u/SizzBass

Hello, I’ve submitted my DO applications to a bunch of schools and was debating on whether or not to apply to LECOM Bradenton. I’ve heard a lot of bad press about the school, so I wanted to learn more about it from students that go there or have graduated. I’m a Florida resident, so staying in Florida would be ideal. Is the school really as miserable as people make it seem out to be? The tuition is really cheap and the board pass rates and match rates are good which make me want to apply.

Hello! Wanted some help on what DO schools I should apply to or avoid!

Current Schools Applied to: OrlandoCOM, NovaCOM (Bradenton), BurrellCOM (Melbourne, FL), Touro (California), NYITCOM, VCOM, DUQ-NCOM, Campbell, AlabamaCOM, A.T Kirksvile, A.T Arizona, OSUCOM, MSUCOM, RowanCOM, and PCOM (Georgia)

Guaranteed Interviews through my masters w/ ACOM, VCOM, and WVCOM

Stats:

ORM

State: Florida

uGPA: 3.48

sGPA: 3.1

SMP GPA: 3.96

MCAT: 501 (125/123/127/126)

Volunteering hours: 100+ non-clinical (attend weekly) and 300+ clinical

Clinical work (Scribe): 700+ hours

Shadowing: 100+ hours (MDs only) accross many specialties

Research: Just started, but cancer research with Tier 1 Research Medical School

LORs: 1 MD, 3 Science from SMP professors, and Dual non-science from SMP advisors

For context, I graduate undergrad with a 3.48 cGPA and a 3.1 sGPA which led me to start an SMP program where I have a 3.96 gpa. I recently got my MCAT score back which was a 501 (125/123/127/126) and really am in a in between area right now. I do have great extracurriculars (700+ clinical, 400+ volunteering, started research, and LORs from teachers and a physician I have amazing relationships with).

The question I’m battling with right now is should I delay applying for a year to retake the MCAT to make myself competitive for MD? Or just apply now to DO schools. I personally don’t have any issues with DO, but it is going to be more of an uphill battle due to the stigmas. I honestly didn’t put all my effort into MCAT studying as I was also studying for my SMP classes and really only had ~3 weeks of completely dedicated MCAT studying, so I know I can do better. I have also just really been burnt out/stressed due to the pressures of the SMP program, MCAT, and application process. The idea of taking another year off also just sounds very daunting to me as I’ll already be starting med school at 25 if I got in this cycle. Just looking for some advice and really no roast session 😭

I submitted my app without MCAT a couple weeks ago to get verified and recently just got my MCAT score back. Score was lower than expected, but what ya gonna do? I'm going to be applying DO only and have put my stats and current school list below. What're some other good schools to apply to?

Current Schools Applied to: OrlandoCOM, NSUCOM, BurrellCOM (Melbourne, FL), Touro (California), NYITCOM, VCOM, DUQ-NCOM, Campbell, AlabamaCOM, A.T Kirksvile, and A.T Arizona

Stats:

State: Florida

ORM

uGPA: 3.48

SMP GPA: 3.96

MCAT: 501 (125/123/127/126) aka I can't read and should stay away from Freud

Clinical Volunteering: 300 hours

Non-Clinical Volunteering: 100

Research: Just started so ~10 hours

Shadowing: 100+ hours

Clinical Work (Scribe): 700+ hours

LORs: 3 science, 1 MD, and Dual non-science (2 advisors of my SMP program co-wrote one)

Genuinely when will I/P just leave the conversation? I’m watching the Michigan senate debate right now and two of the questions asked were about I/P and AIPAC. Like what are we doing??? I hate how much this issue has hijacked our everyday lives to the point where we can’t talk about important problems. I can genuinely feel my brain being rotted out by having to hear about this every day 😭

Maybe med school isn’t for me 😭

https://preview.redd.it/p6j3eijmv42h1.png?width=857&format=png&auto=webp&s=a6d11efa146aa8a61f7f99c1d4d5a3c1931b9af5

https://preview.redd.it/bfhe7atrw42h1.png?width=1098&format=png&auto=webp&s=1f88b522aba47bc1bbda79e736a435c41b8a92f4

I was a little bit confused on how the answer is D, even with the explanation. I put learned behaviors mainly because the text cites better health outcomes in religous people due to promoting marriage, limiting negative behavior, etc. I don't really see where they got stress response from. Is this just you need to know the definition and the context in the passage doesn't really matter? I just didn't see anything in the passage that made me think about stress.

My exam is set for May 22nd, what are some things I should have 100% locked in?

I graduated college with a 3.48 cGPA and a 3.1 sGPA (strong upward trend last 2 years). I decided to do an SMP where I currently have a 3.95 GPA (still have summer semester left). I plan on applying mostly DO this cycle with a few MD’s and I was curious how much MD schools really look at SMP grades? Does my high SMP gpa make up for my low undergrad stats enough? I’m taking the mcat this month and I know that plays a large role in it as well.

Chem/Phys (below 125) is my lowest section by far (128+ on other 3 sections). What’re some good strats? And does anyone have a good condensed formula sheet?