Chances / School List Recommendations

[OhTeeTee]

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Hello everyone! In preparation for the upcoming 2026-2027 application period, looking to get some feedback on my medical school application as a low stat applicant, chances of interview invites, as well as recommendations for schools to apply to. I do intend on applying to mostly DO programs.

•Male, ORM
•cGPA: ~2.94 (Exercise science undergrad, taken while active military with deployments and other circumstances. Large upward trend: last 45 credits: 4.0)
•sGPA (AMCAS): ~3.20
•sGPA (AACOMAS): ~2.97
•Post-Bacc (DIY, mostly to finish pre-requisites - 12 credits): 4.0
•Graduate (MHA): 3.75
•MCAT: Taking in April. Last full length was 495, though I have since changed my study habits and my uWorld scores are improving significantly.

Extracurriculars:
•Clinical: 3500+ hours
•Physician Observation/Shadowing: ~200 hours
•Volunteer: 700+ hours (mostly serving underserved populations, but also youth sports coaching)
•Leadership: 10+ years active military service

Home state (residency state) is Georgia, though I will be leaving the active military service soon and intend on moving to Florida. So if anyone has specific advice/chances evaluation for me regarding LECOM, LMUDCOM or similar, please let me know!

 

[Faha]

Post your MCAT score here when available. You could receive DO interviews if your MCAT is 500+.

 

[Wamuu]

I agree with the above. Your hours are stellar and I know many medical schools will favor the military service. As for the specific schools you listed, I think that, broadly speaking, DO programs don't hold much of a bias in terms of state residency. It's the allopathic programs you have to worry about in that regard.

 

[tgedward]

I have spoken to a few students at Liberty University School of Medicine (LU is my undergrad school), and they stated that LUSCOM reviews applicants fairly and holistically. The university is pretty nice as a whole, but they are a Christian school, if that is a deterrent.

 

[Wamuu]

I have spoken to a few students at Liberty University School of Medicine (LU is my undergrad school), and they stated that LUSCOM reviews applicants fairly and holistically. The university is pretty nice as a whole, but they are a Christian school, if that is a deterrent.

I want to add on to this and say that there are a lot of people who, in my digging, have said that while the Christian beliefs guide approach to care and volunteerism, the medical education is not affected and maintains a very pro-science direction.

 

[A224B]

It's a mistake to apply DO when your AACOMAS sGPA is below 3. Psychologically, a 3.01 looks a lot better than a 2.97. Keep taking classes until you can hit that.

Correspondingly, a MCAT score that starts with 5 is going to look a lot better than a 49X. The veteran's preference is definitely going to be helpful.

 

[OhTeeTee]

Just got my scores back, only got a 490. Unfortunately don't think I had the best opportunity to pursue studying full time (full-time active military, family responsibilities, still trying to complete prerequisites, etc). I will definitely be studying more to retake for the next application cycle. But with this current score, any options for me to attempt this application cycle? Or not worth it?

 

[anon2]

You're out for this cycle unfortunately. Your file currently shows a consistent story of not being able to perform academically while juggling substantial commitments, which you need to really sit down and find a strategy to fix.

Or you might end up even worse - in med school and not performing. Hundreds of k in debt and nothing to show for it is the actual worst case scenario.

 

[Faha]

In the coming year, take some undergraduate level science courses at a local college (community college is fine) in order to increase your sGPA to 3.0 .
Your main priority is a retake of the MCAT but do not retake until your practice scores are consistently 505+.