Should I apply to more schools?

[redwings54]

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So far the list that I have is UNECOM, NSUCOM, PCOM, CCOM, KCOM, DMUCOM, LECOM-Erie, LECOM-Fla, and NYCOM. My top choice is UNECOM, and I am from NH with a good LoR from a graduate of UNE who still keeps in regular contact with the school. Below are the rest of my credentials. Since I am a weaker candidate, I dont know if I should apply to more schools. I dont really want to live in Atlanta or Las Vegas so those programs are out even though they are the newer schools and might be easier to get into. Also, I am only applying to osteopathic schools because I really like the philosophy a lot more, want to go into family practice and think OMT is awesome. So what should I do? Apply to more schools that I dont really care to go to or stick with these and if I dont make it this year, take some more classes and maybe the MCAT over again? Any advice would be helpful.

My GPA is 3.05 with a 2.84 science. I am going to start with classes at Harvard Extension with two more each in the fall and spring. If I do well in those classes than I could end with a 3.20GPA, 3.15science next spring. I took the MCAT twice, first time got a 25, 2nd got a 24 because I found out my dad had cancer two weeks before the test so needless to say my mind was elsewhere. I show a big upward trend in my grades since freshman year. I graduated from a top liberal arts college with a degree in chem. I won a fellowship in holistic medicine and studied in Russia and Scotland. I also just found out that my research from my holistic fellowship is going to get published in an Anthro journal. I was a RA, TA, research assistant for 2 years with a pub, student government, had a job as a phebotomist/lab assistant, shadowed DOs and MDs with more to come, great LoRs including Drs, captained rugby for two years, chaired a volunteer organization that taught kids to read for two years and have dealt with family stuff giving me a close view of the medical field and how healing can best take place. I know I am on the lower end, but I hope with my experiences and desire that I can get a few acceptances. I am also 22, 23 this summer, and from NH.

 

[DrB]

Sounds good redwings54, keep up the good work and continue to work on your GPA. Sounds like you got all the DO schools on the East Coast, but I am not sure if their are more. It is wise for you to apply to as many as you can. If there are more in your area then apply to them... also smart to not apply all over the country to keep you from having to travel all over for interviews. Then again, if you can afford it, I would apply to more... what about the schools in the West?

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[Amy B]

Hi,
Apply to as many schools as you think you would go to if they interviewed you adn accepted you. The tendency is to apply to a bunch in hopes that one will accept you. However if you apply to a school that you wouldn't want to go to due to location or class types (PBL,etc) then there is no point in wasting your money applying there. I applied to PCOM and Drexel. I got into Drexel and thought to myself..."I hate it here, I hate the location and would not want my family to live here." I turned them down and went to VCOM. I love the location.

So have you applied to enough? Hard to say... have you applied to all the ones that you would consider going to if you were accepted. I suggest to all who are applying that you research and investigate the school's web pages thoroughly and then research the city, town area and cost of living to see if those are good for you. The you can get an idea of what you should do.

Good luck..

 

[UNE2009LMD]

Your extracurricular activities sound great! Continue working on your gpa though. Harvard extension is def a great way to do that. Remember, if you did go to a top undergrad...say like swarthmore or Johns hopkins--a 3.0-3.3 is not too shabby. The committee will take into consideration the difficulty of the courses/premed program. Best of luck! 🙂

 

[redwings54]

Hey, I went to Hamilton college in upstate NY. Its currently ranked number 18 or so by US News and is on scale with schools like Bowdoin, Bates, Williams, Colgate. We are in the same division as them and often are viewed along with them. So my GPA from there is more highly viewed than if I went to UNH or another big state school and got a 3.05. Also, I was involved in pretty much everything I could be in college and I think my fellowship, which was specifically on shamanism and psychoneuroimmunology, and work in the hospital and as a sub teacher might give me a little edge there over some other candidates. At least I hope, so I was wondering whether or not to apply to more schools or maybe even a few allopathic schools to try to up my chances. Keep tossing suggestions and I will be very much appreciative. Thanks

 

[UNE2009LMD]

Def apply to as many schools as you can. The more schools you apply to, the better your chances. I have a friend who applied to 8 schools--nothing. Another who applied to 30. Interviewed at about 10..got into 4. So it's basically a game of chance. It's better to have more cards in your deck. good luck! 🙂

 

[docbill]

I don't know. I think you applied to the most of the private schools and covered your option. MSU, OSU, Texas, All other public schools you may not be competetive at since you are out of state. Don't apply to schools you don't ever wish to go to. For example, I would never go to Nevada or Atlanta. Just my preference. KCOM is in the middle of the country and not one that I would favor.

If you prefer UNE, then I would push for that. I know they are big on family feel to the school. So at the interview they ask if you know someone or a graduate. If the DO writing you a letter is UNE grad and keeps in touch with the school, you should get an interview.

WOrst come to worst you will have to re-apply. Better then going somewhere you don't want to go.

If I recall correctly you have a family also. If this is true you don't want to take them somewhere they don't like either.

Good luck,
docbil