Osteopathic School Chances

[adriano710]

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Senior at MSU. My cGPA is a 3.2 with a heavy upward trend and still a full year of credits to go (hopefully I can raise to 3.4 or 3.5). I have yet to take my MCAT which I'll be taking in May/July.

EC's:
Volunteering
- 124 hours ER department (Providence Hospital)
- 40 hours ER department (Sparrow Hospital)
- 24 hours Radiology department (Sparrow Hospital)

*Will continue getting more hours at Providence Hospital and end up with 160+ hours. Also will end up with 60+ hours in ER at Sparrow Hospital

Shadowing
- Shadowed an MD Urologist
- Shadowed an MD Maxillofacial Surgeon (viewed a few surgeries around 6 hours long)
- Shadowed a DO Neurologist

Research
- Recently joined a research project involving narrative assessment of young children. I will have been involved for around a year and a half by time of application

Abroad Medical Brigade
- One week during Christmas break went to Honduras

Other
Member of social fraternity
- Philanthropy Committee
- Judicial Board

Member of Italian Club
- Help younger kids with Italian (I speak fluent Italian)

Member of Human Bio Club
- Public Relations Committee

IM Soccer
- Play for my fraternity and mens league all year around at school

QUESTION:

What are my chances at DO schools nationwide? Examples of schools that I would qualify for would be helpful. Thanks!

 

[Awesome Sauceome]

So far you look good. Maybe retake any of those early classes that you did poorly at. Some DO schools gpa cut off at 3.2, so you are right over the line. A couple retakes can dramatically change your gpa (in my case I went from 3.2 --> 3.6). I am kinda of confused about your MCAT date. The rest seems pretty reasonable. Nice mixture of things. Keep at those clinical experiences. DO schools really appreciate clinical over research, though research by no means hurts your application. If you really want to help your application. Shadow a primary care DO and get a letter from them. Your shadowing is fine, but just be aware that a lot of DO schools really cater to primary care, so having some experience with that field helps your app a bit.

What are your plans for your gap year after graduation?

 

[deleted436726]

GPA and experience-wise I'd say you'd be competitive at all the DO schools - if you can get a decent MCAT (>= 28) you should be in good shape.

 

[Indygirl7]

I would say it's hard to know what your chances are with a year left of classes and no MCAT! Right now you are in a good place, but I'd check back after you have a final sGPA and MCAT!

 

[Awesome Sauceome]

I would say it's hard to know what your chances are with a year left of classes and no MCAT! Right now you are in a good place, but I'd check back after you have a final sGPA and MCAT!

totes

 

[adriano710]

So far you look good. Maybe retake any of those early classes that you did poorly at. Some DO schools gpa cut off at 3.2, so you are right over the line. A couple retakes can dramatically change your gpa (in my case I went from 3.2 --> 3.6). I am kinda of confused about your MCAT date. The rest seems pretty reasonable. Nice mixture of things. Keep at those clinical experiences. DO schools really appreciate clinical over research, though research by no means hurts your application. If you really want to help your application. Shadow a primary care DO and get a letter from them. Your shadowing is fine, but just be aware that a lot of DO schools really cater to primary care, so having some experience with that field helps your app a bit.

What are your plans for your gap year after graduation?

Thanks for your feedback. What is confusing about my MCAT date? Taking it next year in May. I'll be studying for it my second semester. I have to come back to school my gap year to finish off my Human Bio major degree and possibly an Italian minor.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

If you can get a 28 or higher you'll be in a good position. 26 or 27 will mean you'll need to apply to a lot of schools. And a 25 or less will need a retake.


He's confused because we both thought you were talking about this year. Not next year, hence unless you had a time machine May made no sense.

 

[Awesome Sauceome]

May/July... Like you if you said May I would understand, May/June I would understand, but May/July was just weird since they are two months apart. Just goofy heh.

Something to keep in mind with your whole graduation thing is financial aid. I decided on medicine during the last semester of my senior year. Because of my decision on medicine, I had like 3-4 more classes to take. I found out that if I graduated then I would not be eligible for any more financial aid since technically I would not be degree seeking or some sort of semantics like that. I therefore decided to postpone my graduation a year and just took a couple filler classes to stay at full time status and boost my gpa. It worked out really well. Just something to check up on.

 

[Indygirl7]

Get that MCAT done in May and do well the first time so you can have a score ready to go in June! Keep those grades up and good luck! 🙂

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

I would say it's hard to know what your chances are with a year left of classes and no MCAT! Right now you are in a good place, but I'd check back after you have a final sGPA and MCAT!

This is the only correct answer available. Things can swing so drastically that any comment is just a guess.

 

[adriano710]

So far you look good. Maybe retake any of those early classes that you did poorly at. Some DO schools gpa cut off at 3.2, so you are right over the line. A couple retakes can dramatically change your gpa (in my case I went from 3.2 --> 3.6). I am kinda of confused about your MCAT date. The rest seems pretty reasonable. Nice mixture of things. Keep at those clinical experiences. DO schools really appreciate clinical over research, though research by no means hurts your application. If you really want to help your application. Shadow a primary care DO and get a letter from them. Your shadowing is fine, but just be aware that a lot of DO schools really cater to primary care, so having some experience with that field helps your app a bit.

What are your plans for your gap year after graduation?

During my gap year, I will be finishing up my Human Bio degree and possibly an Italian minor. Should I continue volunteering a little and continue doing some research? I would get involved with some other project because that one I am involved with now is concluding in a years time. I feel as if I should continue being active becuase I heard they ask you in interviews what you have done during the gap year time often. Thanks!

 

[Awesome Sauceome]

During my gap year, I will be finishing up my Human Bio degree and possibly an Italian minor. Should I continue volunteering a little and continue doing some research? I would get involved with some other project because that one I am involved with now is concluding in a years time. I feel as if I should continue being active becuase I heard they ask you in interviews what you have done during the gap year time often. Thanks!

Wait are you going into your senior year or did you just graduate?...

But if you are applying next year, then you will have TWO years (ie your senior year and then a year of nothing) in between matriculating. Your senior year is not a gap year. A gap year is a year where you are out of school and not in med school yet. You would apply to med school starting in the beginning of the summer 2015, but you would not start school until roughly a year after applying (Fall of 2016). So if you are applying at the end of your senior year, then you will have another year.

But maybe I am confused on your circumstances...

 

[adriano710]

Wait are you going into your senior year or did you just graduate?...

But if you are applying next year, then you will have TWO years (ie your senior year and then a year of nothing) in between matriculating. Your senior year is not a gap year. A gap year is a year where you are out of school and not in med school yet. You would apply to med school starting in the beginning of the summer 2015, but you would not start school until roughly a year after applying (Fall of 2016). So if you are applying at the end of your senior year, then you will have another year.

But maybe I am confused on your circumstances...

Yes that is correct. I will be a senior next year, apply summer 2015, and look to start med school fall 2016. However, my situation is, after I apply in summer 2015, I am returning to school for a semester (fall 2015) to finish up my human bio degree.

 

[Awesome Sauceome]

Yes that is correct. I will be a senior next year, apply summer 2015, and look to start med school fall 2016. However, my situation is, after I apply in summer 2015, I am returning to school for a semester (fall 2015) to finish up my human bio degree.

Gotcha, so technically you have 1.5 years left. Ok, that is a little more clear now. Well by the spring time you would be accepted to med school, so you could party it up or do whatever you like, no need to bend over backwards unless you are truly invested in various ECs.

 

[adriano710]

Gotcha, so technically you have 1.5 years left. Ok, that is a little more clear now. Well by the spring time you would be accepted to med school, so you could party it up or do whatever you like, no need to bend over backwards unless you are truly invested in various ECs.

Cool. Thank you for the feedback.

 

[Goro]

You're fine!

Senior at MSU. My cGPA is a 3.2 with a heavy upward trend and still a full year of credits to go (hopefully I can raise to 3.4 or 3.5). I have yet to take my MCAT which I'll be taking in May/July.

EC's:
Volunteering
- 124 hours ER department (Providence Hospital)
- 40 hours ER department (Sparrow Hospital)
- 24 hours Radiology department (Sparrow Hospital)

*Will continue getting more hours at Providence Hospital and end up with 160+ hours. Also will end up with 60+ hours in ER at Sparrow Hospital

Shadowing
- Shadowed an MD Urologist
- Shadowed an MD Maxillofacial Surgeon (viewed a few surgeries around 6 hours long)
- Shadowed a DO Neurologist

Research
- Recently joined a research project involving narrative assessment of young children. I will have been involved for around a year and a half by time of application
Abroad Medical Brigade
- One week during Christmas break went to Honduras

Other
Member of social fraternity
- Philanthropy Committee
- Judicial Board

Member of Italian Club
- Help younger kids with Italian (I speak fluent Italian)

Member of Human Bio Club
- Public Relations Committee

IM Soccer
- Play for my fraternity and mens league all year around at school

QUESTION:

What are my chances at DO schools nationwide? Examples of schools that I would qualify for would be helpful. Thanks!

 

[Stagg737]

I hate to be more of a downer than other commentors, but I'd say you're only semi-competitive right now depending on your MCAT. I say this because my stats when I graduated were almost identical to yours (with a few more significant ECs) with a 29 MCAT and I didn't get in until my 3rd cycle. Bring your GPA up as much as possible, I was told by every school I applied to that my 3.21 was a major concern.

During my gap year, I will be finishing up my Human Bio degree and possibly an Italian minor. Should I continue volunteering a little and continue doing some research? I would get involved with some other project because that one I am involved with now is concluding in a years time. I feel as if I should continue being active because I heard they ask you in interviews what you have done during the gap year time often. Thanks!

Yes and yes. IMO you have a decent number of hours, but nothing that really stands out as spectacular. Plus more experience is never a bad thing. You still have time to pad your stats and bring that GPA up though, and an upward trend will definitely be favorable. Get a solid MCAT and when you apply, submit your app as early as possible. It will make a bigger difference than you would think. Otherwise it sounds like you're on the right track!

 

[Awesome Sauceome]

I hate to be more of a downer than other commentors, but I'd say you're only semi-competitive right now depending on your MCAT. I say this because my stats when I graduated were almost identical to yours (with a few more significant ECs) with a 29 MCAT and I didn't get in until my 3rd cycle. Bring your GPA up as much as possible, I was told by every school I applied to that my 3.21 was a major concern.



Yes and yes. IMO you have a decent number of hours, but nothing that really stands out as spectacular. Plus more experience is never a bad thing. You still have time to pad your stats and bring that GPA up though, and an upward trend will definitely be favorable. Get a solid MCAT and when you apply, submit your app as early as possible. It will make a bigger difference than you would think. Otherwise it sounds like you're on the right track!

what time of the cycle and where did you apply?





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[adriano710]

I hate to be more of a downer than other commentors, but I'd say you're only semi-competitive right now depending on your MCAT. I say this because my stats when I graduated were almost identical to yours (with a few more significant ECs) with a 29 MCAT and I didn't get in until my 3rd cycle. Bring your GPA up as much as possible, I was told by every school I applied to that my 3.21 was a major concern.



Yes and yes. IMO you have a decent number of hours, but nothing that really stands out as spectacular. Plus more experience is never a bad thing. You still have time to pad your stats and bring that GPA up though, and an upward trend will definitely be favorable. Get a solid MCAT and when you apply, submit your app as early as possible. It will make a bigger difference than you would think. Otherwise it sounds like you're on the right track!

Hopefully I will have a 3.4 by the time I apply. Aiming for 28+ MCAT. What DO schools did you apply to with a 3.2 and 29 stats and not get into? I was planning on taking MCAT in May of next year. Is this early enough?

 

[Awesome Sauceome]

Hopefully I will have a 3.4 by the time I apply. Aiming for 28+ MCAT. What DO schools did you apply to with a 3.2 and 29 stats and not get into? I was planning on taking MCAT in May of next year. Is this early enough?

yea that 3.2 and 29 is questionable... there are literally hundreds of people that get in with those scores every year... I am suspicious.

If you are talking MD then duh you would not get in, that gpa is terrible for MD, but DO... idk, I would need more information.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

yea that 3.2 and 29 is questionable... there are literally hundreds of people that get in with those scores every year... I am suspicious.

If you are talking MD then duh you would not get in, that gpa is terrible for MD, but DO... idk, I would need more information.

Well if you're applying conservatively then a 3.2/29 will probably get a conservative amount of love.

But if you apply inclusively then you'll probably get in without much struggle.

 

[adriano710]

Well if you're applying conservatively then a 3.2/29 will probably get a conservative amount of love.

But if you apply inclusively then you'll probably get in without much struggle.

Conservatively? Inclusively? Can you explain further.

 

[Awesome Sauceome]

Well if you're applying conservatively then a 3.2/29 will probably get a conservative amount of love.

But if you apply inclusively then you'll probably get in without much struggle.

yea thats why I am asking. If he is like, hey I am sitting at a 3.2 and 29 and I applied in October to PCOM, CCOM, and TouroNY, then obviously he wouldnt get in haha...

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Conservatively? Inclusively? Can you explain further.

Inclusively: having low tier / low stat schools like LMU.

Conservatively: applying to a small number or schools.

 

[Stagg737]

Hopefully I will have a 3.4 by the time I apply. Aiming for 28+ MCAT. What DO schools did you apply to with a 3.2 and 29 stats and not get into? I was planning on taking MCAT in May of next year. Is this early enough?

That sounds early enough to me. IMO submitting MD secondaries after early September is late and submitting DO secondaries after October is starting to get late. Though many people will say as long as you submit by mid-December you'll be fine. Either way, the earlier you apply the better. You'll be fine taking a May MCAT (assuming you get a solid score and don't need to retake).

yea that 3.2 and 29 is questionable... there are literally hundreds of people that get in with those scores every year... I am suspicious.

If you are talking MD then duh you would not get in, that gpa is terrible for MD, but DO... idk, I would need more information.

I applied to a total of 14-15 MD and DO schools. Looking back at my AACOMAS app I applied to LECOM (Bradenton and Erie), CCOM, DMU, AT Still, NOVA, and RVU. Interviewed at Bradenton and for a special acceptance at DMU which was basically taking year one of med school, and if you did well enough you got in for the next year. Got rejected everywhere. I submitted my last secondary in early January but had most in by Nov/early December because of strange MCAT circumstances. Here were my ECs and stats:

Stats: 3.21 cGPA, ~3.45 sGPA, 29R MCAT (8P, 10V, 11B)

Work:
~300 hours as an EMT
Over 2,000 hours as a lifeguard
Summer internship as a medical administrator performing AED research and planning/organizing medical symposiums, included ~60 hours shadowing physicians in clinics and surgery
3.5 years working as an admissions ambassador

ECs:
Varsity soccer (~900 hours)
Greek Council Alcohol Awareness Chair (~100 hours)
Fraternity Treasurer, community service chair, and IM chair
~500 hours volunteering
~150 hours of research
Planned international medical trip (went spring of my senior year)
~30 hours shadowing (in addition to the 60 from above)
Semester abroad for my Spanish minor

Awards/Scholarships:
Presidential Scholarship (highest academic scholarship at my school)
Beta Beta Beta member (biology honor society)
Order of Omega (Greek honor society)
Special mention as an editor for a published book

The 2 things every school I asked (DO and MD) said I needed to fix were my GPA and that I applied late. I would have also told myself to apply to 3-6 more DO schools. With those stats I got 1 interview and no acceptances. That's why I say OP is semi-competitive right now. Your advantage is you still have plenty of time to beef up your app and can apply early and broadly to many schools. By the time next year rolls around I think you'll probably be fine.

 

[Awesome Sauceome]

Yea you shot yourself in the foot by applying so late and 4/6 of your schools were really established DO schools with scores where you fall in line with their averages. So an average student applying late = no acceptance.

I totally agree with your message to the OP

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[Stagg737]

Stuff I shouldn't have had to learn from experience. I wish I had researched schools more myself instead of relying on my school's incompetent pre-health advisor who greatly exaggerated how 'strong' my app was and mixed me up with another one of her advisees. I would have definitely applied to significantly more DO schools and might have actually been a going into 4th year right now. I also wish the test center hadn't been hit by lightning 2 days before my test, but some things just can't be helped, haha.