL08]

I'm guessing I probably have no shot at AZCOM, CCOM, PCOM, DMU. I really want to go to MSUCOM or PCOM. So what are my chances? I was thinking I should just go for it since I submitted most of my secondaries.

Thanks guys

Why would you have no shot at those schools?

 

[GQMO16]

How do you go from a 10 to a 5 on the same section in such a short period of time? Either you were incredibly lucky the first time, or it just wasn't your day the second time.

tats wat im tryign to figure out...i never even got close to a 5 even on my initial diagnostic so i dont understand wat was going on, like how do i seriously go from a 10 to a 5...thats kinda ridiculous and makes no sense...but yea i took the august 14th test and i am not feeling that curve at all, a lot of it is my fault and i take the blame but i was fairly confident which is wat sucks even more....i hope i still get in somewhere, i probably woudl have been better off not even takign it a second time, that 5 in bio is gonna kill me

 

[desijigga]

Why would you have no shot at those schools?

I feel due to my gpa and MCAT being lower then the averages they have, I don't have a shot. I just want to get in somewhere, so hopefully at least one of these schools accepts me.

I just like to add I'm real glad I have older brother who is a DO, he gave me good cheer up talk today. He told me schools look at each individual section, and would want a balanced score. He said he feels my pain but told me I should be thankful for what I got, and not moan or groan. I seriously was real down yesterday night, and this morning. But now I'm feeling a little better, I took the test and did my best, well I'm only 22 so its not like the end of world for me.

 

[EEL08]

I feel due to my gpa and MCAT being lower then the averages they have, I don't have a shot. I just want to get in somewhere, so hopefully at least one of these schools accepts me.

I just like to add I'm real glad I have older brother who is a DO, he gave me good cheer up talk today. He told me schools look at each individual section, and would want a balanced score. He said he feels my pain but told me I should be thankful for what I got, and not moan or groan. I seriously was real down yesterday night, and this morning. But now I'm feeling a little better, I took the test and did my best, well I'm only 22 so its not like the end of world for me.

I think it is great that you have a brother that is a DO. Just because you have lower than the averages doesn't mean you have no shot. Every school has students whose stats are below the average otherwise it wouldn't be the average. Plus I thought PCOM's average MCAT was in the 24-25 range. Trust me I feel your pain. My GPAs are decent but I got a 22 on the MCAT and I'm still applying to the schools you think you have no shot at. You definitely won't get in if you don't try, so just give it your best. Are you applying at MSUCOM?

 

[DrMattOglesby]

here are my stats:

MCAT Score: VR 8, PS 6, BS 8, R
BCPM GPA: 3.83
Overall GPA: 3.61

Undergrad Institution: Florida International University
Major: Psychology
Minor: Asian Studies

currently holding a 3.9+ GPA after graduation in my pre-med classes

and here is my Extracurricular profile:

-volunteer referee for youth soccer
-volunteer youth soccer coach
-competed in many triathlons throughout school in miami.
-founder and co-president of wrestling club at NVC
-Collegiate Athlete on NVC soccer team
-Philosophy Club at NVC
-Volunteer Soccer coach of Intramural Soccer team at FIU (coached to championship title of league)
-Volunteer Swim Instructor with YMCA
-Assistant Swim Instructor with visiting children camps to FIU during summer months
-Philosophy club at FIU
-Psychology Club at FIU
-Judo Team at FIU (FL state novice champion 2005)
-Soccer club at FIU
-Weight room attendant at FIU
-Government Documents Mail Sorter in FIU library
-PantherStop Clerk of Barnes and Noble at FIU
-Lifeguard for two years at FIU (lifeguard of the year award)
-Volunteer with triathlon races
-Participation in Huntington's Disease Triathlon (what inspired me to race)
-Professional Note Taker at NVC (human anatomy)
-Supplemental Instructor at NVC (human physiology)
-Biotech Lab Reactor volunteer research at Solano College (open to micro and molecular bio students)
-Senator of Health Occupations at NVC (2003)
-Clinical Student Internship at Queen of the Valley Hospital (pulmonology ICU)
-Trained Emergency Medical Technician with experience from ride-alongs

 

[desijigga]

I think it is great that you have a brother that is a DO. Just because you have lower than the averages doesn't mean you have no shot. Every school has students whose stats are below the average otherwise it wouldn't be the average. Plus I thought PCOM's average MCAT was in the 24-25 range. Trust me I feel your pain. My GPAs are decent but I got a 22 on the MCAT and I'm still applying to the schools you think you have no shot at. You definitely won't get in if you don't try, so just give it your best. Are you applying at MSUCOM?

Hey thanks for your encouragement and input. I hope you get into your school of choice also. I already applied to MSUCOM, its my top choice school so hopefully I get in.

 

[AmandaL444]

I graduated this past May from the Honors College at USF.
*Major: Biomedical Science
*Minors: Public Health and Biomedical Physics
*GPA: 3.76 (Magna Cume Laude)
*MCAT: Just took it on 9/11...don't have my score yet
*AMCAS: Almost finished
*Transcript request: just requested them 5 days ago
*Letters of Recommendation: Haven't asked for them yet
*Jobs: Bonefish Grill, Ruby Tuesday, Fox Jazz Club, Shisho Sushi Bar
*Volunteering: (1) Morton Plant Mease (Central Service Desk & also the Rehab Center), (2) Shadowed and did a year's worth of research with an MD, (3) Certified LifePath Hospice and Palliative Care Patient/Family Volunteer (worked with paitents who were diagnosed with less than 7 days to live), (4) Mariner Nursing Home (sang to patients)
*Other extracurriculars: on the school's Latin Dance team for a year, member of the church choir for 4 years
*Clubs: Member of the National Honor Society and Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) {{both of these during HIGH SCHOOL, though)...I went to a Medical Magnet high school

I need some input...what's my chance of getting into medical school (MD or DO) considering all my stats. I would appreciate any of your opinions/suggestions. Thanks so much! 🙂

 

[EEL08]

Your chances for getting in to a DO school are none to negative if you don't apply through AACOMAS.

 

[Barts]

I graduated this past May from the Honors College at USF.
*Major: Biomedical Science
*Minors: Public Health and Biomedical Physics
*GPA: 3.76 (Magna Cume Laude)
*MCAT: Just took it on 9/11...don't have my score yet
*AMCAS: Almost finished
*Transcript request: just requested them 5 days ago
*Letters of Recommendation: Haven't asked for them yet
*Jobs: Bonefish Grill, Ruby Tuesday, Fox Jazz Club, Shisho Sushi Bar
*Volunteering: (1) Morton Plant Mease (Central Service Desk & also the Rehab Center), (2) Shadowed and did a year's worth of research with an MD, (3) Certified LifePath Hospice and Palliative Care Patient/Family Volunteer (worked with paitents who were diagnosed with less than 7 days to live), (4) Mariner Nursing Home (sang to patients)
*Other extracurriculars: on the school's Latin Dance team for a year, member of the church choir for 4 years
*Clubs: Member of the National Honor Society and Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) {{both of these during HIGH SCHOOL, though)...I went to a Medical Magnet high school

I need some input...what's my chance of getting into medical school (MD or DO) considering all my stats. I would appreciate any of your opinions/suggestions. Thanks so much! 🙂

In keeping in line with the previous poster--without an MCAT score your chances are zero. Assuming though you broke a 24 on the MCAT I would think you could have a shot at RVUCOM 🙄

I just get sick of these posts. You have a 3.75+ GPA but can't figure out for yourself if you might have a chance at a DO school. So, I apologize for the sarcasm, but no, you don't have a shot at any medical school.

Yes, it's a little late in the cycle but if you do good on the MCAT and can get LOR's in a timely manner, you won't be so late as to totally ruin any chance for the '08 EC.

 

[Toohotinvegas33]

Amanda is you avatar a self pic?

 

[TexasTriathlete]

If you're really hot, they may not make you take the MCAT.

I took the MCAT anyway, because I wanted to improve my application.

Nobody has ever asked me if my avatar is a self-pic (which it is, thank you very much)

 

[Whaty]

I would personally try to make it into a strength if you can that you did poorly at first. I would mention somthing along the lines of you needing to adapt to a new environment and once you became serious about what you wanted your grades radically changed. I had planned on saying somthing like that because I screwed up my freshmen year and ended up with a 2.1 for my entire first year. I boosted my gpa to a 3.67 overall and my science was the same because I took science courses my freshmen year.

 

[Toohotinvegas33]

If you're really hot, they may not make you take the MCAT.

Thats what I was thinking

Nobody has ever asked me if my avatar is a self-pic (which it is, thank you very much)

Nobody cares about some guy running around in spandex. 😀

 

[DrMattOglesby]

so im just curious.
was i ignored because i dont have mammary glands or because my score was so low that im hopeless?

 

[rmsgolfer]

so im just curious.
was i ignored because i dont have mammary glands or because my score was so low that im hopeless?

I hope not cuase im right around with you.

 

[EEL08]

so im just curious.
was i ignored because i dont have mammary glands or because my score was so low that im hopeless?

I have my own mammary glands so it wasn't that for me. I planned on responding I probably just got distracted by my kids. Your MCAT score is really low so I don't think you have much of a chance. Okay okay I'm just kidding. I have a 22O so I actually feel like I have some company. I scored one point higher than you on verbal and one point lower on Bio. Your GPAs look great and you have a lot of great and varied ec's. Maybe this is my uneducated opinion but I think your activities and GPAs help to offset your MCAT. Unless you come across as arrogant and pretentious in interviews I think you have a good chance of being accepted somewhere. Oh and if you didn't know you can go to mdapplicants and enter your specific MCAT score and find people who were accepted that way.

 

[TexasTriathlete]

Actually, you do have mammary glands.

"I have nipples, focker. Could you milk me too?"

 

[EEL08]

Actually, you do have mammary glands.

"I have nipples, focker. Could you milk me too?"

Oh my gosh I almost spit out my bagel!

 

[Unknown3234]

Well I thought I would post mine up, just to see how you guys think things will go.

First two years of college where not good ~3.00
Last two years at University went much better ~3.85 summa cum laude
Major ~ psychology
Minor ~ public health
Overall ~3.33
Science ~3.45
MCAT V~10 P~6 🙁 B~8 L (not very happy about the L, just bombed the writing 🙁)

EC's are not that great:
Wife and 2 children
Couple of days with homes for humanity
One day in the ER
Shadowed one DO for a day
Shadowed another DO for 50+ hours
Helped to raise money for our Pre-med/AMSA

So what you guys think, how are my ECs, think my MCAT will hold me back too much. My top schools are NSU and LECOM-B.

 

[Punchap]

Actually, you do have mammary glands.

"I have nipples, focker. Could you milk me too?"

Oh I love that movie! I heard they were making a third. I hope so.