DO What are my Chances

[traveldr92]

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2015 grad from a top UC school. Graduated with 3.0 GPA.Had some personal issues, took some years off to straighten out my app, work in healthcare, shadow DO, did DIY postbacc got a 3.6 Two MCAT tries, highest 498.. physics for me sucked. Physics continually the weak spot. Applied last year DO to see what would happen. Lots of holds and secondaries-no interviews. Accepted to Touro Masters with Linkage but something about it tells me not to do it. Thinking about applying internationally (Israel, UQ Oschner, Nicosia, AUC,) as well as DO and seeing what happens or retaking mcat, continuing to beef up app and apply again next year. Probably need a DO letter as well. URM-Peruvian.

 

[Faha]

Where is your state of residence? What is your cGPA and sGPA? Which schools did you apply to this past cycle?

 

[traveldr92]

California. cGPA: 3.12 sGPA: 2.9 This time going to raise it to 3.0 despite the 3.6 postbac.
Applied to: ACOM, AT Still (both campuses), Charles Drew, Des Moines Osteopathic, Idaho Osteopathic, Lake Erie (both campuses), LMU-Debusk, Marian, MSU COM, Midwestern, NYITCOM (both), Ohio Heritage, Ohio State Medpath, Pacific Northwest, PCOM (both), Rowan, Rutgers SOM (new) , Touro New York, UNECOM, UIWSOM, Pikeville Kentucky, Western (both), William Carey
Received secondaries from all of them except Idaho, Marian, Pacific Northwest, William Carey, Rutgers, Charles Drew
Post Secondary holds: ACOM, NYITCOM, Ohio Heritage, UNECOM, UIWSOM

 

[Faha]

You need to take additional science courses to raise your sGPA to 3.0 . You could do this at a local college (community college would be fine). When you reapply a year from now I suggest these schools, some of which you applied to previously:
ACOM
ICOM
LMU-DCOM
NYIT-Arkansas
UIWSOM
UP-KYCOM
WCU-COM
For new schools add these:
BCOM
ARCOM
WVSOM
LUCOM
VCOM (all 3 schools)
PCOM-South Georgia (new school)
Also apply to any new schools that open by 2020 and there will be several. You best chances are the newer schools.

 

[traveldr92]

Alright thanks! I was thinking of retaking mcat just because of that lethal 122- It continually hurts me but the physics section is fairly traumatic for me. Thoughts?
Also applied to UC Postbacc consortium (finishing this week) because it just dawned on me that I'm not sure Touro is a good idea.
UC Postbacc has mcat prep built in with upper div classes kind of thing. And much cheaper. What do you think?
And I'm going to need to get my hands on a DO letter
I'm thinking I need to go through one more cycle of applying then look to other countries, etc.

 

[Faha]

UC Postbacc sounds good. Do not retake the MCAT unless your practice scores are consistently 505 and higher.

 

[traveldr92]

UC Postbacc sounds good. Do not retake the MCAT unless your practice scores are consistently 505 and higher.

What kind of approach should I take to improve that mcat? It's my last shot and I know it. Only retook it because my Next Step FL and Kaplan FL were around 503. AAMC FL around 496....
I also decided to start reading the economist, etc. to just improve reading comprehension in general. Bio score high but Cars 125. Psych 124.

 

[sixersfan]

What kind of approach should I take to improve that mcat? It's my last shot and I know it. Only retook it because my Next Step FL and Kaplan FL were around 503. AAMC FL around 496....
I also decided to start reading the economist, etc. to just improve reading comprehension in general. Bio score high but Cars 125. Psych 124.

How much time did you devote to studying for the MCAT? A lot of people spend upwards of 400 hours. What materials are you using to study? AAMC should be your go to FL as they are the most similar to the real deal. Like Faha said, do not retake unless consistently scoring over 505.

 

[traveldr92]

I spent 4 months studying 3-4 days a week. Consistently did questions and used Berkeley Review book. I'm thinking of taking a physics class to help me improve since I couldn't attend much of my physics in undergrad due to family crisis that year. Thinking I definitely need a physics tutor
Also want to improve reading comprehension just as a whole so starting to pick up scientific american.

 

[sixersfan]

I spent 4 months studying 3-4 days a week. Consistently did questions and used Berkeley Review book. I'm thinking of taking a physics class to help me improve since I couldn't attend much of my physics in undergrad due to family crisis that year. Thinking I definitely need a physics tutor
Also want to improve reading comprehension just as a whole so starting to pick up scientific american.

Great initiative on improving your reading skills. All together how many hours did you spend studying? And yes, if you're evidently deficient in physics, then i would too would recommend getting a tutor. Also, like Faha said previously, you need to get that sGPA to at least a 3.0 or you'll probably just be screened out right off the bat.

Best of luck.

 

[traveldr92]

I'm planning on retaking at least one of the physics classes this summer at my local UC school. I spent probably 250 hours or so studying. Clearly need to amp it up. After retaking physics class I plan to use the UC open courseware with a tutor to pinpoint exactly where I don't understand and combine that all with heavy physics MCAT prep as I go along.
Plan to take the Berkeley review class in January, take Mcat in May and reapply.
More of a focus on international programs like Atlantic Bridge Program, Australia, St. George's Nicosia, also going to apply to St. George's Caribbean and then DO schools.
Thoughts?

 

[sixersfan]

To be frank, do not apply Caribbean... I would give it another cycle yet before doing so, at least. Also, 250 hours isn't terrible, however, a lot of people i have spoken too have spent upwards of 400 hours. Typically, a route that a lot of people like is to completely go through content review, of course doing problems at the end of the chapters, and then doing full lengths and question packs. However, don't make the mistake of heavily focusing on just physics and neglecting other subjects.

Recap: Get your sGPA over 3.0, get your MCAT 505+, and apply broadly to DO schools. Remember, there is no rush. Medical schools aren't going anywhere. Take your time.

Best of luck.

 

[traveldr92]

I'm definitely willing to give it another shot in the US system before seriously committing to going anywhere. I'm going to go less than part time at work for 8 months to really give myself the best shot for next years cycle.
To restudy for mcat I should start at the beginning with content review, correct? I was thinking about using magoosh for that, can put it on my ipad and take it anywhere. thoughts?

 

[sixersfan]

I'm definitely willing to give it another shot in the US system before seriously committing to going anywhere. I'm going to go less than part time at work for 8 months to really give myself the best shot for next years cycle.
To restudy for mcat I should start at the beginning with content review, correct? I was thinking about using magoosh for that, can put it on my ipad and take it anywhere. thoughts?

If you're more of an electronic device learner then absolutely go for it, not to mention it is very convenient to be able to study whenever, wherever. I haven't spoken with anyone who has used Magoosh so you may want to ask around before buying it. And yes, content review is typically a good starting point.

 

[traveldr92]

This may sound like a dumb question but necessary since I need to raise my score.... how do you test your own knowledge at content review? Would you go back to say your ochem book and try some problems when trying to memorize the reactions again?

 

[sixersfan]

This may sound like a dumb question but necessary since I need to raise my score.... how do you test your own knowledge at content review? Would you go back to say your ochem book and try some problems when trying to memorize the reactions again?

I would say using practice problems in your MCAT study books and questions banks would be your best bet as far as testing yourself.

 

[Bitts]

Science gpa 3.2 cum gpa 3.5 taking the mcat this summer
Advanced EMT - over 1000 hrs
Research with a pediatric neurologist with getting published
Shadowing and clinical all part of being an EMT
Study abroad, etc.

What are my chances for med school in Texas? Other options?

 

[Bitts]

You need to take additional science courses to raise your sGPA to 3.0 . You could do this at a local college (community college would be fine). When you reapply a year from now I suggest these schools, some of which you applied to previously:
ACOM
ICOM
LMU-DCOM
NYIT-Arkansas
UIWSOM
UP-KYCOM
WCU-COM
For new schools add these:
BCOM
ARCOM
WVSOM
LUCOM
VCOM (all 3 schools)
PCOM-South Georgia (new school)
Also apply to any new schools that open by 2020 and there will be several. You best chances are the newer schools.

Faha, what do you think my chances are and what should i do:

Science gpa 3.2 cum gpa 3.5 taking the mcat this summer
Advanced EMT - over 1000 hrs
Research with a pediatric neurologist with getting published
Shadowing and clinical all part of being an EMT
Study abroad, etc.

What are my chances for med school in Texas? Other options?

 

[Faha]

Faha, what do you think my chances are and what should i do:

Science gpa 3.2 cum gpa 3.5 taking the mcat this summer
Advanced EMT - over 1000 hrs
Research with a pediatric neurologist with getting published
Shadowing and clinical all part of being an EMT
Study abroad, etc.

What are my chances for med school in Texas? Other options?

It depends on your MCAT score. Post your score here when available and I will give you a list of schools.

 

[Goro]

Faha, what do you think my chances are and what should i do:

Science gpa 3.2 cum gpa 3.5 taking the mcat this summer
Advanced EMT - over 1000 hrs
Research with a pediatric neurologist with getting published
Shadowing and clinical all part of being an EMT
Study abroad, etc.

What are my chances for med school in Texas? Other options?

Chances for TX schools are zero