When to apply/School list?

[alilip]

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Hi everyone,

With this new change in policy with grade replacement I've been forced to rethink my application (like many others). At the end of this semester, I'm projected to sit at a cGPA of 3.14 (3.2 best possible case) and sGPA of around 2.85 (Possibly a bit higher) with no retakes. I was planning on retaking my intro "C" science classes, but now think it is better just to continue with upper level classes and do as well as I can in those.

I'm only interested in going DO so will not bother applying to MD schools. I am working as a scribe currently, and have started volunteering. I hold a leadership position on a sports team at my school and am involved with a couple of clubs. I'm planning to take the MCAT in May and therefore would get my scores back in late June.

Asking all of you very informed people on this forum, assuming my MCAT scores are decent would I be wasting my time to apply DO this cycle? I wanted to apply the first day the application is due to give myself the best shot, but my MCAT scores will be out slightly after this... Will that hinder my position at all? My parents are pushing me to apply anyway just to see if I get in.. if not, I will be either applying next year or looking for an SMP. Thoughts? If you think I do have a shot, what schools would you recommend? I only have 2 or 3 that I'm 100% sure I want to apply to.

 

[psu228]

Hi everyone,

With this new change in policy with grade replacement I've been forced to rethink my application (like many others). At the end of this semester, I'm projected to sit at a cGPA of 3.14 (3.2 best possible case) and sGPA of around 2.85 (Possibly a bit higher) with no retakes. I was planning on retaking my intro "C" science classes, but now think it is better just to continue with upper level classes and do as well as I can in those.

I'm only interested in going DO so will not bother applying to MD schools. I am working as a scribe currently, and have started volunteering. I hold a leadership position on a sports team at my school and am involved with a couple of clubs. I'm planning to take the MCAT in May and there for would get my scores back in late June.

Asking all of you very informed people on this forum, assuming my MCAT scores are decent would I be wasting my time to apply DO this cycle? I wanted to apply the first day the application is due to give myself the best shot, but my MCAT scores will be out slightly after this... Will that hinder my position at all? My parents are pushing me to apply anyway just to see if I get in.. if not, I will be either applying next year or looking for an SMP. Thoughts? If you think I do have a shot, what schools would you recommend? I only have 2 or 3 that I'm 100% sure I want to apply to.

June is still way early to apply for DO schools. Obviously, with your GPA the earlier you apply the better, but I don't think applying by that point will hurt you. Just get all your secondaries in ASAP, like the week they invite you to do them.

Do you have an upward trend? A DO LOR and DO shadowing? If yes to both, I would definitely apply assuming your MCAT is solid (505+). Honestly, your stats without GPA replacement aren't that much different than a lot of the DO underdog stats in that thread. Unfortunately, I think you've kind of lost the opportunity to pick and choose the DO school you want. With your GPA, PCOM, NOVA, CCOM, those schools and their ilk are kind of out of the question, or at least highly unlikely AT THIS POINT. If you did an SMP and knock it out of the park, that could change. I do think you have a shot at the newer DO schools with a solid MCAT score for this cycle. So its totally up to you! Good luck.

 

[Goro]

Your sGPA doesn't give us much hope that you can handle amed school curriculum.

Hence ace a post-bac (DIY) or an SMP.

Tell your parents that if they truly value your medical career, they won't sabotage it by making you apply when you're not ready (and you're not).

Hi everyone,

With this new change in policy with grade replacement I've been forced to rethink my application (like many others). At the end of this semester, I'm projected to sit at a cGPA of 3.14 (3.2 best possible case) and sGPA of around 2.85 (Possibly a bit higher) with no retakes. I was planning on retaking my intro "C" science classes, but now think it is better just to continue with upper level classes and do as well as I can in those.

I'm only interested in going DO so will not bother applying to MD schools. I am working as a scribe currently, and have started volunteering. I hold a leadership position on a sports team at my school and am involved with a couple of clubs. I'm planning to take the MCAT in May and therefore would get my scores back in late June.

Asking all of you very informed people on this forum, assuming my MCAT scores are decent would I be wasting my time to apply DO this cycle? I wanted to apply the first day the application is due to give myself the best shot, but my MCAT scores will be out slightly after this... Will that hinder my position at all? My parents are pushing me to apply anyway just to see if I get in.. if not, I will be either applying next year or looking for an SMP. Thoughts? If you think I do have a shot, what schools would you recommend? I only have 2 or 3 that I'm 100% sure I want to apply to.

 

[alilip]

Thanks for your advice guys. I really appreciate both perspectives. I set up shadowing with a DO for this upcoming semester and do have an upward trend in grades after an initial drop freshman and sophomore year (due to unfortunate circumstances).

@Goro as for you're advice with my parents... I completely agree. I wanted to push off applying until end of senior year or even after an SMP. However, they said they would foot the bill no matter my chances, and they just want to see me apply. I get that, and I've been so back and forth this week. I just don't think I'll have a good shot. Unless I get 510+ on the MCAT I probably won't even be considered. I understand that, but they don't seem to. Any advice on how to go from here? I know it sounds lame that I can't tell them no, but my parents have always been this way. When I push back, they push back even harder. Being financially dependent on them makes my decisions a little more tricky.

 

[Goro]

Show them my post so they can see what a medical school Adcom member has to say.

Thanks for your advice guys. I really appreciate both perspectives. I set up shadowing with a DO for this upcoming semester and do have an upward trend in grades after an initial drop freshman and sophomore year (due to unfortunate circumstances).

@Goro as for you're advice with my parents... I completely agree. I wanted to push off applying until end of senior year or even after an SMP. However, they said they would foot the bill no matter my chances, and they just want to see me apply. I get that, and I've been so back and forth this week. I just don't think I'll have a good shot. Unless I get 510+ on the MCAT I probably won't even be considered. I understand that, but they don't seem to. Any advice on how to go from here? I know it sounds lame that I can't tell them no, but my parents have always been this way. When I push back, they push back even harder. Being financially dependent on them makes my decisions a little more tricky.

 

[ERinspired]

Thanks for your advice guys. I really appreciate both perspectives. I set up shadowing with a DO for this upcoming semester and do have an upward trend in grades after an initial drop freshman and sophomore year (due to unfortunate circumstances).

@Goro as for you're advice with my parents... I completely agree. I wanted to push off applying until end of senior year or even after an SMP. However, they said they would foot the bill no matter my chances, and they just want to see me apply. I get that, and I've been so back and forth this week. I just don't think I'll have a good shot. Unless I get 510+ on the MCAT I probably won't even be considered. I understand that, but they don't seem to. Any advice on how to go from here? I know it sounds lame that I can't tell them no, but my parents have always been this way. When I push back, they push back even harder. Being financially dependent on them makes my decisions a little more tricky.

Also remember that if you apply next cycle before you are ready and don't get in, that puts you in a worse position because the next time you apply you will have to disclose that you are a re-applicant.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[alilip]

Thank you, @Goro. I showed them this morning. While they aren't completely convinced (what can I say? They're stubborn, but I love them), they did say that it gives them more to think about and we will discuss what I want to do more in depth. It's not a win, but it's a step in the right direction. I'll take it.

 

[rayeray]

Also remember that if you apply next cycle before you are ready and don't get in, that puts you in a worse position because the next time you apply you will have to disclose that you are a re-applicant.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

Is this true?? I didnt know that!

 

[alilip]

@rayeray I didn't think so... @ERinspired ? Could you elaborate on that, please?

 

[Goro]

The bias that some MD schools have towards reapplicants isn't as powerful as SDNers may think, especially with DO schools.

First of all, DO Adcoms don't know if you're a reapplicant. Even if you are, and we see that you applied to our school previously, we'll simply ask "What did you do to improve as a candidate?"

Also remember that if you apply next cycle before you are ready and don't get in, that puts you in a worse position because the next time you apply you will have to disclose that you are a re-applicant.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile