What are my chances?

[vlad falb]

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Hi guys,

I have an overall GPA of 3.5 with a 3.4 science GPA. I made the mistake of attending a D.O SMP instead of re-taking the mcat. The program gave admittance to anyone who obtained a 3.5. I ended up kind of doing poorly, and finished with a 3.1 GPA due to some personal things that occurred during the first semester. My 2nd semester in the program GPA was way higher than my first. The program was extremely competitive. I am re taking my mcat in August, so I am wondering due to the poor GPA in the D.O SMP what do you guys think I need on the mcat to gain admittance in to a D.O program. I applied to 21 schools, so I am okay with going anywhere. In addition, I have tons of research experience from NYUMC and showed a D.O. Thanks everyone!

 

[gyngyn]

MCAT?
Your SMP performance is going to be a deal-breaker for most places.

 

[vlad falb]

I am taking it next month, I want to know what you guys think I need on the mcat in order to be considered when considering my stats. Thanks!

 

[gyngyn]

I am taking it next month, I want to know what you guys think I need on the mcat in order to be considered when considering my stats. Thanks!

I'm asking about your old MCAT.

 

[vlad falb]

Ah okay, it was horrible, I got an 20. I simply was not ready. With my experience in the D.O program and solely concentrating on studying for the mcat now, I am hoping to drastically improve.

 

[vlad falb]

When you say it's going to be a deal breaker for most places, you are implying that it will drastically decrease my chances of receiving acceptance in to most D.O schools, as in something a good MCAT can't fix?

 

[gyngyn]

When you say it's going to be a deal breaker for most places, you are implying that it will drastically decrease my chances of receiving acceptance in to most D.O schools, as in something a good MCAT can't fix?

Doing badly in an SMP is evidence that the candidate is likely to do badly in medical school.
There may be schools willing to take the risk if the MCAT is good enough. I don't know which ones they may be.

 

[vlad falb]

Doing badly in an SMP is evidence that the candidate is likely to do badly in medical school.
There may be schools willing to take the risk if the MCAT is good enough. I don't know which ones they may be.

So in your opinion, what should I be aiming for on the mcat?

 

[gyngyn]

So in your opinion, what should I be aiming for on the mcat?

For schools that average, you are in trouble, even if you get 510.
For DO schools that don't average, at least 505

 

[vlad falb]

For schools that average, you are in trouble, even if you get 510.
For DO schools that don't average, at least 505

I was under the impression that all D.O schools do not average.

 

[gyngyn]

I was under the impression that all D.O schools do not average.

The designers of the test recommend averaging. Many schools, DO and MD, do so.

 

[vlad falb]

Okay Thank you

 

[Goro]

That's exactly what he's saying, and the philosophy of my Adcom colleagues.

When you say it's going to be a deal breaker for most places, you are implying that it will drastically decrease my chances of receiving acceptance in to most D.O schools, as in something a good MCAT can't fix?

 

[Goro]

My school averages.

I was under the impression that all D.O schools do not average.

 

[vlad falb]

My school averages.

I see, are there any D.O school you recommend I apply to?

 

[GrapesofRath]

When you are in a situation where you did badly in an SMP you really need something that stands out in your app to make a school overlook that red flag and want to take a chance on you.

I actually do know several people who've been in that spot who made it work out. I rarely just list out anecdotes and base input partially off it but in this case it might help.
a) 2 people took some time off retook the MCAT and found another DO school to accept them into their SMP where they got in if they got X GPA. Both did
b) One person took an extended period of time off really built up their ECs, retook the MCAT for a really high score and actually found their State MD school to bite.
c) And the last person I know simply retook the MCAT did exceptionally well and found a DO school to take him.

These generally are some routes you can hope to go down. You wont find many in this path who made it work which is why I listed out some anecdotes. Take some time off, put all you have into the MCAT retake. The higher the better. Enhance your ECs, stand out in a way that makes someone want to take a risk on you. You want to really sell someone that the old you in that SMP wasnt who you are now. And even then many wont be interested.

Some newer DO school though might be willing to bite on a good MCAT retake score or may even be willing to give you a chance in their SMP to prove yourself again at their program if you intrigue them. But nothing is guaranteed, far from it. You need a good idea of what Plan B will be and brace for the worst. Good luck.

 

[vlad falb]

When you are in a situation where you did badly in an SMP you really need something that stands out in your app to make a school overlook that red flag and want to take a chance on you.

I actually do know several people who've been in that spot who made it work out. I rarely just list out anecdotes and base input partially off it but in this case it might help.
a) 2 people took some time off retook the MCAT and found another DO school to accept them into their SMP where they got in if they got X GPA. Both did
b) One person took an extended period of time off really built up their ECs, retook the MCAT for a really high score and actually found their State MD school to bite.
c) And the last person I know simply retook the MCAT did exceptionally well and found a DO school to take him.

These generally are some routes you can hope to go down. You wont find many in this path who made it work which is why I listed out some anecdotes. Take some time off, put all you have into the MCAT retake. The higher the better. Enhance your ECs, stand out in a way that makes someone want to take a risk on you. You want to really sell someone that the old you in that SMP wasnt who you are now. And even then many wont be interested.

Some newer DO school though might be willing to bite on a good MCAT retake score or may even be willing to give you a chance in their SMP to prove yourself again at their program if you intrigue them. But nothing is guaranteed, far from it. You need a good idea of what Plan B will be and brace for the worst. Good luck.

Thank you, appreciate it.

 

[Goro]

Agree with Grapo's post above. You might have some luck with the new DO schools in UT (RVU's branch campus), TX (Univ of the Incarante Word) and NYITCOM-AR

I see, are there any D.O school you recommend I apply to?

 

[vlad falb]

Okay those were included in the schools that I applied to. Thank you, appreciate all the advice everyone.