Disclosing allopathic applications to osteopathic schools

[pcook1]

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So for those of you applying DO and MD, have you come across secondaries yet that ask you to list all the med schools you're applying to (DO and MD), such as UNECOM. I'm assuming it is not favorable for your application if you have MD schools intermingled with DO schools because DO schools are looking for someone who is applying osteopathic because the DO beliefs resonate with his/her beliefs.

For those of you that have come across these, do you plan to include your MD schools, or just your DO? I'm not sure this is something I'm willing to disclose, but at the same time I don't want them to find out, and have it reflect poorly on my application.

I met with the career services office at my school today (they help with all graduate applications) and they didn't have an answer for this.

Any thoughts/comments/advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[jinobi]

got accepted to NSU, even after listing all 40 of those damn MD and DO schools on their secondary. question about where i applied, or why i applied to both, was never brought up.

 

[GlimmerGlass]

I applied to UNECOM and I was honest in my disclosure about the schools I am applying to and it was a lenghty list. I am sure it will be a big turnoff to a school to discover you have been dishonest with them because then it may make them think about what else you may have been dishonest with. Also, I think when you sign all your secondary applications you are signing under a paragraph that says you swear that all the info you put into the application is true to the best of your knowledge.

Now if it was an optional field then that is a different story but I think for UNECOM it was a mandatory field, although I cannot recall.

 

[AvidAvatar]

I'm going to quote **** My Dad Says on this one:

"The worst thing you can be is a liar....Okay fine, yes, the worst thing you can be is a Nazi, but THEN, number two is liar. Nazi 1, Liar 2"

Tell them the truth man. Many people apply to both types of schools and get accepted to both. 🙂

 

[whatageek]

I'm applying to both and am dreading such a question. The only thing I can thing to defend it are costs. By and large, it is a much cheaper alternative to go to medical school at a state MD school than a private DO school. If that's not a good explanation, I'm sunk.

 

[DrWily]

Just say something like you are applying broadly for a better chance at becoming a physician. Hedging your bet. It's not going to be looked down upon. It'll be praised for showing maturity in keeping your options open.

I seriously doubt that they're going to be suspicious (of applying to D.O. as a backup) unless you have like a 40+ MCAT and a 4.0 GPA.

 

[IDFsoldierboy]

on this note...can DO schools find out where you applied to with regards to MD schools...can they force AAMC to tell them...I know that MD schools that get your app dont know where else you have applied to (i dont even think they get a number regarding the amount of schools)

 

[AvidAvatar]

Just say something like you are applying broadly for a better chance at becoming a physician. Hedging your bet. It's not going to be looked down upon. It'll be praised for showing maturity in keeping your options open.

I seriously doubt that they're going to be suspicious (of applying to D.O. as a backup) unless you have like a 40+ MCAT and a 4.0 GPA.

I kinda disagree with this. I would think 'marginal MD' applicants would need to prove more their interests in a DO, because these are the folks who need to be creating a 'backup plan' if their MD goals do not pan out.

 

[DrWily]

I kinda disagree with this. I would think 'marginal MD' applicants would need to prove more their interests in a DO, because these are the folks who need to be creating a 'backup plan' if their MD goals do not pan out.

Oops, you are correct. I don't know what I was thinking when I wrote that earlier. But still, I don't think it will be looked down upon that much. It's perfectly acceptable to apply to both as a means of increasing your opportunities. Anybody would do this unless they were hellbent on one degree over the other.

If they ask you about MD schools at your DO Interview, just say that you want to be a physician first and foremost. Increasing your chances of becoming a physician by applying broadly to both types of schools. They should drop the topic right then and there. Just be sure to have a good "Why DO?" answer.

 

[gatorfann14]

I was never asked a question about applying to MD schools. No one really seems to care.

 

[AvidAvatar]

^^^

Gatorfann your signature is awesome. I always see the end result 'X' in those things, and I don't think that it often gives enough credit to what people go through in school. Your terror face is the best! Good luck!

 

[deleted390966]

Disclosing won't hurt a bit; they know the process is competitive.

Anyway, I wonder why they ask that question in the first place.