My chances for DO schools?

[mud91]

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Hello All!
Some of you already might have read this but my advisor has been pushing me for DO schools but I don't know if I should waste money applying this year if my chances aren't that great.

I'm applying in early August and I need some advice! Here are my stats.
North carolina resident going to a state school.

Major: Biology
Overall GPA: 3.20 after 109 hours
BCPM GPA:2.99 (70 credit hours)

I'm taking the MCAT in July. I've making 28N-31N on the practice tests, so hopefully I should at least be making 28 on the actual MCAT. I know my GPA is not anywhere close to what is preferred for MD schools but I had financial problems and worked two jobs and I also had to deal with deaths of my four grandparents, whom I was really close to, during past two years. Thus, my GPA suffered a lot in sophmore year but I was able to pull it up somewhat in junior year but not as much since I was taking a year of biochemistry, physics, physiology, and calculus. I also made C+'s in both physics 1 and 2, B- in organic 1, C in organic 2, and C's in physiology, and two semesters of biochem. I still have my senior year to pull my GPA up somewhat but it wouldn't make that big of a difference.

EC's

Research-1 year
Science Enrichment Program (SEP) at UNC
Hospice volunteering and volunteering in a health camp in India- 350 hours
HOSA and Garden club

I'm also a co-author of a recently accepted publication from the research lab. TA for a lab for one semester. All of the 350 are medical volunteering and about 100 non-medical(HOSA and Garden club) volunteering. No sports or anything.
What are my chances of getting into DO schools? I'm open to anywhere as long as it's in the US. If any, any suggestions about which ones I should apply to will be helpful. I'm also planning on applying to Special Masters Programs (SMP's). Which ones should I apply to with my stats and which ones are easy to handle? I heard Georgetown is really difficult. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

[FutureDoc1988]

Hello All!
Some of you already might have read this but my advisor has been pushing me for DO schools but I don't know if I should waste money applying this year if my chances aren't that great.

I'm applying in early August and I need some advice! Here are my stats.
North carolina resident going to a state school.

Major: Biology
Overall GPA: 3.20 after 109 hours
BCPM GPA:2.99 (70 credit hours)

I'm taking the MCAT in July. I've making 28N-31N on the practice tests, so hopefully I should at least be making 28 on the actual MCAT. I know my GPA is not anywhere close to what is preferred for MD schools but I had financial problems and worked two jobs and I also had to deal with deaths of my four grandparents, whom I was really close to, during past two years. Thus, my GPA suffered a lot in sophmore year but I was able to pull it up somewhat in junior year but not as much since I was taking a year of biochemistry, physics, physiology, and calculus. I also made C+'s in both physics 1 and 2, B- in organic 1, C in organic 2, and C's in physiology, and two semesters of biochem. I still have my senior year to pull my GPA up somewhat but it wouldn't make that big of a difference.

EC's

Research-1 year
Science Enrichment Program (SEP) at UNC
Hospice volunteering and volunteering in a health camp in India- 350 hours
HOSA and Garden club

I'm also a co-author of a recently accepted publication from the research lab. TA for a lab for one semester. All of the 350 are medical volunteering and about 100 non-medical(HOSA and Garden club) volunteering. No sports or anything.
What are my chances of getting into DO schools? I'm open to anywhere as long as it's in the US. If any, any suggestions about which ones I should apply to will be helpful. I'm also planning on applying to Special Masters Programs (SMP's). Which ones should I apply to with my stats and which ones are easy to handle? I heard Georgetown is really difficult. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Your advisor is right with the GPA you have I don't think you'll have a chance at an MD school. As far as DO goes, if you can raise the sGPA up then you have a chance but you would need to apply early in June. My suggestion is taking the MCAT this summer as planned (the 28 will really help you) and then retaking some of the classes that you got Cs in to boost up your GPA. Since DO schools do grade replacement it can boost up your GPA pretty fast. You should then apply next year in June.

As far as the SMP it may help to offset your GPA, but if you are able to increase your GPA you may be able to get into medical school without it and it can save you a lot of money. As far as which ones to apply to look at the ones that have tie into the medical school like guaranteed interview if GPA above ___. And I have no idea about Georgetown.

 

[Dr Oops]

it seems like you got Cs in the majority of your science classes, unless you do better on your MCAT im not sure how great your chances will be.

I would take year off retake some classes. Then apply.

Also dont do an SMP unless your absolutely ready for it. Your attitude of which are the easier ones, makes it seem like you dont really understand that an SMP is do or die time. You do well in it, it can help you alot. You blow it and basically kiss any chance at med school in the US goodbye.

 

[mud91]

So, if I retake both physics 1 and 2 and make A's, I'll boost up my GPA to 3.34 cumulative and 3.08 science GPA. Should I also retake organic 1 or B- is fine?

 

[Iswhatis]

In my opinion...

Risky approach: Do not take a year off. Apply this cycle with your MCAT and current grades. During the fall semester, retake at least one of those courses you got a C in, and make sure you ace every class during the fall. This should bump you above a 3.15 science and 3.3 overall. If your MCAT is 28+, you may get some interest from schools who do not screen <3.0 sGPA (yeah, it's lame, but such is life).

Safe approach: Take your MCAT and do well your senior year. Apply after graduation and retake organic 1 and organic 2 during the summer and ace them (summer classes should be easier). During the fall retake physics 1, physiology, and something that interests you (maybe an ethics course?), or grab a part time job. By the end of your fall semester you should be (if you replace your C's with a mix of B's and A's) around a 3.4sGPA, depending. With a strong MCAT and a 3.4sGPA, there will be plenty of room for interviewing after your December grades are reported and you will be on your way.

Good luck.

 

[roadrunnersb2]

Here's my story: I'm a NJ resident, and I'm a junior at Muhlenberg College with a cumulative GPA of 3.821 and a science GPA of 3.8. My activities and experiences are as follows: peer tutor, transition mentor, president of Students in Newman, Hospice volunteer, co-chair of Dress Upon a Star. I have had lots of physician shadowing through my own doctors and through an internship. I am currently doing research and I was awarded a summer research grant for it. My personal statement is pretty good. I feel good as an applicant as far as my GPA and activities, but I just got my MCAT score back and I don't know what to think:

verbal reasoning- 8
physical sciences- 9
biological sciences- 10
overall score: 27M

I was shooting for a 30, but I am not devastated with a 27...the thing is, I studied REALLY hard for the MCAT. I started studying lightly almost a year ago, then over winter break I studied intensely. I took a Kaplan course and I took 10 full-length practice tests before I took the real thing. I'm not sure if I would do better if I were to take it again, because my scores on the practice tests were all over the place: one day a 25, then a 30, then a 27, then a 31, then back to a 26, etc.
I don't really care where I go to medical school...I'm not shooting for a top school or anything, and I would be happy being either a D.O. or an M.D.
So...what do you guys think? Am I still a competitive applicant for osteopathic schools with that score? Do I stand a chance for allopathic?

 

[Goro]

As of right now, you wouldn't get an interview at our school (somewhere west of St. Louis). To be competetive, you really need to repeat those "C" courses, and do well (high 20s minimum) in the MCAT. I recommend not applying now.

And don't waste your time with MD schools. That's just not going to happen.

So, if I retake both physics 1 and 2 and make A's, I'll boost up my GPA to 3.34 cumulative and 3.08 science GPA. Should I also retake organic 1 or B- is fine?

 

[Mcat35]

Here's my story: I'm a NJ resident, and I'm a junior at Muhlenberg College with a cumulative GPA of 3.821 and a science GPA of 3.8. My activities and experiences are as follows: peer tutor, transition mentor, president of Students in Newman, Hospice volunteer, co-chair of Dress Upon a Star. I have had lots of physician shadowing through my own doctors and through an internship. I am currently doing research and I was awarded a summer research grant for it. My personal statement is pretty good. I feel good as an applicant as far as my GPA and activities, but I just got my MCAT score back and I don't know what to think:

verbal reasoning- 8
physical sciences- 9
biological sciences- 10
overall score: 27M

I was shooting for a 30, but I am not devastated with a 27...the thing is, I studied REALLY hard for the MCAT. I started studying lightly almost a year ago, then over winter break I studied intensely. I took a Kaplan course and I took 10 full-length practice tests before I took the real thing. I'm not sure if I would do better if I were to take it again, because my scores on the practice tests were all over the place: one day a 25, then a 30, then a 27, then a 31, then back to a 26, etc.
I don't really care where I go to medical school...I'm not shooting for a top school or anything, and I would be happy being either a D.O. or an M.D.
So...what do you guys think? Am I still a competitive applicant for osteopathic schools with that score? Do I stand a chance for allopathic?

should have made your own thread...

Very competitive for DO,

need to retake MCAT for 30+ to be competitive MD.