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[thegreatjaspy]

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I am trying to figure out where to apply but there is so much information to sort through! I have a 3.2/3.3 GPA High 20s MCAT, good EC and letters, but I am mostly just looking for some general info.

What schools should I avoid due to state bias ? (CA resident so no luck there)
What schools are Top Tier or hardest to get into?
What schools are generally safety school?
Any schools with a generally bad reputation?
What school are in the "sweet spot" for someone like me?

 

[chizledfrmstone]

Avoid OUHCOM, OSU, MSU, Rowan, and any other public schools. Some people would say VCOM and PNWU have bias.

NOVA and CCOM are hard to get into lately.

PCOM has a 8 subsection cutoff.

KCUMB has a 3.25 cutoff

KCOM and DMU are 100+ years old and harder to get into. DMU averages were like 3.68 and 28

Touro schools like ~30 MCAT.

WesternU is a pretty good school in Cali. Similar averages to DMU.

LUCOM is new and controversial.

KYCOM and WVSOM have lower stats and attrition problems last I checked.



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[abolt18]

I had 3.3 cumulative and 3.2 science w/ 28 MCAT. I was accepted to Nova, KCUMB, SOMA, and KCOM. Turned down an interview at DMU. Basically I got love from 5/9 schools I applied to, and the others, I either withdrew before completing the secondary or before sending them my fall grasses (2 were on pre interview holds until they could see my grades from fall). Point is, if you have good EC's, you should be fine at most schools in spite of your mediocre gpa.

 

[thegreatjaspy]

I had 3.3 cumulative and 3.2 science w/ 28 MCAT. I was accepted to Nova, KCUMB, SOMA, and KCOM. Turned down an interview at DMU. Basically I got love from 5/9 schools I applied to, and the others, I either withdrew before completing the secondary or before sending them my fall grasses (2 were on pre interview holds until they could see my grades from fall). Point is, if you have good EC's, you should be fine at most schools in spite of your mediocre gpa.

That's encouraging to hear! Thanks! What year did you apply?

 

[medickdb]

CUSOM has a minimum 3.0 GPA requirement. Someone told me there's an MCAT subsection cutoff, but I don't know if that's true.

There are students from all around the country, so I don't think there's much of a regional bias.

Like most schools, CUSOM obviously wants students who will stay in the area (Carolinas, especially underserved) after graduating. It also seems to looking for students who are interested in mission trips. Beyond decent grades/ MCAT score, I believe these are the two things it looks for most in applicants.

Actually, rereading your post, I noticed a considerable amount of Californians in this upcoming class.

 

[polylux]

Actually, rereading your post, I noticed a considerable amount of Californians in this upcoming class.

I think there are a lot of Californians in every class...

 

[thegreatjaspy]

CUSOM has a minimum 3.0 GPA requirement. Someone told me there's an MCAT subsection cutoff, but I don't know if that's true.

There are students from all around the country, so I don't think there's much of a regional bias.

Like most schools, CUSOM obviously wants students who will stay in the area (Carolinas, especially underserved) after graduating. It also seems to looking for students who are interested in mission trips. Beyond decent grades/ MCAT score, I believe these are the two things it looks for most in applicants.

Actually, rereading your post, I noticed a considerable amount of Californians in this upcoming class.

Awesome, I've been on 3 mission trips abroad, adding them to my list

 

[NontradCA]

-I think OSU and TCOM have the biggest IS bias, but the rest are doable. For reference, I was accepted at a couple state schools OOS, including an MD one.
-There's not really top tier in the DO world, but the older and state schools seem to have established credibility in their area as far as rotations and residencies go.
-A school will be good if they accept you, and bad if you get rejected =).
-Apply to as many schools as you can afford.

 

[medickdb]

I think there are a lot of Californians in every class...

True. It's odd. Are there just more premeds in California or something? I'm originally from Virginia and there are a lot of schools in that state, but you don't see Virginians on the interview trail quite like Californians.

 

[thegreatjaspy]

-I think OSU and TCOM have the biggest IS bias, but the rest are doable. For reference, I was accepted at a couple state schools OOS, including an MD one.
-There's not really top tier in the DO world, but the older and state schools seem to have established credibility in their area as far as rotations and residencies go.
-A school will be good if they accept you, and bad if you get rejected =).
-Apply to as many schools as you can afford.

I think one problem I am having with coming up with a list is I just want to be a doctor, that is the most important thing to me, I can adjust to location, bad reputations, more debt, you name it I can deal with it if I become a doctor in the end. What would be considered an excessive amount I apply to? Money wise I figure what's another couple grand tacked onto the med school tab...

 

[polylux]

True. It's odd. Are there just more premeds in California or something? I'm originally from Virginia and there are a lot of schools in that state, but you don't see Virginians on the interview trail quite like Californians.

California has a population of about 38 million. That's actually more than the entire population of Canada ~35 million, and it's about 12% of the population of the US total (~313 million). So when you think about it like that, it makes more sense. Population of Virginia is only about 8 million.

 

[thegreatjaspy]

True. It's odd. Are there just more premeds in California or something? I'm originally from Virginia and there are a lot of schools in that state, but you don't see Virginians on the interview trail quite like Californians.

I think there are just so many colleges on California and admission into CA Med schools is so tough that people have to go elsewhere.

 

[NontradCA]

I think one problem I am having with coming up with a list is I just want to be a doctor, that is the most important thing to me, I can adjust to location, bad reputations, more debt, you name it I can deal with it if I become a doctor in the end. What would be considered an excessive amount I apply to? Money wise I figure what's another couple grand tacked onto the med school tab...

Well then cast a very wide net. There is no such thing as excessive. If you have the patience to fill out all the secondaries, then apply.

 

[medickdb]

California has a population of about 38 million. That's actually more than the entire population of Canada ~35 million, and it's about 12% of the population of the US total (~313 million). So when you think about it like that, it makes more sense. Population of Virginia is only about 8 million.

Ah, I see. I never really had reason to think about the numbers until now. Northern Virginia is very populated when you compare it to the rest of the state. I've never been to California before, so I didn't realize there were so many people there.

 

[polylux]

Yeah, population density is a really interesting phenomenon. When you think about it, NYC has a population of ~8.5 million, which is almost half the population of NY state ~18.5 million! Half the state's population is crammed in that tiny corner.

 

[Elevencents]

People can give you their own lists of schools but you're much better off researching the schools yourself. What I initially thought were schools I'd like, inevitably turned out to be secondaries I never filled out after doing my own research.

Read the CIB. Read the websites. This is a big decision, it only makes sense to find out as much as you can about each school. There is also a ton of info to be learned from reading the school specific threads here where a lot of questions are answered.

 

[medickdb]

People can give you their own lists of schools but you're much better off researching the schools yourself. What I initially thought were schools I'd like, inevitably turned out to be secondaries I never filled out after doing my own research.

Read the CIB. Read the websites. This is a big decision, it only makes sense to find out as much as you can about each school. There is also a ton of info to be learned from reading the school specific threads here where a lot of questions are answered.

This is true. I wasted well over $100 submitting primary applications to schools whose secondary applications I never filled out.

 

[bionerd89]

I think there are just so many colleges on California and admission into CA Med schools is so tough that people have to go elsewhere.

Yes its definitely hard for Californians. I always get irritated when I see someone who has lower stats than me get into their state MD school

 

[withoutlyrics]

You have gotten some good advice. You have decent stats and I would encourage you to throw your application in at 10 places at least as it's a bit of a numbers game. I am not sure what regional preferences you have, so my suggested list will be biased with my own preferences slightly adjusted for your region 🙂

PCOM, CCOM, and (lately) NSU-COM are more unpredictable admissions wise, but are solid, established schools with stellar clinical opportunities, numerous associated residencies, and good reputations in their respective regions. I suggest throwing your hat in the ring for all three.

Apply to Western and TUCOM-CA for a chance to stay in CA. They admit many CA people and your stats look competitive.

Now, some schools will inevitably look like safeties, but there are no real safeties. I got interviews at NYCOM and NSU-COM, and rejected at VCOM and Campbell.

Here are my suggestions (they are ordered by what I perceive to be decreasing admissions difficulty):
(Pick 1)
Touro-NY
Marian
LECOM-B

(Pick 2)
LECOM-E
AT-Still SOMA
TUNCOM

(Pick 2)
Campbell
ACOM
LMU

 

[abolt18]

I'm

That's encouraging to hear! Thanks! What year did you apply?

I'm class of 2017. My one regret? Not applying to Texas schools. Their tuition is SO much cheaper! While I am getting a great education, I could be getting as good of one for much less $$$. All the schools that accepted me had similar tuition otherwise I'd have factored in money a lot more. Don't underestimate the importance of low tuition.definitely consider applying to some Texas schools.

 

[mct2762]

honestly, i would not waste money applying to texas schools if you are OOS and dont have stellar stats. I am from texas and we have a HUGE in state bias. only 10% of class seats are saved for OOS, and those chosen have above average stats. Plus, if you do apply texas, you will have to fill out an entirely different application (TMDSAS). TCOM is the only DO school we have and their averages for last year were 3.57/28. I wouldnt waste money applying there as OOS unless you had at least a 3.7/33

 

[abolt18]

honestly, i would not waste money applying to texas schools if you are OOS and dont have stellar stats. I am from texas and we have a HUGE in state bias. only 10% of class seats are saved for OOS, and those chosen have above average stats. Plus, if you do apply texas, you will have to fill out an entirely different application (TMDSAS). TCOM is the only DO school we have and their averages for last year were 3.57/28. I wouldnt waste money applying there as OOS unless you had at least a 3.7/33

For the potential cost savings, it doesn't hurt to try! A few extra bucks on an extra application for the chance of saving >100K in loans? I would have at least tried. I didn't consider money at all when applying because I planned on HPSP. Decided not to do HPSP and now wishing I had taken cost into consideration.

 

[GreyF0X]

honestly, i would not waste money applying to texas schools if you are OOS and dont have stellar stats. I am from texas and we have a HUGE in state bias. only 10% of class seats are saved for OOS, and those chosen have above average stats. Plus, if you do apply texas, you will have to fill out an entirely different application (TMDSAS). TCOM is the only DO school we have and their averages for last year were 3.57/28. I wouldnt waste money applying there as OOS unless you had at least a 3.7/33

+ TMDSAS doesn't use grade replacement and looks at your high school transcript, i believe. I know for sure TCOM looks at your high school transcript.

 

[mct2762]

+ TMDSAS doesn't use grade replacement and looks at your high school transcript, i believe. I know for sure TCOM looks at your high school transcript.

I don't remember having to get a HS transcript...but I very well may have

 

[GreyF0X]

I don't remember having to get a HS transcript...but I very well may have

Really? Well, i have not used TMDSAS or applied to any schools yet but i remember someone telling me about this. Also, this is from TCOMs website:

 

[mct2762]

Really? Well, i have not used TMDSAS or applied to any schools yet but i remember someone telling me about this. Also, this is from TCOMs website:

yeah I guess so then. idk, i applied in 2012 so it's been awhile lol

 

[withoutlyrics]

High school transcript... Almost wish I had applied...

 

[dutchie000]

Ah, I see. I never really had reason to think about the numbers until now. Northern Virginia is very populated when you compare it to the rest of the state. I've never been to California before, so I didn't realize there were so many people there.

NOVA!! 🙂 Are you staying in state for med school or getting out of VA? I'm applying this summer from VA. Definitely applying to VCOM

 

[medickdb]

NOVA!! 🙂 Are you staying in state for med school or getting out of VA? I'm applying this summer from VA. Definitely applying to VCOM

I'm going to CUSOM. VCOM is a great school, but I'd rather not go back to Blacksburg. It's too cold among other reasons.

 

[DrEnderW]

+ TMDSAS doesn't use grade replacement and looks at your high school transcript, i believe.

This is correct. TX requires your HS and SAT/ACT information.

I cannot say if it's weighed in any meaningful capacity.

 

[dutchie000]

I'm going to CUSOM. VCOM is a great school, but I'd rather not go back to Blacksburg. It's too cold among other reasons.

Back to Blacksburg! Another Hokie! 🙂 I know, I am hoping to get out of VA as well. I know VCOM is probably my best chance, but I'm so ready to get out of sw VA. I'm also a medic 🙂

 

[medickdb]

Back to Blacksburg! Another Hokie! 🙂 I know, I am hoping to get out of VA as well. I know VCOM is probably my best chance, but I'm so ready to get out of sw VA. I'm also a medic 🙂

Don't stress too much about it. Pick schools that look for what you have to offer as well as ones you can see yourself attending. Of course, factor in costs, etc. Most importantly, apply early! Once you get that first acceptance, you can breathe a lot easier. I applied as soon as possible (started filling out AACOMAS this time last year), and I had my first acceptance in hand by mid July.

Good luck!

 

[dutchie000]

Don't stress too much about it. Pick schools that look for what you have to offer as well as ones you can see yourself attending. Of course, factor in costs, etc. Most importantly, apply early! Once you get that first acceptance, you can breathe a lot easier. I applied as soon as possible (started filling out AACOMAS this time last year), and I had my first acceptance in hand by mid July.

Good luck!

Woowww an acceptance so soon? That's amazing. I am taking my MCAT May 31, so working very hard to try to submit my application the moment those scores are released. I wish I could apply the day the application opens, but unfortunately won't have my scores back by then 🙁 I meant to take the MCAT sooner, but I got caught up settling into the routine of my new job and couldn't find the time to study. I just hope it won't affect me too much...

 

[thegreatjaspy]

Woowww an acceptance so soon? That's amazing. I am taking my MCAT May 31, so working very hard to try to submit my application the moment those scores are released. I wish I could apply the day the application opens, but unfortunately won't have my scores back by then 🙁 I meant to take the MCAT sooner, but I got caught up settling into the routine of my new job and couldn't find the time to study. I just hope it won't affect me too much...

I'm in the same position, planned to submit June 1 but taking may 31 mcat, don't worry we will still be considered early!