I was accepted to the 2014-2015 cycle after being passed up in the 2012-2013 and the 2013-2014 cycle. Here's how things went for me:
2012-2013 cycle:
27 MCAT, 3.3-ish undergrad GPA, 8 hours physician shadowing
-given a late interview, felt interview went well, but received a rejection letter without being waitlisted.
2013-2014 cycle
Did not retake MCAT
Enrolled in the graduate in biomedical sciences program at OSU-CHS
Graduate GPA 3.8
Worked as a certified nurse aid in a rural nursing home (requires 2 weeks course to get certificate)
-given a late interview, was incredibly nervous during interview and completely bombed it. I was not myself and was trying to give answers I thought they wanted to hear. I was waitlisted but not accepted. I met with the Lindsey Kirkpatrick in admissions to discuss my weakest area I needed to improve, and she told me straight up my interview was the only issue with my application.
2014-2015 cycle
Did not retake MCAT
Finished Master's degree program with 3.8 GPA
Had nurse aid experience (quit working this job in July of 2014)
My wife was accepted to OSU-COM the previous year, so OU was out of the picture for me. I still applied to OU and OU's School of Community Medicine so I could get interview practice. I also gave several oral presentations during my graduate program to make me more comfortable speaking under pressure.
As part of grad program, several students and I "invented' a class called 'Scientific Outreach'. The course goal was to teach graduate students how to develop outreach courses for underserved schools (develop program goals/projects, seek funding, working with admin, etc.). The biggest part of the course was the actual outreach project. We started an after school science club for kids at Eugene Field elementary (OSU-COM's adopted elementary school). I gave an presentation of the course and our project at OSU-CHS's Research Day and had the course director write me a supplemental letter of recommendation.
I shadowed an OSU Pediatrician for a total of 6 half-days over a 3-week period. His name is Dr. Jeremy Jones. He was an outstanding doc to shadow because he actually has 4th year medical students with him and you get to see what to expect as a student. The experience gave me great insights that helped me improve my personal statement and provided good talking points for my interview.
I was given a February interview and my interview was me just being myself and I think I was asked 2 questions by each interviewer, so 4 questions total. One was "why do you want to be an Osteopathic physician; one was "why do you want to attend OSU specifically; one was "teach me something", and one was "is there anything else you want to tell us".
I think the 2 biggest factors that got me accepted were my work with Eugene Field and submitting a strong letter of recommendation from an OSU physician.
You don't have to be a grad student developing an outreach course to work with Eugene Field. They have several programs anyone can volunteer for, Reading Partners is the first one that comes to mind. They also have a big brother/big sister mentor/mentee-like program you can volunteer for as well. Just contact the school or the Tulsa YMCA (they direct a lot of the volunteer activities). The experience is rewarding, but it will also give you volunteer time with OSU-COM's adopted school. You will also get a great letter of recommendation from the volunteer coordinator. You can also shadow any OSU physician. I would plan on trying to spend 20-30 hours spread out over a couple weeks with the same physician. Let them get to know you well enough to feel comfortable writing you a strong letter and make sure you specifically request a STRONG letter when you ask. I asked in my 'thank you note' I gave at the end of my shadowing and included a stamped envelope addressed to admissions.
This is already an epic long post, so any other questions please feel free to message me. Hopefully this advice is helpful!
