Applying late.......

[bikpinedge]

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I'm a non-traditional (currently an optometrist) looking to become a do. In the process of gathering information for the next admission cycle, I discovered I could still apply for entry fall 2012 so decided to give it a shot (submitted my primary last week, submitted 2 secondaries this morning) Does anyone have any experience, advice, comments on applying late and how much of a chance I really have? Science gpa only 3.1, cum 3.3, but optometry school gpa 3.9 (I'm not sure how much they care about that as it was not used in any of the gpa calculations in the primary application), MCAT 29Q, and I do have a scientific journal publication from past research. I also have excellent LORs, but none from a DO. Any thoughts would be much appreciated!

 

[FrkyBgStok]

already submitted, so the money is already spent. Not sure how they will look at the optometry school gpa, but the undergrad cgpa and sgpa are pretty low. Guess just cross your fingers, but I wouldn't hold your breath as you are very late. Good luck and hopefully you hear some good news.

 

[Iliketoytles]

I'm a non-traditional (currently an optometrist) looking to become a do. In the process of gathering information for the next admission cycle, I discovered I could still apply for entry fall 2012 so decided to give it a shot (submitted my primary last week, submitted 2 secondaries this morning) Does anyone have any experience, advice, comments on applying late and how much of a chance I really have? Science gpa only 3.1, cum 3.3, but optometry school gpa 3.9 (I'm not sure how much they care about that as it was not used in any of the gpa calculations in the primary application), MCAT 29Q, and I do have a scientific journal publication from past research. I also have excellent LORs, but none from a DO. Any thoughts would be much appreciated!

Hm... your stats are pretty low for applying this late. Also, when did you take the MCAT? Most schools have a policy where your MCAT score has to be at most 3 years old; otherwise you'll have to retake it (not sure if this applies to all schools though). Your ECs should be fine since you have a publication... and more importantly, you're practicing as an optometrist.

I'm honestly not sure how your opto school GPA would factor into your total GPA and how medschools would see it. Perhaps they'll treat it as a grad-school GPA? People have gotten in with your GPA and MCAT score, but they applied very early!! I suggest you wait till the summer to apply for next cycle.

Good luck!

---EDIT: Just realized from Stok's post that you already spent the money and applied. Just cross your fingers (doesn't work, btw) and hopefully some interviews and eventual acceptances will come your way. If not, be ready to apply EARLY next cycle!

 

[bikpinedge]

MCATs August 2009...I've been sitting on the DO decision for awhile....if nothing happens this year I'll definitely be one of the first to apply next year (although I'll have to take MCATs again). I wish someone had told me back when I started undergrad that a higher gpa mattered more than a challenging schedule to graduate schools (I completed my biology BS in 3 years)....but I guess in the end that one is on me.