Competitive??

[Columbia22]

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I have a 3.4 gpa from an Ivy league school (double major bio and sociology), with a 3.15 science, good reccs, and a sleu of extracurrics including a summer of surgical research...i am expecting my MCAT from August to be no lower than a 28 hopefully (it was mad hard, i was getting 30s on my practice exams), perhaps 26-27 if i completely choked....how competitive am i for NYCOM, PCOM, and UMNDJ??

 

[lealf-ye]

From what I know, you will be fine. Just wait for tons of interviews. Good luck!!!

 

[Amy B]

Anything above and beyond their minimum requirements makes you competitive if your overall package is competitve. Remember Osteopathic Schools do not focus on only numbers, but rather the overall package, which works in your favor.

I don't see anything wrong with your overall GPA, your science GPA is a bit low but still above the minimums. I wouldn't sweat it. And until your MCAT comes back you won't know what your overall package is including everything.

Good luck. When do your August MCAT scores come in? Just curious.

 

[Columbia22]

Supposedly they will load on October 14th

 

[DrQuinn]

Why limit yourself to DO schools? I'd apply to the state MD ones just because why the hell not and tuition is cheaper.

Unless you truly are a believer in the DO philosophy...........

Q, DO

 

[BayesianDoc]

As far as numbers go I think you wil be fine. I was just accepted to PCOM and I currently have a 1.0 GPA and had a 1J on the April MCAT. (Did I write two essays?). And yes the April MCAT was twice as hard as any practice test I took. I have taken 2 KAPLAN tests from their book and paid $80 to get 4 practice tests from the MCAT website.

Anyway I had other things going for me. I have been working 40+ hours a week at Lucent Tech. while going to school. I was in the Navy. I did a full summer internship at Lehigh Valley Hospital an hour north of Philly. I had 3 D.O. LOR's. I visited PCOM for an admissions Q&A so the admissions staff already knew me.

So what does this mean? You have the grades to get in almost anywhere as long as you have something other than grades. I have heard of many people getting accepted into allopathic schools yet are rejected at PCOM. I believe most Osteopathic schools look at the entire picture and do not focus on just grades.

My method of getting accepted to PCOM was simple. Market myself to the adcom committee. Grades alone were not going to do it. So I focused on other things in my life that were good. Also I found that it really helps if you can get other people to market you. Find people who went the schools and obtain a LOR.

raptor5
PCOM '08

 

[LP1CW]

raptor, good job. I've been to an open house at PCOM. I checked out all the Philly schools and I thought PCOM had great facilities. I like Jeff too because it's in center city. However, I thought it was funny that they thought we'd care about "AI" having basketball practices there. At the time, I didn't know AI stood for allen iverson. I thought it was some sort of artificial intelligence program. Then when I found out that it was allen, i realized that it was not artificial intelligence,it was just greatly diminished intelligence.

Nevertheless, I think PCOM is great. Their facilities are really good. And I met this faculty member there that was kooky and cool at the same time. I think he was a rads guy....he used puppets and stuff to teach.

 

[jmarra03]

I'd say you sound competitive. I had 28 on the MCATS( second time) and a 3.4 GPA with a 3.25 science I was a double major biology psychology with some reasearch and field clinical expereince. I was invited to interview at almost all of the osteopathic schools and many allopathic schools also. I'd say you have a good shot. I am going to UNE in July as my first choice school. I would say apply early and interview early. That will give you the best shot! GOod luck!