Chances getting into a DO school?

[ahussain]

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Hello everyone, I have been thinking about applying to a DO program and would appreciate any feedback. I am currently a junior pursuing a B.S. degree in Biochemistry and about to start the spring semester. Here are my stats:

Overall GPA: 3.430
Science GPA: 3.260 (if I calculated that correctly; GPA for major on transcript is 3.186)

Grades:

Freshman year:
- Biology I (w/ lab): B
- Web Site Development: B
- First Year Seminar: A
- Precalculus: B+
- Biology II (w/ lab): B+
- College English: A
- Calculus I: B
- Computers and Society: B+

Sophomore year:
- Readings in Humanities: A
- Chemistry I (w/ lab): A-
- Calculus II: B-
- Social Issues: A
- Genetics (w/ lab): B+
- Chemistry II (w/ lab): B+
- US History II: A
- Gerontology: B

Junior year:
- Organic Chemistry I (w/ lab): A-
- Analytical Chemistry (w/lab): B+
- Human Rights: A-
- Physics I with Calculus (w/ lab): B

Activities and Organizations:

- Biology Department Laboratory Assistant: 1.5 years
- Undergraduate Research: 1 semester (going to be doing this for 2 years)
- Supplemental Instruction Leader (tutoring nursing students in chemistry): 1.5 years
- Shadowing a DO: ~20 hours so far
- Student Member of Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society - Spring 2011
- Residential and Academic Counselor for a High School Math/Science Program: 2.5 years
- Provost Scholarship Recipient of the college I attend
- American Chemical Society Project SEED Summer Research Program: Summer 2008 (during high school)

I have not taken the MCATs yet, but lets say I get around a 30 for argument's sake.

I am unsure if I qualify for URM, however I am Bangladeshi if anyone has any thoughts on that. Thanks to anyone who can help!

 

[gmcguitar4]

Need MCAT to determine chances but if you got a 30 you could possibly get a couple interviews for DO schools. Your GPA is just below the average for DO schools.


Bangladeshi is not URM. AMCAS has a description of what a URM is on their website.

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

IS your GPA calculated for MD or DO?

 

[Catalystik]

I don't see any clinical experience mentioned where you directly interact with sick people. When will you start that?

You've made a good start with the shadowing. About 50 hours is the average listed for that.

 

[ahussain]

I did not retake any of the classes, so I would guess GPA would be the same for both DO and MD? Any idea on something more clinically related? I have volunteered in a hospital for about 70 hours, but that was just really paperwork for nurses. Maybe I need to find another hospital with a more clinically focused volunteering program... any other suggestions? 😕

 

[ahussain]

Need MCAT to determine chances but if you got a 30 you could possibly get a couple interviews for DO schools. Your GPA is just below the average for DO schools.


Bangladeshi is not URM. AMCAS has a description of what a URM is on their website.

Thanks, that's what I have been thinking. The website does not explicitly say who is qualified but rather a generalized statement which is why I was confused.

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

I did not retake any of the classes, so I would guess GPA would be the same for both DO and MD? Any idea on something more clinically related? I have volunteered in a hospital for about 70 hours, but that was just really paperwork for nurses. Maybe I need to find another hospital with a more clinically focused volunteering program... any other suggestions? 😕

Just so you know, DO does NOT count math into sGPA so compute that.
Overall you have a good chance though.

 

[Catalystik]

I did not retake any of the classes, so I would guess GPA would be the same for both DO and MD? Any idea on something more clinically related? I have volunteered in a hospital for about 70 hours, but that was just really paperwork for nurses. Maybe I need to find another hospital with a more clinically focused volunteering program... any other suggestions? 😕

First ask at your current hospital if you could get involved with patients in some way. If they say no, look into skilled nursing homes, hospice, rehab center, or a clinic (free, low-income, VA, family-planning, or private).

 

[ahussain]

Just so you know, DO does NOT count math into sGPA so compute that.
Overall you have a good chance though.

The sGPA not counting math would be 3.325. I used the GPA calculator on the Temple University website to calculate it.

 

[ahussain]

First ask at your current hospital if you could get involved with patients in some way. If they say no, look into skilled nursing homes, hospice, rehab center, or a clinic (free, low-income, VA, family-planning, or private).

Good advice, thank you! I'm looking into that right now.

 

[TriagePreMed]

The sGPA not counting math would be 3.325. I used the GPA calculator on the Temple University website to calculate it.

Then you should have very little problem getting a D.O. acceptance provided you score >26.

The rest of the app looks fine except for clinical volunteering.

 

[ahussain]

I just got a letter of recommendation from a DO general surgeon (who actually graduated from the DO school I have as my #1 choice) that is pretty good. I took a break from the pediatrician I was previously shadowing due to time conflicts and I am getting a lot of clinical experience (reflected in the LOR) from him. I will start shadowing a primary care physician due to one of the general philosophies of osteopathic medicine being towards enhancing primary care.

I am in the process of writing a personal statement, which I know will have at least 10 revisions before finalizing it.

 

[Catalystik]

Nice!

 

[flodhi1]

I just got a letter of recommendation from a DO general surgeon (who actually graduated from the DO school I have as my #1 choice) that is pretty good. I took a break from the pediatrician I was previously shadowing due to time conflicts and I am getting a lot of clinical experience (reflected in the LOR) from him. I will start shadowing a primary care physician due to one of the general philosophies of osteopathic medicine being towards enhancing primary care.

I am in the process of writing a personal statement, which I know will have at least 10 revisions before finalizing it.

You're going in the right direction. All you have to do is score slightly above average on the MCAT and you should be fine. Make sure to study hard! 👍

 

[ahussain]

I really do appreciate everyone's input. The amount of help on SDN is awesome!

The school I am hoping to earn an acceptance to is UMDNJ-SOM (in-state, closer to home, etc.). Anyone have an idea of how I stand? So far, I will also be applying to PCOM, NYCOM, and LECOM.

 

[ahussain]

Alright everyone, I ended up having a dismal semester. My grades dropped and now I am panicking . Here are my current stats and updates.

According to the AACOMAS, my sGPA is now 3.05 and my cGPA is 3.25. My grades were:

Organic Chem II (w/ lab): C+
Physical Chemistry I (lecture): C+
Fundamentals of Physics II (w/ lab): C-
Irish-American Lit: B-
Fitness and Conditioning: P (pass)
Theoretical and Applied Science Research Honors: A

I know that there is no excuse for these grades.

I also just got back from a study abroad trip to Sierra Leone where I participated in health fairs and conferences. The main goal of this trip was to see the major differences between healthcare in a very poor country such as Sierra Leone and that of the US. I ended up with a lot of patient/clinical interaction (taking a few dozen blood pressures, learning how to locate and determine the pulse of a fetus via ultrasound) in those 2 weeks.

I took a practice MCAT and scored a 26 (8B/8P/10V) a few months ago and have been studying immensely. My goal is to score 30+, hopefully enough to offset my GPA? .

The classes that I will be taking next Fall are:

Microbiology (w/ lab)
Biochemistry I (w/ lab)
Physical Chemistry I (lab)
Women and Science
First Aid and CPR
Beginners Swimming

Is it worth applying to DO schools this year?

 

[Catalystik]

I would not recommend applying with a downward grade trend. Further, I think you'll need to retake the C- in Physics II.

 

[Ironmandoc]

I honestly think your trend might severely hurt your chances. I'd recommend retaking the pre-reqs you did poorly in (organic and physics) to show improvement and ability to recover and actually learn the material.

 

[ahussain]

Hello everyone,

I know I am posting this after a very, very long. I'm just updating on how I performed the past semester:

Microbiology (w/ lab): A
Biochemistry I (w/ lab): A
Physical Chemistry I (lab): A
Women and Science (400 level elective): A
First Aid and CPR: Pass
Beginners Swimming: Pass
Theoretical and Applied Science Research Honors II: A

Also, the C- in physics was an error and was actually a C.

I have received a fee waiver for the AACOMAS and took the chance to apply to a few schools which accept the January MCAT with full knowledge that I most likely will not get into anywhere since I am applying so late. I have been scoring in the high 20s in the practice exams, realistically I will end up scoring around 28-29.

In the case I do not get in this cycle, I will be applying in June since I already have recommendations, personal statement, etc. completed already.

I know it is difficult to say my chances since I have no official MCAT score yet, but do I still have hope?

Thanks to everyone who has helped me so far!

 

[Catalystik]

I know I am posting this after a very, very long. I'm just updating on how I performed the past semester:

Microbiology (w/ lab): A
Biochemistry I (w/ lab): A
Physical Chemistry I (lab): A
Women and Science (400 level elective): A
First Aid and CPR: Pass
Beginners Swimming: Pass
Theoretical and Applied Science Research Honors II: A

Also, the C- in physics was an error and was actually a C.

I have received a fee waiver for the AACOMAS and took the chance to apply to a few schools which accept the January MCAT with full knowledge that I most likely will not get into anywhere since I am applying so late. I have been scoring in the high 20s in the practice exams, realistically I will end up scoring around 28-29.

In the case I do not get in this cycle, I will be applying in June since I already have recommendations, personal statement, etc. completed already.

I know it is difficult to say my chances since I have no official MCAT score yet, but do I still have hope?

Nicely done! What are your cGPA and sGPA now?

 

[ahussain]

My GPAs are now as follows:

cGPA: 3.37
sGPA: 3.19 (if the credits I have received for my science research honors class count as science, then it is 3.219)

Hopefully my trend will show that I can handle upper level science courses and will do well in medical school courses.

 

[TriagePreMed]

My GPAs are now as follows:

cGPA: 3.37
sGPA: 3.19 (if the credits I have received for my science research honors class count as science, then it is 3.219)

Hopefully my trend will show that I can handle upper level science courses and will do well in medical school courses.

It will if the class was offered by the science department.

 

[ahussain]

The Theoretical and Applied Science Research Honors courses are 1 credit courses offered by the science department. So yes?

 

[TriagePreMed]

The Theoretical and Applied Science Research Honors courses are 1 credit courses offered by the science department. So yes?

yes