Same as Everyone else

[bcd051]

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I'm not terribly particular about where I go, to be honest, as I know some of my "stats" are subpar. First of all, I will be 28 when applying, and graduated from Undergrad in 2006 with a 3.4 overall and 3.2 science. I have to retake the MCAT (my original score is invalid), and I'm taking one of the Kaplan classes because I don't remember anything. With regards to my undergrad, my two poorer years were science heavy, but during both of them I broke my ankle requiring surgery each time, limiting my ability to get around. Add to that I was diagnosed with ADHD and Social Anxiety Disorder during high school and stopped taking the medication after my last 4.0 semester in college.

Since undergrad I went back on meds and have spent 2 full years working full-time as a lab tech in a hospital and have spent over 300+ hours shadowing in both clinical (doctor's office) and surgical settings. After working as a lab tech, I got an internship with a Cancer Center that is affiliated with a Medical School, and am held in high esteem by the physicians who know me. In 2009, I began a course of study in a top ten program for Master's of Health Administration, from which I graduated in 2011, with a 4.0 and an award as one of only 10% of students to do so. I have one published article with me as a co-author, and hope that my transformation since I began taking meds again would help, and my success since then.

I was wondering what tier of medical schools I should look at, and if I have hope of getting into any mid-tier MD programs, or if I should stick with searching for DO programs.

(My MCAT score in 2004 was 33, if that helps, but I don't remember anything, particularly physics and organic, so I would expect to lose a few points at least).

I guess I'll add a little bit more: I'm from Saint Louis, and would love if I could get into SLU or Mizzou (I work for SLU and got my Master's at SLU), I figure unless I get a ridiculous score on my MCAT WashU is out of the question (and with my grades, I think it is regardless). I think that the Kirksville D.O. school would be a good option, but, like I said, I would prefer SLU or Mizzou. I realize that my undergrad is underwhelming, however, since then I think I've put together a decent resume (I hope). Let me know what you think, and good luck to everyone else applying!

 

[Catalystik]

I'm not terribly particular about where I go, to be honest, as I know some of my "stats" are subpar. First of all, I will be 28 when applying, and graduated from Undergrad in 2006 with a 3.4 overall and 3.2 science. I have to retake the MCAT (my original score is invalid), and I'm taking one of the Kaplan classes because I don't remember anything. With regards to my undergrad, my two poorer years were science heavy, but during both of them I broke my ankle requiring surgery each time, limiting my ability to get around. Add to that I was diagnosed with ADHD and Social Anxiety Disorder during high school and stopped taking the medication after my last 4.0 semester in college.

Since undergrad I went back on meds and have spent 2 full years working full-time as a lab tech in a hospital and have spent over 300+ hours shadowing in both clinical (doctor's office) and surgical settings. After working as a lab tech, I got an internship with a Cancer Center that is affiliated with a Medical School, and am held in high esteem by the physicians who know me. In 2009, I began a course of study in a top ten program for Master's of Health Administration, from which I graduated in 2011, with a 4.0 and an award as one of only 10% of students to do so. I have one published article with me as a co-author, and hope that my transformation since I began taking meds again would help, and my success since then.

I was wondering what tier of medical schools I should look at, and if I have hope of getting into any mid-tier MD programs, or if I should stick with searching for DO programs.

(My MCAT score in 2004 was 33, if that helps, but I don't remember anything, particularly physics and organic, so I would expect to lose a few points at least).

I guess I'll add a little bit more: I'm from Saint Louis, and would love if I could get into SLU or Mizzou (I work for SLU and got my Master's at SLU), I figure unless I get a ridiculous score on my MCAT WashU is out of the question (and with my grades, I think it is regardless). I think that the Kirksville D.O. school would be a good option, but, like I said, I would prefer SLU or Mizzou. I realize that my undergrad is underwhelming, however, since then I think I've put together a decent resume (I hope). Let me know what you think, and good luck to everyone else applying!

A 3.4/33 would give you about a 43% chance of an MD acceptance (extrapolating from AAMC "All Applicants" data to correct for your position in the bin on the stats grid). A 31 would drop you to 36%. A 29 gets you to 30%. Considering that you have a lenient state school, it's reasonable for you to apply to both MD and DO schools.

You do have some clinical experience interacting with sick people and not just the shadowing, right?

 

[bcd051]

Yep, for 2 years I was often in the room doing instant diagnostics during needle aspirations. This included me, on occasion, assisting with getting the sample. Like I said, I worked full time in the hospital as well, so hopefully that'll help. Do those stats take into consideration having a graduate degree and the GPA change associated with that? Just wondering, thanks!

 

[agb2782]

As a current Kirksville resident and someone who has taken a few classes at KCOM, it's D.O. school there is very well-run if you decide that allopathic medicine isn't in your future.

 

[Catalystik]

1) Yep, for 2 years I was often in the room doing instant diagnostics during needle aspirations. This included me, on occasion, assisting with getting the sample. Like I said, I worked full time in the hospital as well, so hopefully that'll help.

2) Do those stats take into consideration having a graduate degree and the GPA change associated with that? Just wondering, thanks!

1) Good, be sure to highlight that component of your experience.

2) Few MD schools consider traditional graduate degree GPA and if they do, it would be for the BCPM of a hard-science masters. Your MHA will be looked on as equivalent to a nice EC. AACOMAS DO schools incorporate a gGPA into the overall GPA on the application transcript, but there are still DO schools that judge one primarily by undergrad GPA.

 

[bcd051]

I appreciate your help, thank you! I guess it can't hurt to have a Master's 🙂 and experience, and I hope that that'll help overshadow (somewhat) my lackluster performance in undergrad, but I'll never know until I try. First step, taking the MCAT, which is still worrisome because I haven't taken any of the related courses (bio, physics, chem) since 2004/2005. Just means I have to work harder!

Thanks for your insight!

 

[Catalystik]

Eventually your masters will be more of a plus. It will make your application stronger when you apply to residency programs.

 

[bcd051]

From the looks of things, I can tell that I'm not the only one who appreciates your insight. Again, I just want to say thank you! Are there any particular schools that would fit in my "range" that are particularly good at preparing doctors for being primary care physicians (more than likely, I'd like to go into pediatrics or possibly specialize in pediatric/adolescent ADHD)? If there are any other helpful tips, I would be grateful! Fortunately, I will be able to have at least 2 MDs write me letters of recommendation, but I can't help but look back and think that I might have "screwed the pooch" in undergrad. That's beside the point, however, again, you have calmed me some and helped me more than you know! Have a good one 🙂

 

[Catalystik]

All med schools, even Harvard, prepare one well to go into Primary Care (Peds or Psych).

MD schools rarely request an MD letter, but it is common for DO schools to do so, and a fair number require or request that it be a DO letter, so work on getting that.