Ok,
I'm a rising junior (class of 2010)
4.0 UW GPA, Newsweek Top 10 School (doesn't count for much but whatever)
I am VP of Model UN, Prez and founder of Spanish club, and secretary of Stu. Gov.
Also, I have 150+ volunteer hours, 100 of which are at a local nursing home, and I do Youth Symphony.
Further, I will be shadowing a DO this year for at least 24 hours, but most likely around 50.
Assuming I get great recs and do well on the SAT and ACT, what are my chances of getting in at the BS/DO program at MSU?
Next summer I will either be doing Telluride (if I get in) or I will be doing medical research. Would you recommend one over the other?
Finally, does anyone know how selective the BS/DO program is? I assume it is pretty selective, but I imagine that is less selective than the BS/MD program at MSU. If there are any admitted applicants out there, would you mind sharing your stats?

Thanks!

As is my concern with other state schools, I would be concerned that not being a Michigan resident (assumption since you're attending UW... if this is not the case, ignore the rest of this paragraph) you might have more difficulty getting in. Most state schools show significant preference for in-state students and, while they may have some slots reserved for out-of-state (OOS) students, they likely are going to show some bias against them (holding them to higher standards). In addition, IIRC, OOS students in Michigan pay some outlandish tuition at MSU.

For any combined degree program, your GPA and standardized test scores will be important. You'll want to have some strong numbers to show them.

Clinical shadowing is a key aspect when applying to these programs. You want to demonstrate that you understand the career you're committing to. 50 hours shadowing a physician would be good, if you can do some more next summer before applying, that would certainly strengthen your application.


Just out of curiosity, do you have a reason for applying specifically to the BS/DO program?

Thanks for responding!
To clarify, 4.0 UW GPA = 4.0 unweighted GPA
That being stated, I am a Michigan resident, so that both boosts my chances and decreases my tuition!

My specific reasons for a BS/DO program:
I am committed to medicine (thus the assured entrance program) and, more specifically, to osteopathic medicine. I really love the holistic component of osteopathic medicine, and from birth (I was birthed by a midwife at home, rather than at a hospital) I have grown accustom to osteopathic medicine. My primary care physician is a DO, and after being exposed to both MDs and DOs I prefer the style of care that DOs offer (and the philosophy that accompanies a DO).
This is why I want to attend a BS/DO program. Also, MSU has an amazing osteopathic medical school, and I love the DO/PhD program that they offer.

As you can see, it's not a decision I take light-heartedly. I've really done some soul-searching and I am ready for any interview questions that they throw at me :)

sorry, I have no idea what I was thinking this morning... for some reason I was in Pre-Allo mode this morning and had you pegged as currently attending University of WI (which of course makes no sense if you're applying to BS/DO programs from HS).

Anyway. I'd go ahead and get some more shadowing in under your belt and try to get a LOR from the DO you've shadowed. It sounds like you should be competitive for the program.

Thanks! The DO I want to shadow has been my primary care physician for 16 years, so I should be able to get a pretty good LOR. Also, he is a grad of MSU's College of Osteopathic Medicine, if that counts for anything :)

To start, im a rising junior at MSU and a MD med scholar. I also was accepted into the DO program. With your numbers so far, you look golden to get in if you do well on the ACT or SAT (>31 or >2000 or so). I had pretty much similar numbers. However, I was in state and had the advantage of being a rural white kid vs suburban detroit students like the other 200 applicants. You definatly have a good shot with those numbers, just nail the interviews.

However, the BS/MD program ended this year. I havent heard anything about the BS/DO program, but you may want to make sure it is still going, as most BS/med programs across the country are being phased out. Let me know if you have any questions about MSU or the programs or anything

Thanks for the reply!
I found out a little bit ago that the BS/MD was closing and was a little discouraged but since I like the osteopathic philosophy of medicine better I was pleased that I could still apply to the BS/DO (which should continue as I emailed their admissions office to verify that the program would remain open).

A few questions, if you don't mind...
First, what kind of medically related experience did other applicants have? Do you think that my nursing home volunteer experience+ DO shadowing will suffice?

Second, what was the admissions procedure like for the BS/DO program? Were there as many applicants for BS/DO as there were for BS/MD? Were the BS/DO applicants as well qualified?

Finally, what kind of questions were asked during the interview?

Thanks! I would appreciate any information as I can't seem to find anything on the BS/DO website about the admissions process and about the interview. You are actually the first person I have come into contact with that has applied to and been accepted to the BS/DO program at MSU :)

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