Apply DO or take another gap year?

[Nerdeka]

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Senior graduating at a top 15 school.
3.2 science GPA, miserable trend (not down, not up) and slightly inflated by CC classes.
Research, very good.
Clinical, okay - could be better (250 hospital, 100 clinic (direct doctor/patient contact).
Taking MCAT in August/September

Concerns-
Would need to shadow/beef up ECs while studying for MCAT.
Might be better to take MCAT after a year of retakes.
Grades, not a great trend, Cs are sprinkled everywhere from freshman-senior year.

So if I did above average on the MCAT, would it be worth it to apply DO or is another gap year a must?

 

[Dr Tony T. Chopper]

Any shadowing? PS written/reviewed? LORs ready? You might be in quite a time crunch if you apply this cycle, especially if you don't get your MCAT back until September/October.

 

[Nerdeka]

Any shadowing? PS written/reviewed? LORs ready? You might be in quite a time crunch if you apply this cycle, especially if you don't get your MCAT back until September/October.

I thought that the DO cycle ends later and you're still early if you apply in October/November, am I wrong?

 

[MrTaco92]

I thought that the DO cycle ends later and you're still early if you apply in October/November, am I wrong?

I wouldn't really consider October early. You should probably try to apply as early as possible whether you're applying MD or DO. Like most MD schools, most DO schools start interviewing sometime around August.

 

[Dr Tony T. Chopper]

I thought that the DO cycle ends later and you're still early if you apply in October/November, am I wrong?

Not so much "early" as it is simply "not late"

 

[Petrichor1]

apply DO and make sure your school doesn't have any policies like "requiring a DO letter" to accompany application (in case you don't get around to shadowing one).

 

[frosted_flake]

This in no way shape or form adds anything to your thread/question, but it is SO relieving to see another applicant who does not have an upward GPA trend. It may just be SDN getting to me, but it always makes me feel like a complete turd when I see all of these kids with "awesome upward trends."

Actually, re-reading your post, we have many things in common! Minus the top 15 school

 

[magicdock]

This in no way shape or form adds anything to your thread/question, but it is SO relieving to see another applicant who does not have an upward GPA trend. It may just be SDN getting to me, but it always makes me feel like a complete turd when I see all of these kids with "awesome upward trends."

Actually, re-reading your post, we have many things in common! Minus the top 15 school

PREACH IT BROTHA


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[njtrimed]

Apparently I'm in the minority here, but I'd wait to apply to both MD and DO until you have the strongest possible application. It sounds like you may need some grade remediation, and time to study for the MCAT without pressuring yourself with whatever else you need to beef up your ECs.

 

[Nerdeka]

Apparently I'm in the minority here, but I'd wait to apply to both MD and DO until you have the strongest possible application. It sounds like you may need some grade remediation, and time to study for the MCAT without pressuring yourself with whatever else you need to beef up your ECs.

I kind of know this is what I should do, but I hate wasting a year.

 

[Nerdeka]

Also, I should have stated that I am from Illinois. We have 1 DO school and like what, 6 MD? Should this be taken into consideration?

 

[njtrimed]

I kind of know this is what I should do, but I hate wasting a year. 😛

As someone who will probably be the oldest MS1 in my class, I totally get why you feel that way. But I didn't rush the process as much as I originally intended and still focused my application season on DO, but ended up getting into my #1 choice MD school as well as my top choice DO school. Don't underestimate how competitive DO is these days; I doubt I would have gotten into either of my top choices if I didn't take the extra time to beef up my application. Don't sell yourself short. You may be pleasantly surprised by what you can accomplish and prove to schools that you really value in just 1-2 years.

 

[Dr. Death]

Seems like you are ready to get onto the next phase of your life (med school) So I would just apply DO and to your state MDs and matriculate next year.

 

[Nerdeka]

Seems like you are ready to get onto the next phase of your life (med school) So I would just apply DO and to your state MDs and matriculate next year.

I'm guessing you're being sarcastic. 😛

 

[Nerdeka]

As someone who will probably be the oldest MS1 in my class, I totally get why you feel that way. But I didn't rush the process as much as I originally intended and still focused my application season on DO, but ended up getting into my #1 choice MD school as well as my top choice DO school. Don't underestimate how competitive DO is these days; I doubt I would have gotten into either of my top choices if I didn't take the extra time to beef up my application. Don't sell yourself short. You may be pleasantly surprised by what you can accomplish and prove to schools that you really value in just 1-2 years.

I completely understand what you mean, but wouldn't getting into any school a year early be better than starting school a year later? There have been threads with people asking if they should accept their DO spot or take another gap year and the consensus seemed to be go DO.

 

[njtrimed]

I completely understand what you mean, but wouldn't getting into any school a year early be better than starting school a year later? There have been threads with people asking if they should accept their DO spot or take another gap year and the consensus seemed to be go DO.

If you applied and had been accepted, I'd tell you to take whatever acceptance you received. However, I think the wise thing to do BEFORE you apply is to make sure you have some idea of where you're applying, beyond just how the numbers fit yours, so if you've already interviewed and been accepted, it's probably the smartest move for most people to go with that acceptance. And personally, I would have been thrilled to go to the DO schools I applied to, so I'm not knocking DO. I'm just saying that if your application isn't that strong, it's worth making it as strong as it can be before you apply. And again, DO is more competitive than you think, and the whole application process is complex and nuanced. Why not take an extra year or two and give yourself options that will make you happy, rather than rush into it just hoping for any school to take you?