DO, MD, or apply to both?

[hyunsoo]

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[PressPforPi]

Hey guys I am sorry to post a similar message as I have before, but this one concerns something a little different. Would I be wasting my time applying to DO schools due to averageish clinical/volunteer work and would my research background turn off DO admissions committees?

Male, non-URM, Maryland resident but went to school at a large public university in the rust belt. 3.88 cGPA, 3.86 BCPM. 35r MCAT (retook from a 31q).

Been out of school for a few years, did a post-bac research fellowship at NIH. 4 total papers - one small first author paper from NIH, one 3rd author review paper from NIH, and two 3rd author publications from my research involvement as an undergrad (also won research award at my college for poster presentation).

Did undergrad research for 3 years and was a teaching assistant for a lab class for 2 years. Also did various other small things like intramural sports, etc.

Will have approx 180 hours of ER volunteering by the time I apply. Limited shadowing of pathologist, primary care, and infectious disease specialist.

Do you think I have a chance at DO schools as well? I do not care about prestige much, I just want to be a doctor - I would be thrilled with a DO or MD acceptance.

Thanks!

You have an excellent chance for an MD or DO acceptance based on your stats.

 

[hyunsoo]

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[PressPforPi]

Thanks for your reply! Please forgive my naivety (as I have tried to find this information elsewhere but was unable) - there must be some reason why DO schools are less competitive in terms of GPA/MCAT... Is this due to more focus on volunteer hours? (in which case, I might be in trouble with applying DO)

Thanks!

From my understanding, DO schools choose a more holistic view of the applicant, not just simply based on test scores and/or GPA but life experiences as well. I would assume that's why DO schools receive a higher number of applications from older individuals.

 

[TriagePreMed]

Why would DO schools be turned off by someone that's done research? Do you think getting into DO school is about "proving" you don't have what it takes for MD?

 

[hyunsoo]

Thank you for your reply -

No, I was certainly not insinuating that getting into DO schools is about "proving you don't have what it takes for MD". I apologize if that is the way it came off; I should make it clear that in no way do I believe that DO schools are inferior to MD schools. Rather, I know that some med schools (particularly DO schools from what I've heard) seem to put a more heavy emphasis on volunteer hours, shadowing, letter of rec from a DO, etc - so I was wondering if one with a more research heavy background would be at a disadvantage. Moreover, I have not had the opportunity to shadow a DO (contacted a few but they all declined), so at this point I realize that it is probably too late for this years application cycle (2012).

Thanks

 

[Catalystik]

In the PreMed Osteopathic Forum you should be able to find a sticky or threads about how the American Osteopathic Association in your state can help hook you up with a DO mentor. Regardless of how that works out, you'll need some physician (MD or DO) shadowing, so try to get some in before you submit.

Also, both DO and MD schools tend to appreciate nonmedical community service. Some involvement along those lines would be an excellent inclusion in future update letters.

 

[hyunsoo]

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