Classes, MCAT, Applying Questions!

[Zinc14]

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[TexasMedic15]

Wow. Long novel. Probably wouldn't read again. I'll just answer what I can / what I know and leave everything else up to other people to answer for you.

Are the DO school admission stats (average cumulative and science GPAs) reported online using the aacomas GPA calculation method (ie with grade replacement, only including bio/chem/physics in science, etc.)? Or are these stats not including grade replacement and other aacomas gpa rules? My GPA is much lower than what I wrote above without grade replacement, so I want to make sure I'm actually close to the average range at some DO schools.

Here is a list of stats someone on sdn posted: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/stats-for-osteopathic-medical-schools.598056

As far as I know, any stats that you see reported online are taken from the schools directly. Some publish their numbers online, some don't. I don't believe AACOMAS publishes the numbers for each individual school. I could be mistaken on this though. Also, I would assume that the GPAs given online for each school include grade replacements to make them look a little nicer.

I will still be taking a few courses this coming winter and spring quarters for my postbacc, but I realized that the spring quarter grades will not be finalized until June 15th at the latest. If I'm finished with all my other application materials and my mcat score is back by then (which it should be since I'm hoping to take the 5/14 mcat), is mid to late June considered "late" to apply? I know it technically isn't, but considering my not-so-hot gpa, I just don't want to be at a disadvantage by applying in late June since I know people can start submitting aacomas apps as early as mid May. I'm thinking of sending my undergrad transcript in May so it starts getting there and just send my postbacc transcript in mid June once my grades are in. I can submit my app online in late May probably. But I know I won't be verified til mid July probably and I hope that's not too late??

Relax. Mid to late June is not late at all. I would say applying anytime during the Summer months would be considered pretty early for AACOMAS regardless of your GPA, maybe not so much for AMCAS. Your GPA isn't terrible for applying DO.

I am self-studying for the MCAT from now until May (may 14 test date) with all princeton review materials. I'm trying to come up with a good self-studying schedule but am struggling a little. Most schedules on sdn incorporate lots of other test prep resources as well but I just want to focus on the PR resources I have right now. Does anyone have any tips on a self-study schedule using just PR materials for now? Also, how many practice tests should I seek out overall to get "enough" practice? Is it enough for me to just use PR books to prepare and then take as many practice tests I can find/afford, or should I definitely try to also use other test prep company resources (kaplan, EK, etc)?

Other people will probably give you better advice on this than me, but I would recommend doing what you feel most comfortable with doing. Everybody has a different schedule/plan for doing well on the MCAT. Personally though, I would say that sticking to just the Princeton Review material should be enough. If you've got some money to spare, I'd recommend also getting ExamKracker books and using those after you've already gone through TPR. Practice is definitely the way to go though. Learning the content material will only get you so far. The MCAT is a critical thinking exam. The absolute biggest mistake that students make time after time is pouring the majority of their study time into reading content books. Definitely go through the TPR online practice material if you have access to them. I don't know if I can recommend their practice exams though. They tested pretty heavily on content and the real exam is nothing like that

Do I definitely NEED a humanities letter of rec for any DO schools (or is just recommended by some)? Since I've taken mostly science classes in the last couple years, I don't really have anyone I can ask for a humanities-type LOR.

Not to my knowledge, though I haven't looked at the requirements for every school. I applied to about 10-15 schools and I didn't have a letter from a humanities professor. I believe most of my classmates don't have one either. Between all of us we've gotten into quite a few DO schools. Take this part with a grain of salt though because I'm really not sure.

Because of medical reasons related to depression, I graduated a semester late because I didn't finish all my coursework. Would anyone in med school admissions ask me why I graduated a semester late? What should I say?

Lots of people graduate a semester late, even a year late. They probably won't ask you anything about it unless you have some sort of major red flag on your application.

I saw that most DO schools require “Six semester hours of English composition and literature." Would a writing course and a literature class suffice?

At my university, we were required to have 6 hours of English classes. Both classes I took were taken under the English department, one of which was a writing and literature course.

 

[costales]

A big reason for my academic struggles in undergrad were due to having major depression, but I never want this to come off as an excuse. I struggled a lot, have been seeing a therapist for a while, and everything was pretty much out of control in my life. I've gotten a lot better during my post bacc and am doing much better in classes. I read quite a few threads on sdn about mentioning depression and its relation to grades and most people say to leave it out of the personal statement (which i agree with) but mention it in the additional info section and/or committee letter from premed advisor. Would this be the best plan for me? Depression has certainly been a huge obstacle for me and overcoming it has been my biggest accomplishment, but I realize there is still a lot of stigma surrounding this topic.

No matter how important it is to you, unless specifically asked by an interviewer, do not bring up personal issues and give people reason to think you're a risk.

 

[Zinc14]

Thanks so much guys! I really appreciate the help and thanks for putting up with my long post. If anyone else has any other answers, please let me know. thanks!!

 

[Goro]

User3 was kind enough to compile a list of stats for acceptees at the different COMs. Do a search of this forum. overall, the median GPA is ~3.4 and MCAT ~27.

1. Are the DO school admission stats (average cumulative and science GPAs) reported online using the aacomas GPA calculation method (ie with grade replacement, only including bio/chem/physics in science, etc.)? Or are these stats not including grade replacement and other aacomas gpa rules? My GPA is much lower than what I wrote above without grade replacement, so I want to make sure I'm actually close to the average range at some DO schools.
   Here is a list of stats someone on sdn posted: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/stats-for-osteopathic-medical-schools.598056

The DO cycle is longer than MD, so no, you won't be late, not even until Oct/Nov.

1. I will still be taking a few courses this coming winter and spring quarters for my postbacc, but I realized that the spring quarter grades will not be finalized until June 15th at the latest. If I'm finished with all my other application materials and my mcat score is back by then (which it should be since I'm hoping to take the 5/14 mcat), is mid to late June considered "late" to apply? But I know I won't be verified til mid July probably and I hope that's not too late??
   

Only you can answer this.

1. Is 4.5 months of serious MCAT study + classes too much? I know lots of people do it, but I also know it's tough. I REALLY wanted to get this all done and I would highly prefer not to put off the MCAT or apply a year later if I can help it. I would really really appreciate any advice on this and tips on how to manage self-studying for the MCAT while taking some classes!!
   

Do not mention your depression in any app. And don't consider Medicine unless your therapist is on board with this. Med school is a furnace and I've seen it break even healthy students.

1. A big reason for my academic struggles in undergrad were due to having major depression, but I never want this to come off as an excuse. I struggled a lot, have been seeing a therapist for a while, and everything was pretty much out of control in my life. I've gotten a lot better during my post bacc and am doing much better in classes. I read quite a few threads on sdn about mentioning depression and its relation to grades and most people say to leave it out of the personal statement (which i agree with) but mention it in the additional info section and/or committee letter from premed advisor. Would this be the best plan for me? Depression has certainly been a huge obstacle for me and overcoming it has been my biggest accomplishment, but I realize there is still a lot of stigma surrounding this topic.
   

It's possible and you answer with the truth.

1. Because of medical reasons related to depression, I graduated a semester late because I didn't finish all my coursework. Would anyone in med school admissions ask me why I graduated a semester late? What should I say?
   

I think the rule of thumb is 2 science and one non-science. But it really will depend upon the school requesting LORs. You can always take a new Humanities course and hit up the prof for a LOR.

1. Do I definitely NEED a humanities letter of rec for any DO schools (or is just recommended by some)? Since I've taken mostly science classes in the last couple years, I don't really have anyone I can ask for a humanities-type LOR.
   

Sounds like it.

1. I saw that most DO schools require “Six semester hours of English composition and literature." Would a writing course and a literature class suffice?

Be aware that your GPAs are lethal for MD schools, unless you live in a "lucky state" like LA or KS

 

[OGLoc23]

My undergrad institution used the credit unit system, while the university I did my postbacc used the quarter system. I want to calculate my current cgpa and sgpa as accurately as possible, but I'm having trouble figuring out how to put grades and credits from both schools together. AACOMAS instruction manual gives instructions on how to convert credit units to credit hours, but do i also have to convert quarters to credit hours? Here is what aacomas writes (below), but it doesn't exactly answer how I can calculate my cgpa and sgpa of all my courses from both credit unit and quarter systems combined! Do I just list my quarter credits as listed on my transcript (eg 3 credits, 4 credits..) and convert my credit units to credit hours (eg 1cu = 4 credit hours)?? My gpa calculations are turning out very different depending on whether I convert one or both types of credits into credit hours.

You can do one of two things:

1. Convert your undergrad's credit units to your post-bacc's credit hours and don't do any conversion with your post-bacc.
2. Convert your post-bacc's credit hours to your undergrad's credit units and don't do any conversion with your undergrad.

If you did it right then both methods should yield the same GPA. Your undergrad should provide a conversion chart.

I took Orgo 1 at my undergrad institution for 1 credit unit and got a C. I retook it at a different university which is under the credit HOUR system for 3 credit hours. If 1 credit unit = 4 credit hours according to aacomas' conversion scale, could the retake replace the original course? It was all the same material that we learned in both courses, course names are same, and course descriptions are similar. Just confused if the credit unit vs credit hour difference will pose a problem?

The AACOMAS quote is providing an example of "1 credit unit = 4 credit hours," not an established scale. Check if your undergrad provides a conversion chart. Mine also had a credit unit system and the registrar provided one. If the credit hours of your retake is the same or more of 1 credit unit of your undergrad's orgo, it can be replaced.

 

[Zinc14]

Thanks so much!!

@OGLoc23, my only remaining source of confusion about the gpa conversions is that my postbacc used quarter credits, not regular credit hours. So if I were to convert my undergrad's credit units to credit hours and then converted my postbacc's quarter credits also to credit hours, would this work? Or would I convert only my undergrad's credit units to credit hours and leave my postbacc quarter credits as they appear on the transcript? I will call my undergrad registrar to confirm the credit unit to credit hour conversion ratio like you suggested.

So for example:
On undergrad credit unit system: Convert 1 credit unit course to 4 credit hours.
On postbacc quarter credit system: Convert 4 quarter credit course to 2.67 credit hours.
If I did converted ALL my courses (undergrad and postbacc) to credit hours, would this be the best way for me to standardize them all in aacomas gpa calculation format? This way, all my courses will be in credit hours (ie semester hours) and none in credit units or quarter credits. Would this make sense?

 

[OGLoc23]

So if I were to convert my undergrad's credit units to credit hours and then converted my postbacc's quarter credits also to credit hours, would this work?

Yup, this would work. Only thing is you'd need to decide if you want to convert to semester or quarter hours. Doesn't matter which -- both will yield the same GPA. Check online for the conversions to either semester or quarter hours from your schools.

Example with quarter hours:

1. Convert undergrad credit units to quarter hours (multiply number grades of each undergrad class by quarter hours to get "quality points"). Your undergrad registrar can provide the quarter hours.
2. Convert post-bacc credit units to quarter hours (multiply number grades of post-bacc by hours to get "quality points"). Your post-bacc registrar can provide the quarter hours.
3. Sum quality points of both undergrad and post-bacc
4. Sum quarter hours of both undergrad and post-bacc
5. Divide total quality points by total quarter hours = undergrad + post-bacc GPA

If you want to do semester hours, replace the "quarter hours" in above with semester hours.

 

[Zinc14]

thanks so much!!