MD & DO Asian, CA resident, cGPA: 3.68 sGPA: 3.66 MCAT: 31. Chances?

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keevwu

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What do you guys think my chances are for MD and DO schools? Prefer MD, but might go to a DO school just so I can stay in California. I love it here + I hate bad weather. But even so, I am definitely considering OOS MD programs.

cGPA: 3.68
sGPA: 3.66
MCAT: 31

Extracurriculars:

Medical Assistant ~90 hours
Volunteer + Shadowing at a clinic ~ 300 hours
Internship + Shadowing at plastic surgery clinic ~216 hours
Undergraduate Researcher + Pending publication (+ fellowship recipient) ~510 hours
Tutoring (Chemistry + Physics) ~ 62 hours

National Champion in Taekwondo + Member of USA National Team (2010-2011) too many hours to count
Taekwondo instructor for 1 quarter at UCSD (~16 hours)

My Letters of Recommendations should all be great, except 1 average-ish recommendation from a summer school professor at a community college. What are my chances? I know I am probably looking at lower tier MD schools. Am I a shoe-in for DO schools like Western and Touro?
 
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If you're okay with practicing primary care medicine, a DO will easily get the job done.

As far as leaving Cali, adjusting to different weather was no big deal. Refusing to adjust to the attitudes & lifestyle prevalent throughout this country DOES SUCK, HOWEVER.
 
Touro CA takes anyone with a 30 or higher, so that's not a problem. Western is likely, but they won't just take you for your good mcat and gpa. You need to show genuine interest.

MD could happen, but even with 4.0/40 I wouldn't bet on California MD as a safe bet.
 
In CA? I think you already know the answer to that. It you want an MD your odds are better OOS.

Yeah I meant out of state haha. I understand that MD in CA with my stats will be tough/near impossible. If I'm staying in CA for medical school, it will most likely be for DO. Thanks for the response!
 
Hey there!

For CA you can try:
Loma Linda
UC Davis
UC Riverside
 
Touro CA takes anyone with a 30 or higher, so that's not a problem. Western is likely, but they won't just take you for your good mcat and gpa. You need to show genuine interest.

MD could happen, but even with 4.0/40 I wouldn't bet on California MD as a safe bet.

Really? Interviewing both at Touro-CA and WesternU, I got the feeling that it was the opposite. The Touro-CA dean and admissions director was very blunt straightforward of they type of people they were looking for (people who are truly interested in osteopathic medicine, interest in primary care, big on OMM, etc) and the people who they weren't looking for (more specifically people who just had high gpa and mcat). They even told us the BS answers they didn't want to hear that a lot of people say regarding osteopathic medicine that clearly reveal DO schools being second choice to MDs and felt the interview was very real in that sense. I felt like the interview at Touro-CA was a lot tougher in really making sure that you wanted to be a DO.

My interview at WesternU COMP, honestly aside from the OMM demonstration, felt like it could've been similar to any allopathic interview. The environment around me and the students, it felt like a commuter school with a gunner sorta feel compared to Touro, which felt more like a community. Nonetheless, they do make sure you want to be a DO for the right reasons as well so just dont consider Western as a back up, I personally just didn't feel the questions were as convicting and grilling as Touro's were.

Regardless, I think you have a good shot at both CA DO schools, but CA MD schools may be a different story. I had similar stats as you, from UCLA, and I was rejected across the board for all the UC's, along with several of my other friends this cycle. So definitely be willing to go out of state if you're dead serious about MD.
 
Really? Interviewing both at Touro-CA and WesternU, I got the feeling that it was the opposite. The Touro-CA dean and admissions director was very blunt straightforward of they type of people they were looking for (people who are truly interested in osteopathic medicine, interest in primary care, big on OMM, etc) and the people who they weren't looking for (more specifically people who just had high gpa and mcat). They even told us the BS answers they didn't want to hear that a lot of people say regarding osteopathic medicine that clearly reveal DO schools being second choice to MDs and felt the interview was very real in that sense. I felt like the interview at Touro-CA was a lot tougher in really making sure that you wanted to be a DO.

My interview at WesternU COMP, honestly aside from the OMM demonstration, felt like it could've been similar to any allopathic interview. The environment around me and the students, it felt like a commuter school with a gunner sorta feel compared to Touro, which felt more like a community. Nonetheless, they do make sure you want to be a DO for the right reasons as well so just dont consider Western as a back up, I personally just didn't feel the questions were as convicting and grilling as Touro's were.

Regardless, I think you have a good shot at both CA DO schools, but CA MD schools may be a different story. I had similar stats as you, from UCLA, and I was rejected across the board for all the UC's, along with several of my other friends this cycle. So definitely be willing to go out of state if you're dead serious about MD.
Could have been just your interviewer. Touro can't have a 30 average without giving strong preference to numbers.

I'll admit I haven't interviewed here, but my view is based on campus visits and alumni fiends.
 
Yes, if OP has a validated commitment to serve Christ or to work in the inland empire or central CA I will agree.

Good point! I forgot Loma Linda has the religious component.
 
As far as leaving Cali, adjusting to different weather was no big deal. Refusing to adjust to the attitudes & lifestyle prevalent throughout this country DOES SUCK, HOWEVER.

This struck me as kinda odd to say. Can you explain?
 
You really have to experience it for yourself to appreciate what I'm saying. Safe to say that California is not just a place, it's a state of mind as well.

I'll PM you with examples.

Got it!
 
Good point! I forgot Loma Linda has the religious component.
yes, and I do not fit their religious component unfortunately. If I got into an MD in another state, I would be glad to attend. I'm not sure
You really have to experience it for yourself to appreciate what I'm saying. Safe to say that California is not just a place, it's a state of mind as well.

I'll PM you with examples.

Could you PM me as well? I'm interested to know what you mean exactly
 
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