Any Chance for DO?

[jr1794]

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Apologizes in advance if this is in the wrong spot, the "what are my chances?" thread was not working.

Long story short, struggled freshman year as a pre-med trying to balance classes and D1 athletics while also missing 3 weeks of class due to Mono (C's in intro Bio I and II and Chem I and II). Rebounded well sophomore year and onward (besides C's in orgo) and ended my final undergrad semester with a 3.9. A's in Biochemistry, Genetics, Physiology, Neurobiology. B's in Cell Biology, Histology, Physics I and Inorganic Chem. Will need to take/retake 2-3 classes in the next 1-2 years before I apply (depending on the school). My listed GPAs are assuming I get at least a B in those classes just to be conservative, but should get A's.

• Cumulative GPA - 3.2
• Science GPA 3.1
• Previous 40 Credit GPA: 3.5 (before retakes, will go up)
• Previous 60 Credit GPA: 3.35 (before retakes, will go up)
• When do you plan to apply? - 2-3 years
• Number of hrs and type of PCE/HCE/ECs - Work in a surgical department at Mass General, will have 4000-5000 hours as a clinical research coordinator assuming I work 2 years here. Will have 2000+ at time of application. Also have 3 summers interning at Harvard Medical School for research and large animal testing.

Is it worth considering applying to D.O. schools or would you suggest solely focusing on PA?

Thank you guys!

 

[DOCMom84]

It will all depend on your MCAT but I think you've got a great shot if you keep the upward trend

 

[Kardio]

Apologizes in advance if this is in the wrong spot, the "what are my chances?" thread was not working.

Long story short, struggled freshman year as a pre-med trying to balance classes and D1 athletics while also missing 3 weeks of class due to Mono (C's in intro Bio I and II and Chem I and II). Rebounded well sophomore year and onward (besides C's in orgo) and ended my final undergrad semester with a 3.9. A's in Biochemistry, Genetics, Physiology, Neurobiology. B's in Cell Biology, Histology, Physics I and Inorganic Chem. Will need to take/retake 2-3 classes in the next 1-2 years before I apply (depending on the school). My listed GPAs are assuming I get at least a B in those classes just to be conservative, but should get A's.

• Cumulative GPA - 3.2
• Science GPA 3.1
• Previous 40 Credit GPA: 3.5 (before retakes, will go up)
• Previous 60 Credit GPA: 3.35 (before retakes, will go up)
• When do you plan to apply? - 2-3 years
• Number of hrs and type of PCE/HCE/ECs - Work in a surgical department at Mass General, will have 4000-5000 hours as a clinical research coordinator assuming I work 2 years here. Will have 2000+ at time of application. Also have 3 summers interning at Harvard Medical School for research and large animal testing.

Is it worth considering applying to D.O. schools or would you suggest solely focusing on PA?

Thank you guys!

I believe there is a path for you to DO schools.

Your GPA isn't anything to write home about, but something about your story tells me you are capable of a high MCAT score. Out of curiosity, did you go to a highly ranked college?

You remind me of somebody from my own SMP. I actually think the MD option is still open, should you score 513+ and rock an SMP.

 

[jr1794]

It will all depend on your MCAT but I think you've got a great shot if you keep the upward trend

Thank you for taking the time to reply, I appreciate it!

 

[jr1794]

I believe there is a path for you to DO schools.

Your GPA isn't anything to write home about, but something about your story tells me you are capable of a high MCAT score. Out of curiosity, did you go to a highly ranked college?

You remind me of somebody from my own SMP. I actually think the MD option is still open, should you score 513+ and rock an SMP.

I went to one of the better state schools but by no means is it considered highly ranked. Thank you very much for your advice and taking the time to reply.

 

[Schwifty]

You chances will depend on your MCAT, but if you do an smp (preferably with linkage) and really kill that + your MCAT (513+) you have a shot at some MD schools as well, mainly you instate and low tier schools. But even with your current low gpa, an MCAT of 505+ would give you a chance at many DO schools, mainly the newer ones. Best of luck to you OP!

 

[PapaGuava]

Thread moved to the WAMC subsection.

 

[jr1794]

You chances will depend on your MCAT, but if you do an smp (preferably with linkage) and really kill that + your MCAT (513+) you have a shot at some MD schools as well, mainly you instate and low tier schools. But even with your current low gpa, an MCAT of 505+ would give you a chance at many DO schools, mainly the newer ones. Best of luck to you OP!

Thank you very much for your time and advice!

 

[Faha]

As long as your MCAT is at least 500 you could receive interviews at 15 or more DO schools that I know of. Post your actual MCAT score here in the future. There will also be several more DO schools opening by the time you apply.

 

[jr1794]

As long as your MCAT is at least 500 you could receive interviews at 15 or more DO schools that I know of. Post your actual MCAT score here in the future. There will also be several more DO schools opening by the time you apply.

Thank you. Any schools in particular I should focus on? Also, just saw a previous thread where someone listed similar GPAs with an MCAT of 499 and they were told to do an SMP as they had no shot. Why were they told this and I was told otherwise on here?

Low MCAT and Low GPA

I will keep this brief. I have a 3.12 cGPA and AACOMAS gpa of 3.1 with a 499 MCAT taken for the second time. Is it better to do a post-bac or SMP and if yes to an SMP, any recommendations on which ones? I am definitely planning on retaking my MCAT, but after I complete a post-bac/SMP. Please...

forums.studentdoctor.net

 

[jr1794]

You chances will depend on your MCAT, but if you do an smp (preferably with linkage) and really kill that + your MCAT (513+) you have a shot at some MD schools as well, mainly you instate and low tier schools. But even with your current low gpa, an MCAT of 505+ would give you a chance at many DO schools, mainly the newer ones. Best of luck to you OP!

Thank you! Any specific schools you would suggest looking at with my history and GPAs at time of application?

 

[jr1794]

@Goro would love to hear your opinion here as well!

 

[Faha]

Thank you. Any schools in particular I should focus on? Also, just saw a previous thread where someone listed similar GPAs with an MCAT of 499 and they were told to do an SMP as they had no shot. Why were they told this and I was told otherwise on here?

Low MCAT and Low GPA

I will keep this brief. I have a 3.12 cGPA and AACOMAS gpa of 3.1 with a 499 MCAT taken for the second time. Is it better to do a post-bac or SMP and if yes to an SMP, any recommendations on which ones? I am definitely planning on retaking my MCAT, but after I complete a post-bac/SMP. Please...

forums.studentdoctor.net

You do not yet know what your MCAT score is. Less than 500 and it would be difficult to receive interviews. Post your actual score here in the future.

 

[jr1794]

You do not yet know what your MCAT score is. Less than 500 and it would be difficult to receive interviews. Post your actual score here in the future.

That’s what I assumed but wanted to make sure. Thank you!

 

[Goro]

Apologizes in advance if this is in the wrong spot, the "what are my chances?" thread was not working.

Long story short, struggled freshman year as a pre-med trying to balance classes and D1 athletics while also missing 3 weeks of class due to Mono (C's in intro Bio I and II and Chem I and II). Rebounded well sophomore year and onward (besides C's in orgo) and ended my final undergrad semester with a 3.9. A's in Biochemistry, Genetics, Physiology, Neurobiology. B's in Cell Biology, Histology, Physics I and Inorganic Chem. Will need to take/retake 2-3 classes in the next 1-2 years before I apply (depending on the school). My listed GPAs are assuming I get at least a B in those classes just to be conservative, but should get A's.

• Cumulative GPA - 3.2
• Science GPA 3.1
• Previous 40 Credit GPA: 3.5 (before retakes, will go up)
• Previous 60 Credit GPA: 3.35 (before retakes, will go up)
• When do you plan to apply? - 2-3 years
• Number of hrs and type of PCE/HCE/ECs - Work in a surgical department at Mass General, will have 4000-5000 hours as a clinical research coordinator assuming I work 2 years here. Will have 2000+ at time of application. Also have 3 summers interning at Harvard Medical School for research and large animal testing.

Is it worth considering applying to D.O. schools or would you suggest solely focusing on PA?

Thank you guys!

You should be fine with a good MCAT score and a broad application

 

[LeaveNoTrace]

You have a decent upward trend. You might do OK if you saved your money and did a DIY 30-credit postbacc, plus the courses you're retaking. A 3.7 or better plus a 515 MCAT could make you a competitive MD applicant.

 

[jr1794]

You should be fine with a good MCAT score and a broad application

Thank you! Any schools I should definitely apply to?

 

[Goro]

Thank you! Any schools I should definitely apply to?

Ask me when you have an MCAt score.

 

[jr1794]

Another Q for @Faha and @Goro (and whoever else!) - Would option 1 or 2 be better?

1) Do plan as above, DIY post-bacc of 20-30 credits to get around a cGPA of 3.2 and sGPA of 3.1
2) Take one or two classes to get sGPA above 3.0 and then attempt to ace an MPH program

Is one of these options a much better idea than the other in terms of gaining an acceptance to a DO school? I do find MPH very interesting and believe I could excel in an MPH program, and could do it online at a school that has a DO program (ex. UNE) while continuing to work/volunteer to boost my application in other areas.

Thanks in advance - you two have been very knowledgeable and helpful with all my questions, I really appreciate it.

 

[LeaveNoTrace]

DIY postbacc would be better. It would give you an outside chance at MD acceptance with a 514+ MCAT and show adcoms that you’ve changed. The wise @Goro probably has more to say on whether DIY postbacc > MPH in the DO world.

 

[Goro]

OP, while an MPH GPA would count in your in your cGPA, it's rigor is not really considered highly. Do the post-bac....for DO, get a 3.5+. For MD, 3.7+