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

[Sam212]

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Hey guys,

I am really unsure of my chances of getting into a D.O. school as my GPA history is not the greatest and my MCAT score is not the greatest.

Non-Science: 2.75
Science: 3.3
Overall: 3.07
MCAT: 26M

I would describe my academic career as a hill... started off with C's and B's as a Comp Sci major for 1.5yrs then switched over to Biology major. My pre-med course work is very good - mostly A's and some B's. However, my upper division (non-pre med) courses started to get real bad - mostly B's and C's. How much will this hurt my chances at getting into any DO school?

I've been out of school for two years now and mostly have been doing work in research labs.

If you were to put a % chance of getting into the longer established D.O. programs what would you give me?

Also what % chance do you think i have at the more recently established D.O. programs?

Thanks guys

You'd be fine at both LECOMs. You may even get looked at other schools granted that you apply real early. So yeah, apply very early and I think you will get into one of the more established schools. The schools that may be out of question are PCOM, DMU, and CCOM. Everything else is still very much possible, apply early though.

 

[Sam212]

I'll have my primary application verified by July. But I'm taking my MCAT on July 30. My top choice for school is Nova, and they don't send out secondaries until the primary application is complete. My primary won't be completed until ACCOMAS receives my MCAT scores, which will be the first week of September. Thus, my secondaries won't be done until even later.

So, I'm hesitating to apply this year because I may be considered too late into the application cycle... 😕 but I'm not sure. I don't have a lot of money to use, so any advice and comments are appreciated!! Thank you SDNers! 😀

Dude, just apply. if you bomb the MCAT (less than 24), just don't complete the secondaries. Primaries will only cost you around $400-500. I know that with NOVA, their secondary is extremely basic with no essays and you can fill it out in a matter of minutes. So just fill it out as soon as you receive it. September secondaries are not late at all and you'd be fine.

 

[Sam212]

hey guys.. i posted befre but wasnt really clear.. i have a 3.3 science and cum gpa with a 11 V 9 and 9 B and P mcat ...i also have tons of research and good activities...do i have a chance at a DO school and which ones.. thanks guys!!!! oh I am also cali instate and went to UNC

Good to go for every DO school, apply early and you will surely be accepted by september somewhere.

 

[Sam212]

Okay...here goes my stats and story. Much thanks to CB for walking me through a lot of my decision making via PM so far.

I am a full time Chiropractor, working 50ish hours a week. Currently studying for the MCAT with a sit date of July 31.

My undergrad has a pretty poor showing for my first year. The reasons for this are reflected in my personal statement, no need to rehash it here Suffice it to say, I had more "C" grades than anything in a lot of my medical pre-reqs.

My current AACOMAS gpa is right at a 2.99/3.00. They have taken down my GPA calculations to see if my recent change put me at the 3.0 mark. My sGPA is a 2.74/2.75. Again, I cannot see if my changes have put me over the cutoff mark.

I figure I have two choices. I can start retaking courses this summer at the local community college with 3-4 courses completed by the end of Fall semester. With improved grades in those courses, my GPA would be improved and I can submit my AACOMAS after December.

I could submit my AACOMAS now and continue with my plan to retake courses. My fear with this idea is that I would be filtered out of some schools due to being on the cusp of minimum undergrad standards.

I have a meeting with LECOM-B admissions this Friday, so I plan on asking all these questions and see what they recommend. Retake courses and apply very late, or apply early and risk being screened out.

My EC's are good I think. 2,500+ hours of community and church volunteer work from 2007 to present. Over 100 hours of organizing and leading teams of volunteers into government housing to do repairs, working at the salvation army, hubbard house which houses cancer patients who need extended stay housing etc. 500+ hours spent in Viet Nam on a medical trip. We went into villages and hospitals to care for the people as we could.

I am currently shadowing a DO who specializes in OMM/Musculoskeletal and a Family Practice MD. I have LOR's from a Theologian/Philosopher who I took courses under at a local seminary. He used to teach at Princeton with Einstein and lived next door to him, as well as LOR's from two of my professors from Chiropractic college. An MD and DC.

So, that is my story. I have put a tremendous amount of energy and time into this process so far. Sure, I am bummed about my low undergrad GPA which I had forgotten about I suppose but all I can do is change gears a bit and chug ahead. I am putting in well over 80 hours a week with my current clinic schedule, shadowing, studying etc. It's the most challenging thing I have done so far, but I honestly am enjoying the challenge. Obviously, I want this to pay off with an acceptance to an Osteopathic school 😀

Thanks for reading and I look forward to your suggestions.

You are a healthcare professional already, that is huge so play it up come interview time. With regards to your stats, kill the MCAT, 30+ to have a chance at top DO schools (PCOM and CCOM). 27+ will do for NOVA and LECOM-B and newer schools. Schools will definitely be impressed by your motivation to pursue medicine, just slay the MCAT and you'll be fine.

 

[Sam212]

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?

Absolutely do not slack off on MCAT prep. With your GPA and Michigan residency, you have a very good chance at all your state schools. Don't even apply to DO schools with 29+ unless you really want to attend one for some personal reason. Just my $0.02

 

[Sam212]

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.

You are already competitive for pretty much every DO school. If I were you, I would retake the MCAT with that GPA however. If you get a 27+ you'll be in the running for MD schools. Anything 30+, you'll be getting some attention by top-tier MD schools.

 

[IamAriDO]

.......deleted

 

[MSUSpartan642]

There is an entire article on the main page of SDN on this exact topic, you might wanna check that out.

 

[PlasticWatch]

Hi all,

I have a cGPA 3.0 and a 3.64 sGPA. Based on GPA alone. Will that hinder my acceptance into a DO school because of the huge difference between the c & sGPA?

I also have the opportunity to raise my sGPA to a 3.81 if I retake one bio class in the Fall 09 semester. Should I apply now or wait and take the bio class? Thank you!

 

[Back 5]

Well, I'm officially a College student again! I signed up for Bio 1 for Summer B term at my local community college. Once this course completes August 4th, my GPA will be 3.08 and sGPA 2.88. I am scheduled to take Gen Chem 1 & 2 (accelerated courses) and Bio 2 this Fall. Pending A's in all of those, both my GPA and sGPA will be > 3.2. I am scheduled to meet with an admissions rep from LECOM-B tomorrow, so I will ask them pointedly what they think is the best course for me to take. Submit once Summer B is complete and my MCAT results are almost back, or wait until Fall is completed.

I will let you know!

I just got back from meeting with Heather, admissions rep at LECOM-B. Her recommendation was to wait to apply next year, retake courses and get my GPA to a 3.4 range. She said due to LECOM-B students doing really well on board scores, their states are starting to climb very fast.

I'm not terribly upset with waiting a year. Gives me time to retake Gen Chem 1 & 2, Bio 1 & 2, and take some Anatomy and Phys courses to better prepare for the MCAT.

Primarily, I wanted to give you all a heads up that it appears LECOM-B is no longer an "easy" school to get into 😎

 

[Gold 5]

I graduated in 03 with a B.S. in Business. My ugpa was a loudsy 2.67. Because of an event that happen in my life, I had decided to pursue a career in medicine. That is when I started to take my first pre-reqs in Fall of 08. However, I took all of it at a CC because the tuition is inexpensive not to mention that I did have a degree.

Bio. I and II- A
Chem. I and II- A
Microbiology- A
Nutrition-A
Anatomy/Physiology I and II- A
Physic I- A
Ochem I- A

is there any hope for an applicant like myself? I know courses taken at CC is frowned upon but to what degree? If I had to retake all of these classes at the university level in order to competitive, I would not do it. Can't afford it. For me, these classes was no walk in the park; I average about 5 hours of sleep every night. I realized the importance of HCE and got my EMT-B certificate. I really enjoy being a new EMT-B and I also volunteer in the ED.

Since you don't want to repeat it, give it a shot you have nothing to loose. If you haven't taken the MCAT take it when you are assured of a 28+ score on it. I think your biggest issue will be that low 2.67 GPA. If your CC science classes have not boosted that to above a 3.0, you will not get past the computer screen in most schools. There are a few that have a 2.75 as the cutoff point but it gets dicey. You will need to show them that you have mended your ways (ie I know how to study now) and are ready for the mental torture known as medical school 😉
Sorry,
Gold

 

[tin0tin0tina]

so here is my story
freshman year
I was only sixteen, and immature, took most of my prerequisites ( general chemistry and biology) which i managed to get mostly B/B+ except for calculus I/II where I managed to get an A/A-.
sophomore year
I received a wake up call and realized that in order for me to make it somewhere in life,I had to work harder and dedicate more time and effort. I tried doing that and become the typical pre-med student. However, anxiety took over and the competition among the abudant premeds in my school made me insaneand I ended up screwing up really badly, but I managed to pull myself back towards the end and redeem myself by getting A- in organic chemistry, and having to drop physics and get a W.
during the second half I took 14 upper division science classes in which I pulled off an 3.7 gpa. These classes included microbiology (A-), orgo II (A), and physics (A). so here is my story, my problem is the following: any comment is appreciated
1) currently I am 18 would graduate when I am only 19 so I would applying sometime between now and then. Would being that young effect me by having some schools think i am immature.
ps. I was rejected from undergradaute colleges because I was too young.
2) I wanted to take my mcats this summer after taking a review course. my advisor is discourging me from that because she thinks its too early since i would be applying next spring. Truth is I can't handle such school load with MCAT preparation if I wanted to excel in both. So my idea is to study over the summer and dedicate the time for MCAT so I can focus more on my upper divisions classes next year and do good on them. I am done with my prereqs anyway.
3) my ECs are not the best at the moment they are the following
a) 20 hrs as a teacher assitant in a local ESL center in my town
b) worked in a lab for a semester and hated it
c)had multiple part time jobs throughout college and still continue to have one since I am paying for school and must work most of the time.
so with the following things said any comments would be appreciated.

 

[scurred09]

My overall gpa with the CC courses is about 3.2-3.3. If I apply to DO school, then my gpa could be higher if I repeat a few classes that I made C's and D in. The MCAT is going to be the determinant factor I think. I'm scurred.

Since you don't want to repeat it, give it a shot you have nothing to loose. If you haven't taken the MCAT take it when you are assured of a 28+ score on it. I think your biggest issue will be that low 2.67 GPA. If your CC science classes have not boosted that to above a 3.0, you will not get past the computer screen in most schools. There are a few that have a 2.75 as the cutoff point but it gets dicey. You will need to show them that you have mended your ways (ie I know how to study now) and are ready for the mental torture known as medical school 😉
Sorry,
Gold

 

[Gold 5]

My overall gpa with the CC courses is about 3.2-3.3. If I apply to DO school, then my gpa could be higher if I repeat a few classes that I made C's and D in. The MCAT is going to be the determinant factor I think. I'm scurred.

3.2-3.3 helps alot. APPLY EARLY AND BROADLY. You will then get past the screen (if you do well on the MCAT). The thing is that you want to show the admin comitte that you have learned the errors of your way and will do what is required to do well in med school. The main point is you have one major ding against you that being your original GPA. Don't give them any other reason to disqualify you. DO schools do understand that folks can be "former" screw ups and still do well in med schools hence they go looking for diamonds in the rough.

In the end this med school itch will cost you another couple of thousand dollars (kaplan class, mcat fee, secondary apps, interviews, etc.) to scratch. Unless of course you get in. Enjoy your scratch!

 

[BabberSher]

Hi, I have 3.76 GPA and my MCAT is a 25 (previous scores were 18 and 16)
I have volunteered in the oncology department for 2 years.
I am involved in 3 research projects that are being sponsored by Boston Scientific, and Medtronic.
What are my chances of getting into a DO school

 

[Gold 5]

Hi, I have 3.76 GPA and my MCAT is a 25 (previous scores were 18 and 16)
I have volunteered in the oncology department for 2 years.
I am involved in 3 research projects that are being sponsored by Boston Scientific, and Medtronic.
What are my chances of getting into a DO school

What was the breakdown?

 

[BabberSher]

what was the breakdown?

mcat 25l
v - 8, ps - 9, bs - 8

 

[Gold 5]

mcat 25l
v - 8, ps - 9, bs - 8

I think you have a shot, APPLY EARLY an BROADLY.

 

[MLT2MT2DO]

There is an entire article on the main page of SDN on this exact topic, you might wanna check that out.

This and a search button

 

[NoMoreAMCAS]

If CC courses are counted the same as university courses, why do any of us pay to go to 4 year universities? To think, I could have been skating through my science courses for a whole lot less money and still been just as competitive. Anyone attending a 4 year university is an idiot.

 

[scurred09]

From reading the threads and posting on here, I came to a conclusion that it is the MCAT that will either make or break you regardless of where you took your pre-reqs. I feel better knowing that I spend under $3,000 for all of my pre-reqs instead of $30,000. There is god.

If CC courses are counted the same as university courses, why do any of us pay to go to 4 year universities? To think, I could have been skating through my science courses for a whole lot less money and still been just as competitive. Anyone attending a 4 year university is an idiot.

 

[mickc]

Hi everyone,
Now that I finished another semester of undergrad, I'm putting together my application to DO school. I've had a D in a nursing class (which I had to repeat and ended up with a B), and a D in a nursing pharmacology class (which does not count in cal state). I had a C in Chemistry that I repeated a few years back and received a B for. I also received strings of C's in Nursing school, which now appear to come back to haunt me, as now I have a total of 175+ units under my belt. I used to be an irresponsible academic mess, and now I'm paying for it. The AACOMAS application calculates my GPAs from both city college and state college as these averages: Non-Sci GPA=2.93, Sci GPA=2.98, Total GPA=2.95.

Currently, my Cal State GPA according to the the AACOMAS site is: Non-Sci GPA=3.00, Sci GPA = 3.19, Tot GPA=3.17.

I'm married, and I work as an RN on the night shifts, and with everything going on, I don't want to add additional years to my undergrad because my grades barely increase, seeing that I'll have nearly 200 units when I graduate. I can repeat my non-nursing C's, however, I can't just go back to nursing school to get B's in my former C classes, so I am stuck with those. Imagine 20+ units of C's tacked on to your GPA because you got C's in nursing school.

I'm sorry, I'm feel like dirt right now.

I'm preparing for my MCAT right now, using Kaplan, but I future looks dim, should I just throw in the towel and get a refund from Kaplan??? Will I be rejected from EVERY single DO school I apply to?

Working as a physician has always been a dream to me... 😳

BTW, I graduate next spring with a Bachelor's in Biology, and a Chem Minor.

 

[Cyclopentane]

I don't think you need to throw the towel in quite yet. As long as you do well on the MCATs (score around 30) and maintain a GPA of at least 3.0, you should at least be able to matriculate into one DO school if you applied broadly (apply to a lot of DO schools). Though some schools will filter you out (like Touro), most schools will take into consideration of your extracurricular activities, personal statement, and letter of references. Be sure to be strong in everything else if your GPA is lacking. Don't give up hope and pursue your dreams!

 

[Octagonecology]

You miss 100% of the shots you don't take.

-Wayne Gretsky

 

[Tyrone Biggums]

Alright well,

1. If you state that being a Doc is your 'Dream' this whole self defeating attitude has to go.

2. People have been accepted with similar GPA stats. SDN tends to be a small sample size usually consisting of neurotic pre-meds. Although a masters program geared towards medical school admissions may be beneficial if you don't get in this time around.

3. Killing the MCAT would definitely increase your chances as they will be limited if you score poorly.

4. Will you get rejected from all the DO schools? Yes, if you don't apply at all. Apply, get good letters from some docs you know, and write some quality essays. If you get to the interviews make sure you are prepared and express your commitment to becoming a Doc.

5. Apply to a lot of schools and be flexible geographically, the more seeds you plant the greater the potential for crops right?

Hope this helps, and sorry if I seemed harsh, sometimes anxious pre-meds just need a little shove in the right direction.

 

[twocentnews]

Alright well,

1. If you state that being a Doc is your 'Dream' this whole self defeating attitude has to go.

2. People have been accepted with similar GPA stats. SDN tends to be a small sample size usually consisting of neurotic pre-meds. Although a masters program geared towards medical school admissions may be beneficial if you don't get in this time around.

3. Killing the MCAT would definitely increase your chances as they will be limited if you score poorly.

4. Will you get rejected from all the DO schools? Yes, if you don't apply at all. Apply, get good letters from some docs you know, and write some quality essays. If you get to the interviews make sure you are prepared and express your commitment to becoming a Doc.

5. Apply to a lot of schools and be flexible geographically, the more seeds you plant the greater the potential for crops right?

Hope this helps, and sorry if I seemed harsh, sometimes anxious pre-meds just need a little shove in the right direction.

That's some great advice! I took some of this down in my head for myself as a reminder to never give up! Thanks! 🙂

 

[mickc]

Thanks for your words of encouragement, everyone! You guys are right. I'm a neurotic mess. It seems to always happen after a string of exams, but it doesn't mean I shouldn't worry. Imagine what my wife has to put up with at the end of the day when I come home from school/work.

 

[The Poet Sings]

whenever you get discouraged, remember to stay the course 🙂 (aka my signature).

 

[gatewasani]

so I just finished entering all my coursework on AACOMAS and i could not feel worse right now; i mean i knew my grades were not good but i did not realize my science gpa was this bad. anyway...heres what it looks like:

Non-Science: 3.56
Science: 2.79 :cry:
Cumulative: 3.24

What am I gonna do now??????

 

[Birdeee]

sign up quick to retake some science this summer - replace your lowest grade with an A.

 

[JeetKuneDo]

so I just finished entering all my coursework on AACOMAS and i could not feel worse right now; i mean i knew my grades were not good but i did not realize my science gpa was this bad. anyway...heres what it looks like:

Non-Science: 3.56
Science: 2.79 :cry:
Cumulative: 3.24

What am I gonna do now??????

How's the mcat?

 

[Nimzy328]

Hi everyone!
I was hoping to get some advise on what to do with my pre med courses coming up this year along with what to do next on the pre med track. Im going to be a sophomore this next fall semester with a 3.5 c gpa from my freshman year and about a 3.2 science (with mostly a's and b's and the lowest being a b-) and about a 3.8-3.9 non science gpa. I dont have a science major, its political science but im minoring in biology, I was wondering if i should take more upper level science classes to even our my science gpa. the only science im taking this fall is orgo I with the lab and im kinda freaked out cause im not too much a chemistry fan eventhough i know its def not the same.

ive heard/read that's not the best idea and that i should 'save the hard courses for med school' so I dont really know what to do...

also i was wondering if med schools look to see for improvements from classes, for example bio 101 i got a b and a b- in lab and i KNOW it was in part due to new professors but in 102 I pulled off an A- and A respectively.

thanks a lot!

 

[Revilla]

You're going to be a sophomore, right? How many science courses have you taken already? Since you're going into Organic, I assume Chem I and II and you also mentioned Bio I and II. How about Physics? I would do all your pre-reqs first, then worry about upper-level courses for your junior year.

As a Biology minor, you'll probably be expected to take some upper-level courses anyway.

 

[beckhunter116]

If I were you I would take a few upper-division science courses. You don't have to take many, maybe biochemistry, genetics or cell biology. Just to show you can do the upper levels, esp becuase you are a liberal arts major.

 

[PlasticWatch]

Which holds more weight? cGPA or sGPA? I ask because I have a 3.00 cGPA and a 3.64 sGPA. 😛 Thanks!

Do you think NYCOM, UMDNJ is out of the loop with my grades?

 

[gatewasani]

How's the mcat?

have not taken it yet

 

[JeetKuneDo]

have not taken it yet

You should take it first and then reassess your situation from there. I'm not an expert, but I think that if you do really well, 32+, it could offset your science gpa. Your overall gpa is pretty alright.

 

[Semicolon]

so here is my story
freshman year
I was only sixteen, and immature, took most of my prerequisites ( general chemistry and biology) which i managed to get mostly B/B+ except for calculus I/II where I managed to get an A/A-.
sophomore year
I received a wake up call and realized that in order for me to make it somewhere in life,I had to work harder and dedicate more time and effort. I tried doing that and become the typical pre-med student. However, anxiety took over and the competition among the abudant premeds in my school made me insaneand I ended up screwing up really badly, but I managed to pull myself back towards the end and redeem myself by getting A- in organic chemistry, and having to drop physics and get a W.
during the second half I took 14 upper division science classes in which I pulled off an 3.7 gpa. These classes included microbiology (A-), orgo II (A), and physics (A). so here is my story, my problem is the following: any comment is appreciated
1) currently I am 18 would graduate when I am only 19 so I would applying sometime between now and then. Would being that young effect me by having some schools think i am immature.
ps. I was rejected from undergradaute colleges because I was too young.
2) I wanted to take my mcats this summer after taking a review course. my advisor is discourging me from that because she thinks its too early since i would be applying next spring. Truth is I can't handle such school load with MCAT preparation if I wanted to excel in both. So my idea is to study over the summer and dedicate the time for MCAT so I can focus more on my upper divisions classes next year and do good on them. I am done with my prereqs anyway.
3) my ECs are not the best at the moment they are the following
a) 20 hrs as a teacher assitant in a local ESL center in my town
b) worked in a lab for a semester and hated it
c)had multiple part time jobs throughout college and still continue to have one since I am paying for school and must work most of the time.
so with the following things said any comments would be appreciated.

Everything looks good to me so far, and you seem to have the right ideas. However, I would suggest that you do a medically-related EC and get a letter from a DO preferably to maximize your chances. Whether or not the schools will hold your youth against you, no one on this forum can really tell you; it'd be best for you to speak with the schools themselves, as this is a very unique and unusual case.

Good luck!

 

[tideleonheart]

I was 20 when I started med school. Interviewing / applying as a 19-20 year old didn't have much of an impact on me.

Here's what you need to do:
1) Start shadowing doctors (varying specialties, DOs *and* MDs... variety is always good) - keep good records of your shadowing. Who it was, how long it lasted, what you saw, etc.
2) Finish up any pre-req's... get as many "hard" courses out of the way as possible
3) Ace the MCAT obviously
4) Make a killer PS and get your friends/family to all proof-read multiple times
5) If your ECs are lacking, see if you can get some more stuff in. Did you do anything of merit as a kid? Don't forget any hobbies (being in a band, skiing, anything! I had one interviewer who was very impressed that I played keyboard)
6) Don't be afraid to apply and not get accepted. HOWEVER, if it is your dream to go to a certain school, don't rush into things! Since you are young, you have a lot of time and options. Set your goal in the stars - you have the time and ability to achieve it. You have much more flexibility than the average 25 year old applicant. Use it.

Remember that getting a high MCAT score is only useful in getting into med school. If you get a lower score than you want, still apply and see what happens. The slate is cleaned on day 1 of orientation. MCATs cease to matter.

 

[211519]

Hi everyone!
I was hoping to get some advise on what to do with my pre med courses coming up this year along with what to do next on the pre med track. Im going to be a sophomore this next fall semester with a 3.5 c gpa from my freshman year and about a 3.2 science (with mostly a's and b's and the lowest being a b-) and about a 3.8-3.9 non science gpa. I dont have a science major, its political science but im minoring in biology, I was wondering if i should take more upper level science classes to even our my science gpa. the only science im taking this fall is orgo I with the lab and im kinda freaked out cause im not too much a chemistry fan eventhough i know its def not the same.

ive heard/read that's not the best idea and that i should 'save the hard courses for med school' so I dont really know what to do...

also i was wondering if med schools look to see for improvements from classes, for example bio 101 i got a b and a b- in lab and i KNOW it was in part due to new professors but in 102 I pulled off an A- and A respectively.

thanks a lot!

Don't worry about overloading on sciences. You are allowed to major in anything, as long as you take the pre-reqs.

Take all of your pre-reqs, don't get any C's, recalculate your GPA and sGPA, and then decide.

I was a Studio Art major. Seriously. I took the pre-reqs really fast (within 1.5 years at the end of college) and applied. I had zero issues. In fact, the schools seemed to like the oddness of my application.

If you just bomb Orgo, take Biochem and destroy it. That will help prove your worth. A high MCAT score won't hurt either.

 

[Torongo]

Hi,
I am a BioChem major with cum gpa 3.28 🙁, had two bad semester with 2.87 and 2.67 in my freshman and sophmore year!
I took mcat last summer and scored P 10, V 3 , B 9. I dont knw wht happened with my verbal score! English is my second language but still i am ont tht bad! I am studying for mcat again and will take it in july/august.

Now with my gpa, wht should be my mcat to have a decent shot in any DO school? Please someone tell me wht are some of the schools that I should apply and will have little chance. I am willing to go anywhere as long as its in US.

Thank you so much...

 

[Black Adder]

Hi,
I am a BioChem major with cum gpa 3.28 🙁, had two bad semester with 2.87 and 2.67 in my freshman and sophmore year!
I took mcat last summer and scored P 10, V 3 , B 9. I dont knw wht happened with my verbal score! English is my second language but still i am ont tht bad! I am studying for mcat again and will take it in july/august.

Now with my gpa, wht should be my mcat to have a decent shot in any DO school? Please someone tell me wht are some of the schools that I should apply and will have little chance. I am willing to go anywhere as long as its in US.

Thank you so much...

You should probably shoot for at least an 8 for VR section, schools tend to place a lot of emphasis on that section in particular. Your scores for the BS and PS section are good enough, but always aim to improve on the second try. As for which schools to apply to, I'd recommend just going to the various school websites (there's only like 25 DO schools out there...) and search for "class profile". Your gpa is a bit on the low end, but it's high enough to at least get you considered somewhere, granted you improve on that VR score.

 

[YA7ES]

Chances?

cGPA: 3.62
sGPA: 3.65

Problem.... Aug '08 MCAT: 22M 🙁 BS: 7 VR: 8 PS: 7 (after making 24-28 on 6 practice tests)

I want to go DO (my dad is a DO). So i'm not major stressed about my MCAT score yet.
I'm retaking on June 18.

What do yall think my chances are with a 22M? Is it an absolute must to raise it? Have yall heard of people being accepted with a 22?

My EC's are good, but not stellar.

 

[baylorbear333]

just got my mcat back today. 24Q. I'm pretty not thrilled about that.

What do you think my chances are? 24Q...3.46 gpa...2.9 sgpa (ouch)............. I'm basically screwed right?
My EC's are kinda normal (I posted them earlier)

 

[itaboutTIME]

1

 

[Ari1584]

So i just got my scores for my re-take and i got a 26R/ VR=6, PS=10, BS=10

While this score isnt HORRIBLE...its a re-take and i got a 25Q on my first one. That means i ONLY improved by one points. Also, to make things worse, i went down in VR from an 8 to a 6.
(1st mcat was BS=9, PS=8, VR=8)

I really have my heart set on CCOM, and was wondering if i even have a shot. I have heard many schools screen and anything below a 7 won't cut it. I do NOT want to retake again, in fear of decreasing in sciences.

My gpa is 3.77 with a 3.86 sci-gpa. Am i completely out of the picture?? I am so devestated about that 6 🙁 🙁

 

[slick27]

Call CCOM and see what they say about viewing two different mcat scores. Ask how they view a 6 in VR and if they will consider such a number. This might put your mind at ease. you're science scores are solid at 10, along with your gpa, thus a 6 in verbal might be overlooked. Best advice call ccom.

 

[AdemTD]

I've never understood the rationale behind the VR section. IMO, it has nothing to do with one's ability to "reason." It is a high stress environment for those that just can't read fast AND remember the content of the passages. Performing "poorly" on VR doesn't automatically mean that an applicant has poor reasoning ability. Plus, you got an 8 on the first VR test you took so I think they will see that you are capable of scoring higher than a 6. Just my opinion.

 

[ChairmanMao]

It's at the very bottom-end of the acceptable score range on a subsection of the MCAT for DO schools. I think the lowest score you can get on any section of the MCAT and still get accepted to a DO school is 6 (I think the minimum subsection score for MD schools is 8). Any lower and you might not make the cut-off. If you browse through several DO school's website, I think it says that in their minimum selection criteria.

I don't know if you should retake it. Your GPA and science score is fine. While it won't bar you from being accepted to some schools, it will be a major handicap at other schoosl that value a well-rounded MCAT score.

 

[AdemTD]

It's at the very bottom-end of the acceptable score range on a subsection of the MCAT for DO schools. I think the lowest score you can get on any section of the MCAT and still get accepted to a DO school is 6 (I think the minimum subsection score for MD schools is 8). Any lower and you might not make the cut-off. If you browse through several DO school's website, I think it says that in their minimum selection criteria.

Many MD schools will tell you that they don't have any minimum acceptable score.