* *2009-2010 "What Are My Chances/Where Should I Apply/What Should I Do" * *

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Ok heres my situation. I just finished my senior year, Im on the 5 year plan so I still have one year left. I did some highschool college classes and did horrible and then did my first 2 years at a jr. college, I finished with a 3.1. Ive done my last 2 years at Texas Tech. My first year here was horrible dropped a heck of a lot classes which gave me 11 w's, 3 in science. Before you judge me too harshly on that I was diagnosed with sever depression about a year ago and I got medication for it now and Im good. But it really affected my performance, but this last year I had a 4.0, bringing my gpa to 3.4. I still have a year left but I was gonna apply when in 2010 when the application for fall 2011 opens up. I have good lor's, one from a D.O. I also have volunteer experience in an ER and plenty of extracirricular activities. I also hope to get some research done before I apply. I also have quite a few retakes. My life was pretty confusing and a bit of a nightmare at times, but I have the passion and the will to become a doctor. I figure its one of the few things in world where I can actually help people and make a difference in this crappy world. So do I have a chance anywhere? Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated.
 
Craigslist said:
I guess I should have phrased that sentence correctly. I have great long-term memory and concept comprehension that allowed me to wing it through college.

I have the capability of scoring high on the MCAT if I were to study hard like I am (I have the complete Exam Kracker's set (all 4 1001 books, all Examkracers review and audio osmosis, 1 TPR book, and 2 Barrons books and also the DVDs of the gold standard).

The reason I mentioned the MCAT in that manner is, I believe I can score well so I would really like to know my chances or paths I should take to get into DO school with a 30+ mcat and my gpa.
Click to expand...

No one can tell you anything until you take an AAMC practice test. If you're testing on May 2nd, you really should take a practice test. The MCAT is far different than most people think it is based on the study materials. Once you do an actual practice test, you'll see what I mean.
 
if i had to reapply and had great stats and all the requirements for every school this would be my list in no particular order.

-Western
-AZCOM
-CCOM
-PCOM
-KCUMB
-TCOM
-UMDNJ
-NSU
-DMU
-NYCOM

This comes from about 2-3 months of researching schools and hearing the reputation of every school from other interviewers, dorums, etc.

i may have left some great schools out but i would not have applied to them for location, price, or other personal reasons
 
Desperate said:
Ok heres my situation. I just finished my senior year, Im on the 5 year plan so I still have one year left. I did some highschool college classes and did horrible and then did my first 2 years at a jr. college, I finished with a 3.1. Ive done my last 2 years at Texas Tech. My first year here was horrible dropped a heck of a lot classes which gave me 11 w's, 3 in science. Before you judge me too harshly on that I was diagnosed with sever depression about a year ago and I got medication for it now and Im good. But it really affected my performance, but this last year I had a 4.0, bringing my gpa to 3.4. I still have a year left but I was gonna apply when in 2010 when the application for fall 2011 opens up. I have good lor's, one from a D.O. I also have volunteer experience in an ER and plenty of extracirricular activities. I also hope to get some research done before I apply. I also have quite a few retakes. My life was pretty confusing and a bit of a nightmare at times, but I have the passion and the will to become a doctor. I figure its one of the few things in world where I can actually help people and make a difference in this crappy world. So do I have a chance anywhere? Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

Hmm, I think your GPA of 3.4 is good enough to apply for Fall of 2010. With your background and ECs, LORs, research, etc. you will be a competitive applicant. I think it's a sign of strength of character that you battled depression and decided to continue to pursue medicine. Adcoms will NOT look down upon your situation. Instead, I think you should embrace the fact that you went through a crappy experience and yet came out as a better person when it was all over.

But of course, if you want your GPA to be even higher and give yourself some time to study for MCATs, and get some more stuff done like shadowing, then by all means, apply for Fall of 2011. But I just wanted to let you know that your stats ARE good enough to apply this May for Fall of 2010.
 
Hi everyone,

I am very worried about getting into a DO school. I have not applied yet but plan on doing so. Here are my stats:

3.1 GPA, 3.3-3.4 science GPA
3.6 Post Bacc GPA, 30 MCAT

1 F , 1 D, 5 Ws

ECs:
1) Community Service Chair of my fraternity and responsible for winning national service award against 200 other chapters and another leadership position in my fraternity.
2) 240 hours clinical volunteering at hospital in nursing floor, pediatrics, and ER.
3) Medical volunteering in latin america for two weeks
4) 3 Full Marathons, 1 Triathlon
5) 1.5 years research in psychobio department
6) Essay published in school's textbook
7) Interned with student government for a year
8) Worked as pharmacy technician for 6months
9) volunteered in physical therapy for 3 months
10) Shadowed D.O. for 35 hours. Shadowed M.D. for 35 hours.

I feel like my stats are not good enough to get into D.O. school and am very nervous about my chances of getting in.

Can you guys please give me some guidance. Thank you.
 
cowboy9190 said:
Hi everyone,

I am very worried about getting into a DO school. I have not applied yet but plan on doing so. Here are my stats:

3.1 GPA, 3.3-3.4 science GPA
3.6 Post Bacc GPA, 30 MCAT

1 F , 1 D, 5 Ws

ECs:
1) Community Service Chair of my fraternity and responsible for winning national service award against 200 other chapters and another leadership position in my fraternity.
2) 240 hours clinical volunteering at hospital in nursing floor, pediatrics, and ER.
3) Medical volunteering in latin america for two weeks
4) 3 Full Marathons, 1 Triathlon
5) 1.5 years research in psychobio department
6) Essay published in school's textbook
7) Interned with student government for a year
8) Worked as pharmacy technician for 6months
9) volunteered in physical therapy for 3 months
10) Shadowed D.O. for 35 hours. Shadowed M.D. for 35 hours.

I feel like my stats are not good enough to get into D.O. school and am very nervous about my chances of getting in.

Can you guys please give me some guidance. Thank you.
Click to expand...

Keep in mind that DO schools tend to look at the whole applicant rather than scrutinizing the GPA/MCAT alone.

Your MCAT is very good for DO schools. I think the average matriculant MCAT for DO schools is around 26-27. A 30 makes you very competitive. It counters your GPA well. I assume that there is an upward trend in your GPA with mostly As and Bs in upper science classes? If so, then don't worry too much about your somewhat low GPA. Adcoms will understand that you were having a difficult time adjusting to undergrad in your freshmen/sophmore years. But you became serious about academics after some "bad" grades and withdrawals.

Speaking of your bad grades, have you retaken the classes in which you got Fs and Ds? Or were they some random non-science classes?

Your ECs look fantastic!! Apply early and broadly and you definitely have a shot at DO schools.
 
Rollo said:
Keep in mind that DO schools tend to look at the whole applicant rather than scrutinizing the GPA/MCAT alone.

Your MCAT is very good for DO schools. I think the average matriculant MCAT for DO schools is around 26-27. A 30 makes you very competitive. It counters your GPA well. I assume that there is an upward trend in your GPA with mostly As and Bs in upper science classes? If so, then don't worry too much about your somewhat low GPA. Adcoms will understand that you were having a difficult time adjusting to undergrad in your freshmen/sophmore years. But you became serious about academics after some "bad" grades and withdrawals.

Speaking of your bad grades, have you retaken the classes in which you got Fs and Ds? Or were they some random non-science classes?

Your ECs look fantastic!! Apply early and broadly and you definitely have a shot at DO schools.
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My GPA trend:
Freshman: 2.4
Sophomore: 2.7
Junior: 2.6
Senior: 3.5
Post Bacc two years: 3.6

I graduated as a business major and went on to do a post bacc.
Thanks for the help!
 
That is not a bad trend. Give it a shot. It is certainly better than my cumulative GPA.

NOW - to ask my own Q's:
3.1 GPA, BS in Neuroscience (UW-Madison) (first 3 sem. 2.4, trended upward!)
32Q MCAT

Other stuff:
CDL (semi) driver - 2 yrs
Neuro research - 3 yrs, co-author paper in AJP
Teaching assistant in Dept. of Neurosurgery
Presented research @ SFN 2005
Volunteer piano teacher/math tutor
Respite care provider for special-needs children
EMT-I (ALS provider @ county agency, currently attending paramedic school)

Possible target schools:
UNECOM
PCOM
CCOM
AZCOM
Western-UCOM
NSU-COM
NYCOM

Current issues - tough to find a DO to shadow, or get a LOR from. Especially in my field of interest (emergency medicine).

Chances? Suggestions?
 
Is nursing medical terminology course considered a science class??
 
cowboy9190 said:
My GPA trend:
Freshman: 2.4
Sophomore: 2.7
Junior: 2.6
Senior: 3.5
Post Bacc two years: 3.6

I graduated as a business major and went on to do a post bacc.
Thanks for the help!
Click to expand...

Not a bad trend. I think you have a decent shot especially since you are a business (non-science) major. Apply early and broadly!

mic2377 said:
That is not a bad trend. Give it a shot. It is certainly better than my cumulative GPA.

NOW - to ask my own Q's:
3.1 GPA, BS in Neuroscience (UW-Madison) (first 3 sem. 2.4, trended upward!)
32Q MCAT

Other stuff:
CDL (semi) driver - 2 yrs
Neuro research - 3 yrs, co-author paper in AJP
Teaching assistant in Dept. of Neurosurgery
Presented research @ SFN 2005
Volunteer piano teacher/math tutor
Respite care provider for special-needs children
EMT-I (ALS provider @ county agency, currently attending paramedic school)

Possible target schools:
UNECOM
PCOM
CCOM
AZCOM
Western-UCOM
NSU-COM
NYCOM

Current issues - tough to find a DO to shadow, or get a LOR from. Especially in my field of interest (emergency medicine).

Chances? Suggestions?
Click to expand...

To find a DO to shadow, search here:
http://www.osteopathic.org/YOM/mentor_search.htm

Your high MCAT balances your somewhat low GPA. Plus there is an upward trend in your GPA! Keep in mind that even though your GPA is low, you majored in neuroscience...no easy feat for college students. However, since you scored high on the MCAT, it shows that you understand the basic science tested in the MCAT...which is usually a good predictor of USMLE scores and medical school success.

You have lot of research under your belt. This is good because it shows dedication to intellectual pursuit. I think this part will definitely help you.

But yeah definitely shadow some DOs. Look through that search link I posted. I'm not sure about Western but NSU is the only one on your list that requires a reccomendation letter from a DO. All other schools usually require an MD letter or don't need one at all. Check in the CIB posted in AACOM website for more information.

PunkmedGirl said:
Is nursing medical terminology course considered a science class??
Click to expand...

No.

For future reference:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=596504
 
Rollo said:
Not a bad trend. I think you have a decent shot especially since you are a business (non-science) major. Apply early and broadly!



To find a DO to shadow, search here:
http://www.osteopathic.org/YOM/mentor_search.htm

Your high MCAT balances your somewhat low GPA. Plus there is an upward trend in your GPA! Keep in mind that even though your GPA is low, you majored in neuroscience...no easy feat for college students. However, since you scored high on the MCAT, it shows that you understand the basic science tested in the MCAT...which is usually a good predictor of USMLE scores and medical school success.

You have lot of research under your belt. This is good because it shows dedication to intellectual pursuit. I think this part will definitely help you.

But yeah definitely shadow some DOs. Look through that search link I posted. I'm not sure about Western but NSU is the only one on your list that requires a reccomendation letter from a DO. All other schools usually require an MD letter or don't need one at all. Check in the CIB posted in AACOM website for more information.



No.

For future reference:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=596504
Click to expand...



Thanks
 
Hey everyone, Im just reposting hoping to get some advice:

Need some advice....Im concerned about my sci gpa. Im a non science major with an overall gpa of 3.44 non sci- 3.66 and sci- 3.21. Im taking my mcat in four weeks!!! even if I do well what are my chances even with a low sci gpa? I have solid extracurricular and letters of rec. My top choices are UMDNJ-SOM and PCOM. What are my chance with an MCAT score of say a 26

thank you
 
I was told I had a good shot, but now I'm starting to doubt myself. I figure you guys can give me a better recommendation since you prob know more about this, plus everyone seems so on top of their game.

What do you think my chances are for a DO school in the US?

~3.3 undergrad GPA from good univ in neuroscience
26S mcat score (8,9,9)
tons of clinical, research, volunteer, extras work
good LORs
publications

any thoughts?
also, are DO applications done just like AMCAS? you just file one app and then send it out to all schools you are interested in (either MD or DO)?
 
lachloe said:
ok cool. thanks. any thoughts on my chances?
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For all intents and purposes, I'd say your chances look good as long as you apply early. For the next application cycle, your GPA will be below average and your MCAT might slightly be below the average for some particular schools, but applying early would do a world of good for you.

Good luck. 👍
 
Sorry if I posted this in the wrong section. It's my first time on this forum.

So here's my story. I graduated from UPenn with a 3.0 gpa (2.8 science) and 33 MCAT (12P/11V/10B) and went directly into an smp program (Drexel's IMS Program). I'm about 2 months from finishing it and things have not gone as I had planned. I was on pace for a 3.4/3.5 from the program after the first semester, but the first set of exams after winter break derailed my progress. Due to some personal circumstances, I fell behind and playing catchup in an smp is one hell of a no-no. At best, I will end up with a 3.25, at worst, a 3.0.

At the start of the year, the dean told us that a 3.0+gpa from an smp is good, but he also said realistically that you need to have a 3.3+ gpa to be competitive for the lower tier MD programs. So you can see how I'm stuck in limbo. I'm far from failing out of the program, but I'm not exactly finishing up with strong credentials.

I guess my question is where do I go from here? Assuming I finish with a ~3.1-3.2, am I even competitive for D.O. schools? Should I do a regular post-bac after this, or is the idea of any type of med school (caribbean included) out of the picture now?
 
SeekingMe said:
Hey everyone, Im just reposting hoping to get some advice:

Need some advice....Im concerned about my sci gpa. Im a non science major with an overall gpa of 3.44 non sci- 3.66 and sci- 3.21. Im taking my mcat in four weeks!!! even if I do well what are my chances even with a low sci gpa? I have solid extracurricular and letters of rec. My top choices are UMDNJ-SOM and PCOM. What are my chance with an MCAT score of say a 26

thank you
Click to expand...

Is there an upward trend in your sci GPA? How are your grades in Physics, Organic, any other upper division science classes?

Shoot for an MCAT of 30+. 26 is pretty average and you might have a shot with a 26 but with a 30+, you have much, much better shot at those schools.

lachloe said:
I was told I had a good shot, but now I'm starting to doubt myself. I figure you guys can give me a better recommendation since you prob know more about this, plus everyone seems so on top of their game.

What do you think my chances are for a DO school in the US?

~3.3 undergrad GPA from good univ in neuroscience
26S mcat score (8,9,9)
tons of clinical, research, volunteer, extras work
good LORs
publications

any thoughts?
also, are DO applications done just like AMCAS? you just file one app and then send it out to all schools you are interested in (either MD or DO)?
Click to expand...

Hmm, your application sounds just like somebody else who posted earlier. Like I told him, a 3.3 GPA in neuro is pretty good because it isn't an easy major. Your MCAT is pretty typical. However what stands out about your application is the publication. Not many DO applicants have major interest in research, let alone a publication. This will definitely help you out.

Apply early and broadly. You have a great shot, I'm sure you'll get in somewhere. 🙂

wannabeadoct0r said:
Sorry if I posted this in the wrong section. It's my first time on this forum.

So here's my story. I graduated from UPenn with a 3.0 gpa (2.8 science) and 33 MCAT (12P/11V/10B) and went directly into an smp program (Drexel's IMS Program). I'm about 2 months from finishing it and things have not gone as I had planned. I was on pace for a 3.4/3.5 from the program after the first semester, but the first set of exams after winter break derailed my progress. Due to some personal circumstances, I fell behind and playing catchup in an smp is one hell of a no-no. At best, I will end up with a 3.25, at worst, a 3.0.

At the start of the year, the dean told us that a 3.0+gpa from an smp is good, but he also said realistically that you need to have a 3.3+ gpa to be competitive for the lower tier MD programs. So you can see how I'm stuck in limbo. I'm far from failing out of the program, but I'm not exactly finishing up with strong credentials.

I guess my question is where do I go from here? Assuming I finish with a ~3.1-3.2, am I even competitive for D.O. schools? Should I do a regular post-bac after this, or is the idea of any type of med school (caribbean included) out of the picture now?
Click to expand...

I would retake undergrad classes that you got Cs in and shoot for As in those. AACOMAS counts your most recent grade in retake classes for GPA calculations. Therefore, it is very important that if you decide to retake some classes, you get As in them.

Your MCAT is very good so that will definitely help you. 👍

If you're interested in PCOM, you should think about attending their open house at the end of this month and talking to people in the admissions. Explain your situation and see what they recommend.
 
I've heard that it's harder for re-applicants to get in, so I want to make sure I'm not making a bad decision by applying this summer. I'm mainly going to be applying to osteopathic medical schools, but I'll probably also apply to a few allopathic medical schools because of their location.

Here's my situation:
- Junior biochemistry major at a reputable state school
- 3.52 overall GPA - should be pretty stable from here on out.
- ~3.2 science GPA, but it'll be a 3.3 after I retake physics 1 - won't show up until the end of Fall 2009. (My science GPA is higher for the AMCAS since AMCAS includes math.)
- About to get W in an upper level chemistry class, and won't have the new grade until the end of Fall 2009
- I usually do well on standardized tests, but I won't be taking the MCAT until either June 18 or July 2, so my app won't be complete until July 18 or August 1
- Downward trend in the GPA, but I've never had a semester that falls below 3.0
- No shadowing until this summer, and no time to get to know a DO for an LOR until this summer. I was planning on getting a PhD until ~8 months ago, and an ongoing research project kept me from being able to commit to any sort of regular, scheduled shadowing.
- 3 Solid LORs: research mentor, one science professor, one non-science professor.

ECs:
- Camp counselor for kids with disabilities - sporadically on weekends over past year or so
- >200 hours at the hospital in high school, NONE in college
- Relay for Life team captain for 3 years
- Occasionally volunteering in retirement homes with a club, 3 years
- Make conversation with students whose first language isn't English to help them get used to the language, eliminate their accent, etc.
- Leadership role in small choral group.
- 2 years of fairly independent hard-science research, ending this May. Possible pending publication, but I won't be one of the major authors.
- No shadowing until this summer

Basically, should I apply? Is August 1 considered late? Is there anything I should definitely do this summer aside from shadowing, MCAT, and some sort of general volunteer work that I like? Are there any schools that sound like a good/bad fit? Thanks 🙂
 
Spin said:
I've heard that it's harder for re-applicants to get in, so I want to make sure I'm not making a bad decision by applying this summer. I'm mainly going to be applying to osteopathic medical schools, but I'll probably also apply to a few allopathic medical schools because of their location.

Here's my situation:
- Junior biochemistry major at a reputable state school
- 3.52 overall GPA - should be pretty stable from here on out.
- ~3.2 science GPA, but it'll be a 3.3 after I retake physics 1 - won't show up until the end of Fall 2009. (My science GPA is higher for the AMCAS since AMCAS includes math.)
- About to get W in an upper level chemistry class, and won't have the new grade until the end of Fall 2009
- I usually do well on standardized tests, but I won't be taking the MCAT until either June 18 or July 2, so my app won't be complete until July 18 or August 1
- Downward trend in the GPA, but I've never had a semester that falls below 3.0
- No shadowing until this summer, and no time to get to know a DO for an LOR until this summer. I was planning on getting a PhD until ~8 months ago, and an ongoing research project kept me from being able to commit to any sort of regular, scheduled shadowing.
- 3 Solid LORs: research mentor, one science professor, one non-science professor.

ECs:
- Camp counselor for kids with disabilities - sporadically on weekends over past year or so
- >200 hours at the hospital in high school, NONE in college
- Relay for Life team captain for 3 years
- Occasionally volunteering in retirement homes with a club, 3 years
- Make conversation with students whose first language isn't English to help them get used to the language, eliminate their accent, etc.
- Leadership role in small choral group.
- 2 years of fairly independent hard-science research, ending this May. Possible pending publication, but I won't be one of the major authors.
- No shadowing until this summer

Basically, should I apply? Is August 1 considered late? Is there anything I should definitely do this summer aside from shadowing, MCAT, and some sort of general volunteer work that I like? Are there any schools that sound like a good/bad fit? Thanks 🙂
Click to expand...

Before I get attacked by the mob, this is simply my personal opinion based on my experience:


I know the cool thing to say these days is that everyone looks beyond MCAT score(s), but they really don't. It is a big part, if not the single biggest part, of your application especially considering the fact that you are applying right out of college (i.e. you are not a nontraditional student and you don't have any significant healthcare-related experience(s)). Therefore, without your MCAT score any advice is certainly premature (including mine).



To my knowledge once you submit your application you can't change/add any more college grades and therefore if you are not completing the retake course until the end of Fall 2009, your science GPA will not change. Although you are required to send your transcript with updated grades to most schools that you have applied to at the end of fall, they are not going to sit there and recalculate everyone's GPAs because of 1 or 2 grade changes. But I guess you could mention that in your interview. Your GPA is not bad but it is below average. Your MCAT score could potentially compensate for that though.


Again your chances are heavily dependent on your MCAT score and you may choose to wait until you have the score before you apply this year. By the way Aug. 1 is a bit late but NOT too late that would put you at any considerable disadvantage. Also remember that if you choose to apply next year, you better have some extremely productive and relevant activity in mind that you could be doing during your year off.


In any event, I hope my vague response was at least semi-helpful and Good Luck!!!


Just a TIP: Don't mention that you were trying to "eliminate" someone's accent during your interview or in your application.
 
bala565 said:
To my knowledge once you submit your application you can't change/add any more college grades and therefore if you are not completing the retake course until the end of Fall 2009, your science GPA will not change. Although you are required to send your transcript with updated grades to most schools that you have applied to at the end of fall, they are not going to sit there and recalculate everyone's GPAs because of 1 or 2 grade changes. But I guess you could mention that in your interview. Your GPA is not bad but it is below average. Your MCAT score could potentially compensate for that though.
Click to expand...

Thanks - I didn't know that.

My main worry is that my W this semester along with a general downward trend will be enough get me rejected just about everywhere. That's why I want to know whether I should wait until I'll be able to show my senior year transcript.
 
wannabeadoct0r: Yes, a 3.0 or better will get you considered at DO schools. How do I say this with such certainty, you ask? Well, I'm also an IMS student with a less-than-stellar GPA so I spoke with The Sauce about it. He said >3.0 will get you considered at a number of places, including PCOM. That MCAT won't hurt matters, either. Just have to ace Neuro and Med & Soc, right? Piece of cake.

Good luck!
 
If you decide to apply, apply as soon as they begin accepting applications in May. Don't worry about LORs because they get sent out with the secondaries. You have a better chance if you get your application in the first week possible, and you write a dynamite personal statement - and I don't mean one that was written for you. I don't see any reason why you would delay other than if you feel the application process with place you in an untenable economic situation. And I would contact schools you're interested in and speak with an admissions counselor ASAP and start building a rapport. And take everything I advise with a grain of salt - know yourself and decide that way.
 
MCAT scores aren't the end-all, be-all, but if there's not much in terms of distinguishing yourself from your peers in life-experience, then yeah, MCAT becomes more important. I submitted my AACOMAS app. without the MCAT score, because I wanted to get it in. It counts as received and is time stamped even though it's incomplete, so it pays to "git 'er done", and then follow up.

In regard to grade updates, you may be right about not being able to edit your AACOMAS - but I don't think so. You can submit corrections at any time - and AACOMAS will update the file to the schools if the application has been processed.

bala565 said:
Before I get attacked by the mob, this is simply my personal opinion based on my experience:


I know the cool thing to say these days is that everyone looks beyond MCAT score(s), but they really don't. It is a big part, if not the single biggest part, of your application especially considering the fact that you are applying right out of college (i.e. you are not a nontraditional student and you don't have any significant healthcare-related experience(s)). Therefore, without your MCAT score any advice is certainly premature (including mine).



To my knowledge once you submit your application you can't change/add any more college grades and therefore if you are not completing the retake course until the end of Fall 2009, your science GPA will not change. Although you are required to send your transcript with updated grades to most schools that you have applied to at the end of fall, they are not going to sit there and recalculate everyone's GPAs because of 1 or 2 grade changes. But I guess you could mention that in your interview. Your GPA is not bad but it is below average. Your MCAT score could potentially compensate for that though.


Again your chances are heavily dependent on your MCAT score and you may choose to wait until you have the score before you apply this year. By the way Aug. 1 is a bit late but NOT too late that would put you at any considerable disadvantage. Also remember that if you choose to apply next year, you better have some extremely productive and relevant activity in mind that you could be doing during your year off.


In any event, I hope my vague response was at least semi-helpful and Good Luck!!!


Just a TIP: Don't mention that you were trying to "eliminate" someone's accent during your interview or in your application.
Click to expand...
 
I'm going to be the camp that is going to advise you to wait a year.

Why?

The most obvious is your GPA. Yes, it's not that bad and you can update the schools with your fall grades. But fall grades don't come out and get posted till what middle of December? That means your transcripts won't be sent out and processed by the schools until at least January because of 2 week Winter break at the end of December.

Also, it will seem that you are hastening the process because you don't seem ready to handle medical school workload. I'm referring to your W in upper division chemistry class and downward trend in GPA.

Add on this the fact that it was only mere 8 months ago that you decided to pursue medical school, the adcoms will question your dedication to a career in medicine. A career in medicine is vastly different than a career with a PhD. There is more to this game of medicine than just academics.

No shadowing is going to hurt you too. Yes, you can shadow in the summer, get a LOR from a doctor, and send it out with your secondaries. But again, the question will come up about your dedication and genuine interest in the field of medicine, especially osteopathic medicine. Also, your hospital volunteering in high school does not matter at this point.

Your lack of clinical experience combined with subpar academic trends in your GPA and W will hurt you. Understand that I'm trying to give you an objective advice meant to help you, not to demoralize you.

If you wait a year, you will not only have a much better GPA with hopefully remarkable grades in upper divison science classes, you will also have a year worth of clinical experience along with a hopefully good MCAT score. Now that application is much more powerful and stands a better chance of getting accepted into medical schools (even allopathic).

Good luck in any case.
 
So I have a 3.2 gpa overall and I'm hoping to get it to around a 3.3 or 3.4 this semester by the time I apply in July. I met with my advisor today and said "well you have no shot of getting into medical school with that gpa." Is he right? I'm thinking if i get a 30 or above on the MCAT I will have a decent shot at an osteopathic school, but my advisor totally crushed all of my hopes...
 
When you get your mcat score we'll know more. Just remember that their are plenty of people with GPA's far higher than yours that still don't get in even with 30's.
 
my gpa wasn't much higher than that and i got multiple offers and have managed to survive 2 quarters of medical school. So take it with a grain of salt. Do well on the mcat, hopefully you have lots of "life" experience and can interview well....you'll be fine. persistence is important, don't lost it.
 
(Most) undergrad advisors know as much about med school admissions as I know about daytime talk shows in Thailand.

Your GPA is certainly competitive for osteopathic schools, and with a high MCAT could be at MD's as well. If being a physician is your goal, don't let anyone tell you it's unattainable. Especially if you're willing to put forth the work to earn it.
 
Your lower gpa just makes success on the mcat more important..study for a couple months and get a 35+ and then you'll be back in the game..worst case scenario, you can apply to a few DO schools..good luck
 
Don't lose hope. People get into DO programs every year with your gpa. Just buckle down and do well on the mcat, and you definitly have a shot. It's no guarantee of course, but your advisor is incorrect telling you that you have not shot. Check out MDapps and look at some of the stats of those who have been accepted to various schools. Also, there's a thread in the pre-osteopathic forum that's titled something like "Stats of Accepted students." Check it out too. In both of these places, you'll find people that have been accepted with gpa's similar to yours. Good luck!
 
nychica27 said:
So I have a 3.2 gpa overall and I'm hoping to get it to around a 3.3 or 3.4 this semester by the time I apply in July. I met with my advisor today and said "well you have no shot of getting into medical school with that gpa." Is he right? I'm thinking if i get a 30 or above on the MCAT I will have a decent shot at an osteopathic school, but my advisor totally crushed all of my hopes...
Click to expand...

With a 3.4GPA or so and a high MCAT, you can likely get into a DO school, potentially a lower tier MD school. You'll need to apply broadly, have great letters, extracurriculars, etc. Basically you'll need something that will grab the committee's attention. I don't think it will be easy, but don't really believe the "no shot at medcail school" comment is entirely correct.
 
I walked into my advisor's office, having just graduated with a 2.2 gpa, and I got the same thing. I told her that I was not interested in her evaluation of my chances, and that I just wanted to know what courses I needed to take.

Tell your advisor that he should go **** himself.
 
Baloney. I got into multiple schools this cycle with a GPA lower than that. And I didn't have a 35 on the MCAT. (3.1 and 29S to be exact).
 
is august considered too late to apply? i wanted to finish my retakes so my gpa could be brought up to a potential 3.1 (from a potential 2.7 if i guess that i'll make Bs in my sci classes this semester) before i applied. would it be worth it to wait, or should i just apply as soon as possible and then i guess update my grades as they come?
 
A. Advisors seriously know nothing. B. I'm 99% sure they are advised to tell people they have less of a shot than they do. Keep numbers lower, get people into other fields etc. Don't listen. A 3.3/30 will be solid for DO schools and with a little luck and some solid ECs/LORs could probably get you a lower tier MD interview.
 
slick27 said:
When you get your mcat score we'll know more. Just remember that their are plenty of people with GPA's far higher than yours that still don't get in even with 30's.
Click to expand...

Oh come on now, that's rare and they'd most likely have some other huge red flags in their application. I know of some people who had lower than a 3.2 and lower than a 30 MCAT and got into an MD school...numbers aren't everything 🙂
 
nychica27 said:
So I have a 3.2 gpa overall and I'm hoping to get it to around a 3.3 or 3.4 this semester by the time I apply in July. I met with my advisor today and said "well you have no shot of getting into medical school with that gpa." Is he right? I'm thinking if i get a 30 or above on the MCAT I will have a decent shot at an osteopathic school, but my advisor totally crushed all of my hopes...
Click to expand...

I really think you have a good chance, depending on your MCAT and that you APPLY EARLY! Your stats look fine as long as you apply early enough. However, everyone will all types of stats get into a run for their money when they apply late to schools. Do well on the MCAT and apply early and I think you stand a great chance!🙂
 
I agree with everyone...don't let your advisor discourage you from applying to medical school. I told mines to shut up (in a little more punkrockish😀 way) and that he's a know nothing little twit (he's been giving out misinformation to all the bio majors) when he told me I didn't have a chance in pig's hell of getting into medical school and that I should just settle and be a MRI tech. Whew long sentence🙂🙂. So definitely don't loose any sleep over what your advisor says.
 
A 3.2 is decent gpa for a D.O. med school considering your mcat and other parts of your application is solid. Your adviser was probably just talking about allo med schools, which I'd be inclined to agree with him. For D.O. schools however? Nah, you definitely have a shot. 👍
 
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slick27 said:
When you get your mcat score we'll know more. Just remember that their are plenty of people with GPA's far higher than yours that still don't get in even with 30's.
Click to expand...

And there are plenty of people with GPA's far lower who know that the MCAT's their chance to prove themselves, study their ***** off and knock it out of the park. OP, I was in your position a couple of years ago. Since then I've taken a 3.0 to a 3.45 and broke 90th percentile on my MCAT.
Yet to see if any of that will end up paying off, but....

Seriously OP, think about why your advisor wound up an advisor.

Bottom line, the only person that determines whether you'll get in or not is you...
 
Was that what your advisor really said and not how you heard him or her? If so, then your "advisor" needs to resign on the account of his or her utter ineptitude. Of course you don't want to give someone false hope, but it's also just as wrong to shatter someone's hope needlessly with absolute statements based on nothing more than mere opinion, especially when the facts aren't all there yet.

I think what's more true is that your GPA is on the lower side, and while it can potentially be a hindrance, especially if you are considering allopathic medical schools, it isn't at all the end of the line, either. It's low, but it's not like it's so low that it is a complete show stopper. Your application is going to be viewed by many places as a whole, which means, your GPA is going to be taken in the context of your MCAT, which you have yet to take, your LOR's, essays, and EC's. A good advisor would sit down with you and come up with a game plan based on your goals. Depending on what your goals were, you'd think about how to improve your application and your changes, if needed, and how to apply smartly to optimize choice and chance. It's completely annoying that your advisor chose to shut you down instead.

Anyway, forget and forgive ignorant people. Just take it upon yourself to educate yourself on what you need to do. You'll find that this forum is a pretty good resource, taken with a healthy grain of salt, of course.

Good luck in your endeavor.
 
Talk with another advisor and dont let ANYONE tell you that you cant achieve the goals you set for yourself!😡
 
If the advisor was speaking of allopathic schools, I'd agree. However, doing well on the MCAT will open a lot of doors at the various osteopathic schools around the country.
 
Most premeds don't realize that colleges want to keep the number of weaker med school applicants low, because the % of students who get into med school from their college is often a selling point for the undergraduate institution. So, if your GPA is low you'll often be discouraged from applying, due to this conflict of interest.
 
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