Canadian looking to apply to US DO

[CanadianHopefully]

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Hi everyone,

Just wondering which DO schools I should apply to as a Canadian applicant? I know it's a little late in the cycle but I wrote the MCAT 3 years ago and that is the cut off for most schools is 3 years.

Stats:

cGPA: 3.7
sGPA: 3.5
MCAT (PS/VR/BS): 27 (9/7/12)

ECs: I completed a cardio tech program so I worked in a hospital for a about 3 months
Lots of volunteer, diabetes awareness day, local hospital interacting with older patients, working with a naturopath and at a naturopath clinic. I am working on shadowing a do but there aren't many in my area

Preferences: something for Canadians, preferably on the west coast

Any other considerations:

I haven't been able to shadow a do or md but I did work with md during my program and should be able to get a good ref

School list:
MSUCOM
Western u
Touro/ny

CCOM?

 

[thumbz]

I had the same GPA and a 31T MCAT and did not garner an interview from CCOM. Touro NY did send me one. MSU has their Canadian initiative so you should definitely apply there.

 

[CanadianHopefully]

I had the same GPA and a 31T MCAT and did not garner an interview from CCOM. Touro NY did send me one. MSU has their Canadian initiative so you should definitely apply there.

Thanks @thumbz for the reply! Much appreciated! 🙂 So is it worth me applying to CCOM, I only have 3 schools right now was hoping for more. I wanted to apply to UNE but they won't take my MCAT.

I read about MSU's Canadian initiative so is my number one right now.

 

[TeamLeafs]

"I completed a cardio tech program " - you also have a bachelors degree correct? Otherwise that is not accepted...

You'll likely have to retake the MCAT for some schools to be considered.

 

[CanadianHopefully]

@TeamLeafs sorry yes I have bachelors science from university in addition to the cardio tech diploma.

Thanks I was hoping to not to retake the MCAT. Based on my research my score is competitive the only issue is that schools consider it out dated. I actually thought the general rule was 5 years so I was surprised when some schools said 2 was outdated

Thanks for the reply

 

[TeamLeafs]

@TeamLeafs sorry yes I have bachelors science from Simon Fraser university in addition to the cardio tech diploma.

Thanks I was hoping to not to retake the MCAT. Based on my research my score is competitive the only issue is that schools consider it out dated. I actually thought the general rule was 5 years so I was surprised when some schools said 2 was outdated

Thanks for the reply

The score is okay for DO, but for MSU's program it isn't strong. For MD it is too low. If you want a chance at MD schools you will have to retake.

 

[TeamLeafs]

Also note that the cut-off dates for MCAT, are from the date of Matriculation, not application. So if it is a 3 year limit, for Summer 2015 admittance you would have to have written it in Summer 2012.

 

[CanadianHopefully]

Thanks I'll take that into consideration

From what I've read on most sites they just say 3 years no specifics

 

[thumbz]

I mean it won't hurt to apply to CCOM, but I doubt you will get any love unfortunately

 

[DOguyxxx]

Why dont you retake your MCAT and try to get into MD schools? You have the GPA for it...

 

[Dr Turkelton]

Recent law changes in Canada have made it much more difficult for DO's to return to Canada to practice there. Unless you would prefer to move to the states permanently I would retake that MCAT and apply MD.

 

[CanadianHopefully]

Thanks guys!

Had for retaking the MCAT I kind of feel like this it for if I don't get in now I most likely won't be applying again. I know that sounds odd and most ppl enter MD school in thir 30s and I am only 28 but that just my feelings. Also I have taken the MCAT before and I got 25. I got 27 after a retaking it and I am not sure if I will do better. I mean to get a 27 I study for like 3-4 months in advance and took and MCAT class

 

[CanadianHopefully]

Recent law changes in Canada have made it much more difficult for DO's to return to Canada to practice there. Unless you would prefer to move to the states permanently I would retake that MCAT and apply MD.

Hi could you elaborate on this? I am trying to understand it better but I am still confused

 

[walkonwater]

Hi could you elaborate on this? I am trying to understand it better but I am still confused

I can answer that. As a fellow Canadian applying, it comes with great disappointment to tell you that the Canadian system treats DO grads and MD grads differently. When applying for a residency position, MD is the same as a Canadian Medical Graduate (CMG), while DO is treated as an IMG.

What this means is more testing (MCCEE) and less spots for you when applying for your residency.

Going MD (an option your GPA makes possible) will save you a number of headaches even if you aren't sure if you want to return to Canada for your residency. Source: http://mcc.ca/examinations/mccee/

 

[WesternRedCedar]

Thanks guys!

Had for retaking the MCAT I kind of feel like this it for if I don't get in now I most likely won't be applying again. I know that sounds odd and most ppl enter MD school in thir 30s and I am only 28 but that just my feelings. Also I have taken the MCAT before and I got 25. I got 27 after a retaking it and I am not sure if I will do better. I mean to get a 27 I study for like 3-4 months in advance and took and MCAT class

If medicine is something you truly want, another year shouldn't make a difference. That is very bad thinking.

And if you could only get a 27 after 4 months of studying...and an MCAT class...you are doing something wrong. Medical school is full of lots of standardized tests, especially as a DO, you have to do the COMLEX Series on top of the USMLE series, and a slew of other licensing exams(I dont think Canada is the same tests as USA, so maybe have to do special licensing exams to practice there?)

 

[CanadianHopefully]

I can answer that. As a fellow Canadian applying, it comes with great disappointment to tell you that the Canadian system treats DO grads and MD grads differently. When applying for a residency position, MD is the same as a Canadian Medical Graduate (CMG), while DO is treated as an IMG.

What this means is more testing (MCCEE) and less spots for you when applying for your residency.

Going MD (an option your GPA makes possible) will save you a number of headaches even if you aren't sure if you want to return to Canada for your residency. Source: http://mcc.ca/examinations/mccee/

Thanks for replying so quickly!
So what exactly do u mean by Canadian residency? Are u referring to doing ur rotations while still in school or once you've graduated?

 

[CanadianHopefully]

If medicine is something you truly want, another year shouldn't make a difference. That is very bad thinking.

And if you could only get a 27 after 4 months of studying...and an MCAT class...you are doing something wrong. Medical school is full of lots of standardized tests, especially as a DO, you have to do the COMLEX Series on top of the USMLE series, and a slew of other licensing exams(I dont think Canada is the same tests as USA, so maybe have to do special licensing exams to practice there?)

Thanks for the input! I am still in the process of deciding if I am going to apply to DO programs. I don't have an probelme with practicing in the US after I just want more info about returning to Canada because ive been hearing/reading a few different thing

 

[walkonwater]

Thanks for replying so quickly!
So what exactly do u mean by Canadian residency? Are u referring to doing ur rotations while still in school or once you've graduated?

Not referring to rotations.

Residency is the mandatory training following graduating medical school. You may want to look into this by doing a quick google search if you don't want know what it is.

 

[CanadianHopefully]

Not referring to rotations.

Residency is the mandatory training following graduating medical school. You may want to look into this by doing a quick google search if you don't want know what it is.

Oh k thanks for clarifying. I figured that what you meant but sometimes on the fourms ppl use them interchangabley so its confusing sometimes.

Anyways I was planning on doing the residency in the US anyways and then maybe practicing in Canada. People said that would be easier? Thoughts?