HELP! Chances of Getting In to DO school

[PlatinumRainbow]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hello All,

I know this topic has been beaten down by every other premed out here, but its driving me nuts and I have to get some opinions.

I really want to apply DO in the 2016 cycle but I am not sure if it would be worth it given my stats. Of course, the other option would be Carib, but I would like to avoid the hassle if possible.

Here are my stats:

Metrics:
Undergrad GPA - 3.3/3.4 with a 4.0 in my major (Anthropology)
Masters GPA - So far, 3.6 but I am just starting (2 year program. Master of bioscience program)
MCAT - 23 (PS 7, VR 8, BS 8)

Ecs:
Flying Samaritans; student-run monthly clinic to Mexico to provide free medical care ( 3 years)
Hospital volunteer work: 400 hours of hand-on patient care (similar to a CNA) + over 1000 hours of leadership contributions
Different hospital volunteer work: 200 hours of essentially clerical work. Saw some procedures in the process.
Nuevos Horizontes: went to Guatemala for 6 weeks to volunteer in a Women's Shelter that works help women from domestic violence situation/severe poverty get on their feet (its amazing, you guys should do this if you have a free summer).

Shadowing:
I have shadowed 4 physicians for various lengths of time (max 6 months) over a period of 3 years. Last shadow experience as 2013 but I work with Drs now, so shadowing s kind of included in my job.

Work Experience:
Medical Scribe: Been doing this about a year so far (still employed)
Worked in various non-medical fields since I was 16 and all throughout college (single-mom situation and I needed to support myself)

Demographics:
25 year old white female

Lab Research:
None

Publications:
Working on 1 or 2 right now that are just reading based on new therapies.


Does anyone think I have a shot of getting in to a DO school?
Please advise.

 

[Endorphins98]

I think you look good, but I would maybe retake the MCAT after studying/taking practice to make sure you are scoring higher.

 

[PlatinumRainbow]

I think you look good, but I would maybe retake the MCAT after studying/taking practice to make sure you are scoring higher.

thank you for replying 🙂
I agree, retaking the MCAT would probably be ideal. However, my question is if anyone thinks I can get in WITHOUT retaking the MCAT. I am likely going to apply next cycle but based on what people say, it will make the difference if I mass apply (if people think I have a shot of acceptance), or just apply to a few (if people think I might have a shot but probably not).

Just trying to get a feel.

 

[mathnerd88]

If you retake the MCAT and get a good enough score, you should be able to get into DO school, no problem. Aim to get at least a 505.

 

[just_SAIYAN]

Will you be applying this cycle? If you applied earlier in the cycle I would say you would have a decent shot at some of the newer schools and schools that take lower mcats like acom, cusom, Lecom, mucom, BCOM, Lmu-dcom vcom-auburn. William Carey.

Not sure how you will fare if you are just getting your primary in right now because the cycle is about halfway through and schools are filling up their classes so they may start to be getting more selective for competitive applicants. Your GPA is solid and your ECs look good as well your mcat is low but it's balanced and when paired with the rest of your app I think you have a decent shot at landing a couple interviews. If you have a DO letter I think you are sitting in an okay spot, if applying at the start of next cycle.

 

[just_SAIYAN]

thank you for replying 🙂
I agree, retaking the MCAT would probably be ideal. However, my question is if anyone thinks I can get in WITHOUT retaking the MCAT. I am likely going to apply next cycle but based on what people say, it will make the difference if I mass apply (if people think I have a shot of acceptance), or just apply to a few (if people think I might have a shot but probably not).

Just trying to get a feel.

I would say you have a decent shot getting in somewhere if you apply broadly to low tier/newer schools. If I was you I would retake to give myself more options.

 

[PlatinumRainbow]

Will you be applying this cycle? If you applied earlier in the cycle I would say you would have a decent shot at some of the newer schools and schools that take lower mcats like acom, cusom, Lecom, mucom, BCOM, Lmu-dcom vcom-auburn. William Carey.

Not sure how you will fare if you are just getting your primary in right now because the cycle is about halfway through and schools are filling up their classes so they may start to be getting more selective for competitive applicants. Your GPA is solid and your ECs look good as well your mcat is low but it's balanced and when paired with the rest of your app I think you have a decent shot at landing a couple interviews. If you have a DO letter I think you are sitting in an okay spot, if applying at the start of next cycle.

No, I would be applying next summer to begin school in the fall of 2017. My masters program won't be finished until earlier that year.

 

[Optimist Prime]

Without retaking the mcat its a gamble that I personally wouldn't take. Three hard months of studying is worth not becoming a re-applicant.

 

[PlatinumRainbow]

Without retaking the mcat its a gamble that I personally wouldn't take. Three hard months of studying is worth not becoming a re-applicant.

Forgive me for asking but what is the problem with being a reapplicant? I've never heard of a negative associated with it.

 

[Optimist Prime]

In med school and in practice, the only times you retake or redo anything are when you screw up, which can cost you your MD or license. So generally speaking, the question with a reapplicant who had damage is "why couldn't they get it right the first time like most of our other 5000 applicants?" and "do they think they get to retake board exams?" But lots of reapplicants end up succeeding, usually because they fix and improve and recommit and persevere and mature etc.

If you search the forums you can see why it might not be in your best interest.

However you can see that if you have significant changes on your application it might not hurt you, but I can see some adcoms wanting it right the first time.

 

[Goro]

100% agree. Your score is a risk factor for failing out of med school.

I think you look good, but I would maybe retake the MCAT after studying/taking practice to make sure you are scoring higher.

 

[PlatinumRainbow]

thank you for your input everyone. I appreciate the advice.

 

[GONNA%FINISH]

thank you for your input everyone. I

 

[GONNA%FINISH]

Did u get into the program

 

[Optimist Prime]

Did u get into the program

this is 2 years old an the poster hasn't posted anything in a year lol

 

[PlatinumRainbow]

Hey! Sorry for delay! I ended up doing a 2 year master of bioscience program at Keck Graduate Institute - just finished! I'm applying to both MD and DO this cycle 🙂 fingers crossed 🙂