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- Aug 11, 2004
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- 218
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**YOUR CHANCES RIGHT NOW**
1) The magic number for osteopathic schools is about an 8-9 on each section of the MCAT and mostly As in your science classes. A 7 or lower in any section should probably be retaken. Obviously there will be people accepted with higher and lower MCAT scores.
2) The AACOMAS calculates your GPA as a best-case-scenario by not counting grades that were later repeated. This may or may not be the same GPA your college reports. The most important part of your GPA is your science/math component. This should be mostly As.
3) Osteopathic schools generally put a little less emphasis on MCAT scores and a little more emphasis on the rest of the application. They don't care what your major was as long as you can demonstrate a strong science background.
**IMPROVING YOUR CHANCES**
1) Early application greatly improves your chances.
2) Apply to several schools. The more schools the better.
3) If you are applying osteopathic and your April MCAT is above a 24, you are generally better off to apply early with that MCAT than waiting to retake in August and apply late. Early application is key, and you have no guarantee that your score will go up.
4) Shadow a DO and try to get letters from DOs.
5) Show lots of interest. Make sure the admissions office knows who you are and get to know them. Call and email lots. They are not going to deny you admission because you were TOO interested in their school.
6) They want to make sure you actually want to be a DO and that you are not there just as allopathic back-up. This requires knowing what a DO is. Read up on it (read "The DOs" by Gevitz and talk about it in your interview).
7) Find out as much as you can about each school. Figure out why each school would or would not be a good fit. Use specifics in your interview.
Good luck!
1) The magic number for osteopathic schools is about an 8-9 on each section of the MCAT and mostly As in your science classes. A 7 or lower in any section should probably be retaken. Obviously there will be people accepted with higher and lower MCAT scores.
2) The AACOMAS calculates your GPA as a best-case-scenario by not counting grades that were later repeated. This may or may not be the same GPA your college reports. The most important part of your GPA is your science/math component. This should be mostly As.
3) Osteopathic schools generally put a little less emphasis on MCAT scores and a little more emphasis on the rest of the application. They don't care what your major was as long as you can demonstrate a strong science background.
**IMPROVING YOUR CHANCES**
1) Early application greatly improves your chances.
2) Apply to several schools. The more schools the better.
3) If you are applying osteopathic and your April MCAT is above a 24, you are generally better off to apply early with that MCAT than waiting to retake in August and apply late. Early application is key, and you have no guarantee that your score will go up.
4) Shadow a DO and try to get letters from DOs.
5) Show lots of interest. Make sure the admissions office knows who you are and get to know them. Call and email lots. They are not going to deny you admission because you were TOO interested in their school.
6) They want to make sure you actually want to be a DO and that you are not there just as allopathic back-up. This requires knowing what a DO is. Read up on it (read "The DOs" by Gevitz and talk about it in your interview).
7) Find out as much as you can about each school. Figure out why each school would or would not be a good fit. Use specifics in your interview.
Good luck!
