DC to DO non-traditional applicant

[Deecee2DO]

Hello,
I am a current 3rd year DC student with another full year of school ahead to complete my 4 years of Chiropractic school. I will be applying to DO schools this summer. I plan on starting DO school next fall after graduating as a DC. I received a 2.4 cGPA with BA in sociology from providence college. then i did a post-bacc premed and received a 3.9 cGPA and science GPA. chiropractic school cGPA=3.7 balancing a 105 credit hour/yr curriculum (9 classes per trimester at once), a second BS in human biology with a 3.67 GPA. MCAT=extremely poor (19). ECs=working at a gym part-time, certified tutor in physiology/biochemistry/microbiology/physical diagnosis/radiology to help give back my knowledge to the community and help students succeed and fulfill their dream to becoming a doctor (also reflects my interest in teaching-would like to teach part-time as a physician to med students) currently shadowing a DO in family medicine hoping to get at least 20 hours in before applying this june, all the while being a student intern in chiropractic school treating and managing patients all day while balancing 35 credit hrs at once. was selected 1 of 5 students at my school through a rigorous and competitive application process to be chosen for a week long internship with some of the world's premier sports medicine MDs, DOs and DCs at the world games in Italy this summer treating some of the worlds best athletes in their sport. What else should i do to enhance my chances of acceptance? do you think i have a shot at at least some low tier DO schools if i can rock my interview and write a great statement with outstanding reccs? My low MCAT score is reflective of my current status as a full time DC student who struggles with math and has been removed from the material for a while, i am just trying to get exposed to as much clinical knowledge as possible and continue to excel in science which is projected in my academic performance because i mean lets be serious the clinical and science knowledge carry significantly more weight in preparing me to be a competent physician not physics and orgo and i hope the admissions committee realizes that

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[rangerdad]

Do you took loans for the undergrad, post-bac, and DC programs? Seems like a long and expensive journey, but I understand the excitement of learning new skills. Good luck!!!

 

[keels99]

With an MCAT score of 19, it's going to be tough. If DO school is really what you want to do, I would try to raise it. What made you want to go from chiropractic medicine to osteopathic if you don't mind me asking?

 

[Jplewis002]

With an MCAT score of 19, it's going to be tough. If DO school is really what you want to do, I would try to raise it. What made you want to go from chiropractic medicine to osteopathic if you don't mind me asking?

Asking the same. That low of an MCAT won't get you anywhere DO btw, OP.

 

[Deecee2DO]

Ive been hearing of students getting in with <20 MCATs who have very competitive GPAs with unique backgrounds so i was just wondering considering already having a first professional degree that would also make me even more unique and qualified but i guess not. it's insane how much weight these admissions put on MCAT, its such a poor indicitor of success i know so many physicians that did not score well on MCAT that are fantastic doctors it is a shame. I want to switch because i dont want to be so limited in my scope of practice i would like to be able to treat a patient from all avenues and have the broadest scope of knowledge posible. I want to have more control over my patients full spectrum of care and collaborate most effectively with doctors of all specialties. while i think both medicine and chiropractic both have their place i believe becoming a DO will maximize patient care and open the most doors for me with other physicians as well as allow me to prescribe medications when needed and treat conservatively when not. DO over MD because i still have that holistic mindset, and obviously because of my MCAT but would never say that as a readon to an admissions when asked "why DO" ha

 

[Deecee2DO]

maybe lets say i took MCAT again this july and scored the equivalent of a 21 or 22 on the new scale. My chances very good then?

 

[Deecee2DO]

oh i will also be 27 when i start. and in response to rangerdad, no loans for anything but chiropractic school but financially i am not worried for certain reasons

 

[referee3]

oh i will also be 27 when i start. and in response to rangerdad, no loans for anything but chiropractic school but financially i am not worried for certain reasons

How can you not be financially worried? Also DOs do not necessarily take too kindly to chiropractors. I would say just stick to chiropracty. You've already made your decision on your field of work.

 

[Deecee2DO]

for reasons i dont have to explain referee, i have a family safenet. and the idea that DOs dont take kindly is completely false, the orthopedic surgeon i will be scrubbing up with next week is a DC as well and he tells me all the time how they loved that he was a DC when he applied and all the surgeons that he works with absolutelt LOVE DCs they love the referrals and really believe its an integral part of the medical team. its chiropractic btw not chiropracty

 

[Deecee2DO]

aside from that my question still is will a raise to a 21 or 22 MCAT make my chance at some DO schools (in state or lower tier) pretty good with respect to my first post

 

[GypsyHummus]

aside from that my question still is will a raise to a 21 or 22 MCAT make my chance at some DO schools (in state or lower tier) pretty good with respect to my first post

People get into DO schools with 22s. It is not very common, in fact an outlier, but it can happen, especially with an extremely high GPA. You will not have the luxury of being choosey however, I foresee a lot of waitlists. But hey, someone pulled off a waitlist still gets to go to medical school.

I personally think that going from DC to DO would make for an interesting interview, and could be a potential pitfall if you can't answer why you want to be a DO now instead of a DC and why you didn't apply to DO to begin with. I don't think that it ADCOMs will hold it against you if you explain yourself well however.

As long as money isn't an issue, I say retake the MCAT and go for it. 28 is not too late to be a medical student, you have the next 30-40 years to work, might as well do something you love.

Edit: Also, look at podiatry. Good field, and you only need a 19 mcat

 

[Deecee2DO]

Thanks for the response gypsy. I explained why i wanted to switch in a past post on this thread, did that not sound compelling enough? just curious not being a smartass

 

[trs88]

I think the best thing for you to do would be to contact a few schools, explain your situation and see what advice they might be able to give you on whether or not they would consider you for admission.

 

[Deecee2DO]

thanks a lot trs88 ill do that. is it mostly my mcat? since i have a DC, a 3.7 chiro school gpa, 2 bachelors degrees, a 3.7 cGPA and a 3.9 science gpa?

 

[Deecee2DO]

3.7 cGPA AND 3.9 science i was referring to my bachelors degree GPAs

 

[TopTomato]

I don't know where you heard about "lots of students getting in with <20 MCAT score" but that is completely false. The average matriculating score is much much higher. OP if you have a 19 MCAT now and score a 21, consider your application dead in the water. Both of those scores are abysmal at best.

 

[Deecee2DO]

i dont understand how a GPA as high as mine and a background as unique as mine applying non-traditional with significant upward trent in grades doesnt compensate for a low mcat

 

[Deecee2DO]

DO schools are notorious at looking at applicants holistically rather than throwing out apps based on one poor standardized test score

 

[GypsyHummus]

i dont understand how a GPA as high as mine and a background as unique as mine applying non-traditional with significant upward trent in grades doesnt compensate for a low mcat

As far as the transition to DC to DO is, I think you did a good job of explaining it.

However, it is important to realize the importance of the MCAT. There is data that suggests an MCAT score of Less than 23 is at risk of failing the boards. You have to take 3 boards, 3! Then one every ten years! This is not a nock on anyone who has a low MCAT score, but if you can't score at least a 24-25 on the MCAT, how in the world are you gonna make it past boards?

It doesn't matter how unique and special someone is, DO schools do no favors by accepting someone who can't make it past the Boards, because then your stuck with 400K in debt and no job! But at least you would have a DC degree to fall back on.

 

[TopTomato]

DO schools are notorious at looking at applicants holistically rather than throwing out apps based on one poor standardized test score

True but those applicants have a much higher MCAT score than you. OP the average MCAT score for a matriculating student was a 27.21. Your score is very very far from that. Getting another low score in the 20's will almost kill your application. You'd need to significantly improve in order to have a shot. Also some schools average the MCAT scores together, therefore even if you did score a 30 your averaged score would most likely screen you out of those schools.

Source
http://www.aacom.org/docs/default-source/data-and-trends/2014_Mat.pdf?sfvrsn=12

 

[TopTomato]

As far as the transition to DC to DO is, I think you did a good job of explaining it.

However, it is important to realize the importance of the MCAT. There is data that suggests an MCAT score of Less than 23 is at risk of failing the boards. You have to take 3 boards, 3! Then one every ten years! This is not a nock on anyone who has a low MCAT score, but if you can't score at least a 24-25 on the MCAT, how in the world are you gonna make it past boards?

It doesn't matter how unique and special someone is, DO schools do no favors by accepting someone who can't make it past the Boards, because then your stuck with 400K in debt and no job! But at least you would have a DC degree to fall back on.

Couldn't have said this better myself.

 

[Deecee2DO]

i know ive taken boards already as a DC so i know what it is like, the NBCE (national board of chiropractic examiners) parts 1 2 and 3 they are 12 hours each spread out over 2 days 6 hrs per day and scored in the 98th percentile, scoring higher than MDs in my class in pathology on part 1. so i am completely confident i can at least pass the thE comlex. i am very strong in science both clinical and basic. i am terrible in math physics and orgo, demonstrated by my MCAT. i got an 11 on bio section.

 

[GypsyHummus]

True but those applicants have a much higher MCAT score than you. OP the average MCAT score for a matriculating student was a 27.21. Your score is very very far from that. Getting another low score in the 20's will almost kill your application. You'd need to significantly improve in order to have a shot. Also some schools average the MCAT scores together, therefore even if you did score a 30 your averaged score would most likely screen you out of those schools.

Source
http://www.aacom.org/docs/default-source/data-and-trends/2014_Mat.pdf?sfvrsn=12

Agreed. The only hope OP has to come back from the 19 is to score 27+, the higher the better. It can be done, but you gotta hustle OP.

Imagine it this way: going from a 19 to a 22 is like retaking a F to a D. Yes, it helps your overall GPA, but it doesn't do you any good.

 

[Deecee2DO]

part 1 was taken after 1st year and parts 2 and 3 after 3rd year still have to take part 4

 

[Psyche Estrelle]

i mean lets be serious the clinical and science knowledge carry significantly more weight in preparing me to be a competent physician not physics and orgo and i hope the admissions committee realizes that

I can assure you that they won't.

 

[evooo8]

Definitely retake the MCAT. Even a slight increase in MCAT will help you greatly.

 

[DocWinter]

You should do nothing until you retake the MCAT. Don't go looking for success stories to bolster this idea - just focus on a 25+ MCAT (which should be doable with 4-5 months of solid prep).

I struggled in math too, and have a failed algrebra course on my transcript, as well as a MCAT retake.
However, it didn't stop me from retaking algebra, working hard to get a B in physics, taking extra math classes, retaking the MCAT a getting a 9 on the BS portion.
This is going to be hard to hear - but expect no special privileges (i.e. will you overlook my sorry MCAT) because you are a DC. There is a standard that you will be held to, and you currently do not meet it. You are currently in a hole, with a 19 MCAT. That's not pretty. It works against you. But a 25+ MCAT, with a DC degree, makes you attractive. A 22 won't do, not will a 23, and a 24 hasn't proven much either.

Good luck to you.

 

[DocWinter]

Agreed. The only hope OP has to come back from the 19 is to score 27+, the higher the better. It can be done, but you gotta hustle OP.

Imagine it this way: going from a 19 to a 22 is like retaking a F to a D. Yes, it helps your overall GPA, but it doesn't do you any good.

I think the 27+ is a little extreme, but I agree with your advice.

At my school, ACOM, my class has an average 26+ MCAT, and I hear the average accepted MCAT for the incoming class of 2019 is 28.

 

[PlasticBag]

If you are a tutor in physiology and all those other bio classes, you should be able to raise your BS portion of the MCAT quite easily. The PS can be frustrating and intimidating without a good background but the key is to stop thinking "arrgh, why do i have to know physics?!", and just accept that it's something you need to do, and sit down and practice problems.
I absolutely hated gen chem and was also trying to see if I might have anything unique to compensate for a potentially low MCAT, but a few months of neurotic reading on SDN quickly cured me from thinking that anyone is unique. Sure, your DC will make you an interesting applicant, but you still need a good MCAT. Once you're in med school, the slate will be clean and everyone will be held to the same standard. That's why I think schools are wary of people who think they are special.
Just be positive about the test, you might do better than you think.

 

[Deecee2DO]

plastic bag thanks for the advice. that was really helpful. I need to buckle down and just raise my MCAT score and try and stop figuring loop holes on how im unique. any advice on physics chem and ochem as far as studying? i am contemplating signing up for a KAPLAN review course. good idea?

 

[MedNation907]

To me it sounds more like poor decision making than inability to score well on standardized tests. I don't think I would do too great after taking 3 years of graduate work either. All the physics, gen. chem., organic chem., is not common knowledge and certainly not covered in the same manner in graduate school. Those basic concepts need to be revisited, and I'm assuming you didn't really study before sitting for the exam -- which is a terrible decision. But I think if you were to score better on the MCAT, as far as stats go, I'd say you'll be okay. I don't know how a DC degree is seen in the eyes of an ADCOM, no clue there, but objectively it shows you're able to perform well in graduate level courses. I don't see why so many people are discouraging OP.

 

[petyr_baelish]

I think you CAN get in but you need to shake the mentality that an MCAT score that's 2 standard deviations below the mean will get you any consideration. A solid prep plan will yield at least a 25. Trust in the process. Just learn the material one day at a time. It does get easier, you know. I was terrible at math and I did it.

 

[Deecee2DO]

thanks last two posters for the positive reinforcement. i am going to study very hard and resit for the test. to be honest being in chiro school i didnt study much first time (dumb ha). i will respect the MCAT and take a course. I need to revisit material hard. thanks again

 

[cdistel]

plastic bag thanks for the advice. that was really helpful. I need to buckle down and just raise my MCAT score and try and stop figuring loop holes on how im unique. any advice on physics chem and ochem as far as studying? i am contemplating signing up for a KAPLAN review course. good idea?

Not sure about the new mcat but for the old, I felt that TBR for gen chem and physics was phenomenal, for orgo tpr wasn't too bad

 

[Goro]

You need to re-take the MCAT. You're in auto-reject territory.

You're also going to have to have a really good explanation for making the switch from DC to DO. So far at my school, I don't think anyone has ever done that.

Hello,
I am a current 3rd year DC student with another full year of school ahead to complete my 4 years of Chiropractic school. I will be applying to DO schools this summer. I plan on starting DO school next fall after graduating as a DC. I received a 2.4 cGPA with BA in sociology from providence college. then i did a post-bacc premed and received a 3.9 cGPA and science GPA. chiropractic school cGPA=3.7 balancing a 105 credit hour/yr curriculum (9 classes per trimester at once), a second BS in human biology with a 3.67 GPA. MCAT=extremely poor (19). ECs=working at a gym part-time, certified tutor in physiology/biochemistry/microbiology/physical diagnosis/radiology to help give back my knowledge to the community and help students succeed and fulfill their dream to becoming a doctor (also reflects my interest in teaching-would like to teach part-time as a physician to med students) currently shadowing a DO in family medicine hoping to get at least 20 hours in before applying this june, all the while being a student intern in chiropractic school treating and managing patients all day while balancing 35 credit hrs at once. was selected 1 of 5 students at my school through a rigorous and competitive application process to be chosen for a week long internship with some of the world's premier sports medicine MDs, DOs and DCs at the world games in Italy this summer treating some of the worlds best athletes in their sport. What else should i do to enhance my chances of acceptance? do you think i have a shot at at least some low tier DO schools if i can rock my interview and write a great statement with outstanding reccs? My low MCAT score is reflective of my current status as a full time DC student who struggles with math and has been removed from the material for a while, i am just trying to get exposed to as much clinical knowledge as possible and continue to excel in science which is projected in my academic performance because i mean lets be serious the clinical and science knowledge carry significantly more weight in preparing me to be a competent physician not physics and orgo and i hope the admissions committee realizes that

 

[TopTomato]

You need to re-take the MCAT. You're in auto-reject territory.

You're also going to have to have a really good explanation for making the switch from DC to DO. So far at my school, I don't think anyone has ever done that.

Interesting, is this something that is frowned upon? Or just a rare occurrence?

 

[Deecee2DO]

Im not switching im completing what i started, receiving my DC degree and adding a DO degree since both have their place. i explained in a past post why i would like to add DO to my bag of tools. if i didnt complete my dc degree and switched that would look bad. i want to utilize the advantages of both degrees. thanks for the replies guys

 

[AlteredScale]

Im not switching im completing what i started, receiving my DC degree and adding a DO degree since both have their place. i explained in a past post why i would like to add DO to my bag of tools. if i didnt complete my dc degree and switched that would look bad. i want to utilize the advantages of both degrees. thanks for the replies guys

What are you looking to become career wise? OMM/NMM specialist?

 

[PlasticBag]

I don't think you need a prep test, unless you think you wouldn't be able to motivate yourself to study. Start with practicing a lot of BS passages - you'll probably do well and it will encourage you to continue. What helped me immensely with gen chem and physics was EK 1001 series. It is designed for people to build a good foundation before tackling passages. And it's a very good practice for the stand alone questions. I had a very weak background in sciences and with the EK series (and all available AAMC practice tests) I ended up scoring 29. It's not an amazing score, obviously, but for someone starting from the bottom it was pretty good. And I was accepted to my top choice DO school

 

[AM508]

I don't think you need a prep test, unless you think you wouldn't be able to motivate yourself to study.

The Kaplan materials (at least for the old test) were quite good and I though covered the material that was on the actual test well. The real bonus was the load of practice full lengths and the full access to all extant AAMC full lengths. I think once the content review was finished, the practice tests from both Kaplan and AAMC, followed by a post-mortem of where I was weak, was the best overall prep, so, I wouldn't categorically rule out at least using Kaplan self-study as I thought it did have some valuable material.

 

[PlasticBag]

The Kaplan materials (at least for the old test) were quite good and I though covered the material that was on the actual test well. The real bonus was the load of practice full lengths and the full access to all extant AAMC full lengths. I think once the content review was finished, the practice tests from both Kaplan and AAMC, followed by a post-mortem of where I was weak, was the best overall prep, so, I wouldn't categorically rule out at least using Kaplan self-study as I thought it did have some valuable material.

Prep course always gives some extra practice and that's never a bad thing! I took the EK course but it didn't have any extra practice tests beyond what's available for everyone in the EK books. So maybe it's something to consider when choosing prep courses.

 

[Osteopath999]

DO schools are notorious at looking at applicants holistically rather than throwing out apps based on one poor standardized test score

OP, i feel like you are trying to defense yourself to overlook your lethal MCAT score everywhere as everyone has given you realistic advice. You haven't undergone by yourself the medical school applications, so you may not know the reality now. The reality now is all Adcoms want well-rounded applicants from head to toe, they may tolerate you in some aspects of your application if it is just very slightly below the average of their application pool for each year. Let's say this year the avg MCAT for most low tier DO schools is 26 then a 25 or maybe 24 (at schools that are heavily mission-based) or a 26 with a 6 in verbal will be somewhat tolerated if all the other aspects of your application are outstanding. I am not trying to discourage you, but encourage you to study your butt off for the MCAT to get at least 26 and never ever assume to raise MCAT to just 21-22 and feel safe to apply. You only waste your money and time like that. Applying to medical school requires patience, diligence, and passion and compassion for your future patients, ask yourself if you do truly have those qualities, if yes then set your mind to kill the MCAT because in medical school you still have to set your mind more crazy to kill the Board exams and maintain in top 20 or even 15% of the class. And don't think that we do it for ourselves, we do for our future patients so we have to try hard in every aspect of medical schools starting with the application to med schools.

10-15 years ago With your MCAT of 19 or even 21-22 it is completely possible for you to get in, but now everything is different. Since you are getting your DC, I bet you have enough maturity to understand the reality, and if you also know that your problem is the MCAT then work your butt off to kill it, set your mind high to get at least 26 or above dont set your mind low for 21-22 like you said and apply with luck. The incoming cycles will definitely be more competitive !

I wish you all the best in your career path.

 

[doapplicant2015]

i am terrible in math physics and orgo, demonstrated by my MCAT. i got an 11 on bio section.

I don't mean to be blunt, but if you scored a combined 8 on PS and VR there is more wrong than math, physics, and orgo. You need to address this and you need to score above the 50th percentile or so on your retake to prove that the first go around was a fluke. Some good advice on this thread

 

[Deecee2DO]

awesome i am going to shoot for as high as possible thank you all for all the sound advice. Lets say i only manage to receive a 26 do you think my chances will be pretty good then and i will be considered pretty competitive?

 

[Deecee2DO]

also does the EK 1001 have explanations for all answers so if i dont know how to do the problem i can backtrack?

 

[Osteopath999]

26 MCAT, 3.5+ GPA, good ECs, good personal statement, strong LoRs... Then I dont see any serious flaw in your application that keeps you from being offered an interview somewhere.

awesome i am going to shoot for as high as possible thank you all for all the sound advice. Lets say i only manage to receive a 26 do you think my chances will be pretty good then and i will be considered pretty competitive?

 

[Osteopath999]

also does the EK 1001 have explanations for all answers so if i dont know how to do the problem i can backtrack?

It does

 

[Deecee2DO]

osteo99 i have everything else (incredibly high GPA good ECs, good reccs) so i guess MCAT is my only flaw really

 

[Deecee2DO]

were GPA and background was stated in my first post

 

[noleknight16]

Do not apply until you get a minimum of 25 on the MCAT. (even 25 may be a little too low)

If money isn't a problem, surround yourself with the best MCAT material possible. Take a class if needed.