Advice on My List of Potential Osteopathic Schools

[medstudent1215]

Hey all, I am looking for some specific opinions and advice tailored to myself. I am a nontraditional student going on 3-4 years out of college now. In my upper 20s with a wife, 2 kids in elementary school, and hoping for a 3rd.

I have a 3.51 gpa at my most recent university in undergrad, combined cumulative gpa of 3.42 including my initial community college years. MCAT score is exactly at 500.

I have 4 years experience working as a Scribe in the busiest emergency department in the state. Personally have written closing in on around 40,000 charts from that many patient interactions. I have some volunteering experience through the local free clinic in town, and even went on a medical missionary trip in South America.

I applied to 2 DO schools in the past in which I was waitlisted at both and ultimately did not get in, so this year I am broadening my options and going to apply nationwide. I was hoping for about 25-30 DO schools. Going to do about 2-3 MD schools, and 4 Caribbean schools (last resort)

This is the list of schools I have created based on information I have gotten from SDN, and from coworkers, other online resources, the schools' websites, etc... Lots of information is conflicting (because nothing is black/white when talking about this subject) but I was hoping to get some advice on the school list provided below.

Are there any schools on my considered list that people think may be a waste of money and time? Are there any schools on the NOT considered list that people think "you should totally apply there."? If responding, it would be helpful to get the reasoning and thought process behind your opinions also!

Thanks in advance. I value everyone's opinions.

Considered Schools So Far
A.T. Still University - Kirksville COM
A.T. Still University - SOM in Arizona
Alabama COM
Arkansas COM
Burrell COM at New Mexico State University
Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace SOM
Des Moines University COM
Edward Via COM - Auburn
Edward Via COM - Carolinas
Edward Via COM - Virginia
Idaho COM
Lincoln Memorial University - DeBusk COM
Marian University COM
Michigan State University COM
New York Institute of Technology COM
Oklahoma State University Center for HS COM
Pacific Northwest University of HS COM
Philadelphia COM
Philadelphia COM - South Georgia
Philadelphia COM - Georgia
Rocky Vista University COM - Colorado/Utah
University of Pikeville-Kentucky COM
University of the Incarnate Word SOM
West Virginia School of OM
Western University of HS- COM-PNW
William Carey University COM

NOT Considered Schools So Far
Arizona COM of Midwestern University
Chicago COM of Midwestern University
Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences COM
Lake Erie COM
Lake Erie COM - Bradenton Campus
Liberty University COM
Nova Southeastern University COM
Ohio University Heritage COM
Rowan University SOM
Touro COM - New York
Touro University COM - California
Touro University Nevada COM
University of New England COM
Western University of HS COM of Pacific

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Cryc_to_the_point]

I don't think you'll be left out this year. I had an extremely similar profile sans the family. Interview well and I would anticipate someone picking you up.

 

[medstudent1215]

I don't think you'll be left out this year. I had an extremely similar profile sans the family. Interview well and I would anticipate someone picking you up.

That is great to hear, and congratulations. If you don't mind me asking, where did you end up getting accepted? and did you apply to similar schools?

 

[Goro]

Delete Wm Carey.
OKCOM may have a regional bias @AnatomyGrey12 , can you confirm?
PacNW seems to favor people from that region.
MSUCOM has obscenely expensive tuition/COL, and seems to favor MI residents. Also, consider Larry Nassar.
I don't think PCOM-SG is taking apps yet, is it?
You're competitive for LECOM.

Considered Schools So Far
A.T. Still University - Kirksville COM
A.T. Still University - SOM in Arizona
Alabama COM
Arkansas COM
Burrell COM at New Mexico State University
Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace SOM
Des Moines University COM
Edward Via COM - Auburn
Edward Via COM - Carolinas
Edward Via COM - Virginia
Idaho COM
Lincoln Memorial University - DeBusk COM
Marian University COM
Michigan State University COM
New York Institute of Technology COM
Oklahoma State University Center for HS COM
Pacific Northwest University of HS COM
Philadelphia COM
Philadelphia COM - South Georgia
Philadelphia COM - Georgia
Rocky Vista University COM - Colorado/Utah
University of Pikeville-Kentucky COM
University of the Incarnate Word SOM
West Virginia School of OM
Western University of HS- COM-PNW
William Carey University COM

NOT Considered Schools So Far
Arizona COM of Midwestern University
Chicago COM of Midwestern University
Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences COM
Lake Erie COM
Lake Erie COM - Bradenton Campus
Liberty University COM
Nova Southeastern University COM
Ohio University Heritage COM
Rowan University SOM
Touro COM - New York
Touro University COM - California
Touro University Nevada COM
University of New England COM
Western University of HS COM of Pacific[/QUOTE]

 

[medstudent1215]

Delete Wm Carey.
OKCOM may have a regional bias @AnatomyGrey12 , can you confirm?
PacNW seems to favor people from that region.
MSUCOM has obscenely expensive tuition/COL, and seems to favor MI residents. Also, consider Larry Nassar.
I don't think PCOM-SG is taking apps yet, is it?
You're competitive for LECOM.

How come delete WM Carey?
PNWU favoring regional people is good because it happens to be in my state.
LECOM has two schools: one in FL and one in PA. Consider both you think?
And PCOM-SG has a clickbox on AACOMAS when checking which schools you wish to apply to so I assume they're accepting apps for the 2018-2019 year.

 

[CyrusHabs7695]

NYIT also favors NY residents

 

[Goro]

NYIT also favors NY residents

I think that this is because there are so many qualified applicants in the NYC region. A CA effect, so to speak.

 

[Goro]

How come delete WM Carey?

VERY high attrition rates and only a 92% placement rate for their Class of 2018. That means 8% of their grads are now unemployed, NOT doing residency. No SOAP, no scramble, no TRI. This is simply NOT acceptable. I expect they'll be put on probation very soon.

 

[Cryc_to_the_point]

That is great to hear, and congratulations. If you don't mind me asking, where did you end up getting accepted? and did you apply to similar schools?

I was accepted at LMU-DCOM and PNWU. I declined an interview at ACOM. I applied to 15 schools (11 DO, 4 MD). You're welcome to message me for further.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Yes OSU is heavily in-state bias, with added regional bias for the OOS spots. This is the list I recommend.

A.T. Still University - Kirksville COM
A.T. Still University - SOM in Arizona
Alabama COM
Arkansas COM
Burrell COM at New Mexico State University
Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace SOM
Des Moines University COM
Edward Via COM - Carolinas
Edward Via COM - Virginia
Lincoln Memorial University - DeBusk COM
Marian University COM
Michigan State University COM
Pacific Northwest University of HS COM
Philadelphia COM
Philadelphia COM - Georgia
Rocky Vista University COM - Colorado/Utah
University of the Incarnate Word SOM
West Virginia School of OM
Western University of HS- COM-PNW
Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences COM
Lake Erie COM
Nova Southeastern University COM
Touro University Nevada COM
University of New England COM
Western University of HS COM of Pacific

I cannot recommend going to a brand new school at this time. The only one would be UWISOM and only because they are in Texas.

 

[medstudent1215]

Yes OSU is heavily in-state bias, with added regional bias for the OOS spots. This is the list I recommend.

A.T. Still University - Kirksville COM
A.T. Still University - SOM in Arizona
Alabama COM
Arkansas COM
Burrell COM at New Mexico State University
Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace SOM
Des Moines University COM
Edward Via COM - Carolinas
Edward Via COM - Virginia
Lincoln Memorial University - DeBusk COM
Marian University COM
Michigan State University COM
Pacific Northwest University of HS COM
Philadelphia COM
Philadelphia COM - Georgia
Rocky Vista University COM - Colorado/Utah
University of the Incarnate Word SOM
West Virginia School of OM
Western University of HS- COM-PNW
Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences COM
Lake Erie COM
Nova Southeastern University COM
Touro University Nevada COM
University of New England COM
Western University of HS COM of Pacific

I cannot recommend going to a brand new school at this time. The only one would be UWISOM and only because they are in Texas.

So your in comparison to your list and mine.

You added - Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences COM, Lake Erie COM, Nova Southeastern University COM, Touro University Nevada COM, University of New England COM, and Western University of HS COM of Pacific.

Any particular reasoning behind recommending these schools for me?

You deleted - Edward Via COM - Auburn, Idaho COM, New York Institute of Technology COM, Oklahoma State University Center for HS COM, Philadelphia COM - South Georgia, University of Pikeville-Kentucky COM, and William Carey University COM

It has been noted that NYITCOM and Oklahoma are regional preference, is that why you dont recommend as well? PCOM - south Georgia is a new school so thats why you took that off I am assuming. Same with UIWSOM, but you left that on the list. I have heard newer schools could be beneficial to apply to. That's all personal preference though. Delete William Carey COM as noted above. I get that one. One last explanation I would like to know is why delete Pikeville-Kentucky COM?

Thanks for the response

 

[medstudent1215]

Hey all, I really appreciate the feedback! I cant say thanks enough. Through this forum, in combination of others, my new updated list includes:

Considered Schools So Far

A.T. Still University - Kirksville COM

A.T. Still University - SOM in Arizona

Alabama COM

Arkansas COM

Burrell COM at New Mexico State University

Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace SOM

Edward Via COM - Auburn

Edward Via COM - Carolinas

Edward Via COM - Virginia

Idaho COM

Lake Erie COM

Lake Erie COM Bradenton Campus

Lincoln Memorial University - DeBusk COM

Marian University COM

New York Institute of Technology COM

Nova Southeastern University COM

Pacific Northwest University of HS COM

Philadelphia COM

Philadelphia COM - South Georgia

Philadelphia COM - Georgia

Rocky Vista University COM - Colorado/Utah

Touro University Nevada COM

University of Pikeville-Kentucky COM

West Virginia School of OM

Western University of HS- COM-PNW


NOT Considered Schools So Far

Arizona COM of Midwestern University

Chicago COM of Midwestern University

Des Moines University COM

Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences COM

Liberty University COM

Michigan State University COM

Ohio University Heritage COM

Oklahoma State University Center for HS COM

Rowan University SOM

Touro COM - New York

Touro University COM - California

University of New England COM

University of the Incarnate Word SOM

Western University of HS COM of Pacific

William Carey University COM

I plan on sending out applications in the next few days so any last minute advice is again appreciated. Referencing my stats above, are there any schools on my considered list that maybe shouldn't be? Or any schools on my not considered list that maybe should be? If providing some advice, please include a description of your thought process behind it.
​

 

[Ajtt12]

Hey Guys I was wondering if you think I should apply to an Allopathic School or stick to DO Schools and which ones do you think are best?
MCAT: 519 cGPA:3.91 sGPA:3.97. Did my undergrad in at a liberal arts college and did a lot of my science prerequisites at a community college. I am a permanent resident from New York. thanks a lot.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Hey Guys I was wondering if you think I should apply to an Allopathic School or stick to DO Schools and which ones do you think are best?
MCAT: 519 cGPA:3.91 sGPA:3.97. Did my undergrad in at a liberal arts college and did a lot of my science prerequisites at a community college. I am a permanent resident from New York. thanks a lot.

You’re trolling right?

 

[Ajtt12]

You’re trolling right?

Nope! I'm honestly not trolling. I'm not originally from the US so I am new to the whole system. So I thought that this forum would be the best way to get some information about the matter. I've been doing some additional research but the contributors on this forum have a lot more experience so I thought I would ask.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Nope! I'm honestly not trolling. I'm not originally from the US so I am new to the whole system. So I thought that this forum would be the best way to get some information about the matter. I've been doing some additional research but the contributors on this forum have a lot more experience so I thought I would ask.

Apply only MD