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

[JeetKuneDo]

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http://www.osteopathic.org/YOM/mentor_search.htm

Thanks.

 

[Rollo]

hi guys, do you think I am competitive for PCOM, DMU or UMDNJ som?

sGPA: 3.4
cGPA: 3.5
Major: Biomedical Engineering

I don't really have stellar EC's because I had to commute to school everyday, but i do what i can.
Volunteer in ER: 200-300 hrs
Intramural basketball
An award from the engineering department based on academic performance

I also graduated this may, and am taking the year off, waiting to get my green card.

I will be taking the MCAT this July, and am fairly confident I could get between 33-38.

I'm also looking forward to go to fire school, and become a volunteer fire fighter. I think it would be an interesting experience, and also give a chance to help people.

Are you applying this cycle or next?

How long is the fire school? And when do you start it?

Also, you should do some shadowing, preferably DO. Also, those schools require a recommendation letter from a DO or MD.

 

[chocolaterie]

hi guys, do you think I am competitive for PCOM, DMU or UMDNJ som?

sGPA: 3.4
cGPA: 3.5
Major: Biomedical Engineering

I don't really have stellar EC's because I had to commute to school everyday, but i do what i can.
Volunteer in ER: 200-300 hrs
Intramural basketball
An award from the engineering department based on academic performance

I also graduated this may, and am taking the year off, waiting to get my green card.

I will be taking the MCAT this July, and am fairly confident I could get between 33-38.

I'm also looking forward to go to fire school, and become a volunteer fire fighter. I think it would be an interesting experience, and also give a chance to help people.

When you say waiting to get your green card do you mean you're a pending permanent resident? I ask because I'm a Cdn citizen that had to go through the entire immigration process. Check with the schools and make sure your status won't hinder an acceptance (I don't know their admissions policy). Some schools only accept permanent residents/US citizens (unfortunately).

 

[twocentnews]

Hey everyone, just wondering what my chances are.
I am a junior right now, but I'm thinking about doing my Masters before I apply for DO.

Right now:
sGPA = 3.154
cGPA = 3.383 (will be higher; I had a rough soph yr)
50+ hrs shadowing DO
100+ hrs volunteering at hospital

I haven't taken the MCAT yet, I am doing that next summer. I am also thinking about taking organic chem lab over the summer at a CC - good/bad idea?

Thanks for the help. I've learned alot from this forum so far.

 

[Titans]

Hey everyone, just wondering what my chances are.
I am a junior right now, but I'm thinking about doing my Masters before I apply for DO.

Right now:
sGPA = 3.154
cGPA = 3.383 (will be higher; I had a rough soph yr)
50+ hrs shadowing DO
100+ hrs volunteering at hospital

I haven't taken the MCAT yet, I am doing that next summer. I am also thinking about taking organic chem lab over the summer at a CC - good/bad idea?

Thanks for the help. I've learned alot from this forum so far.

Looks good, just keep your grades up during your jr year. My stats are almost just like yours and I'm applying. As long as you get a 25 or higher on the mcat, I'm sure that you would get accepted somewhere. Work hard your jr year and your going to be fine. Make sure you get a DO LOR and I would say no for organic lab at a cc, dont think it would help you that mcuh.

 

[twocentnews]

Looks good, just keep your grades up during your jr year. My stats are almost just like yours and I'm applying. As long as you get a 25 or higher on the mcat, I'm sure that you would get accepted somewhere. Work hard your jr year and your going to be fine. Make sure you get a DO LOR and I would say no for organic lab at a cc, dont think it would help you that mcuh.

Hey Titans,
Where are you applying? Keep me updated about your process; I'd love to know how it all works out.

 

[Titans]

........

 

[baylorbear333]

Ok yall, please help me out. I really need some insight on where I should apply.

Overall GPA- 3.46
Science GPA- 2.9

haven't gotten my mcat back yet, but i'm going to hope for a 26 or 27...that's where my practice tests were around.
I have been working at a sports medicine office for 2.5 years (2 MD surgeons and a DO). I do medical transcription and patient coordination.
I shadowed one of the MD's for a total of about 40 hours.
I have observed three different surgeries, including an ACL reconstruction.
I've also watched and assisted in some in-clinic procedures like casting, joint injections, and ultrasound guided tenotomies.
I have three Science prof LOR's and an LOR which is written by one of the surgeons I work with but signed by all three. (ps should i get a separate LOR from the DO?!)
Service sorority, pledge class service officer, and now t-shirt officer for the whole sorority.
other basic things like Mortar Board, DEI, and Lambda Alpha Anthropology Honor society, etc.

HELP please!!!! thanks.

 

[Titans]

Ok yall, please help me out. I really need some insight on where I should apply.

Overall GPA- 3.46
Science GPA- 2.9

haven't gotten my mcat back yet, but i'm going to hope for a 26 or 27...that's where my practice tests were around.
I have been working at a sports medicine office for 2.5 years (2 MD surgeons and a DO). I do medical transcription and patient coordination.
I shadowed one of the MD's for a total of about 40 hours.
I have observed three different surgeries, including an ACL reconstruction.
I've also watched and assisted in some in-clinic procedures like casting, joint injections, and ultrasound guided tenotomies.
I have three Science prof LOR's and an LOR which is written by one of the surgeons I work with but signed by all three. (ps should i get a separate LOR from the DO?!)
Service sorority, pledge class service officer, and now t-shirt officer for the whole sorority.
other basic things like Mortar Board, DEI, and Lambda Alpha Anthropology Honor society, etc.

HELP please!!!! thanks.

Your science gpa is low, but the cutout is 2.75 for most schools to get a 2nd app. Your overall gpa is good, and if you get a 27 or 28 on the mcat It would be worth applying, but the science gpa will hurt your chances. And yes make sure you get a DO LOR, many schools req it and it will help you in the long run. Good luck

 

[kdizzy]

Chances?
GPA (science and cum) 3.68, MCAT 29Q (10PS, 8VR, 11BS). EC: Biochem and bioengineering lab (5months), shadow orthopedic DO, 1 nuclear medicine publication and 1 abstract (first author), 2 years of Varsity Sport Intercollegiate DivisionII. High school math teacher. Graduating this june.

 

[Krisss17]

Okay so I kind of have a dilemma concerning retaking courses. I am currently a sophomore at Rutgers University. I received a D in Bio I & II freshman year and a C in Chem I & II. I have to retake bio for my major so heres the dilemma.

Option 1:
If i take bio at Rutgers I will have to drive 40 min a day, but the grade will be averaged into my overall GPA at Rutgers. I will be unable to retake chem if I take bio at Rutgers over the summer.

Option 2:
I can take bio and chem at a local 4 year college that is 5 min away from home. The only thing is for my Rutgers GPA the grades will not transfer but obviously they will be used for DO school.

Option 3:
I can take bio and chem at my local community college. Again the grades wont be averaged but of course DO schools will use them.

I am asking this because I am wondering what will look better, taking bio at Rutgers again, taking both bio and chem improving my GPA at a local college, or maybe even at community. Some people say community college is looked down upon but others say it is not. What should I do?

Well, because of this statement, I really don't think you have a choice...you'll probably have to do this at Rutgers. While it may be overall averaged, you will have distinct grades for this retake, right? I think that is what DO schools will be looking at. Just do your best to bring that grade up to a minimum of a B.

As for the chemistry, that I might consider taking at the 4-yr closer to home since Rutgers will not allow you to retake it.

Best of luck

 

[Desperate]

Does it look horrible if you do horrible ur first year, mediocre your 2nd year and bad the third year (other classes were good, failed stats though) with a ton of drops and mediocre retakes then years 4 and 5 you got your life together and busted out a lot of A's with 4.0's in those semesters? Im just wondering if I should even strop trying, I have 0% chance at US MD schools, retakes factored in isnt that great. Will that last few semesters with A's look good and make off for the past to some degree. I was particularly interested in LECOM-B. (cGPA 3.1ish) (sGPA 3.5) yeah yeah I know it unusual my sci gpa is high then my cumulative and non science gpa.

 

[swamprat]

I'm not expert but your GPA seems legit to me, altho LECOM you may be screened out pre-secondary because I think they are looking for 3.4 <= for both science and overall. But plenty of other places wouldn't. Whats your mcat?

 

[Desperate]

havent taken, im still studying with the examkrackers books

 

[PersianDO]

Here's my stats:

BS- Neurobiology, physiology & Behavior
BA- Political Science (high chance that the university will not grant me my second bachelor due to exceeding maximum unit cap...so I have basically 90% of the courses for the major though...hoping they see that on my transcript)

Overall GPA ~ around 3.2
I know it's low =(

MCAT score ~ I'm taking the MCATs in July, but my application will be complete for submission asap my mcat score comes in.

Work Experience:

I worked full time in college as a Licensed administrator of Assisted Living for Elderly (Retirement Home). My last year however I had to focus on school so I went part time and was just a house manager and that's when my grades started boosting up.

I'm currently a Tutor at a SAT II and AP Test Prep Center. I'm also teaching the EIT/FE courses in Chemistry/Biology for Engineers taking their state board exam. I'm also involved in publishing the Solutions manual for the Inorganic Chemistry book, on my own.

I'm also currently working at the UC-Davis Hospital as a Operating Room Assistant. Prior to it, I volunteered there for approximately 5 months.

I was a Phlebotomist/and have been for a under served Community Clinic and assisted the medical students working there in drawing blood as well as instructing them on how to. I've been a licensed Phlebotomist for 2 years now.

I worked at the Lab at a community college my first year, dispensing the stuff for the chemistry classes and also as the teacher assistant in physical sciences, proctoring quizes, grading them and tutoring students.

Volunteer work:
~ About 4-5 months of volunteer work at the Operating Room
~ 2 years working at a under served community clinic as a phlebotomist
~ Volunteered for 2 years at the retirement home I work at in my high school
~ Did Water-shed volunteer work and research with a Berkley Professor
~ Interned at the State Capitol for 2 months doing research in bills, and assisting the senator i worked with, with bills present on the floor and researched background on them, office work, etc...
~ Research Assistant for a professor on campus with Asian American Studies research on youth identity (included conducting interviews)
~ Part of a student publication on campus for 2 years, and this year I'm the chief Editor of the publication that distributes over 2,000 issues each quarter on campus.

Shadow Work:
~ I shadowed a neurosurgeon with at least 5 brain-surgeries when I volunteered at the OR
~ Shadowed a DO (got a letter)
~ Going to Shadow an MD Pediatrician starting in 2 weeks


I'm currently studying for the MCATs...I'm not hitting the optimal scores I want on practice tests, but I'm hoping for a 30 the LEAST.

What are my chances? I'm worried about my GPA, but I'm hoping my extracurricular and work experience would cover my back? I have no experience with this and frankly really afraid of applying, could those who went through this process pitch in.

Thanks in advanced.

Oh my primary schools interested are:
Touro-CA
Touro-NV
Lake E.
and Pomona University

Are they really big on roll-in admissions?

 

[Thomas Hearns]

This might not be something anyone would feel comfortable answering, but I thought I'd ask anyway!

I'm from the west coast and I'd like to do my residency here and work here after residency. I'd also like to specialize as a doctor. What would be the top schools for me to look at? Should I be looking more geographically, or looking at the most established schools... or both? If someone could make me a list of schools to look into, that would be cool 😀

Thank you all, again!

 

[Bacchus]

Chances?
GPA (science and cum) 3.68, MCAT 29Q (10PS, 8VR, 11BS). EC: Biochem and bioengineering lab (5months), shadow orthopedic DO, 1 nuclear medicine publication and 1 abstract (first author), 2 years of Varsity Sport Intercollegiate DivisionII. High school math teacher. Graduating this june.

You're golden, for the most part. How about volunteer work?

 

[kdizzy]

You're golden, for the most part. How about volunteer work?

everything was volunteer except teaching math.

 

[Bacchus]

Well you have clinical exposure through shadowing. You have volunteer activities. You have a great GPA and MCAT. You can pretty much apply anywhere as long as you have a DO letter of recommendation.

 

[PersianDO]

hey bacchus could you honor me with your advice/words of wisdom as well😀

 

[Bacchus]

hey bacchus could you honor me with your advice/words of wisdom as well😀

I can give you broad information. Overall your application looks good. Your GPA is a bit low, as you say. I think it could possibly hold you back a little bit. But, if you do get what you anticipate on the MCAT that should help compensate. With that said and seeing you worked in Cali then I wonder why you aren't applying to Western? If you have the money I would. But, again, I can really only say that your application is solid and the only thing that may mildly hold you back is your GPA. Apply as early as possible.

 

[Meas]

I am very interested in osteopathy (my profile shows pre-dental but i should have selected pre-health!) and will like to know my chances of getting accepted. I have a GPA of 3.3 with a MCAT score of 22Q (i know this is very low but it's already my 2nd attempt) + many volunteering experiences in hospital and community setting.

Thanks in advance!

Meas

 

[ThatsDOpe]

I ended up not retaking and doing very well in the cycle - just apply early!

 

[engineeredout]

Hi guys Im freaking out!

I have a 3.5 cGPA and a 3.4ish sGPA
26Q (10B 6V 10P)
Assuming strong letters (DO included) and pretty decent shadowing, volunteering experiences.. (i'm just too lazy to type them all out)

What do i do?
I have filled out AACOMAS about 85%. I'm worried about the retake. Scheduled for June 18, and not ready and don't think I will be.

The next available in my area is july 30. Should I..

1) Send in AACOMAS now, and move the date? If so, will i be putting myself at a significant disadvantage?

HELP! Thanks!

If you're worried, then push it back and wait for the later date. Earlier is always better but tanking the MCAT will not help you. If you're not ready, then you're not ready.

Your stats were very close to mine, and I didn't take the MCAT (at all) until August 22nd last year and still did fine. Take the later MCAT, submit AACOMAS now, make sure you include that you're retaking in July, and make sure you don't go lower.

Good luck.


Oh and most importantly, no freaking out allowed.

 

[engineeredout]

I am very interested in osteopathy (my profile shows pre-dental but i should have selected pre-health!) and will like to know my chances of getting accepted. I have a GPA of 3.3 with a MCAT score of 22Q (i know this is very low but it's already my 2nd attempt) + many volunteering experiences in hospital and community setting.

Thanks in advance!

Meas

Well honestly both your GPA and MCAT are significantly below even the DO average (~ 3.5 and 26-27 now). While I'm not saying that an acceptance would be impossible, those would have to be some damn amazing ECs, like saving a busload of children from going over the side of a cliff while performing surgery.

Your best bet is to figure out what is going wrong with the MCAT. Maybe get a tutor. Decide if its the lack of knowledge or if its the test itself thats getting to you. Pulling up the GPA or the MCAT significantly would help you out a lot, and depending on how many credits you already have the MCAT could be easier.

I'd say don't rush it. Take this year off. Do what you can with your GPA, get the MCAT up, get even more volunteer/ECs under your belt.

Again thats just my $.02. If you're really set on applying then by all means go for it, just giving fair warning that a lot of schools are going to reject that MCAT/GPA combo flat out.

 

[IS250]

Hi,

I'm currently a sophmore (Bio major) and I plan on starting applications next spring. But, I would like to see where I currently am in regards to my credentials to see if I'm the right path or not for a shot at a DO school.

I currently have a cumulative GPA of 3.4 and a science GPA of 3.0 (I know this isn't a stellar GPA). I've had a few bad grades, including a C+ in Chemistry II, C+ in Physics I, a C in Orgo 1, and a D in Orgo 2. I know these are bad grades. Regarding physics, I did get an A in Physics II so hopefully they can see that I improved. Regarding Orgo, when I took Orgo 1, that semester my grandpa passed away and took a big toll on me and I didn't do well. This really carried over to the next semester when I took Orgo 2 and hurt me understanding the concepts and I ended up with a terrible grade of D. I plan on retaking Orgo II this summer.

Regarding EC's, I don't have much yet. I volunteer at my local volunteer ambulance squad as a Non-EMT and also volunteer at another volunter ambulance squad as well. I will be volunteering at a local hospital this summer and I also applied to a job as an ER Tech at another hospital. I also do religious service/volunteer to my church if that counts. (Side note: do they check as to where you did volunteer service and how many hours? Because I don't have documentation on these volunteer hours so I'm wondering if they contact the organizations directly?)

I can't find a DO doctor to shadow and I've applied to many research positions but no luck as of yet. I will start MCAT prep this summer and plan on taking it next spring (around April or so) and hopefully do well.

I'm hoping someone can chime in on my current status and tell me if those bad grades really will destroy my chances of an acceptance.

Thank you very much.

 

[swamprat]

I think that medical schools won't like the fact that you are using nursing as a back up. Also you are taking a spot away from someone who actually wants to be a nurse.

 

[thanecyan]

Medicine will always be there no matter what age you are as well

I say forget nursing, kick butt when you're back in school, and kill the MCAT

GL!

 

[Exalya]

I'm trying to decide on DO or MD schools. I'm feeling a /little/ bit better about my chances since my practice MCAT's are going well and my calculated GPA is higher than I thought it was.

I'm trying to balance some fundamental feelings I have about where I want to take my life after med school. I really, really like the feeling I get reading about the philosophy of DO's and the way the schools seem to care more about character. Pre-osteo people seem more like people I would enjoy being around for 4 years (I've met way too many stuck-up pre-allo...). I feel very strongly that more holistic approach to medicine can be very beneficial, although I have a firm faith in science and more traditional methods too. I think osteopathy offers a middle-ground for me there. However, I don't want to go into family practice. I'm interested in pathology/internal medicine... and someday, I might want to go into research. I like finding out new things and new ways to do things, and I would like to contribute to overall scientific knowledge... not to downplay the fact that for the most part, I just want to help people. I don't know if getting my DO will help me there. Though, if I've been successful in my field for a number of years, I don't see why a DO with ideas wouldn't be welcomed by the research community... not being a part of that community yet, I wouldn't know.

On the financial end, AACOMAS is offering me help with the fees for applications while the AMCAS requires verification from my parents (who will not provide it). I cannot afford to apply to both MD and DO... I will still be paying a little to AACOMAS so that I can apply more broadly, but if I blow $2-400 there, then I won't have money to put into AMCAS. Vice-versa. My numbers for DO application are good (particularly if I do as well on the MCAT as I have been in practice ~30), but for MD, my GPA is borderline (3.4). My personal story really makes my application, but I think I'm more likely to have that looked at by a DO school.

Any advice would be really cool. ^.^

 

[Unlearner]

Will DO schools with an avg mcat score of 24 accept students with 22 if their gpa and extracurricular act. is great? or do they have a minimum cut off score???

also does it look bad if they see that i took four mcat tests since 2006?

 

[TexasPhysician]

I can't speak to the multiple MCAT attempts because I have no knowledge on that.

I know people with lower scores than 22 that have been accepted.

 

[TexasPhysician]

Hi Everyone,

Do you think it would be smart of me to get the nursing degree? I'm sure some will respond back saying to just retake the classes I need to retake and, take the MCAT and apply to medical school. That makes sense but it also fails the logic test....what job can you get that pays decent before applying to medical school again? I know that nursing jobs are hard to come by right now, but I doubt the market will be rough for nusing for long.

What do you all think?

Actually it is your theory that FAILS the logic test. Have you taken economics? Ever heard of opportunity cost?

You can probably take all your classes in a 1 year span to apply for med school. Nursing will take a minimum of 2 I believe (no nursing expert). By saving yourself 1 year now, you add 1 year of salary as a doctor in the long run. So by making $35,000 now instead of $60,000 as a nurse, you do make an extra $25,000 now (best case scenario I'm estimating). However by taking 1 year at $60,000 as a nurse, you just gave up $200,000 for that year in the long run (estimating again). Obviously that $200,000 could be $350,000+ depending on the specialty you choose.

Understand opportunity cost now?

If you actually don't want to do medical school, nursing is a great profession. Masters and doctorates in nursing can make a good living.

However if you are looking at the best economical route to medical school, it is NOT through nursing. It is getting your ducks in order as quickly as possible. Get whatever job you can to get you through.

 

[swamprat]

Will DO schools with an avg mcat score of 24 accept students with 22 if their gpa and extracurricular act. is great? or do they have a minimum cut off score???

also does it look bad if they see that i took four mcat tests since 2006?

4 times with a high score of 22 is bad. Obviously if the average is 24 they accept people with 24> .

 

[cliffhuxtableDO]

The comparison of earnings is basically irrelevant considering medical school is more expensive, and you'll still be making $35,000 as a resident for approx 4 years... If you have the patience to go through the process of becoming a doctor do it, but if you'll be satisfied as a nurse do that.

 

[IamAriDO]

Actually it is your theory that FAILS the logic test. Have you taken economics? Ever heard of opportunity cost?

You can probably take all your classes in a 1 year span to apply for med school.

This is what I did...took all my classes at one time through a year span. I was not even a science major when I graduated (psych). I took all of my bio/phys/chem + labs over the two semester and took Organic chem over the summer. Took the MCAT in july..applied...accepted by january. Took my ochem labs over this past year since they were just one day a week and just worked the rest to pay for life. Opportunity cost was huge on my mind..even though I am only 23 I thought about each year lost in terms of both professional goals and dollars & sense.

So its a great way to do it and there were a couple people doing it with me that I met along the way. Trust everyone who posted above you'll be happier when you have an acceptance in hand, its May and your looking forward to the future.

The nursing degree probably wont help you, will detract from classes that could stregthen your application (biochem, genetics etc).

Hope that seals it for you...remember nothing is for sure ... but at least you'll know.


IamAriDO

 

[plausible]

Will DO schools with an avg mcat score of 24 accept students with 22 if their gpa and extracurricular act. is great? or do they have a minimum cut off score???

also does it look bad if they see that i took four mcat tests since 2006?

I'm just curious, have you taken a prep-course? Those help quite a bit, esp. the idea of plunking down 1500+ bucks for one.

 

[PersianDO]

Here's my stats:

BS- Neurobiology, physiology & Behavior
BA- Political Science (high chance that the university will not grant me my second bachelor due to exceeding maximum unit cap...so I have basically 90% of the courses for the major though...hoping they see that on my transcript)

Overall GPA ~ around 3.2
I know it's low =(

MCAT score ~ I'm taking the MCATs in July, but my application will be complete for submission asap my mcat score comes in.

Work Experience:

I worked full time in college as a Licensed administrator of Assisted Living for Elderly (Retirement Home). My last year however I had to focus on school so I went part time and was just a house manager and that's when my grades started boosting up.

I'm currently a Tutor at a SAT II and AP Test Prep Center. I'm also teaching the EIT/FE courses in Chemistry/Biology for Engineers taking their state board exam. I'm also involved in publishing the Solutions manual for the Inorganic Chemistry book, on my own.

I'm also currently working at the UC-Davis Hospital as a Operating Room Assistant. Prior to it, I volunteered there for approximately 5 months.

I was a Phlebotomist/and have been for a under served Community Clinic and assisted the medical students working there in drawing blood as well as instructing them on how to. I've been a licensed Phlebotomist for 2 years now.

I worked at the Lab at a community college my first year, dispensing the stuff for the chemistry classes and also as the teacher assistant in physical sciences, proctoring quizes, grading them and tutoring students.

Volunteer work:
~ About 4-5 months of volunteer work at the Operating Room
~ 2 years working at a under served community clinic as a phlebotomist
~ Volunteered for 2 years at the retirement home I work at in my high school
~ Did Water-shed volunteer work and research with a Berkley Professor
~ Interned at the State Capitol for 2 months doing research in bills, and assisting the senator i worked with, with bills present on the floor and researched background on them, office work, etc...
~ Research Assistant for a professor on campus with Asian American Studies research on youth identity (included conducting interviews)
~ Part of a student publication on campus for 2 years, and this year I'm the chief Editor of the publication that distributes over 2,000 issues each quarter on campus.

Shadow Work:
~ I shadowed a neurosurgeon with at least 5 brain-surgeries when I volunteered at the OR
~ Shadowed a DO (got a letter)
~ Going to Shadow an MD Pediatrician starting in 2 weeks


I'm currently studying for the MCATs...I'm not hitting the optimal scores I want on practice tests, but I'm hoping for a 30 the LEAST.

What are my chances? I'm worried about my GPA, but I'm hoping my extracurricular and work experience would cover my back? I have no experience with this and frankly really afraid of applying, could those who went through this process pitch in.

Thanks in advanced.

Oh my primary schools interested are:
Touro-CA
Touro-NV
Lake E.
and Pomona University

Are they really big on roll-in admissions?

 

[211519]

There isn't a black and white answer to your question. Yes, many schools take students with MCATs that fall below the matriculant average. However, there is no easy way to figure out if you are a good candidate until you apply and interview.

With those stats, make sure you apply really, really early.

 

[gatewasani]

OK, so I want to re-take physics 1 and Chem 2 because I got C's in them...

The problem is I am grauduating in the fall so I may not be able to take them at my current instituion and wouldn't re-take them until the Spring semester at a different university; so here are my questions?

1) Does it look really bad if I take them at a college (much less prestigious) near my house? (I can't really afford to stay here past graduation)

2) Since I will already have my bachelors degree by the time, the re-takes start, will this count as Post-bacc work or does it not matter?

Thank you...

 

[JeetKuneDo]

OK, so I want to re-take physics 1 and Chem 2 because I got C's in them...

The problem is I am grauduating in the fall so I may not be able to take them at my current instituion and wouldn't re-take them until the Spring semester at a different university; so here are my questions?

1) Does it look really bad if I take them at a college (much less prestigious) near my house? (I can't really afford to stay here past graduation)

2) Since I will already have my bachelors degree by the time, the re-takes start, will this count as Post-bacc work or does it not matter?

Thank you...

I would say it wouldn't matter where you took your post bac classes. However, I'm not an expert on this, but it might be hard to have those grades replaced by your original since it's at another college.

I can say for sure though that whether you take a class post bacc or not doesnt matter since it all counts as undergrad gpa anyway.

 

[Eudjinn]

Getting in with a 22 was more possible a few years ago. However, I am sorry to say that the chances nowadays are very slim. Just a few years ago, I knew of people getting into NYCOM with <22 scores... The year I matriculated, I personally heard from the dean's mouth (over lunch) that they pretty much do not look at anyone under 24 anymore, whereas they would before (standards are climbing).

This is obviously just one school out of many, but I'd wager that many other schools are adopting a similar cut off.

How did you sit for the test 4 times without drastically changing something in your study habits and/or seeing that you were doing considerably better on practice tests? Unfortunately, 4 MCATs with a high score of 22 does not help your cause because it does not show any improvement.

 

[Semicolon]

OK, so I want to re-take physics 1 and Chem 2 because I got C's in them...

The problem is I am grauduating in the fall so I may not be able to take them at my current instituion and wouldn't re-take them until the Spring semester at a different university; so here are my questions?

1) Does it look really bad if I take them at a college (much less prestigious) near my house? (I can't really afford to stay here past graduation)

2) Since I will already have my bachelors degree by the time, the re-takes start, will this count as Post-bacc work or does it not matter?

Thank you...

It won't matter at all where you take the retakes, prestigious or not. They will count as retakes as long as the courses are equivalent and are worth the same or more credits.

 

[VVSHT]

edited to maintain anoynimity

 

[VVSHT]

edited to maintain anoynimity

 

[chocolaterie]

I don't know what a "pending" permanent resident means, but I have applied for the green card through "employment based" route. According to my attorney, I should get it by October.

I have contacted the the schools I'm interested in. UMDNJ cannot look at an application unless you actually have the green card.

All the private schools accept international students as long as you can pay the tuition for all four years before starting school.

There is no way i can come up with that kind of money. Therefore, I have decided to wait for the green card, and apply next cycle

Pending just means you've submitted your permanent res app and it is in the process. I'm glad my advice helped and you were able to save some $$$.

 

[Thomas Hearns]

This might not be something anyone would feel comfortable answering, but I thought I'd ask anyway!

I'm from the west coast and I'd like to do my residency here and work here after residency. I'd also like to specialize as a doctor. What would be the top schools for me to look at? Should I be looking more geographically, or looking at the most established schools... or both? If someone could make me a list of schools to look into, that would be cool 😀

Thank you all, again!

bump? 🙂

 

[beckhunter116]

bump? 🙂

I'll take a stab at this one. The match is a crazy process so everything we tell you as pre-meds is just our understanding of it from the outside.

I have read multiple times on SDN that getting a CA residency is very difficult and it is best to do as many elective/audition rotations at schools you want to apply to. The easiest way to (probably) do this is to go to school is CA. HOWEVER, you can set up some of your rotations anywhere you want so you don't have to go to school in CA.

As for the rest of the west coast I have no idea. With appropriate planning I believe that you could accomplish your goals, but it won't be easy.

Obviously, look into Western. As for the rest apply to as many places as you like/can afford to.

 

[MSUSpartan642]

cGPA - 3.84
sGPA - 3.84

MCAT - Havn't taken (scheduled July 30th)

EC's - Shadowed 2 doctors (have LOR from both), AED, Volunteer at ER and hospice, literacy tutor.

Worked through undergraduate and will be taking a CNA course over the summer to be certified and begin working over this next year. I would like to get into CCOM, MSUCOM, PCOM, or NOVA. Thoughts?

 

[jash]

would be senior this fall. I have 3.9c GPa and 3.94 in science. My MCAT score was only 25 ( I did work hard for these average scores. BS 10, PS 8 and verbal 7). I have lot of EC. However only 75 hours of shadowing or clinical work and volunteer in a health clinic ( another 50 hours). My question is : should I apply now or wait to take new MCAT. Since I worked hard, not sure, how much I will improve. Which D. O. colleges, these stats would be competetive? Will appreciate any advice.

 

[thethethe]

hello, i have a question.

when do we send in letters of recommendation? a little bit after we send in our primaries? or do we wait until the school send us a secondary?

my school has letter service, which means they will mail a hard copy to the school. i was wondering if i am suppose to send a copy directly to aacomas, and then the schools I applied to will just get a copy through aacomas. or do i just mail the letters straight to the school?

thanks!