DO What are my chances?

[CardioGoddess174]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hello All,

I am sort of new to SDN, so I am getting used to the forum. However, I was wondering what my chances are for DO schools?

I am currently a senior, Nutrition (Dietetics) major (possibly willing to do a double major in biochemistry to get committee letter).

Background info:
NJ Resident

My sGPA: 3.5 (with grade replacement) 3.3 w/o replacement
cGPA: 3.5/3.6

I took a majority of my pre reqs at my community college (did my freshman year there; they were also pre reqs for my program now so I had to take them) Courses include Bio 1 and 2 Chem 1 and 2 Physics 1 and Microbio (I got all A's)

When I transferred I took Ochem at my 4 year university and failed it the first time (retook and got B), Orgo 2 ( I received a C) and biochem (I received a C). I took Physics and anatomy here (got an A in both)

The main reason why I failed was because my dad lost his job and I had to start working practically full time to help support my family during my sophomore year (the year I transferred) because my mom is currently disabled.

MCAT: Taking it January 2016, but my practice test is 518 (so I am estimating around 514 - 516)

Research: 1 semester of Microbiology research, looking for another project for this year (No pubs)

EC:
200+ hours volunteering in a soup kitchen
100+ hours teaching nutrition conventions to underprivileged folks
300+ hours teaching underprivileged children in nutrition
400+ tutoring an autistic student math and English.
500+ hours working as a pharmacy tech
1000+ volunteer at local hospital
Board member for 1 year at my college disaster relief club
200+ volunteer in a Hospice

Shadowing:

I was involved in a Shadowing Program at a Hospital (with letter of rec).
-Shadowed a primary care
-Shadowed a hospitalist
- Shadowed a few surgeons
-I currently work with a DO, also shadowing her in my spare time in the OR
- Shadowed a Medical Director

LOR
I can't get my committee letter (I don't qualify for it according to my school) so instead:

2 science faculty
1 non science faculty
1 from my DO (Strong Letter)
1 from the Hospital (Average IMO)
1 from my pharmacist (Strong Letter)
Possibly from: Medical Director and hospice director

Question about LOR: I was wondering if using a letter of rec from my CC professor (science) would be looked down on? (I am trying to see if both my letter can be from my University but I know the CC letter will be strong)

I am planning on applying next cycle.

Schools I am thinking about:

Rowan SOM (Top choice)
PCOM
NYITCOM
LECOM (ERIE)
TOURO NY
TOURO CA
TOURO NV
AT Still (AZ)
AT Still Kirksville
Des Moines COM
MSUCOM
Ohio University Heritage COM
LUCOM
WV SOM
Pacific Northwest University

 

[0dee]

It is very hard to give you your chances without a real MCAT score, but your GPA is solid, and your EC's are good as well. MSU and Ohio have high in state bias and you're OOS for Ohio so you'll need to sign your life away to go there and practice in Ohio. Also, do more research on LUCOM before you add it to your list.

 

[Goro]

Consider MUCOM and UNECOM as well.

Hello All,

I am sort of new to SDN, so I am getting used to the forum. However, I was wondering what my chances are for DO schools?

I am currently a senior, Nutrition (Dietetics) major (possibly willing to do a double major in biochemistry to get committee letter).

Background info:
NJ Resident

My sGPA: 3.5 (with grade replacement) 3.3 w/o replacement
cGPA: 3.5/3.6

I took a majority of my pre reqs at my community college (did my freshman year there; they were also pre reqs for my program now so I had to take them) Courses include Bio 1 and 2 Chem 1 and 2 Physics 1 and Microbio (I got all A's)

When I transferred I took Ochem at my 4 year university and failed it the first time (retook and got B), Orgo 2 ( I received a C) and biochem (I received a C). I took Physics and anatomy here (got an A in both)

The main reason why I failed was because my dad lost his job and I had to start working practically full time to help support my family during my sophomore year (the year I transferred) because my mom is currently disabled.

MCAT: Taking it January 2016, but my practice test is 518 (so I am estimating around 514 - 516)

Research: 1 semester of Microbiology research, looking for another project for this year (No pubs)

EC:
200+ hours volunteering in a soup kitchen
100+ hours teaching nutrition conventions to underprivileged folks
300+ hours teaching underprivileged children in nutrition
400+ tutoring an autistic student math and English.
500+ hours working as a pharmacy tech
1000+ volunteer at local hospital
Board member for 1 year at my college disaster relief club
200+ volunteer in a Hospice

Shadowing:

I was involved in a Shadowing Program at a Hospital (with letter of rec).
-Shadowed a primary care
-Shadowed a hospitalist
- Shadowed a few surgeons
-I currently work with a DO, also shadowing her in my spare time in the OR
- Shadowed a Medical Director

LOR
I can't get my committee letter (I don't qualify for it according to my school) so instead:

2 science faculty
1 non science faculty
1 from my DO (Strong Letter)
1 from the Hospital (Average IMO)
1 from my pharmacist (Strong Letter)
Possibly from: Medical Director and hospice director

Question about LOR: I was wondering if using a letter of rec from my CC professor (science) would be looked down on? (I am trying to see if both my letter can be from my University but I know the CC letter will be strong)

I am planning on applying next cycle.

Schools I am thinking about:

Rowan SOM (Top choice)
PCOM
NYITCOM
LECOM (ERIE)
TOURO NY
TOURO CA
TOURO NV
AT Still (AZ)
AT Still Kirksville
Des Moines COM
MSUCOM
Ohio University Heritage COM
LUCOM
WV SOM
Pacific Northwest University

 

[CardioGoddess174]

It is very hard to give you your chances without a real MCAT score, but your GPA is solid, and your EC's are good as well. MSU and Ohio have high in state bias and you're OOS for Ohio so you'll need to sign your life away to go there and practice in Ohio. Also, do more research on LUCOM before you add it to your list.

What would you say my chances are with Rowan SOM as I am currently a NJ resident? Also, do you think the CC classes will look bad?

 

[0dee]

What would you say my chances are with Rowan SOM as I am currently a NJ resident? Also, do you think the CC classes will look bad?

From user3, RowanSOM: 3.63/3.55/28.

So, your stats are close to what the average is at Rowan, that is pending your MCAT which is a huge factor. Regarding CC, don't sweat it, they don't look bad as long as you took some science classes at the university level and proved yourself with good grades. Also, an upward trend in your latest classes will help you.

 

[goldy490]

If you manage to hit 516+ on your MCAT, maybe send apps to AZCOM and CCOM? theyre pretty good and eat up the high MCAT scores. Also maybe NSU? If you're interested in MD, you may have a shot at some of the new schools if you hit high (516+) on the MCAT. If you are a 2017 applicant NSU is opening an MD school in addition to their DO school that could be possible. Also maybe EVMS, quinnipiac, or Tulane (they dig the low GPA, high MCAT, and ons of volunteer work type). Best of luck in any case!

 

[Doug Underhill]

You can add in some MD schools if you actually get a 518.