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Ladies, gentlemen.... here we are once again. I have posted this every year for the past 3 years and one last time before disappearing into the black hole that is residency, here it is...

In a (most likely, once again, futile) attempt to provide clarity/ease fears, here are some personal observations after 4 years of school and some work in the admissions office.

-If you have a GPA, especially sGPA, above 3.0, you are good
-if you have an MCAT above 25 you are good
-if you have one of the above, but not the other, take your GPA times 10 and add it to your MCAT. If that number is above 52 and your sGPA is above 2.7 and your MCATis above 22, you are probably good to beinterviewed just make sure you kill thatinterview.
-If you have neither 3.0 nor 25, the 52 rule is still probably a decent predictor, still.

Cold Hard Facts:

-If your undergrad sGPA is below 2.7, it will be EXTREMELY hard for you to handle the curriculum at ANY school of ANY kind of medicine. Not impossible, but you will have to work your tail off in a way you never have before.
-If your MCAT is below 22, you will quitepossibly have trouble passing boards, given that it is a standardized test, if nothing else. Also, cannot speak for other schools butMCAT 22 is the stated minimum for Kent (I know there are exceptions you mayknow/have heard from friends of friends of friends, just reading off the handbook here, people).
-If you have done a ton of research/EC's in undergrad, that is great and admissionspeople love to see it and you should do them BUT, GPA and MCAT are decent enough predictors of med school success and if you're scoring low on MCAT's and getting more C's than anything else, you need to really be honest with yourself and think if you're going to be able to handle a 20+ credit hour/semester all science curriculum.
EC'S DO NOT MAKE UP FOR POOR NUMBERS, THEY BOLSTER ALREADY STRONG NUMBERS.
-Recognize that numbers of any kind thatare thrown around by admissions officesare easily manipulated. Recognize also that admissions offices are part HR department and part marketing department. Choose the school at which you feel that you personally fit in the best.

Thank you. Good luck to all!
What about a undergrad GPA below 2.7 with a 22 MCAT but a graduate science intensive (biology MS) GPA of above 3.5?
 
Ladies, gentlemen.... here we are once again. I have posted this every year for the past 3 years and one last time before disappearing into the black hole that is residency, here it is...

In a (most likely, once again, futile) attempt to provide clarity/ease fears, here are some personal observations after 4 years of school and some work in the admissions office.

-If you have a GPA, especially sGPA, above 3.0, you are good
-if you have an MCAT above 25 you are good
-if you have one of the above, but not the other, take your GPA times 10 and add it to your MCAT. If that number is above 52 and your sGPA is above 2.7 and your MCATis above 22, you are probably good to beinterviewed just make sure you kill thatinterview.
-If you have neither 3.0 nor 25, the 52 rule is still probably a decent predictor, still.

Cold Hard Facts:

-If your undergrad sGPA is below 2.7, it will be EXTREMELY hard for you to handle the curriculum at ANY school of ANY kind of medicine. Not impossible, but you will have to work your tail off in a way you never have before.
-If your MCAT is below 22, you will quitepossibly have trouble passing boards, given that it is a standardized test, if nothing else. Also, cannot speak for other schools butMCAT 22 is the stated minimum for Kent (I know there are exceptions you mayknow/have heard from friends of friends of friends, just reading off the handbook here, people).
-If you have done a ton of research/EC's in undergrad, that is great and admissionspeople love to see it and you should do them BUT, GPA and MCAT are decent enough predictors of med school success and if you're scoring low on MCAT's and getting more C's than anything else, you need to really be honest with yourself and think if you're going to be able to handle a 20+ credit hour/semester all science curriculum.
EC'S DO NOT MAKE UP FOR POOR NUMBERS, THEY BOLSTER ALREADY STRONG NUMBERS.
-Recognize that numbers of any kind thatare thrown around by admissions officesare easily manipulated. Recognize also that admissions offices are part HR department and part marketing department. Choose the school at which you feel that you personally fit in the best.

Thank you. Good luck to all!

What if my number is above 52 with sgpa 3.7 but mcat is below 22?
 
What if my number is above 52 with sgpa 3.7 but mcat is below 22?
So is it a 21? A 15? 16 maybe? You are being kind of vague. Every year each school determines what the cutoff should be. That means it could stay the same or go up. Make some calls.
 
What if my number is above 52 with sgpa 3.7 but mcat is below 22?
This is a very unusual situation. I would say you're probably good with that GPA but obviously standardized testing may not be a strength here and you will need to get better at that to succeed on boards.
 
This is a very unusual situation. I would say you're probably good with that GPA but obviously standardized testing may not be a strength here and you will need to get better at that to succeed on boards.

I have similar numbers too but with an 18 MCat. Son was born the week I took it so the score reflects the state of mind I was in at the time. Is retaking it a must?
 
I have similar numbers too but with an 18 MCat. Son was born the week I took it so the score reflects the state of mind I was in at the time. Is retaking it a must?

I'm not sure it's a "must" that you retake but you may find yourself being rejected from smaller schools at least on the basis of your MCAT. The difference between yourself and the other poster above is that the other poster's MCAT was low but it is equal to or above the published minimums that I am aware of. Your's is lower so I am not saying you will be rejected but you could be at least. You would more likely be successful at the larger schools such as Kent, NYCPM, Scholl & Temple. I think if you have your heart set on a smaller school like AZPOD, DMU, or a California school you should retake.
 
I'm not sure it's a "must" that you retake but you may find yourself being rejected from smaller schools at least on the basis of your MCAT. The difference between yourself and the other poster above is that the other poster's MCAT was low but it is equal to or above the published minimums that I am aware of. Your's is lower so I am not saying you will be rejected but you could be at least. You would more likely be successful at the larger schools such as Kent, NYCPM, Scholl & Temple. I think if you have your heart set on a smaller school like AZPOD, DMU, or a California school you should retake.

Ya I've have a retake date set for next month so hopefully we'll see some improvements. Thanks for the insight
 
Any shot with a 2.65 gpa (with retakes)
24 MCAT
500+ hours shadowing MD in primary care and ED
1+ year in HIV research
Community service via local mentorship program I started

Looking for a DPM to shadow as well.

Any input would be appreciated, thanks.
 
Any shot with a 2.65 gpa (with retakes)
24 MCAT
500+ hours shadowing MD in primary care and ED
1+ year in HIV research
Community service via local mentorship program I started

Looking for a DPM to shadow as well.

Any input would be appreciated, thanks.

2.65 is too low, especially with retakes. Do a science intensive post-bacc or a masters and get a high GPA in it, shadow a few podiatrists, and you should be fine. If you're having a hard time finding a podiatrist to shadow, search the AACPM physician mentor page.

Hope this helps.
-SDrJJohnson
 
2.65 is too low, especially with retakes. Do a science intensive post-bacc or a masters and get a high GPA in it, shadow a few podiatrists, and you should be fine. If you're having a hard time finding a podiatrist to shadow, search the AACPM physician mentor page.

Hope this helps.
-SDrJJohnson
I disagree. If you apply early to larger schools, you have a shot. Most schools took as low as a 2.5 last year. Hope this helps. Don't get discouraged. Apply with what you have and make adjustments as schools let you know what you should improve. Although a 2.65 is on the lower end, it is not impossible. Dominate your interview and get as much shadowing experience as possible.
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2.65 is too low, especially with retakes. Do a science intensive post-bacc or a masters and get a high GPA in it, shadow a few podiatrists, and you should be fine. If you're having a hard time finding a podiatrist to shadow, search the AACPM physician mentor page.

Hope this helps.
-SDrJJohnson

Appreciate the response! I don't think I can get into most science intensive post-baccs or masters programs, as most schools listing their required minimum GPA as 3.0. In terms of the workload, I am confident I can handle it. I am currently in the Ross MERP program and passing, but I am worried about the outlook for foreign medical graduates. I'll definitely look into the mentor-ship programs, thanks!
 
I disagree. If you apply early to larger schools, you have a shot. Most schools took as low as a 2.5 last year. Hope this helps. Don't get discouraged. Apply with what you have and make adjustments as schools let you know what you should improve. Although a 2.65 is on the lower end, it is not impossible. Dominate your interview and get as much shadowing experience as possible. View attachment 194191

Well it looks like I'm going to be applying to Temple lol, and NYCPM/ Barry as well. Thanks for the info and encouragement! It's refreshing to see some positivity on SDN every once in a while :claps:
 
Uh, I was considering podiatry (and osteopathy), and my GPA is 3.1 in undergrad, 3.25 in grad, and my MCAT was 28 (9 PS/12 BS/7 VS). I have 400+ clinical hours in a rehabilitation facility for the elderly helping to manage medical records. Would I have a good shot?
 
Uh, I was considering podiatry (and osteopathy), and my GPA is 3.1 in undergrad, 3.25 in grad, and my MCAT was 28 (9 PS/12 BS/7 VS). I have 400+ clinical hours in a rehabilitation facility for the elderly helping to manage medical records. Would I have a good shot?
You're Good.
 
Any shot with a 2.65 gpa (with retakes)
24 MCAT
500+ hours shadowing MD in primary care and ED
1+ year in HIV research
Community service via local mentorship program I started

Looking for a DPM to shadow as well.

Any input would be appreciated, thanks.

I don't think you will do well in Podiatry school. Sure there have been individuals that have been accepted to schools with a low GPA, but those individuals are accepted to the schools that lose the most students during the first year. You don't want to have a ton of debt after failing out of the first year.
 
To sdn lurker JJ: What are your Ross MERP grades so far, are you failing out from that? If you are planning POD school those grades might help. They are part of your GPA.
 
To sdn lurker JJ: What are your Ross MERP grades so far, are you failing out from that? If you are planning POD school those grades might help. They are part of your GPA.

I'm passing MERP so far, but barely hanging in there with physiology. MERP is not a certificate or degree granting course, so our grades don't count outside the context of MERP since we don't get transcripts.
 
Okay so I took my exam in July. Unfortunately I did very poorly on it. I got a 491 which is the equivalent of a 17 on the old Mcat 🙁
I used this website to convert my new score to the old score.

This makes me very discouraged because I took 7 months off from school and work to study 7 hours a day for the Mcat. This really makes me question if I can even handle Podiatry school if I got a 17 after studying that much. Do people get in with that score? I used the Exam Krackers home study books to study. I have a 3.0 GPA from University of California San Diego. Should I still apply, or do I have to absolutely retake?
 
didn't know this thread existed.. ill repost my info here:

Hello all,

I want to know what my chances are for podiatry schools.

Some background info: I have not shadowed a podiatrist or have a rec letter from one. However, I am currently trying to find one. I'm not applying to Pod schools because I cannot get into DO/MD schools. I find it interesting (looked at forums/video procedures, etc), so I want to pursue it (please no hate..)

My Info:
  • Science GPA: 3.08
    • In terms of this GPA, I actually don't know if this is 100% accurate. I am taking these numbers from the Rosalind Franklin calculations they did for my masters app. Due to scheduling issues, I haven't had the chance of starting my med school apps, but I am currently doing them now. I am hoping that my science GPA is actually over 3.1 but I will have to update on this.
  • Cumulative GPA: 3.34
  • Post-Bacc (took anatomy at community college): 4.0
MCAT: recently took it last week. I don't think I did well enough, so I am planning to retake it (was a lot harder than the practice tests I took to prepare..) I am thinking I got something around 20-25...

Activities/work:
  • 100+ hours shadowing MDs
  • 40+ hours volunteering at hospital
  • 40+ hours volunteering at an institution for the mentally challenged
  • 40+ hours shadowing my dentist ( I don't know if I should bother putting this on here, I wanted diversify my experience in the health profession)
  • Will go to Guatemala for a medical mission trip early July for a week
  • Worked at CVS Caremark Specialty Pharmacy
I also have some questions about the field. I am a little hesitant about podiatry because I am not sure about the job market in the future. Am I worrying too much about it?.. Is there still that stigma that Podiatrists aren't real doctors and are people who failed to get into med school?

Update: I got my mcat score and I got a 489. I am pretty certain that I will have to retake, but is there a chance of using this mcat score and getting into the bigger schools, such as kent, nycpm (#1 choice), temple (I might use my DAT score here), scholl? From what I can tell, a 489 is a 17 ( I am so annoyed with myself right now). can a 489, with cgpa 3.314 and sgpa 3.08, get into a pod school? (terms of shadowing, I am getting that done)

I've been reading a lot about applying early for higher chance of getting into anywhere, but what counts as applying early? Before December? In August? Also, if I do plan to retake the test and I submit my application, lets say middle of august, will they only look at my application once my new mcat score shows up?
 
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Okay so I took my exam in July. Unfortunately I did very poorly on it. I got a 491 which is the equivalent of a 17 on the old Mcat 🙁
I used this website to convert my new score to the old score.

This makes me very discouraged because I took 7 months off from school and work to study 7 hours a day for the Mcat. This really makes me question if I can even handle Podiatry school if I got a 17 after studying that much. Do people get in with that score? I used the Exam Krackers home study books to study. I have a 3.0 GPA from University of California San Diego. Should I still apply, or do I have to absolutely retake?

I believe a 491 is around a 19 not 17, though I am not 100% sure.. I don't know anything about getting into anywhere, since I am trying to figure that stuff out for myself ( got a 489 on my test, pretty discouraged here too).

But in terms of studying: imo, MCAT is not really testing you if you know the concepts and the facts (the opposite of DAT). It's more about critical thinking and apply what you know. For myself, I feel that I know the concepts, but I cannot really apply it to critical thinking in the passages. I took about 3 months to brush up on the concepts and I took like 2 practice tests and did a handful of passages. So, for my next test, I am going to try to do more practice passages (3-5 everyday), see what I got wrong, and review those concepts.

Also, what is the breakdown of your gpa? you mentioned 3.0, but is that your overall?
 
I believe a 491 is around a 19 not 17, though I am not 100% sure.. I don't know anything about getting into anywhere, since I am trying to figure that stuff out for myself ( got a 489 on my test, pretty discouraged here too).

But in terms of studying: imo, MCAT is not really testing you if you know the concepts and the facts (the opposite of DAT). It's more about critical thinking and apply what you know. For myself, I feel that I know the concepts, but I cannot really apply it to critical thinking in the passages. I took about 3 months to brush up on the concepts and I took like 2 practice tests and did a handful of passages. So, for my next test, I am going to try to do more practice passages (3-5 everyday), see what I got wrong, and review those concepts.

Also, what is the breakdown of your gpa? you mentioned 3.0, but is that your overall?


Its a tough exam indeed. Have you signed up to take the exam again? I've seen different sources convert my score between a 17 and 19, so I guess I can safely say my score is more like an 18. I'd say content makes up 50% of the exam while critical thinking takes the other 50%.

As for my GPA I got a 3.0 overall and 2.98 science gpa. I'm really not sure what I should do. I don't know if doing more passages is going to improve my score.
 
Okay so I took my exam in July. Unfortunately I did very poorly on it. I got a 491 which is the equivalent of a 17 on the old Mcat 🙁
I used this website to convert my new score to the old score.

This makes me very discouraged because I took 7 months off from school and work to study 7 hours a day for the Mcat. This really makes me question if I can even handle Podiatry school if I got a 17 after studying that much. Do people get in with that score? I used the Exam Krackers home study books to study. I have a 3.0 GPA from University of California San Diego. Should I still apply, or do I have to absolutely retake?
Hey Mitrie quick question, howd you get your score already? I took it in July as well and scores are released on August 18th?
 
Hey Mitrie quick question, howd you get your score already? I took it in July as well and scores are released on August 18th?

Wait you haven't gotten your score yet? My score release date was July 21st. My mistake I took my exam in June. I accidentally said I took it in July.
 
Its a tough exam indeed. Have you signed up to take the exam again? I've seen different sources convert my score between a 17 and 19, so I guess I can safely say my score is more like an 18. I'd say content makes up 50% of the exam while critical thinking takes the other 50%.

As for my GPA I got a 3.0 overall and 2.98 science gpa. I'm really not sure what I should do. I don't know if doing more passages is going to improve my score.

I am going to sign up for the one at the end of September. If I don't feel ready in 2 months, I'll change the date to a later one (if they post any other test dates). It really depends on how you studied. For me, I kind of focused too much about learning concepts and the materials and didn't really focus on the passages and practice test (did most of the passages near the end). So that's why I feel like focusing on passages will help with my scores. Figure out how you studied and see what you are really lacking and go from there. You can study for 10 hours a day, but it doesn't mean you are getting anywhere (I learned that the hard way). Have you taken the MCAT before?

Unfortunately, since I am trying to figure my chances as well, I'm not sure where you stand. Your GPA is on the lower end, compared to the average. with your 491, it might not be enough. I feel that the best way to know if you have a chance is to call the schools directly and get their feedback. I called NYCPM and Temple and this is what they told me (My info: 3.314 cgpa, 3.08 sgpa, 489 mcat)

NYCPM: my GPA is on the lower end, but not in the red zone. However, with my mcat, my score is low and was told to aim for a score near the 500 mark. (felt like he was just basing my stats on the avg, didn't get too much info here)

Temple: my cgpa is fine, but my sgpa is a little low, but overall, GPA is fine. My MCAT score is on the low end. She advised me to retake and try to aim around 495. She told me it's fine even if I apply after January (as long as my MCAT score is better). I asked if I applied with what I have now, she said that I don't have a good chance. (btw, she said my score fell in the 18-19 mark, so your score might be in the 20s)

I'm going to try to contact more schools for a better understanding.

There are obviously exceptions. There are people getting in with less than 3.0 gpa, or low mcat score. You don't have to obtain the average marks for every category, but it's nice to get some perspective from actual universities. Perhaps if you apply early, you could get an interview. You would just have to nail it.

It sucks that we didn't get the scores we wanted (I am super pissed, since I actually did fine on the practice tests), but it doesn't mean it's the end. It seems like there's plenty of time for the application process, so if you have time to improve anything, you can do it. one stat isn't everything, but if you are lacking in something, it would be better to balance it with something else.
 
Did they specify what's an unacceptable/too low of a GPA? I'm applying with 2.9s and a 21 MCAT (crappy in both regards). I've been ~3.7 last 2 years with senior level science courses...hoping that plays into my favor.

And you can sign up around October for January 2016 MCAT, if you're not ready by September!

Judging on what they were saying, it seems that anything below a 3.0 is the red zone. I'm assuming that the unacceptable range is around 2.75, though I didn't get to ask the specific numbers.

I'm a little confused: you have a 2.9 gpa, but you have been taking high level courses and been obtaining a gpa of 3.7? are you in a masters program/post-bacc or did you mean your senior year of undergrad?

Unfortunately, I have no idea how admins break down categories in an application and since I am figuring out my own chances, this is just my opinion: if your 2.9 gpa is your undergrad and the 3.7 is from masters/post-bacc, then it's showing that you can handle high level science courses and it should be ok with a 21 mcat score (21 isn't actually that bad imo, temple wanted me to get 495, which is roughly a 22). You should apply early and broadly for a higher chance to get an interview and nail that interview. For more insight (if you haven't already), you can ask others here that went through all this (they would know way more than me lol) or try calling the schools themselves. When calling schools though, take it with a grain of salt. They will compare your numbers with their average and assess how you are as an applicant. However, just because there's an average, it doesn't mean you can't have lower numbers. Obviously, you would want numbers close to the average, but just because you have a 2.9 gpa doesn't necessarily mean you will be automatically rejected (I'm sure you already know this, but just wanted to emphasize lol)

wait, so after the September dates, there will be no more mcat test dates for this year???
 
Hi, I will be applying for the 2016 cycle, and I am wondering what my chances are with a 3.12 cGPA, a 3.63 sGPA with a 20 mcat, 6PS, 6VR, 8BS. My overall gpa is low due to a bad freshman year, but my gpa was solid from then on. I have shadowing experience with a DPM, a DO, and an MD. DPM is my field of preference after experiencing all different types of medicine. Also I have killer EC's.
 
Hey yeah no more MCAT dates this year after September 23rd. You still have a couple of months though if you start prepping right now. I'm not sure how "late" a January MCAT would be for Pod schools.

The 3.7 is my last couple of years of undergrad. My 1st year GPA was a 0.0 (believe it or not!) with 6 fails, followed by a few more semesters of terrible grades. Since i had such a terrible start, i tried to have at least some kind of a positive trend in my later years lol. Definitely applying broadly as soon as the application cycle opens 🙂

Good luck!

kinda sucks there's no more mcat tests..
 
So, where would I stand at getting into pod school with a cgpa of 3.12 (upward trend) sgpa of 3.63, MCAT 20, 6Ps, 6Vr,8Bs. I have over 100 hours of volunteer work, 20+ hours shadowing a DO in the ER, a hand full of hours with surgeon, and 10+ hours with a DPM. My EC's include, marathons/Ultramarathons, wife and a three year old, and military service. Thoughts on where I may stand?
 
So, where would I stand at getting into pod school with a cgpa of 3.12 (upward trend) sgpa of 3.63, MCAT 20, 6Ps, 6Vr,8Bs. I have over 100 hours of volunteer work, 20+ hours shadowing a DO in the ER, a hand full of hours with surgeon, and 10+ hours with a DPM. My EC's include, marathons/Ultramarathons, wife and a three year old, and military service. Thoughts on where I may stand?
You're Good. Have fun deciding which school to attend.
 
I am going to sign up for the one at the end of September. If I don't feel ready in 2 months, I'll change the date to a later one (if they post any other test dates). It really depends on how you studied. For me, I kind of focused too much about learning concepts and the materials and didn't really focus on the passages and practice test (did most of the passages near the end). So that's why I feel like focusing on passages will help with my scores. Figure out how you studied and see what you are really lacking and go from there. You can study for 10 hours a day, but it doesn't mean you are getting anywhere (I learned that the hard way). Have you taken the MCAT before?

Unfortunately, since I am trying to figure my chances as well, I'm not sure where you stand. Your GPA is on the lower end, compared to the average. with your 491, it might not be enough. I feel that the best way to know if you have a chance is to call the schools directly and get their feedback. I called NYCPM and Temple and this is what they told me (My info: 3.314 cgpa, 3.08 sgpa, 489 mcat)

NYCPM: my GPA is on the lower end, but not in the red zone. However, with my mcat, my score is low and was told to aim for a score near the 500 mark. (felt like he was just basing my stats on the avg, didn't get too much info here)

Temple: my cgpa is fine, but my sgpa is a little low, but overall, GPA is fine. My MCAT score is on the low end. She advised me to retake and try to aim around 495. She told me it's fine even if I apply after January (as long as my MCAT score is better). I asked if I applied with what I have now, she said that I don't have a good chance. (btw, she said my score fell in the 18-19 mark, so your score might be in the 20s)

I'm going to try to contact more schools for a better understanding.

There are obviously exceptions. There are people getting in with less than 3.0 gpa, or low mcat score. You don't have to obtain the average marks for every category, but it's nice to get some perspective from actual universities. Perhaps if you apply early, you could get an interview. You would just have to nail it.

It sucks that we didn't get the scores we wanted (I am super pissed, since I actually did fine on the practice tests), but it doesn't mean it's the end. It seems like there's plenty of time for the application process, so if you have time to improve anything, you can do it. one stat isn't everything, but if you are lacking in something, it would be better to balance it with something else.

Yea my GPA is on the lower end, but as for now I'm a bit unwilling to go back to school just to raise my GPA a couple of points higher since getting a higher Mcat score would be a much better addition to replace my abysmal 491. As you stated I really doubt that my score is a 20 since a lot a resources I looked at say its more like a 17 or 18.

I did the same thing you did while studying. I focused way too much on content review and not enough on exam taking. The next go around I'm going to use a much different strategy. I'm glad the school you contacted said that applying in January is a bit acceptable, because that's probably what its going to look like for me as well.

Good luck!

kinda sucks there's no more mcat tests..

Wait, so there are NO other Mcat exams between September and the next year? That makes no sense. They must be planning to add test dates eventually.
 
I am wondering specifically about AZPOD. My cGPA is 3.6 and my sGPA is 3.5 (that includes ALL the classes that my university designates as SCIENCE. i.e. physical geography, neuroscience, stats, calculus). ECs are very good (service, EMT, shadowing). I write the MCAT Aug. 5 and my practice scores have been ~497. If I were to score a 497 on the real test would I have a shot at AZPOD? I know I would have a good shot at most of the other schools but AZPOD is a bit more competitive so I was wondering if anyone had some insight. Thanks in advance!
 
I would say that if you apply early, your GPA might make the cut. Its still low. Your MCAT is definitely low. Might want to consider a re-do on that.
 
Hi, I will be applying for the 2016 cycle, and I am wondering what my chances are with a 3.12 cGPA, a 3.63 sGPA with a 20 mcat, 6PS, 6VR, 8BS. My overall gpa is low due to a bad freshman year, but my gpa was solid from then on. I have shadowing experience with a DPM, a DO, and an MD. DPM is my field of preference after experiencing all different types of medicine. Also I have killer EC's.
Apply. Do not retake your MCAT unless a school tells you to. You should be fine with your statistics. Good luck.
 
Yea my GPA is on the lower end, but as for now I'm a bit unwilling to go back to school just to raise my GPA a couple of points higher since getting a higher Mcat score would be a much better addition to replace my abysmal 491. As you stated I really doubt that my score is a 20 since a lot a resources I looked at say its more like a 17 or 18.

I did the same thing you did while studying. I focused way too much on content review and not enough on exam taking. The next go around I'm going to use a much different strategy. I'm glad the school you contacted said that applying in January is a bit acceptable, because that's probably what its going to look like for me as well.



Wait, so there are NO other Mcat exams between September and the next year? That makes no sense. They must be planning to add test dates eventually.


Well, from what I can tell, they compare MCAT scores with percentiles. My score as an example: 489 is in the 18%. Based on the old MCAT percentages, 18% is between 18-19. with your 491, I believe you are in the 22%, so that's between 19-20.

It seems that they only have 15 test dates for 2015. Looks like they are either going to change that ( I doubt it, since it's almost august) or they will have seats ready for Jan 2016. I am debating if I should just apply with my 489...
 
So I'm looking into optometry and podiatry. Here are my stats let me know if you think I stand a chance at say Tempe or such:

3.0 GPA
Plan to schedule an MCAT for the end of the spring semester and would like to say I could get a 20-22.
I will begin shadowing several podiatrists in the spring.

Obviously I am talking about fall 2017 admission cycle lol

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I mean technically I could apply this cycle but it would be late. Like February because I'm taking OAT in October and could take the MCAT in January.

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What are my chances in NYCPM, Temple, Rosalind, and CSPM? My stats are:

Asian, Male
cGPA: 3.6
sGPA: 3.5
MCAT 2014: 22 (7, 7, 8)

I am retaking MCAT this August. My FL practice scores are as follows:

TPR Complete Test 1: 503
TPR Complete Test 2: 503
TPR Complete Test 3: 502
AAMC: 63%, 81%, 75%, 73%
 
What are my chances in NYCPM, Temple, Rosalind, and CSPM? My stats are:

Asian, Male
cGPA: 3.6
sGPA: 3.5
MCAT 2014: 22 (7, 7, 8)

I am retaking MCAT this August. My FL practice scores are as follows:

TPR Complete Test 1: 503
TPR Complete Test 2: 503
TPR Complete Test 3: 502
AAMC: 63%, 81%, 75%, 73%

I'd say your scores are competitive for any of the schools. Those are very competitive scores. A retake on the mcat might not even be necessary.
 
Hi guys. Here are my updated stats right before i apply.

Sci gpa: 3.02. (Straight As 26 units post bacc at Cc)
Cum gpa: 3.40

Mcat : took it in July felt I did well probably around a 500

Volunteer/Leadership:
-coached and captain of soccer team. 100 hours
-volunteered at several child events making security bracelets for kids about 100 hours
-volunteered at md doctors office just speaking and interacting with patients (mainly senior citizens who loved to talk lol) before they got called in. 40 hours
-shadowed podiatrist 40 hours


What are my chances overall and what are my chances for the top 3 ( dmu, western, midwestern)
 
I posted in the sticky but got no reply. So I have talked to TUSPM and here is what she gave me as my stats if I make all A's this semester (which I am determined to do):

Non-science GPA: 3.14
Science GPA: 3.03
Cumulative GPA: 3.07

MCAT: Taking in January and looking to get 495+.

I will be shadowing 3 Podiatrist this fall. Looking to get 100 shadowing hours.

I know that not having a MCAT score makes it a little tough but assuming I do get a 495+.

I would like to note that I have had a rough undergraduate career with my brother passing away, mom being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and my grandma being diagnosed with colon cancer. In no way, shape, or form is it an excuse because not having a high GPA is totally on me. But there is reasons for it being low. 🙁

Also, I have been set on Optometry for 3 years but every day that passes pushes me more and more towards Podiatry. Thanks for your input and all advice is gladly taken! Thanks!

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Since none of us are adcoms, no one can really tell you for sure to be honest.
I'd check this http://www.aacpm.org/html/careerzone/pdfs/2015 CIB.pdf to get a rough idea about how competitive you are for each school. If i had to guess, those GPA's are probably fine. I'll be applying for next cycle as well. Do research into this profession more though before you embark upon this. It's a 7 year long journey as opposed to 4 years in Optom schools.

Thanks for the reply! I've talked to 3 Podiatrists who are more than happy to have me shadow them so I figure I will get a good feel for the profession. Just online research has got me excited about the possibilities and I cannot wait to actually get in the offices and get some actual shadowing experience! Looking at the list I am right there close to the average of half the schools.

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