I'm applying only to DO schools that still take my MCAT. Should I retake to apply to more?

[spes93]

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Stats and background:

3.47 cGPA and 3.47 sGPA in college.

Graduating with a 3.33 GPA in an SMP

MCAT: 30 (from 2014)

Over 100 hours volunteering in a hospital in college. About 100 volunteering a halfway home serving lunch.

Was a tutor to underprivileged inner city PreK kids for a year.

Other random jobs like labeling books for my school library, working in my colleges gym. Amounts to probably around 1000 hours.

Received two grants for two different research positions with published abstracts and poster presentation.

Senior producer for a science talk show on the schools radio station (very well respected in NYC) in which I was involved for all 4 years of college.

Worked for and still work for wound care doctor doing both clinical and clerical work, for about 2 years now.

Currently working retail, and scribing. About 20hrs/week each.

Currently doing research in a well known lab (they're in the New York Times like every other month). Publishing is likely at this point but not before applications open.

Will receive 5 LOR, 2 from PI (science faculty), 1 from Grad program director (science faculty), 1 from MD I work for and 1 from a DO.

Personal statement is solid and have received positive feedback, will be better after editing.



for thoroughness this my school list:

NYiT

Rowan

Alabama com

AT still

Msucom

Nsucom

Pnwu-com

Tucom-ca

Tuncom

Unthsc/tcom

Vcom-auburn

Vcom-vc

Western U/COMP

WCUCOM

LMU-DCOM

ARCOM

LECOM

ATSU-COM

UP-KYCOM



Given my stats and ECs am I approaching the school list appropriately?

 

[brew]

I would make sure your list is accurate. I think there are less schools that will accept the 2014 date than you think.
http://www.aacom.org/docs/default-source/cib/cib_web_full-publication.pdf?sfvrsn=38

Remember that this pdf is for this application cycle so when the new one comes out, it will add a year to the dates unless the school says 3 years before matriculation date (This will be Summer/Fall 2018 so that would also make your MCAT score expired).

For example, I see LMU-DCOM says that they only accept MCAT scores 3 years or less. Not sure if they mean by the time you apply or matriculate. You can all the individual schools to find out more information too. Also, Unthsc/tcom will need the TMDSAS because they are part of the TX medical school application.

Your combination of GPA and MCAT is great for DO schools though!

 

[spes93]

I've checked and double checked the brochure and called each school individually. From all schools this is the list I compiled who have reported to me "3 years from application" or 3 years or more.

 

[Shotapp]

Why did you feel the need to do a SMP?

 

[Peach Newport]

If money is an issue, don't bother applying to state schools or schools that take ~90% in state students. You might get lucky but it's unlikely. Unless you're in-state, I wouldn't bother applying to the likes of Rowan, MSU, Ohio, NYIT, OSU, or Texas. These schools will occasionally interview out-of-staters, but it's rare and you often need to have very strong regional ties or be a rockstar student. Schools with very strong regional biases are UNE and Pacific Northwestern.

When I see someone list multiple state schools on a "critique my school list" thread, my initial thought is that it's poorly researched, but that's why you came here right?

 

[spes93]

Why did you feel the need to do a SMP?

It was a horrible mistake I know. Some unfortunate circumstances occurred during the SMP which significantly affected my grades. I felt I did not reach my potential in college so I wanted to have more options of schools I could be accepted to, but this didn't work out.

 

[spes93]

If money is an issue, don't bother applying to state schools or schools that take ~90% in state students. You might get lucky but it's unlikely. Unless you're in-state, I wouldn't bother applying to the likes of Rowan, MSU, Ohio, NYIT, OSU, or Texas. These schools will occasionally interview out-of-staters, but it's rare and you often need to have very strong regional ties or be a rockstar student. Schools with very strong regional biases are UNE and Pacific Northwestern.

When I see someone list multiple state schools on a "critique my school list" thread, my initial thought is that it's poorly researched, but that's why you came here right?

Where do you find information for in-state school acceptance vs OOS? I do not see it in the brochure and there is nothing like the MSAR for DO schools...

 

[Peach Newport]

Where do you find information for in-state school acceptance vs OOS? I do not see it in the brochure and there is nothing like the MSAR for DO schools...

As a *general* rule, schools that receive state funding are supposed to show a preference for in state applicants (there ARE exceptions, like some places in California, but they're uncommon) Some of these schools state flat-out on their website that they accept a very small percentage of out of state applicants (Texas, PNW, OUH come to mind). Some are just happy to take your secondary fee. Also, if there's an "out of state tuition," this should tip you off. I agree that sometimes it can be hard to find this information, but you look hard enough (you may need to contact the school) you'll pretty much always find that this is the case.

If you're out of state, your chances for an interview vastly increase if you have strong ties to the state, and you convincingly show that you intent to practice in state. This is harder than it sounds.

 

[DocMcMommy]

What would be considered strong ties to a state?

I am planning on applying to the MD and DO school in NM because I grew up there. I still have immediate family living out there, but we aren't actually close. I don't currently live there, though.

I also want to apply to the state where my in-laws live. I love them, they're great people, and I'd love to be able to have my child grow up near them. But, the DO school there is extremely in-state preference.

I imagine my NM ties count since I lived there for the majority of my life and have my own parents there, even though I'm really, really not close with them. But I'm assuming that my in-laws tie is weaker and won't count for much?

 

[Peach Newport]

What would be considered strong ties to a state?

I am planning on applying to the MD and DO school in NM because I grew up there. I still have immediate family living out there, but we aren't actually close. I don't currently live there, though.

I also want to apply to the state where my in-laws live. I love them, they're great people, and I'd love to be able to have my child grow up near them. But, the DO school there is extremely in-state preference.

I imagine my NM ties count since I lived there for the majority of my life and have my own parents there, even though I'm really, really not close with them. But I'm assuming that my in-laws tie is weaker and won't count for much?

In my experience, you want to show, not tell. The ties you mentioned are a good starting point, but may not be enough. In your secondary, somewhere, you should convince the reader that you can't imagine being ANYTHING but a New Mexico doctor.

Growing up in an area is a good start, as is having family there, but doing things like volunteering/working/going to school in the state are what really show you're serious. If you live too far, why haven't you gone there already?

Saying something like "I love the nice weather in California, and My grandma lives there!" Might be enough for a private school, but state schools are absolutely going to grill you on it, especially if you make it to the interview stage.

 

[DocMcMommy]

Awesome, thank you so much. I didn't really think about it like that, but now that you say that it definitely makes sense.

Sorry for derailing, OP.