I need advice in where to apply and if I am a good candidate for MD or DO!

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
O

onesteptwostep

Full Member
7+ Year Member
Joined
Apr 26, 2015
Messages
34
Reaction score
3
Members do not see this ad.
Hey ok so I will cut straight to it.
My cGPA is 3.53 and sGPA is 3.47
I have not taken the MCAT yet but taking it soon
I have close to if not more than 100 hours of shadowing in a clinic
I have research experience and I have joined another research program for my senior year
I have 50+ hours of volunteering
Neuroscience major Junior

My only quarrel is my cgpa may drop to 3.49 at the end of this semester how would that affect me? And my sGPA may drop to like a 3.42
Am I a prime candidate for MD? or should I go DO?
 
onesteptwostep said:
Hey ok so I will cut straight to it.
My cGPA is 3.53 and sGPA is 3.47
I have not taken the MCAT yet but taking it soon
I have close to if not more than 100 hours of shadowing in a clinic
I have research experience and I have joined another research program for my senior year
I have 50+ hours of volunteering
Neuroscience major Junior

My only quarrel is my cgpa may drop to 3.49 at the end of this semester how would that affect me? And my sGPA may drop to like a 3.42
Am I a prime candidate for MD? or should I go DO?
Click to expand...
Depends on your mcat whether your competitive for MD or DO.
 
I am taking the new MCAT in June and so no one really knows what essentially is a "great score" so say I get a 507 what would this make me look like?
 
My school does the committee process so I don't have to procure a LOR however i will be shadowing a DO this summer and will ask them for an LOR if I decide on DO
 
kenjixshadow said:
New MCAT score range: 472 (lowest) - 528 (highest). If you take 528 - 472 = 56.
There are 4 sections, so 56 / 4 = 14 points total for each section.
If you get 507, 507 - 472 = 35 / 4 = 8.75 (roughly 9) for each section. That puts you around 27 on the old MCAT score and it is enough to get you accept in DO schools.
If you want MD, you will need to score 510+ and improve your ECs as there are nothing exotic about them.
P.s. get a DO letter if you apply to DO.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure this makes sense. I didn't take the time to look into the mathematics but according to AAMC's projections, you're off pretty significantly. A 507 would be 80 percentile which is 29-30 in the older system.

Anyways, @onesteptwostep
The average matriculant MCAT for allopathic students was 31 (83 percentile) which translates into a 508 for the new scoring system [hypothetical]

So actually a 507 isn't too bad, but seeing that your GPA's sit below the averages for this year, I would suggest aiming >90 percentile.

Sources:
[New MCAT Percentiles] https://www.aamc.org/students/download/378098/data/mcat2015scorescaleguide.pdf
[Old MCAT Percentiles] https://www.aamc.org/students/download/361080/data/combined13.pdf.pdf
[Average Stats for MD] https://www.aamc.org/download/321494/data/factstable17.pdf

EDITED to include DO stats:

The average matriculant MCAT for osteopathic students was 27 in 2013, I couldn't find 2014 in the 30 seconds I researched, this is likely [.2 or so?] higher this year. =503-504

Source: http://www.aacom.org/docs/default-source/data-and-trends/2013-COM-AMProfile.pdf?sfvrsn=22
 
Last edited:
kenjixshadow said:
New MCAT score range: 472 (lowest) - 528 (highest). If you take 528 - 472 = 56.
There are 4 sections, so 56 / 4 = 14 points total for each section.
If you get 507, 507 - 472 = 35 / 4 = 8.75 (roughly 9) for each section. That puts you around 27 on the old MCAT score and it is enough to get you accept in DO schools.
If you want MD, you will need to score 510+ and improve your ECs as there are nothing exotic about them.
P.s. get a DO letter if you apply to DO.
Click to expand...


lol wut
 
InterstellarStudent said:
lol wut
Click to expand...

Lol way over thinking it on the calculation look at the chart he linked. Unless those numbers are old a 507 puts you at the 80th percentile. Per the chart that is between a 30-31, near the average of an average MD accepted student. But your GPA is below the average(3.68/3.62). I'm in the same spot as you basically(only with an even lower science gpa). While a simple MD applicant search will show there are many students who get in with lower GPA and MCATs than normal(not significantly lower and with something that stands out to make up for it) that's not a position you want to put yourself in. The best bet is to try to make up the ground in GPA through MCAT. It doesn't work that way exactly but your GPA isn't low enough that it rules you out of the MD level. If you were to get around a 34 on the old system, now that is the type of MCAT that is high enough from the average that it can definitely help to compensate for your GPA. Doing so would require an MCAT of around 513-514. Hardly easy but that's what getting into med school has become these days. For DO, you are in solid shape and the average DO matriculant has an MCAT of 27. Getting a 507 would put you in solid shape for DO admission. Best of luck my man.
 
@ GrapesofRath I was thinking of aiming for mostly DO after doing some more research on osteopathic medicine. Thank you! Are you going to try DO? Let me now how it goes!
 
Gandy741 said:
He could still get into a low tier md school and his stats would allow him to get into any do school of he got a 507 tho
Click to expand...

Yea I said low side of MD not DO. And it's possible to get into low tier MD but its a bit of a stretch. On the low side of both GPA and MCAT
 
DoctorSynthesis said:
Yea I said low side of MD not DO. And it's possible to get into low tier MD but its a bit of a stretch. On the low side of both GPA and MCAT
Click to expand...

It is a stretch but a 30 is a pretty good score. It's the GPa .
 
Last edited:
Gandy741 said:
It is a stretch but a 30 is a pretty good score. It's the GPa .

Ok then I need your honest opinion.
Click to expand...

I honestly believe it is a stretch, unless you have really stellar EC's, or unless you are URM. You'll also need a stellar app with a really good PS. It also depends where you live. If in Cali, forget it. If in the Northeast, it would be a stretch. If in Midwest, you should be ok.

What was your MCAT score breakdown?
 
Last edited:
mathnerd88 said:
I honestly believe it is a stretch, unless you have really stellar EC's, or unless you are URM. You'll also need a stellar app with a really good PS. It also depends where you live. If in Cali, forget it. If in the Northeast, it would be a stretch. If in Midwest, you should be ok.

What was your MCAT score breakdown?
Click to expand...

I'm in the Midwest and my breakdown was 9/10/10
 
Gandy741 said:
I'm in the Midwest and my breakdown was 9/10/10
Click to expand...

If that is so, then you should be fine as long as you apply in-state schools. You should probably get an interview. Do you have a lot of EC's? Check the MSAR.
 
mathnerd88 said:
If that is so, then you should be fine as long as you apply in-state schools. You should probably get an interview. Do you have a lot of EC's? Check the MSAR.
Click to expand...

Yea, I applied to schools in my range and all of my state schools. Well besides WashU for obvious reasons. Hell even SLU has high stats.

I believe I have strong EC's with around 4.5 years of research as well.
 
Gandy741 said:
Yea, I applied to schools in my range and all of my state schools. Well besides WashU for obvious reasons. Hell even SLU has high stats.

I believe I have strong EC's with around 4.5 years of research as well.
Click to expand...

Then you should be golden. Applying early helps. I believe I may have applied late too.
 
Gandy741 said:
It is a stretch but a 30 is a pretty good score. It's the GPa .


Ok then I need your honest opinion. Do you think a and GPa is a stretch for low tier md?
Click to expand...

A 30 is an OK score. It's not great. Both are on the lower end of most schools. Look at an MSAR. Those numbers are probably OK for state schools.

Your honestly going to have trouble. You might be able to get in somewhere but its going to be tough. My friends had better numbers and got in but even they had trouble. If you live in a favorable state/URM/ or have something else stellar on your application your chances go way up
 
Last edited:
DoctorSynthesis said:
A 30 is an OK score. It's not great. Both are on the lower end of most schools. Look at an MSAR. Those numbers are probably OK for state schools.

Your honestly going to have trouble. You might be able to get in somewhere but its going to be tough. My friends had better numbers and got in but even they had trouble. If you live in a favorable state/URM/ or have something else stellar on your application your chances go way up
Click to expand...

I dont know if I have something super stellar on my app as its all relative to other candidates. I know I have strong EC's and I live in the Midwest.

Thats all I have lol
 
Gandy741 said:
I dont know if I have something super stellar on my app as its all relative to other candidates. I know I have strong EC's and I live in the Midwest.

Thats all I have lol
Click to expand...

No point in worry about that now. Just apply and do your best and see where you end up! Your chances are extremely good for osteopathic schools if you don't get into allopathic.

In the end, there would be no regrets right?
 
mathnerd88 said:
No point in worry about that now. Just apply and do your best and see where you end up! Your chances are extremely good for osteopathic schools if you don't get into allopathic.

In the end, there would be no regrets right?
Click to expand...

Nah no regrets. Before I took my 2nd MCAT I was looking at Biomedical Engineer Programs and Pharmacy programs in fear of not having an MCAT good enough for even DO schools.

So yea....... no regrets.
 
Gandy741 said:
Nah no regrets. Before I took my 2nd MCAT I was looking at Biomedical Engineer Programs and Pharmacy programs in fear of not having an MCAT good enough for even DO schools.

So yea....... no regrets.
Click to expand...

Also note that alot of schools average MCATs.

Good luck! Make a smart list of schools
 
DoctorSynthesis said:
Also note that alot of schools average MCATs.

Good luck! Make a smart list of schools
Click to expand...

Yea I'm on top of that already. I've called all 40 schools Im applying to. They all say they take the highest or most recent MCAT, or that they review all scores holistically.

After they told me, I would reconfirm that they literally do not take score X and then score Y and divide by 2. Not a single one averages that Im applying to unless the person

talking to me is either misinformed or is lying. Either way, there is nothing I can do about that at this point.
 
Here is an update at where I am:
My sGPA is 3.4 and my cGPA is 3.48. My mcat score is 498. I have 150+ hours of shadowing 100 hours of volunteering and two different research experiences. I am leaning more towards DO now. Which schools do you think matches this criteria? I am a Texas resident by the way if that makes a difference? I turned in my Texas apps but I am still working on DO ones
 
onesteptwostep said:
Here is an update at where I am:
My sGPA is 3.4 and my cGPA is 3.48. My mcat score is 498. I have 150+ hours of shadowing 100 hours of volunteering and two different research experiences. I am leaning more towards DO now. Which schools do you think matches this criteria? I am a Texas resident by the way if that makes a difference? I turned in my Texas apps but I am still working on DO ones
Click to expand...

Well, with your stats you are okay with DO, although that MCAT score is not doing you any favors. A 498 is like a 24 on the old scale?

You probably need to apply to newer DO schools with that MCAT.
 
The MCAT is just one part of the application wouldn't my GPA and EC outweigh the MCAT?
 
onesteptwostep said:
Hey ok so I will cut straight to it.
My cGPA is 3.53 and sGPA is 3.47
I have not taken the MCAT yet but taking it soon
I have close to if not more than 100 hours of shadowing in a clinic
I have research experience and I have joined another research program for my senior year
I have 50+ hours of volunteering
Neuroscience major Junior

My only quarrel is my cgpa may drop to 3.49 at the end of this semester how would that affect me? And my sGPA may drop to like a 3.42
Am I a prime candidate for MD? or should I go DO?
Click to expand...

Depending upon your MCAT score I would say DO, MD is going to be tough with less than a 3.6 in both science and non science, and superb MCAT scores, on the old system I would say a minimum of 31 for a lower tier MD school, the better MD schools would require MCAT scores in the mid to higher 30s to be competitive.

One word of advice, go to a professional prep course and study very hard for the MCAT, that exam can determine the course of your life, other than your GPA it is one of the most important factors in your application to medical school. A high MCAT can only help your case to the admissions committee, its often used a predictor of a student's performance on medical boards.
 
onesteptwostep said:
The MCAT is just one part of the application wouldn't my GPA and EC outweigh the MCAT?
Click to expand...

Your GPA is about average for DO schools, but your MCAT is below average. In order to overcome this, you'll need really good EC's. Your EC's are pretty much cookie cutter and every applicant will pretty much have it. Do you have any leadership positions?

A poor MCAT score can be outweighed by both really good GPA or EC's. For example, a 498 MCAT can be outweighed if you have a 3.8+ GPA and really good EC's.

What is going to make you stand out among those 6000+ applicants who all have similar/better stats than you? A medical school only needs to accept 5% of the applicant pool, and only about 2.5% matriculate. They only interview about 10% of applicants.
 
Last edited:
Seth Joo said:
Depending upon your MCAT score I would say DO, MD is going to be tough with less than a 3.6 in both science and non science, and superb MCAT scores, on the old system I would say a minimum of 31 for a lower tier MD school, the better MD schools would require MCAT scores in the mid to higher 30s to be competitive.

One word of advice, go to a professional prep course and study very hard for the MCAT, that exam can determine the course of your life, other than your GPA it is one of the most important factors in your application to medical school. A high MCAT can only help your case to the admissions committee, its often used a predictor of a student's performance on medical boards.
Click to expand...

You should see his later posts...
onesteptwostep said:
Here is an update at where I am:
My sGPA is 3.4 and my cGPA is 3.48. My mcat score is 498. I have 150+ hours of shadowing 100 hours of volunteering and two different research experiences. I am leaning more towards DO now. Which schools do you think matches this criteria? I am a Texas resident by the way if that makes a difference? I turned in my Texas apps but I am still working on DO ones
Click to expand...
 
onesteptwostep said:
Yes I do have leadership positions I forgot to add that!
Click to expand...

If you have stellar EC's, then you'll have a shot. The interview process can be pretty lengthy. I have pretty decent stats and stellar EC's, and I'm still waiting for over half my schools with silence.

Some schools gave me a II right away, and some are just taking their time or passing on me. I believe that DO schools are much more competitive than I originally thought.
 
Also I have a job along with all the EC I have done. I got some secondaries back as well!
 
Thanks! Though I put it down very vague here I have a lot of ECs so I'm hoping that and my gpa will make up for the mcat! As I said I am planning mostly DO let's see where life takes me!
 
Hey
So the breakdown is that I am reapplying this year. My cGPA is 3.52 and sgpa is 3.37. I am retaking the mcat come August/September. I am also a Texas resident. That being said should I just stick to applying DO and not apply Texas or should I wait another year before applying and not apply this year at all? Do I have a shot at Texas schools?
 
onesteptwostep said:
Hey
So the breakdown is that I am reapplying this year. My cGPA is 3.52 and sgpa is 3.37. I am retaking the mcat come August/September. I am also a Texas resident. That being said should I just stick to applying DO and not apply Texas or should I wait another year before applying and not apply this year at all? Do I have a shot at Texas schools?
Click to expand...

Quite frankly, no not really. You need to wait for a better MCAT score before you apply again
 
If you had no luck with TX schools, then DO it is. You're not going to get into MD schools outside of Tx with those GPAs.

Your new MCAT will also come too late for the TX MD schools.




onesteptwostep said:
Hey
So the breakdown is that I am reapplying this year. My cGPA is 3.52 and sgpa is 3.37. I am retaking the mcat come August/September. I am also a Texas resident. That being said should I just stick to applying DO and not apply Texas or should I wait another year before applying and not apply this year at all? Do I have a shot at Texas schools?
Click to expand...
 
Goro said:
If you had no luck with TX schools, then DO it is. You're not going to get into MD schools outside of Tx with those GPAs.

Your new MCAT will also come too late for the TX MD schools.
Click to expand...
So would it be better if I just waited until next year altogether?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

TochRoach
Am i in a bad spot
Replies
2
Views
484
Goro
Goro
M
Apply DO or wait a year to apply DO + MD
Replies
5
Views
3K
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
C
Needed some advice on what DO school to apply to
Replies
4
Views
476
chillstill
C
F
Did I apply too late, or do I have a chance?
Replies
8
Views
2K
Goro
Goro
Meli001
Do I need to disclose an expunged institutional action on AACOMAS application?
Replies
1
Views
774
Goro
Goro
Top