Applying to LECOM/DO SCHOOL AS SOPHOMORE

[Richanesthesiologist]

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I'm between Sophomore and Junior Years.

My overall GPA is a 3.83 while my science GPA is a 3.73. I have a near perfect (35) ACT score

I haven't taken the MCAT yet. However, I saw LECOM doesn't require the MCAT and they will use an academic index score with the overall GPA and the SAT/ACT. I have also met all the pre-reqs and taken some other classes they recommend like microbio, genetics, neuroscience, advanced stats, etc.


Based on all this, my academic index score will be 137/142. They say the minimum is 110 with average around 119. Being only a sophomore, will I likely get accepted?

 

[Dox4lyfe]

If you'll have your BA/BS by time of enrollment you can apply with that index score.

Have you tried to email/call and directly ask them? Seems like the logical approach to take.

 

[Goro]

I'm between Sophomore and Junior Years.

My overall GPA is a 3.83 while my science GPA is a 3.73. I have a near perfect (35) ACT score

I haven't taken the MCAT yet. However, I saw LECOM doesn't require the MCAT and they will use an academic index score with the overall GPA and the SAT/ACT. I have also met all the pre-reqs and taken some other classes they recommend like microbio, genetics, neuroscience, advanced stats, etc.


Based on all this, my academic index score will be 137/142. They say the minimum is 110 with average around 119. Being only a sophomore, will I likely get accepted?

Interview is likely. Getting accepted is 100% on you. Maturity goes a long way in people applying at your age.

 

[Isoval]

This amuses me.

You should try it and report back.

I'm not being snarky, I'm genuinely curious if they'd give you a shot...

 

[Osminog]

Why don't you just take the MCAT, do well, and go to an MD school?

 

[Richanesthesiologist]

@Osminog

That was going to be my original plan and I'm still going to do it. Getting this acceptance will just take some stress off of my back. Also, my parents for some reason really want me to become a doctor as quickly as possible (I think they just look forward to retiring haha), and doing this will allow to get my DO one year early as I can graduate in 3 years

 

[Goro]

@Osminog

That was going to be my original plan and I'm still going to do it. Getting this acceptance will just take some stress off of my back. Also, my parents for some reason really want me to become a doctor as quickly as possible (I think they just look forward to retiring haha), and doing this will allow to get my DO one year early as I can graduate in 3 years

Your parent obviously love you, but they're doing thier best to destroy your medical career out of ignorance.

 

[Osminog]

@Osminog

That was going to be my original plan and I'm still going to do it. Getting this acceptance will just take some stress off of my back. Also, my parents for some reason really want me to become a doctor as quickly as possible (I think they just look forward to retiring haha), and doing this will allow to get my DO one year early as I can graduate in 3 years

Tell your parents that by going to LECOM, you'd essentially be out of the running for competitive medical specialties and you'd have to carry the DO stigma for the rest of your life. One extra year of undergraduate studies (and enjoying college life) isn't worth the hassle that comes with limiting your professional prospects and settling for mediocrity.

Become an MD. The doctor you will become a decade from now will thank you for it. Good luck.

 

[fantasticman221]

Tell your parents that by going to LECOM, you'd essentially be out of the running for competitive medical specialties and you'd have to carry the DO stigma for the rest of your life. One extra year of undergraduate studies (and enjoying college life) isn't worth the hassle that comes with limiting your professional prospects and settling for mediocrity.

Become an MD. The doctor you will become a decade from now will thank you for it. Good luck.

Is DO really this bad? I knew there was some stigma, but I thought you could still get into some competitive specialties if you worked hard enough

 

[Isoval]

It's more than possible.

People like pretending that the sky is falling when it comes to competitive residencies.

The short answer is that there are PDs who refuse to consider DO applications, especially in competitive specialties, and are sometimes held to a higher standard. This makes it noticeably more difficult, depending on the specialty. I believe dermatology has the worst anti-DO bias if I recall the program director survey correctly, where about 40% of dermatology PDs will not consider DO applicants. Conversely, I believe 100% of pediatrics(?) PDs will consider DO applicants.

Additionally, because many DO schools do not have in-house research and other resources, it further appears that DO students have trouble matching competitive specialties.

 

[Osminog]

Is DO really this bad? I knew there was some stigma, but I thought you could still get into some competitive specialties if you worked hard enough

For years, the AOA match has been the ambitious DO's "back door" route into competitive fields. After the merger, DOs will have to compete with both US MDs and IMGs for spots in programs that used to be DO-only. Things are going to get much more difficult, and many of the hardest working DOs will fail to make it into derm, ENT, neurosurg, etc.

Anyway, I really don't want to turn this into another MD vs. DO thread. I was just hoping to steer OP in the right direction.

 

[Richanesthesiologist]

For years, the AOA match has been the ambitious DO's "back door" route into competitive fields. After the merger, DOs will have to compete with both US MDs and IMGs for spots in programs that used to be DO-only. Things are going to get much more difficult, and many of the hardest working DOs will fail to make it into derm, ENT, neurosurg, etc.

Anyway, I really don't want to turn this into another MD vs. DO thread. I was just hoping to steer OP in the right direction.

@Osminog

My main area of preference is anesthesiology. I don't care too much how prestigious the residency program is. Anesthsiology also seems to be a not too competitive specialty and many residents at my university are DOs.

 

[On_The_Way_Up]

What’s the rush?