Applying in the 2010-2011 Cycle

[funnybones66]

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I was a marketing major in college and then decided to also do the pre-med route. My first semester C- in physics and a D in gen. chem. Retook both with significant improvements. OK my science GPA is about 3.4 right now and overall about the same. I work full time as a tutor so couldn't volunteer, job shadow etc. extensively. I do have about a 100 volunteer hours at an old folks home and am volunteering now at an emergency room. I am taking mcat in may and applying by June. What are my chances? Has someone in similar situation gotten in? I am assuming that on the mcat I will probably score the average or a 27, if its anything less I will retake in august until I have at least a 27. So what you guys think. Really can use your help and have read through most the blogs. I guess I need a little encouragement.
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[demayette]

I was a marketing major in college and then decided to also do the pre-med route. My first semester C- in physics and a D in gen. chem. Retook both with significant improvements. OK my science GPA is about 3.4 right now and overall about the same. I work full time as a tutor so couldn't volunteer, job shadow etc. extensively. I do have about a 100 volunteer hours at an old folks home and am volunteering now at an emergency room. I am taking mcat in may and applying by June. What are my chances? Has someone in similar situation gotten in? I am assuming that on the mcat I will probably score the average or a 27, if its anything less I will retake in august until I have at least a 27. So what you guys think. Really can use your help and have read through most the blogs. I guess I need a little encouragement.​

27+ mcat will give you a decent shot with some DO/MD shadowing, good LORs and ECs etc....

 

[NSU14]

Sounds like you have a very simmilar application as I did and I got into both DO schools that I interviewed at. Make sure to get your application in early and you should do fine.
Good Luck!

 

[Everglide]

With a solid MCAT it sounds like you would have a good shot at most DO schools.

Because you mentioned a retake if necessary.. Speaking from personal experience, taking it the first time in May is not exactly ideal. With a ~60 day turnaround on scores, you could be looking at signing up for a retake in early-late July which can be a pain to say the least. Take it earlier than May if you feel comfortable doing so.

Best of luck and rock the MCAT, you should be fine.

 

[scummie]

I was a marketing major in college and then decided to also do the pre-med route. My first semester C- in physics and a D in gen. chem. Retook both with significant improvements. OK my science GPA is about 3.4 right now and overall about the same. I work full time as a tutor so couldn't volunteer, job shadow etc. extensively. I do have about a 100 volunteer hours at an old folks home and am volunteering now at an emergency room. I am taking mcat in may and applying by June. What are my chances? Has someone in similar situation gotten in? I am assuming that on the mcat I will probably score the average or a 27, if its anything less I will retake in august until I have at least a 27. So what you guys think. Really can use your help and have read through most the blogs. I guess I need a little encouragement.
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Your GPA looks to be alright, get it as high as possible. People have gotten in with an MCAT less than 27. Nothing is for certain until you actually get your score back. The best bet is to take lots of practice tests from the actual MCAT people. No other test prep service comes close to that same quality of practice exams. Also, those practice tests are pretty darn accurate for the most part.

By the time you volunteer, you'll have a lot more volunteering hours, which is good. It would really help if you got a DO letter. An MD one is okay too.

I had a GPA less than yours, less volunteering hours than you, but a decent MCAT and got in to multiple DO schools.

Apply early, apply broadly. Submit your AACOMAS and send in your transcripts before you take the MCAT. There are multiple administrations over the summer. So you could theoretically take an April or May one, realized you sucked and take it again in June, July or even as late as August. Just try and do your best the first time!