School list for an engineer, cGPA 3.2, BCPM 3.1 with publications?

[542138]

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[user3]

Hi guys,

I'm hoping to apply for DO in 2015 for fall 2016 entry, but had a couple of bumps along the way and wondering if someone could help me figure out if my list looks fine.

I graduated with a B.S. in chemical engineering, overall GPA was ~3.26. AMCAS GPA calc came back to be around 3.21. BCPM GPA came out to be around 3.1, although I am unsure how exactly I am supposed to calculate it. For instance, according to AMCAS, thermodynamics is considered chemistry, so would a thermodynamics class taught by the chemical engineering department count towards BCPM? Does AACOMAS use the same method of GPA calculation?

I also have a M.S. in chemical engineering, overall GPA was 3.50. Will also be taking 10-12 credits in a postbac before applying. I have been doing research a while, and have accumulated ~5 SCI papers (PNAS, JBC, etc.), although not always first author. I'm planning on taking the MCAT in 2014.

What else would I need to improve my chances? Should I apply broadly to every school? I am a CA resident, if that makes any difference (I doubt, since there are no public DO schools in CA). I'm thinking about eliminating CCOM and NYCOM from my list as they tend to get a bunch of applications.

27 mcat (probably more like 24-25) and you will be golden. how far are you through the pre-reqs?

 

[Temperature101]

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[Meihua]

I graduated with a B.S. in chemical engineering, overall GPA was ~3.26. AMCAS GPA calc came back to be around 3.21. BCPM GPA came out to be around 3.1, although I am unsure how exactly I am supposed to calculate it. For instance, according to AMCAS, thermodynamics is considered chemistry, so would a thermodynamics class taught by the chemical engineering department count towards BCPM? Does AACOMAS use the same method of GPA calculation?

I don't know about AACOMAS, but for AMCAS, course classifications (which you do yourself - AMCAS will correct things that look egregiously incorrect but for the most part trust your judgment) are based on course content, not department. So yes, thermodynamics taught by the chemical engineering department would count towards BCPM.

 

[Goro]

All the DO schools get a bunch of applications. I was told yesterday that Touro-Harlem got 6000 applications this year, and they could easily fill both that school AND their planned upstate NY branch with high caliber candidates.

So,apply broadly.

Hi guys,

I'm hoping to apply for DO in 2015 for fall 2016 entry, but had a couple of bumps along the way and wondering if someone could help me figure out if my list looks fine.

I graduated with a B.S. in chemical engineering, overall GPA was ~3.26. AMCAS GPA calc came back to be around 3.21. BCPM GPA came out to be around 3.1, although I am unsure how exactly I am supposed to calculate it. For instance, according to AMCAS, thermodynamics is considered chemistry, so would a thermodynamics class taught by the chemical engineering department count towards BCPM? Does AACOMAS use the same method of GPA calculation?

I also have a M.S. in chemical engineering, overall GPA was 3.50. Will also be taking 10-12 credits in a postbac before applying. I have been doing research a while, and have accumulated ~5 SCI papers (PNAS, JBC, etc.), although not always first author. I'm planning on taking the MCAT in 2014.

What else would I need to improve my chances? Should I apply broadly to every school? I am a CA resident, if that makes any difference (I doubt, since there are no public DO schools in CA). I'm thinking about eliminating CCOM and NYCOM from my list as they tend to get a bunch of applications.

 

[Meihua]

Thanks, but then along that logic, if I were to categorize a technical communications class required for engineering majors as an English composition, would that be accepted by AMCAS? If it's accepted by AMCAS, then can it be used to fulfill admission reqs?

English requirements are set by the schools, not by AMCAS. Some schools accept "writing-intensive" courses. Others requires courses taught by the English department. If there's any ambiguity as to whether or not you are fulfilling requirements, email the individual schools.

 

[hallowmann]

AACOMAS uses grade replacement, so if you have retaken any courses, that may affect your calculations. If not ignore that.

Your AACOMAS cGPA will obviously be the same if you haven't done retakes, but for AACOMAS sGPA is calculated based on a BCPO (bio, chem, phys, other sciences). Basically your math courses would be taken out of the calculation for AACOMAS sGPA. Your engineering courses would count as "Other Science," and the course designations are usually based on the department that offers the course. Check and see if that affects your grade at all.

Like others have said, get a 26 and apply early and broadly, and you should be fine. Get 28+ and you should have many options. Get 30+ and you should have your choice of schools. How are your ECs?

 

[TriagePreMed]

27 mcat (probably more like 24-25) and you will be golden. how far are you through the pre-reqs?

Typical ignorance of the system. The Osteopathic average is a 3.5/27, so no, a 24 with a 3.2 is not "golden" (neither is a 27 with low GPA).

 

[user3]

Typical ignorance of the system. The Osteopathic average is a 3.5/27, so no, a 24 with a 3.2 is not "golden" (neither is a 27 with low GPA).

Have you pored through mdapplicants, the UD thread, and school specific threads as much as I have? Then I doubt you would be disagreeing with me.

 

[ToKingdomCome]

User3 I wanna believe in you so badly, especially with those having lower mcats in the 25 range. I will be applying with a mid 3.6 and a 25 mcat myself.

 

[TriagePreMed]

Have you pored through mdapplicants, the UD thread, and school specific threads as much as I have? Then I doubt you would be disagreeing with me.

Considering I ran the information portion of the UD thread, I'm certain I know more. Outliers are not good indicators of chances.