6
664628
Hey all,
To keep this short and sweet, I am currently reapplying, focusing on DO schools because I am more competitive there. I had a few interviews last cycle that all resulted in waitlists, two DO, one MD.
Stats:
PA resident
Neuro major
cGPA 3.5
sGPA 3.2
MCAT 29 10BS/10V/9PS
I've been out of school for two years, but volunteered and worked at a hospital for those years. Should have solid enough EC's. Worked and played sports in college, captain of team, research, over 4000 hours of clinical experience, etc.
Got surprisingly little love from DO schools, which some suggested could be due to a weak PS (which I am re-writing) or bad LORs. Also, when I first applied my MCAT wasn't attached to my application and I sent it in months later. Not sure if that affected anything but it certainly wasn't ideal, b/c I wasn't complete at schools as early as I could have been. Also, my sGPA isn't great and I received a few C's in pre-reqs.
Anyway, I mentioned taking a SMP or post bacc and some suggested I didn't need to do , that my stats were fine for DO, and that I should just take those C's again to boost my GPA. Also that an SMP would just be a waste of time and money and potentially a risk (if I don't perform well). However, a school I talked to suggested that I do a masters program to "round out my coursework" and that just retaking classes was not as good.
Been accepted to a few, but really only considering two, due to location and money.
Chatham - small private institution in Pittsburgh, for a Masters in Bio (it's tailored for med applicants to improve). Would be nice because its a small institution where I would receive lots of individual attention, opportunities for new, better LORs, and I live down the street, so I wouldn't uproot my life for a year. I applied for a position where I could get free room and board, as well as a meal plan, but I've heard no news from this yet.
LECOM - Would be nice b/c of linkage to its DO program, and I'm from there, could live with my parents and (if I didn't kill myself) save a significant amount of money. It's also cheaper than Chatham.
Thoughts? Which would be better? Do I need one/should I attend one?
Any help or advice is much appreciate. Thanks!
-woods
To keep this short and sweet, I am currently reapplying, focusing on DO schools because I am more competitive there. I had a few interviews last cycle that all resulted in waitlists, two DO, one MD.
Stats:
PA resident
Neuro major
cGPA 3.5
sGPA 3.2
MCAT 29 10BS/10V/9PS
I've been out of school for two years, but volunteered and worked at a hospital for those years. Should have solid enough EC's. Worked and played sports in college, captain of team, research, over 4000 hours of clinical experience, etc.
Got surprisingly little love from DO schools, which some suggested could be due to a weak PS (which I am re-writing) or bad LORs. Also, when I first applied my MCAT wasn't attached to my application and I sent it in months later. Not sure if that affected anything but it certainly wasn't ideal, b/c I wasn't complete at schools as early as I could have been. Also, my sGPA isn't great and I received a few C's in pre-reqs.
Anyway, I mentioned taking a SMP or post bacc and some suggested I didn't need to do , that my stats were fine for DO, and that I should just take those C's again to boost my GPA. Also that an SMP would just be a waste of time and money and potentially a risk (if I don't perform well). However, a school I talked to suggested that I do a masters program to "round out my coursework" and that just retaking classes was not as good.
Been accepted to a few, but really only considering two, due to location and money.
Chatham - small private institution in Pittsburgh, for a Masters in Bio (it's tailored for med applicants to improve). Would be nice because its a small institution where I would receive lots of individual attention, opportunities for new, better LORs, and I live down the street, so I wouldn't uproot my life for a year. I applied for a position where I could get free room and board, as well as a meal plan, but I've heard no news from this yet.
LECOM - Would be nice b/c of linkage to its DO program, and I'm from there, could live with my parents and (if I didn't kill myself) save a significant amount of money. It's also cheaper than Chatham.
Thoughts? Which would be better? Do I need one/should I attend one?
Any help or advice is much appreciate. Thanks!
-woods
