Did I apply to too few schools?

[dtx_17]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I applied to all 10 TX schools (I'm a Texas resident), and 4 DO schools (COMP-Western, KCUMB, VCOM-VA, and PCOM).
cGPA 3.75, MCAT 505
Do you think I applied to too few schools? Is is getting too late in the game at this point to apply to more? I have one II at this point and I guess I'm starting to get worried.

I only applied to 4 DOs because of money issues but now a lot of that has resolved and I can afford to apply to more than just the schools I was most interested in... should I do it?

 

[DokterMom]

Your GPA is fine; MCAT a little low for MD. How are your EC's? And how do you feel about retaking the MCAT and going for MD versus going for DO this year?

 

[dtx_17]

Your GPA is fine; MCAT a little low for MD. How are your EC's? And how do you feel about retaking the MCAT and going for MD versus going for DO this year?

I have ~1200 hours of scribing experience, 100+ shadowing, 100+ community service (both health and non health related). I was heavily involved in 2 extracurriculars throughout my time in college, one health related and one not.
If I didn't get into any schools, I would retake the MCAT and apply again next year. I guess I'm just impatient but I feel like I'd rather go to medical school next year, regardless of DO or MD, rather than wait another year. Is that an unwise choice? :/

 

[rufflev]

I believe the typical applicant applies to 20-25 schools, so to answer your question, yes.

Just be patient, the cycle hasn't ended yet and it is still early for DO. You can consider adding more schools through AACOMAS if you're truly worried about it.

 

[dtx_17]

I believe the typical applicant applies to 20-25 schools, so to answer your question, yes.

Just be patient, the cycle hasn't ended yet and it is still early for DO. You can consider adding more schools through AACOMAS if you're truly worried about it.

It's probably too late to apply for AAMC, huh

 

[rufflev]

It's probably too late to apply for AAMC, huh

Definitely too late to apply AAMC. Plus your MCAT is on the lower end, so applying late into the cycle would be a detriment to your application.

 

[dtx_17]

Definitely too late to apply AAMC. Plus your MCAT is on the lower end, so applying late into the cycle would be a detriment to your application.

Haha I def knew that deep down; just thought I'd ask anyways.
Considering my stats, though, not just the average applicant, do you think I should apply to more? Was/am I being too "overconfident" that I would be accepted to one of the schools I applied to?

 

[rufflev]

Haha I def knew that deep down; just thought I'd ask anyways.
Considering my stats, though, not just the average applicant, do you think I should apply to more? Was/am I being too "overconfident" that I would be accepted to one of the schools I applied to?

If you don't mind applying DO, then I'd suggest adding a few more schools. If you are, then I would recommend retaking the MCAT, shooting for 510+ so that you'll be competitive for (most) MD and DO schools.

 

[workaholic181]

You could add mor DO schools but it's still early OP! Don't fret.

 

[Siromas]

I applied to all 10 TX schools (I'm a Texas resident), and 4 DO schools (COMP-Western, KCUMB, VCOM-VA, and PCOM).
Stats are 3.75 cGPA, 3.6 sGPA, 505 MCAT.
Do you think I applied to too few schools? Is is getting too late in the game at this point to apply to more? I have one II at this point and I guess I'm starting to get worried.

I only applied to 4 DOs because of money issues but now a lot of that has resolved and I can afford to apply to more than just the schools I was most interested in... should I do it?

Hmm. When was your TMDSAS application verfied? When did you submit your secondaries?

 

[BugzBunnyDoc]

That's a subjective question. At the end of the day, it is all about your preferences and what direction you want to go in life. With your stats, I would personally have applied to more schools but with finances being a huge part of the application process its understandable. If you do not have financial restrictions, I would highly recommend applying to more schools. Why spread yourself thin and then possibly regret it later? Apply broadly, and hopefully you get a few interview invites, a few acceptances, and choices of schools to choose from. The application process is stressful and if you decide against applying to more schools, and worst case scenario do not get in this cycle, then you will be considered a reapplicant to those schools that you applied to this year and will have to make a case for how you've changed since this cycle. If you are trying to avoid taking a gap year or just want to go straight into medical school, then should look into more schools but make sure to pick schools you can see yourself going to. Don't throw money at every school if you don't seriously see yourself aligning with the atmosphere, the mission, or the location of the institution. Good luck with your current cycle.

 

[DokterMom]

The applicant's home state (Texas) complicates things a bit... Texas schools have an insane in-state preference and OP's good GPA and strong EC's could certainly be enough to overcome a borderline MCAT. But then, perhaps not -- tough call. Is there anything else compelling or unusual about your narrative @dtx_17 ? Are you a particularly good fit for some of the lower-ranked TX schools? (Rural medicine? Spanish language? Under-served?)

The other important thing to consider is that in-state TX MD schools have tuition costs of ~$18,000 per year, compared to most OOS DO schools of $50,000+. That price differential (even if Mom & Dad are paying), coupled with the general MD > DO perception argues strongly for the "take another year to improve your MCAT" approach.

That is, of course, assuming another few month's of MCAT prep could improve your score significantly. Do you think it can @dtx_17 ? Or are you scoring at about your own personal peak?

 

[dial1010usa]

I applied to all 10 TX schools (I'm a Texas resident), and 4 DO schools (COMP-Western, KCUMB, VCOM-VA, and PCOM).
Stats are 3.75 cGPA, 3.6 sGPA, 505 MCAT.
Do you think I applied to too few schools? Is is getting too late in the game at this point to apply to more? I have one II at this point and I guess I'm starting to get worried.

I only applied to 4 DOs because of money issues but now a lot of that has resolved and I can afford to apply to more than just the schools I was most interested in... should I do it?

Your GPA is way above avg for DO and your MCAT is good too. Out of those 4 schools you will get into Western, at least II. Add few more TUNCOM & PNWU. How did you pick those 4 DO schools? Based on location or stats? You will get in somewhere this year.
Good luck!!!

 

[Goro]

I applied to all 10 TX schools (I'm a Texas resident), and 4 DO schools (COMP-Western, KCUMB, VCOM-VA, and PCOM).
Stats are 3.75 cGPA, 3.6 sGPA, 505 MCAT.
Do you think I applied to too few schools? Is is getting too late in the game at this point to apply to more? I have one II at this point and I guess I'm starting to get worried.

I only applied to 4 DOs because of money issues but now a lot of that has resolved and I can afford to apply to more than just the schools I was most interested in... should I do it?

I think it's worth the insurance to apply to some more DOs schools. It's not too late.

Suggest adding (and trying to keep you relatively close to home):
AZCOM
OKCOM
RVU
DMU
TUNCOM
BCOM (maybe)
UIW (maybe)
(maybe)
(maybe)

 

[bears1992]

I believe the typical applicant applies to 20-25 schools, so to answer your question, yes.

Just be patient, the cycle hasn't ended yet and it is still early for DO. You can consider adding more schools through AACOMAS if you're truly worried about it.

AAMC says the average applicant applies to 12 schools. Not sure if that counts DO schools though.

 

[dtx_17]

Hmm. When was your TMDSAS application verfied? When did you submit your secondaries?

Unfortunately, pretty late. Mid-September to both.

Your GPA is way above avg for DO and your MCAT is good too. Out of those 4 schools you will get into Western, at least II. Add few more TUNCOM & PNWU. How did you pick those 4 DO schools? Based on location or stats? You will get in somewhere this year.
Good luck!!!

Do you mean you think I'll only get into Western? I didn't apply to PNWU because of their strong strong regional preference (and I'm pretty sure I'd get seasonal affective disorder with all the rain they get haha). I picked the four schools based on average matriculant statistics, how established/old of a program they are, match lists, and friends who go and told me about it! Thank you so much for the encouragement 🙂

 

[dtx_17]

The applicant's home state (Texas) complicates things a bit... Texas schools have an insane in-state preference and OP's good GPA and strong EC's could certainly be enough to overcome a borderline MCAT. But then, perhaps not -- tough call. Is there anything else compelling or unusual about your narrative @dtx_17 ? Are you a particularly good fit for some of the lower-ranked TX schools? (Rural medicine? Spanish language? Under-served?)

The other important thing to consider is that in-state TX MD schools have tuition costs of ~$18,000 per year, compared to most OOS DO schools of $50,000+. That price differential (even if Mom & Dad are paying), coupled with the general MD > DO perception argues strongly for the "take another year to improve your MCAT." approach.

That is, of course, assuming another few month's of MCAT prep could improve your score significantly. Do you think it can @dtx_17 ? Or are you scoring at about your own personal peak?

I do have a strong interest in rural/underserved medicine. I'm not a Spanish speaker; I unfortunately retained very little of my 4 years of high school Spanish haha. And yeah, your points make tons of sense. Parents aren't paying so I definitely would prefer to stay in-state. I definitely could improve my MCAT score. This was my first take and I only put in 6 weeks of self studying (procrastination and trying to study while preparing for graduation).
I think if I get into a school in Texas, I'll go. If I get accepted into a program out-of-state that I'm completely in love with, I'll go. If neither of the two happen I'll buckle down and retake the MCAT, take some more science classes at my local college, and prepare to apply again next year.

 

[DokterMom]

I do have a strong interest in rural/underserved medicine. I'm not a Spanish speaker; I unfortunately retained very little of my 4 years of high school Spanish haha. And yeah, your points make tons of sense. Parents aren't paying so I definitely would prefer to stay in-state. I definitely could improve my MCAT score. This was my first take and I only put in 6 weeks of self studying (procrastination and trying to study while preparing for graduation).
I think if I get into a school in Texas, I'll go. If I get accepted into a program out-of-state that I'm completely in love with, I'll go. If neither of the two happen I'll buckle down and retake the MCAT, take some more science classes at my local college, and prepare to apply again next year. .

The only problem with that scenario is that if you get an acceptance to an OOS program that you're NOT in love with -- If you interview at a DO school and don't *love* it, withdraw your application before they accept you so you don't have to explain why you turned down an acceptance. Your stats are good for DO, so that's a very realistic situation.

As @Goro advises, if you're willing to go DO this cycle rather than wait a year, retake the MCAT and try again for TX MD, then consider applying to more DO schools now (it's not too late for DO). Do factor in the price tag though, because a few more points on the MCAT could make all the difference for cheap TX MD for you.

 

[dial1010usa]

Unfortunately, pretty late. Mid-September to both.


Do you mean you think I'll only get into Western? I didn't apply to PNWU because of their strong strong regional preference (and I'm pretty sure I'd get seasonal affective disorder with all the rain they get haha). I picked the four schools based on average matriculant statistics, how established/old of a program they are, match lists, and friends who go and told me about it! Thank you so much for the encouragement 🙂

Someone I know who got into Western with same stats as yours. If you are afraid of rain/snow then PNWU is not an option. Don't listen to people here who says regional biased for PNWU. You must add more schools. Good Luck!!!