Chances for DO

[kfox926]

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Hello everyone. I am currently a biology, concentration pre-med, undergraduate student also working on a minor in biochemistry. I have a strong upward trend and I have 2 semesters after this one before I graduate in May 2018. Here's my stats so far:

cGPA- 3.138

sGPA- 3.111

No MCAT yet (spring 2018)

1 year undergraduate research so far (will be 2 years when I graduate)

Active member of two clubs on campus, 1 being an invitation only biological honors society

9 years of experience being a pharmacy technician with strong leadership responsibilities and tasks

<200 hours shadowing MD and DO

Non-traditional student: I'm 27 years old, a mom, a wife, and I commute over an hour to school everyday

Very powerful personal statement

Thank you in advance for any advice and comments on what to do and where to apply. [emoji4]

 

[pseud0]

come back with an MCAT

 

[radian313]

Need some clinical hours in there. Something like direct patient interaction. You need to absolutely kill your last couple of terms. Get it above a 3.2 and then get an mcat of 503+ that will likely get you IIs

 

[Dr. Rafiki]

Need some clinical hours in there. Something like direct patient interaction. You nerd yo absolutely kill your last couple of terms. Get it above a 3.2 and then get an mcat of 503+ that will likely get you IIs

Lol

 

[radian313]

Lol

My excuse was, I was riding the train k lol....

 

[kfox926]

come back with an MCAT

So is that the deciding factor for me? Does that mean everything else looks okay/good?

 

[kfox926]

Need some clinical hours in there. Something like direct patient interaction. You need to absolutely kill your last couple of terms. Get it above a 3.2 and then get an mcat of 503+ that will likely get you IIs

My semester is definitely looking like deans list again so far and I expect nothing less for the next two semesters as well. What kind of clinical hours would you suggest? I really don't have a lot of free time because of my schedule and my sons schedule with his sports and school.

 

[pseud0]

So is that the deciding factor for me? Does that mean everything else looks okay/good?

It's the same for everyone. 3.1 gpa with a 495 will get you 95% different results in applying than 3.1 gpa and 508. It's impossible to actually gauge your chances without all the pieces in place.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

So is that the deciding factor for me? Does that mean everything else looks okay/good?

Yeah, keep getting good grades. You will probably get a little leeway with the clinical volunteering because of your family situation (adcoms understand) but you need to be able to articulate exactly "why medicine."

 

[Shotapp]

Your upward trend looks promising. You said you have two semesters after the current one you are in and you are scheduled to take the Mcat sometime in spring 2018. Are you going to be taking classes/volunteering while you're studying for the Mcat during spring 2018? I think that would be a big mistake. If you only have a full-time job and Mcat, that's fine but don't underestimate this difficult test. Because of your low GPA, you will need a good Mcat score (aim as high as your potential can go). You need to seriously pour your heart, sweat and tears into this test. Take the Mcat when you are absolutely ready. If that means delaying your application for May 2019 so be it. Medical schools aren't going anywhere so apply when you have the best app possible.

 

[kfox926]

Yeah, keep getting good grades. You will probably get a little leeway with the clinical volunteering because of your family situation (adcoms understand) but you need to be able to articulate exactly "why medicine."

I have a very personal experience that is portrayed in my personal statement that is my reasoning for wanting to be a physician and pushing myself so hard while having a family, a job, etc. I'm sure adcoms will ask more about my situation as it is very emotional and such an important factor in my life. Is that what you mean?

 

[kfox926]

Your upward trend looks promising. You said you have two semesters after the current one you are in and you are scheduled to take the Mcat sometime in spring 2018. Are you going to be taking classes/volunteering while you're studying for the Mcat during spring 2018? I think that would be a big mistake. If you only have a full-time job and Mcat, that's fine but don't underestimate this difficult test. Because of your low GPA, you will need a good Mcat score (aim as high as your potential can go). You need to seriously pour your heart, sweat and tears into this test. Take the Mcat when you are absolutely ready. If that means delaying your application for May 2019 so be it. Medical schools aren't going anywhere so apply when you have the best app possible.

Yes, I am planning on finishing just my biochemistry minor in the spring 2018, which consists of Biochem II and the research based lab that goes with it. I might decide to take pathogenic microbiology to go with it but that's it. No working and only a small course load so I can study for the MCAT. I also wanted to lay it out this way so that I can still have full access to all my professors while I'm studying incase I get into some material that I don't quite remember and I need some assistance. I was also planning on diving into the Kaplan books this summer to get a jump start on older material such as inorganic chem since I'm not taking any classes this summer and am only working full time. I have all the classes that I need for the MCAT completed except Biochem, so I figured I would start studying this summer and master everything to the best of my ability between then and Winter break. Then for my spring semester, I'll be finishing biochem II so I would study the biochem section and refresh everything else until the end of May when I would take the MCAT. Does that sound okay?

 

[Shotapp]

I think what AG12 is trying to say is that you will need to provide strong examples in your PS that will answer the "why medicine" question since you will be lacking in convincing patient contact. I too have a low 3.0 GPA. I turn 27 later this year and I too have a child as well. The Mcat can be our saving grace. We already have a strike against us in the GPA department so the Mcat has to count.

 

[Shotapp]

That plan sounds good. You won't be bogged down too much since those classes you will be taking in spring 2018 are subjects that are also covered on the Mcat. Studying ahead of time and studying forgotten material again will help you store all that information into your long term memory. You will see more results by taking a lot of practice tests in an environment mimicing the exam conditions.

 

[kfox926]

I think what AG12 is trying to say is that you will need to provide strong examples in your PS that will answer the "why medicine" question since you will be lacking in convincing patient contact. I too have a low 3.0 GPA. I turn 27 later this year and I too have a child as well. The Mcat can be our saving grace. We already have a strike against us in the GPA department so the Mcat has to count.

I see. Yes, that makes sense. I think I have conveyed the answer to that question to the adcoms in my PS, at least I hope I have. My advisor at school is currently reading it and will give me feedback. When are you applying and have you targeted the newer schools or in state schools to apply to?

 

[kfox926]

That plan sounds good. You won't be bogged down too much since those classes you will be taking in spring 2018 are subjects that are also covered on the Mcat. Studying ahead of time and studying forgotten material again will help you store all that information into your long term memory. You will see more results by taking a lot of practice tests in an environment mimicing the exam conditions.

I'm not really sure about my approach to taking practice MCAT exams yet. I know I should start by taking an exam to see where my weaknesses are. But then after that, I suppose I will just dive in starting with what needs the most work? And once I've completed the study materials, keep taking practice exams until I feel comfortable with them. Should I take them at a library and follow the time frame of 7 1/2 hours sitting with the little breaks?

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Should I take them at a library and follow the time frame of 7 1/2 hours sitting with the little breaks?

Absolutely, you want to be so comfortable with the rest that when the real deal comes it's just second nature

 

[Shotapp]

I plan to apply to medical schools (new and established) in the 2019-2020 cycle. I am going to continue my post-bac this summer til next spring and I will study and take the Mcat Sept 2018. I MIGHT do a local smp sort of like a prep run before medical school next fall. In regards to the Mcat, you need to increase your stamina and concentration because 7 1/2 hrs is a long time. Taking multiple practice exams in a quiet setting like a private room in a library will help you get a feel for how you will do on the test.

 

[kfox926]

I plan to apply to medical schools (new and established) in the 2019-2020 cycle. I am going to continue my post-bac this summer til next spring and I will study and take the Mcat Sept 2018. I MIGHT do a local smp sort of like a prep run before medical school next fall. In regards to the Mcat, you need to increase your stamina and concentration because 7 1/2 hrs is a long time. Taking multiple practice exams in a quiet setting like a private room in a library will help you get a feel for how you will do on the test.

Have you taken the MCAT before?

 

[Shotapp]

No, I haven't taken the Mcat yet. Next year will be my first. It's been awhile since I have seen the prerequisites so I am going to be doing a lot of studying.

 

[kfox926]

No, I haven't taken the Mcat yet. Next year will be my first. It's been awhile since I have seen the prerequisites so I am going to be doing a lot of studying.

Gotcha. Good luck with your studying! Thank you for all your insight and advice! Hopefully we will both be accepted into a school and working toward our goals!!!

 

[futurephysician57]

Come back with an MCAT. anything 505 and less will be a uphill battle. Shoot for 509+ with your gpa

 

[kfox926]

Come back with an MCAT. anything 505 and less will be a uphill battle. Shoot for 509+ with your gpa

Thank you! I'm hoping with the right amount of studying and extra upper level bio classes I'm taking, I will be more than able to score above a 505. I have to! [emoji4]

 

[ARK1234]

Especially the MCAT, if you can get the equivalent of a 30 or higher (sorry, I don't know really know how the new scoring system works, as I applied with the scores from the last old test before they switched to a new MCAT), and you continue to just do well on whatever remaining science classes that you have left, I would like to think that you can actually give yourself pretty good odds to getting into a DO school. Keep in mind that DO schools in general also put more emphasis on your application as a whole, and given your activities and personal statement (which you say is strong), I think you can have a successful application cycle if you plan right. I applied to med schools with roughly your current academic stats, and I think that the fact that DO schools looked at my application holistically is what allowed me to have a relatively successful cycle. Of course, every person has a different outcome, but just something to be encouraged about as you apply in the future 🙂 Best of luck studying!

 

[kfox926]

Especially the MCAT, if you can get the equivalent of a 30 or higher (sorry, I don't know really know how the new scoring system works, as I applied with the scores from the last old test before they switched to a new MCAT), and you continue to just do well on whatever remaining science classes that you have left, I would like to think that you can actually give yourself pretty good odds to getting into a DO school. Keep in mind that DO schools in general also put more emphasis on your application as a whole, and given your activities and personal statement (which you say is strong), I think you can have a successful application cycle if you plan right. I applied to med schools with roughly your current academic stats, and I think that the fact that DO schools looked at my application holistically is what allowed me to have a relatively successful cycle. Of course, every person has a different outcome, but just something to be encouraged about as you apply in the future 🙂 Best of luck studying!

Thank you so much for commenting!! That is definitely motivating and encouraging to hear you were accepted with similar academic stats! An adcom from PCOM just came to my school yesterday and I, of course, attended the presentation and afterward I spoke with her and she basically said the same. Just do well on the MCAT and keep doing well in the remaining classes until I graduate. I'm really starting to feel like my dream will become a reality if I continue to work hard! [emoji4][emoji4]

How did you study for the MCAT/how long and how high was your score?

 

[futurephysician57]

Thank you! I'm hoping with the right amount of studying and extra upper level bio classes I'm taking, I will be more than able to score above a 505. I have to! [emoji4]

Check out the MCAT forum for study schedules and have at least 3 months dedicated to studying. Don't just rely on upper level classes. Get books and practice tests etc. You got this. I hope to be working with you as a physician soon

 

[kfox926]

Check out the MCAT forum for study schedules and have at least 3 months dedicated to studying. Don't just rely on upper level classes. Get books and practice tests etc. You got this. I hope to be working with you as a physician soon

Thank you! I have the Kaplan series and exam crackers CARS 101 just came in the mail Friday! I'm dedicating this entire summer coming up to studying and doing practice tests. I just attended an open house at WVSOM and I spoke with admissions in detail about myself and the Vice President even said I should have no problem getting an interview and he put emphasis on "we accept almost everyone who gets an interview" I feel so encouraged and hopeful that I have a good chance! [emoji4][emoji4]