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medkarma

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is it a shot in the dark?
2.8 cum, 2.6 sci
28S MCAT
 
are thesee your AACOM stats?

I think all of osteopathic schools have cutoffs at 2.70+ so things don't look good until you raise the GPA. I'm not sure how strict they are on the cutoffs though.


KCOM kirksville might have a minimum of 2.5


medkarma said:
is it a shot in the dark?
2.8 cum, 2.6 sci
28S MCAT
 
medkarma said:
is it a shot in the dark?
2.8 cum, 2.6 sci
28S MCAT


You don't have a shot if you don't apply. Let them decide, not you. APPLY!
 
HunterGatherer said:
are thesee your AACOM stats?

I think all of osteopathic schools have cutoffs at 2.70+ so things don't look good until you raise the GPA. I'm not sure how strict they are on the cutoffs though.


KCOM kirksville might have a minimum of 2.5
I had a 3.23 GPA with like a 3.5 sci, 29 MCAT and got summarily rejected by KCOM. They suggested I take their Masters of Sciences program to "strengthen my application". If they kicked out my 20 year old grades, my GPAs are both around 3.6. I guess a recent dual science major graduating with honors isn't strong enough for them. 🙂
 
medkarma said:
is it a shot in the dark?
2.8 cum, 2.6 sci
28S MCAT

I would suggest a post-back. That way you can raise the science gpa and show them that you can handle upper level science/medical school classes. Pretty generic advice.
 
medkarma said:
is it a shot in the dark?
2.8 cum, 2.6 sci
28S MCAT

My thoughts:
It might be possible, but you're gonna need something to make up for a less-than-stellar academic performance.....perhaps be older/wiser, perhaps have incredible real-life experience, perhaps know a congressman (just kidding)...I'm sure you get my drift. Good luck...
 
ShyRem said:
I had a 3.23 GPA with like a 3.5 sci, 29 MCAT and got summarily rejected by KCOM. They suggested I take their Masters of Sciences program to "strengthen my application". If they kicked out my 20 year old grades, my GPAs are both around 3.6. I guess a recent dual science major graduating with honors isn't strong enough for them. 🙂

Those seem like solid stats and it seems about the average of accepted students. Did they give any other reasons for the rejection?
 
You could do a post-bacc degree, but then you are sure not to get in. I say apply. You might be surprised. ShyRem mentioned having solid stats but not getting into KCOM. I'm at KCOM and know of a few students with much lower stats who got in (22 MCAT, etc). There are too many variables.
 
I think its great that everyone is being supportive and all. However, to be honest, I think you would be wasting your money applying. I think it would be best for you to just raise that GPA. Good Luck
 
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Just apply to a whole bunch of schools. With a 28 MCAT you are bound to get in somewhere. What does the rest of your application look like, LOR's, EC's, clinical experience?
 
USArmyDoc said:
However, to be honest, I think you would be wasting your money applying.

A few hundred dollars to get into medical school? I do not consider it a waste. To me it would be wasteful not to apply just to save a few hundred dollars.

In the end, do what is right for you.
 
medkarma said:
is it a shot in the dark?
2.8 cum, 2.6 sci
28S MCAT

Yes.
 
Lots of variables -- I agree wholeheartedly. I had 15 years experience as a paramedic, so the medical exposure couldn't be it. I had outstanding LORs (according to another school). I think it just wasn't the right place for me.

You can never figure this process out - rejected from KCOM, but interviewed at VCU. Go figure.
 
What is your MCAT breakdown? If the PS and BS are strong, it may make up for the 2.6 science gpa.
 
Can anyone fill in the blanks?? This is from aacom.org.

medkarma - Looks like your shot is at KCOM, and possibly some of the question marks. DMU and western are "recommended" and "average." Try calling around.

KCOM - "Minimum cumulative and science GPA of 2.5"
AZCOM - "Minimum science and total GPA of 2.75"
CCOM - "Minimum science and total GPA of 2.75"
DMUCOM - "Minimum recommended science and cumulative GPA of 3.0"
KCUMB - ???
LECOM - "Cumulative GPA of 3.3; Minimum Science GPA of 2.7"
MSUCOM - "Cumulative and science GPA of 2.7"
NSUCOM - ???
NYCOM - "Cumulative and science GPA of 2.75"
OSUCOM - "Minimum GPA of 3.0"
OUCOM - ???
PCOM - ???
PCSCOM - ???
TUCOM - ???
UMDNJ - "Desired cumulative and science GPA of 3.0"
UNECOM - "Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7"
TCOM - ???
VCOM - ???
Western - "Average science GPA of 3.4, overall GPS of 3.5"
WVSOM - ???
 
I am sorry to say this but if you can't muster a B avg. in indergrad you might want to rethink your plans. I like the MCAT but the GPA, not so much.
Good Luck

I am willing to bet if you applied to every DO and MD school in the country you would get in somewhere. 140+ schools. While not really feasible would probably be effective.
 
Apply if you feel you are ready to do it. People told me over and over that I should rethink my career because of my GPA. I got into 2 schools my first time applying. My stats were not that great. So if you think you can do a post bacc, then that'll only help. If you don't think you can, then APPLY!

My advice is to be picky about the schools you apply to. Apply to schools that look deep into your application, not just the numbers. That's what I did. It's a pain to try to find out what schools are more likely to accept you but very worth it in the end!
 
medkarma said:
is it a shot in the dark?
2.8 cum, 2.6 sci
28S MCAT

MedKarma,
I would suggest that you take control of your application process. After all, it's YOUR life, not anyone else's. Step one should be to determine what schools you would be interested in attending. Really do your research; read their websites, ask alums here and on other forums, or call the schools and ask for contact information.

When you have narrowed down your list to, say, 4-5 schools that are acceptable educationally and geographically to your needs, contact the deans of admission and explain your situation. They should be able to advise you as to your best course of action. Some may say, go ahead and apply MedKarma because we like your MCAT and your other activities. Some may say, we would like to see you get a B or greater in Organic chem and physics.

Thus you will, for the price of a phone call or a few postage stamps, learn what works for you and the schools you are interested in. Then you can make a logical decision as to your next step--apply to certain schools, and take courses to up that GPA a bit to satisfy the other schools.

I think med schools in general look favorably on candidates who take their application process seriously and approach it in a mature, businesslike fashion. Anyway good luck and if medicine is really what you want, you'll get there!
-bp
 
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Blisterpeanuts said:
MedKarma,
I would suggest that you take control of your application process. After all, it's YOUR life, not anyone else's. Step one should be to determine what schools you would be interested in attending. Really do your research; read their websites, ask alums here and on other forums, or call the schools and ask for contact information.

When you have narrowed down your list to, say, 4-5 schools that are acceptable educationally and geographically to your needs, contact the deans of admission and explain your situation. They should be able to advise you as to your best course of action. Some may say, go ahead and apply MedKarma because we like your MCAT and your other activities. Some may say, we would like to see you get a B or greater in Organic chem and physics.

Thus you will, for the price of a phone call or a few postage stamps, learn what works for you and the schools you are interested in. Then you can make a logical decision as to your next step--apply to certain schools, and take courses to up that GPA a bit to satisfy the other schools.

I think med schools in general look favorably on candidates who take their application process seriously and approach it in a mature, businesslike fashion. Anyway good luck and if medicine is really what you want, you'll get there!
-bp


Good Advice 👍

Nevertheless, I think I would have a hard time accepting that one of my classmates had a 2.8 and 2.6. Sorry, just how I feel. I guess I shouldn't care though because it doesn't have much to do with me.
 
Blisterpeanuts said:
MedKarma,
I would suggest that you take control of your application process. After all, it's YOUR life, not anyone else's. Step one should be to determine what schools you would be interested in attending. Really do your research; read their websites, ask alums here and on other forums, or call the schools and ask for contact information.

When you have narrowed down your list to, say, 4-5 schools that are acceptable educationally and geographically to your needs, contact the deans of admission and explain your situation. They should be able to advise you as to your best course of action. Some may say, go ahead and apply MedKarma because we like your MCAT and your other activities. Some may say, we would like to see you get a B or greater in Organic chem and physics.

Thus you will, for the price of a phone call or a few postage stamps, learn what works for you and the schools you are interested in. Then you can make a logical decision as to your next step--apply to certain schools, and take courses to up that GPA a bit to satisfy the other schools.

I think med schools in general look favorably on candidates who take their application process seriously and approach it in a mature, businesslike fashion. Anyway good luck and if medicine is really what you want, you'll get there!
-bp
I disgree. Apply widely and early. You should have applied back in August when all spots were open. Half the spots are taken by now. Getting in is a crapshoot plain and simple. Grades and scores help but there are atypical students at every school that would have never gotten in if they didn't apply. Unfortunately with your GPA you can't be picky. Worst case scenario is you go somewhere that is not your first choice. Don't forget the Carib. schools which WILL provide and excellent education regardless of what anyone says.
 
Thanks for all the info guys, this is really helpful...I sent in my AACOMAS a few weeks ago and in the past few days have received secondaries from most of the schools...now that I'm on to secondaries, what do you all think about the adcom's willingness to consider me for admission based on:

great LORs
research experience
volunteering at a cancer center

I don't think I mentioned that I am currently obtaining my Masters in Biomedical Sciences (which I don't have grades for yet but should do well)

also, do they consider an applicants extranneous circumstances? i know a 2.8/2.6 in unusually low (especially in combination with a 28 MCAT), but I had some rough times in undergrad: both parents passed away during my sophomore year leading to less than stellar academic performace

thanks so much again for your input...reading your responses really helps alleviate the stress of this grueling process
 
medkarma said:
also, do they consider an applicants extranneous circumstances? i know a 2.8/2.6 in unusually low (especially in combination with a 28 MCAT), but I had some rough times in undergrad: both parents passed away during my sophomore year leading to less than stellar academic performace

thanks so much again for your input...reading your responses really helps alleviate the stress of this grueling process

this is what i was going to ask about. are your grades your sophomore year notably below your other grades? if so, and if you have a good reason why they're lower (sounds like you do), then that definitely helps. some schools are going to automatically reject you, but some schools might dig a little deeper, especially if everything else in your application is solid, which is sounds like it is.
 
Wow, you totally kept a lot of information from us. I think you have a good shot considering what you just explained!
 
USArmyDoc said:
Wow, you totally kept a lot of information from us. I think you have a good shot considering what you just explained!

I wouldn't go that far. Anything below 2.75 is a very long shot.
 
OSUdoc08 said:
I wouldn't go that far. Anything below 2.75 is a very long shot.


He said he is doing well in his biomedical science degree. If he can pull a 3.0+, he is fine with his MCAT.
 
I think you definitely have a shot at many DO schools. Your MCAT and master are going to help balance out that undergrad GPA. Just make sure your secondary essays are good and thoughtful. Good luck!
 
Can you let me know the minimum for the MCAT scores?

misparas said:
Can anyone fill in the blanks?? This is from aacom.org.

medkarma - Looks like your shot is at KCOM, and possibly some of the question marks. DMU and western are "recommended" and "average." Try calling around.

KCOM - "Minimum cumulative and science GPA of 2.5"
AZCOM - "Minimum science and total GPA of 2.75"
CCOM - "Minimum science and total GPA of 2.75"
DMUCOM - "Minimum recommended science and cumulative GPA of 3.0"
KCUMB - ???
LECOM - "Cumulative GPA of 3.3; Minimum Science GPA of 2.7"
MSUCOM - "Cumulative and science GPA of 2.7"
NSUCOM - ???
NYCOM - "Cumulative and science GPA of 2.75"
OSUCOM - "Minimum GPA of 3.0"
OUCOM - ???
PCOM - ???
PCSCOM - ???
TUCOM - ???
UMDNJ - "Desired cumulative and science GPA of 3.0"
UNECOM - "Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7"
TCOM - ???
VCOM - ???
Western - "Average science GPA of 3.4, overall GPS of 3.5"
WVSOM - ???
 
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Your MCAT is good but honestly, that GPA both the cum and more importantly the sci will hold you back. Minimums are just minimums and usually well below the average stats of the most recent class.

Good luck and keep us posted!
 
Ok Guys you seems finished the first case with MedKarma, here is mine
12 years ago when i used to live somewhere in Africa ,I finished 4 years in business with a horrible GPA of 2.37 (132 credit).almost forgot it ,and when i came here 5 years ago i said to my self ,let me start from the beginning
with straight A's in chem 1,2 phy1,2 org,1,2 and B's in bio 1,2 and upper Micro and may be 1 C which put my BCPM up to 3.55.
the question is ,should i dig out behind my lost third world country's degree to use it (knowing that it will pull my accumulative GPA all the way down) because it may be easier to me to be accepted with a BS degree than just a 90 credit i did here. I’m guessing my accumulative GPA in this case will not pass 2.6 and same 3.5 BCPM or just apply with those 90 credit and accumulative of 3.2 GPA.i didn’t do MCAT yet

I mean studying out of USA ,specially where I belong to, where the grades bought with money shouldn’t affect me or at least be understandable comparing to my science GPA and the great volunteer and LOR’s I have. Any body agrees?>
 
Ok Guys you seems finished the first case with MedKarma, here is mine
12 years ago when i used to live somewhere in Africa ,I finished 4 years in business with a horrible GPA of 2.37 (132 credit).almost forgot it ,and when i came here 5 years ago i said to my self ,let me start from the beginning
with straight A's in chem 1,2 phy1,2 org,1,2 and B's in bio 1,2 and upper Micro and may be 1 C which put my BCPM up to 3.55.
the question is ,should i dig out behind my lost third world country's degree to use it (knowing that it will pull my accumulative GPA all the way down) because it may be easier to me to be accepted with a BS degree than just a 90 credit i did here. I’m guessing my accumulative GPA in this case will not pass 2.6 and same 3.5 BCPM or just apply with those 90 credit and accumulative of 3.2 GPA.i didn’t do MCAT yet

I mean studying out of USA ,specially where I belong to, where the grades bought with money shouldn’t affect me or at least be understandable comparing to my science GPA and the great volunteer and LOR’s I have. Any body agrees?>

Sounds like you should seek advice from the med schools themselves. You can call anonymously and ask about things like this if you don't want them to know who you are. Maybe I don't really understand the details of your situation. If there is a premed advisor where you took those science classes, try to contact him/her. On a side note, before you submit anything for applications get someone to correct your writing. I'm not trying to be mean, but your post from above has a lot of mistakes concerning flow, meaning, etc. Since your not blowing the rest of the field out of the water with GPA (waiting on MCAT) it is important for you to prove that you are proficient in the language. Try to do well on the Verbal and writing sections of the MCAT, too. You did well in science classes, so that's not as much of a concern. Good luck!
 
i agree with u ...5 years wasn't enough to correct my english .but i keep trying
 
MCAT looks good 🙂 but as other's have mentioned, it would be a good idea to improve the GPA to a 3.0 if possible. I believe adcoms really do look at other things besides numbers as well, so if you have demonstrated leadership and passion for medicine throughout your pre-med years, I think your chances will improve considerably. That personal statement will carry a lot of weight so make sure it's polished to shine brighter than a supernova. Also, applying early definitely raises those chances a great deal. Good luck!:luck:
 
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