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

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

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Hello, I'm graduating from UC Irvine in Dec 2010, and would like to know how I can improve my chances of getting into a DO school?

Overall GPA = 2.65
Lower-Division GPA = 2.0
Upper-Division GPA = 3.22-3.66 (upward trend in last 84 units)


Chem A w/ Lab = 1) D/D, 2) B-/B+ (repeated)
Chem B w/ Lab = 1) C/B
Chem C w/ Lab = 1) F/ C, 2) C (repeated)
Calc A = 1) C+
Calc B = 1) D-, 2) B- (repeated)
Stat = 1) F, 2) B (repeated)
Bio A = 1) F
OChem A = 1) F, 2) F (repeated)

*I have not taken the rest of the pre-med requirements


Although personal issues are not excuse for low grades, these following life experiences have given me the drive to pursue a DO in Psychiatry.

During my fourth year at UC Irvine I experienced significant personal issues:

-3 close deaths -> two were due to suicide & one to ovarian cancer
-I had a live-in boyfriend who was an abusive-drug addict
- I spent a year in Rehab & have been sober since ( 3 years 🙂 )
- first generation / first in my family to graduate college
- educationally advantaged

*I have 400+ hours voluteering for an in-hospital internship.
*I have a public health internship

WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS?

??? HOW DO I RAISE MY cGPA, sGPA, overall GPA IF I ATTEND DIFFERENT UNIVERSITIES ???

1. Should I stay at UC Irvine and pursue a second-bach through UC Extension in order to increase my cGPA?

2. Should I go for a post-bac program like SF State?

3. Should I pursue Nursing to gain more in-hospital experience then apply to a SMP later?

4. Will a post-bac program improve my overall GPA, sGPA, and non-sciGPA?

I am 25 years old. I do not mind spending the time to pursue a second-4 year-bach through UC Extension, but the money required is the issue. I would like to min. the amount of student loans. 😀

Jesus... god your grades are painful. Like in all honesty, take a year off and figure out whats the problem and come back when you figure out a good study habit. I mean seriously for you to get into a DO school you'll need to retake a lot of your grades. Not only just retake, but then do amazingly on your mcats. Otherwise i don't know what to say. A smp would require you to have a 30+ mcat and a 3.0 gpa.
I recommend strongly figuring out good study habits before going back to school next year.

 

[xanman]

JC GPA 3.1
UC GPA 2.995 Graduated last December in Bilogical Sciences w/ Psych minor
-Upward trend in the last two years (my first year at Davis I got horrible grades unfortunately)

EC: Worked at a software security company for the last 6 years but since it was located 2 hours away from my school, I did not do much else other than attended classes. Last spring I volunteered in the Neurological Clinic at the Sacramento Hospital and shadowed a doctor. I also held two other jobs at my JC but they are also not health related.

I'm taking the MCAT in July.

Tomorrow I am going to the career center at school to see what kind of volunteer work and research I can get into. Some people tell me this will help a lot and others say don't bother.

 

[uniquerabbit]

3.45cGPA (will be 3.47 at the end of summer)
3.36sGPA (will be 3.39 at the end of summer)

Will take MCAT in July

I have a position as an ER scribe

I'm a biology major and have had a lot of upper level courses ranging from cell biology to medical microbiology, genetics, anatomy etc.

Pre-Med club President
Internship in a private practice (90 hours)
Research in biology
Research in chemistry
Shadowing (20 hours and rising all summer long)
Biology Mentor
Supplemental Instructor for Organic Chemistry
Played Rugby
Some hospital volunteering <10hrs



1 MD LOR
2 DO LORs (both PCOM alums)
1 Pre-Professional committee LOR

What are my chances for PCOM? (I'm also a PA resident)

Your stats are exactly the same as mine...
Wierd..

I also played rugby, am a scribe, and have the same GPA as you. I also have a 27R MCAT.

That is pretty awesome. GOOD LUCK!

 

[Kyle Madison]

For more information about MCAT/ GPA grid, please refer to:
http://www.aamc.org/data/facts/applicantmatriculant/table24-mcatgpa-grid-3yrs-app-accpt.htm

 

[judasreznor]

For more information about MCAT/ GPA grid, please refer to:
http://www.aamc.org/data/facts/applicantmatriculant/table24-mcatgpa-grid-3yrs-app-accpt.htm

That grid only works for applicants applying to M.D. programs.

 

[LiAlH4]

That grid only works for applicants applying to M.D. programs.

Yea it is very informative..for students applying to MD. Does anyone know if something similar exists for DO? I have not seen such a comprehensive data set anywhere.

 

[ManUnderFire]

Jesus... god your grades are painful. Like in all honesty, take a year off and figure out whats the problem and come back when you figure out a good study habit. I mean seriously for you to get into a DO school you'll need to retake a lot of your grades. Not only just retake, but then do amazingly on your mcats. Otherwise i don't know what to say. A smp would require you to have a 30+ mcat and a 3.0 gpa.
I recommend strongly figuring out good study habits before going back to school next year.

may be some good advice, but I think someone hasn't had a hug in a while...

 

[megathunder]

may be some good advice, but I think someone hasn't had a hug in a while...

She has only 3 posts and its the same post 3 times. I think she deserves it.

 

[AlabamaPop]

I received the following:

Bio 1 : C+
Bio 2: F
Cell Bio 1: C
Cell Bio 2: C+
Chem 1 Lecture: C+
Chem 1 Lab: A
Chem 2 Lecture: C+
Chem 2 Lab: B
Physics 1: D
Physics 2: Fail (I used passed/fail)
Orgo 1 Lecture: C
Orgo 1 Lab: B+

I clearly need to retake Bio 2, Physics 1 & 2, but do you guys think it's worth me repeating all my other sciences? I graduate this December, and I KNOW if I take it at my local 4yr college, I WILL DO better. I am confident in the material, but the school cared more about failing people and meeting quotas.

What do you think I should do at this point, to salvage my chances if there is a chance. Be blunt and honest...thank you.

 

[ManUnderFire]

She has only 3 posts and its the same post 3 times. I think she deserves it.

I guess it's application season and SDN is known to invoke some strong emotions


Here's to med school aspirations (down's a shot of JD while listening to What the world needs now)...😴

 

[Mohammed1989]

My advice your going to need to retake most of these classes. I'm not sure if you took any upper level science courses and how you did in them. If you haven't taken any upper level science courses that can help you. Retake most of these courses and take upper level science courses to show you can handle tougher science based classes. Of course the MCAT will either make or break you, since you are graduating this year, you might want to look into a post bachelors.

That's my 2 cents. Wait for others to apply

 

[ManUnderFire]

My advice is your going to need to retake most of these classes. I'm not sure if you took any upper level science courses and how you did in them. If you haven't taken any upper level science courses that can help you. Retake most of these courses and take upper level science courses to show you can handle tougher science based classes. Of course the MCAT will either make or break you, since you are graduating this year, you might want to look into a post bachelors.

That's my 2 cents. Wait for others to apply

+1👍. I would take as many upper levels as you can without compromising your GPA (i.e. take ones that are not insanely hard/time consuming)

And If you have to, extend your graduation until next fall so you can take on more credit hours, since you can't start med until then anyway.

 

[shenanigans327]

I guess it's application season and SDN is known to invoke some strong emotions


Here's to med school aspirations (down's a shot of JD while listening to What the world needs now)...😴

I think you singlehandedly may have the best avatar in the hx. of
avatar-ation

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

I guess it's application season and SDN is known to invoke some strong emotions


Here's to med school aspirations (down's a shot of JD while listening to What the world needs now)...😴

It just kinda irritates me when people with tremendously terrible gpa's start asking how to get into medical school. I'll have to admit it's the season to be firey, but I personally think that many people on SDN here believe falsely that D.O is super easy to get in with a 3.0/24 and a extremely bad string of grades ( not to mention that guy looked like he should be worrying more about graduating let alone getting into med school). I mean, not to be rude, but how do you fail so many classes without figuring out how to deal? Not to mention failing o-chem twice? I mean if your unable to get O-chem to a C after taking it twice, well I don't know how you'd actually manage in medical school where your forced to take tons of difficult classes and know how to manage your time.
So Idk I honestly think my response was in all means proper and realistic. If she's doing this badly trying then she should consider a new path or career because obviously science is not working out for her. If its due to her to inability to manage time or study well then she has a chance of turning around her chances for medical school.

* I'm also slightly sunburnt, which might be making me a bit more aggressive haha.

 

[ShameFame]

WAMC?... Where can I apply with a not so great MCAT? And a Montana Resident. 😕

Earned a degree in Exercise Phys
Will earn a second degree in Human Biology
GPA: 3.82
MCAT: PS:10 VB:9 BS:10 WS:R

Good clinical volunteer hours
Hugh amount of Job Shadow
Certified Nurse's Aide
Anatomy Lab Teaching Assistant/Tutor
Some Research

Best spots to apply for me? Thanks!

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

WAMC?... Where can I apply with a not so great MCAT? And a Montana Resident. 😕

Earned a degree in Exercise Phys
Will earn a second degree in Human Biology
GPA: 3.82
MCAT: PS:10 VB:9 BS:10 WS:R

Good clinical volunteer hours
Hugh amount of Job Shadow
Certified Nurse's Aide
Anatomy Lab Teaching Assistant/Tutor
Some Research

Best spots to apply for me? Thanks!

3.8/29 = good.
Go buy a MSAR to better figure out schools to apply to.

 

[MN premed]

WAMC?... Where can I apply with a not so great MCAT? And a Montana Resident. 😕

Earned a degree in Exercise Phys
Will earn a second degree in Human Biology
GPA: 3.82
MCAT: PS:10 VB:9 BS:10 WS:R

Good clinical volunteer hours
Hugh amount of Job Shadow
Certified Nurse's Aide
Anatomy Lab Teaching Assistant/Tutor
Some Research

Best spots to apply for me? Thanks!

Haha, we had the same gpa and exact same MCAT score. Look at my mdapps if you want to see where I applied / where I got interviewed and accepted. I think you have a fair shot at most DO schools. Especially working as a CNA, which is something I didn't have, and I think it would have helped.

 

[ManUnderFire]

I think you singlehandedly may have the best avatar in the hx. of
avatar-ation

Thx! My cat inspired it...she looks strikingly similar to the ferocious feline pictured above when she doesn't get her canned food in a timely fashion

 

[Skippygonenuts]

Hello, I'm graduating from UC Irvine in Dec 2010, and would like to know how I can improve my chances of getting into a DO school?

Overall GPA = 2.65
Lower-Division GPA = 2.0
Upper-Division GPA = 3.22-3.66 (upward trend in last 84 units)


Chem A w/ Lab = 1) D/D, 2) B-/B+ (repeated)
Chem B w/ Lab = 1) C/B
Chem C w/ Lab = 1) F/ C, 2) C (repeated)
Calc A = 1) C+
Calc B = 1) D-, 2) B- (repeated)
Stat = 1) F, 2) B (repeated)
Bio A = 1) F
OChem A = 1) F, 2) F (repeated)

*I have not taken the rest of the pre-med requirements


Although personal issues are not excuse for low grades, these following life experiences have given me the drive to pursue a DO in Psychiatry.

During my fourth year at UC Irvine I experienced significant personal issues:

-3 close deaths -> two were due to suicide & one to ovarian cancer
-I had a live-in boyfriend who was an abusive-drug addict
- I spent a year in Rehab & have been sober since ( 3 years 🙂 )
- first generation / first in my family to graduate college
- educationally advantaged

*I have 400+ hours voluteering for an in-hospital internship.
*I have a public health internship

WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS?

??? HOW DO I RAISE MY cGPA, sGPA, overall GPA IF I ATTEND DIFFERENT UNIVERSITIES ???

1. Should I stay at UC Irvine and pursue a second-bach through UC Extension in order to increase my cGPA?

2. Should I go for a post-bac program like SF State?

3. Should I pursue Nursing to gain more in-hospital experience then apply to a SMP later?

4. Will a post-bac program improve my overall GPA, sGPA, and non-sciGPA?

I am 25 years old. I do not mind spending the time to pursue a second-4 year-bach through UC Extension, but the money required is the issue. I would like to min. the amount of student loans. 😀

To be fully honest, the grades are pretty bad. However if your hell bent on becoming a doctor and not any other health care provider (podiatrist, physician assistant, resident nurse, etc) then you definitely need to retake ur classes AND get A's in them. That's the only way to prove that your bad grades are only because of the poor circumstances. Furthermore you also want to get a very good score on ur mcat (hopefully somewhere near a 30). At that point you would have a good chance at a DO school since they allow grade replacement upon retakes. If you apply at this point and for some reason do not get in (which you probably will get in assuming you got the A's on retakes and the high mcat) them you can consider the post-Bacc which you have to do AMAZING on to prove that you can handle the material in a medical school. At this point in the game if you've done well on all this then you should be getting in with no problem. This is just my advice and it's much easier said then done. It will require a lot of work and committment. Whatever happened in your past that caused u to mess up needs to be gone before you want to get on this track.

Note: u do not need a 30+ on mcat to get into an smp. Average mcat for most DO schools is around a 27. U can get into an smp with a 23 or possibly lower. Good luck

 

[Skippygonenuts]

I received the following:

Bio 1 : C+
Bio 2: F
Cell Bio 1: C
Cell Bio 2: C+
Chem 1 Lecture: C+
Chem 1 Lab: A
Chem 2 Lecture: C+
Chem 2 Lab: B
Physics 1: D
Physics 2: Fail (I used passed/fail)
Orgo 1 Lecture: C
Orgo 1 Lab: B+

I clearly need to retake Bio 2, Physics 1 & 2, but do you guys think it's worth me repeating all my other sciences? I graduate this December, and I KNOW if I take it at my local 4yr college, I WILL DO better. I am confident in the material, but the school cared more about failing people and meeting quotas.

What do you think I should do at this point, to salvage my chances if there is a chance. Be blunt and honest...thank you.

I agree with everything above. Also when retaking, try to focus ur time on the F's D's and C's. That would be 5 of the courses from ur list. Now if u don't have the chance to take all of these over, then choose the easiest ones that are worth the most credits (I kno that sounds like an oximoron) but try as best as u can to figure out which of the classes that are worth the most credits are easiest cus that would raise ur GPA the most.

Good luck.

 

[badgpadoc]

Hi,

What are my chances?

sGPA: 3.49
cGPA: 3.32
MCAT: 26Q (9V, 7P, 10B)

I had a low GPA coming out of college, but through retaking classes, was able to raise them significantly.

Taking two summer classes so hoping to update the app in August. Should get me to 3.6 science and 3.5 overall.

Other stuff:
-200 hours as volunteer in ER
-three years of lab work
-3 publications (one of them is a paper with 50+ authors in Science)
-2 oral talk at national conference
-3 posters at annual meetings of science organizations

I was getting around 30-34 on the AAMC practice tests. I just completely screwed up Physical Sciences this time. Should I retake it?

I was planning on sending in my app on June 1st, but now I'm not so sure. Stupid MCAT!

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I have registered for a July MCAT.

I have one more question:
Should I attempt some MD apps or just concentrate on DO? I'm inclined to concentrate my time and money on DO since my stats are pretty bad for MD. With grade averaging, my AMCAS GPA will be 2.95 overall and 2.894 for science. I've also read that it's hard to get in with any MCAT section under 8 and I have a 7 for PS. I'd rather just just throw away $500 on MD apps if there is basically no chance.

 

[gatewasani]

Should I apply on Tuesday?

3.4 cgpa
2.97 sgpa (hopefully be 3.1 by end of june)
Mcat: 22Q

planning on re-taking mcat at end of July. just trying to start studying again, hard to balance with class i am taking which is really intense.

also planning on doing smp but don't know which one, which makes me think I should wait and figure that out so I could indicate it on my app before submitting.

 

[gatewasani]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I have registered for a July MCAT.

I have one more question:
Should I attempt some MD apps or just concentrate on DO? I'm inclined to concentrate my time and money on DO since my stats are pretty bad for MD. With grade averaging, my AMCAS GPA will be 2.95 overall and 2.894 for science. I've also read that it's hard to get in with any MCAT section under 8 and I have a 7 for PS. I'd rather just just throw away $500 on MD apps if there is basically no chance.

i'm kinda in a similar situation, trying to decide if i should do amcas,

I might do it but not right away (i know thats stupid) but I only have enough to do aacomas for now

 

[Worker Bee]

I have been taking graduate level classes for the last semester and have been doing really well in them. I have been thinking about going back and taking the biology classes over that I have a C in to raise my science gpa, but is it better to continue to take the upper level classes than to stop and do retakes when I am doing so well in the upper levels. Which is seen as a better plus? I am applying this cycle and I thought that maybe some retakes would be good but I prefer to just keep taking the grad classes. I would just like someone's opinion on this. Thanks.

 

[st2205]

If you're applying this cycle then by the time you're done retaking any classes it will be after they've seen your GPA.

 

[JJMountainMan]

are california DO schools as tough to get into out of state as undergrad was?

My stats: 30S MCAT, 3.0 undergrad GPA overall but 2.9 science GPA, 3.5 Masters GPA in a non-SMP at a highly ranked med school, but I still take same courses as first year med students(even more than the SMP at my school actually).

Do I have a chance at a california school? Im applying very broadly to MD schools(40+ schools) but I think I'd rather go to DO school in a place Id rather be living(Cali, Colorado, etc...) than go to an MD program in a town I dont want to be living in for the next 4+ years of my life. That, and I dont actually think Ill get in anywhere for an MD program and since I am already 27 this summer, I think it may be time to move on instead of waiting another application cycle to re-apply to MD.

 

[AlabamaPop]

I received the following:

Bio 1 : C+
Bio 2: F
Cell Bio 1: C (200 level Upper Bio)
Cell Bio 2: C+ (200 level Upper Bio)
Chem 1 Lecture: C+
Chem 1 Lab: A
Chem 2 Lecture: C+
Chem 2 Lab: B
Physics 1: D
Physics 2: Fail (I used passed/fail)
Orgo 1 Lecture: C
Orgo 1 Lab: B+

I clearly need to retake Bio 2, Physics 1 & 2, but do you guys think it's worth me repeating all my other sciences? I graduate this December, and I KNOW if I take it at my local 4yr college, I WILL DO better. I am confident in the material, but the school cared more about failing people and meeting quotas.

What do you think I should do at this point, to salvage my chances if there is a chance. Be blunt and honest...thank you.

 

[footNankle]

Didn't you just post this a few days ago?

 

[AlabamaPop]

nope I did not

 

[AlabamaPop]

I agree with everything above. Also when retaking, try to focus ur time on the F's D's and C's. That would be 5 of the courses from ur list. Now if u don't have the chance to take all of these over, then choose the easiest ones that are worth the most credits (I kno that sounds like an oximoron) but try as best as u can to figure out which of the classes that are worth the most credits are easiest cus that would raise ur GPA the most.

Good luck.

Thanks so much guys! Some dude was like "just choose another career" what a jerk

 

[Just Joshin]

What do you mean by "grad" classes? As in, in graduate school? Or do you just mean upper level classes as in senior level classes? These are two separate things and you're using both the term "grad classes" and "upper level classes" in your post.

Anyway, if you're applying this cycle, your GPA will be figured out when you submit your application so there's no time to do GPA repair. If you want to retake classes, then you should probably apply next cycle.

 

[Just Joshin]

I think you're going to have to retake all of them, honestly. If there's a way to take the lectures without the labs, then I wouldn't retake the labs you got A's and B's in. Everything else needs to be taken again. Even the C's look bad when there's that many of them.

Oh, and when you retake, you really need to bust your ass and accept nothing lower than an A. Retaking a C for a B isn't good and neither is retaking an F for a C.

 

[AlabamaPop]

I think you're going to have to retake all of them, honestly. If there's a way to take the lectures without the labs, then I wouldn't retake the labs you got A's and B's in. Everything else needs to be taken again. Even the C's look bad when there's that many of them.

Oh, and when you retake, you really need to bust your ass and accept nothing lower than an A. Retaking a C for a B isn't good and neither is retaking an F for a C.

Yeah I was debating about that too. I think I might do that.

 

[footNankle]

Uh-huh...

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=732159

 

[MN premed]

I think you're going to have to retake all of them, honestly. If there's a way to take the lectures without the labs, then I wouldn't retake the labs you got A's and B's in. Everything else needs to be taken again. Even the C's look bad when there's that many of them.

Oh, and when you retake, you really need to bust your ass and accept nothing lower than an A. Retaking a C for a B isn't good and neither is retaking an F for a C.

I agree.. C's aren't good even if you only have a few, but they aren't awful. C's are sometimes average in a class, sometimes below average, and certainly if you have this many C's, along with D's and F's, you need to retake them all and shoot for an A. At least B+'s. They not going to want average or below average college students in med school! Good luck with your retakes 👍

 

[seap3]

On May 27

I received the following:

Bio 1 : C+
Bio 2: F
Cell Bio 1: C
Cell Bio 2: C+
Chem 1 Lecture: C+
Chem 1 Lab: A
Chem 2 Lecture: C+
Chem 2 Lab: B
Physics 1: D
Physics 2: Fail (I used passed/fail)
Orgo 1 Lecture: C
Orgo 1 Lab: B+

I clearly need to retake Bio 2, Physics 1 & 2, but do you guys think it's worth me repeating all my other sciences? I graduate this December, and I KNOW if I take it at my local 4yr college, I WILL DO better. I am confident in the material, but the school cared more about failing people and meeting quotas.

What do you think I should do at this point, to salvage my chances if there is a chance. Be blunt and honest...thank you.

Today, May 30

I received the following:

Bio 1 : C+
Bio 2: F
Cell Bio 1: C (200 level Upper Bio)
Cell Bio 2: C+ (200 level Upper Bio)
Chem 1 Lecture: C+
Chem 1 Lab: A
Chem 2 Lecture: C+
Chem 2 Lab: B
Physics 1: D
Physics 2: Fail (I used passed/fail)
Orgo 1 Lecture: C
Orgo 1 Lab: B+

I clearly need to retake Bio 2, Physics 1 & 2, but do you guys think it's worth me repeating all my other sciences? I graduate this December, and I KNOW if I take it at my local 4yr college, I WILL DO better. I am confident in the material, but the school cared more about failing people and meeting quotas.

What do you think I should do at this point, to salvage my chances if there is a chance. Be blunt and honest...thank you.

Didn't you just post this a few days ago?

nope I did not

Ok, I may be a nontrad, but I'm not senile yet. Of course you posted this a few days ago, and since I'm sitting here at a very quiet, slow volunteering position right now I actually took the time to look this up.

Why do you bother lying about something that is so easily disputed? So either you are a troll (most likely), or you have a very serious short term memory problem.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

On May 27


Today, May 30






Ok, I may be a nontrad, but I'm not senile yet. Of course you posted this a few days ago, and since I'm sitting here at a very quiet, slow volunteering position right now I actually took the time to look this up.

Why do you bother lying about something that is so easily disputed? So either you are a troll (most likely), or you have a very serious short term memory problem.

Or s(he) believes that s(he) will get better answers by saying no there will be better responses.

 

[slarveson]

Hi, i've already asked this previously but have updated my ECs and wasn't sure about my GPA's because of many (10) retaken classes from years ago (2001-2004), in which they were all easy classes but just wasn't ready for college and didn't try. Virtually all my bad grades were from this time period and I could ace them now easily but i guess that doesn't matter now. I just got done entering all my classes into AACOMAS and the final tally is:

Non-Science: 3.13
Science: 3.77
Cumulative: 3.33

ECs:
1) Clinic for low income people (volunteer but do alot of assisting docs and patient screening/Vitals etc.): 2 years at 3.5 hrs/week. High quality patient exposure...still doing it and will until i get into med school (hopefully one of these days)

2) ER Volunteer - Almost 2 years @ 4 hrs/week (250+hrs)
3) Vice President of Pre-med club at College
4) "Big Brothers Big Sisters" volunteer...took the same troubled kid to do something once every other week for 1 year (mentor?)
5) "Adult Education" Volunteer Tutor at the college throughout this summer for 4 hrs/week (ongoing)
6) "The Learning Center for Families" volunteer for 3 hrs/week throughout this summer (ongoing)
7)Shadowing 2 docs this summer once/week for 2-4 hrs each (ongoing)
8) 2 yr Mission for my church from 1999-2001...been a long time but its a huge EC so going to put it in there...gave talks to groups, volunteered at many organized group stuff, The whole thing was paid for by me and did it for free, couple leadership things too. High quality social interactions with other people and helping them with anything they need help with which was the main point of the mission
9) Accountant for 1.5 years and other couple jobs throughout the years including many years of construction experience
10) Deans list numerous times recently
11) going to get atleast 1 more 4+ month voluteer experience before applying next summer and shadow throughout the next year with various docs. Also going to be a paid tutor for fall semester coming up
12) numerous other small volunteer/leadership roles that will combine to = 1 quality EC (because they were short term projects)
13) 1 research that has probably 50% chance of getting published and 1 that probably won't get published = 2 total
14) Pro amateur motocross rider in late 90s (been a long time but going to put it in there because took extreme dedication and long term commitment which is ok to do right?)

Im a 31 year old non-trad with an accounting degree. Last 60+ credits, including all the pre-reqs and physiology,genetics,cadaver prac, Med term, anatomy etc. = 3.9+GPA

Last 110+ credits (last 2 yrs of bach degree in accounting + all classes since starting this post bacc pre-med thing) = 3.75ish

All bad grades and retakes were from 2001-2004 and were easy classes for the most part. always did good in harder math classes. C in geology from 2002 is killing my science GPA even though its still pretty good.

So if i get high 20s maybe even low 30s on MCAT do you think i have a pretty good chance of getting in somewhere? Also better add that I got a W from Chem 1, 2.5 yrs ago and then i audited out of Biology 2, 2 yrs ago. Also, want to ask for suggestions on ECs for the coming year based on what i have above. It would be nice to get some Medically related work experience but cant do that because have way tough course load next semester with volunteer and doc shadowing commitments, then in spring I will be studying for MCAT to take in April or May and will have probably 6-8 credits as well. Taking biochem, ochem 2 (only prereq i need), and microbiology next semester and then cell bio and one other class in spring....planning on getting atleast A-'s in all these classes.

Thanks a ton

 

[Premed828]

3.55 non science
3.25 cum
2.75 non science (not having the math class dropped it well below 3.0)

MCAT taking in June averaging 28 on it so lets assume a 28

work in a cancer center doing research for over a year and have shadowed numerous DO physicians

4 DO physicians in my family including my father. Will this help alot?

Do i have a shot with that low science gpa?

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

3.55 non science
3.25 cum
2.75 non science (not having the math class dropped it well below 3.0)

MCAT taking in June averaging 28 on it so lets assume a 28

work in a cancer center doing research for over a year and have shadowed numerous DO physicians

4 DO physicians in my family including my father. Will this help alot?

Do i have a shot with that low science gpa?

Low science gpa will kill you. I'd recommend retaking a few science classes to higher your gpa. If you hit a 28 or so you'll be good, but retaking will still be recommended if you want to have a higher chance.

 

[slarveson]

hey sorry to bug but can someone please comment about my chances based on the post that's about 3 up from this one. Is that non-science GPA gonna hinder me much based on everything else i have?

 

[ScarletKnights]

hey sorry to bug but can someone please comment about my chances based on the post that's about 3 up from this one. Is that non-science GPA gonna hinder me much based on everything else i have?

as long as you do well on the MCAT I think your EC and sGPA will get you in. I wouldn't worry too much if I were you, youre in a good position.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

hey sorry to bug but can someone please comment about my chances based on the post that's about 3 up from this one. Is that non-science GPA gonna hinder me much based on everything else i have?

I think your fine. I would say that getting your cum gpa up a little bit more might help. But in light of your good science gpa I'd say with a good mcat you'll be fine.

 

[evensten]

ok so, i have a 3.88 comm gpa and 3.91 science gpa, so my gpa is high, but much to my dismay, i made some wrong choices and got some low scores on my mcat <27 I really did not study the first and second time i took my mcat. THe first time, i had family issues, and the second time, i was enrolled in school with 18 credits so that was another unwise decision i made because i wanted to apply early with my mcat score. In addition to my mcat and gpa, i have a considerable amount of clinical experience: over a 100 shadowing, and loads from volunteering. I am currently doing research now too. I am wondering now if i shoudl just apply to DO schools with the scores that i have or indicate that i will be retaking it (which i will be eitherway as i am applying to MD schools also). I just dont want them to hold my application until i take my mcat. I know i coudl apply earlier and send it in later. I alerady got some LORS and im sure they are top notch and also, my PS is complete and has been edited several times so im confident that should be good too. So shoudl i go ahead and apply with the scores or indicate that i will be retaking it. I am so confused. I am also scared because the dates are leaving and i need to sign up asap for mcat. Any help would be appreciated!

 

[slarveson]

k thanks, my cummulative and science GPA will definitely improve over the next year but my non-science is going to stay the same because im pretty much done with non-science classes.

 

[DrDre2001]

ok so, i have a 3.88 comm gpa and 3.91 science gpa, so my gpa is high, but much to my dismay, i made some wrong choices and got some low scores on my mcat <27 I really did not study the first and second time i took my mcat. THe first time, i had family issues, and the second time, i was enrolled in school with 18 credits so that was another unwise decision i made because i wanted to apply early with my mcat score. In addition to my mcat and gpa, i have a considerable amount of clinical experience: over a 100 shadowing, and loads from volunteering. I am currently doing research now too. I am wondering now if i shoudl just apply to DO schools with the scores that i have or indicate that i will be retaking it (which i will be eitherway as i am applying to MD schools also). I just dont want them to hold my application until i take my mcat. I know i coudl apply earlier and send it in later. I alerady got some LORS and im sure they are top notch and also, my PS is complete and has been edited several times so im confident that should be good too. So shoudl i go ahead and apply with the scores or indicate that i will be retaking it. I am so confused. I am also scared because the dates are leaving and i need to sign up asap for mcat. Any help would be appreciated!

If you are going to take another MCAT no matter what (as you say you are, to try to go for MD schools), then you are required to tell the DO schools about this. So, then I guess your options become 1. applying now or 2. applying after your third (?) MCAT.

You should apply now, and put down a future MCAT date on your AACOMAS application. The only bad thing that can come out of this is if some schools just throw you out the door and don't even wait for your third MCAT score to come in. And I doubt they will (as long as you meet the primary cut offs...a 6 or 7 in each MCAT section I think), because you have a 3.88 cGPA and a 3.91 sGPA which is amazing.


Also, just FYI: from being around here a while, its hard for to read people's post if it is not organized into paragraphs. I notice I only get a lot of replies to my threads if I organize my post and make it easy to read.

 

[gatewasani]

3.4 cgpa
3.1 sgpa
mcat 22q,

should I submit now or wait until after mcat retake which i won't get score back till sep

 

[gatewasani]

nvm

 

[gatewasani]

Should I apply on Tuesday?

3.4 cgpa
2.97 sgpa (hopefully be 3.1 by end of june)
Mcat: 22Q

planning on re-taking mcat at end of July. just trying to start studying again, hard to balance with class i am taking which is really intense.

also planning on doing smp but don't know which one, which makes me think I should wait and figure that out so I could indicate it on my app before submitting.

bump...

sorry for the multiple posts, comp acting wacky

 

[Dr Yiot]

OK I am in need of some serious help. I am debating whether to apply with my current MCAT scores or to wait for my new scores to come in. I am reregistering as I obviously know that my score is not very competetive despite the fact that I know people do get in with this score. If someone could help me out that would be awsome as I just recieved my MCAT scores and they were actually worse than the last time I sat for the exam. This next time I am going to start from the ground up because I honestly don't know how I pulled the scores that I did when my practice exams were clearly higher than what I recieved.

average on practice exams

Verbal 8.5
PS 8.5
BS 9.5

I honestly don't know how this happened but here goes nothing.
2 years ago I made a mistake and sat for the mcat without finishing the prereq's and the ones I did have under my belt were all C's and I pulled this on sept 3rd 2008 VR 5 PS 4 BS 4 after never taking a practice MCAT. After approximately 2 years straight of a 3.7 (1 year postbach after graduating) and retaking and finishing the prereq's with that GPA I decided to give it another chance on 4/10/10. I became increasingly nervous and bombed the PS section of that exam only because I ran out of time and did not answer around 6 or 7 some odd questions. on 04/10/10 I pulled this VR 8 PS 6 BS 9 for a total of a 23N. Knowing I did not do well on the PS and thinking to myself that I should have voided but didnt I rescheduled the exam without getting my grades back(and sat for it again without my grades). I had a little more than 3 weeks to study and I performed some light studying (nothing crazy) and continued my normal routine. I took about 3 exams all scoring in the upper 20's. In fact 2 days prior to the exam I pulled a 9/9/9 on AAMC 8 which by concensus on the forumn is not that easy of an exam. So I went into the 5/1 exam pretty confident and walked out really confident. I thought I was going to pull at least a 26 and today I recieved some crappy news in that I actually did worse than the 4/10 exam. I am pretty bummed and I don't even know what to do. the next available MCAT seat is in august which is far away. what makes the situation worse is my GPA despite having an enormous upward trend the last two years of college Is still at a measely 3.1 sgpa and 3.18 cgpa. I was hoping I could pull at least in the higher 20's as I was having a hard time hitting thirty but was pulling high 20's consistantly. I have some good ec's though so I will list them.

work experience
personal trainer (lost 100 lbs)
head pool attendant at a big resort in my town
Receptionist at a nursing facility
health enthusiast at the vitamin shoppe

volunteering
50 hours of volunteering at nursing facility where I started teh gentlemens club with all the male residents which is held for one hour twice a week
200 hours of volunteering at community medical center in the emergency dept
shadowed 2 doctors pediatric cardiologist and neurosurgeon (both MD but I am shadowing a DO this tuesday who dabbles with OMM a bit)
I was a junior firefighter in HS which got me scholarships in college
Was on the deans list for the past couple semesters as if that helps any

I have overcome some serious obstacles during college and I believe that I really show that in my PS. My real questions is this, would it be unwise to apply to schools right now that I am interested in with no cutoffs and not list that I am retaking the mcat so that I will not be a later applicant? Then while I recieve my scores from the next exam I can update them with those scores? or should I put on there that I am planning on retaking so that they don't look at my app until my new ones come in. either or I guess I am asking should I apply and hope that with the 23 I get looked at and if that doesnt work then send out the next bunch of primaries to the other schools that I am interested in that do have cutoffs that I would hopefully meet with the new score? any help is really appreciated and before you post

- I already know that before I sit for the exam I have to head over to the mcat forumn and develop a new strategy as these scores are not acceptable and there has to be something wrong with my study strategy.
- I already know that I need a higher MCAT
-I am already registered to take more classes in the fall to increase my GPA
-I will not be applying to the caribean and I am not considering pod schools or any other health profession instead(not because I think they are less but because I can't see myself bieng a Pod or optometrist etc)

my real question is option 1 - apply without letting schools know that I have a new mcat score coming so they look at my file and send out secondaries? Obviously only applying to schools who don't have cutoff's for the mcat so I would not be screened

or option 2 - apply to schools but place on my application that mcat scores are coming and to not look at my complete application until they come in which would be the beginning of september.

with option one, If I do better on the mcat I could then apply to schools that I feel I could get in with a better score and also meet thier cutoff.

I don't know what to do, like I said 2 days before the exam I pulled a 27 and have pulled as high as a 28 but to recieve a worse score was just heartbraking to see. I literally just brokedown. I thought I would never have to look at mcat study materials again but thats life I guess. Anyways were do you think I should go from here. My whole application is done complete with LOR's and PS. I was going to be super early by submitting this thursday when I get paid, but it looks like Ill be using that money to reregister for this beast again. I am not giving up and never will as this is definitly what I want to do with the rest of my life, however I am in need of some advice and possibly some direction of where to go and which route to take.

also the schools I had planned on applying to (Im a NJ resident)
umdnj
pcom
ga-pcom
lmudcom
atsu kcom
wvsom
vcom
pikeville
william carey(although that 3k deposit ugh!)
and LECOM erie
and UNECOM
those are the schools I have been thinking of