Any Questions Feel Free to Ask!

[TheBoneDoctah]

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Yesterday was my last day at work, so I have some free time on my hands. I know that when I was applying and jumping through the hoops, I had a ton of questions that didn't get answered when I posted on the forums. If anyone has any questions, feel free to PM me and I can try and help. I was accepted last cycle and will be start this August.

 

[blah12346497]

Can I submit my LORs via Interfolio to schools before submitting secondaries?

 

[vlazlo]

Can I submit my LORs via Interfolio to schools before submitting secondaries?

Most of my schools had my Committee letter package before I even received secondaries or submitted the secondary.

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

Can I submit my LORs via Interfolio to schools before submitting secondaries?

If you are using Interfolio to send your LORs, you can send them before you send in your secondary. They will hold onto them. However, there really isn't a reason to send them in prior to sending in the secondary. I sent all mine in as I completed secondaries.

 

[Ryomagoku]

did you retake any courses??

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

did you retake any courses??

I retook one class that I got an F in way in the beginning of my studies. I went to college for 6+ years (long story). I did have some Cs which I wish I could have retaken, but my school wouldn't allow it.

 

[Johnny Appleseed]

Did you get into an MD or DO program?

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

Did you get into an MD or DO program?

D.O. program

Hence, the reason I am posting this in the pre-osteopathic forum. 🙂

 

[Affiche]

How did you handle seat deposits for DO schools?

I'm applying to MD and DO programs and the hefty seat deposits for a DO acceptance has me worried. Do most students just fork over the $1500 and consider it lost if they end up with another (preferred) acceptance?

 

[SlayD]

D.O. program

Hence, the reason I am posting this in the pre-osteopathic forum. 🙂

I also only got into DO programs. One of my esteemed mentors is actually trying to talk me out of it, and reapply to MD 🙁 even if I have to take a year or two off. I'm already 2 years out of undergrad and I'm really not into that idea. How do you deal with people talking down on a DO education? Is this often?

Btw, this guy is really old which is what I wanna believe is the only reason why he made me feel so ****ty about going DO. He also called the merger BS. I feel sad because I thought he would be excited for me.

 

[Affiche]

I also only got into DO programs. One of my esteemed mentors is actually trying to talk me out of it, and reapply to MD 🙁 even if I have to take a year or two off. I'm already 2 years out of undergrad and I'm really not into that idea. How do you deal with people talking down on a DO education? Is this often?

Btw, this guy is really old which is what I wanna believe is the only reason why he made me feel so ****ty about going DO. He also called the merger BS. I feel sad because I thought he would be excited for me.

A lot of older MDs are very out of touch with the reality of current admissions and medical education, to be honest.

If it makes you feel better, my mentor pressured me to take the MCAT after 2 weeks of studying last year just so I wouldn't miss another cycle. Her reasoning was that it looks really bad if you took any gap years between undergrad and med school, and me taking an extra year to make sure I had time to study for the MCAT would be a colossal mistake. She also hypes up tier of med school to basically mean ivy-league-or-bust, despite attending Oklahoma herself and landing her dream job, and advised me not to mention that I ever considered a career besides medicine. Obviously, this is all garbage. Take your acceptance proudly and don't let anyone demean it! Especially people who really don't know what they're talking about!

 

[silvermecca]

I also only got into DO programs. One of my esteemed mentors is actually trying to talk me out of it, and reapply to MD 🙁 even if I have to take a year or two off. I'm already 2 years out of undergrad and I'm really not into that idea. How do you deal with people talking down on a DO education? Is this often?

Btw, this guy is really old which is what I wanna believe is the only reason why he made me feel so ****ty about going DO. He also called the merger BS. I feel sad because I thought he would be excited for me.

Talk to Goro about this! He will give you an unbiased answer regarding Do and MD. At the end, it did not matter what initials are at the end of my name. In my locale, they all work together. Some profs, admission committee members and many, many clinicians taught at my MBS program and it was an MD program. They were teaching the MD students in the classroom!! I found all of them to be very approachable. The choice is up to you however. If DO is going to cause you an embarrassment, don't do it. I have a friend who is going Caribbean just for that reason.....................crazy decision! She absolutely would not go DO???!!!! Learned from them in the classroom, but still looked down upon them. Another topic of conversation and will not go there! On a side note.................my advisor was worthless in undergrad! Time for him to retire. He said I would never get into Medical school. Got into three! I would love to meet up with him one day. But again................he is old also! I had my family and three science profs who believed in me. They were my self esteem lifeline!

 

[Johnny Appleseed]

D.O. program

Hence, the reason I am posting this in the pre-osteopathic forum. 🙂

Sorry duh... I should've assumed that. What do you think stood out in your application that helped you get in? Any specific ECs? I'm trying to decide if I should apply next summer or if I should take gap year to strengthen my application.

 

[NoTownPreMed]

I'm more interested about non-trad medical students who have gone through struggles of balancing parenthood and family finances during medical school. Any insights if you know of any who have gone through the struggles in your class and have overcome those adversities?

 

[SlayD]

A lot of older MDs are very out of touch with the reality of current admissions and medical education, to be honest.

If it makes you feel better, my mentor pressured me to take the MCAT after 2 weeks of studying last year just so I wouldn't miss another cycle. Her reasoning was that it looks really bad if you took any gap years between undergrad and med school, and me taking an extra year to make sure I had time to study for the MCAT would be a colossal mistake. She also hypes up tier of med school to basically mean ivy-league-or-bust, despite attending Oklahoma herself and landing her dream job, and advised me not to mention that I ever considered a career besides medicine. Obviously, this is all garbage. Take your acceptance proudly and don't let anyone demean it! Especially people who really don't know what they're talking about!

Thanks for that! Yes, it is just hard at first to have someone you look up to say things like that. I'm glad you were able to see through the garbage. I did take my DO acceptance very proudly, but his comments were like a curveball.

 

[SlayD]

Talk to Goro about this! He will give you an unbiased answer regarding Do and MD. At the end, it did not matter what initials are at the end of my name. In my locale, they all work together. Some profs, admission committee members and many, many clinicians taught at my MBS program and it was an MD program. They were teaching the MD students in the classroom!! I found all of them to be very approachable. The choice is up to you however. If DO is going to cause you an embarrassment, don't do it. I have a friend who is going Caribbean just for that reason.....................crazy decision! She absolutely would not go DO???!!!! Learned from them in the classroom, but still looked down upon them. Another topic of conversation and will not go there! On a side note.................my advisor was worthless in undergrad! Time for him to retire. He said I would never get into Medical school. Got into three! I would love to meet up with him one day. But again................he is old also! I had my family and three science profs who believed in me. They were my self esteem lifeline!

Wow Carribean?! Yeah, my mentor would probably prefer me to go to Caribbean vs. DO too. It's crazy. I was never embarrassed by my choice to start DO this fall, but like I said, after his comments, it made me wonder if I will face this type of criticism often. He made it sound like it would be the worst decision EVER. I won't land any reputable residencies. It stung to hear that from him. Like being scolded by a grandfather lol

 

[Affiche]

Thanks for that! Yes, it is just hard at first to have someone you look up to say things like that. I'm glad you were able to see through the garbage. I did take my DO acceptance very proudly, but his comments were like a curveball.

Yes, I understand. My mentor has been a mother figure to me for 12 years, so her elitism was definitely hard to stomach!

That said, I'm also the type of person to spite bad/elitist advice. I am hellbent on being successful despite coming from an impoverished background. If I have to take a long winding road to get there, who cares? If my path isn't good enough for someone else, who really cares? I'll get where I want to be regardless.

By the way, I think his elitism speaks more about his capabilities than it does yours, imho.

 

[NoTownPreMed]

Wow Carribean?! Yeah, my mentor would probably prefer me to go to Caribbean vs. DO too. It's crazy. I was never embarrassed by my choice to start DO this fall, but like I said, after his comments, it made me wonder if I will face this type of criticism often. He made it sound like it would be the worst decision EVER. I won't land any reputable residencies. It stung to hear that from him. Like being scolded by a grandfather lol

Makes me wonder if someone with that mindset would shoot down a "DO" cardiologist for treatment after presenting to the emergency room with chest pains, elevated troponin levels, and an ECG reading that shows ST-elevation. "I'll just wait a little longer to get my stenting done by a more qualified physician". 🤣

 

[SlayD]

Yes, I understand. My mentor has been a mother figure to me for 12 years, so her elitism was definitely hard to stomach!

That said, I'm also the type of person to spite bad/elitist advice. I am hellbent on being successful despite coming from an impoverished background. If I have to take a long winding road to get there, who cares? If my path isn't good enough for someone else, who really cares? I'll get where I want to be regardless.

By the way, I think his elitism speaks more about his capabilities than it does yours, imho.

God you took the words out of my mouth. Although I sat there respectfully, I was asking myself the same questions. I really appreciate your responses.

Makes me wonder if someone with that mindset would shoot down a "DO" cardiologist for treatment after presenting to the emergency room with chest pains, elevated troponin levels, and an ECG reading that shows ST-elevation. "I'll just wait a little longer to get my stenting done by a more qualified physician". 🤣

Hahahahahaha love it

 

[Jloyay]

How hard is it to get admission with research and volunteering experience but no physician shadowing? It is reallly hard to shadow a physician here in Canada.

 

[cliquesh]

I also only got into DO programs. One of my esteemed mentors is actually trying to talk me out of it, and reapply to MD 🙁 even if I have to take a year or two off. I'm already 2 years out of undergrad and I'm really not into that idea. How do you deal with people talking down on a DO education? Is this often?

Btw, this guy is really old which is what I wanna believe is the only reason why he made me feel so ****ty about going DO. He also called the merger BS. I feel sad because I thought he would be excited for me.

Someone usually poo-poos on my education once or twice a year.

I think the education DO schools provide is fine. However, you will have less opportunities than an USMD with the same scores as you. If you're a borderline MD applicant I would encourage you to take a year or 2 to improve your application. 1 or 2 years out of a 30 year career is not a big deal. If you have no shot at an MD school I wouldn't worry about it too much.

Being a DO is fine, though. The lack of opportunities may or may not impact you depending on your career goals.

 

[SlayD]

Someone usually poo-poos on my education once or twice a year.

I think the education DO schools provide is fine. However, you will have less opportunities than an USMD with the same scores as you. If you're a borderline MD applicant I would encourage you to take a year or 2 to improve your application. 1 or 2 years out of a 30 year career is not a big deal. If you have no shot at an MD school I wouldn't worry about it too much.

Being a DO is fine, though. The lack of opportunities may or may not impact you depending on your career goals.

Thanks for that real input. Well my LizzyM is 66. I believe that I have strong clinical experience, but not research.

Do you mind telling us what year you are and what specialty you are considering? Do you believe it closed any doors for you? Also sorry for so many questions but if you have any pointers to any incoming DOs to succeed please share!!

 

[cliquesh]

Thanks for that real input. Well my LizzyM is 66. I believe that I have strong clinical experience, but not research.

Do you mind telling us what year you are and what specialty you are considering? Do you believe it closed any doors for you? Also sorry for so many questions but if you have any pointers to any incoming DOs to succeed please share!!

I'm a soon to be 3rd year resident in an acgme anesthesia program. I did well in school and on boards. I do believe being a DO held me back some. I got some good interviews and I matched my second choice, but I think I would have gotten a few "better" interviews as an MD. To give you more specific numbers, I applied to 60 programs and I got 40ish invites. Most of my rejections were from some of the Ivy League programs and programs in the south. Does it really matter? In my particular case...no, not really. But anesthesia is pretty Do friendly. If I wanted to do something less DO friendly, like ENT, I'm sure I would have had a lot of trouble.

Being a DO closes doors. How many doors depends on the speciality. Additionally, I disagree with the notion that hard work can over come DO discrimination. That is wishful thinking and does not represent reality.

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

How did you handle seat deposits for DO schools?

I'm applying to MD and DO programs and the hefty seat deposits for a DO acceptance has me worried. Do most students just fork over the $1500 and consider it lost if they end up with another (preferred) acceptance?

I applied to about 20 D.O. schools and received interviews at most of them. I scheduled my interviews in a way that allowed me to have two "practice" interviews at schools that I wasn't that interested in attending first so that I practice and nail the ones I was interested in. I was accepted to the first school I interviewed at before I even had my second interview, but knowing that I wouldn't go there, I didn't put any money down. I waited until the second to last day to place my deposit at the school I am attending next year. However, if I DID get into a school that I would prefer over my current school, I would for sure loose out on the money. I know it's $1000 now, which is a lot, but in the long run, you are gonna be $201,000 in debt instead of $200,000. I think it's important for you to attend where you WANT to go and not let the money sway your decision. Try and schedule your interviews though strategically so that you don't waste money.

 

[IDK22]

Is ACGME EM residency programs DO friendly in your experience?

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

I also only got into DO programs. One of my esteemed mentors is actually trying to talk me out of it, and reapply to MD 🙁 even if I have to take a year or two off. I'm already 2 years out of undergrad and I'm really not into that idea. How do you deal with people talking down on a DO education? Is this often?

Btw, this guy is really old which is what I wanna believe is the only reason why he made me feel so ****ty about going DO. He also called the merger BS. I feel sad because I thought he would be excited for me.

I am not in the field yet, but from what I have gathered, the bias only exists in the pre-med world and some when you are trying to get into competitive residencies. It will be tough to match into dermatology or urology as a D.O., but it CAN happen. However, in my opinion, if you work your a** off and do well in school, you shouldn't be limited. In my opinion, the competitive specialties should have the brightest minds anyways, so if you can't compete with the M.D.s, then maybe you shouldn't be in that spot anyways. I wouldn't want a brain surgeon who barely passed. I would want a shining star! However, if you are scoring above the M.D.s on your boards, then you should be treated as an equal. Many older M.D.s are going to look down upon D.O.s because of the history of D.O.s and how they used to practice. However, nowadays M.D. and D.O. are identical in the way they practice and are coming more commonplace.

P.S. Dont listen to your mentor...I dont even want to get started with school counselors.

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

Sorry duh... I should've assumed that. What do you think stood out in your application that helped you get in? Any specific ECs? I'm trying to decide if I should apply next summer or if I should take gap year to strengthen my application.

I had a cool volunteer experience working in a program that offered surgery to underprivileged children and I also worked in a neuropathology lab. My GPA was mediocre, but my 31 MCAT was above the averages of all the schools I applied to.

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

I'm more interested about non-trad medical students who have gone through struggles of balancing parenthood and family finances during medical school. Any insights if you know of any who have gone through the struggles in your class and have overcome those adversities?

I have not started medical school yet. I start next month.

 

[NoTownPreMed]

I have not started medical school yet. I start next month.

Copy that, I'll ask again in 4 years 😀

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

How hard is it to get admission with research and volunteering experience but no physician shadowing? It is reallly hard to shadow a physician here in Canada.

Some schools require that you shadow a physician MD or DO. Some require you shadow a DO. Some don't require anything. You need to research what the requirements are before applying. I would say that physician shadowing, MD/DO, will definitely help.

 

[SlayD]

I'm a soon to be 3rd year resident in an acgme anesthesia program. I did well in school and on boards. I do believe being a DO held me back some. I got some good interviews and I matched my second choice, but I think I would have gotten a few "better" interviews as an MD. To give you more specific numbers, I applied to 60 programs and I got 40ish invites. Most of my rejections were from some of the Ivy League programs and programs in the south. Does it really matter? In my particular case...no, not really. But anesthesia is pretty Do friendly. If I wanted to do something less DO friendly, like ENT, I'm sure I would have had a lot of trouble.

Being a DO closes doors. How many doors depends on the speciality. Additionally, I disagree with the notion that hard work can over come DO discrimination. That is wishful thinking and does not represent reality.

Did you always know you wanted to do anesthesia? I feel like knowing earlier is helpful so you can start looking for research which I've heard is lacking at DO institutions. I'm a little worried because I'm not sure what I want to specialize in yet.

 

[Johnny Appleseed]

I had a cool volunteer experience working in a program that offered surgery to underprivileged children and I also worked in a neuropathology lab. My GPA was mediocre, but my 31 MCAT was above the averages of all the schools I applied to.

Awesome. I'll be sitting on 3.4 or 3.5 GPA unless I retake some classes from freshman year that I failed, so I feel like I need to strengthen my app in other ways. How many schools did you apply to? How many interviews did you get?

 

[Johnny Appleseed]

Awesome. I'll be sitting on 3.4 or 3.5 GPA unless I retake some classes from freshman year that I failed, so I feel like I need to strengthen my app in other ways. How many schools did you apply to? How many interviews did you get?

http://www.forums.studentdoctor.net/index.php?threads/1144159/

Would you mind taking a look at this i posted and let me know what you think?

 

[cliquesh]

Did you always know you wanted to do anesthesia? I feel like knowing earlier is helpful so you can start looking for research which I've heard is lacking at DO institutions. I'm a little worried because I'm not sure what I want to specialize in yet.

Nope, I wanted to do family when I was a pre-med. No amount of money could make me do family medicine now. This is why it's important to have as many options available. Every field of medicine is vastly different. You will like some and hate others.

Very few DO schools have clinical research opportunities. You'll be able to find some basic science stuff, though. There are also summer research fellowships during osm1 and osm2 summer you could do. You can also do case reports or review articles on your rotations as a 3rd year. Also look at local university programs. They may have research opportunities also.

Although research is important if you want to match a top program or a competitive speciality, it isn't necessary for most specialities/residencies. I didn't do much research as a med student.

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

Awesome. I'll be sitting on 3.4 or 3.5 GPA unless I retake some classes from freshman year that I failed, so I feel like I need to strengthen my app in other ways. How many schools did you apply to? How many interviews did you get?

What is your MCAT score. A 3.4/3.5 is a fine GPA for D.O. schools as long as the rest of your app is strong. I applied to about 20 schools and received interviews to about 15 of them. I only attended 4 interviews and cancelled the rest.

 

[vlazlo]

I'm more interested about non-trad medical students who have gone through struggles of balancing parenthood and family finances during medical school. Any insights if you know of any who have gone through the struggles in your class and have overcome those adversities?

There is a YouTube channel by a non-trad and in one video he talks about how he handles being married with kids.

The channel name is Student Doctor Thompson.

 

[Johnny Appleseed]

I need to know who goes to UW med school.. need some advice and help.

I am taking MCAT next may. I can't decide if I should apply then as well or take another year to strengthen my app. I guess I can't really make that decision until I get my score on the MCAT. 15 interviews is great though, I'd be so pumped if I just got a couple!

 

[Johnny Appleseed]

I am taking MCAT next may. I can't decide if I should apply then as well or take another year to strengthen my app. I guess I can't really make that decision until I get my score on the MCAT. 15 interviews is great though, I'd be so pumped if I just got a couple!

Sorry meant to reply to syntaptic doctah

 

[Dreamstoo]

What was your initial reaction when you got your first acceptance? 🙂

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

What was your initial reaction when you got your first acceptance? 🙂

My first acceptance I received when I was at work by phone call. My first reaction was "holy crap, I am going to be a doctor and peoples lives in my hands"

 

[67552931811]

☕

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

The reason that there is a D.O. bias is because you guys are acting like this.

Study hard, get into med school, bust your a**, get into a residency, and be a physician. If you think that you are as smart as an MD student, prove it! Instead of saying how they get golden treatment over D.O.s, SHOW them that you can measure up. Smash your boards and get into residency.

 

[Dreamstoo]

My first acceptance I received when I was at work by phone call. My first reaction was "holy crap, I am going to be a doctor and peoples lives in my hands"

I had a friend who got so lazy once he got in. Only time I have ever seen him aim for just a "B-" in a class so he can skip a final for an upper level bio class

 

[SlayD]

.

 

[67552931811]

☕

 

[Dreamstoo]

Please keep it civil posters.

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

I am still open to answering questions if anyone needs help.

 

[AlteredScale]

How hard is it to get admission with research and volunteering experience but no physician shadowing? It is reallly hard to shadow a physician here in Canada.

I wanted to add to Synaptic Doctah's answer to this.

Each school is specific when it comes to where it regards research experience on the totem pole of admissions. For the most part, DO programs are not actively seeking the student who second authored an article published in PNAS or JAMA. They WOULD like to see that you understand that medicine is evidences based and that new drugs/procedures are rooted through evidenced-based science in a peer-reviewed manner.

You need to do everything possible to shadow a physician and gain that experience. AdComs want to see that you know what you're getting yourself into.

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

I wanted to add to Synaptic Doctah's answer to this.

Each school is specific when it comes to where it regards research experience on the totem pole of admissions. For the most part, DO programs are not actively seeking the student who second authored an article published in PNAS or JAMA. They WOULD like to see that you understand that medicine is evidences based and that new drugs/procedures are rooted through evidenced-based science in a peer-reviewed manner.

You need to do everything possible to shadow a physician and gain that experience. AdComs want to see that you know what you're getting yourself into.

...and watch those requirements. Wouldn't wanna dump a bunch of money on a school that requires DO shadowing/LOR if you haven't done that.

 

[silvermecca]

I'm more interested about non-trad medical students who have gone through struggles of balancing parenthood and family finances during medical school. Any insights if you know of any who have gone through the struggles in your class and have overcome those adversities?

Sent you a message!