Do I have a Chance, Please Respond!

[chrsburr]

Hey all future DO's. I really need your help. I am dedicating myself to becoming a DO because its really what I want. But I would like to know what are my chances. Ok, Here are my stats: I am graduating from Undergrad. in May of 2001 with a major in Bio. and minor in Chem. I have a 3.47 Overall GPA and a 3.26 Science GPA. My GPA would have been much higher but I was working fulltime when I started college and had some family illness which really hurt my first year and a half. I then set out of school for two years and got married. During this time my wife and I had a beautiful little boy. I was working full time and realized that my life was missing my dream, which was to become a physician of osteopathy. I went back to school and won several academic honors. I took the April MCAT in 1999 and did terrible, I scored a dismal 7V, 6P, 5B and a N on writing. I knew this was wrong so I retook the August test and scored a 9V, 9P, 9B and an O on writing. I also shadowed a doctor for three months over the summer in ER and have been doing cancer research studying the effects of Vitamin E and C on the inhibition of foci formation on a eukaryotic fibroblastic cell line for the past year and a half under the close supervision of a colon cancer specialist at my school. I am, am, am going to be a doctor if I have to claw my way into the front door of Med school. Yet, I would appreciate any incite into my chances. Please help.
Chrsburr Hopefully DO class of 2005

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[rebe13]

As long as you're able to intelligently communicate in your interview, I would say you are a definite shoe-in at the d.o. school of your choice! Good luck!Any school would be lucky to have you.

 

[nontradstudent]

Chrsburr,

I think you would have a good shoot at DO schools. The key is you have to apply early (June-July). The earlier you apply, the better chance you have.

 

[aecuenca]

I agree with everyone else...you've got everything it takes to get interviews everywhere.

Really, the key is to apply really early, like someone said. I have the same gpa, MCAT, and life experience (minus the marriage and EMT stuff) and I was accepted in mid-September.

But, on top of what you do, what will really ensure your acceptance is the demonstration of your commitment to osteopathic medicine. Are you shadowing a D.O.? Are you part of any osteopathic organizations? Have you experienced OMM first hand or have observed it?

Other than that, you're in. If you need to talk some more, feel free to email me.

Arnold
WESTERN U/COMP CLASS OF 2004

 

[chrsburr]

Hey everyone, I would like to say thank you to all of you who gave me a reply. I am still looking for more replies from everyone, but especially from more people who matriculated with the same scores and similar experiences as mine. Thanks again for reassuring me that clouds up where dreams hide do sometimes have a silver lining.

 

[Carl]

Sounds like you're doing the right things...Definitely, Definitely, Definitely apply as early as you can...apply JUNE 1st, the first day of AACOMAS...also, have you decided what D.O. schools you're interested in? While all D.O. schools instruct you in the techniques of osteopathic manipulation, some schools (my school, University of New England) stress it more...it would be a good idea to get an idea from this forum or from the school directly what their values are. UNECOM has a pamphlet I read early last year. It essentially outlined what they're looking for, SPECIFICALLY! Other schools may have this...contact the admissions office or look online. Again, applying early is the KEY. I applied June 4, had my secondary sent back two days after receiving it, and was one of the first people scheduled to interview (September 11th). Incidentally, you're numbers are right on. It doesn't sound like you're going to have to go the post-bac route of taking classes, and your MCATs are solid. The only thing that may count against you might be your age, although there are students right out of college admitted every year...I can say for my school, the average age of the incoming first year student is higher than at traditional allopathic schools, where, depending on the school, you may be likely to see the majority of the class coming directly out of undergrad. If you're sincerely committed to osteopathic medicine, you should not have any trouble. I had NO exposure to osteopathic medicine prior to my interview (clinically speaking). I did read up on osteopathic medicine. Read over this book: The D.O.'s : Osteopathic Medicine in America, by Norman Gevitz. It has some good insight and information on the history and current state of the profession.

Good luck!! Apply EARLY!

 

[d-boy]

don't stress out with those scores you are in a very competative standing in all of the DO schools. I was in the same situation as you, well to be honest your scores are a little better than mine and I got into DMU. Good luck and I am sure you will get accepted somewhere.