Cloudy on Pre-Reqs

[BelieveMeChile]

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I am a late decision pre-DO applicant looking to apply this cycle. Since I decided fairly late that I wanted to go to DO school (I thought that becoming a doctor was a pipe-dream for me), I have not quite finished a lot of my pre-reqs. I have a couple of options: finish my degree by Spring 2017 and finish my pre-reqs the semester after, or finish my pre-reqs by Spring 2017 and graduate early summer 2017. It seems like most DO schools require "completion of the degree before matriculation," but it's a little cloudy as to when that cutoff is. What should I be expecting? Should I instead be planning for applying next year?

Edit: after rearranging my schedule a bit it seems I can have everything done by spring 2017. My question still stands though, if I, for some bizarre reason, can't take a class--would that make me incapable of applying this cycle?

 

[Philotic]

Hi Chile,

It would probably be best for you to call the schools you are interested in and asking specifically for their admissions requirements. To the best of my knowledge, "completion of the degree before matriculation" literally means just that: by the first day of medical school, you need to provide proof to the medical school that you have completed your degree. Most candidates are applying and interviewing throughout their senior year, so they wouldn't have their degree until the end of their senior year either. If your program goes until the Summer 2017, I don't see why this would be a problem. Ultimately it is up to the school to decide if they have faith in you for completing your program.

In terms of the pre-req requirements, I would also recommend calling the specific schools. Some schools might only review your application if you have completed your requirements already. Other schools will review your application even if you are in the process of taking that requirement (or are planning on taking it). It varies, so it can't hurt to double check! Do keep in mind that schools can place you on hold pre- and post-interview for grades. This means that you might not get an interview decision or admissions decision until you send them the final transcript grades for your pre-reqs during whatever semester they place you on hold.

I was completing my Orgo 2 and Orgo 1+2 labs during my app process, and was placed on pre-interview holds for grades at some schools while I got interviewed at others. I have been accepted and will be matriculating in the fall (contigent upon me finishing up my second semester of Orgo lab which ends in May).

Hope that helps somewhat. Really, I wouldn't be shy about calling schools, especially if you have questions that they would definitely know the answers to. They are used to questions like this (and you don't even have to give them your name if you don't want to...just say something like "I'm a prospective applicant and I was wondering x, y, z").

Philotic

 

[BelieveMeChile]

Awesome, I will definitely do that. I don't know why that hadn't crossed my mind. 🙂. Thank you!