~2008-2009~"What Are My Chances/Where Should I Apply/What Should I Do" Thread

[KB24]

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o and i did invest in princeton review that was a big waste. The only good thing that came out of it was the books and the amount of tests they give you. Sometimes the professors wont even show up or they come like an hour late

 

[premed785]

o and i did invest in princeton review that was a big waste. The only good thing that came out of it was the books and the amount of tests they give you. Sometimes the professors wont even show up or they come like an hour late

you might have been in my PR classes, cuz i had similar experiences..lol..where are u from? Btw guys..since I am posting here..I would like you advise:

3.45/cgpa, 3.3/sgpa, 22 mcat (i know really bad). lot of hours of ER volunteerism at a hospital, 11 months of research experience (still doing it), 3 months research over the summer (during my sophomore yr), descent ECs, shadowing a DO currently, 1 LOR from science professor, 1 from research coordinator (who's also a member of premed committee), 1 from science lab TA (do TA's count?), and hopefully 1 from the DO i'm currently shadowing. I'm working on my secondaries now, hoping to finish them all withing next two weeks. Any advise? comments? suggetions? what are my chances? Do I have enough to make up for my bad mcat? any input will help..thanks..😕-->--> 👍

 

[painmd87]

I applied Oct. 26 to these schools, but I wanted to know if anyone had an opinion on my chances. (Then my undergrad school didn't send my transcript... so my applications actually were just released this week... but that's another story)

MCAT: 9P 9R 8B P .... 26P
GPA: 3.4/overall 3.0/science (updated since OP)
EC: MD and DO shadowing. Few hundred volunteer hours. Lots of leadership in school student activities, founded a fraternity, editor-in-chief of award-winning university newspaper (though this worked against me in MD applications, who told me I "should pursue a career in journalism.")

I've applied to:
PCOM
LECOM-Bradenton
VCOM
NYCOM

Am I facing uphill battles here? Grades are mostly As + Bs, with a C in O-chem II (but an AB in lab), and a C in molecular biology.

Thanks

Anyone? 🙂

 

[Semicolon]

you might have been in my PR classes, cuz i had similar experiences..lol..where are u from? Btw guys..since I am posting here..I would like you advise:

3.45/cgpa, 3.3/sgpa, 22 mcat (i know really bad). lot of hours of ER volunteerism at a hospital, 11 months of research experience (still doing it), 3 months research over the summer (during my sophomore yr), descent ECs, shadowing a DO currently, 1 LOR from science professor, 1 from research coordinator (who's also a member of premed committee), 1 from science lab TA (do TA's count?), and hopefully 1 from the DO i'm currently shadowing. I'm working on my secondaries now, hoping to finish them all withing next two weeks. Any advise? comments? suggetions? what are my chances? Do I have enough to make up for my bad mcat? any input will help..thanks..😕-->--> 👍

Have you considered retaking the MCAT? It would most likely put up a red flag, especially for schools with a cutoff (such as Touro and a few others). That would be your main area of improvement.

Other than the MCAT, however, it looks pretty good to me. Your ECs/volunteering/research/LORs sound awesome and will definitely be a huge plus to your application. Your GPAs are not bad, either, but I am unsure if it's enough to offset the MCAT. It would be easier in my eyes to just study your butt off and rock the MCAT than to retake classes and get a better GPA; if you can do that, I think you'd do just fine.

If you're sending out secondaries right now for Class of 2013, you are a bit late, though. If you were to take the MCAT over, you would probably need to apply during the following application cycle.

I wish you luck!

 

[UT8305]

hey there , i am an exercise science major at the university of tampa, its a small liberal arts school. here are my stats to start off

gen chem 1 - B, A in lab
gen chem 2 - B, B/C in lab

orgo chem 1- D (was hospitalized and professor wouldn't let me write exam 4 or final...long story) --------retook and got A/B
orgo chem 2 - A, A in lab

Physics 1 - A/B
physics 2 - A/B

Bio 1 C
Bio 2 B/C

Biochem B/C
intermediate inorganic chem - C

now my problem is that i want to correct the C's in bio, this would significantly pull my science gpa from a 3.06 to a 3.5 (pre-req science gpa) however, my story is that i am one of those students that doesnt really like natural sciences and did the minimum amount required for pre-req for med schools and i was told that it was okay as some people are communication or art majors that go to med school. and since i changed my major to exercise science in the beginning of my junior year from an undecided, i literally havn't had any space on my schedule to put in any upper level science courses. However, i have a strong upward trend with nearly all A's in the classes for my major (kinesiology, exercise testing and prescription, physiology of exercise, A&P 1 and 2 ect.) and mostly every other class in my last two years. with maybe a B here and there. But now iam a senior graduating in may 2009 and having just done the minimum amount of of pre-reqs, will the fact that i have an upward trend in my grade not matter much because none of them are upper level science courses? should i retake bio 1 and 2, take upper level courses in which i will have to wait till next fall, or do some graduate classes. Again i am trying to waist as little time as possible as i am already pushing it by taking a gap year

please help..i have alot of family pressure and their already on my a** about taking the gap year..

 

[RySerr21]

you know your kinesiology, physiology, exercise science courses, and A&P courses will count towards your science GPA, right? Its not just your pre reqs. So if you did well in all of those type of classes, your sGPA will be significantly higher. Thats the only reason my sGPA is what it is, b/c of all the science courses I took outside of the pre reqs

 

[Semicolon]

You should just recalculate your science GPA (including ALL of your science courses) and see where you stand. You're probably much better off than you thought you were. 🙂

 

[COMedic2Doc]

Thanks to everyone that is posting to this thread. I won't bore you all with my story as of yet, but will summarize with the fact that I'm a Paramedic and have been out of school for four years and am returning in the Spring to finish my Bachelor's (hopefully bringing my GPA up and also having some impressive best years), taking the MCAT in 2010 probably at this point (have to repeat Org I and then take Org II in the Summer or Fall before taking the MCAT), and hopefully be accepted somewhere for the class of 2015 (wouldn't mind being accepted to the D.O. school that will be coming to Denver). I wish you all luck, and again thanks for sharing your stories and experiences.

 

[Chocolate Bear]

Thanks to everyone that is posting to this thread. I won't bore you all with my story as of yet, but will summarize with the fact that I'm a Paramedic and have been out of school for four years and am returning in the Spring to finish my Bachelor's (hopefully bringing my GPA up and also having some impressive best years), taking the MCAT in 2010 probably at this point (have to repeat Org I and then take Org II in the Summer or Fall before taking the MCAT), and hopefully be accepted somewhere for the class of 2015 (wouldn't mind being accepted to the D.O. school that will be coming to Denver). I wish you all luck, and again thanks for sharing your stories and experiences.

I wish you the best of luck and hope you'll stick around in the mean time. 🙂

Also, the Denver school is called Rocky Vista University--it's up and running. Unless you're talking about another Denver school, but I doubt it.

 

[COMedic2Doc]

I wish you the best of luck and hope you'll stick around in the mean time. 🙂

Also, the Denver school is called Rocky Vista University--it's up and running. Unless you're talking about another Denver school, but I doubt it.

Thanks. I definitely will. Definitely interested in finding out more, and finding out more information on various tips for getting in. Thanks for the info on Rocky Vista, I looked them up last night and found out that they are not fully accredited at this point which means no Federal Student aid and also means that your student loans come due during Medical school. So, I'll probably end up somewhere else. Happy Holidays!

 

[Chocolate Bear]

Thanks. I definitely will. Definitely interested in finding out more, and finding out more information on various tips for getting in. Thanks for the info on Rocky Vista, I looked them up last night and found out that they are not fully accredited at this point which means no Federal Student aid and also means that your student loans come due during Medical school. So, I'll probably end up somewhere else. Happy Holidays!

I'll PM you, as our conversation is no longer relevant to "What are My Chances?".

 

[Chocolate Bear]

Thanks for the replies. I just finished up my third semester and I can't say I feel to confident about it. The final grades aren't in yet, but there's a good chance that I could fail two classes based on how the final went. I'm starting to think that I may need to consider transferring if things don't improve.

I'm not sure I understand your rationale behind transferring. What do you hope to accomplish? Would you be transferring to an "easier" school? Will you be kicked out of your current school or would this be voluntary?

 

[UT8305]

you know your kinesiology, physiology, exercise science courses, and A&P courses will count towards your science GPA, right? Its not just your pre reqs. So if you did well in all of those type of classes, your sGPA will be significantly higher. Thats the only reason my sGPA is what it is, b/c of all the science courses I took outside of the pre reqs

are you sure about that? if thats the case then iam in for a pleaseant treat, is that how AACOMAS will calculate my gpa? because i am just wondering, why would it be called BCPM gpa? i've always heard that any ESC or HSC courses will not count towards that...

 

[213965]

I think it depends... like some of my astronomy courses transferred to BCPM, while my environmental science ones did not... and some of my anthropology electives with the word "language" in them counted towards the English section on AACOMAS, even though they weren't English classes at all.

 

[213965]

I currently have an F in anatomy. Luckily I received my first acceptance this week so I think am just going to take it, and not update the other schools I've been put on hold at.

 

[Chocolate Bear]

are you sure about that? if thats the case then iam in for a pleaseant treat, is that how AACOMAS will calculate my gpa? because i am just wondering, why would it be called BCPM gpa? i've always heard that any ESC or HSC courses will not count towards that...

The following are the course classifications from the AACOMAS app. AACOMAS doesn't use the term "BCPM." That's an AMCAS term. Thus the source of your confusion. The red entries are considered "science" by AACOMAS. Notice, also, that MATH is not considered "science."


Behavioral Science
Anthropology
Community Health
Criminal Justice
Educational Psychology
Ethnic Studies
Human Sexuality
Marriage/Family
Personal Health
Physiological Ethics
Psychology
Social Science
Social Work/Sociology

Bio/Zoology
Animal Science
Anatomy
Bacteriology
Biology
Botany
Cellular & Molecular Biology
Cellular Physiology
Ecology
Evolution
Genetics
Hematology
Histology
Immunology
Microbiology
Micro-Organisms
Natural Science
Neurology
Oceanography
Parasitology
Pathology
Physiology
Virology
Zoology

Biochemistry
Biochemistry
Physiological Chemistry

English
Bible Literature
Composition
English
Journalism
Literature
Poetry
Reading Skills
Rhetoric
Theater Literature

Inorganic Chemistry
Chemistry, General
Medical Chemistry
Pharmaceutical Chemistry
Physical Chemistry
Qualitative Analysis
Quantitative Analysis
Readings in Chemistry
Research in Chemistry
Special Topics in Chemistry
Structures & Bonds

Math
Behavioral Statistics
Biostatistics
Chemical Math
Computer Science
Mathematics

Organic Chemistry
Bio-Organic Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Readings in Organic Chemistry
Special Topics in Organic Chemistry

Other Non-Science
Acting
Agriculture
Archeology
Art
Bioethics
Business
Communications
Cultural Geography
Economics
Education
Emergency Med-Tech
Ethics
First Aid
Foreign Language
Forestry
Geography
Government
Health/Personal Hygiene
History
Humanities
Law
Logic
Medical Terminology
Military Science
Music
Nursing
Occupational Therapy
Philosophy
Physical Education
Physical Therapy
Political Science
Public Health
Public Speaking
Religion
Respiratory Therapy
Social Ethics
Speech
Speech Pathology
Teaching Science
Theater
Theology
Word Processing

Other Science
Agricultural Science
Astronomy
Chiropractic
Electronics
Engineering
Epidemiology
Geology
Kinesiology
Medical Technology
Meteorology
Nutrition
Pharmacy
Physical Anthropology
Physical Geography
Physical Science
Physician Assistant
Radiology

Physics
Electricity & Light
Magnetism
Mechanical Heat
Physics
Thermodynamics

 

[Semicolon]

I currently have an F in anatomy. Luckily I received my first acceptance this week so I think am just going to take it, and not update the other schools I've been put on hold at.

But...won't you have to send an updated transcript with all of your grades to the school you end up choosing, before you matriculate?

If so, that F might become a problem... 👎

I hope it'll all work out for you.

 

[213965]

It's a master's program, so I doubt it. But I will definitely double-check when I receive the official acceptance packet.

 

[Semicolon]

It's a master's program, so I doubt it. But I will definitely double-check when I receive the official acceptance packet.

If it's a master's program it might not matter as much, but I am pretty sure that they will ask for transcripts from all colleges attended.

Of course, I have no idea if they would actually care, so I didn't mean to worry you or anything!

 

[MedicineAHP]

hi guys
I'm in a bit of a dilemma here..I've been reading up a lot on here and everyone seems really helpful. If it wasn't for SDN, I don't know where I'd be able to get HONEST answers for my questions, so I'm hoping there's some help out there for my question... I am a 4th year undergrad, 2.9 cumgpa Biochemistry Major, pharm tech for the last 4 years, a volunteer at a hospital 200+ hours(ER), shadowed a DO twice, Pre-med committee member and a biochem researcher at a medical school. I have my fair share of C's which I have retaken(4classes new grade in 3 with A's one with a B, 2 more to retake which I had a C and a D in) and I mostly have B's on my transcript. I have 2 more years to graduation due to research and how the advisor has scheduled me(MCAT study time, and started biochem cirriculum late) Do you guys think its best for me to
go for a post-bacc/masters or to just stay at the undergrad level and take more courses to work on my gpa/retakes? I've heard mixed opinions so opinions would be great.
Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[pato7]

I'm not sure I understand your rationale behind transferring. What do you hope to accomplish? Would you be transferring to an "easier" school? Will you be kicked out of your current school or would this be voluntary?

I'm not necessarily looking for an easier school, just a different one. My GPA has gone downhill from the start and is now a 2.0 which is too low too even consider transferring to another school. What's really messed up is that I'm working harder now than I ever have in my entire academic career. I study, learn the material, take the tests and feel good, but nothing. My confidence is nearly shot at this point. I really think I may need a different learning atmosphere. I hope that makes sense.

 

[213965]

I'm not necessarily looking for an easier school, just a different one. My GPA has gone downhill from the start and is now a 2.0 which is too low too even consider transferring to another school. What's really messed up is that I'm working harder now than I ever have in my entire academic career. I study, learn the material, take the tests and feel good, but nothing. My confidence is nearly shot at this point. I really think I may need a different learning atmosphere. I hope that makes sense.

It does make sense. I too have started at a new school this year and am making C's, D's and F's on a regular basis despite the fact that I'm working the hardest in my academic career as well, and I think a lot of it can be attributed to the school itself and different learning atmosphere.

 

[rkaz]

Hi Renny, if you still have the option to drop classes that you are getting Cs, Ds, or Fs in... I say do it. Maybe then your justification can be that you dropped out of those classes since you were already accepted to med school. They may not be pleased at that, but I would assume it would be better than sending final transcripts in to your schools with Ds or Fs.

Another option is... can you see if any of your profs in those classes can give you an 'incomplete' grade, so that you can make up some of the work for those classes over winter break? I was very recently in the same boat as you... as I was expecting to have to take an 'F' in my master's internship course, since my thesis wasn't complete... and I was feeling frustrated wondering if this would result in medical school acceptances being revoked. However, my college's deans office was really wonderful and agreed to give me an extension of my thesis until May. So I really lucked out on this, as I can finish my degree in good standing. See if this is an option for you... as I would love to have you as a classmate this year.

I know you have worked really hard not only finishing your bachelor's degree, but also working on a post-bacc... I don't want you to get stuck later if schools require a final transcript (I hope not all of them require it, but some do). So if getting an incomplete or a withdrawal is an option, I honestly think that would be a better choice rather than getting a 'D' or 'F'.

 

[rkaz]

Hi there, I think one consideration may be on your decision to apply to MD or DO schools. Since you have written in the pre-osteopathic forum, my assumption is that you are planning to apply to DO schools (or both MD and DO schools).

Honestly, you and I both know that the chances of you getting into a medical school with a 2.9 is not an option for an MD program, and a very slim chance at a DO school. Maybe those odds would be helped if you are URM, or have a seriously strong upward trend... but otherwise, highly unlikely. (I think I may have seen a few students get accepted to a DO school with a 2.9, but those students are VERY rare, and must have a lot of other things going for them to be accepted with such numbers.)

The nice thing about DO schools is that they take your repeat grade, while MD schools average the two. So if you are interested in DO schools, then retaking those classes in which you received Cs or lower would REALLY help improve your GPA (as those original classes you did poorly in wouldn't factor in your GPA). They'd still be on your transcripts, and the adcom would still likely see your original grades, but you'd get quick GPA inflation for DO schools if you can retake a lot of those classes with poor grades and make sure to get As this time around.

If you feel much more strongly about doing an MD program, I'd suggest going the post-bacc route.

If I were in your situation, what I would do is look at my transcripts, and see which classes I got the poor grades in. If it were limited to 5-6 classes, I'd consider taking an extra semester in school to retake those 5-6 classes and get 'A's in them. If by retaking those classes and getting 'A's, you can bring your GPA up to like a 3.2-3.4 by AACOMAS standards, then I'd say do that.

When you are ready to apply for med school, you can also apply to DO schools and post-baccs at the same time. Then if you get into a DO school, run with it.... otherwise, if not, just enroll in the post-bacc program before applying again the next year.

 

[213965]

Hi Renny, if you still have the option to drop classes that you are getting Cs, Ds, or Fs in... I say do it. Maybe then your justification can be that you dropped out of those classes since you were already accepted to med school. They may not be pleased at that, but I would assume it would be better than sending final transcripts in to your schools with Ds or Fs.

Another option is... can you see if any of your profs in those classes can give you an 'incomplete' grade, so that you can make up some of the work for those classes over winter break? I was very recently in the same boat as you... as I was expecting to have to take an 'F' in my master's internship course, since my thesis wasn't complete... and I was feeling frustrated wondering if this would result in medical school acceptances being revoked. However, my college's deans office was really wonderful and agreed to give me an extension of my thesis until May. So I really lucked out on this, as I can finish my degree in good standing. See if this is an option for you... as I would love to have you as a classmate this year.

I know you have worked really hard not only finishing your bachelor's degree, but also working on a post-bacc... I don't want you to get stuck later if schools require a final transcript (I hope not all of them require it, but some do). So if getting an incomplete or a withdrawal is an option, I honestly think that would be a better choice rather than getting a 'D' or 'F'.

Rkaz,

I am unfortunately locked into a 9 month master's program, so if I don't complete the courses now, I will never be able to graduate. We are on the quarter system so my C's D's and F's are actually only reflective of the past 3 weeks and the second quarter doesn't end until late Feb, so there's definitely still hope. What I really want to do is quit, but I feel like if I can stick it out for a few more months (I graduate in May), I will have the master's under my belt and the benefit of revisiting more of the science coursework before medical school.

 

[igotshoe]

OP, you do know lebron never went to college right?

 

[skiracr456]

It's a master's program, so I doubt it. But I will definitely double-check when I receive the official acceptance packet.

My acceptance packet said they wanted all my final transcripts again before I matriculated. Good luck!

 

[213965]

Crap. Was it SOMA or AZCOM by any chance?

 

[213965]

I completely agree with rkaz's assessment if DO is one of your goals.

I am currently in a post-bacc (SMP) and am amazed by the number of classmates who are in my program with otherwise competitive numbers minus that low GPA that could have easily been ameliorated by retaking a few of those science courses, which would have pushed them over the 3.0 mark and made all the difference in the DO applications process. Not to mention a post-bacc/master's is very co$tly, expen$ive, etc. vs. simply retaking a few classes... good luck.

 

[Chocolate Bear]

I don't know of any school where you don't have to show final transcripts. The schools may differ in what they need to see on the transcripts (e.g., passed everything/C's in pre reqs/completion of a degree/etc), but presenting final transcripts before matriculation is standard operating procedure. If anyone knows of a counterexample, I'd love to be made aware.

 

[pato7]

OP, you do know lebron never went to college right?

If someone threw $90 million at me before I graduated, I probably wouldn't have gone either

 

[MedicineAHP]

Hi there, I think one consideration may be on your decision to apply to MD or DO schools. Since you have written in the pre-osteopathic forum, my assumption is that you are planning to apply to DO schools (or both MD and DO schools).

Honestly, you and I both know that the chances of you getting into a medical school with a 2.9 is not an option for an MD program, and a very slim chance at a DO school. Maybe those odds would be helped if you are URM, or have a seriously strong upward trend... but otherwise, highly unlikely. (I think I may have seen a few students get accepted to a DO school with a 2.9, but those students are VERY rare, and must have a lot of other things going for them to be accepted with such numbers.)

The nice thing about DO schools is that they take your repeat grade, while MD schools average the two. So if you are interested in DO schools, then retaking those classes in which you received Cs or lower would REALLY help improve your GPA (as those original classes you did poorly in wouldn't factor in your GPA). They'd still be on your transcripts, and the adcom would still likely see your original grades, but you'd get quick GPA inflation for DO schools if you can retake a lot of those classes with poor grades and make sure to get As this time around.

If you feel much more strongly about doing an MD program, I'd suggest going the post-bacc route.

If I were in your situation, what I would do is look at my transcripts, and see which classes I got the poor grades in. If it were limited to 5-6 classes, I'd consider taking an extra semester in school to retake those 5-6 classes and get 'A's in them. If by retaking those classes and getting 'A's, you can bring your GPA up to like a 3.2-3.4 by AACOMAS standards, then I'd say do that.

When you are ready to apply for med school, you can also apply to DO schools and post-baccs at the same time. Then if you get into a DO school, run with it.... otherwise, if not, just enroll in the post-bacc program before applying again the next year.

Thanks for the response rkaz, I really appreciate it. Yes, I'm leaning towards the DO route because I've seen first hand what DO's do via volunteering/shadowing DO and family members who are DO's and how they apply the DO approach to patients. Getting in with a 2.9 is something I don't want to gamble with, like you said its very unlikely to turn out well. I do have only 5 or 6 i need to retake..most of which I've done and received A's in..I see what you mean, it would only be a semester more to help cover lost ground in those remaining classes which I should retake.
I didn't know that you could apply to post-baccs and to medical school at the same time, is there a separate application that I need to fill out to do this through the individual school? Because I read on this forum a while back that not all schools offer post-baccs..thanks again

 

[MedicineAHP]

I completely agree with rkaz's assessment if DO is one of your goals.

I am currently in a post-bacc (SMP) and am amazed by the number of classmates who are in my program with otherwise competitive numbers minus that low GPA that could have easily been ameliorated by retaking a few of those science courses, which would have pushed them over the 3.0 mark and made all the difference in the DO applications process. Not to mention a post-bacc/master's is very co$tly, expen$ive, etc. vs. simply retaking a few classes... good luck.

Thanks for the response rennykim...This REALLY helps, I've heard another post bacc student during one of my school tours tell me the same thing regarding how some students could have gone without the post bacc option, and I was wondering if you will be guaranteed a spot after your post-bacc is over, or if you would have to apply again to medical school. Also, how do you get into the SMP/post bacc program? Is it like medical school where you are considered based on merit, etc vs other post bacc applicants? Thanks again.

 

[213965]

That's a good question, and I actually came into my post-bacc/master's thinking I would have some sort of guaranteed admissions into the DO program if I did well in the master's. This was actually not the case. In fact, in mine (and most others) they will give you a guaranteed interview, but you will still be competing with everyone else by the same standards (meaning, they don't explicitly give preference to their post-bacc/master's students). And at my school, the guaranteed interview doesn't actually happen until after evaulating your grades finishing second quarter, or March, when the interview season is practically over. So in my mind, it's pretty useless, and I feel pretty fortunate to have had strong enough stats to even get my interview relatively early on in the process. So yeah, I would definitely stick to the plan of retaking a few of your weaker classes, keeping up with the volunteering, and perhaps working a part-time job to start saving money (you're really going to need it when you start applying!!). Good luck.

*edit* Getting into the post-bacc is similar to a graduate or medical school admissions process, where they do consider you based off merit like grades and MCAT, extracurrics, entrance essay (although I'm not sure how much this really matters) but obviously not as competitive as getting into professional (medical, dental, pharm, etc.) school. Sometimes, if you apply to one of their professional schools and get waitlisted, you can automatically transfer your app to the post-bacc pool. I think you can also apply to both at the same time, although I am not entirely certain about this.

 

[MedicineAHP]

That's a good question, and I actually came into my post-bacc/master's thinking I would have some sort of guaranteed admissions into the DO program if I did well in the master's. This was actually not the case. In fact, in mine (and most others) they will give you a guaranteed interview, but you will still be competing with everyone else by the same standards (meaning, they don't explicitly give preference to their post-bacc/master's students). And at my school, the guaranteed interview doesn't actually happen until after evaulating your grades finishing second quarter, or March, when the interview season is practically over. So in my mind, it's pretty useless, and I feel pretty fortunate to have had strong enough stats to even get my interview relatively early on in the process. So yeah, I would definitely stick to the plan of retaking a few of your weaker classes, keeping up with the volunteering, and perhaps working a part-time job to start saving money (you're really going to need it when you start applying!!). Good luck.

*edit* Getting into the post-bacc is similar to a graduate or medical school admissions process, where they do consider you based off merit like grades and MCAT, extracurrics, entrance essay (although I'm not sure how much this really matters) but obviously not as competitive as getting into professional (medical, dental, pharm, etc.) school. Sometimes, if you apply to one of their professional schools and get waitlisted, you can automatically transfer your app to the post-bacc pool. I think you can also apply to both at the same time, although I am not entirely certain about this.

Wow, I definitely feel that I should stick to the retake/more extracirric path now instead of the post-bacc/masters route, considering that I can still make decent improvements on my GPA with those retakes and not risking some wasted time in the post bacc, this really helped, thanks again rennykim.

 

[Premedlatino007]

I'm a third year year pre-med student. I'm concern with my g.p.a.
I will like to apply to D.O. or podiatry schools, but I have gotten some bad grades in my pre-requesite courses, some repeat and deletes and 2W's.

Ino. Chem C, C
O. Chem 1st semster F, then repeat got a C, 2nd semester C
Biol. 1st semster F, then repeat and got C, 2nd semester B
Physics A, A

I repeat and deleted two more classes.
Calculus 2: got D, repeat got a B
Quatitative Chem: got D, repeat got A

I also had 2 W's.

My science g.p.a. currently 2.8
Cummulative 2.9
Non-science 3.3

I haven't taken my MCAT.

I will apply in 2010. By that time, with a lot of effort I can get my science maybe to a 3.1, and cummulative to a 3.2. I know I can get above a 25 on the MCAT. I'm a latino, or minority. I have volunteer in a hospital for a year and done about 500 hours. I have done research in Ino. Chem for the last 2 years.

Would anyone please let me know if I have any chances to get into one of the schools above if I applied in 2010. Or even better what schools should I applied to. Thank you so much for your help!

 

[Premedlatino007]

I'm a third year year pre-med student. I'm concern with my g.p.a.
I will like to apply to D.O. or podiatry schools, but I have gotten some bad grades in my pre-requesite courses, some repeat and deletes and 2W's.

Ino. Chem C, C
O. Chem 1st semster F, then repeat got a C, 2nd semester C
Biol. 1st semster F, then repeat and got C, 2nd semester B
Physics A, A

I repeat and deleted two more classes.
Calculus 2: got D, repeat got a B
Quatitative Chem: got D, repeat got A

I also had 2 W's.

My science g.p.a. currently 2.8
Cummulative 2.9
Non-science 3.3

I haven't taken my MCAT.

I will apply in 2010. By that time, with a lot of effort I can get my science maybe to a 3.1, and cummulative to a 3.2. I know I can get above a 25 on the MCAT. I'm a latino, or minority. I have volunteer in a hospital for a year and done about 500 hours. I have done research in Ino. Chem for the last 2 years.

Would anyone please let me know if I have any chances to get into one of the schools above if I applied in 2010. Or even better what schools should I applied to. Thank you so much for your help!

 

[PunkmedGirl]

I'm a third year year pre-med student. I'm concern with my g.p.a.
I will like to apply to D.O. or podiatry schools, but I have gotten some bad grades in my pre-requesite courses, some repeat and deletes and 2W's.

Ino. Chem C, C
O. Chem 1st semster F, then repeat got a C, 2nd semester C
Biol. 1st semster F, then repeat and got C, 2nd semester B
Physics A, A

I repeat and deleted two more classes.
Calculus 2: got D, repeat got a B
Quatitative Chem: got D, repeat got A

I also had 2 W's.

My science g.p.a. currently 2.8
Cummulative 2.9
Non-science 3.3

I haven't taken my MCAT.

I will apply in 2010. By that time, with a lot of effort I can get my science maybe to a 3.1, and cummulative to a 3.2. I know I can get above a 25 on the MCAT. I'm a latino, or minority. I have volunteer in a hospital for a year and done about 500 hours. I have done research in Ino. Chem for the last 2 years.

Would anyone please let me know if I have any chances to get into one of the schools above if I applied in 2010. Or even better what schools should I applied to. Thank you so much for your help!

Yes you have a chance at getting into a DO school and even better if you can get your GPA pass a 3.0. Just make sure the rest of your application is up to par. I don't think you should only limit yourself to a 25 on the MCAT. Its possible to get in with a 25, but even better if its higher.

 

[Dissected]

A simple "bump" would have done the trick. No need for double posting 👎


Get all A's. Do the absolute best you can from now on and bust your butt. You really need to bring that gpa up. Study for the MCAT like you've never studied before and do the best you can. shoot for upper twenties at least. this will keep you in the running. Have you shadowed a doctor, an osteopathic one specifically? if not get on it, and get one to write a good letter for you. You need to be on your game from now on, because any more slip ups could cost you. Start looking at applying to a broad range of schools, thats my advice right now. Do some research, this will provide a good starting place.

 

[Chocolate Bear]

I'm a third year year pre-med student. I'm concern with my g.p.a.
I will like to apply to D.O. or podiatry schools, but I have gotten some bad grades in my pre-requesite courses, some repeat and deletes and 2W's.

Ino. Chem C, C
O. Chem 1st semster F, then repeat got a C, 2nd semester C
Biol. 1st semster F, then repeat and got C, 2nd semester B
Physics A, A

I repeat and deleted two more classes.
Calculus 2: got D, repeat got a B
Quatitative Chem: got D, repeat got A

I also had 2 W's.

My science g.p.a. currently 2.8
Cummulative 2.9
Non-science 3.3

I haven't taken my MCAT.

I will apply in 2010. By that time, with a lot of effort I can get my science maybe to a 3.1, and cummulative to a 3.2. I know I can get above a 25 on the MCAT. I'm a latino, or minority. I have volunteer in a hospital for a year and done about 500 hours. I have done research in Ino. Chem for the last 2 years.

Would anyone please let me know if I have any chances to get into one of the schools above if I applied in 2010. Or even better what schools should I applied to. Thank you so much for your help!

You have 3 GIANT problems:

1. You need to decide between medicine and podiatry. Many folks use pod as a backup to medicine, so perhaps that's your reasoning. Still, though, shadow some docs in both fields and figure things out. Pod is a great path for a lot of people, and many would much rather focus on the feet in their practice of medicine.

2. You have a serious flaw in taking in new information and spitting it out for tests. Chemistry and Biology have given you serious problems. These need to be addressed now, or you will not be able to enter or succeed in med school. Perhaps it's the way you take notes or pay attention. Perhaps it's the way you memorize. Maybe you have an attention or learning or language issue. It might be a matter of motivation/drive. I really don't know, but it's keeping you from performing at a level of a future med student, and now is the time to address it. Med school will be so much more demanding than undergrad, and your difficulties will multiply!!

3. You assume you'll make a 26+ on a test you've never taken. Do not be an arrogant pre med and think you can kill the MCAT. It's unlike anything you've taken. Plus, you made all C's in Chem and did barely better in Bio. I know you made A's in Physics, but that's about 25% of the tested material. Master the material, then master the test-taking skills and strategies. As a Latino, I'm not sure where your English proficiency skills lie, but Verbal Reasoning on the MCAT can be the hardest section for many science majors, and even more difficult if English isn't your first language.

Address your problems now, and don't be discouraged if it takes a while to become prepared to enter med school. Many of us have had to take years to get in, but most find it worth it, in the end, and are better physicians because of our struggles.

Best of luck!

 

[TurkSurg]

gpa: 3.59
major: chem

i got a B in both intro to bio 1 and intro to bio 2 and i got all A's for my chem classes so far...
sould i retake at least one of my bio classes? because i think it will lower my chances for top med schools...or should i continue and do better in my molecular cell bio and biochemistry classes...
thanks

 

[TurkSurg]

.

 

[Chocolate Bear]

gpa: 3.59
major: chem

i got a B in both intro to bio 1 and intro to bio 2 and i got all A's for my chem classes so far...
sould i retake at least one of my bio classes? because i think it will lower my chances for top med schools...or should i continue and do better in my molecular cell bio and biochemistry classes...
thanks

I'd definitely not waste my time retaking the intro Bio classes. You did fine, and your time will be better spent in more advanced classes. 👍

And I'll move your thread to "What Are My Chances?" 🙂

Welcome!

 

[kow613]

Hey Folks,

I am filling out my secondary apps to a few DO schools now.

3.52 GPA
28 MCAT

I am a NJ resident.

What do you think my chances are at UMDNJ and the New York DO schools?

Thanks

 

[engineeredout]

Hey Folks,

I am filling out my secondary apps to a few DO schools now.

3.52 GPA
28 MCAT

I am a NJ resident.

What do you think my chances are at UMDNJ and the New York DO schools?

Thanks

Your numbers look fine, although it is getting late in the process. Can you share more details about your application? Clinical experience/shadowing/volunteer work? Whats your science GPA?

 

[Chances]

Hello,

I'm here because I have one question that has been nagging at me for a while. So here I go:

Besides the fact that I didnt major in science during my undergrad (Illustration major), which seems to be a bonus factor for admissions to med school, my major gpa is a 2.65 my cum gpa is 2.71 and for the two science courses I took the gpa is 3.2. I minored in Psych, with a minor gpa of 3.5.

I'm currently engaged in gaining admissions to a post-bacc pre health studies certification program to raise my gpa, especially my science gpa, if it can.

I guess my question is, do you think I would be able to gain admisions into medical school, if I excel in the post-bacc program, and get a great score on the MCATs??


Thank you in advance for you time.

Chances, 😎
from the underrreprensented population

 

[Cp22kjer]

Get in that post bac and do really well. I would shoot for an overall/science gpa of atleast a 3.0 prior to applying. If excelling at the MCAT means a 35+ then you'll have a good shot. A low 30's with a 2.9-3.1ish gpa should get you a few interviews if not much more. Anything can happen, just keep working. Good luck.

 

[deleted172531]

Of course you have a chance. Do well in the post-bac program (at least 3.0). Do decent on the mcats (min 28...30+ if you can). When you apply make sure you apply as early as possible and you will for sure get an interview.

As for your major..That will not be a negative.

 

[Chances]

Thanks for the optimism..

 

[thanecyan]

DMU offered me a secondary with my 2.99 sGPA.

Quickly rejected soon after submitting though; thanks for taking my money you bastards.