To DO or not to DO!

[LasersOfOrion]

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I've been out of undergrad since 2011. I just finished graduate school in 2014 in a completely unrelated field (agriculture). After some thinking, I've decided I want to pursue a career in medicine.

My problem is that I completed the pre-reqs in 2008 (Biology). I've contacted some of the schools and many don't have expiration dates on the pre-reqs. Some say pre-reqs expire after 5 years. How competitive of an applicant would I be with old pre-reqs? My undergrad GPA is at a 3.36. Is this even good enough for DO school? How could I best spend my time in order to be a competitive applicant for the Fall 16 admission cycle? Take some science classes at university and raise GPA, or spend the time studying for MCAT instead? Can a high MCAT score offset my lower GPA/old pre-reqs?

I also have a problem in that I don't really know who to contact for my LORs. Is it OK to contact a professor 6 years after I took their science course? Or should I re-take some of the pre-reqs this summer and try to get some LORs from there?

I have so many more questions, but this should be a good start!

Thank you.

 

[SpartanWolverine]

Yes, you would be fine for many DO schools if you do well on the MCAT. My advice would be to study hard for that and see what happens.

And yes -- for most DO schools a high MCAT can definitely offset a lower GPA. It did for me. 🙂

LORs should preferably be from people who know you well now and can speak to your recent accomplishments. If there are schools you're particularly interested in, see what their LOR requirements are. I would say recent, good, and slightly unrelated LORs are better than old, bland, undergrad professor letters (where the numbers could probably just speak for themselves). I also had a decent gap between undergrad and starting medical school and only had one letter from an undergrad professor.

Have you done any shadowing? Volunteering (clinical/non-clinical)? Research?

 

[MedNation907]

@LasersOfOrion
Completely agree with Johnamo, you're still in good shape -- I think how many schools disqualify your pre-reqs will be pivotal in how you should proceed. I didn't know schools actually did that, how many did you contact?

 

[IslandStyle808]

I would say aim for a 3.4 overall and at least 60% on the MCAT and you should be golden. There is not too much do in your case really.

 

[LasersOfOrion]

Yes, you would be fine for many DO schools if you do well on the MCAT. My advice would be to study hard for that and see what happens.

And yes -- for most DO schools a high MCAT can definitely offset a lower GPA. It did for me. 🙂

LORs should preferably be from people who know you well now and can speak to your recent accomplishments. If there are schools you're particularly interested in, see what their LOR requirements are. I would say recent, good, and slightly unrelated LORs are better than old, bland, undergrad professor letters (where the numbers could probably just speak for themselves). I also had a decent gap between undergrad and starting medical school and only had one letter from an undergrad professor.

Have you done any shadowing? Volunteering (clinical/non-clinical)? Research?

Yes, I have volunteering and research (non-clinical) from my undergraduate years, as well as from my graduate years. Most of the schools specifically require letters (up to 2) from science professors. Would I have to specifically get those or could I substitute (say my graduate school adviser)? When I was in undergrad, I didn't put any effort into building a relationship with a professor, so I think it would be hard for me to get a letter there. Would it be worth it to take a class or two this summer to try to get some LORs?

 

[SpartanWolverine]

Yes, I have volunteering and research (non-clinical) from my undergraduate years, as well as from my graduate years. Most of the schools specifically require letters (up to 2) from science professors. Would I have to specifically get those or could I substitute (say my graduate school adviser)? When I was in undergrad, I didn't put any effort into building a relationship with a professor, so I think it would be hard for me to get a letter there. Would it be worth it to take a class or two this summer to try to get some LORs?

I believe you would have to check with the schools individually, as they can sometimes be sticklers for the posted requirements. However, they're generally more forgiving with non-traditional students; I was able to get any schools with requirements that differed from the letters I had to substitute/waive the requirement. I'm not 100% sure and don't want to lead you astray -- perhaps @Goro would be the best one to address this specific question.

 

[Monkitty]

At least one of the schools I've contacted have said, as a non-traditional, "other" LORs are acceptable. So it's worth working the phone and finding out.

Also, if there are any classes you plan on taking/retaking, see if your institution does a committee letter or the like. That's the "backdoor" I'm using to dodge the lack of science professors, etc.

 

[DetectiveAlonzo]

Take your MCAT first.

 

[Goro]

Agree 100%. I doubt if anyone will remember you after six years, OP, so might be best to take a few classes now and make friends with the current professors.


I believe you would have to check with the schools individually, as they can sometimes be sticklers for the posted requirements. However, they're generally more forgiving with non-traditional students; I was able to get any schools with requirements that differed from the letters I had to substitute/waive the requirement.

 

[JW2020]

Is your science GPA higher than 3.36? I had 3.2 cumulative (AFTER a 3.9 in my postbacc) and a 3.55 science. My MCAT was above average for the DO schools I applied to. Also had good ECs/publishings, strong work experience in clinically related field, and tons of shadowing. All those things can offset a lower cumulative GPA

 

[LasersOfOrion]

Thank you all for the thoughtful responses. I don't have any recent shadowing, so that's something I would have to work on. How likely is it that I can put together a decent application for this cycle?

I would shadow as much as I can, and take the MCAT in August, if possible. Does that sound reasonable? That would mean I could submit when August scores come out, probably some time in September. That seems so late!