D.O. List Help! 3.59/3.385

[DerArzt321]

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Hello SDN!

I am applying for the 2016 cycle, and I'm getting ready for AACOMAS to open! I'm due to take the MCAT in late August, so I'll be applying in late September (although I'm hoping to have my secondaries done well before then). cGPA is 3.590; sGPA is 3.385. I unfortunately have a downward trend in my sGPA. My ECs are in order, and I have 3 LoRs: 1 D.O., 2 science Ph.D.s. This list is made assuming I scored the equvalent of 24-28 on the MCAT (or 497-505). If I score higher, my list will change:

Alabama COM
A.T. Still University Kirksville (ATSU-KCOM)
A.T. Still University –Arizona (ATSU-SOMA)
Arizona - Midwestern University (AZCOM/MWU)
Campbell University (CUSOM)
Lake Erie –Erie/Seton Hill (LECOM)
Lake Erie –Bradenton (LECOM Bradenton)
Lincoln Memorial University–DeBusk (LMU-DCOM)
Marian University (MU-COM)
Lincoln Memorial University–DeBusk (LMU-DCOM)
Philadelphia (PCOM)
Touro-NY (TouroCOM-NY)
Touro University Nevada (TUNCOM)
University of New England (UNE-COM)
University of Pikeville-Kentucky (UP-KYCOM)
West Virginia (WVSOM)
William Carey University (WCU-COM)

So, I basically made this list by including COMs whose cGPA averages were under my cGPA and whose sGPA averages were above 0.75 of mine or lower. I've already started studying for the MCAT and am already scoring in the mid-20s, so I'm hopefully going to bring that up to the upper 20s/lower 30s. What are your thoughts or suggestions?

 

[DerArzt321]

Note: I would have included Nova, but I only have the 2 LoRs from my professors (I don't know if there's a 3rd prof I could ask) and I would have included Touro CA but apparently their LoR system doesn't include Interfolio, which is what I'm using. Thanks!

 

[Cawolf]

Touro CA but apparently their LoR system doesn't include Interfolio, which is what I'm using. Thanks!

Where did you get that idea from?

http://admissions.tu.edu/com/process.html

"Letters may be submitted through Virtual Evals, mailed via Interfolio (paper copies only), mailed from your school's letter service, or submitted directly from the letter writer through the ApplyYourself system. "

This is in addition to the new AACOMAS application which will allow us to upload letters directly.

 

[DerArzt321]

Oh nice! I didn't even realize that AACOMAS was going to do that now. I read somewhere on SDN that Touro CA only accepted online evals directly submitted to them from the letter writer. But, if that's not the case, I'll add them to the list. How does the list look, though? Any colleges that you'd disagree with me on?

 

[Cawolf]

@DerArzt321

No idea! I am applying just like you, but I have only been researching western/mid-west schools. So other than the AZ and NV schools you listed, I know nothing about them. I am applying to AZCOM and TUNCOM though! I would ask @Goro, he is very helpful.

 

[DetectiveAlonzo]

Depends on your MCAT. The new one is gonna suckkkkk.

 

[MedNation907]

Just curious, why aren't you considering MSUCOM?

 

[Cawolf]

Too far North and too far East for me.

I admit it may not be the best reason, but I am choosing to be slightly geographically selective in my application cycle.

 

[Goro]

MCAT will make or break your list. If you can score at least a 26, then I'd say you're OK for pretty much any DO school, except probably CCOM and AZCOM.

But a 24-25?? Then cut out the NY and CA Tours, the two above, and maybe Western and KCUMB.

The lower your MCAT score, the more you'll need to apply broadly and especially to the newest schools. In any case, I can't recommend LUCOM.

Hello SDN!

I am applying for the 2016 cycle, and I'm getting ready for AACOMAS to open! I'm due to take the MCAT in late August, so I'll be applying in late September (although I'm hoping to have my secondaries done well before then). cGPA is 3.590; sGPA is 3.385. I unfortunately have a downward trend in my sGPA. My ECs are in order, and I have 3 LoRs: 1 D.O., 2 science Ph.D.s. This list is made assuming I scored the equvalent of 24-28 on the MCAT (or 497-505). If I score higher, my list will change:

Alabama COM
A.T. Still University Kirksville (ATSU-KCOM)
A.T. Still University –Arizona (ATSU-SOMA)
Arizona - Midwestern University (AZCOM/MWU)
Campbell University (CUSOM)
Lake Erie –Erie/Seton Hill (LECOM)
Lake Erie –Bradenton (LECOM Bradenton)
Lincoln Memorial University–DeBusk (LMU-DCOM)
Marian University (MU-COM)
Lincoln Memorial University–DeBusk (LMU-DCOM)
Philadelphia (PCOM)
Touro-NY (TouroCOM-NY)
Touro University Nevada (TUNCOM)
University of New England (UNE-COM)
University of Pikeville-Kentucky (UP-KYCOM)
West Virginia (WVSOM)
William Carey University (WCU-COM)

So, I basically made this list by including COMs whose cGPA averages were under my cGPA and whose sGPA averages were above 0.75 of mine or lower. I've already started studying for the MCAT and am already scoring in the mid-20s, so I'm hopefully going to bring that up to the upper 20s/lower 30s. What are your thoughts or suggestions?

 

[Bones 2020]

Do you mean have your secondaries prewritten before your MCAT? I was under the impression that you would not receive secondaries until an MCAT score is verified by the schools

 

[DerArzt321]

@schlitter22 : Honestly, I don't know too much about the application process since this is my first time applying, but I think that secondaries come in as soon as you finish primaries. I don't think that you need an MCAT score to turn in primaries, so from what I understand, you can turn in primaries and secondaries without having an MCAT score. If anyone knows for sure, please free to correct me.

@Goro : Yes, I realize that shooting for a 24/25 may be low-balling it, and that's what I'm scoring now, but I'm planning to continue studying hard the next 3 months and getting that score higher. Ideally, I'm shooting for a 510+, but I'm also trying to be realistic. Also, what is it about LUCOM that makes them so selective?

@MedNation907 : As a matter of fact, Michigan is my home state, but I haven't put MSU on this list because they REALLY keep stressing an upward trend in sGPA (which I unfortunately lack) on their website and moreso than other universities. They also have relatively high GPA preferences (cGPA 3.6/sGPA3.5). Also, their LoR system is kind of funky, and I don't really want to put my LoR writers through that rather inefficient process. If you guys really think I should add MSU, I'll consider it and see if my writers won't mind submitting another letter.

@Cawolf : In that case good luck to you! I'm not taking any chances, and I'm apply as broadly as possible (within my statistical limitations of course).

 

[Cawolf]

I don't think that you need an MCAT score to turn in primaries, so from what I understand, you can turn in primaries and secondaries without having an MCAT score. If anyone knows for sure, please free to correct me.

Only if the school pre-screens.

Also, what is it about LUCOM that makes them so selective?

It's not LUCOM that is selective, it is applicants selecting against them. Look up Jerry Falwell and search for LUCOM on these forums.

In that case good luck to you!

Thanks. Everyone has a different application strategy.

 

[DerArzt321]

@MedNation907 : I also forgot: MSU also tends to have a much shorter cycle than the other DO schools. Since my application won't be 100% done and they basically stop accepting students in November, I figure applying would be a crapshoot just because of all of these factors. I'd like to go there, though...

 

[DerArzt321]

@Cawolf : Oh my goodness. I can see why LUCOM is ostracized now. I don't blame Goro for not recommending them at all. For an institution that's supposed to be producing physicians, they sure do have a backwards stance on a lot of social issues...I'm also having a hard time believing their matriculant's averages are as high as they are (cGPA 3.5/sGPA 3.4/ MCAT 25). Oh well. That's one less school to apply to!

 

[Latoviya]

I think you've got a nice list. Good luck 🙂!

 

[MedNation907]

I asked because MSUCOM is very biased towards their state applicants, so I feel like (if you were to apply at all) that fact alone should be enough reason to try -- regardless of stat deficiencies.

Just my opinion.. You have a solid approach to choosing schools though.

 

[songl4a]

.

 

[shaggybill]

Why not VCOM?

 

[DerArzt321]

@MedNation907 : I guess I will apply IF I get a high score on the MCAT. Michigan is one of the biggest feeder states, so even though MSU COM has a big number of seats (300), there are almost 2000 students applying from Michigan and most of them do include MSU COM. I simply feel that my numbers (especially sGPA) are simply not high enough, uncless I get a 510+ on the MCAT (their MCAT scores are high too).

@shaggybill : Please read how I chose my schools. VCOM has an sGPA well above 3.5. Mine is merely 3.385..
http://www.vcom.edu/outcomes/files/assets/common/downloads/VCOM Outcomes Report.pdf

 

[IslandStyle808]

@MedNation907 : I guess I will apply IF I get a high score on the MCAT. Michigan is one of the biggest feeder states, so even though MSU COM has a big number of seats (300), there are almost 2000 students applying from Michigan and most of them do include MSU COM. I simply feel that my numbers (especially sGPA) are simply not high enough, uncless I get a 510+ on the MCAT (their MCAT scores are high too).

@shaggybill : Please read how I chose my schools. VCOM has an sGPA well above 3.5. Mine is merely 3.385..
http://www.vcom.edu/outcomes/files/assets/common/downloads/VCOM Outcomes Report.pdf

Right but remember these are averages not bare minimums. Based on the chart presented around a good chunk of people (about 50% for VCOM-VA and VCOM-CC 60%) have a sGPA between 3.1-3.5. If your MCAT is above the 55-60% percentile, you are already competitive in that area as well as with the cGPA. Now you have two categories that you are above average in. That is more than enough to make you competitive.

 

[DerArzt321]

@IslandStyle808 : I guess I could consider VCOM, since I'm planning to get the equivalent of a 26 or higher on the MCAT. What is your opinion on the MSU option?

 

[DerArzt321]

I found another LoR writer, so I'm adding NOVA. I'll also add MSU onto the list because they got rid of their old LoR system.