Time to Start Worrying?

[SangriaSalsa]

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I applied to 20 schools, 6 rejections, I've had 2 interviews, one of which I am waitlisted, the other post interview rejection. One interview scheduled February. 12 schools still reviewing. 3.3 sGPA, 3.5 cGPA, 510 MCAT. Should I send out letters of continued interest/take tours/apply to some more DO schools (I applied to 2)? Thanks!

 

[CyrilFiggis]

Should I send out letters of continued interest/take tours/apply to some more DO schools (I applied to 2)? Thanks!

maybe (depends on school)/no/no

What you should start doing is reevaluating your application and school list (can you list it?). You had some interviews which is a positive, but something isn't sticking. Obviously, most will comment on your GPA, but extra course work really won't bring it up that much unless you decide to commit to an SMP.

Standard advice would say to take the next 18 months to improve your app before re-applying (however your weaknesses manifest). However, if you don't mind DO, I'd say to get some DO shadowing done in the spring and apply strongly DO next cycle.

 

[SangriaSalsa]

Wright State, Ohio State, Cincinnati, NEOMED, Toledo, Louisville, West Virginia, UK, Ohio University HCOM, Chicago DO, Loyola, Indiana, Wake Forest, Penn State, Georgetown, VCU, Thomas Jefferson, Saint Louis, Rush University, Pittsburgh

Ohio Resident, GPA is upward trend, 3.9+ science last 40 credits

The issue with taking 18 months to improve my app is that it has already been 18 months since I have graduated, and I have shadowed (including DO) and volunteered a good amount already during my gap year(s). I don't think more of that would do much. I am considering retaking some science classes or doing a SMP next year if I don't get in this cycle.

 

[calivianya]

Just personal experience, but it doesn't seem too late to add more DO schools to me if you're okay with going DO. I was complete in November for all DO schools I have interviews to. The most recent three, I was complete between 11/26-11/28. There are definitely DO schools with IIs left.

 

[fldoctorgirl]

You have a below average GPA for MD admissions....why didn't you throw in a few more DO schools to begin with if you wanted to feel safe?

You could throw in a few DO apps, but most of the top DO schools are already nearly booked for interviews. It's worth a shot if you know you don't want to take more time off, but if you don't really want to go DO, I wouldn't bother.

 

[buckoh24]

Im kinda in the same position (Ohio res, 3.61 cGPA, 3.45sGPA, 511, large upward trend). I have heard that Ohio schools are kinda behind right now and they usually interview late into March-April and I have only heard from 1 of them so far. Still have 27 schools to hear from but I think the best course of action is to look over your app and see if you are missing anything big like lack of clinical exposure, no meaningful activities that you can talk about in depth, etc.

 

[TurtleyReady4Med]

Hey OP, I have similar stats and was waitlisted at two MD schools but accepted at two DO. It might be a good idea to add some DO schools (to reiterate what others above are saying).

 

[Faha]

I suggest adding a few more DO schools this week such as WVSOM, UP-KYCOM, MU-COM and LECOM.

 

[SangriaSalsa]

My logic for not applying to any more DO schools is that I think I fit OUHOM's mission and values extremely well being from a rural area and having taken some classes there and done some research there, I thought that if I don't get into OUHCOM, there is no way I will get in anywhere else. And I would go there above any other DO school. Is that incorrect?

 

[JonathanHusky]

My logic for not applying to any more DO schools is that I think I fit OUHOM's mission and values extremely well being from a rural area and having taken some classes there and done some research there, I thought that if I don't get into OUHCOM, there is no way I will get in anywhere else. And I would go there above any other DO school. Is that incorrect?

completely incorrect... just b/c you don't get into one school, regardless of MD or DO, doesn't mean you wouldn't get in elsewhere... unless you're a phenomenal candidate, med school application cycle is very unpredictable, only thing you can do is put yourself in the best place to succeed and the best way to do that is to cast a wide net and apply to as many programs as possible!