* *2009-2010 "What Are My Chances/Where Should I Apply/What Should I Do" * *

[Bacchus]

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Handy, why are you on the osteopathic boards then? If you're only focused on allopathy there is both a pre-allopathic and Allopathic forum.

 

[Handy388]

thought this was posted on the caribean board.

additionally, I am also interested in the issue of osteopathic education. I personally feel this whole DO vs. MD thing is archaic, so is instruction of any treatment moduality unsubstantiated by evidenced based medicine. while moduality that have been proven to work (like some OMM) should be taught across the board of both DO and MD school.

I truly wish that one day the line can go away and perhaps only one degree is ultimately awarded by all medical schools.

 

[brenster99]

i didnt read all the posts so sorry if this was already said, but you asked what you needed to do, i would say first thing is set up shadowing with a DO because for the majority of the schools, you will need a LOR from a DO and this can take multiple shadows and time for the doc to write it....

 

[nlax30]

thought this was posted on the caribean board.

additionally, I am also interested in the issue of osteopathic education. I personally feel this whole DO vs. MD thing is archaic, so is instruction of any treatment moduality unsubstantiated by evidenced based medicine. while moduality that have been proven to work (like some OMM) should be taught across the board of both DO and MD school.

I truly wish that one day the line can go away and perhaps only one degree is ultimately awarded by all medical schools.

There are some CME type programs around that instruct MDs on OMM, not sure of specifics but I've heard of them being offered.

You'll learn that there are a good number of areas in which "evidence based" medicine hasn't really caught up yet. I personally don't plan on using cranial, and our OMM department is pretty good here so cranial was more of taught so we know it for the boards. Yea, it should probably not be on there but you can't just put an all out ban on anything not based on EBM.

There are schools are both sides (DO and MD) that have courses on complimentary medicine/treatment that some people just flat out reject, and you'll learn plenty of physical exam techniques that have basically been shown to have very low specificity/sensitivity and are taught for their historical value, etc....

It's just easy to pick on cranial as a fairly obvious example.

 

[Just Joshin]

Even if your school erases the grade on your transcript, you're required to report it on your med school application. They say that specifically on the app.

 

[Thomas Hearns]

CA is tough. Was the waitlist from an interview though??? You weren't put on an alternative interview list, were you??

No I didn't get any interviews yet.

 

[JaggerPlate]

No I didn't get any interviews yet.

I'm sorry about that. If regard to your original question ... I would, without a doubt, apply DO and MD this upcoming cycle. Good luck.

 

[Bacchus]

If your GPA increases I'd reapply MD, early and see what happens. If it doesn't apply only DO. With your stats you should get invites from a lot of the "top DO" schools. Look at my MDapps for some inspiration! 🙂

 

[Optimator]

>

 

[Bacchus]

I can tell you that a 3.4/30, especially in California, is basically a deal breaker. I had the same thing, except my 3.4 had 4 years of straight A's attached to it (non-trad, re-started college after dropping out) and very strong LORs. Not even a single MD interview - and that's after two application cycles. The "grade trend" nonsense is just that, nonsense. It's a pure and raw numbers game.

The second cycle I applied DO, and come August will be attending what I consider to be the best DO school in the country. You'll likely follow my footsteps if you choose to apply DO. But I'd say MD ain't happening.

You'll get Zen with the DO thing over time though. Good luck.

PCOM/Western Brawl, you down? 😉

 

[Optimator]

>

 

[Thriller]

Wow 3.4/30 and absolutely no MD love .... crazy.

Seriously what's the deal! My stats are pretty much identical (3.4/31) and the only MD love I got was an interview at my state school followed by a REJECTION. Fortunately I applied to DO schools as well and basked in the love that they showered down on me. Go DO, they treat you right.

 

[JaggerPlate]

Seriously what's the deal! My stats are pretty much identical (3.4/31) and the only MD love I got was an interview at my state school followed by a REJECTION. Fortunately I applied to DO schools as well and basked in the love that they showered down on me. Go DO, they treat you right.

I think this application cycle and the next few are/will be especially horrible with the economy because school's budgets are bad and a lot of applicants. Plus, I guess standards keep going up and up. The 3.5/30 turned into a 3.6/31 and I guess in the next few cycles it will get up to a 3.7/32. Insane.

 

[JaggerPlate]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=619541

Interesting thread. Success stories, failed application cycles, etc for 3.2-3.4 applicants.

 

[rddoms]

1. I know that gaps are when you can in a sense erase certain grades from your transcript and that you get three of them. When can you use them? Or when do you recommend using them?

Never heard of these.

2. Does it really not matter what major you pick? I have an interest in majoring in English. Reading and writing skills seem to come more naturally to me and I've always been told that I'm a good writer. Plus it allows room in the electives and minor to do the med school pre-reqs.

Major in something that you enjoy, your major doesn't matter. Since you have had trouble in some of the pre-req's, you might want to bolster your transcript with some upper level bio classes to show that you can handle the work.

3. How much does the school I go to for undergrad affect my chances of med school admission? I have to transfer from my current school (Auburn)
to a slightly smaller school back home (Kennesaw) for financial reasons.

Little, if any.

4. I know I've struggled, but if I know there's a chance to make it, I can work hard. The question is, is it even still possible considering how bad I've done. I have the knowledge and a somewhat better sense of direction than I once did, I just worry that it may be a too little too late. If it's not then believe me, I'll use this as a fresh start.

You need to forget about what has happened to this point. I was in the same shoes as you, and worrying about it never helped me. Retake at least the pre-req's and put in the time to do well. Also, study your tail off for the MCAT, because a good score there will definitely help (got me into the MS program).

I ended up with a sub 3.0 GPA out of undergrad, but got an MCAT score that was above the matriculant average of my current school. I got a MS in biomedical sciences, and continued on to the DO program.

If you really want it, never give up. It won't be easy, but you can make it happen. I went from a B- student in undergrad to an A student in medical school, so it has definitely been done before.

 

[Thomas Hearns]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I'll definitely apply DO this cycle.

What is a match-list and where can i find one =)

 

[JaggerPlate]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I'll definitely apply DO this cycle.

What is a match-list and where can i find one =)

match list = list of what specialty graduating seniors are entering from x med school. Go into the 'Osteopathic' forums, should be on the first page in a thread titled '2009 match lists.' I'll link it later if I stumble across it.

 

[Rollo]

Many people get into MD schools without a 32 MCAT. The average for accepted MD students is only a 30, which means that just as many people score under 30 as those who score over 30. And keep in mind that means for every 35, there's a 28 and then some.

The person, to whom I suggested that he should shoot for 32+ MCAT, has a very low GPA for MD schools. A 32+ MCAT would make him very competitive for both MD and DO schools.

Plus, it's always a good thing to tell people who are about to take the MCAT to score as high as they possibly can. 😉

 

[life is good]

Hey All -

Just wondering if i have a shot at schools this coming cycle, or if I should just wait a yr and save the money.

I have a (low) cum GPA of 3.19 and a sci GPA of 3.05.

I have good ECs... volunteer, shadow, research and some unique ones

Havent taken the MCAT yet (august)... realistically, wat do i need to get to have a decent shot, if at all?

thankx

 

[kypreos]

Well, the point is you got the grade that you got, not a whole lot you can do about it. And no one here is going to be able to tell you how a B instead of an A there is going to effect you..... just too many factors to take into account. Kinda like asking if getting a 29 on the MCAT will hurt you instead of a 28. Of course 29 will always be better, so will the A, but it's pretty much impossible to say how it will impact you.

There is no magic formula or "recipe" to match when applying..... just do the best YOU can do in class, on the MCAT, and become involved in activities that you are interested in (volunteer activities, shadowing) that will help YOU determine if medicine is what you want. It's only getting more competitive with more people applying and there's a healthy portion of the process that's just "luck" with soo many people having very similar stats.

this is def.what i want, i wouldnt have gone throught all of thiis if it wasnt. theres no question in my mind so much to even here you say "things that help you determine if this is what you want" erks me. Ive heard that my whole entire life from family who is not supportive of my passion to pursue medicine. Sorry if i came off a little rude but ive just heard things like that a lot lol. I have volunteered in the ED of my local hospital for 200 hours, shadowed 2 doctors(1 a nuerosurgeon and watched the OR frequently) and I will be doing research this summer for 6 weeks. this is it

 

[life is good]

obviously, i know the higher my MCAT the better.... but say I get in the 21-24 range. is that too low considering my gpa?

 

[beckhunter116]

obviously, i know the higher my MCAT the better.... but say I get in the 21-24 range. is that too low considering my gpa?

With your GPA I would try for the 27+ on the MCAT. Your GPA is pretty low for school averages, so you really need to rock the MCAT. Hopefully your EC and stuff really stands out too. Good luck and apply early.

 

[pietachok]

By what date did you submit your AMCAS? Apply really broadly to MD programs and ALSO apply to DO programs, and you should get in somewhere. With a 3.4 there is a chance you won't get in, but you dramatically increase your chances if you submit your applications early and apply outside of California (seeing as you're a CA resident you may have stayed too much in state?).

I have a 3.45 (3.21 science GPA) and managed to get 8 MD interviews this year. I also got into MANY D.O. schools. I never went to the majority of my M.D. interviews b/c I withdrew after my 1st acceptance, so I don't know the disposition of my application, but...it can be done. If you can pull up your MCAT obviously, that would be helpful...if you don't feel confident you can, however, a 30 should definitely get you into D.O. school as long as you are convincing about your motivations.

 

[Rollo]

Hey All -

Just wondering if i have a shot at schools this coming cycle, or if I should just wait a yr and save the money.

I have a (low) cum GPA of 3.19 and a sci GPA of 3.05.

I have good ECs... volunteer, shadow, research and some unique ones

Havent taken the MCAT yet (august)... realistically, wat do i need to get to have a decent shot, if at all?

thankx

FYI - you can submit your AACOMAS the first day it lets you even without an actual MCAT score. You'd have to indicate that you are taking it in August that way schools will expect the score.

With your low sci GPA, I'd say shoot for 30+ on the MCAT. You have to keep in mind that average matriculant sci GPA is 3.3. You are almost 0.3 below it. Average matriculant MCAT is roughly 26. Therefore, to counter your low GPA, I'd say shoot for MCAT score of well above 26...say 30 or higher.

Is there an upward trend in your grades? If so, then combined with a high MCAT score, you will be competitive at most schools.

Good luck in any case.

 

[bschliewe]

Hi everyone. I am about to apply this summer, so I wanted some input of which schools and what my chances are.

Academic:
I graduated with a BS in Bio in 2007, but then went to law school. I absolutely hated it and realized I should have stuck with medicine like I planned. So I am about to complete a small post bacc, mostly just to get my organic chems done, and my GPA is about 3.3-3.4 range, and that is both for cumulative and science. I also will be finishing up an MPH with a certificate in Medical Informatics this next fall semester. I have a 4.0 in my masters program, but I know that doesn't really count for much.

EC'S:
I have shadowed several different physicians, about 100 hours.
I was a Div. 1 three sport college athlete, and had to work part time all throughout college, so that is why the GPA was lacking...just didn't have enough hours in the day.

I was a personal trainer throughout most of college.

Have several LOR's from DOs and strong letters from academic faculty.

Deans List

Honors program

1 year of research -invertebrate river ecology

Good amount of volunteer hours, will have a lot more throughout the summer. I volunteer for horses and the handicapped, coach for youth girls softball for a year, a lot of stuff throughout the community really.

I also volunteer a lot at my mom's path lab. I guess about 100 hours or so. I would help her test samples and all that good stuff.

As for the MCAT, I am taking it May 28th. Practice scores right now are about 30-32.

Thanks for any help!

 

[Rollo]

Hi everyone. I am about to apply this summer, so I wanted some input of which schools and what my chances are.

Academic:
I graduated with a BS in Bio in 2007, but then went to law school. I absolutely hated it and realized I should have stuck with medicine like I planned. So I am about to complete a small post bacc, mostly just to get my organic chems done, and my GPA is about 3.3-3.4 range, and that is both for cumulative and science. I also will be finishing up an MPH with a certificate in Medical Informatics this next fall semester. I have a 4.0 in my masters program, but I know that doesn't really count for much.

EC'S:
I have shadowed several different physicians, about 100 hours.
I was a Div. 1 three sport college athlete, and had to work part time all throughout college, so that is why the GPA was lacking...just didn't have enough hours in the day.

I was a personal trainer throughout most of college.

Have several LOR's from DOs and strong letters from academic faculty.

Deans List

Honors program

1 year of research -invertebrate river ecology

Good amount of volunteer hours, will have a lot more throughout the summer. I volunteer for horses and the handicapped, coach for youth girls softball for a year, a lot of stuff throughout the community really.

I also volunteer a lot at my mom's path lab. I guess about 100 hours or so. I would help her test samples and all that good stuff.

As for the MCAT, I am taking it May 28th. Practice scores right now are about 30-32.

Thanks for any help!

You are a very competitive applicant. You can apply wherever you want to. Your GPA is pretty average but your ECs are really, really solid. You should have no problem getting in somewhere. 👍

 

[bubble5687]

New to sdn! Here is the info:

3.7 overall
3.44 science

MCAT - 25 the first time and 25 the second time 🙁 ( not taking it again and I did study very hard both times)

I have lots(couple hundred hours worth) of shadowing/clinical experience, some leadership and community service. Very involved in research, just submitted paper to JABFM.

So...what are your thoughts on where to apply and what are my chances?
any advice is welcome

 

[bschliewe]

Thanks, Rollo. I guess I was just a bit concerned that my EC's were a bit scattered and random, but hey, they are the things I wanted to do. My top choice is UNE, but I am from Wisconsin, so I hope that doesn't hurt me.

Thanks again!

 

[Thomas Hearns]

By what date did you submit your AMCAS? Apply really broadly to MD programs and ALSO apply to DO programs, and you should get in somewhere. With a 3.4 there is a chance you won't get in, but you dramatically increase your chances if you submit your applications early and apply outside of California (seeing as you're a CA resident you may have stayed too much in state?).

I have a 3.45 (3.21 science GPA) and managed to get 8 MD interviews this year. I also got into MANY D.O. schools. I never went to the majority of my M.D. interviews b/c I withdrew after my 1st acceptance, so I don't know the disposition of my application, but...it can be done. If you can pull up your MCAT obviously, that would be helpful...if you don't feel confident you can, however, a 30 should definitely get you into D.O. school as long as you are convincing about your motivations.

I submitted everything very early, don't remember the exact dates. I applied to many many schools. I don't have great ECs or anything, probably a pretty average application honestly.

 

[SageAdvice]

All I have heard is MCATs and GPA. What does the rest of your application look like? With your credentials you are likely similar to hundreds of other students. What makes you a good risk to become a physician. Maturity is so important. Have you worked in Health Care vs. simply shadowing? Have you had leadership roles in service groups or activities? Have you participated in meaningful research? Published or presented a poster? How are your interview skills? Are you too overly nervous or overconfident? Do you bring up past events that are innapropriate? You can tell that this forum is mostly answered by other students. Medical School faculty participating in admissions must decide whether students who are apparently qualified academically have the commitment, maturity, discipline and personality that are predictive of success. It is so much more than GPA and MCAT. That just gets you the interview.

 

[Thomas Hearns]

Well I haven't even gotten an interview yet 😀 That's the problem. I appreciate the advice, though. My application is definitely not as strong as it should be. I didn't try to do the whole pre-med thing until after I had already finished my third year of college. So I only had about a year and a half's worth of shadowing-internships-volunteering. I wasn't able to actually attain a job in health care, although I've been trying, and am still trying to this point. I am 24 years old, I feel I'm a mature individual, and am doing this for the right reasons. It's something I'm gonna have to keep working at until the process gives in and finally accepts me 😛

 

[phillyosteo]

I had a 3.44 from Tufts, a 3.75 at Villanova for post-bac work, and a 32R and got rejected from every MD school I applied to. 🙂 Tufts gave me what I consider a "mercy" interview for spending $160k as an undergrad, haha.

I had considered DO programs from the start however due to family friends who are DOs. My PCP is also a DO and I think she's great. Admittedly, like you, I was apprehensive at first about applying to DO programs, but the more I learned about them, the more I realized it was probably the best option for me. When I went on DO interviews, all of my fellow applicants were people like me and I felt much more comfortable there than I did at Tufts. I'm also a "non-traditional" applicant and the DO programs were much more open regarding my work experiences. My one Tufts interviewer asked me "what the hell" I've been doing for the past few years and apparently working 50-60 hours a week as a management consultant wasn't the answer he wanted. 🙂 I also love the philosophy of osteopathic medicine. I think focusing on prevention and simple interventions in primary care is by far the easiest way to improve overall health while lowering costs.

If you look at match lists, DOs can basically do whatever they want. I've been working at a cancer center the last 2 years and the director of the lung cancer program there is a DO. I'm personally interested in primary care now, which I think DOs are particularly strong at, but if I ever decide to change, I know it's possible.

Take some time to research the osteopathic philosophy and make sure it's something you believe in. You certainly don't want to "settle" for a DO program and go in thinking the entire concept of osteopathic medicine is BS, but what the hell, it will get me a medical license. It will negatively affect your performance in OMM classes at the least.

 

[Thomas Hearns]

Take some time to research the osteopathic philosophy and make sure it's something you believe in. You certainly don't want to "settle" for a DO program and go in thinking the entire concept of osteopathic medicine is BS, but what the hell, it will get me a medical license. It will negatively affect your performance in OMM classes at the least.

Any recommended reading?

 

[pietachok]

Well, if you know your application is pretty "average" in terms of EC's and essays, why aren't you concerned with improving it? There isn't really a *rush* to get into med school, is there? I mean...in the big scheme of things is one year going to make a difference in your life? Well, it might make a huge difference in the education and career you afford yourself.

Why not take a year off and work in a medical field so that you can establish your maturity and get LOR's from reputable people (i.e. physicians) who can say "Hey, his grades/MCAT don't speak to his potential as a physician!"

I mean, really, one of the major questions you get asked as a reapplicant is what you have done to strengthen your application and/or make it more successful. Are you just going to say "not much..." or "I applied D.O." when they ask you that?

That kind of motivation doesn't make you seem like a great candidate...they can pick oodles of other candidates with the same stats who have busted their butts to make themselves appear improved and more qualified. That motivation is very telling. Without it, you look like your heart just isn't in it. (It is the same reason some straight A, high-MCAT applicants get rejected).

Does your PS convey passion or merely a career goal?

 

[Frank l]

"Will I be missing out in any way by going DO instead of MD?


If you are enough of a rockstar that you are going to be competitive for the few residency programs where being a D.O. might put you at a disadvantage, then you should never be in a position where you have to ask yourself the above question.

 

[dozitgetchahi]

Technically, no. In the scheme of real life, where working your ass off in a science major at a big university, doing a ton of ECs, studying for months for the MCAT to obtain a respectable score etc, it is. Getting into med school is unreal. I can't even describe how 99% of conversations I have with people who don't know about the process ask 'so where are you thinking about going?' Like it's a decision that is up to me. People NEVER believe me when I tell them where I go to school, my ECs, gpa, and that I'm paniced about not getting in anywhere. It's unreal. Plus, a 3.4/30 isn't really too much off the average. Especially getting that magical 30. I'd expect something.

Yep, it's interesting, isn't it? My stats weren't too far off from there and I didn't get any love on the MD side either. Heck, my alma mater didn't even bother to give me a secondary (!) - which I thought was somewhat insulting.

At any rate, the US MD admissions cold war is starting to get absolutely insane. I tell every pre-med I encounter to cut themselves a break and at least apply DO simply on account of the fact that the MD/DO admissions competition is getting tougher every year. If your stats aren't quite good enough to get you through in the current round, then you will likely have to contend with even better competitors next time around.

 

[obbobbo]

Haha yep

At any rate, the US MD admissions cold war is starting to get absolutely insane. I tell every pre-med I encounter to cut themselves a break and at least apply DO simply on account of the fact that the MD/DO admissions competition is getting tougher every year.

A lot of my friends decided to go just the DO route instead of MD, and so far none regret it. Most of us decided DO even with very competitive stats. I have a DO friends that are neurologists, orthopedics, family practice, general surgeons, neonatology and more. Every year the competition gets tougher, and while the majority of DOs go primary care, not all do.

Recently IHC (a large Utah/Idaho health care group) brought in a bunch of students that are starting medical school this year and told us that they were very interested in our services when we were done with medical school. 14 of the 15 students attending were starting at osteopathic schools this year. I don't think that students need to worry very much about looking into osteopathic schools.

 

[Thomas Hearns]

Well, if you know your application is pretty "average" in terms of EC's and essays, why aren't you concerned with improving it? There isn't really a *rush* to get into med school, is there? I mean...in the big scheme of things is one year going to make a difference in your life? Well, it might make a huge difference in the education and career you afford yourself.

Why not take a year off and work in a medical field so that you can establish your maturity and get LOR's from reputable people (i.e. physicians) who can say "Hey, his grades/MCAT don't speak to his potential as a physician!"

I mean, really, one of the major questions you get asked as a reapplicant is what you have done to strengthen your application and/or make it more successful. Are you just going to say "not much..." or "I applied D.O." when they ask you that?

That kind of motivation doesn't make you seem like a great candidate...they can pick oodles of other candidates with the same stats who have busted their butts to make themselves appear improved and more qualified. That motivation is very telling. Without it, you look like your heart just isn't in it. (It is the same reason some straight A, high-MCAT applicants get rejected).

Does your PS convey passion or merely a career goal?

You assume too much in your post. I haven't spoken about any of that stuff, about what I've been doing since I've been out of school, what I've been trying to do. I know you're just trying to be helpful, and I do appreciate it, but I have taken all of those things into consideration a long time ago.

 

[Instatewaiter]

Once again, L2D chimes in to give wrong information.

Way to jump down his throat for stating the obvious and generally accepted opinion of SDN.

"Will I be missing out in any way by going DO instead of MD?


If you are enough of a rockstar that you are going to be competitive for the few residency programs where being a D.O. might put you at a disadvantage, then you should never be in a position where you have to ask yourself the above question.

I completely disagree. There were a lot of people in my class that just squeeked into medical school who will be pursuing very competitive fields that are essentially closed to DOs- ie MD ortho programs, hopkins/MGH/BIDMC/B&W medicine. Had they given up after 1 year or been unlucky, they would not have a prayer to be where they want to be.

 

[slick27]

What were the individual numbers of your 30 MCAT? That might be part of the problem. Are any of the numbers less than 9? If they are, that will hurt your application.

 

[Anita817]

Any recommended reading?

The D.O.'s: Osteopathic Medicine in America by Norman Gevitz is a good start--I think it's actually first year required reading at some schools. It'll give you a sense of the history and development of osteopathic medicine, and definitely give you something to draw from in interviews.

 

[Rollo]

New to sdn! Here is the info:

3.7 overall
3.44 science

MCAT - 25 the first time and 25 the second time 🙁 ( not taking it again and I did study very hard both times)

I have lots(couple hundred hours worth) of shadowing/clinical experience, some leadership and community service. Very involved in research, just submitted paper to JABFM.

So...what are your thoughts on where to apply and what are my chances?
any advice is welcome

Hmm, what were your scores in the individual section of the MCAT both times? A 25 is the national average so it's not that bad. However, your shadowing experience and research are your strongest points (besides the average sci GPA).

I think if you apply early, and broadly, you will be in a very good shape.

I agree that you shouldn't take the MCAT again if you know that you aren't going to score better. Lot of people get in with 25 MCAT so don't stress yourself out too much. 🙂

Thanks, Rollo. I guess I was just a bit concerned that my EC's were a bit scattered and random, but hey, they are the things I wanted to do. My top choice is UNE, but I am from Wisconsin, so I hope that doesn't hurt me.

Thanks again!

Yeah, med schools are looking for people who are not only academically capable but also well-rounded and have interests in other areas besides medicine. My ECs were all over the place too, and majority of them had nothing to do with medicine. Like you, they were things that I wanted to do. I'd rather do things that interest me than follow the herd and do generic pre-med things. No fun in that. 👎

As far as I know, UNE heavily favors applicants from the upper NE (Maine, Mass, Vermont, NH, Conn.). You're pretty close to CCOM, have you looked into that school? I was also going to say MSUCOM but they also favor in-state applicants heavily.

But don't let that stop you from applying to those places. Give it a shot, you never know. But also don't limit yourself to only those places. Fork the money for the application fees now so you don't have to go through the entire process again in a year should things not pan out.

 

[Thriller]

There were a lot of people in my class that just squeeked into medical school who will be pursuing very competitive fields that are essentially closed to DOs- ie MD ortho programs, hopkins/MGH/BIDMC/B&W medicine. Had they given up after 1 year or been unlucky, they would not have a prayer to be where they want to be.

Fortunately there are a few hundred DO ortho spots that are only available to DOs. While it may be a little harder getting into certain uber-competitive MD residencies as a DO, don't forget that DOs have residency positions in just about every field that only they can apply for.

 

[BORNagainSTDENT]

ITake some time to research the osteopathic philosophy and make sure it's something you believe in. You certainly don't want to "settle" for a DO program and go in thinking the entire concept of osteopathic medicine is BS, but what the hell, it will get me a medical license. It will negatively affect your performance in OMM classes at the least.

Why is it that I hear the opposite all the time and people say there really is no different philosophy. It's like people will say whatever to avoid a flame war.

 

[Bacchus]

I don't think those denouncing the stress on the "philosophy" are anti-DO. I think the philosophy is historical, at best, because all clinicians look at overall health. I'm still very much DO though because of my interest in OMM. This isn't a conflict of interest, imo.

 

[Thomas Hearns]

What were the individual numbers of your 30 MCAT? That might be part of the problem. Are any of the numbers less than 9? If they are, that will hurt your application.

Yes I got an 8 in verbal 🙁 Choked bad lol

 

[Instatewaiter]

Fortunately there are a few hundred DO ortho spots that are only available to DOs. While it may be a little harder getting into certain uber-competitive MD residencies as a DO, don't forget that DOs have residency positions in just about every field that only they can apply for.

People always point this out and while it is true there is a part that people always miss.

Here are ALL the AOAO programs: http://www.aoao.org/aoao/Residencies/Residencies.pdf


There are 341 residency positions in AOA ortho. That includes EVERY RESIDENT in every year. So there are about 70-80 slots per year depending if the interns are counted or not.

Of those 341 positions they weren't even able to fill 300 of those slots. What does that tell you about these programs?

Also, if you want to do a fellowship, say in spine, after doing ortho, do you think you can land one?

I am not trying to be difficult but those who are so adamant about the issue and speak up, are usually those who either havent gone to medical school yet or are still in pre-clinical years. It would seem more credible if it were the 4th years who were speaking up after going through the match, no?

 

[Capitankoolaid]

My dry stats 3.25 GPA and 27O MCAT. I have plenty of clinical experience and excellent LOR's. I will be turning 38 this September. I took the MCAT in September last year and applied late in the season; nevertheless, I got 3 interviews with one acceptance a waitlist and a rejection. Other schools did not invite me for interviews. The school that accepted me is a new osteopathic school and the issue of rotations and residencies looms large on my mind. Applying early this coming season would be worthwhile?

Thanks for any advice

 

[detroitdo]

I would accept

 

[swamprat]

I would accept. Your GPA is on the lower end and your MCAT is about average and your 38, not getting any younger. Congratulations on the acceptance. 👍