Masters or learn when to quit?

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

Salt Mine

New Member
5+ Year Member
Joined
Apr 13, 2017
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
I need some advice. I'm a non-trad student with a 2.7 undergrad GPA and I did a DIY post-bac 4 years later, resulting in a 3.5 post-bac GPA. My AMCAS cumulative came to 2.94, I applied this cycle due to an upward trend in performance and a 509 MCAT. I've only heard from 4 of the 27 schools I applied to, and those being rejections. Assuming I don't get an acceptance this cycle, would a biotech masters help my application or would it most likely result in wasted time and money?

btw, I've worked in healthcare with direct patient contact for 12 years, and have around 11,000 hrs of volunteering time and about 500 hrs of shadowing. I don't have any research experience.
 
Have you applied to DO schools? What was your school list? State of residence???

Yes, I applied to 10 DO schools with less success than MD so far. Of the DO schools on my list I haven't heard from PCOM, the rest have been rejections. I live in Connecticut. I know I have some serious reaches and a lot of state schools in my list, but I figured they wouldn't hurt. Thanks!

D.O.:
Chicago College of Oseopathic Medicine of Midwestern University
Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine - Colorado
Tauro College of Osteopathic Medicine - New York
Tauro College of Osteopathic Medicine - California
University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Western University of Health Sciences/College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific Northwest
Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine - Utah

M.D.:
Albany Medical College
Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science
Drexel University College of Medicine
Eastern Virginia Medical School
Emory University School of Medicine
Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University
Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth
George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences
Georgetown University School of Medicine
Harvard University School of Medicine
Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine
New York Medical College
Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine
Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine
Rush Medical Colleege of Rush University Medical Center
Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
Tufts University School of Medicine
Tulane University School of Medicine
University of Colorado School of Medicine
University of Connecticut School of Medicine
University of Vermont College of Medicine
University of Washington School of Medicine
Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine
Wake Forest School of Medicine of Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center
Yale University School of Medicine
 
What is your combined total cumulative and science GPAs?
 
If you're having no luck with DO schools, then something is very wrong with your app.

It could be a poorly written app, a bad LOR, or an IA or criminal offense. I suggest that you contact the schools and ask the Admissions Deans if they can provide feedback (not advice) on your rejections.

D.O.:
Chicago College of Oseopathic Medicine of Midwestern University
Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine - Colorado
Tauro College of Osteopathic Medicine - New York
Tauro College of Osteopathic Medicine - California
University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Western University of Health Sciences/College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific Northwest
Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine - Utah


Of your MD list, I would have expected some love from:
M.D.:
Albany Medical College
Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science
Drexel University College of Medicine
Eastern Virginia Medical School
Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University
Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth
George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences
Georgetown University School of Medicine
Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine
New York Medical College
Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine
Rush Medical Colleege of Rush University Medical Center
Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
Tufts University School of Medicine
Tulane University School of Medicine
Wake Forest School of Medicine of Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center


Yale, Harvard, Brown, U WA and ORHS were donations.
 
So, the issue is your cumulative GPA with all your degrees smashed together.

For example, if you applied to BCOM, you would be auto-rejected because you don't have a 3.0 GPA. Same with LUCOM.

I respect the above posters, and maybe you have a chance somewhere for sure! But you might need an SMP.
 
Last edited:
Top