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

BU Medical Sciences
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DrNunes said:
I want to apply for DO admission but I have a F in gen. chem., I re-took the class and received an A. I have a cum. GPA of 3.4 and a sci.GPA of 3.5. On my gpa standpoint am I ok? Does my F hinder my application since I re-took it and received an A? Thanks
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An F is always going to stand out ... no two ways about it. What is the absolute best thing you can possibly do to make this look like a one time mistake, and not a deficiency ... retake the class and get an A (check) and maintain a high GPA (check). You're fine. I'm 90% sure you'll be asked to explain it, but aside from building a flux capacitor and contacting Doc Brown ... you've done all you can to make the situation right. I personally wouldn't loose any sleep over it and just keep in mind what you're going to say to explain the situation when asked. Good luck.
 
One can only hope that you gain admission to NSU, the most hallowed and venerable of medical schools in the land.
 
Hi guys I have a serious and honest question that maybe you guys can give me some helpful advice on. I took the Mcat twice already and contemplating on whether I should retake the mcat in august or not. Both times I scored a 23. I feel that I can get at least high 20's if I do retake the test. Last cycle I applied real late (beginning of January) to 5 schools and end up getting one interview and being waitlisted. I have a 3.5 GPA with a lot of extra curricular activities. My question is; Do you guys think I should just keep the score and apply a lot earlier this time around (submit my applications in July or early august) or should I retake the MCAT?

Thank you in advance for all advices and comments.
 
toast861 said:
What are you scoring on practice tests? I think that anything above a 30 would be good for DO, but that's just me. You have to weigh how you think you'll do now with the time you'll lose in the application cycle. Are you talking about going up 5 points or just one or two? You can always submit your application now, and it will probably be verified around the same time your new MCAT scores would be available in August to prevent a time delay. Under almost no circumstances should you wait to submit your primary until August or September. But if you really feel like you are going to bomb it, don't risk it. If you are just getting nervous because it's two weeks away, take a few practice tests and focus on your weak areas. Good luck.
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Right now? Low 20s, apparently I thought I knew everything. Content I have down pretty much, it's learning to apply it (understanding the question base). I am assuming once I "get it" I will be able to do "well." I feel like I didn't smash the threshold just yet and am being kept back a bit. I don't want to feel rushed for the test and get a "low 20s" a 2nd time around. This is only with a couple practice tests from Kaplan, but I want to nail the information with lots of practice problems to test my knowledge and applying skills and then hopefully do well on the real thing. So yah around a +5 pt difference. I can send in the primaries within a week or 2 for AMCAS/AACOMAS so by the time it is verified and secondaries come in, I can do my MCAT and as soon as it's done just finish the secondaries and just wait on the scores as late as Early-Mid October. That isn't TOO late right? Late time around I sent in applications like in Mid December- January and was pretty misinformed on the process in general. What do you think about the plan?

1.Apply within a week-2 for primaries to get verified and my LOR out to all the schools.

2. Do the MCAT late August/Early Sept. Do Well ( god Willing)

3. Get through the application process by the end of this year with an acceptance

4. Donate to these forums.
 
Hey everyone-

I have a tentative list of DO schools which I plan to apply. I was hoping I could get some feedback on my choices. If anyone is feeling generous, PM me and I'll send you my list and my stats. Good luck to everyone applying this cycle!
 
TRU85 said:
Hey everyone-

I have a tentative list of DO schools which I plan to apply. I was hoping I could get some feedback on my choices. If anyone is feeling generous, PM me and I'll send you my list and my stats. Good luck to everyone applying this cycle!
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Why not just make an mdapps for us to reference?
 
Lulz -
If you really are having trouble with applying the questions, take as many practice tests before the real thing. Examkrackers really help me figure out how to "read" the test. I got their whole series online through Amazon for about $100. I think your plan is overall very good. I wouldn't wait until September to take the exam though - August 25th would be the last date I would recommend. Remember it takes a month to get those results, and if you are verified at the end of August and are waiting until October to submit secondaries and release scores, you are at a HUGE disadvantage. The MCAT dates in August are the 5th, 6th, 14th, 21st, and 25th. I would try to hit one of those. I don't know what your work/home schedule is like, but try to set a study schedule for yourself (including practice tests) so you have everything covered and feel more comfortable by one of those dates.
 
Do you know which schools DONT accept the september exam(im retaking sept 4th as well)?
 
Took mine the beginning of September. Everything worked out for me. Just have everything ready.
 
i applied to midwestern(chicago), nycom, and lecom. my cgpa is 3.37 bcpm 3.33 but i do have an upward trend. im taking mcat july 30th but ive been averaging 25s on kaplan practice tests and 30s on aamc practice exams. i have no DO letter of recommendation but i plan on shadowing a DO in aug/sept and sending a lor to the schools later. i have decent extracurriculars and lors including 8 months of research, 2.5+ yrs hospital volunteering, 10 hours shadowing MDs, etc. im a WI resident. can you guys suggest some other DO schools that I would have good chance at?😕
 
Hi Guys, so that's what I have 2.98 science, 3.39 non-science, 3.1 overall.....will I be cut off from schools that use 3.0 mark as a cutoff?
 
Yes. I could do that. I'll work on it, while im sitting at work with nothing to do =)
 
Hi!

Im a graduate and i applied super late last year ( a week before deadlines because i was waiting on my DO letter and i thought u had to send it w/ the secondary, DOH!) to Nova and Lecom-B but i got waitlisted at lecom and rejected at Nova

My stats are:

3.41 overall gpa, 3.35 science, 3.55 non-science

26P MCAT (8 PS , 8 VR, 10 BS)

Extra Curriculars:

30+ Hours DO shadowing
120 Hours of Volunteering at Moffitt Cancer Center


I am a founding member of a chapter of an Asian Cultural fraternity and am very involved in the Asian Student Clubs.

I sent out my primaries today.

Nova is my top choice, PCOM-GA is my #2 and LECOM-B is my #3, im also applying to PCOM, CCOM, Western-COMP, and AZ-Midwestern.

WAMC's?

What are my chances?
 
So i think i posted this thread in the wrong place the first time, but anyways here it is..

OK, so I know this is clearly a redundant question, but who doesn't want to know? It has really been bothering me, and I was curious as to what my chances are for the entering class of 2010. My stats are as follows: 3.3 gpa and a 30P on the MCAT. My gpa has a big upward trend (started freshman year with a 2.3 because of bad decisions but have gotten a 3.8 the past 3 semesters while taking my upper science courses). I would hate to think that my chances of getting in would be clouded by the fact that i was a typical 18 year old at a new university with confused priorities. I have plenty of EC's including creating a new cultural student organization at my university, shadowing, volunteering, and American Red Cross. I've applied to about 12 DO schools and I'm just waiting for my transcripts to arrive at this point. Please let me know your thoughts on my situation .
 
abdohalimo43 said:
So i think i posted this thread in the wrong place the first time, but anyways here it is..

OK, so I know this is clearly a redundant question, but who doesn't want to know? It has really been bothering me, and I was curious as to what my chances are for the entering class of 2010. My stats are as follows: 3.3 gpa and a 30P on the MCAT. My gpa has a big upward trend (started freshman year with a 2.3 because of bad decisions but have gotten a 3.8 the past 3 semesters while taking my upper science courses). I would hate to think that my chances of getting in would be clouded by the fact that i was a typical 18 year old at a new university with confused priorities. I have plenty of EC's including creating a new cultural student organization at my university, shadowing, volunteering, and American Red Cross. I've applied to about 12 DO schools and I'm just waiting for my transcripts to arrive at this point. Please let me know your thoughts on my situation .
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i had very similar stats, as long as you can speak intelligently and maturely, you will be more than fine....good luck
 
ok if anyone could give me some advice, i would really appreciate it! i recently got accpeted into pharmacy after my junior year. This fall, I will begin my first year of pharmacy school, however, i feel as though this is not my true field of interest. i know any job in healthcare is going to be amazing, however, i have a real interst in going to a D.O. school rather than pursuing pharmacy. I am currently studying to take my MCAT exam in August or September. I know that if my mcat score is not very good, then i don't have a chance anyway and this all would not be a problem. however, if i do well, then i would love to pursue a career as a D.O. but do not really know how to go about it. My plan would be to apply next year to D.O. school, for I have all of the med school prereqs done. however, I would not have a B.S. degree, only 3 years towards it and 1 year of pharmacy school. I am planning on volunteering at a local hospital for the entire school year, and i currently have an undergrad gpa of 3.82 at the state university. so considering that everyone on this website has much better insite on the D.O. program than I do, I was just wondering what sort of chance I have getting accepted from pharmacy school without a degree, or if the D.O. school would even look at my applications since I would already be attending a different graduate program. thanks guys 🙂
 
Just follow your dream. I had a friend that attended a podiatry school for a year and then applied to DO school and was accepted. Keep working hard.
 
abdohalimo43 said:
So i think i posted this thread in the wrong place the first time, but anyways here it is..

OK, so I know this is clearly a redundant question, but who doesn't want to know? It has really been bothering me, and I was curious as to what my chances are for the entering class of 2010. My stats are as follows: 3.3 gpa and a 30P on the MCAT. My gpa has a big upward trend (started freshman year with a 2.3 because of bad decisions but have gotten a 3.8 the past 3 semesters while taking my upper science courses). I would hate to think that my chances of getting in would be clouded by the fact that i was a typical 18 year old at a new university with confused priorities. I have plenty of EC's including creating a new cultural student organization at my university, shadowing, volunteering, and American Red Cross. I've applied to about 12 DO schools and I'm just waiting for my transcripts to arrive at this point. Please let me know your thoughts on my situation .
Click to expand...

I also believe that you have a good chance at getting interviewed and accepted. Your upward trend is def a plus, and your gpa is not that bad at all. Plus your MCAT score is excellent which balances things out.

Just submit your app early, do the secondaries asap, and find out if the school has everything they need. Good luck!
 
johnnyng99 said:
Hi!

Im a graduate and i applied super late last year ( a week before deadlines because i was waiting on my DO letter and i thought u had to send it w/ the secondary, DOH!) to Nova and Lecom-B but i got waitlisted at lecom and rejected at Nova

My stats are:

3.41 overall gpa, 3.35 science, 3.55 non-science

26P MCAT (8 PS , 8 VR, 10 BS)

Extra Curriculars:

30+ Hours DO shadowing
120 Hours of Volunteering at Moffitt Cancer Center


I am a founding member of a chapter of an Asian Cultural fraternity and am very involved in the Asian Student Clubs.

I sent out my primaries today.

Nova is my top choice, PCOM-GA is my #2 and LECOM-B is my #3, im also applying to PCOM, CCOM, Western-COMP, and AZ-Midwestern.

WAMC's?

What are my chances?
Click to expand...

You have a good chance I believe. The lateness of the last cycle def hurt your chances for 2009. But if everything is set this time around, I'm sure you'll be fine.
 
toast861 said:
Lulz -
If you really are having trouble with applying the questions, take as many practice tests before the real thing. Examkrackers really help me figure out how to "read" the test. I got their whole series online through Amazon for about $100. I think your plan is overall very good. I wouldn't wait until September to take the exam though - August 25th would be the last date I would recommend. Remember it takes a month to get those results, and if you are verified at the end of August and are waiting until October to submit secondaries and release scores, you are at a HUGE disadvantage. The MCAT dates in August are the 5th, 6th, 14th, 21st, and 25th. I would try to hit one of those. I don't know what your work/home schedule is like, but try to set a study schedule for yourself (including practice tests) so you have everything covered and feel more comfortable by one of those dates.
Click to expand...

How does it "being verified" happen? Just wondering, I don't remember it too well last go around. I thought if I submit the primaries first, a couple weeks (or days) go by and then its magically verified after my LoR come in? Normally, secondaries will be sent out automatically, no? At that time, I can just fill out the secondaries and send them out, and have everyone just wait on that MCAT score which may come in Late Sept - Mid October (if I decided to take in Sept. for whatever reason).

But @ your comment about ExamKrakers --> in what way did they help you read the test? The content material? The 1 random practice test? The Lecture Questions? The inclass exams? which? aha

You're of great help so far man, thanks!
 
PlentyOLulz said:
How does it "being verified" happen? Just wondering, I don't remember it too well last go around. I thought if I submit the primaries first, a couple weeks (or days) go by and then its magically verified after my LoR come in? Normally, secondaries will be sent out automatically, no? At that time, I can just fill out the secondaries and send them out, and have everyone just wait on that MCAT score which may come in Late Sept - Mid October (if I decided to take in Sept. for whatever reason).

But @ your comment about ExamKrakers --> in what way did they help you read the test? The content material? The 1 random practice test? The Lecture Questions? The inclass exams? which? aha

You're of great help so far man, thanks!
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I'm pretty sure your Primary is verified after the transcripts have been calculated. I don't think you need the LORs unless you want to use Interfolio for the Primary to be verified.
 
AMCAS and AACOMAS both have my transcripts. I just need to finish my personal statement and I can send them in. So I don't really get what it means for them to calculate my transcripts? 😵
 
PlentyOLulz said:
AMCAS and AACOMAS both have my transcripts. I just need to finish my personal statement and I can send them in. So I don't really get what it means for them to calculate my transcripts? 😵
Click to expand...

Sorry not calculate your transcripts but to check over your grades and match them to the ones you entered in the application with the grades on your transcripts. If they are legit.
 
rc4ch said:
I also believe that you have a good chance at getting interviewed and accepted. Your upward trend is def a plus, and your gpa is not that bad at all. Plus your MCAT score is excellent which balances things out.

Just submit your app early, do the secondaries asap, and find out if the school has everything they need. Good luck!
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Do the DO schools send us the links to the secondary applications via e-mail immediately after the submission of AACOMAS? Because I sent in my application about a week ago, and I still haven't recieved any e-mails from DO schools concerning secondary apps. (while i have received several from MD). thanks for your help.
 
abdohalimo43 said:
Do the DO schools send us the links to the secondary applications via e-mail immediately after the submission of AACOMAS? Because I sent in my application about a week ago, and I still haven't recieved any e-mails from DO schools concerning secondary apps. (while i have received several from MD). thanks for your help.
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in my first experience, DO take a LOT longer, at least a month or whatnot ;/
 
abdohalimo43 said:
Do the DO schools send us the links to the secondary applications via e-mail immediately after the submission of AACOMAS? Because I sent in my application about a week ago, and I still haven't recieved any e-mails from DO schools concerning secondary apps. (while i have received several from MD). thanks for your help.
Click to expand...

You have to be verified first. Then a date will show that they have transmitted your app to the schools you listed and any time after that you could receive secondaries.

Verification takes between 4-6 weeks.
 
abdohalimo43 said:
Do the DO schools send us the links to the secondary applications via e-mail immediately after the submission of AACOMAS? Because I sent in my application about a week ago, and I still haven't recieved any e-mails from DO schools concerning secondary apps. (while i have received several from MD). thanks for your help.
Click to expand...

No, they do not send you secondaries immediately after your Primary gets verified. It usually takes several weeks and can take a month or so. A lot of the schools send it via email. But PCOM sends you a letter in the mail to fill out.
 
Have any of your transcripts taken a while to receive? ive been waiting for mine to arrive for about a week and a half now. Maybe, i should contact my registrar :/
 
It took me about 2 weeks with some of mine. I had 5 transcripts, and one of them just got lost (the school sent it, AACOMAS can't find it). I had to resend about a week ago. Check with the school and wait another week... if nothing, then I would re-request.
 
I posted this before but got no reply 🙁 can someone help me out?...

i applied to midwestern(chicago), nycom, and lecom. my cgpa is 3.37 bcpm 3.33 but i do have an upward trend. im taking mcat july 30th but ive been averaging 25s on kaplan practice tests and 30s on aamc practice exams. i have no DO letter of recommendation but i plan on shadowing a DO in aug/sept and sending a lor to the schools later. i have decent extracurriculars and lors including 8 months of research, 2.5+ yrs hospital volunteering, 10 hours shadowing MDs, etc. im a WI resident. can you guys suggest some other DO schools that I would have good chance at?😕
 
I'm currently planning on applying this fall, as of right now I have a 3.6 gpa, I volunteer at a hospital and at a hospice, I have also completed a year of research and am currently working on writing my thesis. I have just one quarter left until graduation. However, I have yet to take my MCAT (I didn't decide I want to go into the medical field until earler this year). I'm scheduled to take the MCAT at the end of this month, but due to my hectic schedule I've only been studying for a few weeks and do not feel at all prepared. Should I reschedule my MCAT for August so I will have a little more time to study and then still go foward with my plan to apply in the fall (is that cutting my time too short for applying?). Or should I just reschedule for January or March of next year, which will give me plenty of time to study, allow me to bring up my GPA a little further, but would also obviously delay my applying be a whole year? Any advice is much appreaciated.
 
I went to BU. My overall gpa is 3.34, my science GPA is 3.0 or 3.1ish. my mcat was 27. I was a biology and psychology double major, and i took a lot of intensive science classes such as biochemisty, molecular bio, genetics... etc. I volunteered at the hospital for 6 summers but I have no shadowed a doctor. The only research i did was with my psy research course so it was an independent study. After college in my year off, I taught hs chemistry at a private school for like 5 months. ( Does it help me that even though my gpa is not high, I taught chemistry?) Do you think i have a chance on getting it DO school if i apply now? Also, can anyone give me information on it and what to look for in differnt programs. Like i said, I am very new at this and would really appreciate some help.

THANK YOU!
 
I've done a lot of volunteering in the past. In middle school I was in a summer camp that volunteered 2-3 times a week for 3 summers. In high school I probably volunteered about 50 hours per school year due to school activities and requirements (jesuit high school).

When I started college I felt like I had volunteered enough and as a naive pre-med I thought I didn't need anymore. Now I'm feeling like a ******* because I'm starting my senior year of college and applying to med school with no college volunteering hours. Should I bother listing my high school and middle school volunteering stuff? Or maybe mention it in the personal statement? Any advice? Thanks guys
 
supras2kracer said:
I've done a lot of volunteering in the past. In middle school I was in a summer camp that volunteered 2-3 times a week for 3 summers. In high school I probably volunteered about 50 hours per school year due to school activities and requirements (jesuit high school).

When I started college I felt like I had volunteered enough and as a naive pre-med I thought I didn't need anymore. Now I'm feeling like a ******* because I'm starting my senior year of college and applying to med school with no college volunteering hours. Should I bother listing my high school and middle school volunteering stuff? Or maybe mention it in the personal statement? Any advice? Thanks guys
Click to expand...

Yeah, it looks bad. The typical advice on here is you only include volunteering from HS if you continued it on into college. I don't know if you should just list it or not as you don't have anything else.

Get started volunteering again ASAP. How is the rest of you application? Are you working in healthcare? High GPA? High MCAT? Lots of shadowing? What do you have to balance this huge negative?
 
I currently go to BYU. I have a 2.8 Science GPA and a 3.0 uGPA. This is due to several family tragedies overseas, but I am not here to make excuses. I am currently 2 years away from graduating with a double major in Neuroscience and Political Science at BYU. I have very good ECs. I have been volunteering as an EMT for a year now and I will be doing that for the rest of my time at BYU. I am on Student Council at the school. I have quite a few leadership positions. As far as research goes, I am researching 10 hours a week in the Nutrition department and 10 hours a week at the Neuroscience department. My MCAT score is a 32 right now but I am going to be retaking it in April. What are my chances to get into a DO school if I apply next Summer?
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I'm a new member to this forum. I have found it really helpful for my med school application process. I really want to get into TCOM in Ft Worth, Texas (I'm a Texas resident). My stats are:

_ cumGPA: 3.88
_ scienceGPA: 3.8
_ MCAT: 1st time 28O (PS 11, VR 7, BS 10)
2nd time 27R (PS 10, VR 6, BS 11)
I've only been to the country for 6 years. Didnt learn english until I got here.
_ Triple majors: Bio, Chem, and Math.
_ As in all of my pre-med courses, have taken lots of upper-level courses (Cancer Bio, Virology, Parasitology, Dev Bio, Anatomy and Physiology, Biochem, Physical Chem, Medicinal Chem).
_ ECs: volunteer at a DO clinic for 4 years, volunteer at the hospital, research in Bio and Chem, community service 4 years, tutoring Bio and Chem at my school.

Could someone please give me an opinion on my chances of getting into TCOM? Thank you so much.
 
Is it pointless for me to raise my mcat score from 23 to a 24-25 if I have a gpa of 3.75? I am trying to get into MSU and other schools whose average is a 26-27.. so let me know, thanks
 
I had a C- in College composition freshmen year which is a passing grade at my undergrad institution that I graduated from. I have A's in my all other english and writing classes. I am applying to PCOM, LECOM, NYCOM, and VCOM and more schools on east coast. I was worried whether this is a problem. Should I retake it?
 
beckhunter116 said:
Yeah, it looks bad. The typical advice on here is you only include volunteering from HS if you continued it on into college. I don't know if you should just list it or not as you don't have anything else.

Get started volunteering again ASAP. How is the rest of you application? Are you working in healthcare? High GPA? High MCAT? Lots of shadowing? What do you have to balance this huge negative?
Click to expand...

I've done a lot of shadowing in the ER over the years. Right now I'm going a few times a week and shadowing the vice-chairman (he's a DO and graduate from the school I'd like to go) so he'll write me a letter. I also did a surgery internship where I shadowed a plastic surgeon for a bit freshman year of college.
Should I mention the lack of volunteering during college in my statement? It's not like I've never volunteered. I've done a few hundred hours.
 
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I personally think you should because people tell me a c is sometimes frowned upon and a c- woah. Its comp so take it at a cc and see if the credits are equal and take that bad boy and get a A. Its gonna look much better going from a C- to a A. Good luck on your decision
 
Does anyone know if TCOM also honors grade replacement? They are a part of the Texas app and my cGPA is 3.4 and sGPA 3.3. On the AACOMAS my cGPA is 3.5 and sGPA 3.68 because of grade replacement.

I took the MCAT 5/28 and received 5V, 10P, 10B. I know the 5 is awful. I didn't sleep well. I retake in 10 days since I highly doubt anyone will look at me with that low subscore.
 
forrealz said:
I had a C- in College composition freshmen year which is a passing grade at my undergrad institution that I graduated from. I have A's in my all other english and writing classes. I am applying to PCOM, LECOM, NYCOM, and VCOM and more schools on east coast. I was worried whether this is a problem. Should I retake it?
Click to expand...

For most schools I don't think a C- will count if it is a required pre-req. You better call the schools you are applying to.
 
jazzgurl7 said:
Hi All,

So I just wanted to give you guys a heads up I applied last year the 2008-2009 cycle with a sGPA of 2.79 and a cum of 2.97. My MCAT was 29O and I had extensive shadowing and research experience. This being said, I applied in October and completed some of my secondaries in January. I was the definition of underdog. A few days ago I got into medical school and so it can be done. If anyone needs advice or anything feel free to PM me.
Click to expand...
I have identical stats. Do you mind telling me how many schools you applied to?
 
I applied to about 10 DO schools and just one MD school (I had done research there and had a prior conversation with the director of admissions). It was a really rough process though, I only got invited for one interview and it was hard on my self esteem to keep getting the rejection letters and even worse being led on thinking maybe another school would invite me. If you're going to apply with those stats just don't expect a lot and stay positive.
 
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