need some advice on a well explored topic...

[robo77]

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I am trying to estimate my chances of getting accepted to a DO school in 2005, I know that very few people can estimate the chance of acceptance accurately, but from what I have been reading on this site, many students are able to provide valuable advice...so here is my situation:
I finished college in 1999 with a degree in Economics. Due to illness in the family, my first year was outrageously horrible, it subsequently resulted in a 2.8 overall GPA for 4 years of my undegraduate career till 1999. After 1999 I worked full time for financial companies and even started my own computer consulting company (small one) in the process. I really did not like what I was doing, and have been thinking about medical school for a couple of years, also realizing that my GPA was too low at the time. i went back to school in 2001 and have completed 85 credits since that time with the overall GPA of 3.85, that includes many science classes, few math classes and other classes from non science area in order to get the GPA up in all the areas. Now I have 2.8 from 1995-1999, 3.85 from 2001-2004, a score of 27 on MCAT and very very good letters of recommendations from science people, volunteering and 2 years of clinical experience at the hospital.

What are my chances, should I apply, what else maybe I should do?

 

[Chronotropic]

You look like your in good shape. The fact that you came back and did 85 credit hours (pretty much a whole degree) and maintained a 3.8 is good. A 27 MCAT is also fairly strong for a DO school.

I would definately advise you to apply. Applying to 5-7 schools should give you a good shot.

 

[ad_sharp]

Sounds to me like you are in very good shape. They will probably look to your most recent educational endeavors when determining your probable success in med school. Your MCAT is good and you have good life experience. You should shadow a doc, do some volunteer stuff, and maybe try your hand at a little research if available. I think you stand a great shot. Good luck to you.

 

[uclabruin2003]

apply! you can do it!!!! though i would definitely apply to 10 schools (ha just like me) just because DO (like MD) schools can be so random sometimes....sigh

 

[robo77]

is it true that aamcos will replace the lower grades with the new higher grades for the same subjects, if that is the case, i should be in a better shape...right?

 

[JohnDO]

Yes, they replace retakes. What's your overall GPA (all credit hours)?

 

[robo77]

i am not sure exactly, but I think that my science GPA is about 3.5 and the overall about 3.4, that is after retaking the classes during my last 85 credits.

 

[JohnDO]

I would definitely go for it. Your MCAT isn't bad, and you've proven yourself GPA-wise (especially with the trend).

 

[robo77]

JohnDO,
do you think that I should try to "erase" my previously bad GPA by attending a masters program or do you think that I should be OK with what I have so far and should just do other things like research, relax, or some other things?

 

[stoic]

Make sure to go out and get a DO letter of rec.

Other than that, it think you're money.

 

[ucrsandstorm]

Ok if someone can help me. I need some clarification about the retakes.

What if you retake Physics but it's not from the same school, community college (semester system).

Is that grade substituted for the bad one at a University (quarter system) school? But its still Physics, the same that you would take for med school.
Or does the class have to be retaken at the same school that the bad grade was earned from? Can someone enlighten me?

 

[Ryan]

Ok if someone can help me. I need some clarification about the retakes.

What if you retake Physics but it's not from the same school, community college (semester system).

Is that grade substituted for the bad one at a University (quarter system) school? But its still Physics, the same that you would take for med school.
Or does the class have to be retaken at the same school that the bad grade was earned from? Can someone enlighten me?

It doesn't matter where you took it for the recalculation of your GPA! But when the Ad-COMS look at your app. they will see that you did it at a less competitive school...now that being said, I HIGHLY doubt that any of them will care that you retook it somewhere else...especially if you got an A. All-in-all your in MUCH better shape by retaking the class and getting an A 👍

Good Luck...don't let one silly physics class get in the way of becoming a great doc!

 

[Ryan]

I am trying to estimate my chances of getting accepted to a DO school in 2005, I know that very few people can estimate the chance of acceptance accurately, but from what I have been reading on this site, many students are able to provide valuable advice...so here is my situation:
I finished college in 1999 with a degree in Economics. Due to illness in the family, my first year was outrageously horrible, it subsequently resulted in a 2.8 overall GPA for 4 years of my undegraduate career till 1999. After 1999 I worked full time for financial companies and even started my own computer consulting company (small one) in the process. I really did not like what I was doing, and have been thinking about medical school for a couple of years, also realizing that my GPA was too low at the time. i went back to school in 2001 and have completed 85 credits since that time with the overall GPA of 3.85, that includes many science classes, few math classes and other classes from non science area in order to get the GPA up in all the areas. Now I have 2.8 from 1995-1999, 3.85 from 2001-2004, a score of 27 on MCAT and very very good letters of recommendations from science people, volunteering and 2 years of clinical experience at the hospital.

What are my chances, should I apply, what else maybe I should do?

Hey, you did something really difficult by going back to school and you did very well. The ad-coms will clearly see this. As long as you have all your pre-reqs in line you should be okay! Maybe I'll see you in residency. 👍

-Ryan

 

[robo77]

does anyone think that attending a masters program would be a wise choice to further improve the academic record, or is it a better idea to just stick with what I already accomplished and do other less demanding things during the year off.

 

[smc927]

The only people who can tell you if you really have a chance are the schools. In other words - apply. See how it goes. If you don't get accepted, ask them why and fix that for the following year. If you don't apply, you'll never know.

 

[smc927]

If you are taking a Master's program for the sake of improving the GPA you may first want to be sure the GPA is going to keep you out. You may be assuming the school will look down on your GPA when, in reality, they may find it acceptable.

 

[robo77]

Shawn,

Thank you for the advice. You probably misread the initial question that I posted asking for my chances of being accepted as viewed by the members of this forum. If I knew how adcoms will view my GPA, I would not bother posting the question in the first place. I was thinking about doing a masters program to get my GPA to a more competitive level, this is pretty much the only reason. As ab individual who is inspiring to become a clinician in the future, I would be lying to myself if I say that I want to do a masters program in order to learn more about DNA replication.

 

[smc927]

Shawn,

Thank you for the advice. You probably misread the initial question that I posted asking for my chances of being accepted as viewed by the members of this forum. If I knew how adcoms will view my GPA, I would not bother posting the question in the first place. I was thinking about doing a masters program to get my GPA to a more competitive level, this is pretty much the only reason. As ab individual who is inspiring to become a clinician in the future, I would be lying to myself if I say that I want to do a masters program in order to learn more about DNA replication.

I hear you. And I understand your question. Masters programs can help demonstrate consistent academic performance, but it doesn't look like you really need to do that!

 

[DrOctagon]

i agree with the others. u got a pretty good chance.. apply to a a good range of schools tho

and bring a rubix cube to ur interview so u can solve it and impress everyone

 

[robo77]

do you think that a tie with small cubix rubix all over it would be more impressive??/

 

[DrOctagon]

do you think that a tie with small cubix rubix all over it would be more impressive??/

yes