Am I selling myself short and applying to too many schools?

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spidey066

spidey066

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Hey so I'm a recent college grad in Maryland and am currently in my gap year. I'm pretty much done with my primary application for AACOM but I just realized I'm applying to 21 schools. I just wanted to get other opinions to see whether I'm selling myself short and can be more selective or if I should just play it safe and apply to as many schools.

To give you a quick summary of my profile my stats are as follows:
cumGPA:3.3
science GPA: 3.2
MCAT: 26 (9PS, 7VR, 10BS)

EC:
Peer Health Educator: health advocate on campus for two years and held committee chair position

Premed Society: Held officer position for two years

Global Medical Brigaides: Went on a medical mission trip with this org in spring break to Panama in my junior year and held officer position for a year as well

Club sport (boxing): 3 years

Fraternity: Was in a fraternity since freshman year and have held multiple officer positions

Research:

Did research at my univeristy for 1.5 years. I researched brain and spinal cord development within zebrafish, specifically Repulsion guidance molecules. Got a LOR from my reserach professor

Work/shadowing:

Shadowed a local D.O. for a month and got a LOR

Volunteered at local hospital and Shock Trauma in Baltimore for 1 month each

I'm currently a scribe at a local hospital and working fulltime during my gap year.

=============================================================
My personal statement has been reviewed by multiple people and is looking good. I feel pretty confident about it.

The list of schools I am applying to include:

Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Auburn

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Carolinas Campus

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Virginia Campus

Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences College of Osteopathic Medicine

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine Bradenton Campus

Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Lincoln Memorial University–DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine

Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine

Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine–New York

University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine

University of Pikeville–Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine

West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine

William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine

============================================================

It's a total of 21 schools. Am I applying to schools that are out of my league or schools that don't take out of state students? Am I missing schools that should be on this list? I was hoping to stay on the east side because my family lives in Maryland. Part of me wants to cut this list down because I feel like its too much but part of me doesn't want to because I'm scared that I'm not that competitive and that I need to apply broadly. Sorry if this is is a long post, I could just really use some help. Thank you if you were able to read this whole post without get bored and leaving lol.
 
Just and FYI, you might get screened out of VCOM and Campbell, because of their 3.2 sGPA emphasis on the last 120 credits. New England has a pretty strong regional bias as does Rowan. Touro's want a higher MCAT score I believe.

Yes apply to them all, but just keep this in the back of your mind. You're stats and ECs are very similar to mine except that I went to SGU (medical school). Had to withdraw due to health reasons and the passing of my sister.
 
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Also do you have any experience in working with the underserved? A lot of the schools that you applied to, specifically mention working with underserved areas in their mission statement (i.e. WVSOM), hence that may be something good to have as well...you live near Baltimore? Lots of chances there, I did my MPH from SGU and did my internship at UMD (school of medicine) Family practice program working with inner city folks....
 
radian313 said:
Just and FYI, you might get screened out of VCOM and Campbell, because of their hardline 3.25 requirement.
Click to expand...

this is wrong. It is 3.2 not 3.25.
Also my understanding is VCOM's is not a hard cutoff

OP, Don't apply to Rowan. Huge in state bias. [Might want to remove the Ohio school too, they have in state bias and a mandatory 5 year contract, look it up]
MSUCOM, out of state tuition is 80k
Touro has average mcat of 29

Keep VCOM, CUSOM (Campbell), ignore the misinformed poster above
Remove Rowan, Ohio, Touro, MSUCOM
Add PCOM-GA, maybe one/both of the Atsu schools (KCOM and SOMA)
 
spenguin said:
this is wrong. It is 3.2 not 3.25.
Also my understanding is VCOM's is not a hard cutoff

OP, Don't apply to Rowan. Huge in state bias. [Might want to remove the Ohio school too, they have in state bias and a mandatory 5 year contract, look it up]
MSUCOM, out of state tuition is 80k
Touro has average mcat of 29

Keep VCOM, CUSOM (Campbell), ignore the misinformed poster above
Remove Rowan, Ohio, Touro, MSUCOM
Add PCOM-GA, maybe one/both of the Atsu schools (KCOM and SOMA)
Click to expand...

Misinformed? It was moreso an over estimation than being "misinformed" as I knew they had this listed on their site, with a geared emphasis on the last 120 credits. I've corrected it for your liking but moreso for the benefit of the OPs query.

PCOM-GA also has a bit of regional southern bias....
 
radian313 said:
Misinformed? It was moreso an over estimation than being "misinformed" as I knew they had this listed on their site, with a geared emphasis on the last 120 credits. I've corrected it for your liking but moreso for the benefit of the OPs query.

PCOM-GA also has a bit of regional southern bias....
Click to expand...

the bias that PCOM-GA and UNECOM have is not as strong as the in state bias as Rowan or Ohio
 
Also PCOM-PA wants a minimum of 8 on each MCAT subsection
This is not a hard cutoff but just goes to show you that your chances there aren't great
 
spenguin said:
this is wrong. It is 3.2 not 3.25.
Also my understanding is VCOM's is not a hard cutoff

OP, Don't apply to Rowan. Huge in state bias. [Might want to remove the Ohio school too, they have in state bias and a mandatory 5 year contract, look it up]
MSUCOM, out of state tuition is 80k
Touro has average mcat of 29

Keep VCOM, CUSOM (Campbell), ignore the misinformed poster above
Remove Rowan, Ohio, Touro, MSUCOM
Add PCOM-GA, maybe one/both of the Atsu schools (KCOM and SOMA)
Click to expand...

When ADCOM looks at GPA for a cutoff, do they look at the cumulative GPA or overall GPA, which includes graduate GPA?
 
zincmask said:
When ADCOM looks at GPA for a cutoff, do they look at the cumulative GPA or overall GPA, which includes graduate GPA?
Click to expand...

Its actually specifically science GPA, its on the websites, and many tend to focus on the last 120 credits....
 
I was hard screened out of CUSOM this year, pre secondary. My sGPA is 3.23, cGPA is 3.01 just FYI. Also have not heard from VCOM despite others receiving secondaries. Could just be that I need to allow more time to hear from them.
 
A targeted list is much better than carpet bombing. I would remove the following:

Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine (regional bias)

Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences College of Osteopathic Medicine (sGPA is below their minimum: see https://www.kcumb.edu/admissions/medical-students/requirements/)

Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine ( I cannot recommend)

Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (regional bias)

Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine (are you aware of the residency requirement post-graduation?)

Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine–New York (MCAT too low)

University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine (regional bias)

West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine

William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine

I recommend adding: TUNCOM, AT Still, PCOM-GA, Nova, NYITCOM, BCOM, ACOM, DMU, RVU, PacNW, all three VCOMs. Beggars can't be choosy.
 
Goro said:
A targeted list is much better than carpet bombing. I would remove the following:

Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine (regional bias)

Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences College of Osteopathic Medicine (sGPA is below their minimum: see https://www.kcumb.edu/admissions/medical-students/requirements/)

Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine ( I cannot recommend)

Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (regional bias)

Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine (are you aware of the residency requirement post-graduation?)

Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine–New York (MCAT too low)

University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine (regional bias)

West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine

William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine

I recommend adding: TUNCOM, AT Still, PCOM-GA, Nova, NYITCOM, BCOM, ACOM, DMU, RVU, PacNW, all three VCOMs. Beggars can't be choosy.
Click to expand...
Why remove West Virginia? Do they have a regional bias? OP is from Maryland which shares a border with WV.
 
spidey066 said:
Hey so I'm a recent college grad in Maryland and am currently in my gap year. I'm pretty much done with my primary application for AACOM but I just realized I'm applying to 21 schools. I just wanted to get other opinions to see whether I'm selling myself short and can be more selective or if I should just play it safe and apply to as many schools.

To give you a quick summary of my profile my stats are as follows:
cumGPA:3.3
science GPA: 3.2
MCAT: 26 (9PS, 7VR, 10BS)

EC:
Peer Health Educator: health advocate on campus for two years and held committee chair position

Premed Society: Held officer position for two years

Global Medical Brigaides: Went on a medical mission trip with this org in spring break to Panama in my junior year and held officer position for a year as well

Club sport (boxing): 3 years

Fraternity: Was in a fraternity since freshman year and have held multiple officer positions

Research:

Did research at my univeristy for 1.5 years. I researched brain and spinal cord development within zebrafish, specifically Repulsion guidance molecules. Got a LOR from my reserach professor

Work/shadowing:

Shadowed a local D.O. for a month and got a LOR

Volunteered at local hospital and Shock Trauma in Baltimore for 1 month each

I'm currently a scribe at a local hospital and working fulltime during my gap year.

=============================================================
My personal statement has been reviewed by multiple people and is looking good. I feel pretty confident about it.

The list of schools I am applying to include:

Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Auburn

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Carolinas Campus

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Virginia Campus

Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences College of Osteopathic Medicine

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine Bradenton Campus

Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Lincoln Memorial University–DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine

Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine

Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine–New York

University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine

University of Pikeville–Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine

West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine

William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine

============================================================

It's a total of 21 schools. Am I applying to schools that are out of my league or schools that don't take out of state students? Am I missing schools that should be on this list? I was hoping to stay on the east side because my family lives in Maryland. Part of me wants to cut this list down because I feel like its too much but part of me doesn't want to because I'm scared that I'm not that competitive and that I need to apply broadly. Sorry if this is is a long post, I could just really use some help. Thank you if you were able to read this whole post without get bored and leaving lol.
Click to expand...



Our stats are very similar and our school list is almost identical, good luck to you this cycle!!!!
 
I know Goro already mentioned this but OP make sure to take KCUMB off your list as they have a hard cut-off at 3.25
 
PhillyBoy22 said:
I know Goro already mentioned this but OP make sure to take KCUMB off your list as they have a hard cut-off at 3.25
Click to expand...
From what I have heard, it is a 2/3 cutoff.
OP fits 2 out of 3 criteria (sci gpa 3.25, c gpa 3.25, mcat 24)
 
Hey if that's true then I can add it to my list!

@AlteredScale can you comment on this? (Or anyone in KCU for that matter?)
 
spenguin said:
From what I have heard, it is a 2/3 cutoff. OP fits 2 out of 3 criteria (sci gpa 3.25, c gpa 3.25, mcat 24)
Click to expand...

I will def call the office to verify. I cant be throwing out money carelessly..... #poorFolks
 
Hi Goro, what is your reasoning for dropping Liberty and William Carey University? Also is there any particular reason I should add DMU (average GPA is 3.6 and avg MCAT is 28), PacNW (it's located in washington so I'm assuming it has huge biased towards out of state residents), and RVU (avg MCAT is 28 and it's located in CO which I would assume have biased to states in the Northeast region)?
 
Also thank you everyone for the replies. All this info is really helpful, I greatly appreciate it.
 
I know rvu was very choosey with sending II last cycle for sub 28 Mcats. At least from what I saw all over sdn. Dont know how true. Although unecom is in Maine I had no problem getting accepted being from CA so I say keep that school. I would take out WCU because they're more regionally bias.
 
DO2015CA said:
I know rvu was very choosey with sending II last cycle for sub 28 Mcats. At least from what I saw all over sdn. Dont know how true. Although unecom is in Maine I had no problem getting accepted being from CA so I say keep that school. I would take out WCU because they're more regionally bias.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the input! If you don't mind me asking, what were your stats?
 
My advice is play it safe and apply to as many places as possible. This admissions game is a crap shoot. Your #s aren't stellar (not to say you won't be a competitive applicant) but why not give it your all this cycle?
 
Gandy741 said:
That is a cute dog. Is that yours>?
Click to expand...

Yes. I own a Westie. He also have a dedicated Instagram page. He can shake your hand, lay down, sit, stay, and..... BANG BANG (drop dead)! I also have two other small dogs, maltese and a poodle.
 
Goro said:
University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine (regional bias)
Click to expand...

@Goro: I applied to UNE and although I live in Las Vegas, I was born in Connecticut. Does that do anything to help me?
 
I have a colleague who is a UNECOM grad and they look for New England residency and that you're going to stay in the region to practice.

I suggest skipping unless you honestly want to move back to NE.

igor_raptor said:
@Goro: I applied to UNE and although I live in Las Vegas, I was born in Connecticut. Does that do anything to help me?
Click to expand...
 
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