PLS HELP EDIT MY LIST BEFORE I SUBMIT!

[calbear0959]

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Hello! I'm trying to submit tomorrow and have come into a sort of pickle. As of now my list includes 22 schools. Overall and science GPAs should sit around 3.5 if AACOMAS calculates correctly. MCAT: 9,9,8=26. Various EC's including tutoring, scribing, MA work, and lots of work experience throughout undergrad. DO letter and MD letter. CA resident. Is my list excessive? I realize I have a lot of reaches but I threw my name in for a school I did not expect to get into for undergrad and am hoping for similar luck here. Also, I was not a science major in undergrad so I completed the basic prereqs through post bacc work. After speaking with RVU's admission it seems like they're a little biased towards people who haven't done a lot of upper div science work. Should I take them off my list? Anywhere else that might not give me a look considering I haven't taken upper divs?

ACOM
CCOM
KCUMB
DMU
ATSU (both)
Campbell
LECOM (both)
LMU
Marian
NSU
PNW
PCOM (both)
RVU
Touro (all 3)
Western Pomona
NYIT COM
KYCOM

 

[pericardium]

Your list is pretty top heavy for your MCAT and schools like KYCOM and NYIT have a strong preference for students in the area. You could add some of the VCOMs, BCOM and Western-COMP.

If you're looking for schools to take off, I'd say CCOM, KCUMB, DMU, PCOM, Touro CA and NY should be taken off before RVU. If you're gonna apply to these, might as well keep RVUCOM on there.

 

[asdf123g]

I would add a few more schools but maybe thats just me. I think you need more safety schools.

Off topic: I have not had my app verified yet. I have my MCAT and everything and about to submit. Everything is finalized on my part. Do I apply to ONE program...get verified..THEN apply to all my schools or should I go ahead and apply to all programs i am interested in?

 

[calbear0959]

Thanks for the input! I originally had all 3 VCOMs on my list but they require 6 units of upper div science. They won't take CC units so I'd have to spend over 2,000 to take 2 extra classes to satisfy that prereq 🙁. Do you guys think it would be worth it spending the extra 2k?

 

[calbear0959]

@pericardium when you say Western-COMP do you mean I should apply to the Lebanon campus and not the Pomona campus?

 

[MedNation907]

Hello! I'm trying to submit tomorrow and have come into a sort of pickle. As of now my list includes 22 schools. Overall and science GPAs should sit around 3.5 if AACOMAS calculates correctly. MCAT: 9,9,8=26. Various EC's including tutoring, scribing, MA work, and lots of work experience throughout undergrad. DO letter and MD letter. CA resident. Is my list excessive? I realize I have a lot of reaches but I threw my name in for a school I did not expect to get into for undergrad and am hoping for similar luck here. Also, I was not a science major in undergrad so I completed the basic prereqs through post bacc work. After speaking with RVU's admission it seems like they're a little biased towards people who haven't done a lot of upper div science work. Should I take them off my list? Anywhere else that might not give me a look considering I haven't taken upper divs?

ACOM
CCOM
KCUMB
DMU
ATSU (both)
Campbell
LECOM (both)
LMU
Marian
NSU
PNW
PCOM (both)
RVU
Touro (all 3)
Western Pomona
NYIT COM
KYCOM

The only school with a notable regional preference that should concern you is NYIT, all other schools are fine. WVSOM would be a good addition to your list, I don't think BCOM is necessary but a good safety school with it being brand new.

Thanks for the input! I originally had all 3 VCOMs on my list but they require 6 units of upper div science. They won't take CC units so I'd have to spend over 2,000 to take 2 extra classes to satisfy that prereq 🙁. Do you guys think it would be worth it spending the extra 2k?

I don't think so

 

[adrian710]

I would add a few more schools but maybe thats just me. I think you need more safety schools.

Off topic: I have not had my app verified yet. I have my MCAT and everything and about to submit. Everything is finalized on my part. Do I apply to ONE program...get verified..THEN apply to all my schools or should I go ahead and apply to all programs i am interested in?

What safety schools would you recommend to the OP with OP's states (3.5/26)?

 

[adrian710]

Hello! I'm trying to submit tomorrow and have come into a sort of pickle. As of now my list includes 22 schools. Overall and science GPAs should sit around 3.5 if AACOMAS calculates correctly. MCAT: 9,9,8=26. Various EC's including tutoring, scribing, MA work, and lots of work experience throughout undergrad. DO letter and MD letter. CA resident. Is my list excessive? I realize I have a lot of reaches but I threw my name in for a school I did not expect to get into for undergrad and am hoping for similar luck here. Also, I was not a science major in undergrad so I completed the basic prereqs through post bacc work. After speaking with RVU's admission it seems like they're a little biased towards people who haven't done a lot of upper div science work. Should I take them off my list? Anywhere else that might not give me a look considering I haven't taken upper divs?

ACOM
CCOM
KCUMB
DMU
ATSU (both)
Campbell
LECOM (both)
LMU
Marian
NSU
PNW
PCOM (both)
RVU
Touro (all 3)
Western Pomona
NYIT COM
KYCOM

I would take off CCOM, PCOM, DMU, and RVU. MCAT is too low.

 

[Osteopathinthemaking]

you don't have 6 credits of super level sciences?

 

[MedNation907]

I would take off CCOM, PCOM, DMU, and RVU. MCAT is too low.

I am so tired of pointing this out, but for OP's sake I have to. What is it with this misconception that unless your stats sit AT or ABOVE a school's average, then those schools should be removed? A school with a 28-30 average will include a healthy sum of applicants at a 26 MCAT in that distribution... It's not a majority by any means, but it doesn't warrant advice like that.

BTW isn't PCOM's average at 27?

 

[calbear0959]

@MedNation907 thank you for your input. I had read about NYITs regional preference but I really like their school and heard they sometimes take CA residents? Maybe I should just take it off since my MCAT isn't great. Also, I vaguely remember reading on someone else's list some negative comments about WVSOM but can't find it now. If you think it would be a good school to add I definitely will.

 

[adrian710]

I am so tired of pointing this out, but for OP's sake I have to. What is it with this misconception that unless your stats sit AT or ABOVE a school's average, then those schools should be removed? A school with a 28-30 average will include a healthy sum of applicants at a 26 MCAT in that distribution... It's not a majority by any means, but it doesn't warrant advice like that.

BTW isn't PCOM's average at 27?

I guess you are right

 

[calbear0959]

I definitely appreciate everyone's advice, but thank you for saying that @MedNation907. That's the same line of thought I have. If a school has an average of 28 mcat why not apply since my GPA sits at the average? Sometimes it's hard to get advice because I was never told to take PCOM, KCUMB, or DMU off my list and was actually told to add Touro NY. I added Touro CA because it's my home state and for the extra 35 I have to at least try. I'm not worried about money here. I really just want to give my self the best chance possible though.

 

[MedNation907]

@MedNation907 thank you for your input. I had read about NYITs regional preference but I really like their school and heard they sometimes take CA residents? Maybe I should just take it off since my MCAT isn't great. Also, I vaguely remember reading on someone else's list some negative comments about WVSOM but can't find it now. If you think it would be a good school to add I definitely will.

If you really like their school then keep it on there, because they do have some [very small] numbers coming from CA and every year is a new year. And as far as pros/cons of different schools -- it's simply too subjective for us to consider for you. That's on you. But as far as stats go, and the age of the program -- I think it's a good addition.

 

[calbear0959]

@Osteopathinthemaking Yes. In my original post I stated I was not a science major in undergrad so I only completed the basic prereqs through post bacc work. It cost me over 10k that I funded largely on my own by working 9-5 during the day and going to school at night. Only now that I'm applying have I realized that some schools actually require upper divs. I thought I'd be good for the most part if I had a decent GPA and MCAT and applied to enough schools. I'm asking now if I should spend the extra 2k for more upper divs.

 

[ananasmed]

I am so tired of pointing this out, but for OP's sake I have to. What is it with this misconception that unless your stats sit AT or ABOVE a school's average, then those schools should be removed? A school with a 28-30 average will include a healthy sum of applicants at a 26 MCAT in that distribution... It's not a majority by any means, but it doesn't warrant advice like that.

BTW isn't PCOM's average at 27?

Came here to say this. No idea why people always recommend that. Especially if OP is not super concerned about money (i.e. can afford to apply to a few "extra" schools) there is absolutely no reason to avoid applying to schools where your MCAT/GPA is below average but within range. @calbear0959 you'd be a good candidate for DMU, KCUMB. PCOM seems to be a crapshoot for everyone, but worth applying if you like it. Might as well apply to Touro CA and WesternCOMP (Pomona) if you'd like to stay in California, but Touro especially is a reach with your MCAT. Same with CCOM (but I got in with a 27, so, you never know). I applied the first day last cycle with objectively better stats than you, and still haven't heard from NYIT or NSU, so that's some food for thought Good luck, don't sweat the small stuff, and you'll do fine!

edit: Don't spend the extra money to take the upper division classes for VCOM. Not worth it, you don't need it - plenty of other schools on your list.

 

[calbear0959]

@ananasmed Thank you for the advice I really appreciate it. Seriously I'm having so much anxiety over submitting tomorrow so all the advice is needed! That makes me really sad considering NSU is one of the schools I'd really like to attend 🙁. Is it recommended to apply to only one of the Western campuses or can I apply to both?

 

[ananasmed]

@ananasmed Thank you for the advice I really appreciate it. Seriously I'm having so much anxiety over submitting tomorrow so all the advice is needed! That makes me really sad considering NSU is one of the schools I'd really like to attend 🙁. Is it recommended to apply to only one of the Western campuses or can I apply to both?

Yeah, don't know what to say about NSU... I think they get a lot of apps (no secondary essay, good location, good reputation, etc.) and they're obviously looking for something specific. Anyhow, maybe you will have better luck. I believe you can apply to both Western campuses, but I only applied to Pomona so don't quote me on that.

 

[Osteopathinthemaking]

@Osteopathinthemaking Yes. In my original post I stated I was not a science major in undergrad so I only completed the basic prereqs through post bacc work. It cost me over 10k that I funded largely on my own by working 9-5 during the day and going to school at night. Only now that I'm applying have I realized that some schools actually require upper divs. I thought I'd be good for the most part if I had a decent GPA and MCAT and applied to enough schools. I'm asking now if I should spend the extra 2k for more upper divs.

Oh gotcha~ thank you for the clarification. Unless you plan to study on your own, i would deff invest that 2k so that you have some basic foundation of sciences past what you studied for the MCAT- I know from my friends in MED school that its SOOO much information and matter to take in in little time- so it may really benefit you but its just a suggestion