Another do you think I have a shot thread...

[mizzoudude]

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I have checked out the list of average MCAT scores and average GPAs. However, I was wondering if anyone could relate to my specific statistics and tell me if I have a decent shot at matriculating at a school...I am applying to both MD and DO...

My undergraduate grades are crap with a 3.2 GPA and with a 3.1 science GPA (estimate)...there is no upward trend either. I just started a masters program in physiology and biophysics and I am hoping to get a 4.0 or atleast a 3.8 + this semester and the next. It is pretty intense.

My MCAT score is a 25 with a decent distribution of 8, 8, and 9. I am looking to retake the april 2006 MCAT.

Do you guys think I have a shot anywhere? I am looking to get into my state school (MD) or go somewhere warm for the D.O. route (AZCOM, TUCOM, LECOM, etc.)

Anyone else do a masters program and then get into a school with their improved stats? Thanks.

 

[patho]

I've seen you on the forums for quite a while, so I don't know why you're asking about your stats. I've seen you list them on the forums multiple times.

Your GPA is low, yes, but it is ok for a DO school. DO schools average about 3.3-3.5 for their GPAs, but as long as your graduate GPA is higher than your undergraduate GPA you will be fine.

I don't know what your state MD school is, but those stats are not near the MD average, so you would probably need to retake the MCAT and establish at least a 3.5 graduate GPA.

If you want to go to a DO school, your MCAT is decent to put out some apps, but if you want to go MD, you should take it again.

 

[crys20]

MD will be tough no lie. THe GPA and the MCAT will both have to go up a little.

DO I think is definately possible. The thing I like about your MCAT is the distribution. That helps, I think.

Since you're applying next summer I gather, you have time to raise your GPA up quite a bit if you can study hard and get As! Also, you said you're retaking the MCAT. Both great. Next summer I would apply broadly MD, if I were you, and broadly DO, and see what happens. My guess is you'll get some DO acceptances as well as maybe a couple late MD acceptances. That really depends on how much your MCAT raises. With that breakdown though I think you can raise alot. Good luck!

 

[dr.z]

I thought you asked this question several times. I think without taking the MCAT, you can still get into DO school. It will certainly help that you do better next time.

As far as MD schools go, they don't really care much about the higher degrees. It seems to me post-bac does help since it brings up the undergrad record, but masters program doesn't seem to help much. Myself compeleting the Ph.D didn't do much for the M.D. schools.

 

[DD214_DOC]

You have a fair shot at DO

 

[Nate]

LECOM is not warm

You should look into getting a DO LOR if you don't have one. I can't give you an opinion with just your numbers but you may want to retake the MCRAP. Good luck,
Nate

 

[OSUdoc08]

I have checked out the list of average MCAT scores and average GPAs. However, I was wondering if anyone could relate to my specific statistics and tell me if I have a decent shot at matriculating at a school...I am applying to both MD and DO...

My undergraduate grades are crap with a 3.2 GPA and with a 3.1 science GPA (estimate)...there is no upward trend either. I just started a masters program in physiology and biophysics and I am hoping to get a 4.0 or atleast a 3.8 + this semester and the next. It is pretty intense.

My MCAT score is a 25 with a decent distribution of 8, 8, and 9. I am looking to retake the april 2006 MCAT.

Do you guys think I have a shot anywhere? I am looking to get into my state school (MD) or go somewhere warm for the D.O. route (AZCOM, TUCOM, LECOM, etc.)

Anyone else do a masters program and then get into a school with their improved stats? Thanks.

You have a shot at DO schools, but some schools look down upon quitting a master's program, and may demand that you finish it. Others will not care.

 

[mizzoudude]

I am going to retake the MCAT in April of 2006 and apply next year for the 2007 classes....

I will definately look into getting a recommendation from a D.O. I think I will shadow one next semester (around January or so) and perhaps he/she will right me a good LOR.

I am struck by the fact that you guys say that I don't have a chance at an MD school. Do you not think I will have a chance at some state schools ( U of Louisville and U of Kentucky) if I get a 4.0 these two semesters (two semester of physiology, two semesters of biochemistry, and a semester of cell biology...all graduate courses) and do better on the MCAT...perhaps a 30+? Will that not show the MD adcom that I managed to turn it around?

And don't you think that D.O. programs will see that too? I was marred by working full time and having some family issues while in college...now those issues have been settled.

I emailed the admissions director at U of K...here is what I wrote and here is what she wrote...

Me:

I hope that you remember emailing me and advising me about the proper steps to take to make myself a stronger applicant next year for medical school admissions. I have gotten a good start to my graduate classes, making perfect scores so far as I am much more focused, working less, and have learned how to study much more efficiently. I have also started studying for the april 2006 MCAT.

I had a few questions if you do not mind responding:
--I will be taking Biochemistry and Physiology classes accompanied with some seminar classes and lab classes my first semester. My second semester I will be taking biochemistry, physiology, and cell biology with accompanied seminars and discussion sessions. The total hours of my masters program will be 24 credit hours this coming year. Assuming that I get a 4.0 in these classes, will that be sufficient in offsetting my poor undergraduate performance of a 3.2 GPA?

--Also, I am trying to get into a research project to help me stand out from the other applicants. How important is it that I have something published by the time I apply next year? And how can I indicate that I am participating in research when I apply next year? Through my AMCAS statement?

Thank you for all your help and I hope I am not being a bother/waste of time. I am just highly motivated to get my act together and become a strong applicant with a good chance of getting in next year. Thanks again.


HER:

Hello ---,

You are not being a bother, far less a waste of time. A strong academic performance in your graduate classes will go a long way toward convincing the admissions committee that you have overcome your undergraduate performance. It will also help you to prepare for the next MCAT. It is not important that you have someting published. You can indicate your research involvement in the experiences section of the AMCAS application next year. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have further questions...



I am trying to keep a positive note with this email and such...I hope to do better on the MCAT...and I think that is what will indicate my success....
Why is everyone so negative about a masters program??

 

[dr.z]

Improvement in your MCAT should help, but I don't know how much the masters program help. In AMCAS GPA is computed separately from graduate work and undergraduate work. Most MD schools focus on undergraduate record.

That is partly because what will be reported to publishing agencies. I will tell you that completing Ph.D did not help me with admissions to MD schools. They cared far more about my MCAT and undergraduate GPA.

 

[MoosePilot]

I am struck by the fact that you guys say that I don't have a chance at an MD school. Do you not think I will have a chance at some state schools ( U of Louisville and U of Kentucky) if I get a 4.0 these two semesters (two semester of physiology, two semesters of biochemistry, and a semester of cell biology...all graduate courses) and do better on the MCAT...perhaps a 30+? Will that not show the MD adcom that I managed to turn it around?

Getting a 30+ on your MCAT would present an entirely different picture. A jump of 5 points from below average to slightly above average for matriculating students would be a huge help. I think you could present your graduate grades to counterbalance your undergrad grades (even though they will be shown in two different columns) and probably get in somewhere.

That's a hypothetical, though. Why worry about that situation until you've got the 30+?

 

[mizzoudude]

Improvement in your MCAT should help, but I don't know how much the masters program help. In AMCAS GPA is computed separately from graduate work and undergraduate work. Most MD schools focus on undergraduate record.

That is partly because what will be reported to publishing agencies. I will tell you that completing Ph.D did not help me with admissions to MD schools. They cared far more about my MCAT and undergraduate GPA.

dr. z I appreciate the input, but I think I have shown this calculation many times before about the publishing agencies and what they report to them. Say that in a medical school class of 150 students, 140 of them have undergraduate GPAs of 3.7 (very unlikely for the school I am applying to) and 10 admitted students have a undergraduate GPA of 3.0 and a graduate GPA of 4.0...how much is their average 3.7 GPA ("the GPA they publish") going to change?

(140*3.7 + 10*3.0)/(150 students) = 3.655

Do you think they are going to mind admitting 10 masters students with a 3.0 UGAD and 4.0 masters GPA (big improvement) just because their average is going to go down 0.05 on their publishing numbers?

This calculation is also assuming that the GPA of admitting students is 3.7 and those looking to improve credentials is 3.0. I do not think that they are going to care about their publishing numbers too much as a grad student who shows improve in GPA and MCAT will also probably do well on the boards.


Moosepilot,
I guess I didn't think about the MCAT in that sense. My MCAT scores are really crappy...a 25? What was I thinking....I am also optimistic that if I can get a 30+ I will have a better chance at both MD and DO. I am going start studying from this semester. Thanks...any other ideas are appreciated.

 

[Buckeye(OH)]

dr. z I appreciate the input, but I think I have shown this calculation many times before about the publishing agencies and what they report to them. Say that in a medical school class of 150 students, 140 of them have undergraduate GPAs of 3.7 (very unlikely for the school I am applying to) and 10 admitted students have a undergraduate GPA of 3.0 and a graduate GPA of 4.0...how much is their average 3.7 GPA ("the GPA they publish") going to change?

(140*3.7 + 10*3.0)/(150 students) = 3.655

Do you think they are going to mind admitting 10 masters students with a 3.0 UGAD and 4.0 masters GPA (big improvement) just because their average is going to go down 0.05 on their publishing numbers?

This calculation is also assuming that the GPA of admitting students is 3.7 and those looking to improve credentials is 3.0. I do not think that they are going to care about their publishing numbers too much as a grad student who shows improve in GPA and MCAT will also probably do well on the boards.


Moosepilot,
I guess I didn't think about the MCAT in that sense. My MCAT scores are really crappy...a 25? What was I thinking....I am also optimistic that if I can get a 30+ I will have a better chance at both MD and DO. I am going start studying from this semester. Thanks...any other ideas are appreciated.

I know how you feel right now, trust me I do, but seriously dude, stop overanalyzing and just ****ing apply already.

 

[medhacker]

LECOM is not warm

You should look into getting a DO LOR if you don't have one. I can't give you an opinion with just your numbers but you may want to retake the MCRAP. Good luck,
Nate

Nate

Lecom in Fla. is pretty warm.

 

[dr.z]

dr. z I appreciate the input, but I think I have shown this calculation many times before about the publishing agencies and what they report to them. Say that in a medical school class of 150 students, 140 of them have undergraduate GPAs of 3.7 (very unlikely for the school I am applying to) and 10 admitted students have a undergraduate GPA of 3.0 and a graduate GPA of 4.0...how much is their average 3.7 GPA ("the GPA they publish") going to change?

(140*3.7 + 10*3.0)/(150 students) = 3.655

Do you think they are going to mind admitting 10 masters students with a 3.0 UGAD and 4.0 masters GPA (big improvement) just because their average is going to go down 0.05 on their publishing numbers?

This calculation is also assuming that the GPA of admitting students is 3.7 and those looking to improve credentials is 3.0. I do not think that they are going to care about their publishing numbers too much as a grad student who shows improve in GPA and MCAT will also probably do well on the boards.

Well if you are this optimistic about your chances, don't post the same question over and over again here. Also I don't think you really appreciate DO schools that much. It seems to me you only want it as a back up. If you are afraid about what DO initials behind your name is going to do for you, I suggest you focus on getting into MD schools.

Since you have your state MD schools, if you get 30+ on the MCAT I don't see why you wouldn't get in. Improvement in MCAT will help a lot more than graduate GPA.

 

[CoffeeFreak]

I always enjoy when SDNers lodge complaints about repetitive questions on threads.

The point of all forums within SDN is provide a diverse perspective depsite the repetitiveness of the OP. Here the OP is taking another opinion poll which is the reason why SDN exists.

So if it is necessary to repete the same question in a dozen threads until the OP is satisfied then so be it. The dude is not seeking confidence or "backing" but simply an opinion.

 

[FutureDocDO]

I always enjoy when SDNers lodge complaints about repetitive questions on threads.

The point of all forums within SDN is provide a diverse perspective depsite the repetitiveness of the OP. Here the OP is taking another opinion poll which is the reason why SDN exists.

So if it is necessary to repete the same question in a dozen threads until the OP is satisfied then so be it. The dude is not seeking confidence or "backing" but simply an opinion.

I agree! If you don't like what people are asking then move on to the next thread!