Interview Response

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medschoolsoon

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I am going to apply to many DO programs in May and going through interview stuff, I am curious as to what I should say. I have a 3.5 GPA, 3.2 science, and 25P MCAT and obtained all by not really trying that hard. Come interview time what do I say if asked about these numbers (I know not horrible, but only average)? I could do a lot better on the MCAT, but April MCAT being too late and August MCAT holding up my application, what is a fellow to do? I know I can practically breeze through med school if applying myself 100%. I just don't have the excuses like, "I'm a bad test taker, etc." I just simply partied too much. I am graduating college in May and don;t really want to enter a master's program which is also too late for Fall '06. Anyway, thanks for the advice and everyone here seems to be f-in awesome.
 
medschoolsoon said:
I am going to apply to many DO programs in May and going through interview stuff, I am curious as to what I should say. I have a 3.5 GPA, 3.2 science, and 25P MCAT and obtained all by not really trying that hard. Come interview time what do I say if asked about these numbers (I know not horrible, but only average)? I could do a lot better on the MCAT, but April MCAT being too late and August MCAT holding up my application, what is a fellow to do? I know I can practically breeze through med school if applying myself 100%. I just don't have the excuses like, "I'm a bad test taker, etc." I just simply partied too much. I am graduating college in May and don;t really want to enter a master's program which is also too late for Fall '06. Anyway, thanks for the advice and everyone here seems to be f-in awesome.
I would start by NOT telling them that you can breeze through med school. I don't think that they would like that too much. And I think that you will only have to justify your science GPA a little, so I wouldn't stress. As long as you apply early, you will most likely receive several acceptances assuming you do fine on your interviews. Good luck!
 
your #s arent THAT bad where they would question them..unless you failed a class or something..My numbers are comparable..and I applied semi-early (late september) and I got in...hopefully you can boost your app a lil b4 you apply
 
DrMikeyLu said:
your #s arent THAT bad where they would question them..unless you failed a class or something..My numbers are comparable..and I applied semi-early (late september) and I got in...hopefully you can boost your app a lil b4 you apply
Your numbers are perfectly fine! No one will question it. If they did just tell them the truth. You were young and s_ _ _ _ d, but you are mature now, etc... If you apply early in the cycle and apply widely you'll get in with just those stats. There's no need to waste more money improving.
 
Thanks again for all of your help! I feel much better.
 
medschoolsoon said:
I am going to apply to many DO programs in May and going through interview stuff, I am curious as to what I should say. I have a 3.5 GPA, 3.2 science, and 25P MCAT and obtained all by not really trying that hard. Come interview time what do I say if asked about these numbers (I know not horrible, but only average)? I could do a lot better on the MCAT, but April MCAT being too late and August MCAT holding up my application, what is a fellow to do? I know I can practically breeze through med school if applying myself 100%. I just don't have the excuses like, "I'm a bad test taker, etc." I just simply partied too much. I am graduating college in May and don;t really want to enter a master's program which is also too late for Fall '06. Anyway, thanks for the advice and everyone here seems to be f-in awesome.

Your stats are fine for DO schools. Apply to as many as you can. Many people have been admitted with lower stats. Submit your application June 1st.
 
I submitted my DO application in May. Apply as early as you can.
 
medschoolsoon said:
I am going to apply to many DO programs in May and going through interview stuff, I am curious as to what I should say. I have a 3.5 GPA, 3.2 science, and 25P MCAT and obtained all by not really trying that hard. Come interview time what do I say if asked about these numbers (I know not horrible, but only average)? I could do a lot better on the MCAT, but April MCAT being too late and August MCAT holding up my application, what is a fellow to do? I know I can practically breeze through med school if applying myself 100%. I just don't have the excuses like, "I'm a bad test taker, etc." I just simply partied too much. I am graduating college in May and don;t really want to enter a master's program which is also too late for Fall '06. Anyway, thanks for the advice and everyone here seems to be f-in awesome.


I had the same situation. I could have been a 4.0 student, but I screwed around for four years. I worried about the same things before my interview, and they never even asked!! Try not to worry about scripting answers for it ahead of time...it will make you look like youre lying. Just be honest and tell the truth.
 
Your grades/MCAT are fine if you don't have any sub3.0 semesters on your application. Apply broadly and you are set.

Being articulate about your past mistakes is not going to make you look like a liar. This is one question you want to have a solid answer. Of course be honest and don't give lame excuses (I had crappy professors, tests were not fair,etc.). Close the answer on what you are doing now or have done to change that. hopefully MCAT scores or grade trend will support your answer.

I was asked about poor performance in my freshman year at one of my interviews and the topic was brought up again later in the interview.
 
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