some questions

[dancote]

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Dear fellow pre-D.O.s

I have many questions for you, but I'll try and start with just a couple.

I am 34 yrs old and came back to school 3 semesters ago to follow my dream of becoming a D.O. I have a family of 5 and they are my greatest supporters. Since coming back I've been trying to bring my old g.p.a up from a 3.1, so far I've had all A's and brought it up to 3.5. I've also been working with doctors (shadowing) and am currently working with a great D.O. Also, I am doing hospice work.

O.K. so things have been looking good thus far, but now the MCAT is approaching in April and this semester is very tough! I have the second physics this semester but had the first one 12 years ago. It is taking a lot of time and with all the time toward classes how do I study for the MCAT?? My tendency is to want to
focus on the classes, do well in them, and accept that the april MCAT may be a practice run for me!! I would then focus on doing well in August if I get below a certain score. Does this sound like a bad/good plan? Does anyone know what sort of score I would need and NOT have to retake it (what would be a competitive score considering the rest of my application is good).

I really hope to go to MSUCOM as I am from Michigan.( 3 of my cousins have gone there and like it very much.) What schools outside my homestate might I have a decent shot at. I would assume state funded schools would be a bad choice.

Anyway, please let me know how you are dealing with a busy semester AND MCAT preparation. I would love to hear how others are dealing or have delt with this!

Dan

ps- if I can get away with one more question! Is it true that the acceptance rate of older students is much lower?

 

[DORoe]

First off congratulations on following your dream! Honestly it is people like you that we should look to for inspiration. The biggest thing that I have to say is who really knows what the adcoms want really? I surely don't I can only give you my recommendations. When I took the MCAT i was in the midst of an incredibly difficult semester for me, but that turned out to be a big help rather than a hindrance. I had physics, organic chemistry, as well as physiology going on in addition to one other class that I can't think of off the top of my head. These three subjects served as the basis of most of my studying for the MCAT. I had them fresh in my mind and think that I did a better job as a result of this. Basically for the MCAT there are only a few things that you really have to study for 1) study basic physics it really isn't that hard but you have to know the principles 2) study genetics which is the most important part of the bio IMHO 3) look over basic chemistry things chemical equasions and the like 4) DO PRACTICE TESTS! The las one is the most important I am sure that you are a intelligent person but sometimes the test itself can trick people. Practice tests are the best method of studying if you find that you don't have a lot of time don't do the entire thing just a section at a time.

Regarding what score you need, it is entirely relative and very open to interpretation. I would say a 26 would make you competetive with your GPA and volunteering (contingent upon good LOR's) but what do i know? Check out mdapplicants.com they might have some more info for you. As far as age discrimination im not sure but you do have to consider that by agreeing to train you they will get a doctor that will probably only work for approx. 25-30 years where if they train a 22 yr old they will get a dr. that will work for maybe 40-45 years but that is neither here nor there as to whether you will be successful as a physician.

 

[DORoe]

sorry just checked my book and it gave the average MCAT score for MSU-COM as 8.4PS, 8.4BS, 8.4VR so maybe a 25 and a GPA of 3.4 so with average MCAT (24) and your stats you should be competitive.

 

[dancote]

Thank you for the reply! Where do I get the practice tests and how close are they to the real thing?

Dan

 

[box29]

Since you're already taking physics II, you could study what you did in class by doing your homework problems to make sure you understand the concept and then take some MCAT practice tests over that same subject. This of course is taking into account you have an MCAT physics review book or group of subject specific study tests. It might work but then you'll have to go ahead on your own time to cover the material that you wouldn't reach during the semester. I know it all seems overwhelming because the other sections need to be reviewed too. Assess your strengths and then your weaknesses and tackle it from there! Time management will be the key in helping to cover most of the material. But that's just my $0.02.🙂

 

[Baditude]

Hey Dan
I am also 34 and from Michigan! I am in the interview process and I have found TUCOM and AZCOM to be the most family and older student friendly. I have above the average gpa and MCAT for MSUCOM and they rejected me so I am not sure if it is an age thing but people have hinted at it.
I was taking o-chem, physics 2, physiology and genetics the spring I took the MCAT and I found taking a review course at night was the biggest help because it was forced sttudy time instead of me saying I will study after the kids go to bed etc.
I wish you the best of luck and don't let the thought pf having to move scare you away from other schools .

 

[group_theory]

You can buy practice tests from the AAMC directly. You can also buy them from Kaplan or Princeton review. Barron is also good (the book, w/ the review materials and 3 sample test). I found them to be a good approximation to the real thing. Check out the MCAT forum for more specific advice since the MCAT has been several years ago for me (fortunately)

Don't use the April MCAT as a practice run. It is best to have one good score than to take it twice (with the pressure of having to do well the second time due to a low score on the first exam). If you feel that you are not ready for the April exam, either take it in August or wait till the next April exam. There are pros and cons to both options.

August - you can apply this (2004-2005) cycle. But you will get your score in late october/early november, which will put you behind in the game.

April of next yer - you have almost an entire year to study for this exam. You can also take this opportunity to work and save enough money for the meager living your family will have to face once you are in med school + residency. But you will be putting your dream on hold for one more additional year.

Only you know which option is best (take April MCAT now, retake in August, take it in August, take April MCAT next year). I suggest you talk to a pre-med advisor to discuss your options (and also talk to your wife). Best of luck in your endeavors.

P.S. If geography isn't limited, you have a decent shot at most private DO schools.

 

[DORoe]

I used Barron and got a very large Kaplan book and that was all i needed

 

[DORoe]

sorry to double post again but AAMC will give you one practice test for free so if you buy the Barrons book the Kaplan book and that free test you get about 6-7 practice tests which i think is more than enough

 

[DrSmiles]

I just wanted to comment on the age thing. The majority of Osteopathic schools are VERY receptive to the older, non-traditional student. In fact, they want a well-rounded student with some life experiences to offer. There are several students in our class that are in their 30's, many in their 40's and we even have a 2 or 3 students in their early 50's. I interviewed at several DO schools and I noticed many older non-traditional students. So don't let the age thing scare you away. If anything, you have a richer life experience to offer any of the schools you are applying to. Good Luck! It is a long haul, but very rewarding.

 

[Radman]

I'll throw in a few opinions. First off, I agree with group_theory on waiting to take the exam until you are ready. However, I too took 19 credits in the semester leading up to the April MCAT. Like DORoe said, the classes will help you prepare for the MCAT.

mdapplicants.com is a good place to start to looking at your GPA and variable MCAT scores to view other candidates placement(s).

I took the Kaplan prep course, but wasn't entirely happy with it. I have heard better things (after the fact) about the Princeton Review. Apparently, the Princeton practice tests are a lot more like the actual MCAT. I found the Kaplan test to be a bit easier, and therefore was a bit under prepared.

As far as being an older student, my experience echoes DRSmiles. I am 39 years old and went back to school three years ago, so I know how you feel. Although I have not been accepted anywhere as of yet, I do have two interviews (so far) in February. I agree that many of the DO schools I have spoken with really like the life experience and are not at all opposed to non-traditional students.

Good luck and keep up the good work.

 

[kwooder]

I switched careers after a PR degree and 3 yrs out of undergrad and I took the MCAT having while in Organic II and Physics II. The only bio I had going into it was intro zoo and genetics. It was a rough semester but I got a 27. I was going to take it again in Aug, but I had put so much effort in April that I backed out after studying for a month. My sci gpa is ~3.6.

My advice is give it your best shot the first time you take it. I have heard that a lot of nontrads take the MCAT once and get in on their first try, I did. With your shadowing and volunteering you should be in good shape if you do decently on the MCRAP. You have shown that you can make A's and adcoms should know what a stress the MCAT semester is.

PM me if I can be of anymore help.