Apply this cycle or wait?

[Bayonetwork]

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Hi guys,
Im a new member but Ive been lurking for quite some time. I would like some advice on whether or not to apply for this years cycle or not:

-Im a 23 yo/ male FWIW
-Im finishing up my Bachelors in Biology/Psychology and will be finished by the Spring of next year 2011.
-The only prereq I am missing is Orgo 2 which i will take this coming Fall.
-I still have quite a few Bio classes i need to take to graduate (Genetics, Microbio, Animal Physiology, Ecology), but it will not be a problem to knock these out by next spring as they are the only classes i need to graduate.
-I have a 4.0 pre req/science GPA and 3.88 cum GPA. (about 100 credits total).
-I currently have about 500 hours as a volunteer EMT. Could get to about 1000 if I apply this year.
-I have not taken the MCAT and would this summer.
-I have solid LOR's from a DO/MD/ and an Academic Advisor.
-Some EC's including tutoring, church leadership stuff, home health aide for a quadriplegic over 50 hrs, plenty of shadowing, AMSA stuff. No research.
-My personal essay will be a very strong point in my application.

I am interested in DO schools mostly but might apply to an in state MD school or two.

My main concern is if schools will be concerned about me still having a decent amt of coursework to finish. I will have no problem finishing by the spring of 2011 and will have full loads for this coming Fall and the Spring of 2011.
My other concern is if I have enough healthcare experience or EC activities. I can get about 1000 hrs as an EMT by the time I apply and a few more EC's but thats about it. Im not interested in doing research.

I have taken practice MCATs and have done pretty well. (Around 30).

Im probably missing some info...

So... should I apply this year (my preference) or wait?
Thanks a lot for the help!

 

[Morsetlis]

Please outline precisely how much of the pre-req you have completed and your grades in them:

-1 year of Bio + lab
-2 classes of Phys + lab
-2 classes of Gen chem + lab
-2 classes of Ochem + lab
-Calculus/statistics

If they are mostly done and you have mostly A's, go ahead and apply. You have no research, so don't even bother with top research schools (USNews ranking). However, your high GPA and significant EMT exp. (as well as what I assume to be SOME non-medical volunteering) will be enough for many medical schools.

Apply broadly. With that GPA (and a 30+ MCAT) you will be competitive for a few MD schools and at least considered for many other MD schools. If you get below 30 on the MCAT, focus more on DO schools.

 

[JeetKuneDo]

Dude, 3.88 cumulative, 4.0 pre req with only ochem 2 to finish? Your stats rock, your EC's are pretty good with the EMT hours, but maybe get some other clinical experience if possible? You got a very competitive application, and since you're almost done with pre reqs I would just apply now. So long as you can finish your degree by the end of next school year, you'll be ok. I think you could possibly get to a top ranked MD schools if you keep up your gpa and get a high mcat score, it might make up for the lack of research.

 

[Bayonetwork]

Please outline precisely how much of the pre-req you have completed and your grades in them:

-1 year of Bio + lab
-2 classes of Phys + lab
-2 classes of Gen chem + lab
-2 classes of Ochem + lab
-Calculus/statistics

In Gen Bio 1 & 2 + labs, Physics 1&2 + labs, Gen chem 1&2 + labs,and Orgo 1 + lab I have all A's.

Statistics I think I have a "B". I took it my first time and missed the final exam and got a C. Took it again at the same institution/professor the next semester and got an A.
I only have math up through pre-calc. I dont need calculus. Got A's in pre algebra and pre-calc.

Like I said the only "common" pre-req I have left is Orgo 2 + lab.

My main concern is still having quite a few upper level Bio courses to finish. I will finish Orgo 2 this coming Fall. I will also be taking 2-3 Bio courses that same semester. Then in the Spring of 2011 I will have another full load of Bio courses, and then I will graduate that summer.
Biology is my best subject so I know I wont have any problem doing well in those classes.

What Im wondering is...Do I have to prove I can graduate on time? Would they rather take an applicant who is "closer" to being done or already graduated?

Also, what happens if I end up one class short and need to take a class in the Summer of 2011?

 

[Morsetlis]

If you fulfill all of the requirements and have a degree by the time you matriculate, it's fine.

 

[csmittyB]

Hi guys,
Im a new member but Ive been lurking for quite some time. I would like some advice on whether or not to apply for this years cycle or not:

-Im a 23 yo/ male FWIW
-Im finishing up my Bachelors in Biology/Psychology and will be finished by the Spring of next year 2011.
-The only prereq I am missing is Orgo 2 which i will take this coming Fall.
-I still have quite a few Bio classes i need to take to graduate (Genetics, Microbio, Animal Physiology, Ecology), but it will not be a problem to knock these out by next spring as they are the only classes i need to graduate.
-I have a 4.0 pre req/science GPA and 3.88 cum GPA. (about 100 credits total).
-I currently have about 500 hours as a volunteer EMT. Could get to about 1000 if I apply this year.
-I have not taken the MCAT and would this summer.
-I have solid LOR's from a DO/MD/ and an Academic Advisor.
-Some EC's including tutoring, church leadership stuff, home health aide for a quadriplegic over 50 hrs, plenty of shadowing, AMSA stuff. No research.
-My personal essay will be a very strong point in my application.

I am interested in DO schools mostly but might apply to an in state MD school or two.

My main concern is if schools will be concerned about me still having a decent amt of coursework to finish. I will have no problem finishing by the spring of 2011 and will have full loads for this coming Fall and the Spring of 2011.
My other concern is if I have enough healthcare experience or EC activities. I can get about 1000 hrs as an EMT by the time I apply and a few more EC's but thats about it. Im not interested in doing research.

I have taken practice MCATs and have done pretty well. (Around 30).

Im probably missing some info...

So... should I apply this year (my preference) or wait?
Thanks a lot for the help!

Maybe its the DST messing with my brain, but what do you mean by this years application cycle? If you are talking about the 2009-2010 cycle, don't bother. Its late and if you plan on taking Ochem 2 in the fall, med school will likely have started before you even start the class. If you are talking about the 2010-2011 cycle, go ahead and apply early and broadly finish up the pre-reqs. Consider taking Ochem 2 over the summer so you can have it completed sooner.

 

[antapolar]

I think applying this year for the upcoming 2010-2011 cycle should be fine. Just enter the course as in progress, and most likely if you would get an acceptance would be condition upon finishing them up (pre-req or not). Your stats are solid, but without a definitely MCAT (nobody can control what happens during your real mcat test) its hard to predict your chances. Your EC is strong and should not be a problem.

 

[missDO]

Statistics I think I have a "B". I took it my first time and missed the final exam and got a C. Took it again at the same institution/professor the next semester and got an A.

FYI--According to AACOMAS, you have an A in stats. They accept the retake grade, no averaging of the 2 scores. 🙂

 

[Bayonetwork]

Maybe its the DST messing with my brain, but what do you mean by this years application cycle? If you are talking about the 2009-2010 cycle, don't bother. Its late and if you plan on taking Ochem 2 in the fall, med school will likely have started before you even start the class. If you are talking about the 2010-2011 cycle, go ahead and apply early and broadly finish up the pre-reqs. Consider taking Ochem 2 over the summer so you can have it completed sooner.

Hey sorry i didnt clarify, I would like to apply for the upcoming 2010-2011 cycle, not this "past" one.

I would rather not take Ochem over the summer, I need time with chem to do well, plus the lab at my school is a monster.

I plan on studying for the MCAT this summer and taking it at the end of the summer (late July).

Like I said I am really only looking to apply to DO schools for OMM not because it may be "easier" to get into.
Its will take a lot of money and effort to apply this upcoming cycle I just wanted to be sure it would be worth it.

I am worried about flying around for interviews during the Fall semester seems like it could be a chore.

-So if I finish up next summer 2011 I would get my degree at the end of the summer right before/when med school would start..is that not a problem?

 

[missDO]

So if I finish up next summer 2011 I would get my degree at the end of the summer right before/when med school would start..is that not a problem?

As long as you have your degree by the time of matriculation (1st day of class/orientation, I mean to say), it shouldn't be a problem. Contact your schools to be sure, but I am 99% confident that is the general, accepted rule of thumb.

I would rather not take Ochem over the summer, I need time with chem to do well, plus the lab at my school is a monster.

I'm not sure if your school is different, but for most places, summer courses are almost always (significantly) easier...something to consider. I had a lot of Orgo 2 on my particular MCAT, too.

 

[girlofgrace7]

I had a lot of Orgo 2 on my particular MCAT, too.

It's fine to be finishing up your pre-reqs during your last year or semester of undergrad; however, not having O chem 2 could hurt you on the MCAT (maybe not though if you're pulling a 30 on practice tests...)