Chances of getting into US DO

[jaboud42]

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Hey all,

I am a 23 yo, male Canadian student

-cGPA 3.31 sGPA 3.49; BSc in Biochem
-upward swing last 3 years of 5 years of degree (includes upper level biochem courses) 3.3-->3.7-->3.87
-suffered from a pretty serious medical condition which affected first 2 years so didnt do as well in my pre-reqs; plan on explaining in personal statement

MCAT 30Q (12B, 10V,8P)
plan on writing MCAT again for any kind of improvement

ECs:
Volunteer:
- 2 years volunteering in hospital on weekends
-2 years (on going) youth basketball coach
-tutoring
-lab volunteer
-big brothers, as mentor
-crisis center phone operator
-volunteered 2 weeks in 3rd world country (local clinic)
and few other minor things

Research
-completed undergrad research thesis
-2 abstract pubs; 2 posters, both presented at 2 different research conferences

Other stuff
-40 hours job shadowing physician
-varsity sport 1 year (stopped due to illness)
-backpacked thru south america
-involved with uni club sports recently, random stuff like that

Please evaluate my credentials and lemme know if you think I have a good shot of getting into US DO, and what i can do to improve my chances!

 

[Moosepig]

Retake any Cs you got, consider doing upper level bio post bac, apply and hope for the best!

 

[jaboud42]

Thanks for your response,
can you recommend any post-baccs that I'd have a shot at??

 

[HalfListic]

Thanks for your response,
can you recommend any post-baccs that I'd have a shot at??

You'll get in with you're stats as they stand now... feel free to retake some of your C's or whatever, but you'll get in to several DO schools with a 3.4 and 30

 

[Catalystik]

I also think you should have a good shot as you are, considering you already have a upward grade trend, that your MCAT score is well above the DO undergrad matriculant average of 26.51, unless you have a C- or below in a prerequisite, in which case, retake it. You have what I'd consider a bare minimum of shadowing, so if you have the chance, you might augment that before applying, especially if youi haven't included a primary care doc yet, or a DO.

 

[jaboud42]

Thank you for your response
I have a couple of Cs, does a high score in the related MCAT section supplement these grades in any way? Or would u just reccomend redoing the course altogether?
Also would you recommend me applying to any particular school based on my credentials?

Thanks again

 

[CDTcorp]

I agree with HalfListic, your scores are good enough as they are. If you retake the MCAT then you risk doing worse, DO NOT retake the MCAT. When do you plan on applying to schools? Because this will have a large impact on whether or not you will get in.

 

[jaboud42]

Thank for the reply,

I plan on applying as soon as applications are available in 2013, my pre req courses do contain 2 C's, im redoing both from January 2013-April 2013 and 1 C+ that I cannot redo until may 2013. But my upper level chem/biochem/bio courses are majority A (atleast 12-15 classes) with 3 B's in there; does that make up for the lower pre reqs?
I also have a medical reason for doing poorly my first couple years that I will explain in personal statement. I have a huge upward swing which goes from 2.8 to 3.3 to 3.7 to 3.94 in last 4 years

Do you think i have a shot of getting into MSUCOM or CCOM?

 

[CDTcorp]

Thank for the reply,

I plan on applying as soon as applications are available in 2013, my pre req courses do contain 2 C's, im redoing both from January 2013-April 2013 and 1 C+ that I cannot redo until may 2013. But my upper level chem/biochem/bio courses are majority A (atleast 12-15 classes) with 3 B's in there; does that make up for the lower pre reqs?
I also have a medical reason for doing poorly my first couple years that I will explain in personal statement. I have a huge upward swing which goes from 2.8 to 3.3 to 3.7 to 3.94 in last 4 years

Do you think i have a shot of getting into MSUCOM or CCOM?

Yes I think you definitely have a good shot of getting into either of those schools. Stick to your plan and submit your app on day one and you will be in great shape.

 

[jaboud42]

Thank you for your response, appreciate it.