3.62c, 3.52s, 32Q

[goalie233]

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[aSagacious]

Your ECs look pretty good (as far as clinical and research go anyway). I agree that you could use some non-medical volunteering prior to application season.

Congratulations on the much improved MCAT (despite your anticipated score). However, your other two scores will not be completely ignored, so perhaps for the sake of school selection pretend that you've got a 30-31.

Though a 3.62 is average, I assume (since you started out very poorly) that you've got a solid upward trend in the GPA, which will be a big plus.

Overall I think you'll be fine this application cycle, provided you apply broadly.

 

[goalie233]

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[aSagacious]

I just started looking into SMPs, and while that kinda thing would be perfect for proving that I can do the work, it won't really help this cycle right? Considering I was planning on getting my application in by June 1st and hopefully interviewing in the fall, I wouldn't even have any grades in for the program, and at best would have the first semesters worth when I'd actually be feasibly getting in anyway. I think it would guarantee me getting in the next time around, but would be a waste if I end up getting in this time anyway. What's the consensus on an starting an SMP the same year you're applying?

This is exactly what I'm currently doing. You are arguably already a competitive candidate, so the SMP would simply function as a way to stay busy this coming year (or perhaps a guaranteed acceptance if you play your cards right).

You are correct, since you would not have any grades to show from the SMP going into the application cycle it would not help you immediately (unless some schools chose to put you on hold until you get the first semester's grades, which is not uncommon).

My logic is: (if money is not an immediate concern) if you can't think of something more productive to do during your application year, you might as well participate in some sort of formal post-bac program. They generally help you find more EC opportunities while in the program.

(PS, you will find a tremendous amount of related info in the post-bac sub-forum. Keep an eye out for DrMidlife and robflanker, they give excellent advice):
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/forumdisplay.php?f=71

 

[goalie233]

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[goalie233]

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[aSagacious]

On another note, I'll get into pretty much any DO I apply to, right? My GPA with their calculations is 3.7+, and all my stuff across the board seems like it would be more than competitive. Mainly I'm looking at Des Moines University as my backup in case I don't get into any allopathic schools.

Haha, well unfortunately life is too fluky and you shouldn't count on getting into any one school. Yes you are a strong candidate at most DO schools, however you never know what they're looking for in an applicant (GPA/MCAT are not the only criteria under consideration). For example, some schools look for candidates that demonstrate the desire to practice in underserved areas, or show strong leadership potential, or a knack for research, etc. Therefore, as with the MD schools, it would be wise to apply to more than one DO school as well.

 

[goalie233]

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[aSagacious]

I figured as much. I'm at Mizzou now so I've got the options of Kirksville and KC for DO but I think I'll probably hate them. I've heard great things about Des Moines, so I went ahead and scheduled a visit for next week. I think deciding between being OK w/ DO or not is gonna determine if I do an SMP or not, but I'll update this thread once I talk to some MD admissions people.

I'll expand your dilemma to a more general one. While you should apply to a fair amount of safety schools, you should not apply to a single school that you could not see yourself spending the next four years. It is very possible that your least favorite school is the only one that accepts you, and then you're stuck. So do your homework now because constructing a school list is not trivial.

 

[goalie233]

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