~2008-2009~"What Are My Chances/Where Should I Apply/What Should I Do" Thread

[futuredrandwife]

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Here's an off-topic question. I've scheduled 5 interviews. I already went to LECOM-B and was waitlisted. I went to NYCOM a few weeks ago and should be hearing from them soon. I have yet to go to TOUROCOM-NY, NSU-COM and LECOM-E. I am very interested in NSU-COM and LECOM-E but I do not have much of a desire to attend TOUROCOM-NY. Do you think I should cancel that interview and hope I get into one of the other 4 chances? Are my chances of getting in somewhere pretty good?? Thanks in advance.

 

[Chocolate Bear]

Here's an off-topic question. I've scheduled 5 interviews. I already went to LECOM-B and was waitlisted. I went to NYCOM a few weeks ago and should be hearing from them soon. I have yet to go to TOUROCOM-NY, NSU-COM and LECOM-E. I am very interested in NSU-COM and LECOM-E but I do not have much of a desire to attend TOUROCOM-NY. Do you think I should cancel that interview and hope I get into one of the other 4 chances? Are my chances of getting in somewhere pretty good?? Thanks in advance.

The most important thing to keep in mind is to never count your chickens before they hatch--especially if you are essentially saving a mere few hundred dollars and possibly risking having to apply again next year. The only exception is if you wouldn't attend Touro-NY if it was the only acceptance you got. Though this wouldn't usually be the case, since you did apply there.

Other than that, if you give some more info, like your interview dates and expected time to hear back from each, we may be able to lend a little more insight.

 

[Alli15]

Hey i've been reading this forum for quite sometime and now that i'm close to applying i thought i'd joined, so here are my stats ( still waiting to take the MCAT though)
Overall: 3.4
Sci: 3.39
Work as an Xray tech at a level 5 trauma center (UMC in Az) for 5+ years. I don't really have any extra things, I've just been doing that and teaching students at the hospital.
Schools i'm interested in are A.T. still, Azcom, New england, Pikeville, Ohio, and Lake erie. can anyone tell me what my chances are, and if i need any other activites under my belt. I'll be shadowing 2 DOs this summer so i'll have great LORs. Also what MCAT score do you think i'll have to get, Thx alot this forum is very helpful!
Alli....

 

[chudat]

Hey Alli, are you a junior in college?

Great Chances at those schools if mcat >27

Dan

 

[futuredrandwife]

The most important thing to keep in mind is to never count your chickens before they hatch--especially if you are essentially saving a mere few hundred dollars and possibly risking having to apply again next year. The only exception is if you wouldn't attend Touro-NY if it was the only acceptance you got. Though this wouldn't usually be the case, since you did apply there.

Other than that, if you give some more info, like your interview dates and expected time to hear back from each, we may be able to lend a little more insight.

Thanks for your input. My LECOM-B interview was 11/05 and I was waitlisted. My NYCOM interview was 11/12 and I should be hearing any day now. My interview went very well and my group was only the second group of interviewees so I think our chances were already fairly good. The interview at NSU-COM is 12/09 and LECOM-E is 12/11. I've heard that the acceptance rate for OOS interviewees at NSUCOM is about 80%. My TOURO-NY interview is scheduled for this Tuesday, 12/02. Honestly, I knew it was a new school but I hadn't known that it is less than two years old. After reading more about the school and reading several interview feedback posts, I learned that rotation sites are even still up in the air, and a lot of interviewees were "impressed negatively" with the school. It also makes me nervous that I have no idea how their students will perform on the boards, as no one has taken them yet there. I'm not sure if I'd attend TOURO-NY even if it were my only acceptance. It's about 50/50 right now and I'm not sure what to do. I don't want to count my chickens but I also don't want to waste their time.

 

[Chocolate Bear]

Thanks for your input. My LECOM-B interview was 11/05 and I was waitlisted. My NYCOM interview was 11/12 and I should be hearing any day now. My interview went very well and my group was only the second group of interviewees so I think our chances were already fairly good. The interview at NSU-COM is 12/09 and LECOM-E is 12/11. I've heard that the acceptance rate for OOS interviewees at NSUCOM is about 80%. My TOURO-NY interview is scheduled for this Tuesday, 12/02. Honestly, I knew it was a new school but I hadn't known that it is less than two years old. After reading more about the school and reading several interview feedback posts, I learned that rotation sites are even still up in the air, and a lot of interviewees were "impressed negatively" with the school. It also makes me nervous that I have no idea how their students will perform on the boards, as no one has taken them yet there. I'm not sure if I'd attend TOURO-NY even if it were my only acceptance. It's about 50/50 right now and I'm not sure what to do. I don't want to count my chickens but I also don't want to waste their time.

I feel your pain. I'm guessing you've already made plans to attend the interview on Tuesday. Perhaps it's not costing you too much to go to it, and if it is, then you probably can't cancel your trip anyway. Based on this, I'd probably just go to the interview, since you said there's at least a 50% chance you'd attend if it was your only shot.

You probably have a good chance of at least one other acceptance. But it just wouldn't be worth the risk of not going, for me, personally. Don't worry about wasting their time. If there's any chance in the world that you'd accept their acceptance, you deserve that interview spot--you earned the right to go and check the school out for yourself.

 

[futuredrandwife]

I feel your pain. I'm guessing you've already made plans to attend the interview on Tuesday. Perhaps it's not costing you too much to go to it, and if it is, then you probably can't cancel your trip anyway. Based on this, I'd probably just go to the interview, since you said there's at least a 50% chance you'd attend if it was your only shot.

You probably have a good chance of at least one other acceptance. But it just wouldn't be worth the risk of not going, for me, personally. Don't worry about wasting their time. If there's any chance in the world that you'd accept their acceptance, you deserve that interview spot--you earned the right to go and check the school out for yourself.

Well honestly, I live on Long Island so I was just planning on taking the train in, so that's why it is tempting to cancel. But you're right, it may just make more sense to go and check it out. Grrrr decisions, decisions!! Thanks for your help though.

 

[futuredrandwife]

Okay so I just solved all problems... I postponed it for Jan. 13th!!! Not sure of why I hadn't thought of that already!!!! lol

 

[cliffhuxtableDO]

My sophomore year I transferred schools, and pretty much lacked motivation because I was in a new setting, unsure of my career choice, and put too much on my plate for a first semester at a new school. Orgo I, Calc II, Bio II, and a humanities course. The school is one of the most technical in the south, and for some reason I didn't find it necessary to either A) go to orgo or B) drop the class, so I got an F. I'm taking both orgos this summer at the school I originated at and that I will be graduating from next fall. I'm just curious so I know if I should go ahead and get any ideas of MD out of my head, because I'm MORE than okay with the DO route. Thanks.

 

[Chocolate Bear]

My sophomore year I transferred schools, and pretty much lacked motivation because I was in a new setting, unsure of my career choice, and put too much on my plate for a first semester at a new school. Orgo I, Calc II, Bio II, and a humanities course. The school is one of the most technical in the south, and for some reason I didn't find it necessary to either A) go to orgo or B) drop the class, so I got an F. I'm taking both orgos this summer at the school I originated at and that I will be graduating from next fall. I'm just curious so I know if I should go ahead and get any ideas of MD out of my head, because I'm MORE than okay with the DO route. Thanks.

You'll obviously need to retake the course. Your DO GPA won't include the F, just the retake. Your MD GPA will be an average of both grades, but it certainly won't kill your chances at MD schools. Good luck!

Moving to What Are My Chances. No worries. 🙂

 

[sobe15]

I think it depends on the rest of your application (i.e. other grades, clinical experience, extracurriculars, and MCAT). If the rest of your application is solid you could explain the F away if you address it in your personal statement.

 

[Chocolate Bear]

I think it depends on the rest of your application (i.e. other grades, clinical experience, extracurriculars, and MCAT). If the rest of your application is solid you could explain the F away if you address it in your personal statement.

If one F is all you have wrong with your app, you shouldn't mention it in your PS. You'll break your story for no reason and draw attention to a negative. If you have an all-F semester or a pattern of poor performance, that you later turned around, then use a paragraph to explain what happened. The two scenarios are VERY different, though.

 

[g5chand]

3.71 overall GPA, 3.61 science, lots of volunteering, part-time jobs, honors college at Western Michigan University, great LORs, second year on AMSA executive board... BUT a 24O on my MCAT (7PS, 7VR, 10BS).

I just got denied from CCOM... What are my chances at MSU-COM and NSU? Any advice on what to do for my year off if I don't get in any where?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[Dissected]

3.71 overall GPA, 3.61 science, lots of volunteering, part-time jobs, honors college at Western Michigan University, great LORs, second year on AMSA executive board... BUT a 24O on my MCAT (7PS, 7VR, 10BS).

I just got denied from CCOM... What are my chances at MSU-COM and NSU? Any advice on what to do for my year off if I don't get in any where?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

You look pretty competitive to me and you'll eventually end up somewhere, the gpa is strong! Im not sure about those schools specifically because I didn't apply there but Im sure you are in the running. If you dont get in this year retake the MCAT for sure, try and bump up those 7's and even the scores out. Shadowing is always good too!

 

[Brodiewankenobi]

3.71 overall GPA, 3.61 science, lots of volunteering, part-time jobs, honors college at Western Michigan University, great LORs, second year on AMSA executive board... BUT a 24O on my MCAT (7PS, 7VR, 10BS).

I just got denied from CCOM... What are my chances at MSU-COM and NSU? Any advice on what to do for my year off if I don't get in any where?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Your stats seem avg to a little above avg. My advice, try and stand out in the secondaries and interviews. There are literally hundreds of ppl applying with similar stats, emphasize what makes you different! And if you have to take a year (or three in my case!) do something that will make you stand out to an adcom. gl

 

[aaronwillen]

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[aaronwillen]

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[r1c]

Is anyone applying DO/Phd and/or know what is considered competitive?

3.74s
3.69o
31M

reseach in microbiology lab involving alanine synthesis

What are my chances, and what are considered the top DO schools people apply to?

Thanks

 

[PunkmedGirl]

I havent been on this forum since I graduated undergrad in 06 and was freaking out about my low GPA. A lot of posts on here helped me through those dark times. I will give a brief synopsis of my "journey." I graduated in 06 BS biology from a SUNY school in NY. I had a 2.46 UGPA. Its not that I didnt get the material...I just had no plans to really attend medical school. My mom also had breast cancer for ALL of college so that was an emotional roller coaster as well. I basically had no hope. As an undergrad I did phlebotomy for 3 years, and upon graduation I started working in a heme/onco office training as a lab technologist. Got trained and moved across the state and worked for a year in a GPs office doing all the testing. This really lit my fire and I knew I needed to pursue medical school. Started taking ala carte classes at Syracuse University and did really well. Next up I took the MCAT and got a 29M. I was pretty thrilled that I was at least on the line competitive for MD and very competitive for DO. Anyhow...applied for like 10 post baccs...got rejected everywhere....and then Drexel...my top choice for post baccs accepted me into the MS-Forensic Science program. Learned a whole lot...3.75 GPA while continuing to work as a MT part time. Got my AACOMAS in in July and got a few rejections right off the bat due to low GPA....guess they had to overlook the 50 and change credits of As in hard grad level sciences My application GPA between both schools ended up being a 2.83. Anyhow...a month ago I got 2 interview invites in a week. One at NSU, and one at LMU DCOM. Went to both. Loved NSU but in the weeks after their admissions office really killed it for me with their not returning calls etc. I ended up getting rejected post int. from there. However I got accepted to LMU-DCOM! I still have both PCOMs, UNE, and an interview at Touro-NY to go to. PCOM is my top choice being a philly resident so I am keeping my fingers crossed. Anyhow, hope this puts some things into perspective for some people coming from lower GPA ranges like myself!

👍👍 Thank you for sharing your story.😀

 

[bleeker10]

So I just found $80 in my nightstand last night and I want to send in another secondary, as long as I still have a realistic shot. I have secondaries from PCOM, PCOM-GA, LMU-DCOM, OSUCOM, AZCOM, KCOM, and MSUCOM. If I send in a secondary, which schools would I have an ACTUAL chance at getting an interview this late in the game? My stats are 27Q, 3.49 SGPA 3.30 CGPA. I have a DO letter also. Check out my mdapps for more info about me. I live in Northwest Arkansas, so OSUCOM is very close to me (within 90 miles) but location isn't a big deal for me. I'd like to send out this secondary in the next day or so. I've have one interview at LECOM-E and hopefully will find out something from there in the next two weeks, but I'm not 100% certain of my chances of getting in there. I'm on a pre-interview hold at DMU and KCUMB and am waiting to hear back from CCOM. Sorry if this was supposed to be in the "What are my chances" thread. Thanks I really appreciate it.

 

[PunkmedGirl]

So I just found $80 in my nightstand last night and I want to send in another secondary, as long as I still have a realistic shot. I have secondaries from PCOM, PCOM-GA, LMU-DCOM, OSUCOM, AZCOM, KCOM, and MSUCOM. If I send in a secondary, which schools would I have an ACTUAL chance at getting an interview this late in the game? My stats are 27Q, 3.49 SGPA 3.30 CGPA. I have a DO letter also. Check out my mdapps for more info about me. I live in Northwest Arkansas, so OSUCOM is very close to me (within 90 miles) but location isn't a big deal for me. I'd like to send out this secondary in the next day or so. I've have one interview at LECOM-E and hopefully will find out something from there in the next two weeks, but I'm not 100% certain of my chances of getting in there. I'm on a pre-interview hold at DMU and KCUMB and am waiting to hear back from CCOM. Sorry if this was supposed to be in the "What are my chances" thread. Thanks I really appreciate it.

My personal guess would be DCOM, but I'm not sure. Keep in mind that Dec. 14-15 is the deadline for most schools in terms of when deposits are due, which could possibly open up some seats. Good Luck.

 

[aaronwillen]

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[aaronwillen]

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[DrDre2001]

Hi guys, any help and thoughts are appreciated.

My stats:

GPA: 2.8 (at a descent state university)
MCAT: 32 (9p/11v/12b)

I am a senior currently.


I could stay at my state university next year for a 5th year and raise my GPA. I am wondering what my GPA should be for me to be a competitive DO applicant.

 

[SB25]

Congrats on the MCAT! That's a great score! I'd suggest working on raising your GPA to a 3.0, science and cumulative. Some schools have automatic screening and won't even look at you if you're below a 3.0. I think you have a good chance if you reach that mark. Your MCAT shows you're academically capable. Now you just need to make sure you don't get bypassed by the computer! Do you have good LORs, ECs, schadowing experiences?

 

[ILikeFood]

Congrats on the MCAT! That's a great score! I'd suggest working on raising your GPA to a 3.0, science and cumulative. Some schools have automatic screening and won't even look at you if you're below a 3.0. I think you have a good chance if you reach that mark. Your MCAT shows you're academically capable. Now you just need to make sure you don't get bypassed by the computer! Do you have good LORs, ECs, schadowing experiences?

What she said.

 

[EpsonMonkey]

Hi everyboooody,

I just found this forum and this is my 2nd post. This is a great place, btw. Anyhow, I'd like to know if you think my grades are decent enough for a spot at PCOM, NYCOM, LECOM-Erie (I like cold places 👍).

Here's my story http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=7449223#post7449223

After retaking 6 classes
My cum GPA is 3.00
My sci GPA is 3.70
My MCAT is a 38M.

I'm afraid my app might not be good enough due to the HUGE difference in cgpa and sci gpa.

Thank you

 

[ILikeFood]

Hi everyboooody,

I just found this forum and this is my 2nd post. This is a great place, btw. Anyhow, I'd like to know if you think my grades are decent enough for a spot at PCOM, NYCOM, LECOM-Erie (I like cold places 👍).

Here's my story http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=7449223#post7449223

After retaking 6 classes
My cum GPA is 3.00
My sci GPA is 3.70
My MCAT is a 38M.

I'm afraid my app might not be good enough due to the HUGE difference in cgpa and sci gpa.

Thank you

One of them will pay notice

 

[Saga1]

Hi all,

I am a Canadian student considering applying to DO schools in the US, I was hoping someone could give me an idea of my chances. My undergrad GPA was in psych and around a 2.2, MCAT is a 28R (10B, 8 P, 10V). I retook some sciences (3 biochems, immunology, histology, anatomy, neuroanatomy and genetics) 28 credits worth and pulled off a 3.5 GPA. I have gotten into a good school in the carib and was pretty dead set on that but the DO option seems better, if possible. Any input would be appreciated regarding my chances of getting into a DO school. Thanks 🙂

 

[Dissected]

Hi all,

I am a Canadian student considering applying to DO schools in the US, I was hoping someone could give me an idea of my chances. My undergrad GPA was in psych and around a 2.2, MCAT is a 28R (10B, 8 P, 10V). I retook some sciences (3 biochems, immunology, histology, anatomy, neuroanatomy and genetics) 28 credits worth and pulled off a 3.5 GPA. I have gotten into a good school in the carib and was pretty dead set on that but the DO option seems better, if possible. Any input would be appreciated regarding my chances of getting into a DO school. Thanks 🙂

what is your overall gpa including your undergrad and retaken courses? overall science gpa? if you fill out the aacomas application it should show your overall gpa once everything is entered in (I think?). 2.2 is pretty darn low..that is kind of hard to get past, but if its significantly higher when you include the newer credits you might have a better shot. the 28R is good, especially with at least 10's in Bio and Verbal. DO would be a great path, investigate more to see how your application would look!!

 

[Saga1]

My overall is a 2.4 with the credits, science is 2.5, not much of a difference I know...what should I do, retake the MCAT? Take more courses? Should I email the schools individually and ask them for advice? Thanks for your advice Doktor, I also have a lot of research experience and extracurriculars and I'm planning on applying for 2010, if I do apply.

 

[SB25]

My overall is a 2.4 with the credits, science is 2.5, not much of a difference I know...what should I do, retake the MCAT? Take more courses? Should I email the schools individually and ask them for advice? Thanks for your advice Doktor, I also have a lot of research experience and extracurriculars and I'm planning on applying for 2010, if I do apply.

Retake the classes you did poorly in to raise your cummulative and science GPAs to at least a 3.0. AACOMAS will take your best score, not an average of the two scores, so you could potentially raise your GPA enough in a year of coursework. You really need to hit that 3.0 mark because a lot of schools screen. If your below a 3.0, they won't even consider you, no matter what extra stuff you have going for you. The MCAT is fine and it sounds like you have good extras. Make sure you have shadowing experiences, preferably with a DO if you can, but it's not a necessity. Shadowing an MD will get you in, too. The GPA is your weak spot that needs to be remedied. Good luck!

 

[Saga1]

Thank you SB25 and everyone else for the advice 🙂

 

[Alli15]

yes i'm a junior. I'm very excited that finaly i'm ready to start applying, after the mcat of course. Any ideas about how to study, im thinking about kaplan, or P.R. Do you think i need any more E.Cs then the ones that i've already posted?
Alli..

 

[LaCasta]

I haven't posted much in this forum, but I have become interested in osteopathic schools, 2 in particular. I am very interested in trying to attend Touro in San Francisco or Western University in Pomona (I want to study in Cali since my wife is from there and my family is moving there).

Stats:

My AACOMAS science GPA should be 3.55+ hopefully when I graduate in the summer with a similar cumulative GPA.

My Practice MCAT scores are at a 27 right now with 6 weeks to go.

I will have had 1 and 1/2 years of biochem research studying protein aggregation with posters presented at my university ugrad. research symposium and the american chemical society ugrad. research symposium.

1 year of Emergency Department volounteering

Shadowing 4 doctors (I can get a DO letter as well)

I should have decent LORs with a strong one from my PI.


If anyone could let me know what my chances at these two schools in particular are and at other schools in general, I would really appreciate it.

Thanks

 

[Semicolon]

I haven't posted much in this forum, but I have become interested in osteopathic schools, 2 in particular. I am very interested in trying to attend Touro in San Francisco or Western University in Pomona (I want to study in Cali since my wife is from there and my family is moving there).

Stats:

My AACOMAS science GPA should be 3.55+ hopefully when I graduate in the summer with a similar cumulative GPA.

My Practice MCAT scores are at a 27 right now with 6 weeks to go.

I will have had 1 and 1/2 years of biochem research studying protein aggregation with posters presented at my university ugrad. research symposium and the american chemical society ugrad. research symposium.

1 year of Emergency Department volounteering

Shadowing 4 doctors (I can get a DO letter as well)

I should have decent LORs with a strong one from my PI.


If anyone could let me know what my chances at these two schools in particular are and at other schools in general, I would really appreciate it.

Thanks

I would say you have a pretty great shot. Just remember that you want your practice MCAT score to be a few points higher than your target.

Other than that, looks good to me. 👍

 

[DarthBroosevelt]

First of all, let me say that I'm so glad that I found this forum. It looks as though it'll be a lot of help in the future. Great idea!

Now to the nitty-gritty. I'm a prospective med-student with some questions. I would like some advice as to how I can round my application to school. Here's what I've got so far.

-In my Junior Year of College at Sonoma State University, studying BioChem
-Have a cGPA of around 3.1, taking MCAT in January
-Visiting Mayo Clinic in Arizona to shadow a vascular surgeon in January
-Shadowing a General Practitioner in England over Spring Break 09'
-Starting a Motor Club at school 😀
-Worked at a Medical Device company called Tenaxis Medical the past two summers and winter break.
-Part of Pre-Health club at my school
-2 years (and counting!) of Undergrad Research w/my professor.

Also, I'm hoping to become a Naval Officer and practice General Surgery for the Navy. Any insight on the HPSP or life as a Naval Surgeon would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance! 👍

-Ben

 

[Dissected]

First of all, let me say that I'm so glad that I found this forum. It looks as though it'll be a lot of help in the future. Great idea!

Now to the nitty-gritty. I'm a prospective med-student with some questions. I would like some advice as to how I can round my application to school. Here's what I've got so far.

-In my Junior Year of College at Sonoma State University, studying BioChem
-Have a cGPA of around 3.1, taking MCAT in January
-Visiting Mayo Clinic in Arizona to shadow a vascular surgeon in January
-Shadowing a General Practitioner in England over Spring Break 09'
-Starting a Motor Club at school 😀
-Worked at a Medical Device company called Tenaxis Medical the past two summers and winter break.
-Part of Pre-Health club at my school
-2 years (and counting!) of Undergrad Research w/my professor.

Also, I'm hoping to become a Naval Officer and practice General Surgery for the Navy. Any insight on the HPSP or life as a Naval Surgeon would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance! 👍

-Ben

looking good to me! great EC's, I would make sure you can show that you have at least some exposure/knowledge of osteopathic medicine. Your letter can be from MD or DO though, that is not a huge deal at most schools. just NAIL your classes and get all A's, or at least try. That is the only potential weak point I see. Oh and study your keister off for the MCAT (duh). good luck!

 

[213965]

Is anyone applying DO/Phd and/or know what is considered competitive?

3.74s
3.69o
31M

reseach in microbiology lab involving alanine synthesis

What are my chances, and what are considered the top DO schools people apply to?

Thanks

I also wanted to apply DO/PhD but realized my MCAT was too low. I think their min is 29 with avg being around a 31, and I think your GPAs are also at or above the accepted averages.

Definitely go for it, good luck!!!

The "top" DO/PhD programs I considered were at MSU and TCOM. I think there are a few others, but definitely less than 10 total.

 

[shamber]

First, I have to say that reading SDN as all but calmed my nerves, but there is also a lot of great feedback. I will take any advice 😳. This is my situation:

Applied (relatively late- Oct) to a handful of DO schools. Have interview invites for most, so far. At first, was planning on MD, then decided to give DO a shot because of my disappointing MCAT. I'm not applying to DO as a last resort, but torn whether or not I should withdraw my apps to give MD a try next year, as well. Here are my stats:
Chemistry degree from Ivy league school, 3.3 cumulative GPA, 3.2 science GPA, with only A and A- my junior and senior year. Needless to say, freshman year was NOT ideal. Receiving my M.S. in biomedical sciences with 3.8 GPA. Have tons of research experience (5+ years), volunteer experience (6+ years) and MD shadowing experience (40+ hrs), plus great ECs and LOR. I thought I could handle MCAT with minimal prep ( I was taking 4 grad level classes, plus working 45+ hours/week) and came away with only a 27 P, which is much lower than my practice scores of 31+. Bad excuses.

I'd like to have my choice of DO/MD schools (wouldn't everybody?), depending where I would interview... is it worth waiting/withdrawing and applying next round? Or sit tight and interview just DO? Help!! 😕

 

[cliquesh]

If you want an MD bad, you should take a year off. I'd think you would need around a 33+ to offput your GPA, but I could be wrong. Being a DO will close some doors, especially if you wanted to do academic medicine or a very competitive residency, but its more than a viable option, at least in my opinion.

 

[PunkmedGirl]

If you want an MD bad, you should take a year off. I'd think you would need around a 33+ to offput your GPA, but I could be wrong. Being a DO will close some doors, especially if you wanted to do academic medicine or a very competitive residency, but its more than a viable option, at least in my opinion.

That is totally not true. There are plenty of DO's that are in academic medicine that work at some big name MD schools like John Hopkins. Becoming a DO doesn't limit what you can do, only you can limit what you can do as a physician. And that definitely doesn't hold true for competitive residencies.

 

[cliquesh]

Sure, as a DO you can do pretty much anything. But is that stuff probably? No, not really. If you think DOs and MDs are completely equal in the real world, then you are naive.

 

[Chocolate Bear]

This really isn't the best place to debate any potential/real/imagined DO biases in medicine. This thread is most helpful when questions are answered with respect to application chances, not hypothetical, future career goals.

Just trying to keep this very helpful thread on track. Thanks for everyone's contributions! 🙂

 

[PunkmedGirl]

I'll be that.



Sorry CBear.

 

[Dissected]

First, I have to say that reading SDN as all but calmed my nerves, but there is also a lot of great feedback. I will take any advice 😳. This is my situation:

hmm..I was actually in a very similar situation as you at the beginning of this cycle. I was going to apply to both MD and DO but then I got my MCAT back and was less than pleased (i know how it feels). anyways, i contemplated taking a year off and retaking the MCAT because I had my eye on my state school, University of Washington and some other MD schools. I decided to play the field though, because I knew I would be happy at any of the DO schools I was applying to (or else I wouldn't have applied to them...a key component in this game). I am more than pleased with how things have worked out, and I don't regret not taking the year off and trying things later. I think things would have worked out just as well and maybe I would have had more doors open, but that also means a lot more hassle in the application process and everything..all for the pursuit of a 'better' med school or somewhere I might have been 'happier.' pure baloni. I have come to realize that since I knew I would love to be at any of the schools I applied to in the first place, it seemed silly to me to pour a ton more time and energy (and cash) into trying to achieve something 'better,' when I already had what it took to get in to half the places I wanted to go. The DO degree excites me and so does the school I chose. If you can say that about the schools you want to interview at I say go for it, if not..take the year off, relax and boost that MCAT like you know you can!! Best of luck, keep fighting the good fight.

 

[mickc]

Hi Everyone,
I'm wondering what are my chances of getting into DO school. I've been really looking into Western University in Pomona, and their philosophy is very appealing for me, but in the end, it doesn't matter where I go, as long as I get my degree. I come from a non-traditional background, and I am an older applicant. I am a 27/M from California and I also have a registered nurse degree, and have been practicing for 4 years, now. I discovered that the field of nursing is not for me and I wish to change to a new medical career while I can. I have been (night shift) full time for the first two years, and 1/2 time with full time school for the last two. My science GPA is 3.0, although I still have a chance to raise it up. My overall GPA is 2.9995, or very close to a 3.0. It will be hard to raise because getting an ADN (nursing degree) was like adding 50+ units of straight B's and some C's, so by the time I finish my Bachelor's degree in Biology / Chemistry minor, I will have approximately 200 units. (Is nursing also part of the Sciences?) I still need to take my MCAT.

- I have a lot of volunteer / community work, more than 400+ hours at various locations, including the YMCA and Special Olympics as a coach
- I work as an RN in medical surgical, so I've my share of starting IVs, inserting NG tubes, putting in Foleys, etc, etc...
- I was a CPR instructor / Lifeguard Trainer for a few years, too.
- I'm working on a research paper to hopefully put out next year.
- I can't remember everything, but I have a lot of extracurricular stuff. I used to be a marathon runner/triathlete, if that aids to appearing more balenced.
- I know a few MDs that will be more than happy to write a LOR for me, but have trouble tracking down a DO at my hospital.
- I think I'm fairly balenced, just my GPA is my LARGEST weakness and concern.

If, with these stats, I have a zero chance of getting into a DO school, what can I do to raise my chances? What should I do anyway? I plan on enrolling in Kaplan next year. What schools should I look into applying to? I will go anywhere in the US and do anything within reason and somethings without) to get into DO school.

Sorry for all the questions. Thank you!

 

[slim78]

Hi Everyone,
I'm wondering what are my chances of getting into DO school. I've been really looking into Western University in Pomona, and their philosophy is very appealing for me, but in the end, it doesn't matter where I go, as long as I get my degree. I come from a non-traditional background, and I am an older applicant. I am a 27/M from California and I also have a registered nurse degree, and have been practicing for 4 years, now. I discovered that the field of nursing is not for me and I wish to change to a new medical career while I can. I have been (night shift) full time for the first two years, and 1/2 time with full time school for the last two. My science GPA is 3.0, although I still have a chance to raise it up. My overall GPA is 2.9995, or very close to a 3.0. It will be hard to raise because getting an ADN (nursing degree) was like adding 50+ units of straight B's and some C's, so by the time I finish my Bachelor's degree in Biology / Chemistry minor, I will have approximately 200 units. (Is nursing also part of the Sciences?) I still need to take my MCAT.

- I have a lot of volunteer / community work, more than 400+ hours at various locations, including the YMCA and Special Olympics as a coach
- I work as an RN in medical surgical, so I've my share of starting IVs, inserting NG tubes, putting in Foleys, etc, etc...
- I was a CPR instructor / Lifeguard Trainer for a few years, too.
- I'm working on a research paper to hopefully put out next year.
- I can't remember everything, but I have a lot of extracurricular stuff. I used to be a marathon runner/triathlete, if that aids to appearing more balenced.
- I know a few MDs that will be more than happy to write a LOR for me, but have trouble tracking down a DO at my hospital.
- I think I'm fairly balenced, just my GPA is my LARGEST weakness and concern.

If, with these stats, I have a zero chance of getting into a DO school, what can I do to raise my chances? What should I do anyway? I plan on enrolling in Kaplan next year. What schools should I look into applying to? I will go anywhere in the US and do anything within reason and somethings without) to get into DO school.

Sorry for all the questions. Thank you!

Your chances are a lot better than Zero. I'm pretty sure you'd get in somewhere if you applied to enough schools. This is all provided you get a decent MCAT score.

I wouldn't stress TOO MUCH about not getting a DO LOR. I never did. Just make a note of which schools require it (there are only a few).

Good luck!

 

[PunkmedGirl]

Hi Everyone,
I'm wondering what are my chances of getting into DO school. I've been really looking into Western University in Pomona, and their philosophy is very appealing for me, but in the end, it doesn't matter where I go, as long as I get my degree. I come from a non-traditional background, and I am an older applicant. I am a 27/M from California and I also have a registered nurse degree, and have been practicing for 4 years, now. I discovered that the field of nursing is not for me and I wish to change to a new medical career while I can. I have been (night shift) full time for the first two years, and 1/2 time with full time school for the last two. My science GPA is 3.0, although I still have a chance to raise it up. My overall GPA is 2.9995, or very close to a 3.0. It will be hard to raise because getting an ADN (nursing degree) was like adding 50+ units of straight B's and some C's, so by the time I finish my Bachelor's degree in Biology / Chemistry minor, I will have approximately 200 units. (Is nursing also part of the Sciences?) I still need to take my MCAT.

- I have a lot of volunteer / community work, more than 400+ hours at various locations, including the YMCA and Special Olympics as a coach
- I work as an RN in medical surgical, so I've my share of starting IVs, inserting NG tubes, putting in Foleys, etc, etc...
- I was a CPR instructor / Lifeguard Trainer for a few years, too.
- I'm working on a research paper to hopefully put out next year.
- I can't remember everything, but I have a lot of extracurricular stuff. I used to be a marathon runner/triathlete, if that aids to appearing more balenced.
- I know a few MDs that will be more than happy to write a LOR for me, but have trouble tracking down a DO at my hospital.
- I think I'm fairly balenced, just my GPA is my LARGEST weakness and concern.

If, with these stats, I have a zero chance of getting into a DO school, what can I do to raise my chances? What should I do anyway? I plan on enrolling in Kaplan next year. What schools should I look into applying to? I will go anywhere in the US and do anything within reason and somethings without) to get into DO school.

Sorry for all the questions. Thank you!

I agree with slim. I'm applying next cycle and my stats will be a little bit higher than yours but not by much. So I'm definitely busting my booty for the MCAT. You also have the option of retaking a class or two so you can push your cGPA over 3.0 since AACOMAS replaces grades instead of averaging them. Good Luck.

 

[mickc]

Thank you for your quick replies. As far as this semester goes, it will probably put my cGPA above 3.0. Maybe I should take some of the less demanding science courses next semester to help out my sGPA. Any other advice is appreciated! Thank you again!