MD & DO Canadian here, what are my chances?

[Total_Rad]

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Hi everyone,

I'm just hoping to get a little feedback.

cGPA3.10, sGPA3.08. Upward trend, lowest (early) year of undergrad was 2.14, last year of undergrad was 3.88.

MCAT 34 (PS9/VR10/BS15).

24 months of research experience. Acknowledged in 1 paper. Authorship of a poster presentation. Authorship of a publication in progress. Currently doing clinically related research.

About 150 hours of hospital volunteering, working directly with patients. No real extra curricular activities aside from this.

Have 4 people who can supply LORs to me. 2 professors I did research with (1 okay letter, 1 good letter). 2 health care professionals (not physicians), one who oversees my volunteering activities. 1 who I am doing a clinical research project with. Don't have a physician who I can ask for a letter yet, working on this.

I realize that my GPA is prohibitively low for the M.D. schools, so I am mainly focusing on the D.O. schools. What are my chances?

(Thank you for your attention) (Also, of Asian descent. I really don't know whether that makes a difference for American Med Schools).

 

[ProudMD]

Both your GPAs are on the lower end of DO averages, but your superb MCAT should compensate quite a bit. If you want to apply to DO schools, I strongly recommend that you shadow a DO and get a LOR from him/her. Many DO schools recommend/require a DO letter.

And your ECs are a bit sparse. Your research experiences are excellent, but DO schools don't place as much emphasis on research as MD schools do. DO schools tend to lean towards service/clinical ECs, and many DO applicants have absolutely stellar clinical/community service ECs. So consider strengthening these areas.

And just a word of advice. DO schools are not "easier" to get into. Their numbers are lower than MD schools, but DO schools place a stronger emphasis on ECs and "fit".

@Goro can probably offer you more advice.

 

[ProudMD]

I think the major problem you may be facing is the mismatch of your numbers and ECs. Your numbers are squarely in the DO range, but your research-heavy ECs are more preferred by higher-ranked MD schools, which are sadly out of reach for you because of your low GPAs. If you want to attend a DO school, you'll need to have ECs that are more inline with what DO schools like to see.

 

[Goro]

I concur. Apply broadly.

Both your GPAs are on the lower end of DO averages, but your superb MCAT should compensate quite a bit. If you want to apply to DO schools, I strongly recommend that you shadow a DO and get a LOR from him/her. Many DO schools recommend/require a DO letter.

And your ECs are a bit sparse. Your research experiences are excellent, but DO schools don't place as much emphasis on research as MD schools do. DO schools tend to lean towards service/clinical ECs, and many DO applicants have absolutely stellar clinical/community service ECs. So consider strengthening these areas.

And just a word of advice. DO schools are not "easier" to get into. Their numbers are lower than MD schools, but DO schools place a stronger emphasis on ECs and "fit".

@Goro can probably offer you more advice.

 

[Total_Rad]

Hello,

Thank you for your responses, the feedback is highly appreciated. Does this mean that D.O. students and physicians don't do much research? Or is it not actively encouraged, the way it may be for M.D. students and physicians?

Thanks again.