Applying DO in November or later

[z122]

I'm a 27 y/o non-trad who works full-time in health consulting. I'm currently taking physics 2, and need to take orgo 2, biochem, and the MCAT.

Obviously, it would be easier to wait until next year to apply, but I'm curious about my chances of admission if I apply DO in November '15. And if there are certain DO schools that tend to take later applications?

My stats are 3.7 cGPA 3.45 sGPA. These include a grade replacement for Physics 1 (C to A) and two pre-req W's due to physical illness.

On the bright side, my ECs are pretty unique: one year in health consulting, two years in medical software, one year in health policy research, one year as a brain injury rehab specialist, RA for one year at a Harvard-affiliated hospital (primary care study), volunteered 300 hours in two different hospitals, shadowed 50 hours rprimary DO and neuro MD.

The plan if I applied in November would be to finish physics 2 and orgo 2 by the end of July, study for two months, take the MCAT in Mid to late September while concurrently enrolled in fall biochem. Alternatively, I could swap orgo 2 for summer biochem.

Thanks.

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[SoccergalGK1]

It is very risky applying to schools late in the cycle. Most interviews are already underway late September to November. I think you are chancing it. I think saving your money and applying in 2016 would be the better choice. I know its not the answer you want to hear but I feel that weighing potentially not getting an interview versus being early and showcasing your abilities as a potential physician are better suited for the 2016 cycle. That way, you don't have to rush to take the MCAT and can perform well without feeling the intensity of trying to perform well under more immense pressure than needed.

 

[LChristmas]

I agree. Feeling rushed to take the MCAT is not something you want on your plate. Take the extra time and be sure that all of the other parts of your app are ready to go on Day 1 of next cycle.

 

[ERK123]

If you get the equivalent of a 30+ on the MCAT then I think you probably have a pretty solid chance of getting into a DO school even if you apply in November. Something to keep in mind, however, is that you might get into a better school or more personally preferable school if you wait until next cycle and apply earlier. This may or may not matter to you. I know this is anecdotal, but my application was not complete at AZCOM until sometime in January and I received an interview invite within a couple weeks and an acceptance pretty soon afterwards. On the other hand, there were schools that I applied to in October with above average stats that I never even heard back from.

 

[z122]

Thanks all. I realize a September MCAT would be rushing it. Suppose I took the MCAT in mid October after 10 weeks of study, or even later. Also, let's assume that money is not a huge concern and that I apply very broadly.

Any other opinions on chances or anecdotes? And are there schools to target later in the cycle?

 

[adrian710]

Thanks all. I realize a September MCAT would be rushing it. Suppose I took the MCAT in mid October after 10 weeks of study, or even later. Also, let's assume that money is not a huge concern and that I apply very broadly.

Any other opinions on chances or anecdotes? And are there schools to target later in the cycle?

Go for it mate

 

[user3]

Thanks all. I realize a September MCAT would be rushing it. Suppose I took the MCAT in mid October after 10 weeks of study, or even later. Also, let's assume that money is not a huge concern and that I apply very broadly.

Any other opinions on chances or anecdotes? And are there schools to target later in the cycle?

2 people here last year weren't complete until November, had 22 MCAT's, and still received several interviews. Another person this year had average grades, 24 MCAT, also not complete until Nov/Dec, and still received several interviews. All three got in.

Just don't bomb the MCAT and you should be good to go.

 

[z122]

2 people here last year weren't complete until November, had 22 MCAT's, and still received several interviews. Another person this year had average grades, 24 MCAT, also not complete until Nov/Dec, and still received several interviews. All three got in.

Just don't bomb the MCAT and you should be good to go.

Thanks. Obviously, I will be aiming to score better than a 24 or 500 on the MCAT. I'm hoping that my psych and research background will help a bit with the new format. I may also begin to study for the verbal section.

 

[StudyLater]

2 people here last year weren't complete until November, had 22 MCAT's, and still received several interviews. Another person this year had average grades, 24 MCAT, also not complete until Nov/Dec, and still received several interviews. All three got in.

Just don't bomb the MCAT and you should be good to go.

What you're not telling us is whether those were URMs, or if they had some other stellar portions of their app that put them above and beyond the rest of the normal applicants.

Who knows how it'll go. People have gotten in applying late with average stats - that much is true. Don't bet on getting in applying late if you happen to get a sub-par MCAT, though. A 22 equivalent is going beyond pushing it. I think if you're really being serious about your MCAT now, you should have a decent chance, assuming everything else is solid and there's no <3.2 GPA type of problems. Why not, right? Throw out a lot of lines. See who bites.

 

[keels99]

I have to say applying in November is fine. I work with multiple people who applied in December-February who got accepted (I included.) As long as you have solid stats and do well on your secondary prompts, you have a chance. However, I wouldn't apply to a broad range of schools and instead pick them based on when they stop accepting applications. Check SDN to make sure some schools haven't already filled their class and to get an idea of the kind of people getting accepted.

 

[Grace184]

2 people here last year weren't complete until November, had 22 MCAT's, and still received several interviews. Another person this year had average grades, 24 MCAT, also not complete until Nov/Dec, and still received several interviews. All three got in.

Just don't bomb the MCAT and you should be good to go.

A 24 I get... That basic minimum. A 22??? That's questionable....

 

[z122]

Check SDN to make sure some schools haven't already filled their class and to get an idea of the kind of people getting accepted.

That's a good call. I'll try to do some research about specific schools. If anyone can state some schools where people were accepted late, that also helps.

 

[Promethean]

Wait? Why not apply in June?

Just because the pre-reqs aren't done? So what? You've done enough basic science coursework to make your ability known, and you will have more grades in by the time they get around to interviewing you.

I would think that if you were going for a 2016 start, you'd be better off to get your app in as early as possible... even if things were still pending until fall, than to wait until fall to start the process. The DO cycle is long, but I'd think that someone who has an app more or less together early and who just needs to fill in a few finishing touches would be better than someone who turns in a perfect app after most of the seats are filled.

 

[Koikoi]

Thanks all. I realize a September MCAT would be rushing it. Suppose I took the MCAT in mid October after 10 weeks of study, or even later. Also, let's assume that money is not a huge concern and that I apply very broadly.

Any other opinions on chances or anecdotes? And are there schools to target later in the cycle?

The last MCAT test date will be in September this year so you won't be able to take it in October.

 

[z122]

The last MCAT test date will be in September this year so you won't be able to take it in October.

Ahh, September 23rd is the last date. That does change things.

If I began prepping after pre-reqs, I'd have 7 weeks to study. Otherwise, I could begin prepping sooner. My main concern is it would be difficult to study while concurrently taking Biochem and Ochem2. I don't think Ochem2 would be super high yield, so I may skip it and begin prep while taking Biochem.

Wait? Why not apply in June?

Just because the pre-reqs aren't done? So what? You've done enough basic science coursework to make your ability known, and you will have more grades in by the time they get around to interviewing you.

I was planning to submit the app at the end of July as soon as grades came in. Maybe I could submit before then, but would it really make a difference if my MCAT wouldn't be released until late October? My main concern is attending to applications could distract me from prereqs or MCAT prep.

 

[asdf123g]

Applying after Nov is not advised however possilble to get in. My friend applied around then to about 5 schools got an II from 2 and was accepted to both. Idk if they had II from other schools though. This person had 3.5x GPA and 27 or 28 MCAT. Decent EC's (mix between cookie cutter and not)...not sure about DO lor/DO shadowing. They were really attractive though haha. Ended up going to MD state school. They applied DO as a safety net.

 

[StudyLater]

Wait? Why not apply in June?

Barring prereqs, which should be finished/almost finished, ideally, OP has no MCAT. They'd have no idea how to evaluate OP until that's in.

Applying after Nov is not advised however possilble to get in. My friend applied around then to about 5 schools got an II from 2 and was accepted to both. Idk if they had II from other schools though. This person had 3.5x GPA and 27 or 28 MCAT. Decent EC's (mix between cookie cutter and not)...not sure about DO lor/DO shadowing. They were really attractive though haha. Ended up going to MD state school. They applied DO as a safety net.

Really interesting your friend got into an MD school with those stats, and applying late. But again, I don't know the specifics. Sounds like they had some EC's that were interesting enough to merit acceptance despite borderline stats and app lateness. Either that or they were a URM, or a combination of both.

 

[asdf123g]

Barring prereqs, which should be finished/almost finished, ideally, OP has no MCAT. They'd have no idea how to evaluate OP until that's in.



Really interesting your friend got into an MD school with those stats, and applying late. But again, I don't know the specifics. Sounds like they had some EC's that were interesting enough to merit acceptance despite borderline stats and app lateness. Either that or they were a URM, or a combination of both.

she applied MD early. Applied DO "late." They were not URM. EC's included research (not related to human body), clinical hours, shadowing, college sport, and one or two other things not related to medicine.

 

[StudyLater]

she applied MD early

Ah that makes more sense, now.

 

[asdf123g]

To clarify, they applied to about 5 DO schools late and was accepted to two when they paniced about not getting in MD.