Which schools to apply to

[Nevadatim89]

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Im working now to raise my GPA.
sGPA:3.00
cGPA: 3.29

I understand MD is out of the question. As far as DO schools go, should i apply to every single one? They all have different pre-reqs. my GPA had a bad downward spiral from 3.9 to pretty low, then i got it up to 3.29. I believe i can bring both up decently higher. But where should I apply. Also what else should i do to create a more competitive application. Major is Biochemistry. Volunteer? Research? Get a job in a lab? im lost

 

[OrdinaryDO]

Use the search button for starters. Next, you will need to provide a whole lot more than just a sGPA and cGPA to get any sort of legit response on here. Your GPA trend went from a 3.9 to a 3.29? Sounds like you had one good semester and went down hill from there, but there is no way for me to know that for sure. Your sGPA and cGPA are below average for ANY medical school DO or MD. I know you think that your stats keep you out of MD schools, which for the most part if very true, but DO schools make up for their lack in GPA/MCAT score averages in other areas like ECs and LORs. You have given zero MCAT data which is a key component in giving feedback.

Answer this:
What is your MCAT score?
Which state are you a resident of?
What are your ECs?
Have you done any research?
Are you an URM?
Do you have any unique background (Military, Leadership, etc.)
Do you have any LORs? Any from DOs?

Most of this should be pretty intuitive. You definitely need to shadow to have any chance at all. You need to volunteer and show you have some sort of commitment to the community. Any healthcare experience would be a plus...etc, etc.

 

[Nevadatim89]

First 2 yrs i maintained a 3.8-3.9... over the next 3 yrs it dropped slowly. I have no experience, no research, no EC, I do shadow though. Im not applying soon, I posted this just get an idea of what i should focus on. I havent taken the MCAT. Should i bring the GPA up or focus on the MCAT or do both simultaneously.

 

[OrdinaryDO]

You want to bring both GPAs up to a competitive range with respect to whatever schools you are planning on applying to if you have a preference, that is. I would say, based on my time on these forums, a ~3.25+ sGPA and a ~3.4+ cGPA have worked fairly well for those who have good ECs and a competitive MCAT score (old scale, maybe 26+). Shadowing is a MUST, research is not needed unless you want to do it or you want to attend a higher end medical school that is heavy into research. You need to volunteer and get active in your community and school; you can never go wrong with leadership experience. I would work on getting to know some academic professors so you will have a good base for LORs and also work on getting a DO in the loop so he/she can show you the ropes of osteopathic medicine and hopefully fulfill your LOR for DO requirements (most schools).

If you have many C grade classes I would plan to retake some of those to raise your sGPA, unless you have a hunk of sciences still to go. I would work on studying for the MCAT at least 3-4 months prior to the official MCAT.

Do is simultaneously or do it sequentially, but either way you better do it well!

Do you have any plans to take the MCAT soon? and you have implied you have been in school for at least 5 years, what is holding you up? or are you a graduate?

 

[Nevadatim89]

In order to bring my gpa up to the range you advise it would take pretty long, which is fine with me. I mean it took a long time to get so low ya know. I graduate this coming semester, then plan to take retake all the Cs i got and turn them into As. I havent applied because; my gpa is poor, not done with undergrad, and i just figured out what i want to do, after shadowing. I can take the mcat as i retake my courses. I know im a longshot away but I want to do this. Im just trying to get some advise on where to start y aknow.

 

[TrueWolverine]

Do some retakes. Study for the mcat. Ace said mcat. Volunteer (in and out of hospitals). Obtain LoR's that meet the requirements for the schools you want to apply to. Apply early. Get in.

 

[Nevadatim89]

THank you. Im kind of confused about the pre-reqs for the DO schools. They dont care about pre-req gpa right? my GPA for the prereqs is 3.7 but that doesnt help right.

 

[TrueWolverine]

I believe that's correct. You'll have to wait for someone with a better understanding to chime in but I believe it's more about your overall science than it is about strictly your pre-reqs. Of course it's great to do well in the pre-reqs but that won't save you if you didn't do well in other upper level science classes.

 

[OrdinaryDO]

THank you. Im kind of confused about the pre-reqs for the DO schools. They dont care about pre-req gpa right? my GPA for the prereqs is 3.7 but that doesnt help right.

They can bring up the topic of your grades in an interview, but the actual GPA does not factor in as a unique number they use for admissions.

 

[Goro]

As of right now, you can eliminate KCUMB and all other schools that require a minimum of a 3.25 GPA.

Here is a guide of what schools to target, once you do your homework.

Retake all F/D/C science coursework.

Ace MCAT

Shadow a DO and get LOR from same.


Courtesy of user3
Touro-Ca: 3.49/3.42/30.4
Touro-NY: ~3.4/30.8
CCOM: 3.59/3.53/29.5
AZCOM: 3.48/3.44/29
DMU: 3.63/3.57/28.3
RVU: 3.63/3.59/28.11
UNTHSC-TCOM: 3.60/3.49/28
NYITCOM: 3.6/28 (2013)
MSU: 3.59/28
COMP: 3.58/3.56/28
UNECOM: 3.55/28
RowanSOM: 3.54/3.48/28
LECOM-B: 3.53/3.45/28
Touro-NV: 3.5/3.4/28
NSU: 3.49/3.40/28 (2013)
KCUMB: 3.63/3.6/27.6
OU-HCOM: 3.64/3.58/27.37
MU-COM: 3.62/3.56/27.33
CUSOM: 3.6/3.5/27
KCOM: 3.59/3.51/27
PCOM: 3.5/3.5/27 (?)
LECOM-E/SH: 3.48/3.35/27 (2013)
SOMA: 3.45/3.34/27
PCOM-Ga: 3.4/3.5/27 (?)
PNWU: 3.45/3.36/26.84
COMP-NW: 3.63/3.58/26.28
OSU-COM: 3.66/26
WCU: 3.5/3.4/26 (2013)
ACOM: 3.4/26 (2013)
VCOM (all): 3.6/3.5/25.36
LMU: 3.43/3.35/25-26
WVSOM: 3.4/3.4/25 (2013)
KYCOM: 3.50/3.41/24.6
LUCOM: 3.4/24
Burrell COM: ?

Im working now to raise my GPA.
sGPA:3.00
cGPA: 3.29

I understand MD is out of the question. As far as DO schools go, should i apply to every single one? They all have different pre-reqs. my GPA had a bad downward spiral from 3.9 to pretty low, then i got it up to 3.29. I believe i can bring both up decently higher. But where should I apply. Also what else should i do to create a more competitive application. Major is Biochemistry. Volunteer? Research? Get a job in a lab? im lost