Applying Without a DO Letter

[docaddictedtotravel1992]

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Alright, so I'm assuming this has been answered but I was wondering your opinions. I am currently taking a gap year and applying to DO schools now:

• AT Still-AZ
• Midwestern-CCOM
• LECOM-Bradenton
• Nova Southeastern
• NYIT
• PCOM
• Touro-NY
• Touro-CA
• West Virginia
• Western University
• All 3 Edward Via's
• ACOM
• Campbell University
• Marian University
• RVUCOM
• UP-KYCOM
• WCUCOM
• PCOM-Georgia

So basically during my year off I'm working full time at a Rehabilitation hospital scheduling appts and there ARE DO's here that I would love to shadow! However, I don't have any financial support from my family and work full time and cannot take any time off (saving time off for interviews) and also need to work as much as possible to save for interviews/applying so it's proving to be very difficult to find a DO to shadow. I work usually 7-4:30pm or 8-7pm M-F during the week. I know a lot of schools require a DO letter and my stats are definitely low (3.23 sGPA, 3.41 cGPA, 23 MCAT) so I know it would be helpful but I honestly cannot shadow since I'm at work when they are at work. Unless there are doctors that work on weekends? I know at our hospital only residents are there on the weekends. I have only shadowed a podiatrist and they are writing a letter for me for Podiatry schools I'm applying to. Any suggestions?!

 

[noleknight16]

Was taking the year off and improving the MCAT not an option? 23 is low. I'd say a DO letter is the least of your worries

 

[docaddictedtotravel1992]

Was taking the year off and improving the MCAT not an option? 23 is low. I'd say a DO letter is the least of your worries

I did retake the MCAT and scored a 22...so I'm shooting for getting lucky at this point. I am also applying to Podiatry schools.

 

[noleknight16]

I did retake the MCAT and scored a 22...so I'm shooting for getting lucky at this point. I am also applying to Podiatry schools.

Those scores suggest a huge content deficiency. The right MCAT studying can increase that score to 25+.

Unless you really want Podiatry, then by all means go for it. Don't go to Podiatry school just because that's what your MCAT is competitive for.

 

[CharmanderMD]

It really seems like a huge waste of money for you to apply to all those schools without getting a 25+ on your MCAT. Applying somewhat late + low GPA + low MCAT + no DO letter doesn't seem too smart.

BUT in terms of shadowing, do you get paid time off? Can you take some vacation and shadow during those days? You talk about saving your days off and your money for interviews but how do you expect to get these interviews without improving your application?

 

[docaddictedtotravel1992]

Those scores suggest a huge content deficiency. The right MCAT studying can increase that score to 25+.

Unless you really want Podiatry, then by all means go for it. Don't go to Podiatry school just because that's what your MCAT is competitive for.

I can see myself in either profession and have shadowed a Pod so I know a lot about the profession. As far as the MCAT goes, I am hesitant to take it again because I do not want to do worse AGAIN. I tried to change my study strategy but it did not seem to work.

It really seems like a huge waste of money for you to apply to all those schools without getting a 25+ on your MCAT. Applying somewhat late + low GPA + low MCAT + no DO letter doesn't seem too smart.

BUT in terms of shadowing, do you get paid time off? Can you take some vacation and shadow during those days? You talk about saving your days off and your money for interviews but how do you expect to get these interviews without improving your application?

I am flex staff, working full time--so I do not get any benefits (paid time off).

 

[deleted436726]

FWIW, I applied with an MD letter instead of DO and have gotten IIs, but as others have said that's the least of your worries. GPA is more or less fine with a decent MCAT but unfortunately your 23 is going to be tough for ADCOMs to look past.