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[sobadsogood]

Any advice would be much appreciated.

GPA 3.2, MCAT 29 (taken 3 times)
Graduated 2 years ago, taken the core premed classes
Really want to apply this year, because I feel I waited long enough. While applying to DO, I realized I'm missing two things. Haven't taken any human behavior classes, which has become a requirement for many DO nowadays. Also, haven't shadowed DO (have shadowed MD).

Plan A: push through with the applying
Find a DO to shadow ASAP, send in the application, and get the needed human behavior units before matriculation date
P.S.
I'm a full time research assistant, so have to do something about that too.

Plan B: forget about this cycle
Don't rush the shadowing and the classes. Or might even do a master that has a link to DO upon completion.

It seems to me that getting a letter from DO is a must, while I might be able to get away with not taking the human behavior classes by applying to those school that don't require it. And I'm leaning towards this option, since I really want to apply this cycle and don't think waiting another year would benefit me much.

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[BestDoctorEver]

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[EgyptKing21]

I got 6+ interviews with just an MD letter (no DO letter) this 2013-2014 cycle. And you do not need any human behavior classes. Most schools just require the regular 1 year of chem, ochem, bio, physics, and english. Just go ahead and apply. Worst case scenario, you're out $400-500 in application fees. But your stats are fine to get into somewhere IMO if your science GPA is decent as well.

 

[bionerd89]

I was also accepted with just an MD letter and no DO shadowing. You will definitely get in somewhere if you are smart about where you apply

 

[sobadsogood]

Thank you so much for the advice! That really boosted my confidence tremendously. I tried so hard to find a DO who might work on weekend, none. I worry most about the lack of DO shadowing due to their strong preference that you have some before hand.

 

[gaeko25]

+1 getting accepted without a DO letter and with exactly 10 hours of DO shadowing.