DO Chances

[NJ Doc 1117]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi y'all,

I applied this year to a bunch of MD schools, but still no interviews, so I'm looking at next cycle..

Obviously, with so little MD feedback, I'll be applying to a few MD schools next cycle, but also a bunch of DO schools. Im not very educated on the DO admissions process nor the general benchmarks for admission. If anyone out there could help me out and tell me my odds of getting an interview/acceptance to any DO schools, I'd be extremely grateful!

Stats:
3.48 cGPA
3.38 sGPA
507 MCAT
Strong research experience (cardiac electrophysiology research, stress/anxiety psychology research)
Strong clinical volunteering (~500 hours)
Not much shadowing
Lots of leadership roles of large orgs
LoR from a DO and hospital volunteer coordinator (and the faculty etc..)
Possibly doing a 1 year Masters in Law in the meantime (fall 2018-spring 2019, since I wouldn't enter DO until fall 2019)

Thank guys!

 

[SwellWell]

How many hours is "not much shadowing"? Curious, because that may be one of two things holding you back from being a decent applicant for DO schools. The other would be non-clinical volunteering (ie: serving populations less fortunate than you, etc), which I would recommend considering before you apply the next cycle. Otherwise, your stats seem pretty decent for DO Schools!

 

[NJ Doc 1117]

Thanks for the feedback! Forgot to mention that I have a lot of non-medical volunteering, i.e. building houses in Mexico, food bank, +more. Little shadowing as in <20 hrs, but looking to change that this summer.

 

[THEBACKANDFORTH]

Im certainly not an adcom, but I think your MCAT should get you in assuming no red flags (ie bad letters, IA like cheating), and that you interview ok. suggest not doing masters, as your GPA is okay but should not get any lower

Edit: I think clinical work experience and 50ish hours of shadowing would most help your app

 

[SwellWell]

Thanks for the feedback! Forgot to mention that I have a lot of non-medical volunteering, i.e. building houses in Mexico, food bank, +more. Little shadowing as in <20 hrs, but looking to change that this summer.

Ah, I see. That's good (non-medical volunteering). Yeah, 20 hours probably hurt you quite a bit this cycle. Not that this is a strict guideline or anything, but the University of Washington recommends applying students to have at least 40 hours.

Shadowing Physicians | UW Medicine

Personally, I would try to get your shadowing up to maybe 60-70 hours? Those are numbers that are arbitrary, but seem about right at the top of my head. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. If possible, across maybe two to three different fields of medicine (one of which in primary care would be a +). Many DO secondaries (and interviews) will ask you why you want to pursue a DO degree. If you do not have a good answer, you could probably formulate an answer by shadowing DO physicians during this time. You already have a DO letter, which is good. I think that will be very hand.y

Other than that, it seems like your application seems pretty good though!

EDIT: Just to be meticulous about things, you may also want to look into revisiting your personal statement/activities log, and getting feedback from peers that you can trust if you haven't already. Your stats are admittedly low for MD programs (unless you are an URM), so that would be my first assumption on what held you back this cycle. But, that also doesn't omit that your writing could have held you back as well.

 

[NJ Doc 1117]

Ah, I see. That's good (non-medical volunteering). Yeah, 20 hours probably hurt you quite a bit this cycle. Not that this is a strict guideline or anything, but the University of Washington recommends applying students to have at least 40 hours.

Shadowing Physicians | UW Medicine

Personally, I would try to get your shadowing up to maybe 60-70 hours? Those are numbers that are arbitrary, but seem about right at the top of my head. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. If possible, across maybe two to three different fields of medicine (one of which in primary care would be a +). Many DO secondaries (and interviews) will ask you why you want to pursue a DO degree. If you do not have a good answer, you could probably formulate an answer by shadowing DO physicians during this time. You already have a DO letter, which is good. I think that will be very hand.y

Other than that, it seems like your application seems pretty good though!

Thank you so much for the help! I'll definitely look into getting some more shadowing hours.

 

[Durty-Trixxx]

Don't just shadow --- shadow with docs who WILL write you a letter of recommendation.

Letters of rec. go a long way in separating you from the large pack of applicants regardless of what professional school you want to attend.

 

[Faha]

You are competitive for all DO schools with your stats so apply to at least 8 and you should receive several interviews . Include RowanSOM and PCOM. Also add Seton Hall if it opens for 2019.

 

[NJ Doc 1117]

You are competitive for all DO schools with your stats so apply to at least 8 and you should receive several interviews . Include RowanSOM and PCOM. Also add Seton Hall if it opens for 2019.

Oh wow had no idea Seton Hall was in the process of opening up a med school!

 

[Durty-Trixxx]

Oh wow had no idea Seton Hall was in the process of opening up a med school!

Just to clarify --- Seton Hall in New Jersey is opening a new M.D. school ??

Seton Hill in Greensburg, PA is a branch campus of LECOM. Very similar sounding but obviously different schools.

 

[Faha]

Just to clarify --- Seton Hall in New Jersey is opening a new M.D. school ??

Seton Hill in Greensburg, PA is a branch campus of LECOM. Very similar sounding but obviously different schools.

Yes, Seton Hall in New Jersey.

 

[CardioAlways3524]

You will be fine applying to DO schools! I'm at a DO currently and love it. I had a low MCAT and GPA, yet I was able to get an acceptance on my first cycle!