HELP can use advice

[kwantsmedschool]

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Hey everyone,

This is my situation. I am considering applying to DO schools and I really want this bad. The thing is that I didn't take things to seriously my junior and senior year of college and now am regretting it very much. I have done some post-bac, mainly repeated some courses that needed improvement and took some higher science courses. At the end of the day my stats are a cumm GPA of 3.19, non science of 3.179, and science of 3.21, and an MCAT of 36. I calculated the GPA the way DO schools do provided by their list of science and non science courses on their website and also by their method of taking the most recent grade for repeated courses, otherwise all those GPA stats would be lower. Just given that info do I have a shot anywhere in the 28 or 30 DO schools across the country? maybe even an interview? or to get in? Also, there is a member on this site who used to be an advisor and a member on the admission council who has her own service now that helps students in applying to medical school. I forgot her name but have seen her in the forum, anyone know who I am talking about? Thank you for all your input.

 

[Catalystik]

This is my situation. I am considering applying to DO schools and I really want this bad. The thing is that I didn't take things to seriously my junior and senior year of college and now am regretting it very much. I have done some post-bac, mainly repeated some courses that needed improvement and took some higher science courses. At the end of the day my stats are a cumm GPA of 3.19, non science of 3.179, and science of 3.21, and an MCAT of 36. I calculated the GPA the way DO schools do provided by their list of science and non science courses on their website and also by their method of taking the most recent grade for repeated courses, otherwise all those GPA stats would be lower. Just given that info do I have a shot anywhere in the 28 or 30 DO schools across the country? maybe even an interview? or to get in?

Did all the repeated classes have the same number of credits as the original, or greater?
How many postbac credits did you earn, and what was the cGPA for the postbac alone? How many credits were science?
What about LORs and ECs? Did you shadow a DO yet?

 

[kwantsmedschool]

the post bac courses were greater in value..4 credits, where as my undergrad was done at a university where all the classes were 5 quarter hours so that would be 3.33 credits when I calculated. The majority of the courses in the pre-bac where sciences. The courses were, ochem 1, ochem 2, biochem, anatomy and physio 1 and 2, microbiology, statistics. Each course was 4 credits. My gpa for those courses was a 4.0. I honestly have never worked harder but I feel now looking back maybe I should take some more upper level courses, like histology, immunology, etc. EC's were volunteering..I had 210 hours at my local hospital, shadowing 2 DO doctors and have letters from them as well. Also, I have A's but some of the courses were done at a community college, I have heard the arguements from both ends about good or bad for CC but if I have an A in those coures doesn't that show that I do know the material?

 

[Catalystik]

do I have a shot anywhere in the 28 or 30 DO schools across the country? maybe even an interview? or to get in?

Given that you've taken 32 postbac credit hours and gotten straight As, and achieved a high MCAT score that proves you grasped the material regardless of whether it was a CC class, I think you have a good chance of acceptance at many DO schools, and would suggest possibly even a shot at a more lenient MD school (42%), particularly if there is one in your state.

Taking more upper-level Bio this fall while applying and sending in update letters about your grades to further sway adcomms on the cusp would be a good idea.

 

[kwantsmedschool]

thank you for all the advice, I really appreciate, it helps to hear from someone who has gone through the process. I was wondering what you meant by the (42%)? Also when you say lenient schools do you mean the ones that aren't ranked as high? or is there a certain way I can search for them? certain keywords I could use on google to get the right info?

 

[TriagePreMed]

thank you for all the advice, I really appreciate, it helps to hear from someone who has gone through the process. I was wondering what you meant by the (42%)? Also when you say lenient schools do you mean the ones that aren't ranked as high? or is there a certain way I can search for them? certain keywords I could use on google to get the right info?

Buy the MSAR and go by the 10 to 90 percentile.

 

[Catalystik]

By "lenient" I mean less-selective medical schools that aren't so hooked on numbers.

I agree that the MSAR is your best resource. Until you get one, see this collaborative work by SDNers: Free, Legitimate Med School Matriculant Data: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=831618

Less-selective MD schools you might research for "fit" and that have a decent OOS matriculation rate:

Loyola, RFU, UKentucky, Creighton, Albany, SUNY Downstate, Hofstra (new), Jefferson, MCW,
UIllinois, Wayne, Buffalo, Toledo, UNebraska, Drexel, Temple, Vermont, VCU, Virginia Tech Carilion (newer), Arizona,
GWU, FIU, Louisville, Tulane, NYMC, MUSC, EVMS, Florida Atlantic University (new),
Rush, Michigan State, Oakland (new),
Commonwealth MC in Pa, Cooper (new in NJ)

Those I've bolded have SMP or other GPA enhancing programs affiliated, so they are more likely to give added weight to your postbac work. This list is not exhaustive.

 

[kwantsmedschool]

Thank you again for the advice and the information. Would it be ok if in the future I had any other concerns or questions I could message you? Thanks again.

 

[Catalystik]

It's best to bump this thread and ask here so many others benefit from the conversation.

 

[kwantsmedschool]

what do u mean by bump? keep it going here instead of actually messaging you privately?

 

[TriagePreMed]

what do u mean by bump? keep it going here instead of actually messaging you privately?

That's what was meant.

 

[kwantsmedschool]

thanks triage....I'm new to the forum so wasn't sure by the bump term

 

[Goro]

You're a tad on the low side for my school, but with your numbers, start applying because you'll definitely get interviews elsewhere.

Hey everyone,

This is my situation. I am considering applying to DO schools and I really want this bad. The thing is that I didn't take things to seriously my junior and senior year of college and now am regretting it very much. I have done some post-bac, mainly repeated some courses that needed improvement and took some higher science courses. At the end of the day my stats are a cumm GPA of 3.19, non science of 3.179, and science of 3.21, and an MCAT of 36. I calculated the GPA the way DO schools do provided by their list of science and non science courses on their website and also by their method of taking the most recent grade for repeated courses, otherwise all those GPA stats would be lower. Just given that info do I have a shot anywhere in the 28 or 30 DO schools across the country? maybe even an interview? or to get in? Also, there is a member on this site who used to be an advisor and a member on the admission council who has her own service now that helps students in applying to medical school. I forgot her name but have seen her in the forum, anyone know who I am talking about? Thank you for all your input.

 

[kwantsmedschool]

Which school do you attend Goro? I am honestly shooting for D.O. schools because their GPA calculation policy is saving me and the GPA stats given were done using their recalculation method. Hoping to get into any D.O. school, location not a factor at all. Definitely regret messing around my last two years of college and paying for it now, but want this really badly.