u/6utterflies

Hey everyone, looking for honest feedback on where I stand and what I should fix before applying next cycle.

Basic Info:

• Filipino, immigrant (moved to the U.S. as a child)
• New England resident
• Graduated with B.S. in Chemistry (2024)
• Graduating from ABSN program this summer
• Planning to apply next cycle after working as an RN

Stats:

• cGPA: ~3.4 (upward trend, last 60 credits stronger)
• sGPA: ~3.2 (AACOMAS, includes retakes)
• MCAT: Not taken yet (diagnostic ~500)

Academic Context:

• Failed Organic Chemistry I and II initially
• Retook both → C+ in each
• ~4 additional C’s in upper-level (400-level) chemistry courses
• Stronger performance in recent nursing coursework

Clinical Experience:

• CNA on telemetry floor at major hospital
  • ~900 hours (likely ~1000 by graduation)
  • Direct patient care, vitals, ADLs, teamwork with RNs

Healthcare Experience:

• Pharmacy Technician (retail)
  • ~2+ years (part-time + full-time combined)
  • High-volume setting (~400 prescriptions/day)
  • Insurance issues, prior auths, patient interaction

Research:

• Chemistry research for 3 semesters (~8 hrs/week)
• Worked largely independently under grad student
• Manuscript in progress (needs revision, not yet published)

Letters of Rec:

• Pharmacist (faculty at one of the med schools I’m interested in)
• Academic advisor
• Planning one more (not sure who yet)
  • Limited relationship with research PI
  • Prefer not to ask nursing manager

Shadowing:

• 8 hours of a palliative care physician (planning to get more once I am not that busy)

Goals:

• Planning to work as an RN for ~1 year before applying
• Primarily interested in DO schools, open to MD if realistic

Concerns:

• Low sGPA with multiple C’s and failed courses
• MCAT not taken yet
• Research not published
• Unsure about strength of LORs
• No shadowing yet

Questions:

1. Realistically, how competitive am I for DO schools?
2. Is MD even worth considering or should I focus DO?
3. Who should I ask for my third LOR?
4. What should I prioritize fixing before applying?

Appreciate any honest feedback!