The Official "Where should I apply?" thread 2014-2015

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baxt1412 said:
I am signed up to retake in November. I wanted to give myself time to seriously study again because I didn't want to rush the second time and end up worse or about the same. I was an idiot the first time and I've learned from it. Wish I would have been more on top of things here and with other sources. I am confident that a few months of solid studying could net me a 26 or greater with relative ease.

The problem is, all of my shadowing has been with MDs.. again because i was so misinformed. So now I am trying to scramble to find a DO to shadow. Is not having a DO LOR a deal breaker?
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Only at schools that it is required. Otherwise, having a DO letter just helps. At schools where it is not required, having a solid MD letter is better for you than a crappy DO letter.
 
Awesome Sauceome said:
Only at schools that it is required. Otherwise, having a DO letter just helps. At schools where it is not required, having a solid MD letter is better for you than a crappy DO letter.
Click to expand...

good to hear. i've got two solid MD letters. one is from the dean for a COM at an MD school if that helps at all.

which schools require a DO letter?
 
Hey guys any help on making a solid list for me would be appreciated. (I know its hard without a concrete MCAT score but I just would like an idea of my chances/schools)

cGPA: 3.1
sGPA: 3.0
MCAT (PS/VR/BS): Taking Aug. 7th
Practices thus far -> AAMC 3 (30), 4 (30), 5 (32)
Feeling pretty confident about MCAT right now, aiming for 30+ and seem to be on track so far

ECs:
100+ hospital volunteer hrs
50+ DO shadowing hrs
50+ other volunteer work hrs
Started my own company (also minor in entrepreneurship)
Philanthropic Chair/Head Rush Chair in Fraternity
Public Health trip to China
Anatomy TA

Preferences:
ANY DO SCHOOL. Okay, I guess preferably somewhere in midwest/northeast (Ohio resident). In reality though, I want to get in, and don't really care where I end up as long as I'm in school somewhere.

Any other considerations: non-trad, family.
Poor Freshman Year, upward trend at high ranked state school
Ohio Resident
DO and Md LOR
Multiple Faculty LOR as well (if needed)

School list:
OU-HCOM
LECOM (both)
ACOM
ATSU (both)
CUSOM
LMU
UP-KYCOM
NYCOM
VCOM
PCOM-GA
TOURO

Pretty much just threw those together any help modifying the list to where my chances will be optimal would be a huuuuuge help.

Thanks guys
 
A little bit about me:
White, female, 22
Wisconsin resident, grew up in small rural community
Graduated B.A. in Biology - cGPA 3.72, sGPA 3.57
A's and B's for all prerequisites
Currently pursuing M.A in Health Sociology (will graduate May 2015)
MCAT - 25 (10B/8V/7P), retake on 8/15
First person in my family to go to college

Division 1 Student Athlete (Women's Basketball) on full scholarship
Member of Student Athlete Advisory Council
National Collegiate Athlete Honor Society
Worked as an E.R scribe for 2 years
Worked as an M.A in a dermatology practice for 6 mos (still working here)
Research assistant in developmental psychology lab for 2 semesters
Lots of community service and volunteer hours at a local women's shelter and orphanage

Strong LOR's
-2 Biology Professors
-1 Grad school professor
-1 D.O that I worked with
-My basketball coach

Want to practice in rural area, hopefully go into OB/gyn

I am only applying to D.O schools because I like the approach (not because of my low MCAT). I have submitted my primary application to 21 schools. Not sure what schools should be on my list and which schools I have the best shot at? Am I even competitive... Any input is appreciated 🙂 Thanks.
 
Awesome Sauceome said:
That takes your own digging my friend. I dont know which ones need them off the top of my head.
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I probably should have just done that to begin with haha. it was quick.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AkQjgkrQwlmCdDdPRG15djh5NGJfRFhoVWdLdVJIaFE&hl=en#gid=0

Require a DO LOR:
LECOM
LECOM (Brandenton)
LMU-DCOM
OSU COM
PCSOM
RVUCOM
VCOM
WVSOM

Strongly recommend DO LOR:
AZCOM/MWU
CCOM/MWU
NYCOM
PNWU-COM
PCOM
GA-PCOM
TUNCOM
UNECOM
Western U/COMP
 
Long time lurker here, finally joined and looking forward to being a part of the club!

Here's a quick bio and my list of schools, let's see what you think:

I am a re applicant who rolled the dice at applying with 24 MCAT/3.3GPA/3.2SGPA with no such luck two years ago. Since then I have worked as a research tech and published 3 papers, am halfway through my MPH (with 4.0) increased my DO shadowing and volunteer clinic hours, and bumped my MCAT up to a 26 (10/9/8). I am an Arkansas resident, which doesn't help me out very well in terms of regional bias. What do you guys think?

ATSU SOMA
AZCOM
Campbell
CCOM
VIA SC
VIA VA
PCOM GA
KCUMB
LECOM FL
LMUCOM
NOVA
RVU
Pikeville
WCUCOM
 
SupDewd said:
Long time lurker here, finally joined and looking forward to being a part of the club!

Here's a quick bio and my list of schools, let's see what you think:

I am a re applicant who rolled the dice at applying with 24 MCAT/3.3GPA/3.2SGPA with no such luck two years ago. Since then I have worked as a research tech and published 3 papers, am halfway through my MPH (with 4.0) increased my DO shadowing and volunteer clinic hours, and bumped my MCAT up to a 26 (10/9/8). I am an Arkansas resident, which doesn't help me out very well in terms of regional bias. What do you guys think?

ATSU SOMA
AZCOM
Campbell
CCOM
VIA SC
VIA VA
PCOM GA
KCUMB
LECOM FL
LMUCOM
NOVA
RVU
Pikeville
WCUCOM
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10+9+8= 27...

Add ACOM and VCOM-Auburn. Take off CCOM.
 
Yikes, 10/8/8. Way to go with the first post huh.

Thanks for the advice regarding Midwestern and adding ACOM and VCOM-Auburn. And for breaking down that complex math problem of course haha.

And best of luck to you too, ChiTown. I have never made it up to your neck of the woods but I have heard Chicago is an awesome city. I'm originally from Boston though, so if I ever visit I'll be sure leave my Bruins jersey in the closet.
 
SupDewd said:
Yikes, 10/8/8. Way to go with the first post huh.

Thanks for the advice regarding Midwestern and adding ACOM and VCOM-Auburn. And for breaking down that complex math problem of course haha.

And best of luck to you too, ChiTown. I have never made it up to your neck of the woods but I have heard Chicago is an awesome city. I'm originally from Boston though, so if I ever visit I'll be sure leave my Bruins jersey in the closet.
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Touro-Nv, WVSOM, LECOM-E and Marian are also worth applying to. And if you're really desperate, LUCOM.
 
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Burgundymilk said:
Thank You!
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Do you fulfill Marian's course requirements? I think it's sociology, psychology, and biochem.

What's your mcat spread? I think KCUMB requires at least a 7 or 8 in each subsection.

AT Still also has a "different" curriculum and "isn't fit for everyone" from what I've heard.

Have you looked at VCOM?
 
There was a thread regarding the public opinion on the newer DO schools. I tried to find it, but I didn't have any luck. How are CUSOM, LMU-DCOM, and VCOM (any of the campuses) regarded?
 
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WA resident
cGPA: 3.71
sGPA: 3.70
MCAT (PS/VR/BS): 27 (9/10/8)
Definite upward trend on the MCAT (previous score was 20)

ECs:
2.5 years as scribe in emergency department with 1.5 years as the Chief scribe (leadership position) also a participant in the LEAPT Sepsis study for hospitals in Washington
4 year collegiate athlete in D2 Soccer
50+ volunteering with American Cancer Society
40+ Special Olympics volunteering
60+ hours shadowing Oncologist and Cardiothoracic surgeon (Both MD)
Summer of clinical research at Oregon Center for Regenerative Medicine. No publications though 🙁
Two DO and one MD LOR from physicians I worked with

Preferences:
Any DO school. I don't care where as long as I have a chance of getting in


School list:
TUNCOM
TUNCOM-CA
RVU
Western-Lebanon
AZCOM
ATSU
PNWU
WVSOM
Marian
Campbell
LECOM-Bradenton

Any other suggestions for schools? Thank you everyone these forums are so helpful!
 
baxt1412 said:
I probably should have just done that to begin with haha. it was quick.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AkQjgkrQwlmCdDdPRG15djh5NGJfRFhoVWdLdVJIaFE&hl=en#gid=0

Require a DO LOR:
LECOM
LECOM (Brandenton)
LMU-DCOM
OSU COM
PCSOM
RVUCOM
VCOM
WVSOM

Strongly recommend DO LOR:
AZCOM/MWU
CCOM/MWU
NYCOM
PNWU-COM
PCOM
GA-PCOM
TUNCOM
UNECOM
Western U/COMP
Click to expand...


Uncertain this list is accurate. Just looking at the ones I applied to among this list: http://www.lmunet.edu/dcom/admissions/letters.shtml and http://www.rockyvistauniversity.org/application_process.asp do not seem to indicate they require a DO letter over the MD letter.
 
baxt1412 said:
Thank you for adding that in. Probably best someone spends the time to make a new google doc or people just search on their own haha.
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The only one off of my list that I could find for sure that a DO letter is required is West Virginia, but that's only from the 9 schools I'm applying to this cycle. I plan to call if they send me secondaries and double check. It is confusing when the information differs from the official booklet and doesn't really say in their website. 🙁
 
Colorado Resident- Lived in Michigan for 16 years, and Maine for 2 years before undergrad led me here.

cGPA: 3.22
sGPA: 3.04 (expected to rise after course completion this summer to 3.1+)
MCAT (PS/VR/BS): 10/10/8 = 28

ECs:
Highschool:
Soup Kitchen
Fundraiser for School

College:
Fraternity Involvement-- Worked my way up from being a committee member to Vice President and then President- Won awards for my work in philanthropy and academics
Children's Miracle Network
Children's Hospital
Rescue Mission- Soup kitchen essentially
Maxfund No-kill Animal Shelter

Preferences:
MSUCOM-Grew up in Michigan
AZCOM

Any other considerations:
Married w/ an infant son.
Five years experience in EMS- Worked as EMT for two plus years, and now paramedic with 2 plus years experience
Working towards an ER tech job.
Continuing to take courses- Pathophysiology and Intro to Biochem this fall
Just completed Physics 1 and 2 last year, both A's. Completing Chemistry 2 this summer, likely A (98% in class).
Interviewing for weekly mentoring program with kids at a local school for volunteer work.
Have a recommendation from a DO I worked closely with who went to AZCOM.
Shadowed a couple docs also.

List:
MSU-COM
AZCOM
CCOM
PCOM-Philly
PCOM-Georgia
NYIT
NY-Touro
ATSU-Arizona
NOVA
ACOM
WVCOM

LECOM-Somehow already rejected???

***I want to note that AACOMAS had some issues in processing my application. They made all of my quarter classes from my undergrad into semesters, which made my initial GPAs appear much lower than they are truly. I found the error, but they had already sent out the applications to schools. I corrected AACOMAS and they sent a "revised" application. I did receive a rejection letter from LECOM very early in the process, which I am suspicious had to do with this initial GPA error... AACOMAS's answer was "Oh gee, sorry. Yeah. We made a boo boo and we will fix it. Sorry 'bout your luck." The application is fixed now, but for someone without a strong GPA going into this process, it seemed like a big deal to me.

Questions:
Should I consider retaking the MCAT?
Should I retake courses instead of doing upper division class work?
Any recommendations for strengthening my application?


 
Hey everyone. I am having some anxiety over here because I am wondering why I haven't received an interview invite yet when I thought I would have already. I have submitted 11 secondaries so far.

MCAT: balanced 28
cGPA: 3.32
sGPA: 3.16
nsiGPA 3.52
Undergrad: UC Berkeley
ECs: 6 months working as a CNA in a nursing home, published author, worked in biotech for two summers, hospital volunteer, letter from DO, shadowed OMM Lab at DO school
Any other considerations: thought about retaking the mcat but I don't want to go through the trouble if I don't absolutely need to. California resident with subpar GPA from UC Berkeley. (two retakes/grade replacements)

DO School list:
ATSU KCOM
ATSU SOMA
AZCOM (MWU)
DMU COM
LECOM Penn
LECOM Bradeton
LMU DCOM
OU-HCOM Ohio
RVUCOM
TUCOM CA
TUNCOM NV
UNECOM
WVSOM
WESTERN U Oregon
WESTERN U Pomona
PNW COM

MD schools:
Albany medical college
UC Davis
The Commonwealth medical college
Michigan state university
cooper medical school of rowan university

I got secondaries from everywhere except PNW COM, UNECOM, and TUNCOM so far.
wondering if I should even submit secondaries to MD schools or apply more broadly to more DO schools?
 
my stats:
2.5 ug, 3.8 post bac. = 3.2 overall and science
32 mcat

norcal resident
want to stay west coast

so far i have
touro CA and NV
western CA and OR
PNWU
RVU
ASTU

am i missing anything i should add?
 
greenflash5 said:
Hey everyone. I am having some anxiety over here because I am wondering why I haven't received an interview invite yet when I thought I would have already. I have submitted 11 secondaries so far.

MCAT: balanced 28
cGPA: 3.32
sGPA: 3.16
nsiGPA 3.52
Undergrad: UC Berkeley
ECs: 6 months working as a CNA in a nursing home, published author, worked in biotech for two summers, hospital volunteer, letter from DO, shadowed OMM Lab at DO school
Any other considerations: thought about retaking the mcat but I don't want to go through the trouble if I don't absolutely need to. California resident with subpar GPA from UC Berkeley. (two retakes/grade replacements)

DO School list:
ATSU KCOM
ATSU SOMA
AZCOM (MWU)
DMU COM
LECOM Penn
LECOM Bradeton
LMU DCOM
OU-HCOM Ohio
RVUCOM
TUCOM CA
TUNCOM NV
UNECOM
WVSOM
WESTERN U Oregon
WESTERN U Pomona
PNW COM

MD schools:
Albany medical college
UC Davis
The Commonwealth medical college
Michigan state university
cooper medical school of rowan university

I got secondaries from everywhere except PNW COM, UNECOM, and TUNCOM so far.
wondering if I should even submit secondaries to MD schools or apply more broadly to more DO schools?
Click to expand...
I would add NSU, ACOM, and Touro-NY to be safe.

luaylu said:
my stats:
2.5 ug, 3.8 post bac. = 3.2 overall and science
32 mcat

norcal resident
want to stay west coast

so far i have
touro CA and NV
western CA and OR
PNWU
RVU
ASTU

am i missing anything i should add?
Click to expand...
AZCOM
 
cGPA: 3.55
sGPA: 3.38
MCAT (PS/VR/BS):28- 7/11/10

ECs: Scribe 700+ hrs
Shadow 20 hours in the ICU
Mentor in a medically underserved community 1 semester
Tutor- Introduction to Biology 1 semester
Volunteer with disabled children 2+
Intercollegiate Athlete


Preferences: No strong geographical preferences.

Any other considerations: Maryland resident- Worked three jobs in college,

School list: Campbell, LECOM, MSCOM, Ohio Heritage, PCOM, TOURO-NY, CCOM, RVCOM
 
theone0709 said:
cGPA: 3.55
sGPA: 3.38
MCAT (PS/VR/BS):28- 7/11/10

ECs: Scribe 700+ hrs
Shadow 20 hours in the ICU
Mentor in a medically underserved community 1 semester
Tutor- Introduction to Biology 1 semester
Volunteer with disabled children 2+
Intercollegiate Athlete


Preferences: No strong geographical preferences.

Any other considerations: Maryland resident- Worked three jobs in college,

School list: Campbell, LECOM, MSCOM, Ohio Heritage, PCOM, TOURO-NY, CCOM, RVCOM
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Looks solid, you have slightly higher scores than a couple schools and slightly lower than a couple. A couple points to be aware of:
MSU has insane out of state tuition - somewhere along the lines of 80K which is like go into irreparable debt kind of cost... They are a great school but just not worth the money if you are out of state.
OUCOM has a contract that you sign where if you are from out of state you have to practice in Ohio for 5 years after graduation. There are a couple loopholes with residency and stuff, but yea that sort of sucks too. Again its a great school, but unless you really see yourself in Ohio for a few years, it costs like 200K to break the contract (on top of tuition I believe). Also they take roughly 85% of their students from in-state.

The rest are good. Campbell is new and should scoop you up. They have their stuff together and are starting to create some of their own residencies.
LECOM will be hit in miss depending on what campus you applied to. Realistically you have a fair shot.
PCOM is really competitive, they take about 50% from PA, but OOS people definitely get in. Your stats are about average for them, so if you can give a compelling argument on your secondary (I struggled with the 250 word limit) you could have a solid shot, I would consider this a reach school for most people though just because of how many applicants there are.
Touro you have a fair shot at, I believe they are starting to get into the higher MCAT realm (like 30+) but you are by no means out of the running. Make sure you can live in that area though heh.... I too am from Maryland and I certainly couldnt.
CCOM is pretty competitive, this is definitely a reach school for you. Their MCAT and gpa's are higher than yours. They get a ton of applicants. This school is also very very expensive - enough that I took it off my list, just something to be aware of.
RVCOM is pretty solid, honestly I dont know much about it, but I know your stats would be fine for it. Even though people in the past have bashed them for being "for profit" or whatever, they have consistently busted out really good residency match lists.

Some others that maybe you should think about:
VCOM (virginia campus or carolina campus). You definitely have the stats to get in and you have the ties, with living in Maryland and all - especially if you live on the west side/Catoctin mountains.
MUCOM. This is only about 7 or 8 hours west of MD, its in central Indianapolis, its a new school, but everyone is really suggesting that it has its crap together. If you look at some of the professors they scooped up (from PCOM and such) as well as their rotations sites, they definitely are worth the look.
NYCOM. If you are applying to Harlem, you might as well apply to NYCOM, its a decent enough school. Looks up the pros and cons for it.
If you are heading all the way to CCOM, you might as well look at KCUMB and/or DMU. Both of those are in the original 5 DO schools so they really have their stuff together. They have extremely impressive match lists every year.
 
So I have been compiling my own spreadsheet to mimic the MSAR but for DO schools.... it's taking a while as the information on each school that AACOM puts out doesn't include GPA/MCAT/OOS/etc (http://www.aacom.org/about/colleges/Pages/default.aspx)

So then I have to resort to trying to look around on the school's website and some are hard to navigate, some I can't find those stats anywhere, etc.

There has to be an easier way to figure out the schools I want to apply to.

If the spreadsheet truly is the best way, I will be more than happy to share it at the end though.
 
baxt1412 said:
So I have been compiling my own spreadsheet to mimic the MSAR but for DO schools.... it's taking a while as the information on each school that AACOM puts out doesn't include GPA/MCAT/OOS/etc (http://www.aacom.org/about/colleges/Pages/default.aspx)

So then I have to resort to trying to look around on the school's website and some are hard to navigate, some I can't find those stats anywhere, etc.

There has to be an easier way to figure out the schools I want to apply to.

If the spreadsheet truly is the best way, I will be more than happy to share it at the end though.
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Yea unfortunately there just simply isnt a single source... just lists people have posted here on SDN. Here is one of the lists:
 

Attachments

Awesome Sauceome said:
Yea unfortunately there just simply isnt a single source... just lists people have posted here on SDN. Here is one of the lists:
Click to expand...
how recent is this? because i've seen some lists online but they are from like 2008, etc.
 
Awesome Sauceome said:
There is a little thing in the top right corner that says 2013-2014. I found it a month or two ago on here.

I wish I could figure out how to get stuff stickied to the main thread...
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thanks for that. i will start there and try to add to it to include IS/OOS percentages.

but this is a great start... going to be applying to all newer schools now that the spreadsheet gives that info

if i got a 24 on my MCAT but have a 3.7 cGPA 3.64 sGPA , how far of a reach do you think i could make on a school's avg MCAT? 26?
 
baxt1412 said:
thanks for that. i will start there and try to add to it to include IS/OOS percentages.

but this is a great start... going to be applying to all newer schools now that the spreadsheet gives that info

if i got a 24 on my MCAT but have a 3.7 cGPA, how far of a reach do you think i could make on a school's avg MCAT? 26?
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Yea most likely a 26, maybe a 27. Most schools have a pretty good idea of what they are looking for before the applications even come in. I imagine they try and keep the standard deviation for the MCAT at around maybe 3 or 4 points. You have a great GPA which really helps though... So yea apply to mostly schools with 25-27 averages and then maybe 2 of the top dog 28+ schools. Surprisingly I bet that the schools with higher averages actually have a wider standard deviation; this is true of a lot of MD schools at least. Some of the top players end up bringing in people with really low scores with a ton of life experience, probably because they figure it cant offset their averages too much. But this is definitely the exception and not the rule, but you could be that exception!

But yea, if I was you, I would apply to like maybe 15 schools. I would do probably 12 of the newer guys and/or schools just with lower scores. I think that the 24 will not keep you out of these types of schools, especially with a solid GPA. Then apply to maybe 2 or 3 of the higher tier ones. If you can convince the schools that you are the right fit via your ECs and your secondaries than you probably have a good shot.
 
I don't have a DO letter and I am only going to be able to shadow one starting on 8/28.. and don't know if it can be a regular thing or not. So I am going to say no schools that require a DO letter

list in the making.. need help eliminating obvious "no" schools from here. (like OOS percentage, etc) bear with me.. this will be a long post. it's just how i work lol.

red = newer school

So that leaves me with best fitting:
WCU-COM
ACOM
MUCOM (would need to take sociology before.. which isn't too big of a deal i don't think)
CUSOM
ATSU-KCOM
KCUMB (family ties nearby, close to home, and also lots of friends in KC)
UPKYCOM
PNWU-COM
TUNCOM (DO rec'd)

27-28 MCAT Reaches that I have ties at:
DMU (family ties.. close to home)
CCOM-MWU (family ties) (but DO letter strongly recommended)
AZCOM-MWU (know some students here) (but DO letter strongly recommended)


27-28 MCAT Reaches that I don't have ties:
MSUCOM
UNTHSC-TCOM
UMDNJ-SOM
NSUCOM
TUCOM-CA
GA-PCOM
TouroCOM-NY
RVUCOM
PCOM (DO rec'd)
Western U-COMP (DO rec'd)
NYIT-COM (DO rec'd)
UNECOM (Do rec'd)

So now I just need to be able to eliminate any of the schools in the "best fitting" first list, figure out if any of my "reach w/ ties" aren't possible.. and then move on from there.
 
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baxt1412 said:
I don't have a DO letter and I am only going to be able to shadow one starting on 8/28.. and don't know if it can be a regular thing or not. So I am going to say no schools that require a DO letter

list in the making.. need help eliminating obvious "no" schools from here. (like OOS percentage, etc) bear with me.. this will be a long post. it's just how i work lol.

red = newer school

So that leaves me with best fitting:
WCU-COM
ACOM
MUCOM (would need to take sociology before.. which isn't too big of a deal i don't think)
CUSOM
ATSU-KCOM
KCUMB (family ties nearby, close to home, and also lots of friends in KC)
UPKYCOM
PNWU-COM
TUNCOM (DO rec'd)

27-28 MCAT Reaches that I have ties at:
DMU (family ties.. close to home)
CCOM-MWU (family ties) (but DO letter strongly recommended)
AZCOM-MWU (know some students here) (but DO letter strongly recommended)


27-28 MCAT Reaches that I don't have ties:
MSUCOM
UNTHSC-TCOM
UMDNJ-SOM
NSUCOM
TUCOM-CA
GA-PCOM
TouroCOM-NY
RVUCOM
PCOM (DO rec'd)
Western U-COMP (DO rec'd)
NYIT-COM (DO rec'd)
UNECOM (Do rec'd)

So now I just need to be able to eliminate any of the schools in the "best fitting" first list, figure out if any of my "reach w/ ties" aren't possible.. and then move on from there.
Click to expand...

With a 24 MCAT unfortunately you cant really be picky... one of those newer schools is more than likely going to be your ticket to becoming a doctor... so really you are more than likely going to have to swallow any pride and put your money and time towards those guys. Some of the new schools really have a ton of promise and a lot of students would be lucky to get the chance... The best money is on MUCOM, CUSOM, then ACOM (my own personal order). They have good setups. They have solid professors teaching and good rotations set up already. Go ahead and apply to DMU for sure, that is a good reach that you just never know. Honestly I would take the Midwesterns off, especially CCOM. Their scores rival MD school scores. It is just a simple fact that needs to be faced sooner or later. Your application money will simply be a donation to those schools.

MSU has in-state bias and their out of state cost is 80K per year, I would take it off
TCOM takes in 90% in-state and their out of state applicants have ridiculous scores that rival MD scores. I would take it off
ROWAN (UMDNJ) has high instate bias as well, with again, scores that rival MD schools. I would take it off
NSU you might have a shot at... they seem to be middle ground when it comes to focusing on numbers, so you might be able to squeak by. Plus their secondary is super easy haha,
Pretty much all the Touros are out I am pretty sure, ironically for you, they tend to be one of the schools that wants the highest MCAT scores. They are very number heavy, especially for the MCAT,
RVU you have a shot at, keep it on.
PCOM-GA might be decent, I dont know if they have any kind of regional bias... but their scores should be easier than phili.
Keep PCOM phili on... they are super competitive, but with a good GPA they might like you, they tend to be more GPA heavy than MCAT heavy. Plus they are one of the rare top schools that actually will bring in people with lower scores if they have good life experience and stuff. They truly are holistic in some aspects... You never know.
Western I dont know too much about.
NYIT is middle ground, if you have the money I say go for it, if money is tight then take them off.
UNECOM has reasonably high averages, but if you have any kind of connection to the region, you might stand a chance. If not, then absolutely take them off. You will be going against regional bias as well as numbers bias.

You are forgetting about KYCOM which has lower scores, as well as LMU (both are rural as crap). I would personally go to one of these guys over WCU. I have heard some bad stuff about WCU (lot of students failing and such). If you are super desperate apply to LUCOM. Personally I would more than likely take another (4th) gap year or apply podiatry than go to WCU or LUCOM. There seems to be too much risk... you could be putting in a lot of money to have the possibility of failing out or not being where you want to be. But again if it means doctor or no doctor, you have to gauge that for yourself.

And you are forgetting an awesome set of schools which is VCOM (both virginia and carolina, I dont know much about Auburn except that they are new). Seriously VCOM is an awesome school, and they are more mission based. So if you can adequately advocate your reasoning for attending their school (and if it agrees with their mission), they would definitely take you. They both have great rotations and tons of research opportunities and stuff. The VA campus is probably in my top 3 choices personally...

Off the top of my head that is about all I can think of...
 
I had LMU but they require a DO letter and idk if i will have one or not (will be shadowing on 8/28 and could continue i suppose.. but i can't imagine it will be a great letter in the time i would want them to submit it... but the DO i am shadowing for is the surgical boss of the dean of UNMC's medical school that i am close family friends with.. maybe the Dean can ask the DO to write a great letter.. meeting with the Dean tonight to talk about school)

same thing with VCOM




so maybe something like:
ACOM
MUCOM (would need to take sociology before.. which isn't too big of a deal i don't think)
CUSOM
KYCOM
LMU
ATSU-KCOM
KCUMB (family ties nearby, close to home, and also lots of friends in KC)
UPKYCOM
PNWU-COM

27-28 MCAT Reaches that I have ties at:
DMU (family ties.. close to home)



27-28 MCAT Reaches that I don't have ties:
UNTHSC-TCOM
NSUCOM (maybe)
GA-PCOM
RVUCOM
PCOM (DO rec'd)
Western U-COMP (DO rec'd)
NYIT-COM (DO rec'd) (maybe)
 
Gotcha... well... it might be hard but maybe take a gap year? Spend some time to get your MCAT up, maybe get a DO letter. You get a DO letter and you get that MCAT up and you are golden.

Heck if you bust out a 29+ you would even have a shot at MDs too which would definitely open up your list of possible schools. I know it hurts, but honestly, taking a gap year (2 now) was the best decision I have made on this process. I feel like a significantly stronger applicant than I was a couple years ago when I was just throwing my app together.
 
Well, I have already submitted my AMCAS app for UNMC (my state school and also have all of my ECs there basically) and for KU (they consider going to UG in Kansas as ties).

I feel as if I truly do have a chance at some of the lower tier DO schools though. I don't have to apply to any other reaches besides DMU.

What about just:
ACOM
MUCOM
CUSOM
KYCOM
ATSU-KCOM
KCUMB
KYCOM
PNWU-COM
DMU


My ECs if these would matter at all:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/24-mcat-3-70-cgpa-3-64-cgpa.1089552/#post-15530348
 
baxt1412 said:
Well, I have already submitted my AMCAS app for UNMC (my state school and also have all of my ECs there basically) and for KU (they consider going to UG in Kansas as ties).

I feel as if I truly do have a chance at some of the lower tier DO schools though. I don't have to apply to any other reaches besides DMU.

What about just:
ACOM
MUCOM
CUSOM
KYCOM
ATSU-KCOM
KCUMB
KYCOM
PNWU-COM
DMU
Click to expand...
Well then I wish you the best of luck. Keep shadowing and investigating the field. If you dont hear much by February or something, hit the MCAT hard in the spring and kill it next cycle. There are definitely people on here who have gotten into schools with your scores. I think you can do it. Just keep working and planning in case you dont.

Again keep RVU on that list, and I would say go for PCOM, you never know.
 
I'll be sticking around. Regardless, I'm learning a lot through all of this.

How seriously would you say that DO schools look for a DO shadowing experience? I didn't specifically list that my physicians were MDs on my AMCAS app, but obviously there are a lot more MDs in practice than DOs.
 
baxt1412 said:
I'll be sticking around. Regardless, I'm learning a lot through all of this.

How seriously would you say that DO schools look for a DO shadowing experience? I didn't specifically list that my physicians were MDs on my AMCAS app, but obviously there are a lot more MDs in practice than DOs.
Click to expand...
I think it depends... if you live in an area rich with DOs, I heard it can be taken into account. Otherwise I heard it is more of a bonus to have DO shadowing and a DO LOR (at schools that its not required). Like they know realistically it is easier to shadow an MD (especially in some regions) so thats totally cool. But if you were able to find a DO or two to shadow then it really helps solidifies your commitment to the field.

So like if you live in Ohio or Michigan (huge DO states) and you have no DO letter (and especially if you have MD stats) it is a little more fishy than being in a state with very little DOs. It just goes into the argument of using DO as backup (again if your stats are there but you have no DO ECs).
 
So for someone with lower stats it can definitely help your cause. I mean in the end your GPA and MCAT are still like 90% of your application. People can argue until the sun comes home but otherwise, how else would every school not have ranges from like 23 MCAT to 40 MCAT? I am sure there are plenty of people with a 23 MCAT that would make amazing doctors, and plenty of people with 40s that are not meant for it. Schools know what they want, and the core of that is someone who has the stats to complete their program. Some schools are able to be pickier and ask for higher numbers, but in the end, I am afraid that that is what a lot of it comes down to. I spent almost a year trying to explain this away - well maybe if I do more ECs, or maybe if I have really good letters, etc - THEN I dont have to worry about getting better grades. In the end, those things are definitely important, and they can set you apart, especially for receiving interviews and stuff, but even IF you get an interview, and even IF they really like you, there may still be people in the admission committees that give you the thumbs down, just because they have other applicants with the scores they are looking for.
 
I am signed up for a retake Nov 7. Some MD schools will take that score. Some won't. Seems like most DO schools will, but idk how that delays the process... They will likely delay until Dec 7th (estimating) to offer me an interview if they don't like the 24 right? That is awfully late, even for DO.
 
baxt1412 said:
I am signed up for a retake Nov 7. Some MD schools will take that score. Some won't. Seems like most DO schools will, but idk how that delays the process... They will likely delay until Dec 7th (estimating) to offer me an interview if they don't like the 24 right? That is awfully late, even for DO.
Click to expand...
Exactly... thats definitely pushing it for this cycle. Its sort of like you have a lot of stuff going against you. The low MCAT, the timing, the lack of DO letter (just limits the schools you can apply to).
 
I've got 9 that I believe are stat wise within my reach that don't require a letter.

Like I said, I'm meeting with a family friend tonight who is the Dean of a COM and who also works as a surgeon directly under a DO. Going to ask her if she would be able to ask the DO if I could get a letter. I am scheduled to start shadowing the DO on 8/28.. unfortunately they are taking time off until then. 🙁
 
3.27 cGPA
3.21 sGPA (It's weird because my sGPA is 3.31 on AMCAS)
31 Mcat (10 ps/9v/12bs)
500+ volunteer hours
100+ shadowing hours
3 years research
Leadership experience
Currently working as a full time laboratory technician
California resident

List:

· Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University, Admissions Office
· Touro University – California
· Western University of Health Sciences
· Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine
· Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences College of Osteopathic Medicine
· Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine
· Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
· Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine
· A.T. Still University, School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona
· Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University
· Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine - Nevada


Any comment on my school list? Do I have to make any adjustment?
 
Last edited:
take rowan off. awesome sauceom let me know they have a very high in state bias.
 
Awesome Sauceome said:
Looks solid, you have slightly higher scores than a couple schools and slightly lower than a couple. A couple points to be aware of:
MSU has insane out of state tuition - somewhere along the lines of 80K which is like go into irreparable debt kind of cost... They are a great school but just not worth the money if you are out of state.
OUCOM has a contract that you sign where if you are from out of state you have to practice in Ohio for 5 years after graduation. There are a couple loopholes with residency and stuff, but yea that sort of sucks too. Again its a great school, but unless you really see yourself in Ohio for a few years, it costs like 200K to break the contract (on top of tuition I believe). Also they take roughly 85% of their students from in-state.

The rest are good. Campbell is new and should scoop you up. They have their stuff together and are starting to create some of their own residencies.
LECOM will be hit in miss depending on what campus you applied to. Realistically you have a fair shot.
PCOM is really competitive, they take about 50% from PA, but OOS people definitely get in. Your stats are about average for them, so if you can give a compelling argument on your secondary (I struggled with the 250 word limit) you could have a solid shot, I would consider this a reach school for most people though just because of how many applicants there are.
Touro you have a fair shot at, I believe they are starting to get into the higher MCAT realm (like 30+) but you are by no means out of the running. Make sure you can live in that area though heh.... I too am from Maryland and I certainly couldnt.
CCOM is pretty competitive, this is definitely a reach school for you. Their MCAT and gpa's are higher than yours. They get a ton of applicants. This school is also very very expensive - enough that I took it off my list, just something to be aware of.
RVCOM is pretty solid, honestly I dont know much about it, but I know your stats would be fine for it. Even though people in the past have bashed them for being "for profit" or whatever, they have consistently busted out really good residency match lists.

Some others that maybe you should think about:
VCOM (virginia campus or carolina campus). You definitely have the stats to get in and you have the ties, with living in Maryland and all - especially if you live on the west side/Catoctin mountains.
MUCOM. This is only about 7 or 8 hours west of MD, its in central Indianapolis, its a new school, but everyone is really suggesting that it has its crap together. If you look at some of the professors they scooped up (from PCOM and such) as well as their rotations sites, they definitely are worth the look.
NYCOM. If you are applying to Harlem, you might as well apply to NYCOM, its a decent enough school. Looks up the pros and cons for it.
If you are heading all the way to CCOM, you might as well look at KCUMB and/or DMU. Both of those are in the original 5 DO schools so they really have their stuff together. They have extremely impressive match lists every year.
Click to expand...



Wow thanks for the in depth reply. My advisor and you have echoed the same sentiements, it is reassuring to hear others say it though. Thanks again I will keep everyone updated!
 
baxt1412 said:
take rowan off. awesome sauceom let me know they have a very high in state bias.
Click to expand...
So yes and no... I think he should keep it on... heres why:
Well so here is the thing with in-state/out of state stuff.... If you are in-state to a place with high bias, you can actually have lower than average scores and have a high shot of getting in. If you are out of state you have to have higher scores. In this particular case the guy has a great MCAT breakdown, with slightly lower GPA. Also something to keep an eye on is he has 3 years of research which Rowan is reasonably big on. Rowan has the 2nd highest amount of research funding of all DO schools, second only to TCOM. They definitely are into research.

He has a shot at all the schools on the list except maybe CCOM. And even then its not like he will get into every single school (because of his GPA), but he will definitely get in somewhere. My money is on the Touros, Western, and probably Kansas City.

To the OP of those stats, make sure you cater your secondaries to the research heavy schools, stating your interest and experience.
 
Awesome Sauceome said:
So yes and no... I think he should keep it on... heres why:
Well so here is the thing with in-state/out of state stuff.... If you are in-state to a place with high bias, you can actually have lower than average scores and have a high shot of getting in. If you are out of state you have to have higher scores. In this particular case the guy has a great MCAT breakdown, with slightly lower GPA. Also something to keep an eye on is he has 3 years of research which Rowan is reasonably big on. Rowan has the 2nd highest amount of research funding of all DO schools, second only to TCOM. They definitely are into research.

He has a shot at all the schools on the list except maybe CCOM. And even then its not like he will get into every single school (because of his GPA), but he will definitely get in somewhere. My money is on the Touros, Western, and probably Kansas City.

To the OP of those stats, make sure you cater your secondaries to the research heavy schools, stating your interest and experience.
Click to expand...
heh there i go trying to help 😉
 
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