declined DO, chances for Texas MD?

[jeffdunn1988]

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Hello All, here's the deal:

I applied late to all medical schools in Texas and a few others out of state. I was accepted to two DO schools. I called Texas A&M to see why I didn't get accepted and A&M said that the main weakness of my application was that it was late. Additionally, they said my chances of acceptance would be dramatically increased if I applied earlier (June instead of September). My question is:

If I decline the DO schools, are my chances of being accepted to an MD school dramatically affected?

I'm aware that my chances of being accepted to the DO schools I declined is nonexistent upon reapplication. I would apply again this June. I'm a Texas Resident.

My stats are:
MCAT-29
GPA-3.7
Multiple extracurricular, medical, and community service activities/leadership roles throughout college.

Any advice given is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Jeff

 

[DrMidlife]

The good news is that responding to that nice specific feedback will be a piece of cake. Apply early, boom, done.

The less good news is that TMDSAS has been open, what, a month already? And you haven't changed anything in your app since your last app. That is not good.

You could scramble to rewrite your essay and update your activity descriptions and basically freshen your app, in maybe a week, and arguably you're still early.

The problem with doing this is that in the context of a "what did I do wrong?" conversation, they're looking at you and only you. In the context of the app flood of biblical proportions that every TX school is already under, they're looking at your new app, your previous app, and every other app in the pile, in one sitting. If you don't have anything new on your reapp, that makes you look lazy and apathetic, and if your reviewer is an old fart retired doc (highly likely), you look like everything that's wrong with kids these days.

In your shoes, I'd skip this cycle. I'd retake the MCAT and get at least an average score (31+). I'd get at least one fresh LOR and have at least one new activity. I'd have everything lined up and tidy to apply May 1. Whatever else you do with the year doesn't matter. This is what I'm recommending because I believe in maximizing your chances and minimizing the number of times you apply. Do people with your stats normally get in, in TX? Yep. Do lots of people with your stats get rejected in TX? Yep.

Best of luck to you.

 

[TriagePreMed]

I wouldn't play those odds and lose at least a year of physician salary just so one letter after your name changes. 29 is not very impressive.

 

[patel2]

I wouldn't play those odds and lose at least a year of physician salary just so one letter after your name changes. 29 is not very impressive.

He lives in TX. A 3.7/29 has a high chance of an MD acceptance if he applies early...it's not like having a 29 and being from California, since many TX schools have averages of 3.6/30. I don't think it's all that risky a move, and if he prefers an MD to a DO, that's a reasonable decision to make.

OP, no, your odds won't be lowered because you turned down a DO acceptance. In fact, you could likely get into other DO schools outside the ones that you are turning down, because you don't have to disclose on AACOMAS whether you were accepted or not, so they have no way of knowing.

 

[jeffdunn1988]

If I'm not 100% sure on DO, should I do it anyway? Or should I just wait for seeing if I get an MD interview this year? I've already had a few, even with the late submission.

 

[Hokie06]

hey jeff, I go to a DO school in new york and im loving it. Choosing to start school rather than wait another year is probably one of the best decisions I ever made, even though I might of had a good chance at an MD acceptance had I applied earlier.

On that note, if you are having these thoughts, it might be best if you waited another year. just remember, in the end, regardless of the path you take, you will be a physician and what you do will be the same regardless of which school you attend. if you think waiting another year for a chance at an MD acceptance is worth it, then do it. Your decision will allow a wait list student to attend medical school this year.

best wishes

 

[Parietal Lobe]

In fact, you could likely get into other DO schools outside the ones that you are turning down, because you don't have to disclose on AACOMAS whether you were accepted or not, so they have no way of knowing.

Some of the secondaries ask.

 

[Isoprop]

You're sitting on a winning lotto ticket, son. Are you going to throw it away for the chance at the megamillions or are you going to take your winnings and run?

How is this not an easy answer?