Feedback on my chances...

[strontium90]

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First I'd like to say that I'm very happy I found this site and these forums. There has been so much useful information and it has been a relief to be able to communicate with other pre-meds, docs, etc. The people around me have no idea what I'm going through or how this whole thing works. We were at our good friend's house Sunday after the MCAT and he was asking how it went and if I "passed". His understanding is that it was a pass-fail thing, and that I had passed and was now able to go to med school. It's funny how little people know about the process sometimes. As another example I was talking to someone at Starbucks about a month ago who asked me about what I was studying. Upon my explanation they said "Oh yeah my cousin took the medical test to become a nursing assistant", is that what you are doing? I just said, no, its to become a doctor. (alas, no disrespect to nursing assistants, they are fine people) Then she said, "oh wow you will be rich rich rich". I just had to restrain myself, the rich comments come often.

So, it's a good thing I found this site. And it has allowed me to learn a little more about DO school as well.

I'm a non-traditional student, 35, married, kid. I've worked in pharma and bio for some years and have some experience under my belt. My GPA is low, 3.0...which is one of the things that has me worried. Without going into detail I was not into college at all the first year and a half and received a lot of failing grades, didn't drop the courses, so they are forever on my record. 😡 The last two years of college, which I completed later, were much different. The lowest grade I received was a B, and I was able to get As in O-Chem, Biochem, Immunology, and a lot of other upper-division classes. 🙂 I took the MCAT in the fall of last year and got a 7B 10P 7B P. I took it again saturday and am expecting 28-30, based on practice tests and gut instinct. I've done some volunteering and shadowing, and I am planning on doing a lot more this year.

From what I can tell, I may not have a chance at MD schools. Sure, there are exceptions, but people with my GPA and history probably don't usually get in. The one's that do may have done some incredible research or have some other very impressive achievements or accolades that I am lacking. For this reason I have began to think of DO schools. I do not feel at all that they are second rate, just that they would be more willing to look at me and my potential to practice medicine versus ruling me out based simply on GPA. I'm confident I have the abilities, intelligence, and attributes to do very well in school, but just need to be given that chance.

I'd appreciate any feedback some of you may have based on what I've said here. Anyone else non-traditional? Anyone that did not have the best start to their college career? Anyone just want to tell me to give up my dreams and that maybe a nursing assistant job would be more in my league?

I'd also in specific like to hear about TOURO in Vallejo. We used to live in the Bay and I love it and would love to move back. And I have a snowflakes chance in hell of getting into Stanford or UCSF. IMs would be welcome too.

Thanks.

 

[rgerwin]

I'm in the same boat, but I have a 3.0 from average grades all around. Touro-MI is one of the tougher to get into, but definitely not impossible. I'm applying, too. If you're willing to move to weird places, apply broadly and early, and you'll get in.

 

[Buckeye(OH)]

3.0 and your current MCAT isn't gonna cut it. If you do indeed get a 28-30, you will certainly be in better shape.

People on here are gonna bull**** you and say, I know person XYZ that got in a with a 1.5gpa and 12 MCAT; realistically, as it stands, your chances arent great.

 

[csox84]

3.0 and your current MCAT isn't gonna cut it. If you do indeed get a 28-30, you will certainly be in better shape.

People on here are gonna bull**** you and say, I know person XYZ that got in a with a 1.5gpa and 12 MCAT; realistically, as it stands, your chances arent great.

I'd definitely say if your MCAT is pulled up you will stand a much better chance. A 3.0 isn't the best to apply with but it's not the worst either. If you can do some other things to make your application look more appealing, definitely do them. Adcoms are more likely to accept a lower gpa that way.
Whatever happens, don't get discouraged, even if the odds are against you. Buckeye is right, you'll hear the " I know someone who got in with a ...." and even if the chances aren't great, it does happen sometimes.
Good luck!

 

[Jamers]

First I'd like to say that I'm very happy I found this site and these forums. There has been so much useful information and it has been a relief to be able to communicate with other pre-meds, docs, etc. The people around me have no idea what I'm going through or how this whole thing works. We were at our good friend's house Sunday after the MCAT and he was asking how it went and if I "passed". His understanding is that it was a pass-fail thing, and that I had passed and was now able to go to med school. It's funny how little people know about the process sometimes. As another example I was talking to someone at Starbucks about a month ago who asked me about what I was studying. Upon my explanation they said "Oh yeah my cousin took the medical test to become a nursing assistant", is that what you are doing? I just said, no, its to become a doctor. (alas, no disrespect to nursing assistants, they are fine people) Then she said, "oh wow you will be rich rich rich". I just had to restrain myself, the rich comments come often.

So, it's a good thing I found this site. And it has allowed me to learn a little more about DO school as well.

I'm a non-traditional student, 35, married, kid. I've worked in pharma and bio for some years and have some experience under my belt. My GPA is low, 3.0...which is one of the things that has me worried. Without going into detail I was not into college at all the first year and a half and received a lot of failing grades, didn't drop the courses, so they are forever on my record. 😡 The last two years of college, which I completed later, were much different. The lowest grade I received was a B, and I was able to get As in O-Chem, Biochem, Immunology, and a lot of other upper-division classes. 🙂 I took the MCAT in the fall of last year and got a 7B 10P 7B P. I took it again saturday and am expecting 28-30, based on practice tests and gut instinct. I've done some volunteering and shadowing, and I am planning on doing a lot more this year.

From what I can tell, I may not have a chance at MD schools. Sure, there are exceptions, but people with my GPA and history probably don't usually get in. The one's that do may have done some incredible research or have some other very impressive achievements or accolades that I am lacking. For this reason I have began to think of DO schools. I do not feel at all that they are second rate, just that they would be more willing to look at me and my potential to practice medicine versus ruling me out based simply on GPA. I'm confident I have the abilities, intelligence, and attributes to do very well in school, but just need to be given that chance.

I'd appreciate any feedback some of you may have based on what I've said here. Anyone else non-traditional? Anyone that did not have the best start to their college career? Anyone just want to tell me to give up my dreams and that maybe a nursing assistant job would be more in my league?

I'd also in specific like to hear about TOURO in Vallejo. We used to live in the Bay and I love it and would love to move back. And I have a snowflakes chance in hell of getting into Stanford or UCSF. IMs would be welcome too.

Thanks.

Wow, I'd like to say, after reading the below posts, that this is the worst question to ask on here. People will tell you anything/everything and, no offense, all they know is what they have been through. We are not ADMINS, we do not know what your chances will be. Someone said it above better than me so, I will repeat it, "I know XYZ person, blah blah..." that is true. I myself have a high GPA but a 22Q MCAT, five acceptances and seven offered interviews. I know people with much better stats that got jack. So, that does that mean? Your chances are as good as you sell them. Buckle down and prepare for the interview. If you get one, smash it out the park. Make sure you TELL THEM why they WANT you. Other than that, just sit back and take everything you read on here with a BIG grain of salt. Even what I say

 

[bluerose786]

Hi...I'm amazed at your perseverance, and you definitely seem like a hard worker and a determined individual! It sounds like you'll be applying this summer, right? I think the fact that you RETOOK the MCAT will look good because it shows that you're determined to do better, and they know how much work it takes to take that test again. If I were you, like other posters said, I'd apply to a WIDE range of schools....all over the country....just to give it a really GOOD chance! Finish or start your Personal Statement SOON and get the application in early! Also, make sure you've SHADOWED a D.O. I know some schools say a D.O. letter is RECOMMENDED, but if you want to be a STRONG applicant, it's to your advantage to have had experience with a D.O. physician and a letter from him/her as well. Many schools have non-traditional students and they will look at the WHOLE picture....I hope your work/activities experiences will help you in the process. Good luck, and never give up!

 

[FS-Pro]

If you apply early, like in June sometime, and you spend some time writing a good personal statement, with a 28 MCAT you will have a pretty good shot, IMHO. As Jamers, my future classmate 😀 , said, apply to a wide variety of schools and you should be alright. I can't stress it enough, apply early.

 

[Spankete87]

All I can say is give it a shot! I have a 3.3 overall, 3.0 science and a 30Q MCAT and was offered 4 interviews, took three and got into all three schools. Good luck!

 

[rgerwin]

Which schools? We have alot of the same stats.

 

[LINYKid]

Glad I found this site, it has been very helpfull.

Ok so here's my story I will try to keep it as short and not to booring and any advice would be appreciated.

So I am interested in applying to DO schools in probably 3years. I have a bachelors degree in Biz 4yrs ago with a lousy GPA 2.86, if you add in 9 additional credits I took for some grad math classes and languages it boosts by gpa to still but pathetic 2.92. The reason for my low gpa was purely medical reasons I underwent surgeries almost every college semester while still thinking I could do it all

My dream is to go to NYCOM [especially for geographic reasons] or Nova 2nd or NJ . So I spoke to some people I know at NYCOM they said I can take science classes at community college so I have just started taking a few of the pre-req's phy, chem, etc so far with A's and A- in physics and am starting bio soon, I took some science AP's in highschool and did well but that was over 10yrs ago.

I have read about the policy where I may can take over a few classes to replace some of my lousy gpa but I assume my main focus should be for a high science gpa. I also dont want to retake 10 classes, I am thinking of taking 3-5 tops. I am worried since I see a lot of people here who dont have as high of gpa's have taken master's programs. I looked into a few but with no sci backround it would take me forever, probably 5yrs to do prereq's, masters, mcat's etc. I dont want to start school at 60 lol.

So are my chances hopeless? I am planning to take all the required minimums of course Physics, Chem, Bio, Organic than some elecctives like biochem, genetics, etc. I spoke to people at NYCOM that I know and they said it doesnt matter where I take my prereq's since I have a degree and just need the minimums but I highly doubt that, so I know I need to make up a lot of ground to compete w/ average applicants, so my hope is to excell in the science classes and do well in the MCAT, some people I know who went to DO school say it can work others say I should not even bother. Aside from the minimum preq's that most schools require what else do you suggest?


I have some volunteer work, and am in the process of being able to shadow a DO. So really an advice would be so helpfull thanks in advance, feel free to reply or email me.

sorry for all the spelling errors i advance incase the grammer police are watching
thanks

 

[HunterGatherer]

Glad I found this site, it has been very helpfull.

You should start your own thread as this is not the topic of the original post. I sent an answer to you in your PM though.