DO School list? 3.2-3.3 cGPA, 3.1 sGPA

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kmthw

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Sorry guys, I might've posted a similar thread a year ago but my gpa isn't the same and I wanted to know what my chances are now that the new MCAT has been out for a while.

Taking the MCAT May 6, took a couple practice tests and I scored around 503 on Next Step's FL.
I know it's a huge assumption but if I score around 503, what schools do I have a shot with?

Volunteered with UCSF's homeless clinic --- once a month, went to the clinic and helped the med students ask those who were wanting to be checked out what their symptoms were, reported back to the doc to figure out which patients need to be seen the most, took vitals, shadowed the doc

Did research at UCSF neuroscience lab for a semester (study based on cognition and physical skills enhancement)

LOR from a DO

Any specific schools I should apply to? I'll probably take a couple courses to bump that sGPA over 3.2 but the classes will only be in the summer so idk if I'll get the grade back late? I'm applying this May! It would be sincerely appreciated. Good luck to everyone else applying too!

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Any specific schools I should apply to?

With your GPA on the low end, you might wanna consider applying to a whole bunch instead of just specific schools as long as $ is not an issue. Needless to say, your MCAT is gonna make or break.

Meanwhile, this is a LizzyM list of DO schools, courtesy of @mathnerd88. You can kinda get a gauge of where you at when you apply.


Touro-Ca: 3.50/3.45/30.8 (2015) 65.8 http://admissions.tu.edu/com/demographics.html
CCOM: 3.64/3.57/29.4 (2015) 65.8 https://www.midwestern.edu/programs_and_admission/il_osteopathic_medicine.html
RVU: 3.63/?/28.5 (2015) 64.8 http://www.rvu.edu/academics/college-of-osteo-medicine-rvucom/
DMU: 3.65/3.61/28.8 (2015) 65.3 https://www.dmu.edu/do/class-profile/
UNTHSC-TCOM: 3.67/3.57/28 (2015) 64.7 https://www.unthsc.edu/texas-colleg...utreach/tcom-admissions-statistics-2013-2014/
MSU: 3.64/3.6/29 (2015) 65.4
NYIT: 3.6/28 64.4 http://www.nyit.edu/medicine/admissions/frequently_asked_questions/
COMP: 3.65/3.60/27.99 64.5 http://prospective.westernu.edu/osteopathic/competitive-10/
AZCOM: 3.51/3.44/30 65.1 https://www.midwestern.edu/programs_and_admission/az_osteopathic_medicine.html
UNECOM: 3.5/27 62.0 http://www.une.edu/com/admissions/information
RowanSOM: 3.54/3.48/29 64.4 http://www.rowan.edu/som/education/admissions/faq.html
LECOM-B: 3.53/3.45/28 Cannot Verify
Touro-NV: 3.5/3.4/28 Cannot Verify
NSU: 3.49/3.40/28 (2013) Cannot Verify
KCUMB: 3.67/3.62/27.8 64.5 http://www.kcumb.edu/academics/college-of-osteopathic-medicine/students-and-alumni/
Marian: 3.62/3.56/27.53 (2015) Cannot Verify 2015. http://www.marian.edu/osteopathic-medical-school/admissions/admission-faqs
OU-HCOM: 3.65/3.58/27.37 63.9 http://www.oucom.ohiou.edu/OUHCOM/facts.htm
PNWU: 3.46/3.37/27.29 (2015) 61.9 http://www.pnwu.edu/admissions/fast-facts/
CUSOM: 3.6/3.5/27 Cannot Verify
KCOM: 3.46/3.34/27 Cannot Verify
PCOM: 3.5/3.4/27.47 (2015) 62.5
LECOM-E/SH: 3.5/3.4/27 http://lecom.edu/academics/the-college-of-medicine/faq-college-of-medicine/
SOMA: 3.39/3.34/26.04 59.9 http://www.atsu.edu/soma/prospective_students/academic_fastfacts.htm
PCOM-Ga: 3.4/3.5/27 Cannot Verify
COMP-NW: 3.55/3.5/28 63.5 http://prospective.westernu.edu/osteopathic-nw/competitive-16/
OSU-COM: 3.6/3.6/27 63.0 http://www.healthsciences.okstate.edu/com/admissions/requirements.php
WCU: 3.5/3.4/26 (2013) Cannot Verify
ACOM: 3.4/26 (2013) Cannot Verify
VCOM (all): 3.6/3.5/25.36 61.4 http://www.vcom.edu/admissions/requirements.html
LMU: 3.43/3.35/25-26 Cannot Verify
WVSOM: 3.4/3.36/25 59.0 https://www.wvsom.edu/Admissions/applicants-home
KYCOM: 3.50/3.41/24.6 Cannot Verify
LUCOM: 3.4/24 Cannot Verify
Touro-NY Cannot Verify
BCOM: 3.5/?/25 60.0 http://www.burrellgroupmtpfs.org/BCOMatNMSU-12-3.pdf
 
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thank you!!

I'm thinking these schools and whatever others people suggest:
All 3 Touro's
CUSOM (sibling goes there)
PCOM-GA
LECOM (all)
VCOM (both)
PCOM
WVSOM
Edward Via's
BCOM
CCOM
DMU
LMU
ACOM
NYIT
ATSU (both)
Rowan
 
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thank you!!

I'm thinking these schools and whatever others people suggest:
All 3 Touro's
CUSOM (sibling goes there)
PCOM-GA
LECOM (all)
VCOM (both)
PCOM
WVSOM
Edward Via's
BCOM
CCOM
DMU
LMU
ACOM
NYIT
ATSU (both)
Rowan

Get rid of the coastal Touros and CCOM unless you score 508+ on the MCAT. Also get rid of CUSOM, they have a 3.2 cutoff. What state are you from? Rowan and PCOM have regional biases. Also NYIT could be difficult with those stats.
 
I'm from CA! I'm taking summer classes to boost my gpa over 3.2, does that help?
 
Get rid of the coastal Touros and CCOM unless you score 508+ on the MCAT. Also get rid of CUSOM, they have a 3.2 cutoff. What state are you from? Rowan and PCOM have regional biases. Also NYIT could be difficult with those stats.

I'm in a similar situation as OP GPA wise. I'm from Virginia, and Rowan and PCOM are my top choices. Both are only a 2 hour drive from where I live so I'm really hoping to get in.


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I would stick to LECOM-B/Seton Hill. Stay away from Erie.
 

Lmfao Let's get ready to ruuuuuuuuuumblllllllllllllllllle! God please don't start that stupid LECOM war again. OP's GPA is low end and should be thankful to get in ANYWHERE, so they shouldn't be picky at all. I would apply without a doubt.

That said, absolutely everything will hinge on that MCAT not going to crap. 504+ is the standard and we're not cracking that on practice tests? With the added pressure of actually taking the test? You have a little under a month, I hope you grind it out until test day. You can do it :)
 
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Apologies, I didn't recognize you as the LECOM student. It's funny though because just a couple of months ago I had a 4th year Bradenton student tell me the exact opposite because the Erie site has better rotations.
 
Stick with the newest schools, except for LUCOM.

Sorry guys, I might've posted a similar thread a year ago but my gpa isn't the same and I wanted to know what my chances are now that the new MCAT has been out for a while.

Taking the MCAT May 6, took a couple practice tests and I scored around 503 on Next Step's FL.
I know it's a huge assumption but if I score around 503, what schools do I have a shot with?

Volunteered with UCSF's homeless clinic --- once a month, went to the clinic and helped the med students ask those who were wanting to be checked out what their symptoms were, reported back to the doc to figure out which patients need to be seen the most, took vitals, shadowed the doc

Did research at UCSF neuroscience lab for a semester (study based on cognition and physical skills enhancement)

LOR from a DO

Any specific schools I should apply to? I'll probably take a couple courses to bump that sGPA over 3.2 but the classes will only be in the summer so idk if I'll get the grade back late? I'm applying this May! It would be sincerely appreciated. Good luck to everyone else applying too!
 
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Start a new thread. I'd quickly say that you should be ok for DO schools if you apply broadly. MD is probably a nonstarter. All those MCAT retakes sure don't look good though.
 
@student10 Withdrawing from your masters program is probably raising eyebrows to the admissions commitees. Have you applied to D.O. schools more than 1 cycle? I am almost inclined to belive you are overthinking the process.

I'd say you would have been in a much better situation if you hadn't withdrew from your masters.

I've had friends get into D.O. schools by never reaching a 23 MCAT.
 
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You need to start a new thread. I am also going to be blunt, your chances don't look good.
 
You need to start a new thread. I am also going to be blunt, your chances don't look good.

Goro said that med schools care about "you now vs the you then". He has reached a 24 MCAT to 27-28 MCAT several times, with only an upwards trend. Some people in Medical school never even reach 23.

His GPA is below average, but with a 3.6 GPA for the last several credits he's had, its not too bad.

His EC's are above average.

I would think the fact he actually dropped out of a masters would be the hard part to get passed admissions committees if anything.
 
How do you only have 6 attempts at the MCAT, lifetime total should be 7. Did you void a test at some point?
 
Some people in Medical school never even reach 23.

Very few. The more retakes of an MCAT you have the worse your chances. His score never significantly improved, even after 6 attempts. This is a massive, I repeat massive, red flag.

I would think the fact he actually dropped out of a masters would be the hard part to get passed admissions committees if anything.

I don't know what it is with you and masters degrees but they are not the most important part of an application. But yes dropping the masters is not a good look.

Overall I'm not saying he has 0 chance, but that they do not look very good. His app has numerous red flags that have potential to turn off a lot of adcoms
 
Very few. The more retakes of an MCAT you have the worse your chances. His score never significantly improved, even after 6 attempts. This is a massive, I repeat massive, red flag.



I don't know what it is with you and masters degrees but they are not the most important part of an application. But yes dropping the masters is not a good look.

Overall I'm not saying he has 0 chance, but that they do not look very good. His app has numerous red flags that have potential to turn off a lot of adcoms

I agree that his improvement on the MCAT isn't ideal. However, many students do get accepted with a 24 MCAT. Considering 4 out 5 of his tries are a 24 or higher, he should be fine, especially with only an upward trend. Medical schools should be able to tell that he isn't statistically likely to drop out of medical school at all. Other than dropping out of his masters, thats the red flag.

I've had a good friend of mine score 20, 18, and 22 on the MCAT. Did a traditional biology without thesis masters, Average GPA, good ECs, and he got accepted to a school with an average of 28 MCAT. Had two more acceptances at places that average 26 MCAT.

This is a rare case, but I'm just saying this student10 has a fairly decent chance when you see cases like this.
 
I agree that his improvement on the MCAT isn't ideal. However, many students do get accepted with a 24 MCAT. Considering 4 out 5 of his tries are a 24 or higher, he should be fine, especially with only an upward trend. Medical schools should be able to tell that he isn't statistically likely to drop out of medical school at all. Other than dropping out of his masters, thats the red flag.

I've had a good friend of mine score 20, 18, and 22 on the MCAT. Did a traditional biology without thesis maters, Average GPA, decent ECs, and he got accepted to a school with an average of 28 MCAT. Had two more acceptances at places that average 26 MCAT.

I would view this as the exception and not the rule. The fact that he's taken the MCAT so many times without significant improvement is worrisome, especially when trying to predict chances of passing boards.

Though he dropped out of the master's program, he maintained a decent GPA during. What's difficult to determine is whether or not this applicant has truly demonstrated "re-invention" as their post-bacc GPA is low.
 
I would view this as the exception and not the rule. The fact that he's taken the MCAT so many times without significant improvement is worrisome, especially when trying to predict chances of passing boards.

Though he dropped out of the master's program, he maintained a decent GPA during. What's difficult to determine is whether or not this applicant has truly demonstrated "re-invention" as their post-bacc GPA is low.

I agree, my friend was definitely an exception, but student10 is in an infinitely better situation than he was.

The way I think adcoms will look at this is think "is this guy dedicated, and does this guy have a chance of failing out of our program". i'm inclined to think that student10 is perfectly fine. Other than the dropping out thing...

I'm pretty optimistic. But even I did not expect my friend with 20, 18, and 22 MCAT with average stats othwerise to pull a spot into a place with a 28 MCAT average. It was in-state though, so maybe thats why.
 
This is a rare case, but I'm just saying this student10 has a fairly decent chance when you see cases like this.

What? How do you say "this is a rare case" and then follow that up with "has a fairly decent chance?"

but student10 is in an infinitely better situation than he was.

No he isn't. He is in a terrible situation. Your friend is a very unique exception, and if student10 gets in so will they. You are underestimating how negative 6 average MCAT takes looks to adcoms.


I'm hugely optimistic
FTFY
It was in-state though, so maybe thats why.

This is a huge qualifier.
 
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No, I have only applied in 1 cycle. It was dumb. My school had a linkage program and it was just a blunder applying to make someone else happy. I don't want to make the same mistake of applying again prematurely (if I am premature now). And it's frustrating because though those same people are telling me to apply again and have no idea who I am as a student and my weaknesses!

I had 100% intention of walking across that stage in May. But it didn't happen. I dropped the ball and burned myself out. There is nothing I can do to fix my transcripts. It will never be perfect but I learned ALOT. I am nowhere near the same person I was, even when I was in the program. It's weird saying this, but I think withdrawing taught me a lot more than had I succeeded. It's my struggle that helped me develop the theme for my personal statement and identifying with other people' struggle which is why I am doing what I set myself out to do. I just need to find a way to prove it academically. I am not a bad student. I am really not. Although, I don't think I have any evidence to say that this is all a fluke yet until perhaps I take more courses.

I want to start studying for the MCAT again, but I only have one more attempt. My tutor said I might have minor ADHD but I think it was just my emotions and having a horrible lifestyle (not working out/going out with family and studying all the time). So I can't afford to F$%@ this one up again or else I don't have any other way to prove myself. I am trying to dig myself out of this hole I created and I need guidance.

You seem dedicated. Just don't ever say "you were burned out". In chemistry graduate school, it was normal to walk in at 8 am, and not leave your lab until 2 or 3 am. People get burned out, but they keep going. There was one girl who I kid you not, worked near 18 HOURS A DAY FOR A FEW WEEKS to be able to enter her Cornell program on time. I've never, and may never again, see someone do that. Burning out is not a good excuse.

Other than that, I think you're probably mature enough and experienced enough to do fine in medical school. Thats just my opinion though. Your dedication and what you're wiling to do is pretty admirable though.
 
I agree that his improvement on the MCAT isn't ideal. However, many students do get accepted with a 24 MCAT. Considering 4 out 5 of his tries are a 24 or higher, he should be fine, especially with only an upward trend. Medical schools should be able to tell that he isn't statistically likely to drop out of medical school at all. Other than dropping out of his masters, thats the red flag.

I've had a good friend of mine score 20, 18, and 22 on the MCAT. Did a traditional biology without thesis masters, Average GPA, good ECs, and he got accepted to a school with an average of 28 MCAT. Had two more acceptances at places that average 26 MCAT.

This is a rare case, but I'm just saying this student10 has a fairly decent chance when you see cases like this.
One of my state MD school campuses has 503 average MCAT
 
I want to start studying for the MCAT again, but I only have one more attempt. My tutor said I might have minor ADHD but I think it was just my emotions and having a horrible lifestyle (not working out/going out with family and studying all the time). So I can't afford to F$%@ this one up again or else I don't have any other way to prove myself. I am trying to dig myself out of this hole I created and I need guidance.

Do NOT take the MCAT again. 6 takes is already enough of a red flag. Unfortunately the hole you have dug might be inescapable. Your best chance is to get your application together, and apply as broad as you can next cycle on day 1. As much as it can be hard to admit, there is a ceiling to what one can do on the MCAT even with tons of studying. I suspect you have hit that point.
 
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Do NOT take the MCAT again. 6 takes is already enough of a red flag. Unfortunately the hole you have dug might be inescapable. Your best chance is to get your application together, and apply as broad as you can next cycle on day 1. As much as it can be hard to admit, there is a ceiling to what one can do on the MCAT even with tons of studying. I suspect you have hit that point.

I don't think he hit a skill ceiling. I just think he took them all way to prematurely. There are tons of situations, whether it be in sports, chess, etc. where people seem to hit their skill ceiling, and then they hit a whole new level, and are consistent with that level. The problem with the MCAT, is that its limited in tries. Taking prematurely was student10's problem.

I also agree that another MCAT is too risky for him. What if he scores a 502 or less, now we're at a downward trend that he cant ever escape.

@student10, I would almost wager its safer to apply next on day 1 next cycle, like Anatomy said (good advice here), and if it doesnt work out, its almost safer to wait for a really new and low stat school to open in the future and be a first applicant to that school.
 
One of my state MD school campuses has 503 average MCAT

I did a search on low mcat schools before. I can only think of a few MD places this low. New mexico, UCLA drew, Howard, and a couple others.
 
I voided twice, one no-show

You are given 7 lifetime MCAT attempts. Voided tests count and no-shows count I thought?

I could have sworn I read that somewhere.

Do only no-shows count?

In that case then yeah, you have one try left.
 
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You are given 7 lifetime MCAT attempts. Voided tests count and no-shows count I thought?

I could have sworn I read that somewhere.

Do only no-shows count?

In that case then yeah, you have one try left.


No show = void = one of your 7 takes
I would advise to NOT retake the MCAT

Way to hijack the thread LOL
 
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So am I on the right track as far as trying to re-invent myself? I haven't hit the ceiling yet, I know I am way better than this. I am not scared of the MCAT. I know this exam so well. The boards are a different story but I scored in the 87% in the Bio/biochem section. However, 24-26 MCAT with 3.0-3.19 GPA has a 71% 4 year graduation rate according to AAMC.



I have scored higher on NS practice exams, it just wasn't consistent. I studied for almost a year and a half and improved 5 points. I know I can do so much better but it is just so inconsistent. My biggest weakness is reading/verbal and Jack's course helped me ALOT. It is just that my mind just wanders sometimes and I hate it. I really don't know if I have ADHD but am thinking of getting checked out. I have to drink coffee and work out otherwise its hard for me to focus for 90 minutes straight. I zoned out on one passage in the middle of my verbal test on my last attempt (503) and had to guess on some few questions. I got to the last passage with 5 minutes left which wasn't good. Otherwise those passages were straightforward imo. I was also dumb it trying to take the test too soon this past year and not thoroughly reviewing my practice tests for my second attempt this year. I did thoroughly review for my first attempt this year because I had more time.

I was just thinking of taking a more spread out approach and assess my progress over time instead of studying intensely for months. I would take like 2-3 practice tests a month too see where I am at until I can score consistently 508+ before taking it next summer.

FYI I have extensive experience with several MCAT programs.

For example, if NextStep gives you a 500, on the real thing that is equivalent to about 492-495. They highly inflate their scores. Stick to Kaplan or Princeton Review.
 
I am just concerned that my verbal score will be looked down unfavorably. My intention was going to be taking PR tests and AAMC is coming out with a test next month. I have taken the NS tests too many times, the company is a scam IMO.

Is it necessary to start a new thread?

I've hears tales of verbal scores having a negative correlation with medical school. So basically, people that do well on verbal actually tend to not do that great in medical school. I don't remember where I saw this research, so I'm not sure on the specifics.

However, admissions committees still want a high verbal score.

I agree that NextStep isn't the best.

I don't know if you should start a new thread or not.
 
I did a search on low mcat schools before. I can only think of a few MD places this low. New mexico, UCLA drew, Howard, and a couple others.

UCLA main, a number of state schools, and Loyola. There are more than a few.

I know this exam so well.

But you don't though. If you did you wouldn't get a 503 on your 6th attempt.
 
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I've hears tales of verbal scores having a negative correlation with medical school. So basically, people that do well on verbal actually tend to not do that great in medical school. I don't remember where I saw this research, so I'm not sure on the specifics.

This is not true lol.
 
but if I can score that in more than one section. I can score that in all the sections

Dude look, this shows how little you understand the test. Every section is different and takes a completely different strategy. Taking the test again will not affect your chances unless you somehow pull a 520 out of the hat (it's not happening), and even then they would only slightly increase.

Your best, and most likely only, chance at med school lies not in a MCAT retake but in a very early and broad application DO only application. You have 0 chance at any MD schools so forget about that pipe dream, and focus on the slim chance you do have.
 
chance at med school lies not in a MCAT retake but in a very early and broad application DO only application.

OP, I think AnatomyGrey can come off a little rough... He might be a little jaded from this form... But the bolded part is THE BEST advice you're going to get. I'd listen to him 100%
 
I hope you can prove me wrong but I believe you should consider other career options.
 
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Dude look, this shows how little you understand the test. Every section is different and takes a completely different strategy. Taking the test again will not affect your chances unless you somehow pull a 520 out of the hat (it's not happening), and even then they would only slightly increase.

Your best, and most likely only, chance at med school lies not in a MCAT retake but in a very early and broad application DO only application. You have 0 chance at any MD schools so forget about that pipe dream, and focus on the slim chance you do have.

@student10 While I think Anatomy is being a bit harsh, there speaks some reality in what he's saying. Taking the MCAT again is just a risky move imo. Anything less than your 503 would a situation you could never fix, being your last MCAT.

Apply early and apply broadly is the BEST advice.

I still think you have a good shot at getting somewhere as is.

One more thing, what is your state of residence @student10. That is a big part of this.
 
IL, 7 MD schools (UIC, ChicagoMed, Rush, Loyola, SIU, NU and UofC (in my dreams)) and CCOM which is basically a MD school in disguise. UIC's average MCAT is a 31.. MCW supersets MCAT scores and The DO I shadow is faculty at CCOM. I want to stay in-state.

This is the school list that I think I would be competitive at based off speaking with admission advisors:
Marian University
ARCOM
SOMA
BCOM
LECOM
LMUCOM
UPIKE
EdwardCOM
PCOM (has grade replacement)

Would having a a doctor's note for the withdrawal change my chances for this cycle or overall? I do have proof of one in addition to lab work that shows that I was sick. This is something I forgot to mention. Does going to MD school even matter anymore if the merger is taking place in 2020?

I'm not going to tell you which schools to apply to and which not to. That takes a lot of time. But I will say that Illinois is a great state to be in when applying lol.

I have no idea about the doctors note thing.
 
This guy should apply broadly on day 1 of the next DO cycle.

If he gets nothing, it's time to move on to Career B.
 
Quite possibly he meant that Verbal has the lowest correlation with medical school success? Or board scores?

There’s much literature to back the latter.
Who is student10? I do not even see their posts in this thread. OP post was one year ago.
 
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I remember seeing his/her posts, but later they were gone. How do you delete a post and what's the point?
 
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