Application Help

[smmossey]

Hello everyone my stats are as follows as of May 2010.

New Hampshire Resident
3.71 (a tad bit higher for M.D.) science g.p.a
3.69 Non-Science g.p.a.
23S MCAT (6 PS, 9VR, 8BS)
600 hours shadowing family practice physician in his practice, and about 30 hours in the hospital
10 hours of house calls with the same physician
Phi-Betta-Kappa Honor society Member
Golden Key Honor Society Member
Chem Tutor for a semester (Spring 2008)
Eagle Scout

Some other extra curricular activities:
Acting
Singing
Computers (most of my work experience is in computer related work)

I am planning on submitting my application on June 1st, and am having my transcripts forwarded to AMCAS. I am currently graduating this semester, and am studying for my second run at the MCAT that I am taking July 16th. I realize this date is late, but with graduation and the fact that I just came back from a semester in London, it was the only option I had to achieve a hopeful score. It is my hope to bring my score up to at least a 27, which I am both hopeful and fearful of. I am also applying to D.O. schools June 1st, because it is my goal to be a doctor and from my understanding M.D. and D.O. are very similar, and I DO NOT want to take more than a year off if possible.

My question is do you think it is safe to apply with a 23S to both M.D. and D.O. schools June 1st and what can I do to ensure everything arrives promptly save for my new MCAt score? Unfortunately, I am scrambling to get a letter from and shadow a D.O., because I only recently learned about the letter requirement for msot schools (I do have a M.D. letter). I am also trying to do some more in hospital shadowing, but am really fearful of my MCAT score and realize it is blocking me from applying to truly any schools. Amidst the frustration I am trying my best to study, and graduate but I really want to get things right for my application and any advice you can provide would be great.

One other question is if anyone can provide me with a link to schools that are almost exclusively in state? I would like to apply for Florida residency (I am a New Hampshire Resident currently) as my father lives there currently and has for the last seven years, but don't think I am able to because he has not claimed me as a dependent. If accepted I would move to Florida (my top choices for schools) but don't want to move there on a "tentative" basis, and don't really think I have an option of getting residency in time for my application.

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[runawayclock]

I think some DO schools accept MD letters in place of DOs...

 

[MiniMoo]

A 23 will pretty much put you out of the running to any allopathic schools. There is still a shot at DO if you apply broadly enough. If you can get a 27, then allo might be within reach, although your chances would be much higher if you could break the 30 barrier. And yes, some DO schools do accept MD letters. Find Chocolate Bear in the pre-osteo forum. His signature (IIRC) contains a link to a list of schools that require DO letters and those that don't.

Another problem I see is that you have tons of shadowing (considered passive observation) but no real clinical experience. Have you worked directly with sick people? If not, that's a pretty big hole in your application.

Also I'm not familiar with laws determining residency for Florida, but I would hazard to say that you are too late to gain residency for this year. If your father claimed you as a dependent, then it might be possible. But if not, I believe that you would actually need to live and work in the state for at least a year prior to the start of school to be considered a resident. I would double check though.

Above all, be sure to make sure all aspects of your application are in line before applying. Many people hate the idea of taking a year off, but a year is not that long. After having gone through the application process, I can tell you it's a huge drain on your money and time. I don't think anyone would voluntarily go through it more than once.

 

[MiniMoo]

I went and dug up the link for you --

DO schools that do/do not require a DO letter:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?k...LdVJIaFE&hl=en

I would double check the accuracy, just to be on the safe side.

 

[Catalystik]

I share MiniMoo's concerns about your ECs. Frankly, I'd suggest you give consideration to beefing up your ECs for a year before you apply to either MD or DO schools.

Clinical experience is a must. Your shadowing is outstanding, but you also need personal interaction with sick people through a job, volunteering, or via clinical research. You might also consider broadening your base of physician exposure and spending a day each with two other specialists.

You have some teaching, but what about research, nonmedical community service, and leadership?

Another advantage to waiting ayear might be to give you time to establish Florida residency and create the necessary paper trail. Further, you could then spend the entire summer on MCAT study and maybe a formal classroom prep course. It's not gonna look good if you get another score like the one you have.

 

[smmossey]

Thank you for the link to D.O. schools this is a huge help!

The shadowing that I did in the hospital actually did involve interactions with and caring for sick patients, but I hesitate to put that as volunteer work considering it hazards on the side of shadowing. I would actually consider my exposure to sick people to be outstanding due to the house calls I did regularly with the doctor, but of course I want to improve still. Also, I am looking at shadowing an EMT surgeon for a day as well and perhaps a few other ER doctors. I guess my question for this is how can I make that clear on an application after I submit it? Is it possible, or would I have to wait to get these exposures before I submitted my application?

I am looking at getting a permanent job in the medical field via the doctor I worked for, but due to my MCAT won't start it till July.

As far as my community service I was in Golden Key Honor Society which required me to perform community service, but only about 7 hours per semester. My Eagle Scout I hope looks good, but I have heard mixed reviews