School list (additions) help

[nhnative]

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Hey everyone,

I know there are 100 posts about schools lists, but I'm having some trouble and would really appreciate any advice/ideas!

I submitted my primary in early June, and am currently complete at most of the schools I've applied to. I'm a nontraditional student with limited funds, but would like to add 2-3 more schools and would love some input.

cGPA 3.54 sGPA 3.52 MCAT 29 (retake of 28 unfortunately). 6 years out of college, did most pre-reqs in undergrad but some at comm. colleges afterwards. Worked for 3.5 years as a therapist for young children with autism, then did one semester in PT graduate program before withdrawing 2 years ago to pursue medical school. More paid work as a caregiver x 8 months and medical scribe x close to 1.5 years, volunteer stuff as well. First generation college but not URM. No research.

Currently applied to:
CCOM
Tuoro-CA
RVU (in state)
UNE
Western-Pomona
Western-Northwest
PNW-COM
MSUCOM
WVSOM

I'm really just having a hard time choosing what schools to add, since I can't afford to do many more. I was thinking Lake Erie (PA campuses) but not sure otherwise!

 

[Cardboard101]

I'm pretty sure you're fine for any DO (maybe even state MD assuming you're not in CA) with those stats and ECs (aside from ones with glaring IS bias, unless you're in that state of course). 29 to 28 MCAT may be a slight concern though. Whats your undergrad GPA trend like?Any shadowing?

The main question now is where would you like to go?

 

[DoctorKrieger]

You have a chance at any DO school, even those with in-state/regional bias. Most of the places you've listed have a very high cost of living, and some (like MSU and CCOM) have ridiculous tuition. I would look at established schools that would be much cheaper such as KCU, DMU, KCOM, OSU. Those loans add up very quickly.

 

[DoctorSynthesis]

You have a chance at any DO school, even those with in-state/regional bias. Most of the places you've listed have a very high cost of living, and some (like MSU and CCOM) have ridiculous tuition. I would look at established schools that would be much cheaper such as KCU, DMU, KCOM, OSU. Those loans add up very quickly.

OP isn't from Oklahoma so forget about osu. Don't know how OP would feel about living in kirksville. Probably should add PCOM or NSUCOM instead of OSU.

But yea I agree take out MSUCOM! CCOM is worth it to apply though

 

[Supernatural17]

OP isn't from Oklahoma so forget about osu. Don't know how OP would feel about living in kirksville. Probably should add PCOM or NSUCOM instead of OSU.

But yea I agree take out MSUCOM! CCOM is worth it to apply though

Ouhcom possibly ?

 

[DoctorSynthesis]

Ouhcom possibly ?

Not unless you are from Ohio they require a contract for you to practice there for three years!

 

[Supernatural17]

Not unless you are from Ohio they require a contract for you to practice there for three years!

I always wondered if the student had family ties to Ohio and had a huge interest in practicing in Ohio would they be welcoming to allowing the OOS student to attend OUHCOM. How would an applicant express this kind of interest for a school like OUHCOM?

 

[nhnative]

OP isn't from Oklahoma so forget about osu. Don't know how OP would feel about living in kirksville. Probably should add PCOM or NSUCOM instead of OSU.

But yea I agree take out MSUCOM! CCOM is worth it to apply though

Thanks for the advice! I've been trying to balance cost of living with quality of life... it's hard to think about living on loans since I've been working for a while but definitely important (especially since I'll be older once I start, less time to pay it all off 😉 )

I actually had PCOM on my initial list, but they require an academic non-science letter to submit the secondary, and I don't have non-science contacts at my undergrad school anymore....bummer. Too late on taking out MSUCOM, submitted a secondary already! Also I worked with a doc who trained in that area and he said it was amazing for learning, tons of big hospitals etc, I'd actually love to go there! So far I like the suggestions of KCOM and DMU. Thanks guys!

 

[DoctorKrieger]

OP isn't from Oklahoma so forget about osu. Don't know how OP would feel about living in kirksville. Probably should add PCOM or NSUCOM instead of OSU.

But yea I agree take out MSUCOM! CCOM is worth it to apply though

What makes you think OP doesn't have a shot at a state school? It's not like she's coming in with a 3.1/23. For a chance at attending a DO school with it's own teaching hospital and lower than most COA, it would be silly not to apply.

 

[DoctorSynthesis]

What makes you think OP doesn't have a shot at a state school? It's not like she's coming in with a 3.1/23. For a chance at attending a DO school with it's own teaching hospital and lower than most COA, it would be silly not to apply.

It's 86% in state and with only slight above average stats and without the benefit of cheap tuition I don't see that one as a high yield play. Makes little sense applying to state schools OOS since you can do better elsewhere.

COA is only low IS

 

[DoctorSynthesis]

Thanks for the advice! I've been trying to balance cost of living with quality of life... it's hard to think about living on loans since I've been working for a while but definitely important (especially since I'll be older once I start, less time to pay it all off 😉 )

I actually had PCOM on my initial list, but they require an academic non-science letter to submit the secondary, and I don't have non-science contacts at my undergrad school anymore....bummer. Too late on taking out MSUCOM, submitted a secondary already! Also I worked with a doc who trained in that area and he said it was amazing for learning, tons of big hospitals etc, I'd actually love to go there! So far I like the suggestions of KCOM and DMU. Thanks guys!

Cool you should contact PCOM about substituting that for non academic science if you want to go there. KCOM and DMU are great options but kirksville is extremely rural!

 

[DoctorKrieger]

It's 86% in state and with only slight above average stats and without the benefit of cheap tuition I don't see that one as a high yield play. Makes little sense applying to state schools OOS since you can do better elsewhere.

COA is only low IS

OOS tuition is not any more expensive than tuition at most private schools. Factor in the much cheaper COL in the central states compared to the coasts and the COA will be lower on average. And it's med school, no school is high yield in the application game. Someone has to fill those OOS spots, why not a candidate with a solid resume like the OP?

 

[nhnative]

Cool you should contact PCOM about substituting that for non academic science if you want to go there. KCOM and DMU are great options but kirksville is extremely rural!

I actually did contact them. I wrote them a very polite email explaining my situation and asking if I could substitute a letter from my employer of 3.5 years from a non-science field. They sent me a one line response that said they don't make exceptions to their requirements ever 🙁

 

[DoctorSynthesis]

OOS tuition is not any more expensive than tuition at most private schools. Factor in the much cheaper COL in the central states compared to the coasts and the COA will be lower on average. And it's med school, no school is high yield in the application game. Someone has to fill those OOS spots, why not a candidate with a solid resume like the OP?

Stats are probably a bit low with the bias the exists for OOS students in my opinion. If I was going to take a shot at a school I was OOS in and has a huge bias for in state students I would go for TCOM since tuition is low even for OOS. And the cost estimate at osu for living is about the same there as for other school. It's probably a bit lower but not enough to make me want to apply there.

 

[DoctorSynthesis]

I actually did contact them. I wrote them a very polite email explaining my situation and asking if I could substitute a letter from my employer of 3.5 years from a non-science field. They sent me a one line response that said they don't make exceptions to their requirements ever 🙁

Well at least you tried! Plenty of other great options