DO app questions- Please help!

[hoya09]

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So here's my story...
I'm applying to a wide range of md schools, but I'd also like to apply DO to MSU-COM. I've been waffling back and forth on this decision for several reasons, but I've done some research and I'm really excited about what a DO program could offer me. Since I'm relatively new to the DO app process, I have a couple questions that you might be able to answer.
-Would I be "late" applying now to MSU-COM? If I submitted the AACOMAS tonight would that be an issue?
-Would my application to MSU-COM affect my application to MSU-CHM or vice versa?
-Am I competitive at MSU COM (please see lnik to my app)?
-Any other advice?
Thanks, I really appreciate any help you can offer.

 

[rm2908]

If you are from Michigan then you have a better chance for MSU COM. MDApps isn't working so I can't see your stats. If you are going to apply to MSU COM, you need to do it quick. They recommend being complete there by September 1st to have a good shot and their class is usually full by December. It all depends on your stats, but if you want, go for it. Nothing to lost except a couple hundred $$. But like I said, do it quick, and have your secondary prepared along with their recomendation forms. (You have to use their forms)

 

[Bacchus]

Are you a Michigan resident? For some reason I believe (without looking) OOS tuition is approx. $60k.

 

[hoya09]

No, I'm not a resident (NY). My personal opinion on the cost is that an extra 10k or so more than the md schools would be worth it. It's all going into my massive pile of educational debt anyway . I'm trying to ignore the money issue and think only of the school and the quality of education I'll receive. I'll worry about digging out later...
As for applying early, I think I could have transcript requests out and letters sent by tomorrow. The AACOMAS could easily be done tonight. I saw the Sept 1st date on their website as well. I agree that I'm probably pushing it at this point and will have to hurry to get it all in.

Oh and sorry about MD apps. For reference while its down, my stats are as follows:
Biochem/Linguistics double major Psych minor @ Georgetown
35P MCAT (June 13th, only test taken) 3.3 GPA, 3.0 SciGPA
-4 yrs chem research awaiting publication, two $5000 fellowships, two REUs, many conferences
-3 yrs linguistics research, co-authored book segment on Dr-Pt communication, traveling to Germany in 2 wks to sit on panel of medical discourse experts @ international linguistics conference, travel grant for $1400
-EMT-B crew officer, many admin positions with campus EMS
-hospital volunteering in neuro ICU, ped oncology, infusion..
-worked in ER as waiting room liaison
-extensive tutoring, hurricane relief work, science materials journal editor, science experiments for in-patient peds w/ chem club, linguistic consulting for an aphasia lab, exec board member of Linguistic society.... etc.

Thanks for all of the great advice, please keep it coming 😀

 

[Dissected]

No, I'm not a resident (NY). My personal opinion on the cost is that an extra 10k or so more than the md schools would be worth it. It's all going into my massive pile of educational debt anyway . I'm trying to ignore the money issue and think only of the school and the quality of education I'll receive. I'll worry about digging out later...
As for applying early, I think I could have transcript requests out and letters sent by tomorrow. The AACOMAS could easily be done tonight. Their website says to be complete by Sept 1st but I agree that I'm probably pushing it at this point and will have to hurry to get it all in.
Thanks for all of the great advice, please keep it coming 😀

you realize that paying $60k v. the average $30-$40k a year could mean around $100,000 more debt after your schooling is up? I wanted to apply to MSU too, but its just too daunting for me to pay that much. Is their education really worth paying that much more? I would hesitate to do anything that would leave you kicking yourself later when you have to pay all of the debt off! 100k could be a nice downpayment on house! just something to think about...

 

[Chocolate Bear]

you realize that paying $60k v. the average $30-$40k a year could mean around $100,000 more debt after your schooling is up? I wanted to apply to MSU too, but its just too daunting for me to pay that much. Is their education really worth paying that much more? I would hesitate to do anything that would leave you kicking yourself later when you have to pay all of the debt off! 100k could be a nice downpayment on house! just something to think about...

After time and interest, this will be more like $200,000. For many people, this is a house.

Preach on, DoktorB!

 

[rm2908]

Well, your stats and ECs are good/great. But MSU COM does have in state preference, usually at least 90%+ accepted in state. That leaves around 20-30 seats for OOS. Plus, CB is right, tuition for OOS is around 62k a year. While MSUCOM is a great school, it's really up to you. It's worth a shot, and will only cost you an extra $200 or so. Their supp is EXTENSIVE though, so be prepared. And get everything in NOW. You're looking at being complete probably around the end of September, which puts you at a disadvantage. I know people who applied last year with great stats and ECs and were complete at the end of Sept. and were waitlisted. The adcoms specifically told them they were waitlisted because of the late application. It's alllllll up to you. GOOD LUCK@!!!🙂 I'm sure you'll get in somewhere. you rocked that MCAT! (I bombed the 6/13 one!)

 

[WDeagle]

Also, look into some other DO schools as well. If your gonna spend the few hundred dollars to get your AACOMAS going you might as well add some more schools to your list. It wont be that much more expensive and you might be pleasantly suprised by some DO schools during your interviews. From my experience MSU-COM was pretty out of state unfriendly.

 

[TexasTriathlete]

MSU-COM is a solid school, but they heavily favor in-state. I'm not real sure why you're so high on them, including their MD school. Are you just dying to move to the midwest?

Right in your backyard, you've got NYCOM, UMDNJ, and PCOM, which are all very strong programs that are well-established. Touro in Harlem looks like they could be a winner down the road too.

If you want to leave the area, TCOM is pretty similar to MSUCOM, in that it is state-supported, does a lot of research, etc., and its also half the price, or less.

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[hoya09]

Thanks to everyone for being so supportive. This has been a huge help. I think I'm gonna go for it, despite the low OOS and high tuition. I'm interested in MSU for several reasons, some of which are more adcom friendly than others. I think they have one of the best DO programs in the country with heavy emphasis on compassionate patient care. I've also visited the school and am currently in working with their admissions office to engineer a DO/PhD in Linguistics. As for the won't-bring-it-up-in-the-interview reason, my boyfriend and I are considering engagement based on where we both end up for med school. If we're on opposite sides of the country for four years, we intend to wait and test out the 4+ year long distance relationship first. If we're close, we're going to go ahead with it. He is MSU CHM c/o 2012, leaving for MI tomorrow. This last reason isn't going to be the deciding factor of where I go, but it is causing me to seriously research MI schools for the application process. I think I will apply to some other DO schools even though they're not exactly in my backyard (I'm Western NY, not the city) because this whole process has made me consider DO schools much more thoroughly than I had at the onset of the ap season. I sent out my transcript requests and my letters are being mobilized today, so I'm hoping to be complete at the beginning of Sept. Someone suggested that I wouldn't be complete til the end, does it take that long to verify/get secondaries? I hope not, but we'll see. At very least I think its worth the $155 for the AACOMAS, which is about the cost of one or two md secondaries. Thanks again everyone, keep the suggestions coming!