Advice needed in admission to DO schools

[UMP]

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How important is it to get your application in early ?
I have a dillema, I'm retaking the MCAT in August, but I already have scores from two years ago which are (10,11,O,9) 30O. My GPA is abysmal at around a 2.8. I'm taking classes right now, and that should get me to a 2.9 this semester, and I'm going to retake a couple classes over the summer which could shoot my BCP Gpa to 3.6 and my overall to about a 3.1 ...
Should I apply early and get the benefits of applying early, but with a lower GPA and MCAT score. or...
Should I apply at the end of the summer once my GPA looks quite a bit better and my MCAT will hopefully go up at least 5 points?

I'm looking at one school only right now: MSU-COM, I'm in-state and the school looks amazing, but people with general DO application advice please chime in.

Thanks

 

[NewNick]

You have good MCAT. Prepare the primary app first. When you have the GPA calculated from your school in the end of the summer session (beginning of Aug ?), you can submit the primary app right away. You should be alright because I took my MCAT in Aug and started to apply by Nov, but still got some acceptances. As long as you have everything they need, you'll be OK. Your number should be good, especially the MCAT. Maybe, some other people have better ideas. Let's wait to see more.

How important is it to get your application in early ?
I have a dillema, I'm retaking the MCAT in August, but I already have scores from two years ago which are (10,11,O,9) 30O. My GPA is abysmal at around a 2.8. I'm taking classes right now, and that should get me to a 2.9 this semester, and I'm going to retake a couple classes over the summer which could shoot my BCP Gpa to 3.6 and my overall to about a 3.1 ...
Should I apply early and get the benefits of applying early, but with a lower GPA and MCAT score. or...
Should I apply at the end of the summer once my GPA looks quite a bit better and my MCAT will hopefully go up at least 5 points?

I'm looking at one school only right now: MSU-COM, I'm in-state and the school looks amazing, but people with general DO application advice please chime in.

Thanks

 

[dr.z]

You have good MCAT. Prepare the primary app first. When you have the GPA calculated from your school in the end of the summer session (beginning of Aug ?), you can submit the primary app right away. You should be alright because I took my MCAT in Aug and started to apply by Nov, but still got some acceptances. As long as you have everything they need, you'll be OK. Your number should be good, especially the MCAT. Maybe, some other people have better ideas. Let's wait to see more.

I think waiting till August may not be a bad idea. However, I think the MCAT score will probably overcome the low GPA.

 

[Bill_Brasky]

I'd wait. The MCAT helps majorly, but couple that with a strong upward trend on your GPA and you've greatly increased your chances of getting an interview. Are there extenuating circumstances on the GPA? Your MCAT says that you definitely know your stuff.

Just two cents.

-Bill Brasky
---------------------------------------------------------------------
"Second: Did I ever tell you about the time Brasky and I were in a production of "The King and I?"

First: Every morning I crap the bed.

Second: Anyway, on opening night, Brasky chloroforms the entire cast, and slowly eats them in front of the audience for two hours. The production got pretty good reviews.

Third: He breastfeeds John Madden.

First: Brasky made the group Sha-nah-nah. They did not want to be called that.

Second: If you drop a phonograph needle on Brasky's nipple it plays the Beach Boys' pet sounds.

Third: They used Brasky's foreskin as a tarp when it rains at Yankee Stadium. "

 

[guv_garfunkel]

I agree with what everyone else is saying. Waiting till August shouldn't put you behind too much. Why are you retaking the MCAT though? You've got a great score and I believe it is good for three years at most schools. Plus, if you only report those August MCAT scores that will put your application behind till October waiting for scores.

How important is it to get your application in early ?
I have a dillema, I'm retaking the MCAT in August, but I already have scores from two years ago which are (10,11,O,9) 30O. My GPA is abysmal at around a 2.8. I'm taking classes right now, and that should get me to a 2.9 this semester, and I'm going to retake a couple classes over the summer which could shoot my BCP Gpa to 3.6 and my overall to about a 3.1 ...
Should I apply early and get the benefits of applying early, but with a lower GPA and MCAT score. or...
Should I apply at the end of the summer once my GPA looks quite a bit better and my MCAT will hopefully go up at least 5 points?

I'm looking at one school only right now: MSU-COM, I'm in-state and the school looks amazing, but people with general DO application advice please chime in.

Thanks

 

[USArmyDoc]

Maybe I am being rediculous but I am getting pissed at DO schools lately. They claim that they favor the GPA more than the MCAT because it is just a one day test. However, when it comes to someone with an abysmal GPA and good MCAT they make an exception? I mean its not like the GPA is a 3.2. Its a 2.8. I don't know.....Honestly, sometimes I feel DO schools should look at their admissions standards.

AND before I get flamed I will most likely be attending a DO school next year.

 

[JonnyG]

I'd say go early. I had similiar stats and had no problem getting interviews. I did work as a biochemist for three years though. There is no reason to retake the MCATS and you can always send an up date letter witht he new grades.

 

[HunterGatherer]

I took some summer courses last year and was waiting on the August MCAT.

1)Try to have LORs sent to all your prospective med schools before your summer classes end.
2)Get your PS for the AACOMAS application done before the end of summer classes.
3)send in transcripts from other schools(if you attended others) to AACOMAS when they open up for the 2007 entering class.
4)You live in Michigan so you should not have problems shadowing a DO. Find one now and set a deadline for your LOR very early. June 1st is good.

MSUCOM should be having an Open House soon. I think the date is April 7th. Go there and try to get your face/name known with the adcom.

Good luck.

 

[OSUdoc08]

I think waiting till August may not be a bad idea. However, I think the MCAT score will probably overcome the low GPA.

I disagree. There is ABSOLUTELY NO REASON to wait. If your GPA is too low, then your application will be put on hold until the new scores come in. At this point it will be reviewed again.

If you wait until your grades come in to send the in the application, you are risking undue delays.

Keep in mind that people with lower stats get accepted earlier when the class spots have not yet been filled.

 

[scpod]

Maybe I am being rediculous but I am getting pissed at DO schools lately. They claim that they favor the GPA more than the MCAT because it is just a one day test.

I have never heard or read where any DO school has said this. The only schools I have heard say that are Caribbean. Where did you hear this?

 

[OSUdoc08]

I have never heard or read where any DO school has said this. The only schools I have heard say that are Caribbean. Where did you hear this?

I've never heard it either. In my case, I feel that my MCAT more than made up for my GPA.

 

[jellibelli]

I think it's very important that you submit your primary application as early as possible. You can always submit your second MCAT scores later. But your MCAT is pretty good already, I don't understand why you are retaking it? For MD purposes? Or just-in-case situations?

I have never heard about DO scores emphasizing more on GPA as opposed to MCAT. I bombed the MCAT, but it was within the range of DO schools. And my GPA is only mediocre. I believe that what got me to where I am are the LOR's and my superb PS.

So, if I were you, I would make sure the LOR's get to where they need to go, the transcripts get sent ASAP, and your primary, with a very well written PS, sent within a month of AACOM or AMCAS opening.

Good luck, dude!

 

[kahoo99]

I think it's pretty unreasonable to expect a 35 on the mcat. honestly you can likely get in with the grades and your mcat as they are...provided you have medical experience and good LORs.

 

[USArmyDoc]

I have never heard or read where any DO school has said this. The only schools I have heard say that are Caribbean. Where did you hear this?

It is is on VCOM's website, I believe.

 

[Sam212]

I suggest you apply broadly in addition to MSUCOM. You will be pretty pleased with the results by next spring.

 

[chopstick1]

apply, apply, apply....you never know who will give you a shot. what's the worst that could happen? some lost hours and a tax deduction

 

[yanky5]

I would recommend NOT RETAKING the MCAT since your MCAT score is good enough to get acceptance in DO schools. It would be very stupid to waste all your energy on the MCAT when you'll get the same or a lower score,while your GPA continues to drop. Instead, put all your effort into bringing your overall GPA to a 3.0 at least and I would wait until you have on paper a 3.X GPA. Then you should apply to lots of DO schools and one or two will probably accept you. I would not bother applying until your GPA is above 3.0 since anything below that gets thrown in the trash right away. Preferably, you should get a 3.3 at least, but your MCAT should make up for it.

You should know that when you retake a course it shows up on your transcript as being retaken and some schools may not like that.

 

[nvshelat]

I would not bother applying until your GPA is above 3.0 since anything below that gets thrown in the trash right away. Preferably, you should get a 3.3 at least, but your MCAT should make up for it.
You should know that when you retake a course it shows up on your transcript as being retaken and some schools may not like that.

👍
I was in a similar situation last summer, except with a lower MCAT, and I think you may find similar threads about this if you do a search (hint - don't use the search with google search, use the one in the toolbar - I didn't figure this out for a while 🙂

But basically I waited, figuring that if they saw my low GPA, they would immediately put me in the rejection pile. I retook classes over the summer, boosted my GPA, and applied 2.5 months later (mid-august) than I normally would have, to 3 DO schools - with a lower MCAT than yours and similar gpa, I was accepted @ 1 school and interviewed/awaiting at another.

The thing is, these ppl get so many apps, all they do is look at the numbers, and do you want to risk being put in a rejection/noncompetitive pile whereas you can just wait a couple of months and be put in the competitive pile? Granted, you can always update them with your grades and say look, I improved, but it doesn't have the same effect as the numbers.

 

[vmgopal]

I have a 3.5-3.6 Overall GPA and a 3.3 science gpa........I have yet to take the MCAT next month....But I have to take only one more class this summer-Analytical Chem(june-Aug). Would you say just apply to AACOMAS and AMCAS in June and then update the transcripts later???

 

[rgerwin]

Don't bother reatking the mcat. Seriously, it's fine. Work on your GPA, and spend the MCAT studying time beefing up your resume with other stuff, like volunteering, etc.

How important is it to get your application in early ?
I have a dillema, I'm retaking the MCAT in August, but I already have scores from two years ago which are (10,11,O,9) 30O. My GPA is abysmal at around a 2.8. I'm taking classes right now, and that should get me to a 2.9 this semester, and I'm going to retake a couple classes over the summer which could shoot my BCP Gpa to 3.6 and my overall to about a 3.1 ...
Should I apply early and get the benefits of applying early, but with a lower GPA and MCAT score. or...
Should I apply at the end of the summer once my GPA looks quite a bit better and my MCAT will hopefully go up at least 5 points?

I'm looking at one school only right now: MSU-COM, I'm in-state and the school looks amazing, but people with general DO application advice please chime in.

Thanks