School/Life Suggestions

[mavikedi]

Hello all!
Wondering if anyone could give a quick glance over the school list I have so far and offer any suggestions/additions 🙂

I also am aware that both my GPA and MCAT are on the low end so I've applied to a number of post-bacc programs for Fall 2015 including the VCOM post bacc and EVMS post bacc.

Major: Biological Engineer
cGPA: 3.38 sGPA: 3.27
MCAT: 27 (11VR, 7PS, 9BS)
Lots of clinical exposure, volunteering, leadership, research

ATSU-SOMA*
AZCOM*
CCOM*
LECOM
LECOM-Bradenton
NSU-COM (NOVA)
PCOM
RowanSOM
UNECOM
VCOM-CC
VCOM-VC
WVSOM

I'm getting a bit nervous as May is approaching and as my bff says "every school is a reach school".

Thanks so much!

 

[Awesome Sauceome]

If you are nervous just add like 5 more schools. I would be shocked beyond belief if you couldnt get in somewhere with 17 applications.

 

[BobaBoba]

I think you have a great shot at getting an acceptance this cycle! I do not know what your bfffffffff is talking about...

 

[s5260205]

With the exceptions of the last three schools, all the rest have higher average GPA/MCAT, but that certainly shouldn't deter you from applying to them. I would add a few more schools with lower average GPA/MCAT just to broaden your chances. As for doing a post-bacc, if you are only aiming for DO schools, I would instead spend the money on either retaking some courses or not at all. While post-bacc will certainly help, I doubt it's worth the money especially when your GPAs are around 3.3 to begin with.

 

[mavikedi]

Are there any schools you think I should add to the list?

And my bffle is just preparing me in case of heartbreak <3

 

[mavikedi]

With the exceptions of the last three schools, all the rest have higher average GPA/MCAT, but that certainly shouldn't deter you from applying to them. I would add a few more schools with lower average GPA/MCAT just to broaden your chances. As for doing a post-bacc, if you are only aiming for DO schools, I would instead spend the money on either retaking some courses or not at all. While post-bacc will certainly help, I doubt it's worth the money especially when your GPAs are around 3.3 to begin with.

VCOM has a guaranteed admissions program, so if I don't get in anywhere but maintain a 3.6 GPA in the post bacc program I can start school in Fall 2016 instead of having another gap year is my reasoning.

 

[s5260205]

VCOM has a guaranteed admissions program, so if I don't get in anywhere but maintain a 3.6 GPA in the post bacc program I can start school in Fall 2016 instead of having another gap year is my reasoning.

I am unsure of the difficulty of the VCOM post-bacc program but if you could get >3.6 in a post-bacc, you might as well aim for MD schools (but of course with MCAT retake). You are competitive at some DO schools as is; dumping the money into a post-bacc is not very advisable. However, the choice is yours, and this is just my opinion of post-bacc programs in general.

 

[mavikedi]

I am unsure of the difficulty of the VCOM post-bacc program but if you could get >3.6 in a post-bacc, you might as well aim for MD schools (but of course with MCAT retake). You are competitive at some DO schools as is; dumping the money into a post-bacc is not very advisable. However, the choice is yours, and this is just my opinion of post-bacc programs in general.

I totally understand! My bffle is happy you share her opinion on post bacc programs 🙂 Thanks for the advice!

 

[darkeon]

I'm lost. If your bff or bffle or such your cat?
Anyways, you have a strong chance though I do agree with above posters in that, you would have a shot at a DO schools had you apply there instead. At the very least, if you do well in the post-bacc, then you gain a shot at MD if that is of interest.

 

[mavikedi]

The difference is my cat is mean and my best friend is only mean a third of the time (Hi BFF I know you be reading this)!

Thanks for all the responses!

 

[Goro]

I think that you'll be fine! The 7PS may hurt at PCOM; perhaps change to PCOM-GA. Score is too low for AZCOM; but fine for the Touros, MUCOM, DMU, and CCOM. UNECOM is regional, I hear.

Hello all!
Wondering if anyone could give a quick glance over the school list I have so far and offer any suggestions/additions 🙂

I also am aware that both my GPA and MCAT are on the low end so I've applied to a number of post-bacc programs for Fall 2015 including the VCOM post bacc and EVMS post bacc.

Major: Biological Engineer
cGPA: 3.38 sGPA: 3.27
MCAT: 27 (11VR, 7PS, 9BS)
Lots of clinical exposure, volunteering, leadership, research

ATSU-SOMA*
AZCOM*
CCOM*
LECOM
LECOM-Bradenton
NSU-COM (NOVA)
PCOM
RowanSOM
UNECOM
VCOM-CC
VCOM-VC
WVSOM

I'm getting a bit nervous as May is approaching and as my bff says "every school is a reach school".

Thanks so much!

 

[evooo8]

Add a couple more newer schools as safety schools. Better to dish out the extra $300 on those applications now rather than wishing you had at the end of the cycle.

 

[Roxas]

Hello all!
Wondering if anyone could give a quick glance over the school list I have so far and offer any suggestions/additions 🙂

I also am aware that both my GPA and MCAT are on the low end so I've applied to a number of post-bacc programs for Fall 2015 including the VCOM post bacc and EVMS post bacc.

Major: Biological Engineer
cGPA: 3.38 sGPA: 3.27
MCAT: 27 (11VR, 7PS, 9BS)
Lots of clinical exposure, volunteering, leadership, research

ATSU-SOMA*
AZCOM*
CCOM*
LECOM
LECOM-Bradenton
NSU-COM (NOVA)
PCOM
RowanSOM
UNECOM
VCOM-CC
VCOM-VC
WVSOM

I'm getting a bit nervous as May is approaching and as my bff says "every school is a reach school".

Thanks so much!

Your stats really aren't that bad. Apply to any schools you want to go to cause you never know.

Eliminate AZCOM and CCOM due to cost alone, and personally I would add KCOM, KCUMB, DMU, CUSOM, MUCOM. With that list you should be surprised if you don't get in somewhere. You don't want to have to take a year for post bacc.

 

[mavikedi]

I think that you'll be fine! The 7PS may hurt at PCOM; perhaps change to PCOM-GA. Score is too low for AZCOM; but fine for the Touros, MUCOM, DMU, and CCOM. UNECOM is regional, I hear.

Do you believe I would even have a chance at the Touros? My MCAT is only a 27 and their averages are above 30.

Also my cGPA: 3.37 and sGPA: 3.25 after this semester.

Also does NY vs CA vs. Nevada matter? Do any of them hold regional bias? Thanks!

 

[Goro]

Yes. A 26 would make me hesitate.
Do you believe I would even have a chance at the Touros? My MCAT is only a 27 and their averages are above 30.
Also my cGPA: 3.37 and sGPA: 3.25 after this semester.

Depends upon whether you like good deli food, pizza and Carvel vs good wine and Cali-Mex vs buffets and gambling. Add furnace-like desert heat in the summer to the latter.
Also does NY vs CA vs. Nevada matter?

Not as far as I know, but NY and CA do have plenty of feeder schools, so the competition will be stiffer.
Do any of them hold regional bias? Thanks!

 

[Osteopathinthemaking]

Yes. A 26 would make me hesitate.
Do you believe I would even have a chance at the Touros? My MCAT is only a 27 and their averages are above 30.
Also my cGPA: 3.37 and sGPA: 3.25 after this semester.

Depends upon whether you like good deli food, pizza and Carvel vs good wine and Cali-Mex vs buffets and gambling. Add furnace-like desert heat in the summer to the latter.
Also does NY vs CA vs. Nevada matter?

Not as far as I know, but NY and CA do have plenty of feeder schools, so the competition will be stiffer.
Do any of them hold regional bias? Thanks!

so quick question here and it may be very simple, and I hit "reply" to you Goro because you seem to be the Guru of getting advice on getting into DO school. So I am confused as to how DO schools view applicants (and I know all schools are different, forgive my generalization here) - I see very positive feedback for the OP from this thread but he has an average MCAT and a below average GPA- I have posted my stats and have gotten almost negative /average feedback about applying because my MCAT is a 24 but i have a 3.35 science GPA... how is 3 points lower on a MCAT so much more unfavorable even with a higher GPA? sorry if this sounds stupid/frazzled I guess I m just stressing and running on no sleep from work but I would really like to know how this is all viewed

thanks =)

 

[spenguin]

so quick question here and it may be very simple, and I hit "reply" to you Goro because you seem to be the Guru of getting advice on getting into DO school. So I am confused as to how DO schools view applicants (and I know all schools are different, forgive my generalization here) - I see very positive feedback for the OP from this thread but he has an average MCAT and a below average GPA- I have posted my stats and have gotten almost negative /average feedback about applying because my MCAT is a 24 but i have a 3.35 science GPA... how is 3 points lower on a MCAT so much more unfavorable even with a higher GPA? sorry if this sounds stupid/frazzled I guess I m just stressing and running on no sleep from work but I would really like to know how this is all viewed

thanks =)

OP has 3.27. You have a 3.35
The difference is not significant enough to offset a 3 pt mcat difference

I would try to raise either your gpa or mcat or both. You might still get in but its not going to be an easy cycle

 

[Mavs88]

You look good to go! BFF may be thinking of MD admissions lol. Apply as early as possible and you should get in somewhere.

 

[Osteopathinthemaking]

OP has 3.27. You have a 3.35
The difference is not significant enough to offset a 3 pt mcat difference

I would try to raise either your gpa or mcat or both. You might still get in but its not going to be an easy cycle

I am deff working on my weaknesses but I guess I am trying to understand the balance between mcat and gpa. I guess it just throws me off a bit that a 3 point boost on the mcat is good enough to potentially accommodate acceptance from heavier schools like LECOM and PCOM (although I saw that PCOM GA was suggested) but the 3.35 gpa and 24 is going to be an uphill battle for the much lower tier schools such as VCOM WVSOM, Campbell and Burrell?

again, sorry if I am deviating too much from the Op I guess it sparked up my confusion about where I stand at this cycle. But I do wish the best for you, OP, and hope you receive many II and acceptances 🙂

 

[Goro]

Unlike MD schools, Some DO schools (like mine) like high MCAT scores and are more forgiving with GPAs. Others like just the reverse.

Be forewarned. A 24 score is a risk factor for failing out of med school and/or failing Boards. Hence, my own Dean's (and others, like at CCOM) wariness.

so quick question here and it may be very simple, and I hit "reply" to you Goro because you seem to be the Guru of getting advice on getting into DO school. So I am confused as to how DO schools view applicants (and I know all schools are different, forgive my generalization here) - I see very positive feedback for the OP from this thread but he has an average MCAT and a below average GPA- I have posted my stats and have gotten almost negative /average feedback about applying because my MCAT is a 24 but i have a 3.35 science GPA... how is 3 points lower on a MCAT so much more unfavorable even with a higher GPA? sorry if this sounds stupid/frazzled I guess I m just stressing and running on no sleep from work but I would really like to know how this is all viewed

thanks =)

 

[spenguin]

I am deff working on my weaknesses but I guess I am trying to understand the balance between mcat and gpa. I guess it just throws me off a bit that a 3 point boost on the mcat is good enough to potentially accommodate acceptance from heavier schools like LECOM and PCOM (although I saw that PCOM GA was suggested) but the 3.35 gpa and 24 is going to be an uphill battle for the much lower tier schools such as VCOM WVSOM, Campbell and Burrell?

again, sorry if I am deviating too much from the Op I guess it sparked up my confusion about where I stand at this cycle. But I do wish the best for you, OP, and hope you receive many II and acceptances 🙂

Well the problem is, VCOM still has an average gpa of 3.6. They have a lower mcat average but I think you fall below the averages for both.
WVSOM has an average gpa of 3.4 I believe
Campbell and Burrell are very new = forced to accept students with lower stats

One way to understand relationship between MCAT and gpa is lizzym. It's not perfect by any means
GPA*10 + MCAT
That means
0.1 gpa ~= 1 point MCAT

Difference between 3.2 and 3.3 equals difference between 29 and 30

 

[spenguin]

Unlike MD schools, Some DO schools (like mine) like high MCAT scores and are more forgiving with GPAs. Others like just the reverse.

Be forewarned. A 24 score is a risk factor for failing out of med school and/or failing Boards. Hence, my own Dean's (and others, like at CCOM) wariness.

I really need this, hope I'm applying to your school

 

[db4277]

so quick question here and it may be very simple, and I hit "reply" to you Goro because you seem to be the Guru of getting advice on getting into DO school. So I am confused as to how DO schools view applicants (and I know all schools are different, forgive my generalization here) - I see very positive feedback for the OP from this thread but he has an average MCAT and a below average GPA- I have posted my stats and have gotten almost negative /average feedback about applying because my MCAT is a 24 but i have a 3.35 science GPA... how is 3 points lower on a MCAT so much more unfavorable even with a higher GPA? sorry if this sounds stupid/frazzled I guess I m just stressing and running on no sleep from work but I would really like to know how this is all viewed

thanks =)

Another thing to think about is the variation between courses. Your GPA doesn't express how thorough any course was or how hard you worked; schools don't know whether or which courses were graded on a curve, or where you fell in the ranks of performance. The MCAT is standardized to give everyone a fair shot at demonstrating their abilities, so I always assumed schools will give it a little more weight than GPA.

 

[j4pac]

Your scores are fine. Put together a good PS and have some solid LORs and I would be surprised if you don't get it. If you don't, I would pass on the post-bachelor programs and focus on retaking undergrad classes that you did poorly on. I'm sure you can increase your GPA quicker in one semester doing that than a 2- year post-bac.

 

[AwayFromReality]

.

 

[Osteopathinthemaking]

Thanks to all the replies to my question deff cleared up a lot!