MD & DO 3.7 cGPA 3.6 sGPA 27 MCAT pending retake

[Omppu27]

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Hey guys,

Would appreciate any advice on my school list and chances. Applying MD, MD/MPH, and DO.

Stats:

- Traditional student, just graduated this May, non-URM
- Ohio resident
- 3.7 cGPA, 3.6 sGPA
- 27 (11/6/10) MCAT (retake on June 5th)

ECs/Interests: *Most meaningful experiences

- 1 year part-time work as an EMT-B*
- 2 years research assistant volunteer in cancer research lab*, 1 4th author pub, $3500 full-time fellowship last summer, will be working here full-time during gap year.
- Co-founder of two public health organizations, leadership position for one summer in one of them, 1.5 year involvement in both
- Volunteer tutor for kids k-12 at city library, will be 2 years this fall (might list as a most meaningful, will continue throughout cycle)
- Free clinic volunteer for 1 year (will continue throughout cycle)
- Physiology TA, 1 semester
- Anatomy TA this summer
- Clinical research assistant for 6 months (more of a clinical experience than a research one)
- Student intern in university's sports medicine clinic (clerical, paid)
- 45-50 hours of shadowing (2 MDs and a PA, planning on doing more throughout the summer)

I have an interest in serving the disadvantaged and i've made that quite evident in my personal statement. I know my MCAT is what is really holding me back (verbal......) but hoping to bring that up.

Schools:

MD: Wright State, Toledo, NEOMED, Miami FL (MD and MD/MPH), George Washington, Temple, Drexel, Arizona Phoenix, NYMC, Rosalind Franklin, Creighton, Loyola, Medical College of Wisconsin, Marshall, Michigan State, Penn. State, Rush, Commonwealth, Louisville, Kentucky, VCU, Wake Forest, Wayne State, West Virginia

DO: CCOM, NSU-COM, MSUCOM, PCOM, DMU, Western, KCUMB, Cooper Medical School, Ohio University

I listed a few public OOS, but maybe i'll get a little benefit being from a neighboring state??

List is currently at 30-35. I'm looking to cut down. Ideally would like 20-25 total.

Thanks for any advice! And good luck to all applying!!

Edit: Ah, almost forgot. How should i go about submitting my primaries? Only low-tier and state MDs and all DOs until i find out my new score (taking june 5th)?

Edit2: To anyone viewing in mobile, for some reason the MD list isn't showing up on my SDN mobile FYI.

 

[woltej1]

Avoid OOS public unless they show a decent acceptance rate for OOS applicants.

I know George washington gets a figurative **** ton of apps every year so maybe consider getting rid of that one.

You really need to up that MCAT for MD. If you don't break 30 I would heavily edit the MD list and add more DO. A rule of thumb is that you need at least an 8 in any given section before most schools automatically oust you, even if your overall score is good.

I would apply right away to only 1 school that you wouldn't mind if you didn't get into until you see your new score. Then you can decide whether to apply as you're currently thinking, shift more towards a DO heavy app or maybe wait a year.

 

[Goro]

The MCAT score is circling the drain. I suggest only the newest MD schools and any DO program. BTW, MD/PhD programs are ultra competitive.

 

[Omppu27]

Thanks for the replies!

The MCAT score is circling the drain. I suggest only the newest MD schools and any DO program. BTW, MD/PhD programs are ultra competitive.

I said MD/MPH! But nonetheless, thanks for the advice. Was hoping you'd chime in!

 

[Omppu27]

The MCAT score is circling the drain. I suggest only the newest MD schools and any DO program. BTW, MD/PhD programs are ultra competitive.

Quick follow-up Q: Despite the 6VR that I have now, how do you think I stand at the listed DO schools if I up the verbal?

 

[Goro]

I think even with a 6VR you have a decent chance at many DO programs. Are you ESL?

Sorry about the MD/MPH flub...it was late and I was very tired.

Quick follow-up Q: Despite the 6VR that I have now, how do you think I stand at the listed DO schools if I up the verbal?

 

[Omppu27]

I think even with a 6VR you have a decent chance at many DO programs. Are you ESL?

Sorry about the MD/MPH flub...it was late and I was very tired.

Haha no I'm not ESL 🙁

I honestly think I had a little breakdown during verbal when I took the exam. A 6 is the lowest I ever scored (albeit, not by much...). I fully expect to do better next time around, but was curious just in case. Thanks again!

 

[Omppu27]

Avoid OOS public unless they show a decent acceptance rate for OOS applicants.

I know George washington gets a figurative **** ton of apps every year so maybe consider getting rid of that one.

You really need to up that MCAT for MD. If you don't break 30 I would heavily edit the MD list and add more DO. A rule of thumb is that you need at least an 8 in any given section before most schools automatically oust you, even if your overall score is good.

I would apply right away to only 1 school that you wouldn't mind if you didn't get into until you see your new score. Then you can decide whether to apply as you're currently thinking, shift more towards a DO heavy app or maybe wait a year.

I think my best chance at an MD is gonna be at my state schools regardless of what my retake score is. That said, shouldn't I apply to those schools on day one as well? Does waiting until the new score to add schools to my primary hurt my chances at those schools? That's adding schools almost a month after i submit my primary. Perhaps i am misunderstanding the strategy behind only applying to one school day one.

Thanks.

 

[woltej1]

I think my best chance at an MD is gonna be at my state schools regardless of what my retake score is. That said, shouldn't I apply to those schools on day one as well? Does waiting until the new score to add schools to my primary hurt my chances at those schools? That's adding schools almost a month after i submit my primary. Perhaps i am misunderstanding the strategy behind only applying to one school day one.

Thanks.

The strategy is that you still get your app in very early, but if you were to decide your app isn't strong enough to apply you'll only be considered a reapplicant at the one school vs all of them. If it is strong enough then you add the rest of the schools to your app and they get your primary the next day. Gives you a slight safety net, but it is only worth it if you would consider not applying this year.

 

[Omppu27]

The strategy is that you still get your app in very early, but if you were to decide your app isn't strong enough to apply you'll only be considered a reapplicant at the one school vs all of them. If it is strong enough then you add the rest of the schools to your app and they get your primary the next day. Gives you a slight safety net, but it is only worth it if you would consider not applying this year.

Gotcha.

Will schools that i submit to day one wait until i get my second score back to look through my app? or is it dependent on the program?

 

[Beth_W737]

Also Cooper is MD. Rowan SOM is the sister DO school (formerly UMDNJ SOM), I'd suggest you consider adding it.

 

[woltej1]

Gotcha.

Will schools that i submit to day one wait until i get my second score back to look through my app? or is it dependent on the program?

They will be updated, but with a 6 on your current one IDK if they would auto screen you out or if selecting that you have an upcoming MCAT score they'll keep yours on standby until updated.

 

[futuredoc27]

Hey guys,

Would appreciate any advice on my school list and chances. Applying MD, MD/MPH, and DO.

Stats:

- Traditional student, just graduated this May, non-URM
- Ohio resident
- 3.7 cGPA, 3.6 sGPA
- 27 (11/6/10) MCAT (retake on June 5th)

ECs/Interests: *Most meaningful experiences

- 1 year part-time work as an EMT-B*
- 2 years research assistant volunteer in cancer research lab*, 1 4th author pub, $3500 full-time fellowship last summer, will be working here full-time during gap year.
- Co-founder of two public health organizations, leadership position for one summer in one of them, 1.5 year involvement in both
- Volunteer tutor for kids k-12 at city library, will be 2 years this fall (might list as a most meaningful, will continue throughout cycle)
- Free clinic volunteer for 1 year (will continue throughout cycle)
- Physiology TA, 1 semester
- Anatomy TA this summer
- Clinical research assistant for 6 months (more of a clinical experience than a research one)
- Student intern in university's sports medicine clinic (clerical, paid)
- 45-50 hours of shadowing (2 MDs and a PA, planning on doing more throughout the summer)

I have an interest in serving the disadvantaged and i've made that quite evident in my personal statement. I know my MCAT is what is really holding me back (verbal......) but hoping to bring that up.

Schools:

MD: Wright State, Toledo, NEOMED, Miami FL (MD and MD/MPH), George Washington, Temple, Drexel, Arizona Phoenix, NYMC, Rosalind Franklin, Creighton, Loyola, Medical College of Wisconsin, Marshall, Michigan State, Penn. State, Rush, Commonwealth, Louisville, Kentucky, VCU, Wake Forest, Wayne State, West Virginia

DO: CCOM, NSU-COM, MSUCOM, PCOM, DMU, Western, KCUMB, Cooper Medical School, Ohio University

I listed a few public OOS, but maybe i'll get a little benefit being from a neighboring state??

List is currently at 30-35. I'm looking to cut down. Ideally would like 20-25 total.

Thanks for any advice! And good luck to all applying!!

Edit: Ah, almost forgot. How should i go about submitting my primaries? Only low-tier and state MDs and all DOs until i find out my new score (taking june 5th)?

Edit2: To anyone viewing in mobile, for some reason the MD list isn't showing up on my SDN mobile FYI.

Considering applying to SMP programs too if you don't mind taking another year off and "proving" yourself. The SMP at rosalind franklin is pretty solid and the acceptance rate into CMS is pretty high (65-70%)

 

[Omppu27]

Considering applying to SMP programs too if you don't mind taking another year off and "proving" yourself. The SMP at rosalind franklin is pretty solid and the acceptance rate into CMS is pretty high (65-70%)

Thanks for the reply.
'
If i was hard set on going MD then i would probably consider this. However, i'm totally cool with DO and as Goro mentioned i think i have a decent shot especially if i can up my verbal.