readytomoveon Posted February 8, 2012 Report Share Posted February 8, 2012 Hi everyone. I’ve been doing a lot of research on these forums and the information on this board as well as the international school board have helped me out tremendously for determining viable steps moving forward. My background is as follows: 3.56 AMCAS GPA (3.8 GPA in 3rd and 4th yr), 1st MCAT: 28 (B 10/P 9/ V 9) 2nd MCAT: 30 ( B 13/ P 10/ V 7). I consider my EC’s quite strong (lots of volunteering, lots of intramurals, some research and employed with a biomedical communications company). I plan on working in Canada in the future, however, I’m willing to go to school abroad as well as undergo my residency in the US (however I would prefer Canada). Based on what I’ve read, I’ve determined that applying to a DO school is a viable option for me. However, I’ve seen people mention that there are ‘lower-tier’ allopathic US schools that are about as competitive as USDO schools. Just wondering if anybody knows which schools they are or if there is a list such as this one for DO schools: http://www.doapplicants.com/Pages/Schools/Schools.aspx?mode=2 which provides a breakdown for the avg GPA/MCAT scores required to get into all US allopathic schools. Also, if I do eventually earn a spot at one these ‘lower tier’ schools, will I be at a significant disadvantage when it comes to residency appointment? Are there any other downsides I should worry about with respect to these ‘lower tier’ schools in the states? Does anyone have any alternative recommendations for me based on the info I've given you? I'm open to new suggestions. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deathvvv Posted February 8, 2012 Report Share Posted February 8, 2012 That 7 is going to kill you for Canadian and US allopathic schools. For US allopathic schools, you most likely need a balanced 30 (nothing below a 9, still an uphill battle given your GPA and Canadians status) or high unbalanced 30 (35+ then ur 7 is ok). My advice, go DO or rewrite the MCAT and apply for western/queens Hi everyone. I’ve been doing a lot of research on these forums and the information on this board as well as the international school board have helped me out tremendously for determining viable steps moving forward. My background is as follows: 3.56 AMCAS GPA (3.8 GPA in 3rd and 4th yr), 1st MCAT: 28 (B 10/P 9/ V 9) 2nd MCAT: 30 ( B 13/ P 10/ V 7). I consider my EC’s quite strong (lots of volunteering, lots of intramurals, some research and employed with a biomedical communications company). I plan on working in Canada in the future, however, I’m willing to go to school abroad as well as undergo my residency in the US (however I would prefer Canada). Based on what I’ve read, I’ve determined that applying to a DO school is a viable option for me. However, I’ve seen people mention that there are ‘lower-tier’ allopathic US schools that are about as competitive as USDO schools. Just wondering if anybody knows which schools they are or if there is a list such as this one for DO schools: http://www.doapplicants.com/Pages/Schools/Schools.aspx?mode=2 which provides a breakdown for the avg GPA/MCAT scores required to get into all US allopathic schools. Also, if I do eventually earn a spot at one these ‘lower tier’ schools, will I be at a significant disadvantage when it comes to residency appointment? Are there any other downsides I should worry about with respect to these ‘lower tier’ schools in the states? Does anyone have any alternative recommendations for me based on the info I've given you? I'm open to new suggestions. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mashmetoo Posted February 8, 2012 Report Share Posted February 8, 2012 With a 7 in VR, your chances at allopathic schools are pretty shot. Period. Same thing happened to me, and my cGPA was 3.87 on the AMCAS scale. Now, with your current stats and no rewrite, and assuming you get a DO letter of reference, your chances at USDO schools are very good. I'd say "essentially" guaranteed assuming you submit the application early on (like within the week of its June opening). As for Queen's or Western Ontario, did you hear the one where the guy with the 3.9+ cGPA, 39 MCAT got no interview? Happens all the time - business as usual for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slashsev Posted February 9, 2012 Report Share Posted February 9, 2012 No chance for DO...as an early applicant they all said re-write...(i also had a 7) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slashsev Posted February 9, 2012 Report Share Posted February 9, 2012 I had a 7R...then a 8S (11, 9, 8S) maybe the 30 might help.. but i think they screen out... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slashsev Posted February 9, 2012 Report Share Posted February 9, 2012 id re do the mcat...the best 2 years might land canada and for sure a DO (and even get MDs in the US) your other option is going IMG..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slashsev Posted February 9, 2012 Report Share Posted February 9, 2012 i also had a similar gpa..3.4 (last 2 years being good) but i also had like 5-7 papers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
readytomoveon Posted February 10, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 10, 2012 Thanks for the replies you guys. In particular, Mashmetoo, your previous threads about DO schools have been extremely insightful. Slashsev, why would you say that I have no chance at DO? My GPA and MCAT were both higher. Did they pinpoint your 7V as a problem?. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slashsev01 Posted February 11, 2012 Report Share Posted February 11, 2012 Yes when i applied and called admissions They all said my low verbal would be a problem Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slashsev01 Posted February 11, 2012 Report Share Posted February 11, 2012 Yes when i applied and called admissions They all said my low verbal would be a problem Of my like 10 applications i got interviews from 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slashsev01 Posted February 11, 2012 Report Share Posted February 11, 2012 Yes when i applied and called admissions They all said my low verbal would be a problem Of my like 10 applications i got interviews from 3 In particular Unecom and kcumb Who seemed to say to low Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lazyboy Posted February 11, 2012 Report Share Posted February 11, 2012 What medical schools these days are looking for is a balanced MCAT with most of the weight on VR. This is from Calgary, you can skip over to why they only look for VR http://podcast.med.ucalgary.ca/groups/facultyofmedicine/weblog/41682/Admissions_for_Applicants.html However, the good thing about MCAT is you can rewrite it. If I were you, I would get more practise on VR, and find out how you can bring it higher. Just my 2 cents. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
readytomoveon Posted February 18, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2012 Thanks Slashsev1. At least you managed to get a few interviews. Did the schools that granted you interviews also indicate that your low verbal score was why you weren't accepted when all was said and done? Also, Did you manage to get a letter of recommendation from a DO? Another Q: Are DO schools only looking at the most recent MCAT or do they take all MCATs into consideration (bc I did get a 9 in VR on my first attempt)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mashmetoo Posted February 18, 2012 Report Share Posted February 18, 2012 bargh, 7 in VR is fine, those schools probably gave some BS excuse as to not accept internationals (costs money to monitor as internationals from 3rd word countries have been known to make a run for it, and become illegals in the US). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
readytomoveon Posted February 18, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2012 lazyboy: I've put a tremendous amount of time & effort into VR and unfortunately, it's been extremely difficult to develop consistent, improved results. I was extremely fortunate to get a 9 the first time I wrote the test and knew I was taking a gamble writing a 2nd MCAT in order to improve my overall score. I absolutely hate studying for the MCAT and I feel like I'll be making no forward progress with my career if I choose to write again. At this point, I'm ready to move on (hence the name) and start my medical education. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slashsev01 Posted February 20, 2012 Report Share Posted February 20, 2012 Some of the DO schools actually look neg on the verbal scores...as the verbal takes away at the cum mcat score Ie 10 10 10= 30 versus 12 10 8= 30 Some focus on the bio more!! For interview no..i felt like once u got the interviews 100% u got in Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slashsev01 Posted February 20, 2012 Report Share Posted February 20, 2012 Maybe they dont like me Peps with lower scores got in than me for msu I was kinda dissapointed Even though i dont want msu.still Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lazyboy Posted February 24, 2012 Report Share Posted February 24, 2012 readytomoveon: There are quite a few help related to VR, you may want to check it out before you "ready to move on". hint: http://www.premed101.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59736 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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