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

[RySerr21]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Ya, i've been studying more and more MCAT...hopefully I'll be calmer second time around.....do you think i can get any interviews with a 20Q and a cum. 3.3? and if so, what schools are my best bet? and some schools say there is a cut off and most say there is not, which i'm guessing to get my secondary app. fee......but do you know which of the d.o. schools i would have a best bet with staying with a 20?

Thanks.

IMO, with a 3.3 and a 20 MCAT, a retake is almost 100% necessary (aka if it was me, i would have immidiately signed up for another test). You want to maximize your chances of getting in. I'm sure you know you can do better than your present score. Dont let the MCAT ruin your chances at schools you know you are otherwise qualified for. You might get a secondary at the schools that dont have minimum requirements, but for the ones that do, you are out of luck. And even for the ones
that dont have cutoffs, you are facing an uphill battle.

Rock the MCAT this 2nd time around!

 

[azmo07]

Do you guys know which medical schools takes your best mcat individual section from multiple test?

 

[Brodiewankenobi]

Ya, i've been studying more and more MCAT...hopefully I'll be calmer second time around.....do you think i can get any interviews with a 20Q and a cum. 3.3? and if so, what schools are my best bet? and some schools say there is a cut off and most say there is not, which i'm guessing to get my secondary app. fee......but do you know which of the d.o. schools i would have a best bet with staying with a 20?

Thanks.

check the CIB on the osteopathic colleges website....they will have any automatic cutoff criteria listed school by school. As for best bet, i would say there is no best bet. ppl getting in with 20 and lower usually have an extremely high GPA to balance out their app. Unless your sGPA is huge or you have some truly outstanding ECs I would be realistic about proceeding with my apps. That said you can fix your MCAT in one day and have a really competetive application so keep at it!

 

[mikkey1818]

I just recently considered applying to D.O. programs. My question is since it is early August, would it be too late to submit it now? I have everything ready, it's just timing I guess. I don't want to blow all that money if I don't have a decent chance. I have 3.36 GPA from UCLA and a 32S MCAT. If I apply now, what chances would I have of getting in? Anyone offer their experience? advice? Thank you.

 

[Chocolate Bear]

I just recently considered applying to D.O. programs. My question is since it is early August, would it be too late to submit it now? I have everything ready, it's just timing I guess. I don't want to blow all that money if I don't have a decent chance. I have 3.36 GPA from UCLA and a 32S MCAT. If I apply now, what chances would I have of getting in? Anyone offer their experience? advice? Thank you.

GPA is decent and MCAT is solid. People will be applying with worse stats in January and getting acceptances. Submit today!

It'll be two months from now before you get a secondary, so check here, and write your essays beforehand. This way you can already be done with secondaries and be no further behind in the process. Also, save your nickels. It's gonna get expensive.

 

[travoltage]

2 months? i think its a little bit faster than that..

 

[mikkey1818]

Thanks for the advice guys.

 

[ItzaMiracle]

I applied last November and got interviewed in feburary and got accepted in march.

 

[Chocolate Bear]

2 months? i think its a little bit faster than that..

It's been taking nearly 6 weeks for people to be verified and another week to get sent to schools. Schools have been taking from 0 to around 20 days (roughly) to get secondaries out.

How much sooner do you think it is?

 

[travoltage]

It's been taking nearly 6 weeks for people to be verified and another week to get sent to schools. Schools have been taking from 0 to around 20 days (roughly) to get secondaries out.

How much sooner do you think it is?

oh, well i have gotten some of mine pretty quickly

 

[TawMus]

3.1 c GPA
3.3 s GPA
24 MCAT , ( retaking Aug 26.. got really nervous first time I took it)

Got about 2 LORs so far. (1 science professor that i did research with for about 8 mo. , and 1 from volunteer coordinator)

Just started shadowing a DO recently.

About 50+ hrs. volunteering in ER.

Mission trip to mexico in High School.

Worked full-time thruout my entire 7 yrs in college =/

Graduating at the end of this upcoming spring.

Should I even bother to apply this year, or should I beef up my app and apply next year. I'd hate to spend all that money and time applying if I dont even got a shot. And If I should apply this year, when should I start the application process??

Schools I'm interested in :

TCOM
NYCOM
OSUCOM
The new DO school in San Diego
maybe AZCOM

If there are any schools I should add to this list, Please let me know and if any one has cut off info for any of these schools, it would be much appreciated!! Thanks in advance.

::bump::

 

[Cp22kjer]

::bump::

NYCOM and OSUCOM both have heavy instate leans just so you know.

Not sure about TCOM.

I have similar stats, I'm busting tail to be complete at all 17 schools I applied to by this Wednesday or Thursday.

I suppose your best bet is to see how the MCAT shakes out but apply to the schools you select now and be sure to mark that you're retaking the MCAT.

The saying here for people with your/our numbers is BROAD and EARLY so you may want to consider expanding to more schools. Goodluck!

 

[FutureDoc103]

I was wondering what everyone thinks my chances are.

Science GPA - 3.51
Overall GPA - 3.67
Lots of extracurriculars, volunteering
MCAT - 25O in April, just got July results today and was disappointed (24M)

I've received secondaries from:
MSUCOM, DMU-COM, LMU-DCOM, KCOM, LECOM, OSUCOM, and Pikeville.

 

[Cp22kjer]

I was wondering what everyone thinks my chances are.

Science GPA - 3.51
Overall GPA - 3.67
Lots of extracurriculars, volunteering
MCAT - 25O in April, just got July results today and was disappointed (24M)

I've received secondaries from:
MSUCOM, DMU-COM, LMU-DCOM, KCOM, LECOM, OSUCOM, and Pikeville.

MSUCOM and OSUCOM have strong instate preference. You are slightly above average with your gpa and on average with the MCAT. I think you could get interviews to any of the schools that you applied to. MSUCOM and OSUCOM could be tough if you're OOS. If you have not already applied, do so now to improve your chances.

 

[FutureDoc103]

Thanks for your reply, I'm just concerned because my second science professor has yet to turn in my LOR and the earliest I can turn in all secondaries (MSU is already turned in - I'm instate) will be the 1st week of September

 

[hoya09]

Hey all- Some of you know me from an earlier post about MSUCOM. I added CCOM to the list and I'm trying to get a feel for my general chances. Basic stats are 3.3 overall, 3.0 BCPM, and 35P MCAT. For ECs please check my MDapps. LORs are from my two PIs and a DO I've worked with. Thanks for the feedback in advance...

 

[Chocolate Bear]

Hey all- Some of you know me from an earlier post about MSUCOM. I added CCOM to the list and I'm trying to get a feel for my general chances. Basic stats are 3.3 overall, 3.0 BCPM, and 35P MCAT. For ECs please check my MDapps. LORs are from my two PIs and a DO I've worked with. Thanks for the feedback in advance...

Definitely worth the $50 to be considered. 👍

 

[whoknows2008]

Hi, as I sit here crying ..... so disappointed in myself. My MCAT score went down. Here are my stats:

July 2008: B-8 P-7 V-7 W-S TOTAL: 22S
July 2007: B-6 P-9 V-9 W-Q TOTAL: 24S

🙁

My GPA:
Science: 3.2
Overall: 3.5

My state doesn't have a DO school. What schools should I apply to? Please list any and all! I am desperate! 🙁 Do any schools take the top scores?

 

[Deepa100]

Hi,
VR:6
BS:9
PS:12
WS: Q
Total: 27Q

Do I have a chance at DO schools? My GPA for UG, graduate and post-bacc is very high (3.77, 3.98 and 3.97). I am just not good at standardized tests...

 

[Pghboy18]

Overall MCAT score is in the range for DO schools, but the 6 in VR might get you screened out.

If it were me and I had your GPA (and the $ for apps/the right ECs), I'd still apply.

 

[Chocolate Bear]

Hi,
VR:6
BS:9
PS:12
WS: Q
Total: 27Q

Do I have a chance at DO schools? My GPA for UG, graduate and post-bacc is very high (3.77, 3.98 and 3.97). I am just not good at standardized tests...

You have a good shot, but the VR will get you screened at a few schools, I believe. Call the ones you're interested in to make sure, but for the most part it'll be fine.

 

[DrMidlife]

...I am just not good at standardized tests...

Getting in is probably the easy part for you then. There about a dozen long, nasty standardized tests between you and licensure. These tests are day-long and arguably more challenging than the MCAT.

 

[Decicco]

You are likely to get in somewhere. Good luck

 

[hoya09]

Hey,
I'm new to the DO route, so I can't say much about school choices except that the DO MSAR link in chocolate bear's profile is VERY helpful. As for the MCAT though, don't be too upset. It's not the end of the world to go down a couple of points. Adcoms look at your whole profile. Best of luck.

 

[mastamark]

Hi,
VR:6
BS:9
PS:12
WS: Q
Total: 27Q

Do I have a chance at DO schools? My GPA for UG, graduate and post-bacc is very high (3.77, 3.98 and 3.97). I am just not good at standardized tests...

You may have a decent shot at some schools. Apply if you can. If your ECs and LORs are good you should have an "OK" chance at some interviews. If I were you I would get my apps in ASAP.

Good Luck👍

 

[whoknows2008]

Thanks for your help! That was useful. Anyone else have advice? Thanks!

I should have mentioned I have a ton of extracurricular activities (RA, TA, President of clubs, intramural volleyball, etc etc), worked through college, research experience. I just graduate in May, and in my year off I received a position at the University of Chicago doing research. I'm working on all the essays now so I don't waste time. My primary was processed a week or two ago, and the only secondary I have received is CCOM. I had only applied to three DO schools, but I just added about 6 more.

 

[vickfan1]

personally, i think you are good to go. apply to many schools and im sure you will get in. only retake the MCAT if you are positive that you can increase your verbal (and overall score). apply early and good luck!

 

[kestrel3386]

Hey All!
I need a little advice. I just got my mcat scores back and I got a 26O, 8PS, 10VR, and 8BS. I have a 3.5 gpa. MANY ex-cur. I am a college athlete, I studied abroad and volunteered in a clinic abroad. I am only applying to DO schools because I believe in the DO philosophy and have been treated by DO physicians my entire life. I currently have apps out at MSUCOM (1st choice), VCOM, PCOM, WVCOM, OUCOM, LECOM, PCOM-Ga...

If I re-take the exam, I won't be able to get my scores until Sept 30-which puts me at a disadvantage because MSUCOM has rolling admissions.

Any advice would be appreciated!
Thanks!

 

[Deepa100]

personally, i think you are good to go. apply to many schools and im sure you will get in. only retake the MCAT if you are positive that you can increase your verbal (and overall score). apply early and good luck!

Thanks for the reply. I am just not sure if I can improve my verbal. I love sciences so, I can put up with having to read Biology passages but Verbal just bores me. I tend to stray away and think about every thing else that is going on. I do think it is because it bores me. So, the fact that I did ok on the science sections (I am an engineer, not a Bio major) gives me the confidence that I can deal with the standardized tests as long as they are science related.

I mean, do I have to take this Verbal type of tests for Licensing? I hope not. That will be a deal breaker for me.

On a slightly different subject, my husband is now saying that he is not sure he wants to move OOS for a DO school😕 How do I convince him that DOs are no different from MDs for jobs etc.?
Thanks!

 

[Chocolate Bear]

Hey All!
I need a little advice. I just got my mcat scores back and I got a 26O, 8PS, 10VR, and 8BS. I have a 3.5 gpa. MANY ex-cur. I am a college athlete, I studied abroad and volunteered in a clinic abroad. I am only applying to DO schools because I believe in the DO philosophy and have been treated by DO physicians my entire life. I currently have apps out at MSUCOM (1st choice), VCOM, PCOM, WVCOM, OUCOM, LECOM, PCOM-Ga...

If I re-take the exam, I won't be able to get my scores until Sept 30-which puts me at a disadvantage because MSUCOM has rolling admissions.

Any advice would be appreciated!
Thanks!

I don't think I'd retake, if I were you. I might add 3 or 4 more schools that fit me, but that's just me. Just curious, why no CCOM?

 

[Chocolate Bear]

my husband is now saying that he is not sure he wants to move OOS for a DO school😕 How do I convince him that DOs are no different from MDs for jobs etc.?

But he would move OOS for MD schools? That sucks. What's he worried about? Salary, likelihood of getting a job, specialty choices?

 

[kestrel3386]

I didn't apply to CCOM because I don't want to live and go to school in Chicago. I'm probably the only person in the US who doesn't like that city.

 

[deleted172531]

I wouldn't retake it either.

 

[Chocolate Bear]

I didn't apply to CCOM because I don't want to live and go to school in Chicago. I'm probably the only person in the US who doesn't like that city.

Maybe you were there for a White Sox game and left before you hit the north end of the city 😛

 

[kestrel3386]

.

 

[st2205]

Just got my scores back. Tell me what you think...

3.47 CGPA
3.42 SGPA
26M (9 BS, 9 VR, 8 PS)
75 hours in mental health volunteering
45 hours shadowing
>120 hours in OCD research
DO letter
Blue collar job

Applied everywhere but MSU.

 

[iowagirl]

Dont worry dost....I am in the same boat.....I hate VR.....it bores me too....

Thanks for the reply. I am just not sure if I can improve my verbal. I love sciences so, I can put up with having to read Biology passages but Verbal just bores me. I tend to stray away and think about every thing else that is going on. I do think it is because it bores me. So, the fact that I did ok on the science sections (I am an engineer, not a Bio major) gives me the confidence that I can deal with the standardized tests as long as they are science related.

I mean, do I have to take this Verbal type of tests for Licensing? I hope not. That will be a deal breaker for me.

On a slightly different subject, my husband is now saying that he is not sure he wants to move OOS for a DO school😕 How do I convince him that DOs are no different from MDs for jobs etc.?
Thanks!

 

[Chocolate Bear]

Thanks for your help! That was useful. Anyone else have advice? Thanks!

I should have mentioned I have a ton of extracurricular activities (RA, TA, President of clubs, intramural volleyball, etc etc), worked through college, research experience. I just graduate in May, and in my year off I received a position at the University of Chicago doing research. I'm working on all the essays now so I don't waste time. My primary was processed a week or two ago, and the only secondary I have received is CCOM. I had only applied to three DO schools, but I just added about 6 more.

Not sure about where, in particular, you will have the best shot. I'd say to apply to schools that are in areas you wouldn't mind living and have programs that are appealing to you.

The other route is to take the January MCAT. The problem is not that schools won't take it--as many/all of them actually will--it's that you will want to tell them to wait for the score. This will make you extremely late in the process, but it has been successfully done.

You're kind of on the fringe where I'm not sure what I'd do in your situation. Nobody likes to wait another year, so I'd probably give it my best effort and know that all I needed to do is kill the MCAT next April to ensure my success next year, if that's what it comes down to. Good luck.

 

[Chocolate Bear]

Just got my scores back. Tell me what you think...

3.47 CGPA
3.42 SGPA
26M (9 BS, 9 VR, 8 PS)
75 hours in mental health volunteering
45 hours shadowing
>120 hours in OCD research
DO letter
Blue collar job

Applied everywhere but MSU.

Looks good. Are you sure you want to fill out all of those secondaries? Maybe do some more research so that you can at least prioritize based on their appeal to you. This way when time/money/effort begin to wane, the good ones don't take the hit. 👍

 

[Saregamapadanis]

😕 How do I convince him that DOs are no different from MDs for jobs etc.?
Thanks!

Go to your insurance company's website online, go to the page where you can search for physicians in your area and show him that DOs are on that list, and also show him some of the names of DO cardiologists and neurologists.

 

[Deepa100]

Dont worry dost....I am in the same boat.....I hate VR.....it bores me too....

Hey, thanks!

 

[Deepa100]

But he would move OOS for MD schools? That sucks. What's he worried about? Salary, likelihood of getting a job, specialty choices?

Yes. I think he will be fine once I give him more info.

 

[Deepa100]

Go to your insurance company's website online, go to the page where you can search for physicians in your area and show him that DOs are on that list, and also show him some of the names of DO cardiologists and neurologists.

Sounds good.

 

[Deepa100]

Here is the thing. I am not against a retake. But since I am not interested in any thing other than Family Practice/Internal Med/Peds, I am not sure what a retake would get for me except an MD after my name...


I feel that a retake would only help if I spend considerable amount (like a year) on just verbal. I am not sure if I can justify that to myself.


MD or DO, it will cost about the same OOS. I don't really care if it is a MD or DO if I can get my license and practice. I kinda' like the holistic medicine idea...

 

[Saregamapadanis]

Here is the thing. I am not against a retake. But since I am not interested in any thing other than Family Practice/Internal Med/Peds, I am not sure what a retake would get for me except an MD after my name...

One positive thing about doing a retake is that if you do score well, then along with your GPA, you could get into your in-state school, and state schools are generally cheaper , you (and your husband) will probably be spending less for the same education.

I feel that a retake would only help if I spend considerable amount (like a year) on just verbal. I am not sure if I can justify that to myself.


MD or DO, it will cost about the same OOS. I don't really care if it is a MD or DO if I can get my license and practice. I kinda' like the holistic medicine idea...

Again, it all depends on your priorities, though I don't think DO is any more "holistic" than MD these days.

 

[st2205]

Looks good. Are you sure you want to fill out all of those secondaries? Maybe do some more research so that you can at least prioritize based on their appeal to you. This way when time/money/effort begin to wane, the good ones don't take the hit. 👍

I qualified for the fee waiver and most schools waive it so money isn't an issue. I will prioritize my secondaries, but I figured if I'm going to apply I may as well just do it once. My only problem now is working 55 hours/week and doing secondaries. Other than that it seems I have a decent shot.

 

[Frunkey]

Would someone give me an idea of how I might fare in this process?

GPA: 3.34 (top 20 undergrad...maybe it helps...)
SGPA: 3.3
MCAT: 30Q

Strong EC's, including reseach, volunteer, and clinical, all in excess of 100 hours. Fluent in Spanish, non-hispanic male.

IL resident

Schools: CCOM, DMU, PCOM, GA-PCOM, Pikesville, AT Still, AZCOM, any other recommended schools?

 

[Tybalt1]

My Advice is that you email each school to find out specifically, but I suspect that you would find that they would tell you that a retake wouldn't be necessary. I actually had the same question with similar stats at the start of the summer. When I asked around, PCOM and VCOM both told me that I looked strong enough without a retake.

 

[Cp22kjer]

Would someone give me an idea of how I might fare in this process?

GPA: 3.34 (top 20 undergrad...maybe it helps...)
SGPA: 3.3
MCAT: 30Q

Strong EC's, including reseach, volunteer, and clinical, all in excess of 100 hours. Fluent in Spanish, non-hispanic male.

IL resident

Schools: CCOM, DMU, PCOM, GA-PCOM, Pikesville, AT Still, AZCOM, any other recommended schools?

GPA is about at the national average(3.43c/3.3s). DMU, CCOM and AZCOM have higher average GPA's but you make up for it with a strong MCAT. You should be competitive at every school you apply and I would expect interviews at 2 or 3 of them (at the very least).

 

[kestrel3386]

Does anyone else have anything to add? I would love to get more opinions as I would have to schedule a re-take by tomorrow.