DO 3.16/519, worth a shot?

[RisingCaduceus]

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Hey SDN!
I'm trying to decide whether or not to bother with applying DO this year or just buckle down with another year of post-bac instead. I've seen a few success stories, but not enough to justify the money so far. I'd think 50:50 odds were worth it.

Well here's my resume:
Major: Molecular Neuroscience from a SUNY, not URM.
GPA: 3.16 cGPA/2.98 sGPA (w/retakes, moderate upward trend).
MCAT: 519 (128,131,129,131)

In my time out of school, I've taken a few classes and the MCAT while working as a surgical research coordinator at a prestigious research center in the northeast under a renowned MD. During summers in college, I've worked in 2 doctors offices and gained lots of patient contact and shadowing experience as an intern and medical assistant (not certified).

I have several publications and research awards (most surgery oriented), I did psych research my senior year (no papers to show yet, though maybe soon) and have 3 good letters of Rec and a committee letter (only 1 science professor, my PI from senior year, and my MD PI for the past year; none DO).

I did 400 Hrs. of hospital volunteer work in high school and was sick of it in college, so I taught minority children science instead and did volunteer work for medical clubs and charities. I earned my EMT license sophomore year but only volunteered <100 hrs with it. I've also earned plenty of certifications and awards, with lots of interesting experiences and training through my work.

 

[Goro]

I suggest doing the post-bac. Your list will be much broader that way.

Hey SDN!
I'm trying to decide whether or not to bother with applying DO this year or just buckle down with another year of post-bac instead. I've seen a few success stories, but not enough to justify the money so far. I'd think 50:50 odds were worth it.

Well here's my resume:
Major: Molecular Neuroscience from a SUNY, not URM.
GPA: 3.16 cGPA/2.98 sGPA (w/retakes, moderate upward trend).
MCAT: 519 (128,131,129,131)

In my time out of school, I've taken a few classes and the MCAT while working as a surgical research coordinator at a prestigious research center in the northeast under a renowned MD. During summers in college, I've worked in 2 doctors offices and gained lots of patient contact and shadowing experience as an intern and medical assistant (not certified).

I have several publications and research awards (most surgery oriented), I did psych research my senior year (no papers to show yet, though maybe soon) and have 3 good letters of Rec and a committee letter (only 1 science professor, my PI from senior year, and my MD PI for the past year; none DO).

I did 400 Hrs. of hospital volunteer work in high school and was sick of it in college, so I taught minority children science instead and did volunteer work for medical clubs and charities. I earned my EMT license sophomore year but only volunteered <100 hrs with it. I've also earned plenty of certifications and awards, with lots of interesting experiences and training through my work.

 

[LuluLovesMe]

It's possible you have a shot at any DO school, but you won't know their stance on low GPAs until you apply. I'm almost certain that you would get accepted to one DO school if you applied broadly with those stats though.

If you want MD, you'll have to do a post-bac.

 

[RisingCaduceus]

Thanks for the advice both of you. That extra year is important to me (I have a wife and son), so I'm applying broadly DO this cycle.
MY AACOM grades turned out to be 3.16 cGPA/3.21 sGPA. If I don't make it, I'll go post-bacc into MD next cycle.

I really appreciate your replies!

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

I would be utterly shocked if you didn't get into a DO school this cycle. AZCOM will be drooling over that MCAT, what did your list look like?

 

[RisingCaduceus]

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