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

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msu16 said:
What are your thoughts on my chances??? I did real bad on MCAT!!😕

Undergrad SGPA: 3.2
Undegrad GPA: 3.3
M.S in Biomechanical Engineering (GPA 3.5)
MCAT 22R

Lot of clinical experience
Lot of research work
Research work in Germany
Good list of EC
LOR from D.O (who happens to be the president of AOA)

ANY HOPE?
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I think someone got similar numbers got accepted into LMU.
 
So, I'm a reapplicant. The funny thing is, when I was applying to MD schools the only thing I looked at was if my GPA was within 2 stdev's of their average! (I'm a 3.2/34S). I never bothered to try to pick programs on "fit".

Anyway, over the last two years I've gotten quite interested in DO schools; but I am only familiar with two of the programs and am quite open to broadening my application to other schools.

Things (I think) are important to me are:

PBL based curriculum
Good studying environment (I get distracted easily, hence the GPA issues)
Buildings with windows and natural light
Not too many shiney things or I ADD out
Happy classmates (aka people who don't suck)
A pita pit within walking distance

Feel free to tell me if I am missing anything
 
chewsnuffles said:
So, I'm a reapplicant. The funny thing is, when I was applying to MD schools the only thing I looked at was if my GPA was within 2 stdev's of their average! (I'm a 3.2/34S). I never bothered to try to pick programs on "fit".

Anyway, over the last two years I've gotten quite interested in DO schools; but I am only familiar with two of the programs and am quite open to broadening my application to other schools.

Things (I think) are important to me are:

PBL based curriculum
Good studying environment (I get distracted easily, hence the GPA issues)
Buildings with windows and natural light
Not too many shiney things or I ADD out
Happy classmates (aka people who don't suck)
A pita pit within walking distance

Feel free to tell me if I am missing anything
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Hmm...I think LECOM-Bradenton meets most of the criteria above. Be sure to get a LOR from a D.O. if you apply here.
 
PBL is great, but it's very new. I wouldn't narrow your seach criteria to it alone.

Because of that, here are my suggestions:

1. PCOM (best school, lots of light in Evans)
2. TCOM
2. NSUCOM
3. LECOM-Bradenton (beach = sun; PBL curriculum)
4. CCOM
5. WVSOM (good PBL, new building with lots of windows).. lots of windows in the anatomy lab, too.
6. Western

to name a few...
 
Big fan of Western, great school.

I just know I am a lot more motivated/focused in PBL type learning environments; but I definitely acknowledge that I should keep my options open.

Are all those programs you listen from personal experience (i.e. you interviewed/visited there), or are they based on second hand info? Just trying to get a feel for where your insight it coming from.
 
Alright I just want to see what you guys think. Any advice on other schools would be greatly appreciated. My overall GPA is a 3.5 and my BCPM is a 3.49. (I have an upward trend after freshman year) My MCAT is a 26M and I retook it on July 8th. I submitted my application to AACOMAS on July 11th so I am hoping the new MCAT score will be in by the time the application gets processed. Anyway here are the schools I applied to:

A.T. Still-Kirksville
CCOM
Edward Via Virginia
PCOM-GA
PCOM
LECOM
NYCOM
OUCOM
University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks!
 
All right, I've just finished and submitted AACOMAS/AMCAS (for suny schools), registered for the mcat, and my school has verified that they sent my transcript out. Dropped 900$ today in about 20 minutes.

Nothing left to do but mcat, and I've finally created a mdapps.
 
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engineeredout said:
All right, I've just finished and submitted AACOMAS/AMCAS (for suny schools), registered for the mcat, and my school has verified that they sent my transcript out. Dropped 900$ today in about 20 minutes.

Nothing left to do but mcat, and I've finally created a mdapps.
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how many people in vegas are saying that exact same thing? At least your money is going some place useful! 👍
 
ryserr21 said:
how many people in vegas are saying that exact same thing? At least your money is going some place useful! 👍
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Hahahaha great way of thinking about it 👍

I'll also toss this out there now, 50$ to sdn if I get in anywhere for entering 2009.


Oh yeah, one other thing I better do. I've always hated the title of "pre-med" but I guess its official now.
 
jujuh001 said:
Alright I just want to see what you guys think. Any advice on other schools would be greatly appreciated. My overall GPA is a 3.5 and my BCPM is a 3.49. (I have an upward trend after freshman year) My MCAT is a 26M and I retook it on July 8th. I submitted my application to AACOMAS on July 11th so I am hoping the new MCAT score will be in by the time the application gets processed. Anyway here are the schools I applied to:

A.T. Still-Kirksville
CCOM
Edward Via Virginia
PCOM-GA
PCOM
LECOM
NYCOM
OUCOM
University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks!
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OUCOM requires you to stay in the state for 5 years after residency. Only way out is via a few hundred grand, which you probably won't have lying around. Unless you're an Ohio resident, put the money toward another school.
 
Chocolate bear: whenever I read your name on here, I see "chocolate beer" at a glance. And that sounds ****ing gross.

Posted via Mobile Device
 
TexasTriathlete said:
Chocolate bear: whenever I read your name on here, I see "chocolate beer" at a glance. And that sounds ****ing gross.

Posted via Mobile Device
Click to expand...

I've had a chocolate beer that was actually quite good. Not something I crave every day, but it wasn't bad.
 
Ok, so here's my situation...

I graduated in Spring 07 with a degree in biology/pre-med and a 3.44 gpa. I wasn't 100% sure I wanted to make the committment to med school right after undergrad so I took a couple random jobs (carpenter, bookstore clerk) before deciding in January that I'd like to go ahead and pursue medicine.

Since then I've worked as a tutor/mentor for a child with a behavior disorder, logged about 50 hours reading newspapers for blind/print-disabled people, and spent around 25 hours shadowing in a local emergency room. I took the MCAT in May and got a 27Q, and right now I work as a marketer for a healthcare consulting firm.

My question is: What are my chances for DO school next fall? Do I need more volunteer experience and/or clinical exposure? My father is an osteopath so I feel like I have a very good sense of what it means to be a physician, but I'm not sure how much weight that carries in the application/interview process.

Any thoughts? Thank you in advance!
 
roody41 said:
Ok, so here's my situation...

I graduated in Spring 07 with a degree in biology/pre-med and a 3.44 gpa. I wasn't 100% sure I wanted to make the committment to med school right after undergrad so I took a couple random jobs (carpenter, bookstore clerk) before deciding in January that I'd like to go ahead and pursue medicine.

Since then I've worked as a tutor/mentor for a child with a behavior disorder, logged about 50 hours reading newspapers for blind/print-disabled people, and spent around 25 hours shadowing in a local emergency room. I took the MCAT in May and got a 27Q, and right now I work as a marketer for a healthcare consulting firm.

My question is: What are my chances for DO school next fall? Do I need more volunteer experience and/or clinical exposure? My father is an osteopath so I feel like I have a very good sense of what it means to be a physician, but I'm not sure how much weight that carries in the application/interview process.

Any thoughts? Thank you in advance!
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It can only help you to continue obtaining clinical exposure over the next few months. I think it will carry some weight that your dad is a DO. In fact, several secondaries ask if you have a family member who is a DO.

Do you have a DO letter? Several/some schools require it. Check out the CIB for more info.

I think your chances seem good.
 
Can you update your application once it is submitted by contacting the schools you applied to? I am possibly retaking the mcat august 15th, and i was wondering if I can notify the schools if I do substantially better this time around. Thank you!
 
Nnik484 said:
Can you update your application once it is submitted by contacting the schools you applied to? I am possibly retaking the mcat august 15th, and i was wondering if I can notify the schools if I do substantially better this time around. Thank you!
Click to expand...

Yes you can update your file.
 
So here goes:

Double major, biochem & philosophy
Cum GPA= 3.59
Philosophy= 3.85
Science=3.3 (3.9 science average for my last two years)
MCAT 1= 9/9/9 S -27S
MCAT 2= 8/11/9 S -28S

Apparently I choke on tests, because my AAMC practice tests were at the 36 range. I was pretty guttered when I found out my 2nd MCAT score-->I'm not sure how schools will look upon my going down in PS.

I am a reapplicant and a Texas resident. I'm currently working at the NIH as an infectious disease research fellow, I've got lots of volunteering (medical lab tech, hippotherapy clinic, personal care attendant), and good ECs. I have two additional LORs from MDs that I research with, but will it hurt me if I don't have a letter from a DO?

Thanks for your input!
 
RHRAB1 said:
I have two additional LORs from MDs that I research with, but will it hurt me if I don't have a letter from a DO?

Thanks for your input!
Click to expand...

The LECOM schools require a DO letter. There may be a couple of other schools as well. My opinion is that you would probably be okay without one. I was accepted with an MD letter and no DO letter.

If you can get a DO letter without delaying how soon you apply, I would try to get that DO letter. Otherwise I would just go with the letters that you have.

Just my opinion.
 
Please help. I don't know what to do. I took the MCAT twice and got a 21 both times. My verbal score went form a 6 to a 4. I absolutely stink at verbal and have tried everything to get my score up, but nothing seems to be working. I read too slow and can not finish the passages. My gpa is around 3.3. I am so scared to take the MCAT again-- mostly bc of the verbal section and it will be my 3rd time. I really do not think I can do much better and know that it will probably look really bad taking it 3 times. Do I have a chance at all? Should I even apply? This will be my second time applying. I got one interview last year, but that was before I retook the MCAT. Thanks.
 
sprocket said:
Please help. I don't know what to do. I took the MCAT twice and got a 21 both times. My verbal score went form a 6 to a 4. I absolutely stink at verbal and have tried everything to get my score up, but nothing seems to be working. I read too slow and can not finish the passages. My gpa is around 3.3. I am so scared to take the MCAT again-- mostly bc of the verbal section and it will be my 3rd time. I really do not think I can do much better and know that it will probably look really bad taking it 3 times. Do I have a chance at all? Should I even apply? This will be my second time applying. I got one interview last year, but that was before I retook the MCAT. Thanks.
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How exactly did you study VR before? How many hours total? Were you always a "slow" reader or was this never a problem before the time constraints of the MCAT?
 
I'll jump in here:

3.3 GPA, 3.2 science, 31R + volunteering/leadership/research @ 3 institutions/publications/shadowing, good LORs
I'm a current graduate student, getting a biomedical masters.

How many D.O. schools should I apply to? I sent in my AMCAS for 11 schools, and right now my D.O. list is at 9:
CCOM, LECOM-Bradenton, NYCOM (still iffy about this one), NSU-COM, PCOM, GA-PCOM (again, maybe), Tuoro-NY, UMDNJ, & VCOM.

Decent list? I'm finishing up AACOMAS now and should have it submitted in a few days.

(as for money, it's less than I spent last cycle, by at least a grand...)
 
I studied for the verbal using exam crackers and tpr way. I don't know how many hours but I went through all the material. I get very nervous when I know I am being timed and can't think straight. I find myself reading half the passage, not realizing that I am not even paying attention to what I am reading and then I have to sart all over. I can usually get the questions down to the last two possible choices but end up choosing the wrong one. If I was not being timed I think I would be able to do much better. As for my reading speed, never really thought about it. I guess I am a slow reader. If I read too fast I won't absorb it.
 
sprocket said:
I studied for the verbal using exam crackers and tpr way. I don't know how many hours but I went through all the material. I get very nervous when I know I am being timed and can't think straight. I find myself reading half the passage, not realizing that I am not even paying attention to what I am reading and then I have to sart all over. I can usually get the questions down to the last two possible choices but end up choosing the wrong one. If I was not being timed I think I would be able to do much better. As for my reading speed, never really thought about it. I guess I am a slow reader. If I read too fast I won't absorb it.
Click to expand...

I'd tell you to spend every waking study hour doing timed verbal passages, similar in format to the MCAT. Start with one or two at a time, then work up to the full section. Always keep strict time. I don't know what the avg number of passages is on the real MCAT VR. Find out, and divide 60 min by this number. Then use this as your time allotment per section. So if you normally have 9 minutes per section, you'd give yourself 27 minutes to do 3 sections in a row. Then make sure to look at explanations for every single question, even for the correct ones.

You can read fairly slowly and still have time left over. What kills people is having to go back into the passage, with little direction, and hunt for answers/clues. EK teaches you this. Listen to their Audio Osmosis VR section for some good tips.
 
beachblonde said:
I'll jump in here:

3.3 GPA, 3.2 science, 31R + volunteering/leadership/research @ 3 institutions/publications/shadowing, good LORs
I'm a current graduate student, getting a biomedical masters.

How many D.O. schools should I apply to? I sent in my AMCAS for 11 schools, and right now my D.O. list is at 9:
CCOM, LECOM-Bradenton, NYCOM (still iffy about this one), NSU-COM, PCOM, GA-PCOM (again, maybe), Tuoro-NY, UMDNJ, & VCOM.

Decent list? I'm finishing up AACOMAS now and should have it submitted in a few days.

(as for money, it's less than I spent last cycle, by at least a grand...)
Click to expand...

Your stats are pretty good (I think) so I would only apply to those DO schools that you would REALLY want to attend. You'll probably have the luxury of deciding between schools, so don't waste your money on too many DO backups.
 
to improve verbal scores i would spend a lot of time reading books and scientific magazines while consciously trying to read quickly. do alot of vr practice sections as well, but dont make this your only study habit as this can become stressful, particularly if you dont see a big improvement in your practice scores. i found that being mentally relaxed for the mcat was just as important as knowing the material. i would recommend winding down your studying as test day approaches.
 
For me, the easiest way to get through the verbal on the MCAT was to write the theme or main point of every paragraph in each passage. Even if it is only a couple words or a sentence, it helped me remember what I read and also it helped me go back to the passage quickly after reading the question. This helped me increase from a 6 on the Kaplan diagnostic to a 10 on the MCAT in a span of a couple months.
 
SO! scores came out today, and i'm really bummed. PS kicked my butt.
25P: V9, B10, P6. a 6?!?!?!?!?!?! i definately don't wanna retake, but i don't think i have an option? I was averaging more like an 8 on PS which I would have been happy with. Just a bummer cuz I felt i did very well on BS since it was like alllllllllllll genetics.. Any help appreciated..🙁
 
Ok HELP!! I just got my MCAT scores back and am not sure if I should retake or not...:scared:

AACOMAS GPAs:
3.37 overall
3.67 science
4.0 post-bacc - 43 hrs of all science

MCAT: 28M (not sure how to feel about this score...😳)

I am a non-trad so I have a few years of working with autistic kids, one as a social worked, one as a chiropractic assistant, and am currently a full time medical assistant at an ambulatory care/primary care facility.

I am really hoping for a shot at PCOM and am worried that my MCAT might not cut it.

What do you all think???
 
Lucylu123 said:
Ok HELP!! I just got my MCAT scores back and am not sure if I should retake or not...:scared:

AACOMAS GPAs:
3.37 overall
3.67 science
4.0 post-bacc - 43 hrs of all science

MCAT: 28M (not sure how to feel about this score...😳)

What do you all think???
Click to expand...

MCAT right in line with the avg...I wouldn't stress too much as your GPA is right around the mean as well. Submit now as that'll help your chances a lot more than waiting until sept to take another mcat and possibly gain maybe 2 more pts
 
Thanks for your reply!

I already applied way back in May to get in early with the hopes that it would help me along, so they should already have everything else.
 
Lucylu123 said:
Ok HELP!! I just got my MCAT scores back and am not sure if I should retake or not...:scared:

AACOMAS GPAs:
3.37 overall
3.67 science
4.0 post-bacc - 43 hrs of all science

MCAT: 28M (not sure how to feel about this score...😳)

I am a non-trad so I have a few years of working with autistic kids, one as a social worked, one as a chiropractic assistant, and am currently a full time medical assistant at an ambulatory care/primary care facility.

I am really hoping for a shot at PCOM and am worried that my MCAT might not cut it.

What do you all think???
Click to expand...

I think your MCAT is a little above the average and the GPA is fine. I don't see any reason to worry about the MCAT thats a great score! Congrads, and goodluck I think you'll make it.
 
dangit said:
My gpa 3.0 and MCAT is 25N. Do i have a chance of getting into Western/COMP or TUCOM-CA? I have a LOR from a DO and I have a lot of EC....sigh....I just got my score from the June 13 MCAT...
Click to expand...

I have similar stats and did not apply to either of those schools due to my stats. Western will be a bigger stretch then TUCOM but I believe it will be tough either way. Is your science gpa over 3.0?
 
I applied to 17, cutting out the more selective/instate favored ones. I'm on the Broad and Early plan as advised by many on this forum. With your stats I'd suggest the same.
 
The Broad and Early plan - that's the one where you eat a lot of carbs, right?
 
Cp22kjer said:
I applied to 17, cutting out the more selective/instate favored ones. I'm on the Broad and Early plan as advised by many on this forum. With your stats I'd suggest the same.
Click to expand...

i still need to get verified, so would i count as being broad and early .. i'm seriously considering retaking the MCAT. the science i know i could improve...because I spent so much time on verbal...but it just won't go up. i wanted a balanced score, but at this pt, i'm just like, whatever, if i can get high science scores, and a low verbal, so be it.
 
Hey everyone,
I'm starting to worry a lot about my MCAT scores. At the start of the summer my practice scores were in the 22 to 23 range. I thought by taking the MCAT on Aug. 15 that I would have plenty of time to bump my score up. However, I keep getting the same score, 23.
If I can't improve by the test date, what do you think my chances will be? I keep hoping that my GPA and EC's will counterbalance my low MCAT. GPA overall and science=3.98. I have about 1600 volunteer hours, 70 hours shadowing a D.O., undergrad research, and some leadership roles on campus.
Here are the schools that I will be applying to:

UNECOM
LECOM-Erie
VCOM
CCOM
PCOM
PCSOM
WVSOM
DMU
LMU

If anyone knows any specific information about any of these schools (e.g., if a 23 MCAT will cut it, what they consider more important GPA or MCAT, etc.) that would be great. I love the osteopathic philosophy and OMT, and all the schools above seem awesome. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Hope the application process is going well for everyone.
 
If I was getting 23's on my practice MCATs, I would push my test date back, and figure out what I'm doing wrong. With your GPA, you probably have the intellectual capacity to do better than a 23. Even if you got those grades at Texas Tech, or some glorified high school like that.

Yeah, I think you might have some options with a 23, given the rest of your application, but you'd get the axe automatically at a lot of places too.
 
Spooner,
Are you getting 23's on the aamc or Kaplan tests? I haven't taken a Kaplan test but according to many, the Aamc tests are supposed to be better predictors of where your actual score may end up (barring other factors like major anxiety on test day, illness, etc).
If you're getting 23's on your aamc tests then like TT says,I would postpone the mcat.
 
...Or are you taking TPR? Man some of those tests were hard so if you were getting 23 on those diags, it's not too bad.
 
Top school would be MSU because I'm instate.. I don't wanna retake it but if i have to then i will. I'm just super bummed! All this work of being an early applicant and the MCAT ruins it all. BLAH! 🙁
 
rm2908 said:
Top school would be MSU because I'm instate.. I don't wanna retake it but if i have to then i will. I'm just super bummed! All this work of being an early applicant and the MCAT ruins it all. BLAH! 🙁
Click to expand...

rm...I want to see you at MSU next year! Don't worry too much about your score, it's within the range of their "ideal applicant". Check the MSUCOM 2008-2009 page...I posted the secondary. Good luck!!!!!
 
So I got my MCAT scores today and was waiting for them so I could post on this thread.

I got my B.A. in International Affairs in 2006
Did a post-bacc at American.



I've worked as a Technician for almost a year in an emergency department. Am currently working as a medical scribe in another emergency department. I shadowed an emergency room resident for about 4 months. And I have shadowed a D.O. I did research for one summer assisting a graduate student with their masters thesis.

I'm really worried about my application. I really thought I'd have a higher MCAT score to work with.

These are the schools I am applying to. I am applying to some MD but my heart is really in going to a DO school. Do you guys think I have a shot? Should I add any other schools? I'm so worried. Thanks

PCOM
PCOM-georgia
LECOM
CCOM
NYCOM
TOURO CA
UMDNJ
NECOM
West Virginia
NOVA
Western
 
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Just got my MCAT score - PS: 11 VR: 7:scared: BS: 11
This is my second time taking the MCAT
Last score- PS: 9 VR:8 BS: 9

Will my verbal score really hurt my application? My gpa is below average as well: 3.3 cum; 3.0 sci.
Was getting around a 9 or 10 on my practice tests on the verbal section but spent too much time on one passage on the real deal and couldn't finish the section. Didn't finish bio either...but Im happy with my score.

ECs are good...research, volunteering and shadowing experience, upward trend in gpa.

Was planing on applying to DMU, LECOM, Touros, PCOM, NYCOM. Will I get screened presecondary at any of these schools? Also, what other schools should I apply to?

Thanks guys!!! Really appreciate it. Good luck to everyone applying this cycle! :luck:
 
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