Should I give up hope?

[malikadnanm]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi.

I applied to DO schools (PCOM, OUCOM, NYCOM, & UMDNJ) and had my secondary apps and everything submitted in November. I have yet to hear back from any school and it's almost the end of February now. My scores weren't very good (science gpa of 3.17, overall gpa of 3.37, MCAT 26P V=11, P=6, B=9)

Should I give up hope on getting an interview at this point?

thanks, truly, to anyone who answers me...

 

[Daedra22]

At this point you probably want to start thinking about what you can do to beef up your application for the coming cycle. Hope is not lost, but this late in the game your chances are not exactly "great." Is your MCAT a 26 or a 22? If it's a 22 then you'd probably be best to focus on improving your score and reapplying... with a 26 then I would suspect that there is some other aspect of your application that needs work.

 

[NPEMTIV]

Hi.

I applied to DO schools (PCOM, OUCOM, NYCOM, & UMDNJ) and had my secondary apps and everything submitted in November. I have yet to hear back from any school and it's almost the end of February now. My scores weren't very good (science gpa of 3.17, overall gpa of 3.37, MCAT 26P V=7, P=6, B=9)

Should I give up hope on getting an interview at this point?

thanks, truly, to anyone who answers me...

You probably should have asked sooner, but I'd still probably contact the school to make sure they've received everything. I'd also consider writing a LOI for some or all of the schools you're really interested in. Showing interest might just give you that extra push for an interview.

 

[dkim186]

I got in. AZCOM


MCAT 26

CGPA 3.29
S GPA 3.4

 

[MSmentor018]

Hi.

I applied to DO schools (PCOM, OUCOM, NYCOM, & UMDNJ) and had my secondary apps and everything submitted in November. I have yet to hear back from any school and it's almost the end of February now. My scores weren't very good (science gpa of 3.17, overall gpa of 3.37, MCAT 26P V=7, P=6, B=9)

Should I give up hope on getting an interview at this point?

thanks, truly, to anyone who answers me...

I wouldn't give up hope, 1 of my classmates got the interview 1 week before school started. call and make sure they have your entire app. one of my apps was held up because it was supposedly missing the check but it was stuck on the bottom of the manila envelope. if I didn't call, i would have never known. hang in there!

 

[malikadnanm]

thanks for the quick replies. i wrote that incorrectly, i got an 11 on the verbal section, so it was a 26. and i shadowed an MD for 2 summers and have been doing community volunteer work for my whole undergrad career. i checked PCOM and it said all my materials were in by late November. I'm understandably depressed at this point.

 

[Daedra22]

thanks for the quick replies. i wrote that incorrectly, i got an 11 on the verbal section, so it was a 26. and i shadowed an MD for 2 summers and have been doing community volunteer work for my whole undergrad career. i checked PCOM and it said all my materials were in by late November. I'm understandably depressed at this point.

Did you have a DO letter of recommendation? While I don't think it's required at any of the schools you listed, it is almost always "strongly" recommended.

Don't become too depressed. As others have said, there are always some late interviews. Be sure to check with all the schools--even if PCOM checks out, the others may be missing something for some reason.

 

[malikadnanm]

:S no i didn't have a DO letter.

 

[jslo85]

To be honest the problems with your application if I were to imagine myself as the adcom is that it's not outstanding in any real aspect. Your MCAT is not the issue if it's a 26 but at the same time it's not a strong point either. Your GPA is fine but again, it's not incredibly strong either. Assuming the schools you applied to screen secondaries and you submitted them in reasonable time in november that you passed all cutoffs and were reviewed in a serious manner.

Think in this regards if you have skimmed other threads of other applicants on SDN. What on your application really differs from theirs? If Adcom reviews your application it means you meet their minimal requirements, they look for other factors that would suggest you are a good fit for their program and more importantly that you would be a good physician in the future.

I see your clinical experience as middle of the road in my opinion, if you had a strong LOR from the physician that would help. What would also help is a phone call of endorsement from the physician supporting your application and that he/she would be happy to answer any questions. There really isn't anything that I can point to that would be a "negative" to your application so I'm simply trying to think of reasons why they don't want to take your app to the next step in finding out who you are.

During one of my interviews, I actually had a comment from the admissions director of my MCAT writing sample score. I was shocked that they even paid attention to it, but she was like wow you got a T, that's 99% percentile. Not that all schools or even many would pay attention, but during an open file interview, they do look at all factors and I guess they saw it as another indictator of strength in that the applicant was able to formulate certain points and communicate them in a very structured manner and create associations.

My point is, they look at all aspects of your application not just GPA, MCAT section scores, etc. They also like long term commitment which I think you definitely showed through 4 years of community service and 2 whole summers of shadowing the same doctor and not bouncing around. You can always give them a call and ask them what they felt was wrong in your app if you recieve a rejection. I'd just boost e.c. at this point and maybe look at a post bacc/smp. Hope this helps.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Hi.

I applied to DO schools (PCOM, OUCOM, NYCOM, & UMDNJ) and had my secondary apps and everything submitted in November. I have yet to hear back from any school and it's almost the end of February now. My scores weren't very good (science gpa of 3.17, overall gpa of 3.37, MCAT 26P V=11, P=6, B=9)

Should I give up hope on getting an interview at this point?

thanks, truly, to anyone who answers me...

If I were you i'd be improving your application for next year. You applied to 5 schools with starts that are really low. If I were you, i'd have applied to every DO school.

 

[cliquesh]

You may or may not get in this year. However, if you don't get in, don't worry too much about it. It's probably because you applied too late. The first time I applied, my primary application was complete in December, and I didn't get a single interview. I had a 3.97 GPA and 32 mcat. Just be ready next time.

 

[wannabeaDO]

There's your problem. You didn't apply to a broader range of schools. The schools you listed are like the ones I never heard back from either.

I almost forgot. Well don't give up hope just yet. What you need to do is call the schoosl and let them know that you are still waiting. Ask them what you can do to improve your application. Maybe write a letter of intent.

 

[NAVYLABTECH08]

You applied to the wrong schools.

Add the following schools:

1. Edwards-VCOM
2. LECOM-Erie
3. LMU-DCOM

I am 99.999% sure sure stats can get you into one of these schools. It is getting late, but you will def get into 1 of these schools next year if not this cycle. Also, get a DO LOR.

PS: Keep in mind that it takes most people not on SDN at least 2 attempts to susceed getting into a school. If you do no tget in this cycle, do a SMP and reapply. If you are not willing to do this,choose a easier path in life.

 

[MSmentor018]

:S no i didn't have a DO letter.

oh that's not good.....keep your hopes up, worse comes to worse apply much, much broader next year. with those stats, you should be able to get in somewhere.

 

[gocatgo]

OP, the others have given good advice. The schools you listed are very competitive.
If you do end up applying next cycle, apply EARLY.Like June/July/August. It will definitely improve your chances. Best of to you.

 

[TheCloser]

If I remember correctly 3 of the schools you applied to predominately take in-state residents. Ohio and NJ are not even worth applying to if you are not a in-state resident. Everyone else seems to be on the same boat in saying apply more broadly. I had pretty much the same stats and applied late and got an interview to one of the two schools I filled out a secondary for.

 

[malikadnanm]

Well I called the schools and they told my apps were complete and were still under review by the admissions committees. I guess all I can do is wait and pray. Thanks to everyone for the advice on applying broader. If I end up not getting anything, what should I do to be stronger next cycle besides applying early? Should I Just retake the mcat and shadow a few DO's? Also, any idea what I could do for the year I'd have free? I was thinking about retaking a couple of science courses I did poorly in but if I apply early the retakes won't even factor into my GPA.

 

[NAVYLABTECH08]

Well I called the schools and they told my apps were complete and were still under review by the admissions committees. I guess all I can do is wait and pray. Thanks to everyone for the advice on applying broader. If I end up not getting anything, what should I do to be stronger next cycle besides applying early? Should I Just retake the mcat and shadow a few DO's? Also, any idea what I could do for the year I'd have free? I was thinking about retaking a couple of science courses I did poorly in but if I apply early the retakes won't even factor into my GPA.

P-O-S-T-B-A-C-C

 

[DrMcKittrick]

I would've applied to more schools. I applied to 6, sent 5 secondaries back and got accepted to 1. Perhaps applying earlier would be good too but who knows? It's a game, all of it.

 

[DmanGTR]

P-O-S-T-B-A-C-C

+1 to doing a post bacc (if you don't get interviews during this round)

Yes, it's somewhat late for interviews but don't worry, people are still getting interviewed. You just might get in before the train leaves the station.

However, don't rule out everything just yet and most importantly, DON'T GIVE UP! I didn't get into med school my first time applying and I had horrendous scores (24, 3.1, 3.2) but I did a post bacc and I did much better (28, 3.5, 3.4) and I got 5 interview invites at NYCOM, WVSOM, TouroCOM, LECOM Erie and Bradenton. I didn't go to TouroCOM but the other four schools accepted me and seemed really happy I did a post bacc.

Bottom line: be persistent and have determination. There are worse speed bumps in life and this is only the beginning 🙂

Good luck!

 

[Natka303]

can't give up. you can always reapply if not then look for other healthcare fields. EMT. RD... not toooo bad.

but listen... I got a C in my orgo I class. And i am still chugging along. for the moment... X_X
it'll be ok. find the motivation to redo the apps, exams, classes if necessary. beef up your resume anyway you can before reapplying.
If that is the case of course!!!!

 

[JaggerPlate]

Ehh ... I'm gonna disagree with the post bacc thing. Post baccs are for people with low GPA and high MCAT. You have a lowish GPA (your cumulative seems alright), and an average MCAT. If you had a 3.0 and a 30 and weren't getting into schools ... I'd do a post bacc. However, I'd retake the MCAT and try to get it up to 28/29 or be a grade A badass and break 30. This really helps demonstrate you have the aptitude, your GPA just doesn't reflect it.

 

[SSkels]

:S no i didn't have a DO letter.

I think this is what is preventing you from getting interviews. I'm pretty sure most schools, even not technically required, want to see this letter.

and I'd look for a one-year/18mo. master's program over a post-bacc if one is available to you. University of South Florida's College of Medicine offers one over the internet. Nothing is going to change your overall GPA that much, but rocking a program like this shows that your able to perform at the graduate level. I did a one and a half-year at USF to bring my GPA up and I got accepted to LECOM-Bradenton this cycle.

 

[MLT2MT2DO]

I'm going to echo others...the schools you chose (not counting NYCOM) have a huge regional bias, as well as "upper-tier" (if there is such thing) as far as admitting stats.

Even as late as you were if you would have applied a bit more broadly you probably would have been fine. Instead of a full blown post-bac I would cherry pick classes you got less than a C in and retake those...additionally it would help you immensely to shadow a D.O. and apply in June/have secondaries complete with LORs (shouldn't be too hard since you have everything) NLT than August.

 

[malikadnanm]

thanks for the advice everyone. the classes i would think about retaking would be orgo 1 and 2 which i got C+'s in. but i wouldnt have those completed till the end of the summer to get the updated transcript. i got a 3.8 last semester (Fall 2009) so my gpa is a little better now (sGPA: 3.22 and cGPA: 3.42). hopefully i can do well again this semester and have a higher GPA. If i apply again, i'll do it in May when the cycle starts so i'd have transcripts up to spring 2010 and i'd take the MCAT in june so everything's in early. get a couple of DO letters too. if i got a job for a year, would that look bad? I don't really want to do a post-bacc since the transcripts admissions would see would be just from my undergrad years since i'd apply early. am i missing something?

 

[Doc1988]

You applied to the wrong schools.

Add the following schools:

1. Edwards-VCOM
2. LECOM-Erie
3. LMU-DCOM

I am 99.999% sure sure stats can get you into one of these schools. It is getting late, but you will def get into 1 of these schools next year if not this cycle. Also, get a DO LOR.

PS: Keep in mind that it takes most people not on SDN at least 2 attempts to susceed getting into a school. If you do no tget in this cycle, do a SMP and reapply. If you are not willing to do this,choose a easier path in life.

what is an SMP. I am sorta in the same situation with similar stats. Gonna try again next round. ugh

 

[Mesican24]

Special Masters Programs, There are numerous ones around the country but they seem to be fairly competitive. I would suggest that you take a look at your MCAT, The 11, 6, 9 is a little too varied. I think most schools want to see at least 7's in each category. That might be an important thing to take care of. Other than that maybe a little more clinical experience.

 

[DitchDoc73]

I can't speak for other programs, but I know PCOM-GA (and I have heard rumors that Philly has been doing the same) has been trying to take students with higher MCATs this year due to the higher than normal amount of applications. They have taken very few students that have less than a 8 in any section (I am in the same boat 26P with a 6 in physics). I would say don't give up hope just yet, you never know what will happen after March 15, but start preparing to reapply next cycle. Increase your MCAT. Shadow and get a LOR from a DO. Look at retaking a few of your lower grade science classes. And by all means (IMO), do NOT reuse the same personal statement for the next cycle. Also, apply more broadly next year as well. I wish you the best of luck!

 

[SapsMD]

I think this is what is preventing you from getting interviews. I'm pretty sure most schools, even not technically required, want to see this letter.

and I'd look for a one-year/18mo. master's program over a post-bacc if one is available to you. University of South Florida's College of Medicine offers one over the internet. Nothing is going to change your overall GPA that much, but rocking a program like this shows that your able to perform at the graduate level. I did a one-year at USF to bring my GPA up and I got accepted to LECOM-Bradenton this cycle.

What did you do for your masters program? I'm taking the next year out and I really wanted to do the online program but it requires 18 months :/ Would it be wise to do it anyway, and get out of the program if accepted to a DO school in the fall? I'm also thinking of doing it with either a molecular medicine or women's health concentration, which would require me to move to Tampa (no biggie). I'm a lot like you because LECOM-B is my first choice. I have a 26R MCAT and a 3.4 (overall), 3.3 (science). Thanks.

 

[SSkels]

What did you do for your masters program? I'm taking the next year out and I really wanted to do the online program but it requires 18 months :/ Would it be wise to do it anyway, and get out of the program if accepted to a DO school in the fall? I'm also thinking of doing it with either a molecular medicine or women's health concentration, which would require me to move to Tampa (no biggie). I'm a lot like you because LECOM-B is my first choice. I have a 26R MCAT and a 3.4 (overall), 3.3 (science). Thanks.

If you're doing it as a grade booster and are set on applying for class of 2015 then I would do one of the one-year programs. I don't think it would be worth it time or money wise to get three semester into it to not get the degree. Plus that might not go over to well during interviews. I know some schools have clauses that prevent you from matriculating before completing the program you're in.

I'm a non-trad and have to work full-time to support myself so I did the online program. It was intense program, a ton of reading and writing, but if you want PBL then it's a definite advantage because you have to be self motivated to get through it. (I used this as part of my "why I'm right for PBL at the interview") I really liked the program and a lot of the books i had to buy, such as anatomy from first semester and pathology from last semester, are the same ones LECOM-B uses.

I definitely think my shiny new GPA got me in the door this time, I applied two years ago and not even an interview. Let me know if you have any more questions and btw Francesca Jackson (Graduate Admissions coordinator over at USF) is amazing. Tell her what you need and she can get you into the right program.

 

[MSmentor018]

What did you do for your masters program? I'm taking the next year out and I really wanted to do the online program but it requires 18 months :/ Would it be wise to do it anyway, and get out of the program if accepted to a DO school in the fall? I'm also thinking of doing it with either a molecular medicine or women's health concentration, which would require me to move to Tampa (no biggie). I'm a lot like you because LECOM-B is my first choice. I have a 26R MCAT and a 3.4 (overall), 3.3 (science). Thanks.

going for a masters in hoping to get into med school is a huge misconception. it's not that you can/can't handle grad level work, it's the masters itself that makes your app stand out from the other 99% standard trad students. med school, esp PBL, is very different than other grad level programs. we've had some people walk in with masters/SMP that got smacked and struggled like crazy to stay afloat. 2 even recycled.

your gpa and mcat is right at avg. since DO schools replace grades, you may benefit in retaking some C courses (if you have any) and getting an A. or go out and get some work exp, maybe even a stronger LOR. definitely shine up the PS. round out your app with volunteer time, teaching.....etc. LECOM-B is big into that, all the clubs are "requested" to do community service, whether it's teaching or labor. also being military is a plus. it's getting much more competitive as the school is establishing itself with a strong academic record (and fantastic weather). This is the trend for most programs unless it bombs. another option is to apply to the new unproven schools that are sprouting up everywhere. they will fill but students tend to shy away from those. good luck!

 

[jcrewtriathlete]

thanks for the advice everyone. the classes i would think about retaking would be orgo 1 and 2 which i got C+'s in. but i wouldnt have those completed till the end of the summer to get the updated transcript. i got a 3.8 last semester (Fall 2009) so my gpa is a little better now (sGPA: 3.22 and cGPA: 3.42). hopefully i can do well again this semester and have a higher GPA. If i apply again, i'll do it in May when the cycle starts so i'd have transcripts up to spring 2010 and i'd take the MCAT in june so everything's in early. get a couple of DO letters too. if i got a job for a year, would that look bad? I don't really want to do a post-bacc since the transcripts admissions would see would be just from my undergrad years since i'd apply early. am i missing something?

rather than re-taking orgo, you might want to think about graduate level biochem. getting an A or even a B/B+ in a 600 level biochem class is going to look better on your transcript than an A in orgo, a class you've already taken. also, you can submit a separate graduate transcript that will have a rocking GPA, rather than having the retake just averaged in with all your undergrad credits. if you take grad courses, the best way to do so is with a post bac or master's program.

i agree with other replies re: MCAT too, but don't wait until June to take it. your score won't be out til July, and if it's not as high as you want/need, you'll have to wait at least another month to retake and have your scores back, which leaves you straggling again next cycle. take the MCAT in April if you think you can be ready. best case, you have your scores ready to go with your primary, worst case there's time to retake. make sure your secondary apps are in asap - schools could fill their classes x3 with the number of people who have secondaries in by the end of summer, so november's a little late (even if you have excellent GPA/MCAT). there's still a chance to get interviews, but why chance it? 🙂 and i totally agree with making sure your file is complete - check interfolio, amcas, your letter writers BEFORE harassing any schools, but once all your documents are supposed to be in, wait a polite interval (like a week) and call around to make *sure* each school has all your stuff. one school (that i'd reaaaallly like to name but won't) totally lost my application check and it took about three rounds of calls for them to admit it, and then all of a sudden i was told my file hadn't been completed in time. having your stuff in early means you're guaranteed to avoid deadline issues like the one i supposedly had at that school.

def a DO letter for DO schools.

good luck!!

 

[jcrewtriathlete]

and using your year off to work will not make you look bad if you've covered your bases with your "weak points". schools know you have to earn a living, and real life experience can make you a very interesting applicant. just make sure you keep volunteering and doing stuff that's relevant. if you can, get a job in a clinical setting... i don't think there's such a thing as too much clinical experience when it comes time for that file review. if not, just make sure it's something you really enjoy doing, because odds are you'll get asked about it at your interview and it'll be a chance to stand out from the crowd 🙂

 

[MSmentor018]

thanks for the advice everyone. the classes i would think about retaking would be orgo 1 and 2 which i got C+'s in.

sorry i didn't see this post earlier, check on specific schools app on what is the actual requirements are, they differ. I remember some places only required org I but not org 2 but required biochem and chem elective. it makes sense to use your org 2 as an elective right? but if you got a C in org 2 you can either take it again or try a diff chem to get you an A and don't report org 2. that's what I did, org 2 killed me so I took chem analysis instead and pulled an A out of it. that's the only nice thing about secondaries, if you've taken enough extra courses you can pick and choose.