**2010-2011** "What are my Chances? Where Should I apply? What should I do?"

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I will be applying in May for the upcoming cycle and wanted to get some feedback on my chances:

cGPA: 3.32, sGPA: 3.27, MCAT: 33 (12 V, 10 PS, 11 BS)
non-traditional student, started/managed small business for 6 years
D.O. Letter
Shadowing and hospital volunteering experience
Volunteer coordinator for local chapter of Habitat for Humanity, organized blood drives for American Red Cross, other local volunteer hours
TA for organic chemistry, genetics, and microbiology.
3 years research experience, with recommendation letters from PI's.
2 1/2 years collegiate baseball--NAIA level--until ankle injury.
 
My chances are pretty low I'm guessing:

GPA: 3.2
sGPA: ~3.0
MCAT in September
Been pre-D.O. my entire undergraduate career, never really interested in M.D.

  • Non traditional student (28 years old, married and 2 kids)
  • 1st gerneration college student.
  • D.O. letter (1), M.D. letters (up to 5 if needed)
  • Strong commitment to working as a physician in underserved/disadvantaged populations. Specifically the homeless if possible.
  • 1 year very good research (I did a semi-independant project under one of my University's tenured Neurobiology professors), LOR if needed.
  • Certified EMT-I, Paramedic by graduation.
  • 1 year hospital experience (~1,900 hours)
  • 3 summers volunteered at a pediatric oncology camp (LOR if needed)
  • 1.5 years volunteering at Homeless Clinic (~300 hours)
  • 1 year as my University's Community Service fellow (First undergraduate ever to be awarded the fellowship)
  • Single handedly organized and carried out a mass vaccination campaign against the 2009 nH1N1 virus. 90 student's signed up, and we administered over 4,000 vaccines to the homeless. Our clinic saw 8 ILI patients all season.
  • Created an undergraduate internship program with the homeless clinic.
  • >200 hours shadowing physicians, including a DO practicing PM&R.
  • Two months (~600 hours spent working), aboard Navy hospital ship in Indonesia and East Timor for humanitarian medical mission.
I'm guessing that my GPA will not allow me to get in, but I'd like to try applying for the upcoming cycle, do I stand much of a chance? If my final sGPA is less than 3.0, will I stand a chance? What do I realistically need on the MCAT to have any hope?

I feel like I've excelled in all my EC's, and I've gone above and beyond rather than simply trying to merely do them so I could apply. But I got pretty burned out with some of my classes for a while there.

SLC
 
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SLC said:
My chances are pretty low I'm guessing:

GPA: 3.2
sGPA: ~3.0
MCAT in September
Been pre-D.O. my entire undergraduate career, never really interested in M.D.

  • Non traditional student (28 years old, married and 2 kids)
  • 1st gerneration college student.
  • D.O. letter (1), M.D. letters (up to 5 if needed)
  • Strong commitment to working as a physician in underserved/disadvantaged populations. Specifically the homeless if possible.
  • 1 year very good research (I did a semi-independant project under one of my University's tenured Neurobiology professors), LOR if needed.
  • Certified EMT-I, Paramedic by graduation.
  • 1 year hospital experience (~1,900 hours)
  • 3 summers volunteered at a pediatric oncology camp (LOR if needed)
  • 1.5 years volunteering at Homeless Clinic (~300 hours)
  • 1 year as my University's Community Service fellow (First undergraduate ever to be awarded the fellowship)
  • Single handedly organized and carried out a mass vaccination campaign against the 2009 nH1N1 virus. 90 student's signed up, and we administered over 4,000 vaccines to the homeless. Our clinic saw 8 ILI patients all season.
  • Created an undergraduate internship program with the homeless clinic.
  • >200 hours shadowing physicians, including a DO practicing PM&R.
  • Two months (~600 hours spent working), aboard Navy hospital ship in Indonesia and East Timor for humanitarian medical mission.
I'm guessing that my GPA will not allow me to get in, but I'd like to try applying for the upcoming cycle, do I stand much of a chance? If my final sGPA is less than 3.0, will I stand a chance? What do I realistically need on the MCAT to have any hope?

I feel like I've excelled in all my EC's, and I've gone above and beyond rather than simply trying to merely do them so I could apply. But I got pretty burned out with some of my classes for a while there.

SLC
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I think you have a chance to get in. With your EC's and assuming the LOR's are strong. I got in with slightly lower grades. Do well on your MCAT and it will make things a lot easier.
 
Hey everyone,

Canadian student

undergrad gpa 2.44
post bac gpa (public health and science): 3.96

cgpa: 3.1
sgpa: 2.95 (3.0 with a retake over summer)

latest mcat: 29Q

EC's are fine, but need to get a DO letter this summer.

Got into Columbia for a MPH in epidemiology starting this fall (2 yrs), applied to PCOM's pre-med program (1 yr) as well for this fall.

What are my chances if I apply this cycle for Fall 2011? Should I apply next cycle (for 2012) and do the MPH in epi from Columbia?

Thanks!
 
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Well, here's my story:

I'm majoring in aviation at a university in Ohio. I'm currently a first semester junior, and have been pre-med (osteopathic) for around 6 months now.

My current overall GPA is a 3.4 (unfortunately this is probably going to drop to a 3.2ish by the end of the semester – I'm doing everything I can to prevent this however). In terms of pre med courses, I've taken Psychology (B), Sociology (B), and am currently in Biology 1 (C or B). The following are my best guesses as to what my grades will be in the remainder of my pre-med courses:

Bio 2- C or B
Chem 1 – A
Chem 2 – A or B
O Chem 1 – B
O Chem 2 – B
Physics 1 – A
Physics 2- B

In terms of my ECs:

Flying airplanes is a huge part of my life. I have 3 commercial pilot licenses and an instrument rating. All through high school I was part of an organization called "police explorers." The program is for people who are interested in how law enforcement works. I also like to bike and work out when I can.

Unfortunately I have not started shadowing or volunteering yet. However I plan on doing both of these as soon as this semester is over.

Here are my questions:

-What kind of MCAT do you guys think I will need to be competitive at the typical DO school?
-Are there any schools out there that really like this kind of application?
-Any additional advice anyone has…?

Thanks for your help everyone!!
 
dmshain said:
Well, here's my story:

I'm majoring in aviation at a university in Ohio. I'm currently a first semester junior, and have been pre-med (osteopathic) for around 6 months now.

My current overall GPA is a 3.4 (unfortunately this is probably going to drop to a 3.2ish by the end of the semester – I'm doing everything I can to prevent this however). In terms of pre med courses, I've taken Psychology (B), Sociology (B), and am currently in Biology 1 (C or B). The following are my best guesses as to what my grades will be in the remainder of my pre-med courses:

Bio 2- C or B
Chem 1 – A
Chem 2 – A or B
O Chem 1 – B
O Chem 2 – B
Physics 1 – A
Physics 2- B

In terms of my ECs:

Flying airplanes is a huge part of my life. I have 3 commercial pilot licenses and an instrument rating. All through high school I was part of an organization called "police explorers." The program is for people who are interested in how law enforcement works. I also like to bike and work out when I can.

Unfortunately I have not started shadowing or volunteering yet. However I plan on doing both of these as soon as this semester is over.

Here are my questions:

-What kind of MCAT do you guys think I will need to be competitive at the typical DO school?
The higher the better, but if I had to guess a number, 26-28 seems to be the LOW END for accepted scores this year. Plan / study for 30+.
-Are there any schools out there that really like this kind of application?
Only way to find out for sure is to apply broadly. Do lots of research on SDN, and check out the pre-med class threads for this year to see the type of students that the schools have accepted.
-Any additional advice anyone has…?
Retake your Bio classes, especially if you score C's in both Bio1 and Bio2.
Do your research, and decide early where you want to apply.
Complete you app early, and do well on the MCAT.

Thanks for your help everyone!!
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Best of Luck!
 
BBall15 said:
3.8 cGPA
3.7 sGPA
24 MCAT (9P, 8B, 7V)
Caucasian female
I graduate this year and hope to apply next cycle.

Shadowed 3 different doctors over past 2 years (including a surgeon), Involved in many extracurricular and leadership activities, volunteer in a hospital and with sick children on a regular basis. I am from the Rockford area.

Top 5 choices for DO are 1) CCOM, 2) ATSU, 3) DMU, 4) LECOM-Erie, 5) PCOM.

What are my chances?
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Simlilar stats and I recieved mulitple acceptances and interview invitations and chose LECOM based on tuition cost
 
Ok I was so excited to be applying this cycle. I was going to take ORGO 1 and 2 over the summer at the University ( I am attening the State College) then take my MCAT's in August.

Well I don't think that will be happening now. The 2 ORGO classes offered at the University are full and open registration starts today. I can't register until 4/14 because I already have a bacc. degree from there.

I am trying to get an ORGO class started at the State College but I am not hopeful. Which means I will not be able to take ORGO til fall.

Technically I know I could sit my MCAT's in Jan 2011. I know that LECOM-B take Jan MCAT's but do they really have any spots open if I apply that late?

I am a non traditional student with a masters degree in nursing and am a certified nurse midwife.

Some encourageing words would be welcomed cuz I am really down about this but I want the realistic truth.



tbcnm
 
tbcnm said:
Ok I was so excited to be applying this cycle. I was going to take ORGO 1 and 2 over the summer at the University ( I am attening the State College) then take my MCAT's in August.

Well I don't think that will be happening now. The 2 ORGO classes offered at the University are full and open registration starts today. I can't register until 4/14 because I already have a bacc. degree from there.
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I am worried about this too. I will be attending my old school as a non-matriculant, hoping to take Organic I & II in the upcoming year. The problem I foresee is that I won't be able to get in, considering that enrollment in the school has increased dramatically and for such a large student population, they don't offer a lot of courses.

My advice to you would be to continue checking the course. There will always be people dropping at the last minute. I used to check daily, maybe twice a day, when I was trying to get into A&P. And it worked. Hell, you might even be able to register late.



On a separate note, when I apply, I will be in the process of taking the second semester of physics or I'll be taking it in the upcoming semester, before matriculation. Are schools usually okay with that or do they kind of look down on that?
 
Hey guys,

Im debating whether to apply mid-may (once i have a DO letter) with a cGPS of 3.1, sciGPA 3.1 , 30Q MCAT, tons EC

OR

Wait until my retake of BIO2 (got a C-) which will end June 25, so apply early July??? If I retake this course both GPAs go up to around 3.2ish (assuming i get an A, which is a given with all the upper sciences ive been 4.0 on)

My biggest problem is that as a Canadian, I have to send my transcripts to an American Educational facility that converts my transcript to a 4.0 scale (which is ridiculous cuz it can manually be done my AAMCOMA in like 5 minutes) and this could take weeks!

Thank you guys!
 
I am anticipating to have by the end of the current semester 3.15 GPA. I have two options to do this coming summer: retaking 2 math courses (college algebra and trig), or conducting a summer research at a respectful California University.

I am planning to apply to DO schools the following summer in 2011; meaning by maintaining 3.7 gpa* throughout the coming academic year my gpa will raise to 3.33 if I do the retakes, and 3.25 if I do the research.

so my question is:
Would you rather apply to DO schools with 3.33 GPA and no research? or with 3.25 GPA and research?

*I assumed that I will maintain 3.7 GPA to be a little realistic; however I will try to ace all of the courses to raise my gpa a little more.
 
People keep considering research as an extracurricular. Really it's all up to you...does the summer research intrigue you enough or just to slap on the resume?

Personally, I'd go for gpa
 
daaang, we are in the SAME EXACT SITUATION,

except gpa's are a little different.

I have a cum 3.3 and 2.9 sci, which after my retakes which will end Jun 24 should go up to like 3.45 and 3.3.

I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TO DO!!! I figure since my gpa could potentially go up a lot more, I might wait till the end of June to send everthing in, although it might take a little longer since I have to get my transcripts over. (I'm taking at a community college)
 

The difference between submitting your application in mid-May or the end of June is really inconsequential. Most schools don't even start up the next year's adcom until late July or August and most start interviewing around September. So if you submit your application at the end of June or even into July you could still easily be in the early interview groups. The higher gpa's you guys will have are worth it to make the best first impression you can with the adcom.
 
Dam, thats a big improvment lol how many courses are u retaking this summer? I wanted to retake Organic Chem 1 and 2 as well (I got a C and C-). If i retake those as well distance ed, my GPA goes up to like 3.3 I believe. But I dont think I can take 3 courses realistically and do well by August. It just seems way too intense.

Thoughts?


gatewasani said:
daaang, we are in the SAME EXACT SITUATION,

except gpa's are a little different.

I have a cum 3.3 and 2.9 sci, which after my retakes which will end Jun 24 should go up to like 3.45 and 3.3.

I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TO DO!!! I figure since my gpa could potentially go up a lot more, I might wait till the end of June to send everthing in, although it might take a little longer since I have to get my transcripts over. (I'm taking at a community college)
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drctother said:
Dam, thats a big improvment lol how many courses are u retaking this summer? I wanted to retake Organic Chem 1 and 2 as well (I got a C and C-). If i retake those as well distance ed, my GPA goes up to like 3.3 I believe. But I dont think I can take 3 courses realistically and do well by August. It just seems way too intense.

Thoughts?
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just two, but they're 5 credit hours each (but thats because they include lab)

I am going to be really busy for the first 5 weeks of summer (they run simultaneously)
 
Well, where do I begin....

First, I am interested in attending medical school. I would prefer NYCOM or TOUROCOM, and SUNY StonyBrook or SUNY Downstate.

I attended a private highly ranked Masters college in Conn my freshman year. After my first semester, I was dismissed for having failed all of my classes. After that semester, I took the rest of the year off and didnt work or go to school. The following fall, I enrolled in my community college and had to withdraw in the middle of the semester, so I have a semester of W's. I then returned to the community college that following fall, after working the whole time. I attended the community college for 3 semesters, while working 2 part time jobs. My GPA at the community college is a 3.5. Then, I attended the local 4 year state school, which isnt too competitive for a semester and I have a 4.0 there. All together, I have a 2.7 GPA and 65 credits. I took off another year and a half which leads me to now. Things were going well, I was working, until I was fired from my job of 5 years for stealing last year. I wasnt arrested , just had to sign a confession. I have another job, which I was hired at prior to being fired, which is retail. Anyway, I would really love to go to medical school, as it is a huge dream of mine.

My idea is

I am going to enroll in excelsior college, which is a distance degree college, so that I can finally finish my BA. I will have a concentration in psychology and english. I will be above a 3.0 when i graduate, possibly a 3.1.
I will attend the local state school, which is not too competitive for a second bachelors, in Biology. I am also going to apply to Columbia Post Bacc, and if I can get in, I will def go there. I am hoping to have a 4.0.
I am going to get a Masters in Liberal studies.
I am going to join the Americorps, so that I can prove that I am still a good person, because I have a huge heart, and I really want to help as many people as I can in my life and what happened was a huge mistake.
I am volunteering at my local hospital
I am also going to be working.


Am I crazy to think I will be able to be accepted to medical school or can it happen? I have all the determination to make it happen, and while I have made some pretty big mistakes, Ive come around. I believe this will take about 5 years to complete, maybe more, Ill be about 30 years old. Will this make any difference, because there will be a big time frame in between my events, and what I have done to change my life?

When you retake the classes, does the DO application factor in all new grades or just science grades?

Does anybody have any other suggestions? Thank you so much for your time.
 
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Some ppl on here in one of the threads I recently made (about basically the same situation) told me that we can "update" our applications. I didn't really look into that, but it sounded like what happens is:

1. You send your primary app in May (with your 3.1, and my 3.1)
2. This will pass all computerized GPA requirements, so they will send secondaries to us a few weeks later.
3. We will send these secondaries back ASAP.
4. Then, after our summer classes (mine ends in late June, yours in mid June as you say) are over, we can somehow update our apps.

So since schools won't be looking at anyone's secondary apps until around June anyway, we don't really lose any ground by taking summer courses that end in June.
 
Thanks Dre! Ya I think im gonna do that. Earlier the better. I didnt know they looked at them as early as June, thanks for the advice!

and thanks for the links




DrDre2001 said:
Some ppl on here in one of the threads I recently made (about basically the same situation) told me that we can "update" our applications. I didn't really look into that, but it sounded like what happens is:

1. You send your primary app in May (with your 3.1, and my 3.1)
2. This will pass all computerized GPA requirements, so they will send secondaries to us a few weeks later.
3. We will send these secondaries back ASAP.
4. Then, after our summer classes (mine ends in late June, yours in mid June as you say) are over, we can somehow update our apps.

So since schools won't be looking at anyone's secondary apps until around June anyway, we don't really lose any ground by taking summer courses that end in June.
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I'm still a little un-easy about this because I am worried that schools are gonna see the 2.9 and never get back to me... so I don't know
 
drctother said:
Thanks Dre! Ya I think im gonna do that. Earlier the better. I didnt know they looked at them as early as June, thanks for the advice!

and thanks for the links
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Well I'm not really sure about the timing of the 4 steps that I put down...that was just a rough outline of what people like you and me (who are taking important summer courses) will do.

But if they don't look at it "as early" as June, that is even better for us.
 
gatewasani said:
I'm still a little un-easy about this because I am worried that schools are gonna see the 2.9 and never get back to me... so I don't know
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Yeah, a 2.9 may not get you a secondary from some schools.

Perhaps you can search for which schools are least and most selective about sending secondaries. In May, only send primaries to the least selective schools. Then in July: 1. update your secondaries for those schools and 2. send primaries to the highly selective schools that you didn't send primaries to in May.


Edit: Nevermind, I didn't realize that your 2.9 was your SCIENCE gpa. In that case, I think you are worrying way too much. A 2.9 science GPA (alongside a 3.3 cum) should be fine to pass primaries for almost every school I believe.
 
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Just wanted to say the same thing guys. I emailed the aacomas people as few weeks back and asked them about this. They confirmed the whole updating process.

So apply early and update later. It takes 6-8 weeks for your app to get verified and submitted but only about 15-20 for apps to get update. I am doing a few retakes as well so i'll be applying come may and then just update close to submission of my secondaries

DC, my canadian homie....dont worry about the DO letter yet. you won't need it till secondaries are sent out about in mid-June. Apply early brother apply as early as you can 🙂

gl to all
 
Ibn Alnafis MD said:
I am anticipating to have by the end of the current semester 3.15 GPA. I have two options to do this coming summer: retaking 2 math courses (college algebra and trig), or conducting a summer research at a respectful California University.

I am planning to apply to DO schools the following summer in 2011; meaning by maintaining 3.7 gpa* throughout the coming academic year my gpa will raise to 3.33 if I do the retakes, and 3.25 if I do the research.

so my question is:
Would you rather apply to DO schools with 3.33 GPA and no research? or with 3.25 GPA and research?

*I assumed that I will maintain 3.7 GPA to be a little realistic; however I will try to ace all of the courses to raise my gpa a little more.
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Since you are not applying till next year. i will go against the grain and suggest you to go do research (only if you actually want to do it) You can do research now and apply early in May 2011. This will allow to still do the retakes in spring/summer of 2011 and update your apps with aacomas. This way you get the research done this year; retakes next summer. Just apply early. Oh yeah i didn't see you post a MCAT score. If you haven't taken it.....do that before retakes and research 😛
 
jaywalk said:
Since you are not applying till next year. i will go against the grain and suggest you to go do research (only if you actually want to do it) You can do research now and apply early in May 2011. This will allow to still do the retakes in spring/summer of 2011 and update your apps with aacomas. This way you get the research done this year; retakes next summer. Just apply early. Oh yeah i didn't see you post a MCAT score. If you haven't taken it.....do that before retakes and research 😛
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I am planning to take the mcat in spring 2011; I am not ready to take it yet because I am still enrolled in ochem 2 and physics 2. Besides, I need to improve my english by then, don't know how, but I'll force my self to start reading more often.

thanks for the tips.
 
I have a similar kind of question, although it is in regards to MCAT scores rather than classes. I am planning to retake my MCATs again in August. I took it last year but didn't do too hot. Can I still or should I still submit my application by July (or early enough) although they won't have my update mcat scores until much later? I just want to make sure they don't see only my previous score and decide not to call me for a interview because it being low because I know this time around i'll definitely do way better. Do you think there is any harm applying early and making mention that there will be another score arriving once I complete the MCAT again?
 
I applied to DO schools and found my Science GPA to be a 2.7. I recalculated my science GPA after retaking 4 science classes and it will be a 3.1 science gpa and a 3.1 cum gpa by this coming May. I have 7 strong letters of recommendations from professors, DO, employer, health advisor, and the Free Clinic I volunteer at. The only thing I am missing is the MCAT.

I am thinking of two different strategies of applying:

1) Take ochem over the summer which is $7,500 and I will be taking it the 3rd time as when I took it the 2nd time AACOMAS averaged the original and retakes of Ochem because the first time I took ochem it was on qtr system and the second time I took it was on a semester system so I would be retaking it a 3rd time on the qtr system again to replace the C and D that I received initially. This will raise my science gpa to a 3.3-3.4 but take my MCAT in January and only apply to a handful of schools that accept the January MCAT.

2) Do not take organic chemistry over the summer, stick with my 3.1 science and cum GPA, apply to almost every DO school early as I have the personal statement, lors and basically the whole application already typed out and ready to go. Then just take the MCAT August/September?

Thanks for your help everyone and good luck to all.
 
Well if those two options were the only two out there, then I would choose the second one. Applying early is definitely the best advantage that you will have. DO NOT WAIT.

That said, even though AACOMAS does replace the latest retaken grade as the actual, taking a class a third time is highly looked down upon. The other 2 takes won't be in the GPA but is definitely visible to reviewers. Wouldn't it serve a better purpose to take upper division science courses like Toxicology, Infectious Diseases, Immunology, etc. instead of retaking a course you've already taken twice and received a C and a D? I don't mean to sound harsh but wouldn't people expect to see you have an A if you're already taken the class two times before?
 
If you have the determination, it can happen. Just because you did some stupid stuff a few years prior, doesnt mean that you are immediately unfit to attend medical school.

Get your grades together, however you want to do that. Distance learning, Post bac, Doesnt matter. Just get the prereq grades really high, as high as you can. Do well on the MCAT and apply. if you have a good trend then you will look pretty good as an applicant.

Though, Keep in mind you will be required to explain your dismissal, and your years of time off during the application process. Either in the Primary, Secondary, or Interview.

The getting fired situation, if nobody pressed charges, dont bring it up. thats your business, nobody else needs to know about it.

Good Luck, I wish you well.
 
dancingdoctor13 said:
I have a similar kind of question, although it is in regards to MCAT scores rather than classes. I am planning to retake my MCATs again in August. I took it last year but didn't do too hot. Can I still or should I still submit my application by July (or early enough) although they won't have my update mcat scores until much later? I just want to make sure they don't see only my previous score and decide not to call me for a interview because it being low because I know this time around i'll definitely do way better. Do you think there is any harm applying early and making mention that there will be another score arriving once I complete the MCAT again?
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It is never harmful to apply early. Apply, put it on the app that you are retaking the mcat on such n such date and submit the app. its easier to update the app later than applying later.

gl
 
PCPqueen04 said:
Well, where do I begin....

First, I am interested in attending medical school. I would prefer NYCOM or TOUROCOM, and SUNY StonyBrook or SUNY Downstate.

I attended a private highly ranked Masters college in Conn my freshman year. After my first semester, I was dismissed for having failed all of my classes. After that semester, I took the rest of the year off and didnt work or go to school. The following fall, I enrolled in my community college and had to withdraw in the middle of the semester, so I have a semester of W's. I then returned to the community college that following fall, after working the whole time. I attended the community college for 3 semesters, while working 2 part time jobs. My GPA at the community college is a 3.5. Then, I attended the local 4 year state school, which isnt too competitive for a semester and I have a 4.0 there. All together, I have a 2.7 GPA and 65 credits. I took off another year and a half which leads me to now. Things were going well, I was working, until I was fired from my job of 5 years for stealing last year. I wasnt arrested , just had to sign a confession. I have another job, which I was hired at prior to being fired, which is retail. Anyway, I would really love to go to medical school, as it is a huge dream of mine.

My idea is

I am going to enroll in excelsior college, which is a distance degree college, so that I can finally finish my BA. I will have a concentration in psychology and english. I will be above a 3.0 when i graduate, possibly a 3.1.
I will attend the local state school, which is not too competitive for a second bachelors, in Biology. I am also going to apply to Columbia Post Bacc, and if I can get in, I will def go there. I am hoping to have a 4.0.
I am going to get a Masters in Liberal studies. (why? If your aim is to apply to medical school this will not help you at all but take up more time and money)
I am going to join the Americorps, so that I can prove that I am still a good person, because I have a huge heart, and I really want to help as many people as I can in my life and what happened was a huge mistake. (Are you serious? I'm all for joining the Americorp or Mercy Corp but you don't do it to prove a point, you do it because that's what you love doing. You can prove you have all of that by going to volunteer/work at a homeless youth shelter and helping out at an inner city drug rehab center.. you know play to your story of I messed up in the past, now I'm straight and I'm trying to help others do the same)
I am volunteering at my local hospital
I am also going to be working. (not to be pessimistic, but how are you able to do all of these things. Full time graduate study, join Americrop, volunteer AND work?)


Am I crazy to think I will be able to be accepted to medical school or can it happen? (well no, you're not crazy and it can be done but you're hardly taking the straight path but making many excess detours to the middle of nowhere in your path to medical school) I have all the determination to make it happen, and while I have made some pretty big mistakes, Ive come around. I believe this will take about 5 years to complete, maybe more, Ill be about 30 years old. Will this make any difference, because there will be a big time frame in between my events, and what I have done to change my life?

When you retake the classes, does the DO application factor in all new grades or just science grades?

Does anybody have any other suggestions? Thank you so much for your time.
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Wow. Okay, I would duplicate this post first off and put it in the post-bacc section of SDN forums as that would be a far more appropriate place to ask for advice on low GPA and a route other than the traditional path to enter medical school.

I bolded the comments that you made that I thought were important to address.

I'm a bit confused by what you mean by attending a Masters college as a freshman. Unless you are referring to Masters College and Seminary in CA which I'm pretty sure you're not, how did you attend (taking a guess) a graduate level school as an undergraduate freshman?

The fact that you failed all grades and were dismissed is pretty terrible but could be repaired with much time and work. Having your next step be enrolling at CC in itself is fine, immediately withdrawing is not. Take a look at your own academic record at this point. 1st semester of freshman year = academic dismissal and ensuing remedial plan of entering CC is withdraw halfway into the semester. Still, not irreparable though. The fact that you returned to it and continued to obtain a 3.5 is a positive thing. You have a 2.7 but only 65 credits, you can aim osteopathic medicine and retake some classes, break the 3.0 min and focus on doing really well on your science pre-reqs (supposing you haven't taken them) and get your sGPA as high as possible.

I would never ever touch distance learning and online programs unless I was in the military and deployed overseas. Not only are many of them worse than CC education but you can't even verify who really took it. For example, I was to take one of the several tests offered and I log in and let my chemistry grad student buddy or medical student sister sit down and take the test instead or the homework. No one would ever know and frankly if there is debate about Adcoms not valuing CC grades the same as a 4 year institution, I wouldn't hesitate to say that they disregard online education grades.

Seeing that you are always in jobs despite your very troubled academic history and whatnot, I really fail to see why you would even consider Columbia's post-bacc. It is expensive and living in the area is also expensive and it seems that money is a problem for you (extrapolating from the jobs) so why enroll yourself in a fancy formal post-bacc and not do it yourself. Definitely take the local state university route if money is a problem.

Why would you ever get a Masters in Liberal Studies if your goal is to be a doctor? Why Americorp to "show you have a huge heart"?? Stuff like this really makes me wonder if you have really thought things out realistically. You already recognize you need a major in bio or at least to do the pre-reqs and money/time is probably an issue so why are you going into a totally different direction yet again when you seem to want to load on 10535858 different things at once (Americorp, job, masters, columbia post bacc/university, volunteering etc).

Frankly this is just my opinion so take it how you will, but reading this post really makes me cringe at you going into medicine. I'm not trying to judge but if even I (a random neutral stranger on SDN) am having serious doubts, what do you think an Adcom is going to think seeing your application? You have been dismissed from school with failing grades the first semster, withdrawn for personal reasons in CC immediately after while still working, re-enrolled and done fairly well but you haven't even touched the sciences. Committed a felony though not arrested and possess a distance learning online degree. Went to school and graduated with a bachelors of science but went afterward to go get a Masters of Liberal Arts? Not to mention over this 5 year period, the only things "medically" related that you can put down on your CV is volunteering at a hospital and the name Americorp as a service organization you are apart of? That means nothing to anyone without you having learned something and done something .

I don't know, my lunch break is almost up and I just finished eating so I'll stop typing but good luck on whatever path you decide to do and I'd certainly revise your plan.
 
An updated MCAT will go on your file and while an updated GPA technically will, the schools won't see it. I still had to submit crap to my school prior to matriculation that wasn't initially on my primary but was sent in later.
Not that you should base your decision on it, but it's important to consider.
 
I am a 30 white male, with 35 MCAT and 4.0 GPA in my Biology Post Bacc program. However, my undergrad GPA is only 3.3. Needless to say I am non traditional. I applied to medical school (md programs) this year. I received several interviews but I have only been waitlisted at SLU. From what I understand as an alternate list at SLU I have a pretty good chance though. However, assuming I log a lot of hours with a DO and get a good letter, what are my chances of getting into DO school next year? I think my chances of getting into MD school are pretty descent, but I need another plan. Furthermore, after doing research I may prefer a DO school. The hollistic approach is very intriguing.
 
bige11 said:
I am a 30 white male, with 35 MCAT and 4.0 GPA in my Biology Post Bacc program. However, my undergrad GPA is only 3.3. Needless to say I am non traditional. I applied to medical school (md programs) this year. I received several interviews but I have only been waitlisted at SLU. From what I understand as an alternate list at SLU I have a pretty good chance though. However, assuming I log a lot of hours with a DO and get a good letter, what are my chances of getting into DO school next year? I think my chances of getting into MD school are pretty descent, but I need another plan. Furthermore, after doing research I may prefer a DO school. The hollistic approach is very intriguing.
Click to expand...
You'll get in no problem. I dont see a reason why you wouldnt get into 3 or 4 MD schools. AMCAS uses only undergrad, but AACOMAS will accomadate your postbac, so you will be overqualified statistically, IMO
 
Mesican24 said:
You'll get in no problem. I dont see a reason why you wouldnt get into 3 or 4 MD schools. AMCAS uses only undergrad, but AACOMAS will accomadate your postbac, so you will be overqualified statistically, IMO
Click to expand...

I hope that you are correct. However, I applied to 12 MD schools this year and have been rejected at 11 and wait listed at 1 (Interviewed 5 schools). I am very frustrated with the entire process. My professors share my sentiment. The only think I thought could be the problem was the interviews. However, I thought my interviews went really well. I am great with people. My first career consists of my own business that requires me to work with people daily, and communicate my ideas with potential clients. Therefore, I doubt it was interview.... Frustrated...... Still I am trying to stay positive, and I believe that I will get in next year if SLU doesn't come through. Can someone direct me to the "best" DO schools in terms of matching? I will want to do some of my own research but I have found much of the information given on this site VERY useful. Other opinions are very welcome. Anything else I can do to "beef" up my resume?
 
Thank you so much for your reply, and I will definitely follow your advice. I really appreciated you thoroughly looking through my post and offering sound advice. I really want to go to medical school and I am going to give it my best shot!

I will repost, since this was my first post, I wasnt really sure where to put it. Again, thank you :}
 
bige11, match results are currently coming out now on this thread:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=709495

Or you can do a quick search for previous years.

However, remember that each class and school is different. Don't believe that the school name alone or even the very much standardized curriculum will match you; it's mostly individual work. So asking for the "best" DO schools in terms of matching?" is pointless, as it is for MD schools.

This topic also has a plethora of threads on it too. Again, search is your friend. Good luck.
 
st2205 said:
An updated MCAT will go on your file and while an updated GPA technically will, the schools won't see it. I still had to submit crap to my school prior to matriculation that wasn't initially on my primary but was sent in later.
Not that you should base your decision on it, but it's important to consider.
Click to expand...

hmm there seems to be conflicting opinions on SDN. I always thought that the schools will receive the updated GPAs if you update them during the cycle.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=697734&highlight=updating+application
 
Wholly crap, this is why I am lucky to be Canadian! American tuition is absolutely ridiculous (although I will have to pay it for DO). To take organic chem in Canada, two 4 credit courses would cost no more than $800 and that is at an "expensive" university. At college, it could cost $400 for both.

vpannu said:
I applied to DO schools and found my Science GPA to be a 2.7. I recalculated my science GPA after retaking 4 science classes and it will be a 3.1 science gpa and a 3.1 cum gpa by this coming May. I have 7 strong letters of recommendations from professors, DO, employer, health advisor, and the Free Clinic I volunteer at. The only thing I am missing is the MCAT.

I am thinking of two different strategies of applying:

1) Take ochem over the summer which is $7,500 and I will be taking it the 3rd time as when I took it the 2nd time AACOMAS averaged the original and retakes of Ochem because the first time I took ochem it was on qtr system and the second time I took it was on a semester system so I would be retaking it a 3rd time on the qtr system again to replace the C and D that I received initially. This will raise my science gpa to a 3.3-3.4 but take my MCAT in January and only apply to a handful of schools that accept the January MCAT.

2) Do not take organic chemistry over the summer, stick with my 3.1 science and cum GPA, apply to almost every DO school early as I have the personal statement, lors and basically the whole application already typed out and ready to go. Then just take the MCAT August/September?

Thanks for your help everyone and good luck to all.
Click to expand...
 
I would not take Ochem in the summer and spend the 7.5k. Instead, I'd focus on getting a high score on the MCAT. If you get a high MCAT, that can balance out your GPA. You could take Ochem during the fall or spring semester as it will be a tough class in the summer, especially if you've made a C and a D in the first 2 times.

The other option of course is to wait a year to apply. You would be able to get in your MCAT and classes out of the way so that you can apply early next year.
 
MCAT is another strong proponent of the application process but it will not "balance" out a 2.7. It will create what seems to be a contradiction, hypothetically saying that he does very well on it on why someone would perform well on the MCAT but so poorly in school which most likely would be that he doesn't apply himself rigorously all the time. I agree alot more with getting a strong MCAT and classes before applying, Texas is right 2.7 is realistically not near enough. I was saying more that relying on retakes for DO as a crutch as the OP was seeming to do is not really a solution as retaking a class a third time is.. well bad.

You get auto pre-screened out (your primary does) if it falls below the min cutoff for some schools which is normally either a 2.75 (sGPA and cGPA) or a 3.0, both of which exceed what the OP has. He needs to get as close to a 3.0 as possible and then have a strong MCAT to lessen any Adcom worries from his undergrad academic performances. Taking some upper div science courses and doing well would also help that out.
 
Hi guys,

Had a really rough time in undergrad.

2.45 cGPA
3.0 sGPA


  • Basic and Organic Chem grades were C's but I am retaking Organic II.
  • All A's in upper level courses like Psychopharmacology, Neuroscience, etc
  • Planning on completing Biochem and other courses before I finish grad school
  • MCAT 34
  • Working on a graduate degree in Neuroscience and will finish my PhD before applying to DO schools.
  • 3.8 grad school GPA
  • Published in several journals, several grants to conduct my research, and so on
  • 3 years clinical experience
  • Lots of volunteer work including working in Haiti following the earthquake
  • Letters of rec from physicians and researchers
  • Lots of other ECs

Just wondering if I can ever escape my undergraduate GPA. 🙁
 
Johnny Topside said:
Hi guys,

Had a really rough time in undergrad.

2.45 cGPA
3.0 sGPA


  • Basic and Organic Chem grades were C's but I am retaking Organic II.
  • All A's in upper level courses like Psychopharmacology, Neuroscience, etc
  • Planning on completing Biochem and other courses before I finish grad school
  • MCAT 34
  • Working on a graduate degree in Neuroscience and will finish my PhD before applying to DO schools.
  • 3.8 grad school GPA
  • Published in several journals, several grants to conduct my research, and so on
  • 3 years clinical experience
  • Lots of volunteer work including working in Haiti following the earthquake
  • Letters of rec from physicians and researchers
  • Lots of other ECs

Just wondering if I can ever escape my undergraduate GPA. 🙁
Click to expand...

You have a great application with the excption of UG GPA, your clearly capable with a 34 mcat so hopefully admissions will look past your ug gpa. I really don't know tho, if not, at least you have a phD (is it in psyc) You could teach or something
 
gatewasani said:
You have a great application with the excption of UG GPA, your clearly capable with a 34 mcat so hopefully admissions will look past your ug gpa. I really don't know tho, if not, at least you have a phD (is it in psyc) You could teach or something
Click to expand...
I'm hoping they will look past it. Counting a little bit on that osteopathic philosophy of examining the "whole person." 🙂

My PhD is in psychology - behavioral neuroscience. Going into academia is my backup plan but I will not be doing what I want to in my life.

Thanks for the input.
 
Osteopathic schools do tend to be more forgiving at past problems than their allopathic counterparts but that does go to a certain extent. I agree with gateswani in that your application is solid otherwise, I'd apply early and broadly and try to emphasize in your PS about your recent accomplishments with briefly touching on the fact that your ug was a bit troubled so that they see that you recognize and acknowledge it. It might come up in interviews if you get them and I'm sure you can work on explaining it then. Any chance you can branch into clinical research? Maybe get an abstract/publication of something minor like a case study with a MD researcher?

I would also apply to MBS programs that have a linkage back to the medical school as a backup option. They have a strong tendency to favor candidates who show an upward trend (potential to be good medical students) with a strong research background that you also have. Might not be your top option to go to for medical school but you will be going and it won't be "what you don't want to do in life".
 
sorry everyone, I think I am miss-communicating things. I have a 3.1 science gpa and a 3.1 cum gpa when I will apply in May.
 
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