Difficult matching to Physical Medicine Residencies for DOs.

[aimhigh1199]

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Hi I am just wondering how competitive is it to get into Physical Medicine and Rehab specialties... especially for Osteopathic medical students...?
Also generally how hard is it?? I am interested in doing that specialties when I become a DO but just curious.

 

[DocVapor]

Not hard at all. I have also heard a small number of whispers here and there that even acgme residencies may be starting to have a small bias towards DO.

Edit: this should go without saying, but this doesn't mean you can slack off in med school.

 

[aimhigh1199]

Not hard at all. I have also heard a small number of whispers here and there that even acgme residencies may be starting to have a small bias towards DO.

Edit: this should go without saying, but this doesn't mean you can slack off in med school.

hey if i may ask. do you think I have a chance getting into DO with a 3.35 overall, 3.75 science gpa, 28 mcat

 

[Dr. Hopeful]

hey if i may ask. do you think I have a chance getting into DO with a 3.35 overall, 3.75 science gpa, 28 mcat

You have an excellent chance with those stats! I have gotten 2 acceptances this cycle with a lower MCAT and lower science GPA (better overall GPA, but that's most likely the least important of the three.) Apply for next cycle the DAY it opens (June 1st I believe) and allows for submission and I would guess you'll have plenty of interview invites from plenty of schools.

 

[aimhigh1199]

so you think overall is less important than science..?

You have an excellent chance with those stats! I have gotten 2 acceptances this cycle with a lower MCAT and lower science GPA (better overall GPA, but that's most likely the least important of the three.) Apply for next cycle the DAY it opens (June 1st I believe) and allows for submission and I would guess you'll have plenty of interview invites from plenty of schools.

 

[Dr. Hopeful]

so you think overall is less important than science..?

Almost definitely. Med schools don't really care how you did in your intro to foreign language class, US history class, or English class, they want to see the basic sciences and, even more importantly, upper level bio classes. That's what you're going to be studying in medical school. You should feel very confident in your chances as long as you apply early (please apply early, I strongly believe it's why I got my acceptances this cycle) and somewhat broadly.

 

[aimhigh1199]

Almost definitely. Med schools don't really care how you did in your intro to foreign language class, US history class, or English class, they want to see the basic sciences and, even more importantly, upper level bio classes. That's what you're going to be studying in medical school. You should feel very confident in your chances as long as you apply early (please apply early, I strongly believe it's why I got my acceptances this cycle) and somewhat broadly.

 

[aimhigh1199]

Hey thanks for the answer.. The only thing I have to ask is how are the gpas and mcat looked at when choosing to give interviews and then accept students.
I read that the Overall, science, mcats are generally used to determine who gets interviews and then the interview, PS, LORs, story, etc , EC are used to select students and the GPAS, mcat are not looked at closely.

What is your take on this?....
So you think I should try for DO even with a 3.35 overall and a 3.75 science... I just read the overall averages are like a 3.5ish I feel my overall will hold be back...

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

Hey thanks for the answer.. The only thing I have to ask is how are the gpas and mcat looked at when choosing to give interviews and then accept students.
I read that the Overall, science, mcats are generally used to determine who gets interviews and then the interview, PS, LORs, story, etc , EC are used to select students and the GPAS, mcat are not looked at closely.

What is your take on this?....
So you think I should try for DO even with a 3.35 overall and a 3.75 science... I just read the overall averages are like a 3.5ish I feel my overall will hold be back...

It won't. I speak from personal experience.

PM&R should be pretty easy to get into as a DO. Matching into places like Stanford are a real possibility for DO students wanting to do PM&R.

 

[hallowmann]

Hey thanks for the answer.. The only thing I have to ask is how are the gpas and mcat looked at when choosing to give interviews and then accept students.
I read that the Overall, science, mcats are generally used to determine who gets interviews and then the interview, PS, LORs, story, etc , EC are used to select students and the GPAS, mcat are not looked at closely.

What is your take on this?....
So you think I should try for DO even with a 3.35 overall and a 3.75 science... I just read the overall averages are like a 3.5ish I feel my overall will hold be back...

In your shoes, I'd apply broadly to both DO and low-tier MD. Your MCAT will hold you back at MD schools, but who knows?

As far as DOs matching into PM&R, is pretty much the most DO friendly specialty out there.