Applicant virgin

[Aljazera]

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I am interested in learning about the application process for Medical/Osteopathic schools.

A little bit about myself,

I graduated August and didn't have much of a good GPA (3.0 cumulative with 2 Fs and 1 D which I have retaken) or any research/volunteer. I took the MCAT and received a 23L without studying.

I am positioned to retake the MCAT on January 30th and have once again yet to study. My concern is, if I am unready to take the MCAT and decide to take the next session which is March 27th; will it be too late for 2011 cycle? Also, what options do I have; besides researching for volunteer positions, to raise my GPA/take masters of science programs starting in 2010?

 

[JaggerPlate]

I am interested in learning about the application process for Medical/Osteopathic schools.

A little bit about myself,

I graduated August and didn't have much of a good GPA (3.0 cumulative with 2 Fs and 1 D which I have retaken) or any research/volunteer. I took the MCAT and received a 23L without studying.

I am positioned to retake the MCAT on January 30th and have once again yet to study. My concern is, if I am unready to take the MCAT and decide to take the next session which is March 27th; will it be too late for 2011 cycle? Also, what options do I have; besides researching for volunteer positions, to raise my GPA/take masters of science programs starting in 2010?

The title of this thread led me to believe it would be more interesting ...

Regardless:

1. "Osteopathic School" = Medical School
2. Your GPA is not good. You need to find a way to retake the courses you received a C - or lower in, and try to take as much science courses as possible (and dominate them. Get A's, nothing else).
3. Your MCAT is not good either. I don't know what would possess you to take the MCAT without study, but frankly, your score shows promise for taking the test straight out of the gate. I think there are many posters (myself included) who have been traumatized by the Kaplan 'base score' first MCAT we had to take, and I can tell you that my final MCAT score was 12 points higher than my first practice attempt, and I also broke the magic 30.
4. Cancel the January MCAT. What are you expecting to happen? You haven't prepared, so your score really isn't going to improve. You need to study for this test. Get in a course, or do some research in the MCAT forums here and find a good self study guide. This will prep you to take the test in March/April/May when you will be prepared.
5. Find some extracurricular activities, these go quite far on applications. However, MCAT studying/getting your GPA up comes first. It is far more important in the long run.
6. Technically, if you take the MCAT in March-May, fill out AMCAS/AACOMAS in May/June, you'd be fine to apply for 2011. However, since your GPA is not good and there are classes you have to take, you may want to look into a post bacc program and applying for matriculation in 2012.

This should get you started. Hopefully others will throw in their two cents. Feel free to ask any other questions you'd like me to answer, or send me a PM err whatever. Good luck.

 

[Evergrey]

Virgin eh? Well, we'll be gentle on you <he says with a twinkle in his eye>

Okay enough sketchy old guy stuff. To supplement what JaggerPlate said, osteopathic medical schools allow you to retake classes that you may have done poorly in, allowing you to replace a bad grade entirely. Allopathic medical schools, unfortunately, don't offer that -- the new grade merely averages in with the old grade. So that's what he means when he says you can retake classes.

 

[sonofva]

The title of this thread led me to believe it would be more interesting ...

HAH!

 

[Everglide]

Reschedule your MCAT, it is by no means too late for the 2011 cycle. Even an April MCAT would be fine and still give you more than enough time to get your primary and secondary apps out early. Also retake classes that you earned low grades in if you can because the osteopathic application lets you sponge the low grade.

I would suggest getting into some ECs now and start looking into post-bacc options in case the 2011 cycle doesn't work out because there's really only so much you can do in less than a year. Then again with retakes and a high MCAT score, maybe you wouldn't have to completely worry about post-bacc.

 

[RevDoc]

I third the rescheduling of the MCAT. Though my 2 cents - I took it the first week in August, already had AACOMAS done and everything and got plenty of early interviews. With that low GPA (not trying to be harsh just honest) you have to retake classes as well. I recommend the Exam Kracker materials - one read through was all I did to get a perfectly fine MCAT (no other study).

 

[iatros]

i fourth the rescheduling! march mcat is prime strinking range for 2011. i took mine may 22 (2009) and i had ample time to get my stuff in early.

also look into "academic reprieve." this basically keeps your F's from being factored into your GPA.... but for osteo schools, simply retaking the classes will replace your grades.

and go post bac...retake classes and take more science classes (upper division)

 

[Aljazera]

I went and spoke with Registrar today to find out what I needed to do to take classes next semester. I am going for non-degree seeking student to retake my pre-reqs or whatever I got a C in that I can next semester.

I purchased the TBR books and EK 1001 Set months ago and never read them. So, I'm set on prep material, except for practice tests.

Thanks for alleviating my concern about moving my test date to March 27th, I was concerned I was going to waste any more time not doing anything. I really need to get to put in some work on getting ECs, LoRs (retaking classes should help with this), and maybe SMP if for some reason I don't make it into this cycle.

I am more interested in trying for a D.O. school so I am more interested in finding every opportunity which would help me in securing a seat at a school in the U.S.

Once again, Thank you for any advice in the past and future.