DO What are my chances? 3.24 GPA; 31 MCAT

[pnwloving]

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Hey everyone!

I was just curious what I can expect interview wise this cycle - I have concerns that my GPA will be problematic. I finished undergrad with a 3.24 and 31 MCAT (11 BS/11 PS/9 VR). My upper division GPA 3.45. As far as ECs during undergrad, extensive shadowing experience (~300 hours), triathlon club, weekly athletics (I am planning to make this a huge component of my application), an internship with a local surgeon, tutoring ~ 5 hours a week, volunteering in the ED for ~150 hours, research for a summer, service leader in my business fraternity during my undergraduate studies. Pretty standard ECs. Since graduating, I work 40 hours a week as a scribe in the ED and ~30 hours elsewhere. I occasionally assist my dad coach my younger brother's sports teams. I am also planning to begin volunteering if I can convince the volunteering coordinator to place me despite my schedule.

Schools that I am currently considering:
AT Still
AT Still Arizona
AZCOM
CCOM
PNWU
VCOM CC
Western U
TuCOM

Thank you all so much!

 

[s5260205]

You need to apply to as many schools as possible to maximize your chances. As it stands, your GPAs aren't great, and your MCAT is just above or around the averages of some schools on your list. I'm sure you will get in somewhere but 8 schools are simply not enough.

 

[Vain Brother]

uh my feeling is OP is in great shape for any DO school

 

[pnwloving]

Thanks for the replies thus far! I do have concerns that may LORs may be a problem...as of now I have only been able to find one science professor that has committed to writing me a letter and he is only able to comment on my performance in his course. My mother has participated in some admissions processes for her alumni university and tells me that this should only be a problem should I not be able to compete for an opening seat. I should have no problem receiving stellar letters from physicians that I have shadowed and worked with thus far. I am considering taking a course at my community college this summer to find another letter thereby doubling the number of schools that I can apply to. As it stands now, I live across the country from my university and the professors I have contacted have not responded. I should note that I never really established relationships or spoke with any of my professors as I felt comfortable researching answers on my own (obviously this was a mistake)

 

[pnwloving]

Bump?

 

[s5260205]

Thanks for the replies thus far! I do have concerns that may LORs may be a problem...as of now I have only been able to find one science professor that has committed to writing me a letter and he is only able to comment on my performance in his course. My mother has participated in some admissions processes for her alumni university and tells me that this should only be a problem should I not be able to compete for an opening seat. I should have no problem receiving stellar letters from physicians that I have shadowed and worked with thus far. I am considering taking a course at my community college this summer to find another letter thereby doubling the number of schools that I can apply to. As it stands now, I live across the country from my university and the professors I have contacted have not responded. I should note that I never really established relationships or spoke with any of my professors as I felt comfortable researching answers on my own (obviously this was a mistake)

I asked a total of 6 science professors to write me a LOR. None of these 6 professors knew me very well but I did pretty well in their courses. 2 of the profs replied, and I've used them to secure multiple acceptances. Try contacting more professors, email them with your personal statement and transcript. Make sure you could get those letters before August the latest.

 

[change4med]

Yeah that will be a problem I think (the LOR), some schools require 2 science, 1 non-science LOR or a committee letter in addition to a physician's letter. Also hopefully your physician letters have at least one from a DO. If you only have 1, I would continue to badger the professors you most recently took classes with and did well with in. If you feel awkward doing this or really just don't think you'll get a response, I would sign up for a science and non science class at a local CC and try to get letters from them ASAP. I heard they're not due til secondaries so you have some time to sign up for classes still I think.

Also your list is a bit too short in my opinion. I have a slightly higher GPA and a 30 MCAT, and I plan on applying to 14, and I still feel really nervous about that... I know you're aiming for schools you'd prefer to attend, but know those are top picks for a lot of students as well and you to maximize your chances. Maybe TouroNY, NYIT, Nova, RVUCOM? Those are all schools I'm interested in too and we have similar stats so maybe look into those and see if you'd like them?

We're very similar in terms of situation (I have 1 physics LOR, 2 MD, 1 DO, and am taking classes at a CC right now too to get those last two science/nonscience letters by secondaries!) and GPA/MCAT so hopefully we're both lucky this upcoming cycle!

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

It think it's a toss up at most of the higher average schools that you listed. I'd add at least 5 more of the realistic schools. Try RVU, TU-NV, Marian, CUSOM, PCOM-GA, LECOM (any).

 

[pnwloving]

@s5260205 Best of luck! I am in the exact same position. Thus far, I haven't been able to receive responses from most of the professors that I've contacted. The physician I work with told me that I should be aggressive and contact the dean because they have an obligation to students, but I feel like that could play out horribly.

@change4med Thank you for your input! My list currently decided by the application requirements that I've fulfilled. I am planning to apply to and complete secondaries for every school should I be able to obtain these other LORs. My plan from there is to take interviews at my top schools based on what I can afford - so most likely 6-7 schools at the moment. I'm hoping that will be enough.

 

[Goro]

Chances excellent. Consider also MUCOM, KCUMB, Nova, VCOM, PCOM and DMU
AT Still
AT Still Arizona
AZCOM
CCOM
PNWU
VCOM CC
Western U
TuCOM