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

[luckyduck33]

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Hello All! I'm feeling kind of doomed this year with US MD schools. Recently I decided to go the DO route if possible instead of going to SGU. Seems to be better. I am interested in surgery (general) or EM.

My stats:

cgpa: 3.55
sgpa: 3.28
MCAT: 29S

I have a lot of volunteering (>2000 hours) and Leadership. I just got my first secondary today! What are my chances? Am I competitive? I did apply a little bit later.

Also any advice on how to impress them on my secondaries would be greatly appreciate. To be honest, I just want to be a doctor treating patients at the end of the day and actually don't know much about DOs. I have never shadowed one but work with them all the time. So I know that DOs function identically to MDs.

Thanks everyone!

It's not too late and I think your chances are pretty good. DO schools have a really fast turnaround time and keep interviewing well into next year. Your stats are fine. I had a slightly higher GPA and a lower MCAT and I got five interviews and accepted to two already. Some schools will require a DO letter. I didn't shadow a DO for very long, maybe a couple of days, but it was plenty for me to get an idea of what a DO does and to talk to her about the profession and have her write me a letter. I chose a DO that did OMM only, so it was very interesting.

As far as your secondaries (and interviews later) go, you just want to explain why you are a good fit for osteopathic medicine and its philosophy and a good fit for their school (what specifically about the school would help you achieve your goals?)

I would say definitely go DO over SGU. DOs are definitely seen as more patient oriented and OMM is often seen as a benefit DOs have over MDs. To get to know DOs more, read up on the AOA website and shadow/talk to a DO. Of course there is the unfortunate stigma that DOs carry around as well.

I haven't had any success with out-of-state MD schools myself, but I did make it into my state MD school, so depending on what state you are in you might have a chance if you would rather go allopathic, though it may be late in the season for allopathic schools.

 

[Alwaysbehopeful]

Great thanks! I live in CA which apparently doesn't help with MD schools. I was complete at most of my schools around OCT. Right now I haven't had any interview invites and maybe 5 rejections so I'm still keeping my fingers crossed.

SGU is tempting since it offers an MD but I don't want to end up not getting a good residency.

How do you guys answer these what about this school would help you become a physician type of questions? I don't know how to come up with a clever and good answer besides repeating stuff on their websites

 

[Cornell87]

hey....

so i am taking the jan mcat for the first time; i have sent out primaries and secondaries, just waiting for mcats.

has anyone here done this and gotten in?

i am a nys resident and my first choice is nycom but i applied to 8 other do schools

thxx

 

[tele turnin]

it may be tough, but it's not hopeless. i submitted my primaries in jan of this year just a little before the jan 31st mcat. didn't get confirmed till the mid/end of feb and sent the secondaries out as soon as i go them which was the end of feb. of the 3 i applied to i got 2 interviews which resulted in 1 waitlist and 1 acceptance. before submitting i made contact with the admissions office and kept in tough with them every little while and sometimes letting them know how i was doing on practice test. as soon as i got my score i sent them a confirmation code so they could confirm it before it arrived to aacomas, and called soon after to confirm they had received the code and were able to view my results. so it is possible, but your choices may be limited. i ended up turning down the acceptance to give my top choice school a "fair" shot and am happy i did so as i was accepted there a month ago. best of luck.

 

[just one]

While I can't help you with those schools, I'll give you my opinion anyway (b/c you asked). If you applied to my state school their deadline of application is April I believe. They interview 8 people per day, with 11 interview days before New Years. They interview 213 total applicants, so 88 interviews are gone before January. A similar number of interviews are in January and February. So lets say 176 out of 213 interview spots gone, before you even have an MCAT score (SINCE IT IS NOT RELEASED UNTIL MARCH)!. How do you like the odds now? No it is not impossible. Probable? Not likely.

 

[beckhunter116]

Just an FYI, some schools do not look at Jan scores. Off the top of my head I know CCOM does not. Hopefully, the schools you applied to do. This information is all in the CIB. Nonetheless, good luck!

 

[Eggs n Coffee]

So here's the thing. Academically I'm good. I'm a smart person, a little lazy yeah, but I've got good numbers.

However it seems like medical schools want you to jump through so many hoops.

I don't mind volunteering at the hospital. I enjoy shadowing doctors and reading/talking about medicine. And I also enjoy volunteering at the animal shelter, cause I love animals.

But beyond that, I don't want to do ****. Research sounds boring. I don't feel like tutoring kids. I guess I don't have any outstanding hobbies. Now if I must do these things, I will. But I really, really don't want to. I'd rather spend my extra time sleeping or hanging out with friends.... I was wondering, if my stats are good, and I come off as a genuine person in my personal statement (genuinely interested and sincere about medicine, etc), will DO schools be more forgiving about my lack of ECs?

Thanks

 

[MexicanDr]

You dont have to do Research if you dont want to, unless you are applying to top research/academic based schools.

Remember, grades are not everything in this process. Yeah, they are important, but if Med schools wanted people with 4.0s and perfect MCATs they would fill their classes up and many would be left out.

They want diversity, something that makes every applicant unique in a way. You dont have to do research, but you do need your clinical experience, shadowing and volunteering. It doesnt have to be medically related, but you got to do something you actually enjoy.

I am sure there are things you might enjoy, but since you admit you are lazy, well get off your arse and look for things to do, you might end up enjoying a few...

 

[Limvostov]

I can't imagine why they would.

If anything I found the DO schools to be more interested in my hobbies and experiences than my grades or MCAT scores. If you look at the students who gain acceptance to DO or MD, most have done a significant amount of things besides study and test prep (research, sports, clubs, work...) so I can't imagine them making an exception for someone just because they have good numbers. Also, if you think they would admit you to boost their stats then that would be a bad gamble. They already have minimum standards established and the aplicant pool only gets more competitive each year so there is bound to be a good number of aplicants with similar or higher scores that have many EC's.


If you just want to be "lazy", then you may want to rethink your career path. No one likes a lazy physicain.

 

[Eggs n Coffee]

\

I am sure there are things you might enjoy, but since you admit you are lazy, well get off your arse and look for things to do, you might end up enjoying a few...

Lol fair enough... I've always been the epitome of a type B personality. Very laid back, like to do things at a calm pace, etc.. So although I would love to go into medicine, I hate all these step 1 2 3 4 5 hoops I must jump through. But I guess that's the price everyone pays.

I'm glad I don't have to do research though... So would not doing research be a significant disadvantage at all? I am most definitely not applying to top schools like Hopkins, Harvard, Yale, etc (I assume those are the research schools).

 

[MexicanDr]

Lol fair enough... I've always been the epitome of a type B personality. Very laid back, like to do things at a calm pace, etc.. So although I would love to go into medicine, I hate all these step 1 2 3 4 5 hoops I must jump through. But I guess that's the price everyone pays.

I'm glad I don't have to do research though... So would not doing research be a significant disadvantage at all? I am most definitely not applying to top schools like Hopkins, Harvard, Yale, etc (I assume those are the research schools).

From what i have gathered Research is only vital if you are aiming at top schools, and even then, some people who get into these top schools dont have research experience, but do have some unique ECs.

 

[ShyRem]

If you are a boring applicant you may not get many interviews. There are a lot of very interesting, vibrant applicants who grab the adcom's eyes on paper. Someone who has done very little outside of school just doesn't scream "interview me!!! me!! More than that other guy!!" Remember, you're applying in a competitive field for a seat in med school. Applications are on the rise - I believe I heard 42,000 applicants for something like 18,000 seats (aamc). Sorry, aacom web page isn't loading for me right now for those figures.

Bottom line, your application may not get noticed in the sea of other applicants who look great on paper.

 

[EmersonAnne]

You've got it backwards. DO schools care MORE about ECs. It's the MD schools that are more numbers oriented. You don't have to do research, but if you don't have any ECs beyond hospital shadowing, you're shooting yourself in the foot as far as DO schools go.

 

[charm4eva]

Lol fair enough... I've always been the epitome of a type B personality. Very laid back, like to do things at a calm pace, etc.. So although I would love to go into medicine, I hate all these step 1 2 3 4 5 hoops I must jump through. But I guess that's the price everyone pays.

I'm glad I don't have to do research though... So would not doing research be a significant disadvantage at all? I am most definitely not applying to top schools like Hopkins, Harvard, Yale, etc (I assume those are the research schools).

DO schools def. look at ECs and other things more than MD schools. If you think about it, DO schools use the "holistic approach," and they're looking for a holistic applicant. I've heard of people with 38O MCAT being rejected by DO schools and 23N applicants getting in. It's all about how you present yourself, and what the school is looking for.

I just went to an interview yesterday with one of the DO schools and one of the current students didn't do anything clincial related and still got in. So just make yourself sound interesting...you must do something right? Like...do you play a sport? An instrument? Anything at all?

 

[charm4eva]

hey....

so i am taking the jan mcat for the first time; i have sent out primaries and secondaries, just waiting for mcats.

has anyone here done this and gotten in?

i am a nys resident and my first choice is nycom but i applied to 8 other do schools

thxx

It kind of depends on your mcat score and your other credentials. NYCOM does accept Jan MCAT scores, and they start interviewing late, basically they just started 2 weeks ago. In Dec they are only interviewing on three days...but you also have to understand that they are already scheduling interviews for mid Feb.. still, since you're an in-state applicant, you have a better chance.

 

[Eggs n Coffee]

DO schools def. look at ECs and other things more than MD schools. If you think about it, DO schools use the "holistic approach," and they're looking for a holistic applicant. I've heard of people with 38O MCAT being rejected by DO schools and 23N applicants getting in. It's all about how you present yourself, and what the school is looking for.

I just went to an interview yesterday with one of the DO schools and one of the current students didn't do anything clincial related and still got in. So just make yourself sound interesting...you must do something right? Like...do you play a sport? An instrument? Anything at all?

I don't play a sport or play an instrument, although I did when I was younger.

In my free time, I enjoy drawing (not that great at it yet but getting better). I plan to take up painting in the future. But drawing isn't something I can really talk about, especially since I'm not good enough to be getting any awards.

I guess I just need to try out some different things and find what I like.

 

[jiggahova]

Is it a waste of money to apply DO now, I have my PS and everything ready I just need to hit the submit button. My stats are good above 3.8 gpa adn above 30 mcat

 

[beckhunter116]

Since your stats are high you may still have a chance. I would obviously start on the seconday promps now so that when you get them you can send them out in a less than a week. Are all of you LOR in order? Do you have a DO letter?

 

[MSUSpartan642]

SERIOUSLY PEOPLE! How many of these treads can we make. Sorry, but come on.

 

[jiggahova]

Since your stats are high you may still have a chance. I would obviously start on the seconday promps now so that when you get them you can send them out in a less than a week. Are all of you LOR in order? Do you have a DO letter?

I only have a letter from an MD, i hope that wont be a problem

 

[Lewist02]

I only have a letter from an MD, i hope that wont be a problem

It may be depending on where you apply. 8 out of my 9 D.O schools required a D.O. letter. PCOM was the only one that did not, but they still strongly recommend it. When you apply - make sure you do your research on which schools require it.

 

[Lewist02]

Actually I lied. NYCOM also did not require it but strongly recommended it.

 

[iatros]

In my free time, I enjoy drawing.

this is the kind of things adcoms like to talk about. they want to know what you're interested in and if you have any passions outside of studying.

90% of premeds havent done any kind of research. you're fine.

you probably DO need a variety of EC's but you dont have to do a bunch of stuff you're not interested in. if you dont want to tutor inner city kids, dont do it... maybe work as a lab assistant instead. Instead of working at a free clinic and dealing with stinky homeless people, spend that time shadowing instead.

your EC's can be, in part, self serving. but make sure you DO have some stuff that is selfless / service to the community.

its not just premeds that have to jump through hoops. its a part of life.

 

[lawyerdoc2b]

You are officially late. AACOMAS is taking seven weeks to verify. That puts you into late January perhaps early February.

You are competing against 2/3 of the applicant pool for less than 1/3 of the school seats if that many by then.

Not applying is an automatic no. If you decide to apply (I would if I were you), make sure that your application "leaps off the page" and screams to the reader, I want to interview this applicant.

As for the D.O. letter, you have time to get one and will be foolish if you fail to do so.

Good luck.

 

[midwood]

Hey guys,

I would like to know my chances of getting into a DO school considering I intend on applying late. I have listed my grades and extracurricular activities below.

My overal gpa is about a 3.24 and my science gpa is a 3.02. My MCAT score is a 30Q. I was a Resident Assistant for 3 years during college. Also, I have done research for over 4 years with 1 publication. I have volunteered in the ER for over 2 years. I intend on volunteering with a DO soon and will gain some experience.

Thank you

 

[boone95]

Hey guys,

I would like to know my chances of getting into a DO school considering I intend on applying late. I have listed my grades and extracurricular activities below.

My overal gpa is about a 3.24 and my science gpa is a 3.02. My MCAT score is a 30Q. I was a Resident Assistant for 3 years during college. Also, I have done research for over 4 years with 1 publication. I have volunteered in the ER for over 2 years. I intend on volunteering with a DO soon and will gain some experience.

Thank you

Unlikely, but not impossible. Your GPA is below average and it doesn't sound like you have a DO letter of rec, which doesn't help.

But you never know!

 

[osteopathic123]

n/a

 

[beckhunter116]

hey, guys
i would like your input on this
is there any chance if i apply now but w/o the mcat (will take it in jan)?

my stats are
sGPA 3.39
cGPA 3.19

undergraduate GPA poor 2.72(140 credits), post bac(42credits) 3.91 , overall with grade replacement ,shown above

ECs
worked in outpatient surgery for a year
volunteer in local hospital during summer
tutoring during summer class and during school year

any input will be apreciated
thank you !!!

Your gpa is slightly low esp at this late period and you don't know what you will get on the MCAT. Do you have a DO letter? Also, some schools don't accept a Jan MCAT score so research that if you decide to apply this late so you don't waste money sending your primary to one of those. I guess at this point the only thing to lose is money.

 

[Lewist02]

I would personally wait. If you have the money to spend, go for it. If you don't apply, you definitely won't get in.

 

[kpatel226]

3.35 cGPA
3.2 sGPA

..with a pretty good upward trent in GPA. I also have a 31Q. I had shadowed 2 MDs and im working on getting a DO soon. I chartered a pre-medical fraternity and im in a few pre med clubs. I have over 150 hours of volunteering and about 100 for shadowing too.

What are my chances if i apply really early this coming june?

 

[MSUSpartan642]

3.35 cGPA
3.2 sGPA

..with a pretty good upward trent in GPA. I also have a 31Q. I had shadowed 2 MDs and im working on getting a DO soon. I chartered a pre-medical fraternity and im in a few pre med clubs. I have over 150 hours of volunteering and about 100 for shadowing too.

What are my chances if i apply really early this coming june?

Your chances are good I would say. If you can get that DO letter it will help quite a bit. Also try to increase that GPA as much as possible and get some more volunteering hours, those two will only increase your chances. But just make sure you apply early!

 

[Hov]

Hey guys,
I have my heart set on being a DO, however I have a bunch of obstacles. My GPA was really really low for the first 2 years of undergrad (my dad went to jail, death in the family, divorce it was a rough time). However, my GPA for my last 2 years has been in the 3.7 range. My cumulative GPA is still low at the 3.2 range. My MCAT score is a 28. ALSO I'm canadian. I have tons of EC's. I just wanted some opinions on whether I have a shot or not, also some suggestions on how to improve my chances. I really don't want to do postbacc 🙁

 

[stonewall22]

Hey guys,
I have my heart set on being a DO, however I have a bunch of obstacles. My GPA was really really low for the first 2 years of undergrad (my dad went to jail, death in the family, divorce it was a rough time). However, my GPA for my last 2 years has been in the 3.7 range. My cumulative GPA is still low at the 3.2 range. My MCAT score is a 28. ALSO I'm canadian. I have tons of EC's. I just wanted some opinions on whether I have a shot or not, also some suggestions on how to improve my chances. I really don't want to do postbacc 🙁

Yes, you have a chance, applying early certainly helps. I have a 3.2 cumulative, 3.6 sciences, lower MCAT than yours. I got secondaries for every school, interviews at all but one, and accepted to everywhere I interviewed. I have a masters with numerous publications, maybe that helped, maybe not. Apply early, apply wide, be confident, and be an enjoyable person to talk to in your interviews...

 

[starrynite14]

Hey guys,
I have my heart set on being a DO, however I have a bunch of obstacles. My GPA was really really low for the first 2 years of undergrad (my dad went to jail, death in the family, divorce it was a rough time). However, my GPA for my last 2 years has been in the 3.7 range. My cumulative GPA is still low at the 3.2 range. My MCAT score is a 28. ALSO I'm canadian. I have tons of EC's. I just wanted some opinions on whether I have a shot or not, also some suggestions on how to improve my chances. I really don't want to do postbacc 🙁

I got in with a overall GPA 3.1 and a sci GPA of 2.9, MCAT 26. With most DO schools its about the whole applicant. Just apply very early and spend a lot of time on your application. Also blow them away at your interviews. (Also when I say early, I mean have you ACCOMAS done in June!) Good luck.

 

[Ari1584]

The key is DEFINITELY to apply early!! My gpa was higher than yours but my MCAT was lower. I applied early (not TOO early, but was done by August with ALL apps and secondaries). I think what helped me was my very broad range of volunteering and EC's that I have done. I would recomment picking up some more interesting volunteering. Look at where you are lacking. Do you volunteer in a hospital or clinic? Do you mostly deal with older patients or kids? For me, I wanted the schools to see that I can interact with ALL ages...so I volunteered on a cardiac floor with older patients AND volunteered at a children's hospital. The time commitment wasn't too bad and I learned that I am interested in peds now! Make sure you have leadership activities on your app as well. I tried to be as well rounded as I could to make up for lower numbers.

I am sure you will do great bc DO schools really look more at the overall application. Also, make sure to prepare well for your interviews. Use SDN interview feedback and formulate responses in your head (or on paper...that really worked well for me) just to get your ideas cohesive. I had about 50 questions I pulled from SDN and looking back, it def prepared me well (although I was SO nervous going into it). Good luck and remember not to give up hope! You just have to work with what you have and find another way to impress the committees! 🙂

 

[BassCaster]

The key is DEFINITELY to apply early!! My gpa was higher than yours but my MCAT was lower. I applied early (not TOO early, but was done by August with ALL apps and secondaries). I think what helped me was my very broad range of volunteering and EC's that I have done. I would recomment picking up some more interesting volunteering. Look at where you are lacking. Do you volunteer in a hospital or clinic? Do you mostly deal with older patients or kids? For me, I wanted the schools to see that I can interact with ALL ages...so I volunteered on a cardiac floor with older patients AND volunteered at a children's hospital. The time commitment wasn't too bad and I learned that I am interested in peds now! Make sure you have leadership activities on your app as well. I tried to be as well rounded as I could to make up for lower numbers.

I am sure you will do great bc DO schools really look more at the overall application. Also, make sure to prepare well for your interviews. Use SDN interview feedback and formulate responses in your head (or on paper...that really worked well for me) just to get your ideas cohesive. I had about 50 questions I pulled from SDN and looking back, it def prepared me well (although I was SO nervous going into it). Good luck and remember not to give up hope! You just have to work with what you have and find another way to impress the committees! 🙂

^Great post. Follow Ari's advice. Also, I found it very beneficial this app cycle to have over a years experience as a medical assistant. You can find these jobs on craigslist fairly easily that offer in house training so you don't actually need a MA certification that costs several thousand dollars. Let me know if you need more info on working as a MA if you decide to take a year off before you apply (pm me). Being a MA gives you A LOT of patient contact. I interacted with about 20-25 patients/day. Took x-rays, sent cultures to the lab, fabricated post operative/post trauma braces and casts and etc. This job came up in EVERY interview I went on and I can say with certainty that it played a vital role in each of my acceptances. Also, shadow a DO. Not just for a letter, but to have insight on what an osteopathic physician does on a daily basis in a clinical environment. It's often difficult to convey your interest in osteopathic medicine w/out showing any effort. Anyone can read about it online or in a book, but more often than not, those who are truly interested in something go the extra step. Good luck!

 

[marshds]

Hey guys,
I have my heart set on being a DO, however I have a bunch of obstacles. My GPA was really really low for the first 2 years of undergrad (my dad went to jail, death in the family, divorce it was a rough time). However, my GPA for my last 2 years has been in the 3.7 range. My cumulative GPA is still low at the 3.2 range. My MCAT score is a 28. ALSO I'm canadian. I have tons of EC's. I just wanted some opinions on whether I have a shot or not, also some suggestions on how to improve my chances. I really don't want to do postbacc 🙁

I got in with a lower MCAT, but my GPA was quite a bit higher, so it is possible if you have as many EC's as you indicate. I agree with everyone on here, you have a chance. Between now and application, if possible, get a medical assistant job, although I would argue they are not extremely easy to obtain, especially if you are in a college town (all the pre-meds snatch them up, sometimes you must be lucky). If you can't get one, keep on keeping on with shadowing and volunteering anywhere you can get exposure to different types of patients. When you apply, apply early, like June as someone else said, and engage the admissions staff before and during the application process, that way they know who you are and how much you want to go to their school. When you interview, also said earlier, you should know why, beyond a Google search, you want to go D.O. and medicine in general. If you are truly passionate about medicine and have had the necessary patient and DO exposure, your reasons should already be formulated. It sounds like you have had a difficult life, and I am sure you will be able to empathize with many a patient.

I would say this about postbacc coursework, don't just do it to improve your GPA, because you will accumulate more dept (assuming you take out loans) and your GPA will increase very minutely. For example, I completed a MPH (45 hours of A credit) and my GPA went from a 3.66 to a 3.75, some might disagree, but it was a whole lot of effort for one point. I think the graduate degree itself helped more than the point increase in GPA. My point is, if you do elect to do postbacc work, 1) finish it and 2) don't start taking graduate level bio courses if your undergrad was in Bio, you are not going to improve your GPA that much or the quality of your application. Pursue a complementary degree like a MPH or MHA if you end up doing it, but it doesn't sound like you are wanting to. This is just my opinion; others may have very different experiences. Good luck to you.

 

[Hov]

Thanks for the feedback guys! I will be applying as early as possible. Fingers Crossed!

 

[azide10]

My GPA isn't stellar but has a decent trend. I am a psychology major, GPA's = 1.92, 2.6, 3.68, 3.75, 3.75, 3.15, and finishing off my 4 year school with what I'm predicting as a 3.91 (I'm assuming A- in cell bio but it could go up or down). With summer classes my cGPA comes to 3.265 and sGPA is 3.54 not including this last semester. Shadowing hours aren't great and I will be improving those. My EC's include working at a group home for developmentally disabled people, Habitat for Humanity, Dispute Mediator at my school (though never used), camp counselor, and 80 volunteer hours in an outpatient physical therapy center. This leaves me with no research experience, no leadership experience, and no experience in an actual hospital (I am going to look into volunteering or working at the local children's hospital). To add to this I am hoping to run in marathons in the future (maybe for charity?) and volunteer at the local nursing home. I am thinking I may become an EMT provided the job market allows it in my area after the Spring semester (become certified in the summer)

I am graduating from my 4 year school a semester early in order to save some cash. I am looking to take Human anat and phys II, Physics II, English 101 (recieved a C- so I must retake it), and another class at either my local CC or my local SUNY (4 year). Is there a reason I should attend one over the other? The following Fall and Spring I will be taking Orgo I & II plus another upper level each semester while working. I also took Gen Bio's for the Social Sciences, do I absolutely need to take Gen Bio I and II for the science majors?

Haven't begun thinking about the MCAT yet but I may buy a book over the winter break and start studying whenever I have the time.

Any advice and/or criticism is appreciated. I know it is somewhat vague but I wanted to keep it as short as possible to avoid a wall of text from hitting you in the face. Good shape, need a lot of work, bad shape, anything. Just a bit anxious and want to make sure I'm doing what I can for myself. Thanks.

 

[demayette]

My GPA isn't stellar but has a decent trend. I am a psychology major, GPA's = 1.92, 2.6, 3.68, 3.75, 3.75, 3.15, and finishing off my 4 year school with what I'm predicting as a 3.91 (I'm assuming A- in cell bio but it could go up or down). With summer classes my cGPA comes to 3.265 and sGPA is 3.54 not including this last semester. Shadowing hours aren't great and I will be improving those. My EC's include working at a group home for developmentally disabled people, Habitat for Humanity, Dispute Mediator at my school (though never used), camp counselor, and 80 volunteer hours in an outpatient physical therapy center. This leaves me with no research experience, no leadership experience, and no experience in an actual hospital (I am going to look into volunteering or working at the local children's hospital). To add to this I am hoping to run in marathons in the future (maybe for charity?) and volunteer at the local nursing home. I am thinking I may become an EMT provided the job market allows it in my area after the Spring semester (become certified in the summer)

I am graduating from my 4 year school a semester early in order to save some cash. I am looking to take Human anat and phys II, Physics II, English 101 (recieved a C- so I must retake it), and another class at either my local CC or my local SUNY (4 year). Is there a reason I should attend one over the other? The following Fall and Spring I will be taking Orgo I & II plus another upper level each semester while working. I also took Gen Bio's for the Social Sciences, do I absolutely need to take Gen Bio I and II for the science majors?

Haven't begun thinking about the MCAT yet but I may buy a book over the winter break and start studying whenever I have the time.

Any advice and/or criticism is appreciated. I know it is somewhat vague but I wanted to keep it as short as possible to avoid a wall of text from hitting you in the face. Good shape, need a lot of work, bad shape, anything. Just a bit anxious and want to make sure I'm doing what I can for myself. Thanks.

All prereqs have to be for science major. Do all the other stuff you said you will do. shadow a DO. Prepare for the MCAT then you will be fine.

 

[negharmonys]

Hi SDNers, I need a bit of help. I'm going to apply to DO schools now and am learning about the application process.

First off:
NY resident- 34 MCAT, 3.31 cGPA and 3.34 sGPA.
Never shadowed a DO, I hope this isn't a problem.
Plenty of volunteering, exposure, MD shadowing, work experience.
My gpa is killing me (regret being lazy now) and my MD apps aren't coming through, so I'm trying out DO (which is fine with me because I did like the DO mentality better, my parents just pressured me to go for the MD to have a good rep)

So... there are 25 schools who's deadlines are 2/1/09 and beyond. What I need help with is eliminating the schools who's secondaries I won't be able to fill or who I have a lousy chance of getting into. For example do any schools require us to have had or to write about DO shadowing? How many should I apply to have a good chance of getting in somewhere? Is there a way to find out if a school has filled their class yet before I spend money applying to them?

Thanks a bunch for any advice!

 

[csmittyB]

LECOM requires a DO LOR.

 

[Chocolate Bear]

Sounds like you could benefit from my signature. Check it out.

 

[bainrd]

Hi SDNers, I need a bit of help. I'm going to apply to DO schools now and am learning about the application process.

First off:
NY resident- 34 MCAT, 3.31 cGPA and 3.34 sGPA.
Never shadowed a DO, I hope this isn't a problem.
Plenty of volunteering, exposure, MD shadowing, work experience.
My gpa is killing me (regret being lazy now) and my MD apps aren't coming through, so I'm trying out DO (which is fine with me because I did like the DO mentality better, my parents just pressured me to go for the MD to have a good rep)

So... there are 25 schools who's deadlines are 2/1/09 and beyond. What I need help with is eliminating the schools who's secondaries I won't be able to fill or who I have a lousy chance of getting into. For example do any schools require us to have had or to write about DO shadowing? How many should I apply to have a good chance of getting in somewhere? Is there a way to find out if a school has filled their class yet before I spend money applying to them?

Thanks a bunch for any advice!

My concern is that since it is so late in the game and you have no DO experience, that the schools will get the impression your "MD apps aren't coming through so [you] are trying out DO." Have you completed your AAMCAS? Add time for this and processing if not, which puts you even later into their app cycle. It was made very clear to me at several interviews, and even in these exact words at one, that they "don't want MD-wannabees." You very well might prefer the DO philosophy but they need a track record of experience to prove it. I think your first challenge is going to be a strong personal statement to convince them why DO. Some secondaries do ask specifically again, why DO, why this school, and what did a DO shadowing experience do to convince you. This and the experiences are what set applicants apart from reading online about what a DO is. I think your priorities are in the right place with wanting to go into medicine, but every DO school to which I applied (10) requires a physician letter and strongly prefers one from a DO. Your second challenge is the timeline. Your stats are good for most DO programs, but you need to set yourself apart this late in the game. Just some things to consider before you spend money. If you want to talk more, let me know, and I will dig up my apps to see more specifically who wants what.
__________________________
Class of 2014

 

[bwmore]

hey guys, im planning to apply for the 2010-2011 cycle. however, I was hoping on getting peoples opinions about my chances... I have a 3.49 cum, 3.39 sci, 10vr 12ps 12bs. and my ECs are good.

 

[beckhunter116]

hey guys, im planning to apply for the 2010-2011 cycle. however, I was hoping on getting peoples opinions about my chances... I have a 3.49 cum, 3.39 sci, 10vr 12ps 12bs. and my ECs are good.

Your pretty good. I would apply as early in the summer that you can. Do you have a letter from a DO? If not, I would take this time to get that and then you are golden. Just apply to a good number of programs.

 

[AD28]

-

 

[RG73]

You don't need a letter from a pre-med committee at most schools. In fact, I think PCOM is the only school that is absolutely 100% adamant about this. Every other school seems to allow you to substitute letters from science professors. Since you have an MPH degree, I presume you have an advisor, plus professors who are familiar with your recent work, it might be easier to round up those letters than wait for the committee.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

so i decided to apply to d.o. schools kind of late, but i had my AACOMAS finished and submitted over a month ago. the problem is, my premed committee is taking its sweet time submitting my letter of rec to interfolio. they screwed me over with my allopathic med school apps too since i was complete in early july but they didn't send in my rec until the middle of september. i gave them at least a month's notice prior to submitting both applications. i've pestered them with emails to no avail. i can't call them because i work and can't make calls.

technically, the deadline is in february for the schools im applying to, but lets say they take just as long to submit my rec this time as they did last time. that means im looking at a complete application sometime in january. i've already completed the secondaries that i can so i should be able to turn them in within a few days. my stats arent too impressive - 32Q, 3.37cgpa but i have a masters in public health and decent extracurrics.

realistically, what are my chances that late in the cycle?

thanks

this late? probably less then 10% ..

 

[AD28]

oh yea the other thing is is, all the science faculty i asked for recs sent their recs to my premed committee so i'm pretty much stuck waiting for them.