MD & DO School application list - Older applicant but with traditional experiences

[SmashingTomatoes]

I'm wondering if anyone would be able to provide general guidance on the schools in my application portfolio

1-Demographics: ORM,
2-Education: low ugrad gpa, low sgpa trend (>3.0 but <3.3)
3- MCAT - midrange >500
4- Undergrad experiences:
Leadership- several positions
Volunteer- significant
Employment- worked throughout college
Research: since sophomore year, 1 short-term (summer), 2 longer
6- Postgrad experiences: Research 1 yr, Traveling 1.5 yr, Service 1 yr, SMP 1 yr

I know my undergrad stats are def not as impressive as some of the other students but after going back for my master's I was making sure I made all the time I could for school that I could so I could do well.

 

[Faha]

None of the NY schools on your list are realistic with your GPA and MCAT. Outside of your NJ schools I suggest adding these:
Vermont
Quinnipiac
Albany
New York Medical College
Drexel
Temple
Penn State
George Washington
NOVA MD
TCU-UNT
Oakland Beaumont
Wayne State
Medical College Wisconsin
Loyola
Rush
Creighton
Add more DO schools and I suggest these:
AZCOM
ATSU-KCOM
KCU-COM
DMU-COM
MU-COM
ACOM
UP-KYCOM
NYITCOM

 

[BSMDDAD]

To be honest with you your chances of getting accepted into any MD program are quite low because of your low GPA especially science GPA. Your MCAT is competitive but that will be considered as a fluke when science GPA is low. I would apply to only NJ MD programs because they are instate for you. Outside NJ you have a chance in Nova southeastern and Meharry. Other than that it is pretty much waste of time and money. I would apply to as many DO schools as possible including Cooper which is instate for you. Most MD programs have an unwritten cutoff GPA of at least 3.5 whereas most DO programs have a minimum cutoff of 3.0 - 3.1. One rule of thumb is to only apply to the schools where you meet their mean GPA of accepted students. Unless of course you have a special case. These special cases include exceptional cases like an NP or PA with work experience, underrepresented minority, etc. Being female has no advantage (actually looking at the F/M ratio in med schools it is probably a disadvantage at some schools). Also I could be wrong but I do not think any area in NJ is considered low in doctors. Of course you can apply to anywhere you want but DO is a better route for you.

 

[SmashingTomatoes]

To be honest with you your chances of getting accepted into any MD program are quite low because of your low GPA especially science GPA. Your MCAT is competitive but that will be considered as a fluke when science GPA is low. I would apply to only NJ MD programs because they are instate for you. Outside NJ you have a chance in Nova southeastern and Meharry. Other than that it is pretty much waste of time and money. I would apply to as many DO schools as possible including Cooper which is instate for you. Most MD programs have an unwritten cutoff GPA of at least 3.5 whereas most DO programs have a minimum cutoff of 3.0 - 3.1. One rule of thumb is to only apply to the schools where you meet their mean GPA of accepted students. Unless of course you have a special case. These special cases include exceptional cases like an NP or PA with work experience, underrepresented minority, etc. Being female has no advantage (actually looking at the F/M ratio in med schools it is probably a disadvantage at some schools). Also I could be wrong but I do not think any area in NJ is considered low in doctors. Of course you can apply to anywhere you want but DO is a better route for you.

Thanks for the advice. I guess I thought my current GPA in my master's program would be more of an indication of my academic level since undergrad was a long time ago but I know that a lot of schools might not give weight to it. I have heard there are a few MD schools willing to replace your undergrad GPA with your grad GPA so I applied to them. Anyway, with all that has happened this year for COVID, I'm wondering how the GPA/MCAT factor will play out in getting acceptances or interviews. I feel like it could swing either way but it won't be like the typical cycle.

 

[SmashingTomatoes]

None of the NY schools on your list are realistic with your GPA and MCAT. Outside of your NJ schools I suggest adding these:
Vermont
Quinnipiac
Albany
New York Medical College
Drexel
Temple
Penn State
George Washington
NOVA MD
TCU-UNT
Oakland Beaumont
Wayne State
Medical College Wisconsin
Loyola
Rush
Creighton
Add more DO schools and I suggest these:
AZCOM
ATSU-KCOM
KCU-COM
DMU-COM
MU-COM
ACOM
UP-KYCOM
NYITCOM

Thanks, I've added to my list more DOs and the MDs you mentioned. Qualifying for FAP this year really helped because it really is a lot to apply to 30+ schools and pay for secondaries. I don't think I'd have been able to qualify before this. At least travel expenses are a nonissue for the time.