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

[Fit4lyfe]

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Im gonna briefly give you an idea of where Im at now and if you guys have any advice shoot it at me..I also have a few questions.

Im 22, exercise science major and pre-med currently. First year moved away from home screwed up big time... Had F's,D's, lots of C's (in easy classes too)...I was a pre-business major. The class I failed was macroeconomics but i retook it and got an A (when i tried). My problem was crazy roomates and we went out too much and I couldnt wake up. I moved back home after 2 years and turned my self around.

I had a 1.7 GPA😕, now I currently have a 3.2 overall cumm. My science GPA is probably above a 3.8. and my university GPA that I have been at for a year and a half (where i will graduate from) is a 3.85.

Anatomy 1&2 with labs- A's
Gen chem 1&2 with labs- A's
Physics 1 w lab- A
Orgo 1- A
Biology 1 & 2 w labs- A's
Currently taking orgo 2 and lab and expecting A in lecture and B in lab. Taking physics 2 next semester (Fall) and Biochem.
My goal is to get A's in all my lectures for sciences.

Will DO schools have a hard time looking past my big screw up in the first year and a half?

I will start studying for the MCATS... in the spring 2010 semester. I hope to do well. I will take the kaplan online test prep course probably and get some diff books. I have audio osmosis too.

I need to get on the shadowing and volunteering. I am gonna shadow this MD this month that is actually a holistic family doctor that believes in natural routes before he goes the prescription route. He is very smart and lectures nationally. I need to volunteer at a hospital too... I have felt so overwhelmed trying to bring my GPA up for a long time that I havent had much time to do this stuff. I still have a year and a half of school before i get my bachelors in exercise science so I have time to shadow and volunteer still. The classes for my major arent hard for me and I can get A's in them.

I am a certified personal trainer, very into nutrition and health. I work out consistantly. After I graduate I will take the C.S.C.S. (certfied strength and conditioning specialist) exam. Maybe that will look good to put on my application to med school. Does having this exercise science background and being into working out and nutrition myself look good to DO admissions? I would rather go DO than MD because of the theory behind it. Its more of who I am.

If I graduate with a 3.3-3.5 GPA and do average to very good on the MCATS and get shadowing willl I have a good chance at getting in on my first try somewhere.. even thought I was on academic probation and had a terrible GPA?

Thanks so much if you have any advice that will help me get in or have any suggestions.

😀

 

[theswordfish]

I graduated college in june and have decided that I want to be a DO. Help me plan my life until it's time to apply!! I had a 3.35 gpa as a bio major..

this is what I did while in school..
Student manager/lead in a customer service-esque job - 2.5 yrs
retail - 1 summer
lab assistant - 8 mos
paid TA for a lower div, non bio class - 5 quarters
research w/ project- 6 mos
TA at a middle school nerd camp - 1 summer

What I'm doing this summer:
Caretaker for my grandparents (clean, drive them places, help with meds, etc), i'm gonna get certified as a caretaker too.
volunteer at a free health clinic (started back in april, right now i go about 12-20 hrs/week)
taking a monitor tech class for potential job in a hospital

Fall plans:
retake chem/physics, maybe ochem too, and english at jc
perhaps take an EMT class..(it would help me do more at the clinic)

Christmas break: work on PS??

Spring plans:
cont. retaking classes..
start studying for the MCAT, take in may???
get LORs

June
APPLY!!

Summer:
Go back to that camp and work as the health assistant (give out meds during morning and lunch, fix booboos/owies, watch kids take naps in the nurses office, etc), make $$$ for all those apps/interviews!!


any other suggestions? Thanks so much!!

 

[ArsenalEPL4Life]

I just graduated from college, with a degree in biochemistry. Submitted my application to AACOMAS in the beginning of July, still waiting for it to be verified 😡! I need to attend my cc this fall to fulfill the english prereq by taking literature. I was also thinking of taking a CNA course, would this look good? I have read that people say you need to continue being active. I havent volunteered since last fall when I fell ill with mono. Is this going to hurt me? I have about 150+ volunteer hours and the rest of my app is pretty good. But in the meantime while I am looking for a job, any suggestions on what I should do? I am trying to get a job in the healthcare field, like a pharm tech job, but even those are hard to come across. Any help on what I could be looking for, or what I should do?

 

[ilovebiology]

So I'm having some issues deciding whether I should take a year off or not. It will make my application stronger by having another year of volunteering, research and lots of shadowing. Otherwise I will be applying with a year of volunteering, no research, and barely any shadowing. I was planning on applying next july-ish, but I think I'm going to be burnt out on school, and the MCAT (since I will be taking it sometime in the summer, possibly end of May). So here's my question...should I wait another year to apply to build my application and not have to stress trying to get LOR's, shadowing, and such in all within a year? It seems like an almost obvious question to what most of you will probably respond with, but I just want some reassurance and encouragment that this might be the better way to go. 😀

 

[doitforkids]

Hi,
I still have to take 3 of my pre-req classes
Retake couple of my classes
Finish all my upperdiv electives
Need to take the mcat

I have solid extracurricular activities.

When should I take the mcat? I heard the post-bacc/smp programs help you with the mcat so I don't know if I should just focus on my gpa and take the mcat later...

What are my chances of getting into a post-bacc/smp program? even d.o school for next fall?

Thank you for your time 🙂

 

[PRodulous]

From what I've read on previous SDN posts similar to this, most suggest that you do what you love or what sparks your interest. Adcoms will gauge you on your passion and they'll look for it during interviews. Go for what interests you whether it be a CNA or pharm tech job. I have also seen advice to stay in academia, since you have more flexibility when it comes to calling off for interviews. The downside is that you get paid less. Personally, I'm at the corporate world and I have to make sure I don't burn all my vacation days too early and be SOL when interviews come.

 

[doitforkids]

Hi,
I still have to take 3 of my pre-req classes
Retake couple of my classes
Finish all my upperdiv electives
Need to take the mcat

I have solid extracurricular activities.


When should I take the mcat? I heard the post-bacc programs help you with the mcat so I don't know if I should just focus on my gpa and take the mcat later... the only problem is I want to apply next spring/summer which means I should take it before then...

What are my chances of getting into a post-bacc/smp program? even d.o school for next fall?

Thank you for your time!

 

[jkmph]

If you have strong ECs and a strong MCAT (re: 30+) then you would be competitive, or at least have a realistic shot of acceptance, with a ~3.0 sGPA.

 

[premedmind]

Well...got my MCAT score back today. These are my stats.

NY state resident, Hispanic
GPA: 3.74
sGPA: 3.6
non-science GPA: 3.8

MCAT: 5V 9PS 10BS, 24Q (will the verbal kill my chances at anywhere in particular?)

EC's are extensive and PS is very good

What are my chances at

NYCOM (#1 choice)
PCOM
TOUROCOM (in NYC)
UMDNJ
LECOM

Please be honest and critical....thank you in advance.

 

[premedmind]

So i got my MCAT scores back....5V, 9PS, 10BS, 24Q

I know the verbal is very low. Would any schools reject me right off the bat for the low verbal?

The schools I am applying to are

NYCOM (first choice)
PCOM
UMDNJ
TOUROCOM (NYC)
LECOM

 

[DRIN]

So i got my MCAT scores back....5V, 9PS, 10BS, 24Q

I know the verbal is very low. Would any schools reject me right off the bat for the low verbal?

The schools I am applying to are

NYCOM (first choice)
PCOM
UMDNJ
TOUROCOM (NYC)
LECOM

4 is the cutoff at MSUCOM...but that's not on your list. I don't know about your schools though, I don't understand why this section is really given a whole lot of weight to begin with, but unfortunately that's how it is.

 

[Hokie06]

.

 

[Hokie06]

.

 

[premedmind]

What are your other grades like and at what institution? I received an interview at NYCOM with a 6 on verbal (27P) and a 3.5/3.6 gpa at georgetown and Virginia tech.

NY State Resident, Hispanic
3.74 cumulative GPA
3.8 non-science GPA
3.6 science GPA

I would rather not say the institution but it is on Long Island. Not a highly competitive school but I doubt that matters.

 

[Hokie06]

.

 

[Hokie06]

.

 

[premedmind]

I wouldn't worry too much, it sounds like the rest of your application is competitive. But I would call and ask about the verbal since it's below a 6. Best wishes in your application process. You will definitely get in somewhere~be sure to apply early and broadly

Thanks. I will call them.

Still wondering if it's worth it to retake for the verbal, or just apply with what I got.

 

[SBTF2008]

I’m just looking for honest advice, so I’m going to post pretty much everything about my academic career. Right now I have a 2.8 science GPA and a 3.1 cumulative GPA. I have two years left of undergrad, and I anticipate being able to bring those up to a 3.0/3.1 and a 3.4, respectively. I’m a double major- neuroscience and political science. I’ve gone to three undergraduate schools, and didn’t perform well at all for two of my undergraduate years (hence the low GPA). In the last couple of years I have been in one school (BYU) and I have been involved in a lot of extracurricular work;
-volunteering for about 4 hours a week at two different hospitals
-volunteering about 8 hours a week as an EMT (I have my intermediate EMT certification)
-volunteering from 4-12 hours a week at a crisis center
-president of the Hebrew club (I’m from Israel)
-vice president of the Nutritional Science Club
-member of the Student Advisory Council (by faculty election)
-committee chair for interfaith dialogue
-volunteered for MedicWest
-Pre-Med club
-Research on antioxidants (10 hours a week for a year, working on publishing)
-Research on alcoholism (10 hours a week for a year)
-several Teacher’s Assistant positions
-volunteer about two hours a week with the Hebrew classes, speaking Hebrew with second year students
-Model United Nations
-Zionist Organization of America
-TOPS tutor
-Habitat for Humanity
-various miscellaneous volunteering opportunities and political events as they arise
-Program Director for the Center for Service and Learning (non-paid)
I have not taken the MCAT yet, but I took a practice test the other day (without studying really) and scored a 27. I’m interested in knowing what schools I should have a shot at getting into, and what I should do to strengthen my application. Thank you.

 

[bigyihoroi]

So i got my MCAT scores back....5V, 9PS, 10BS, 24Q

I know the verbal is very low. Would any schools reject me right off the bat for the low verbal?

The schools I am applying to are

NYCOM (first choice)
PCOM
UMDNJ
TOUROCOM (NYC)
LECOM

I got a 5 in verbal too. I received interview from PCOM, KCOM, TOURO-CA, LECOM, AZCOM, ATSU-SOMA, DMU, and WVSOM (So this is the list of schools I know for sure that will still consider you with a 5 in verbal). Gonna attend PCOM this fall. I applied very early in the cycle though. Just try to submit all ur primary and secondaries asap. The earlier they received all your applications, the earlier they reviewed your applications, and the greater chance you will have an interview invite because there's still plenty of seats available. In contrast, if you apply late in the cycle, there will be very few seats left and acceptance will be a lot more selective and competitive.

 

[premedmind]

I got a 5 in verbal too. I received interview from PCOM, KCOM, TOURO-CA, LECOM, AZCOM, ATSU-SOMA, DMU, and WVSOM (So this is the list of schools I know for sure that will still consider you with a 5 in verbal). Gonna attend PCOM this fall. I applied very early in the cycle though. Just try to submit all ur primary and secondaries asap. The earlier they received all your applications, the earlier they reviewed your applications, and the greater chance you will have an interview invite because there's still plenty of seats available. In contrast, if you apply late in the cycle, there will be very few seats left and acceptance will be a lot more selective and competitive.

Thanks for the post.

I submitted my application 2 weeks ago. I would think that I am still early in the application process. This gives me hope that I am not going to be rejected everywhere!

 

[YA7ES]

25M MCAT (7/9/M/9) (last time i got a 22, so upward trend)
3.55 sGPA
3.7 cGPA

Good resume
moderate LOR's
and I'm from Mississippi, which is advantageous because of it being rural..

Chances?
I applied to:

KCUMB
VCOM
NOVA
PCOM-GA
CCOM
ATSU-COM
LMU-DCOM
PSCOM (Pikeville)

 

[goingoinggone]

Hi,

I was wondering what my chances were at a DO school, in particular CCOM for this cycle.

cGPA 3.73
sGPA 3.59
mcat: 1st 24Q (8PS, 9VB, 7BS), 2nd 23M (8PS 6VB 9 BS) [will this be too much of a drop in VB? or do schools like CCOM take the best of each section?]🙁

Also, do you think my GPA can make up for the low MCAT?

Lots of EC, worked 25+hrs/week during my 4 years of college, research, 400+ hrs volunteering - all the good stuff to get into med school.

I have no DO letter, but a very strong MD/PhD letter.

I am very worried, because the first time I took the mcat i studied one week for it and this second time I studied for 1 month+ and did worse (June 18th taker). I have registered for an August MCAT, but I don't know if I am willing to tackle the beast again after my second score was lower than my first.

Any comments and suggestions will be helpful.

So far I've applied to Touro-NY, NYIT, CCOM, PCOM.

I am an IL resident.

Thank you in advance.

 

[Sinfest]

Hey guys/gals, I just got my MCAT result back, and I'm wondering what my chances will be when I apply early on in the application cycle next year(yeah yeah, I know this is an 09-10 thread, but whatever).

MCAT: 27M(9VR, 8PS, 10BS)
Science GPA: ~3.15
Overall GPA: ~3.05
Undergrad: A top public university
Letters:
-My research PI
-Science faculty member
-Nonscience faculty member
-The MD from the urgent care facility I intern at
-Will have a DO LOR
-I could also get one from the hospital I intern at if I want
Extracurriculars:
-2 & 1/2 years of evolutionary research(>1000 hours)
-1 & 1/3 years of interning on various floors at a big hospital(oncology, telemetry, outpatient surgery, joint works, emergency)(~240 hours)
-7 months of interning at an urgent care facility(~110 hours)
-3 months of working at a pharmacy
-I am a certified pharmacy technician
-3 months of teaching science/english at a local highschool to mostly minorities who had trouble passing the California High School Exit Exam
-Participated in a minority outreach video funded by the NSF.
-I will shadow a DO soon


I'm willing to go anywhere haha

Thanks! 👍

 

[bcm1545]

I am only applying to DO schools.

Science and non-science GPA = 3.7
MCAT: PS: 9 VR:8 WR:Q Bio:11= 28Q

Can I get into any DO school with these stats What are the most competitive DO schools? I am submitting my application next month. Will this be ok? Is it to late? Thank you very much for your input!

 

[danny317]

i think you have a shot at DO schools.

the DO subforum would have a lot of answers for you concerning competitiveness.

good luck!

 

[bcm1545]

I am only applying to DO schools.

Science and non-science GPA = 3.7
MCAT: PS: 9 VR:8 WR:Q Bio:11= 28Q

Can I get into any DO school with these stats What are the most competitive DO schools? I am submitting my application next month. Will this be ok? Is it to late? Thank you very much for your input!

 

[DRIN]

I am only applying to DO schools.

Science and non-science GPA = 3.7
MCAT: PS: 9 VR:8 WR:Q Bio:11= 28Q

Can I get into any DO school with these stats What are the most competitive DO schools? I am submitting my application next month. Will this be ok? Is it to late? Thank you very much for your input!

You can get into any DO school with those stats. If you get rejected, it won't be because of your stats being "too low" because they're certainly competitive

The most competitive DO schools as far as numbers go are probably (in no particular order): Western, DMU, MSU, PCOM, NOVA, probably a few more...

 

[COMBAT MEDIC172]

Above average GPA, above average MCAT for most DO schools, if the rest of your application is on par you will get in somewhere. I think that you will get your fair share of interviews.

 

[sshashid87]

I never really asked about my chances for DO schools...I finished up my application today except for PS (it's getting done, it's getting done) and got the unofficial GPAs....

cGPA-3.7, sGPA-3.48 (3.55 for AMCAS...I like math)
MCAT: 10 PS, 10 VR, 9 BS, "S" WS (29S)

EC: -Shadow 4 physicians (140 hrs)
-United Way-March 2009-Present (40 hrs)
-Hospital 1-Summers only (05-08), prob. looked down upon (175 hrs)
-Hospital 2-April 09-Present (45 hrs)
-Religious volunteering (40 hrs/summer 06,07)
-Research-Sept 08-Present 1 poster, 1 publication 2nd author
-Ice hockey, IM tennis, IM cricket (2005-2006, 08-09)...broke 3 bones, had to stop for a while
-Honors: Magna Cum Laude, Phi Kappa Phi
-Honors Thesis (Top 15 award at university)

I promise my ECs aren't as boring as I made them sound, can definitely make them sound good in interviews, but jus thought I'd list them here...

My MCAT moved from 28R to 29S so extremely pissed, but I'd be happy with DO schools, so not as big a deal as I initially thought...any advice would be helpful, thanks!

 

[Jamers]

I just graduated from college, with a degree in biochemistry. Submitted my application to AACOMAS in the beginning of July, still waiting for it to be verified 😡! I need to attend my cc this fall to fulfill the english prereq by taking literature. I was also thinking of taking a CNA course, would this look good? I have read that people say you need to continue being active. I havent volunteered since last fall when I fell ill with mono. Is this going to hurt me? I have about 150+ volunteer hours and the rest of my app is pretty good. But in the meantime while I am looking for a job, any suggestions on what I should do? I am trying to get a job in the healthcare field, like a pharm tech job, but even those are hard to come across. Any help on what I could be looking for, or what I should do?

I wouldn't do CNA unless you wanted to work as a CNA. Going just for the certification is kinda bogus. If you want to do it just understand what it implies you literally are at the ass end of things....literally. Does it help though? After nearly five years of being a CNA I am constantly told by my attendings that I have a great repoire with patients.

 

[Stratego]

You have a very good chance at a DO acceptance. Applying a bit later in the cycle always decreases one's chances somewhat, but I think you'll still be OK. I'd say PCOM and CCOM are fairly competitive, besides the schools in California and Florida.

 

[Semicolon]

So i got my MCAT scores back....5V, 9PS, 10BS, 24Q

I know the verbal is very low. Would any schools reject me right off the bat for the low verbal?

The schools I am applying to are

NYCOM (first choice)
PCOM
UMDNJ
TOUROCOM (NYC)
LECOM

That 5 will definitely put up somewhat of a red flag in your application, but as posts above show, there is certainly hope for you. These days, a 24 MCAT is towards the lower side of the range, and competition is increasing each year. If you've got it in you, I would suggest a retake simply for the fact that any meaningful increase in your verbal score (and thus your entire score) would considerably increase your chances.

Oh, and APPLY TO MORE THAN 5 SCHOOLS!!

 

[autodf06]

I just got my MCAT scores back 25Q (PS:7, VR:10, BS:8). A couple points lower than I had hoped for, but I'm still applying and wanted some advice on my DO chances.

Biochemistry & Biology double major

GPA: 3.66, sGPA: 3.66
MCAT: 25Q

Academics
- Received one of two 3/4 tuition scholarships given out by school to incoming freshmen
- Dean's List 5 times
- Omicron Delta Kappa, Phi Eta Sigma, and Beta Beta Beta honor societies
- Chemistry Departmental Honors

Clubs/Organizations
- Student Athlete Advisory Committee (3 years, last 2 as VP)
- SGA Senator (1 year)
- Judicial Board Associate Justice (1 year)

Athletics
- Varsity Football, July 2006-July 2007
- Varsity Men's Tennis Team, July 2006-Present (All-Conference, All-Academic, Conference Champs, on team 4 years)
- Varsity Men's Cross Country Team, May 2008-Present (All-Conference, All-Academic, Conference Champs, on team 2 years)

Volunteering
- Volunteer Assistant Football Coach at former high school (~40 hrs, ongoing)
- ER Volunteer (~50 hrs, ongoing)
- Volunteer tennis instructor for program serving underprivilaged children (~150 hrs)

Research/Experience
- Temple University Podiatry Internship (~25 hrs of shadowing podiatrists)
- University of Pitt SURP (research all summer, abstract)
- Auburn University CMB (research all summer, abstract, possible secondary author publication)
- Poster Presentation at local univiersity of chemistry research done at school
- Shadowing: MD Neurologist (15 hrs), DO Anesthesiologist (15 hrs)

 

[goingoinggone]

Hi,

I was wondering what my chances were at a DO school, in particular CCOM for this cycle.

cGPA 3.73
sGPA 3.59
mcat: 1st 24Q (8PS, 9VB, 7BS), 2nd 23M (8PS 6VB 9 BS) [will this be too much of a drop in VB? or do schools like CCOM take the best of each section?]🙁

Also, do you think my GPA can make up for the low MCAT?

Lots of EC's, on student organization e-boards, worked 25+hrs/week during my 4 years of college, research, 400+ hrs volunteering - all the good stuff to get into med school.

I have no DO letter, but a very strong MD/PhD letter.

I am very worried, because the first time I took the mcat i studied one week for it and this second time I studied for 1 month+ and did worse (June 18th taker). I have registered for an August MCAT, but I don't know if I am willing to tackle the beast again after my second score was lower than my first.

Any comments and suggestions will be helpful.

So far I've applied to Touro-NY, NYIT, CCOM, PCOM (any others I should add?)

I am an IL resident.

Thank you in advance.

 

[autodf06]

I just got my MCAT scores back 25Q (PS:7, VR:10, BS:8). A couple points lower than I had hoped for, but I'm still applying and wanted some advice on my DO chances.

Biochemistry & Biology double major

GPA: 3.66, sGPA: 3.66
MCAT: 25Q

Academics
- Received one of two 3/4 tuition scholarships given out by school to incoming freshmen
- Dean's List 5 times
- Omicron Delta Kappa, Phi Eta Sigma, and Beta Beta Beta honor societies
- Chemistry Departmental Honors

Clubs/Organizations
- Student Athlete Advisory Committee (3 years, last 2 as VP)
- SGA Senator (1 year)
- Judicial Board Associate Justice (1 year)

Athletics
- Varsity Football, July 2006-July 2007
- Varsity Men's Tennis Team, July 2006-Present (All-Conference, All-Academic, Conference Champs, on team 4 years)
- Varsity Men's Cross Country Team, May 2008-Present (All-Conference, All-Academic, Conference Champs, on team 2 years)

Volunteering
- Volunteer Assistant Football Coach at former high school (~40 hrs, ongoing)
- ER Volunteer (~50 hrs, ongoing)
- Volunteer tennis instructor for program serving underprivilaged children (~150 hrs)

Research/Experience
- Temple University Podiatry Internship (~25 hrs of shadowing podiatrists)
- University of Pitt SURP (research all summer, abstract)
- Auburn University CMB (research all summer, abstract, possible secondary author publication)
- Poster Presentation at local univiersity of chemistry research done at school
- Shadowing: MD Neurologist (15 hrs), DO Anesthesiologist (15 hrs)


I have applied to PCOM, PCOM-GA, OSU-COM, LECOM-Bradenton and will probably add LECOM, NYCOM, UMDNJ-COM, and CCOM. Do I have a decent shot for possibly one acceptance?

 

[antapolar]

Hi,

I was wondering what my chances were at a DO school, in particular CCOM for this cycle.

cGPA 3.73
sGPA 3.59
mcat: 1st 24Q (8PS, 9VB, 7BS), 2nd 23M (8PS 6VB 9 BS) [will this be too much of a drop in VB? or do schools like CCOM take the best of each section?]🙁

Also, do you think my GPA can make up for the low MCAT?

Lots of EC's, on student organization e-boards, worked 25+hrs/week during my 4 years of college, research, 400+ hrs volunteering - all the good stuff to get into med school.

I have no DO letter, but a very strong MD/PhD letter.

I am very worried, because the first time I took the mcat i studied one week for it and this second time I studied for 1 month+ and did worse (June 18th taker). I have registered for an August MCAT, but I don't know if I am willing to tackle the beast again after my second score was lower than my first.

Any comments and suggestions will be helpful.

So far I've applied to Touro-NY, NYIT, CCOM, PCOM (any others I should add?)

I am an IL resident.

Thank you in advance.

Well i don't think a decreasing trend in your MCAT would be helpful. So I would suggest you do the MCAT again, but with much more effort this time. I mean, they will ask you with questions on why you did worst the second time around, if you are prepared for that then by all means. Without any specific selection criteria on your part, I can't tell you what other school to add. Your gpa seems fine for most schools, mcat might be a close call, that's all.

 

[rocketbooster]

Well i don't think a decreasing trend in your MCAT would be helpful. So I would suggest you do the MCAT again, but with much more effort this time. I mean, they will ask you with questions on why you did worst the second time around, if you are prepared for that then by all means. Without any specific selection criteria on your part, I can't tell you what other school to add. Your gpa seems fine for most schools, mcat might be a close call, that's all.

they aren't going to ask you why your MCAT dropped. it dropped by 1 point. also, the area you dropped in was VR, which everyone knows varies a lot. you can easily drop 3 pts in VR due to being unfocused during that 1 hour.

in a MD interview last year, I had a similar case to yours. My MCAT dropped from 26R (8, 10, 8) to 24Q (8, 7, 9). That's a 3 pt decrease in VR, as well. No one mentioned a thing.

I did retake my MCAT this year, though, since I only got waitlised and reapplying to that MD school and adding DO schools this time. Although my practice test scores showed dramatic improvement (high 20s to mid 30s), I ended up with another 26Q (8, 8, 10). Some schools take the highest subscores, though, which gives me a 28R (8, 10, 10). Both this MD school and a few DO schools do that. Look into DO schools that do this. I think some ppl said NYIT and Ohio take your highest subscores and combine them into one score. I really only need that superficial MCAT policy (haha bc it's really cheap on the school's part) for the MD school to put me write at their average MCAT. For DO schools, I'm fine everywhere. For you, though, a 23 is a little low for DO and I think most places take the most recent score. Look into those ones that take composite scores.

 

[danimjo]

Thanks for the post.

I submitted my application 2 weeks ago. I would think that I am still early in the application process. This gives me hope that I am not going to be rejected everywhere!

If you do end up re-taking the MCAT to improve your verbal I would consider taking the MCAT lecture course if possible. It didn't do much to improve my other scores, but my verbal shot up to an 11...

 

[FutureDocDO]

Apply widely, if not all, and early. You should get in somewhere. Good luck.

I just got my MCAT scores back 25Q (PS:7, VR:10, BS:8). A couple points lower than I had hoped for, but I'm still applying and wanted some advice on my DO chances.

Biochemistry & Biology double major

GPA: 3.66, sGPA: 3.66
MCAT: 25Q

Academics
- Received one of two 3/4 tuition scholarships given out by school to incoming freshmen
- Dean's List 5 times
- Omicron Delta Kappa, Phi Eta Sigma, and Beta Beta Beta honor societies
- Chemistry Departmental Honors

Clubs/Organizations
- Student Athlete Advisory Committee (3 years, last 2 as VP)
- SGA Senator (1 year)
- Judicial Board Associate Justice (1 year)

Athletics
- Varsity Football, July 2006-July 2007
- Varsity Men's Tennis Team, July 2006-Present (All-Conference, All-Academic, Conference Champs, on team 4 years)
- Varsity Men's Cross Country Team, May 2008-Present (All-Conference, All-Academic, Conference Champs, on team 2 years)

Volunteering
- Volunteer Assistant Football Coach at former high school (~40 hrs, ongoing)
- ER Volunteer (~50 hrs, ongoing)
- Volunteer tennis instructor for program serving underprivilaged children (~150 hrs)

Research/Experience
- Temple University Podiatry Internship (~25 hrs of shadowing podiatrists)
- University of Pitt SURP (research all summer, abstract)
- Auburn University CMB (research all summer, abstract, possible secondary author publication)
- Poster Presentation at local univiersity of chemistry research done at school
- Shadowing: MD Neurologist (15 hrs), DO Anesthesiologist (15 hrs)

 

[Gold 5]

Apply widely, if not all, and early. You should get in somewhere. Good luck.

Second

 

[Duon89]

My mcat verbal and writing are awful.
PS-11 V-6 BS-10 (27N)
GPA- 3.85 accumulative BCPM should be similar not sure.
No shadowing done on D.O., but one M.D. surgeon in trauma.
I had spent 3 summers and 4 semesters for researching (basic research, an enzyme that modifies protein)
volunteered since last october at a hospital as a patient carer.(mainly just talking to patient)

Two question:
-Any verbal cut lines for D.O. schools? for example, none of the school will not even consider me since it is lower then 7. etc

-If the first question is not the case,
after lookin at my stat, do you think it is possible to get away with shadowing a D.O.

 

[hollynovacane]

Hi guys, I'm just out of college and am planning to take a few classes to help my low cGPA 2.7 and am wondering which DO schools are rolling admission. I am also planning to retake the MCAT and hope to get higher then a 31. Is it wise to apply to a few schools now or spend a year trying to increase my GPA before trying?

 

[OrangeRoost]

I would assume most would be rolling admissions. Some also have gpa cutoffs, so you'd need to check their policy. Other than your gpa, your mcat looks competitive.

 

[DRIN]

Hi guys, I'm just out of college and am planning to take a few classes to help my low cGPA 2.7 and am wondering which DO schools are rolling admission. I am also planning to retake the MCAT and hope to get higher then a 31. Is it wise to apply to a few schools now or spend a year trying to increase my GPA before trying?

I think pretty much all of them use rolling admission. Speaking from experience, I know MSUCOM has a very aggressive rolling policy. Also, I wouldn't retake your MCAT. A 31 is fine, just work on the cGPA with retaking some courses

 

[Black Adder]

Hi guys, I'm just out of college and am planning to take a few classes to help my low cGPA 2.7 and am wondering which DO schools are rolling admission. I am also planning to retake the MCAT and hope to get higher then a 31. Is it wise to apply to a few schools now or spend a year trying to increase my GPA before trying?

It's most likely going to be a huge waste of money to apply this year. Even with a 31 it's going to be an uphill battle to gain acceptance somewhere. I'd definetly reccommend devoting an entire year on retaking classes and getting involved in medically related work, or volunteering or something along those lines. It's better to apply when you are absolutley ready rather than attempting to apply in a haphazard manner and hoping that you'll get in somewhere.

Good luck!

 

[autodf06]

I am verified by AMCAS and waiting to be verified by AACOMAS. These are the schools I have applied to. Thanks for your input.

MD Schools:
UAB, South Alabama (my state schools), Drexel, Tulane, NYMC, Morehouse
DO Schools:
UMDNJ-DO, CCOM, OK St-DO, PCOM, PCOM-GA, NY-DO, Lake Erie-DO, Lake Erie Bradenton-DO

 

[premedmind]

That 5 will definitely put up somewhat of a red flag in your application, but as posts above show, there is certainly hope for you. These days, a 24 MCAT is towards the lower side of the range, and competition is increasing each year. If you've got it in you, I would suggest a retake simply for the fact that any meaningful increase in your verbal score (and thus your entire score) would considerably increase your chances.

Oh, and APPLY TO MORE THAN 5 SCHOOLS!!

Assuming that the low verbal score and MCAT composite are really my only major flaw in my application, and considering my other stats...do I have a reasonable shot? My writing sample is above average too, so I am definitely not illiterate as my verbal score would suggest, LOL.

I've studied like heck for this test (nearly a year, with hardcore studying for a month). The 5 is actually the lowest verbal score I ever got, but I don't know how much I can improve, maybe a point or two, if that.

If I retake, I think I could pull a 6 or 7 in verbal. But really not much higher, honestly. What do you think? Worth it?

 

[arnold2178]

I am really considering only DO schools. I have a GPA of 3.7, sGPA of 3.4, and a dissapointing MCAT score of 23P. (VR-9 PS-7 BS-7) I have volunteer experience, worked a full time job in the medical field for 2 years, interned in a hospital. What are my chances at DO schools? Thanks!

 

[Semicolon]

Assuming that the low verbal score and MCAT composite are really my only major flaw in my application, and considering my other stats...do I have a reasonable shot? My writing sample is above average too, so I am definitely not illiterate as my verbal score would suggest, LOL.

I've studied like heck for this test (nearly a year, with hardcore studying for a month). The 5 is actually the lowest verbal score I ever got, but I don't know how much I can improve, maybe a point or two, if that.

If I retake, I think I could pull a 6 or 7 in verbal. But really not much higher, honestly. What do you think? Worth it?

Honestly, if you raised your score from a 24 to a 26, even that would give you that much better of a chance. However, if you feel that you can't really do better than you already have, it may not be worth it to risk it.

If the rest of your application is literally great and the verbal score is the only thing setting you back, you would probably have a good shot at getting an acceptance somewhere...but you should apply broadly, and now.

 

[Sinfest]

BUMP! Any help would be appreciated 🙂

Hey guys/gals, I just got my MCAT result back, and I'm wondering what my chances will be when I apply early on in the application cycle next year(yeah yeah, I know this is an 09-10 thread, but whatever).

MCAT: 27M(9VR, 8PS, 10BS)
Science GPA: ~3.15
Overall GPA: ~3.05
Undergrad: A top public university
Letters:
-My research PI
-Science faculty member
-Nonscience faculty member
-The MD from the urgent care facility I intern at
-Will have a DO LOR
-I could also get one from the hospital I intern at if I want
Extracurriculars:
-2 & 1/2 years of evolutionary research(>1000 hours)
-1 & 1/3 years of interning on various floors at a big hospital(oncology, telemetry, outpatient surgery, joint works, emergency)(~240 hours)
-7 months of interning at an urgent care facility(~110 hours)
-3 months of working at a pharmacy
-I am a certified pharmacy technician
-3 months of teaching science/english at a local highschool to mostly minorities who had trouble passing the California High School Exit Exam
-Participated in a minority outreach video funded by the NSF.
-I will shadow a DO soon


I'm willing to go anywhere haha

Thanks! 👍