DO only 3.7/3.9/27 non-trad

[TheNewGuy8]

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Just got my MCAT and I'm disappointed :/ Got a 27, sigh. standardized tests like the MCAT are not my thing. Anyway, curious what folks think:

Non-trad (29 years old) with:

3.7 undergrad, degree in Religion
3.9 science courses taken at UC Berk. Extension (Includes Microbio w/ lab, Physio w/ lab, Anatomy, and biochem in addition to all the normal ones)
MCAT: 27 (10v/10bio/7ps :/ )


Work Experience:
*Executive Director of a non-profit organization for 4 years, very successful, 40 hours/week (did while doing half my course load in post bac)
*Massage therapist for 3 years working in clinical deep tissue and lots of osteopathic principles (muscle energy technique, active release technique, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, etc.)

Volunteer/Shadowing
100+ hours volunteering in medical clinics doing EMR, patient interaction, stocking pharmacopeia, etc.
50+ hours organizing global health brigade to Honduras (happening in August)
20+ hours organizing healthcare information workshops for local community
200+ hours volunteering with local social justice organizations, working specifically on low income housing and immigration

No research.

110+ hours shadowing various healthcare practitioners (MD's, DO's, PA's, NP's, etc) in lots of different settings


I am interested only in osteopathic schools - my main passion right now is osteopathic practice.

School list: I'm open. The schools I'm most pulled to are probably Tuoro Ca (I'm a ca resident at the moment, though im from the east coast originally), PCOM, maybe Western, maybe UMDNJ, UNECOM...

 

[user3]

You are off-the-charts competitive and should apply MD as well.

 

[TheNewGuy8]

As osteopathy is my primary interest I'm not super keen on applying MD (unless, perhaps, there is some easy way to transfer an aacomas app over to amcas?)

I also left out I interned with a Thai Natural Medicine Doctor for 6 weeks learning traditional thai manipulation and folk medicine (would this be too woo-ey for inclusion on the apps?)

 

[TheNewGuy8]

Would love any other input from folks. Thanks in advance!

 

[DrSolus]

Shouldn't you be posting in the Pre-DO forum then?

I also left out I interned with a Thai Natural Medicine Doctor for 6 weeks learning traditional thai manipulation and folk medicine (would this be too woo-ey for inclusion on the apps?)

Definitely include.

Your background sounds amazing, though I think you're limiting yourself by only applying to DO programs. I'm sure there are plenty of MD programs that would appeal to your interest in social justice issues and some MD schools have become open to the practice of osteopathic manipulation.

Have you looked at schools like Michigan State? (the school operates both an MD and DO program). (College of Human Medicine vs College of Osteopathic Medicine).

In particular, I would look at md schools that teach "integrative medicine" as this includes therapeutic massage and other forms of alternative medicine. I've heard of this at schools like University of Maryland, UArizona, Loma Linda, and Einstein.

Consortium of Academic Health Centers for Integrative Medicine: http://www.imconsortium.org/members/

http://www.usnews.com/education/bes.../medical-schools-embrace-alternative-medicine

 

[gyngyn]

In particular, I would look at md schools that teach "integrative medicine" as this includes therapeutic massage and other forms of alternative medicine. I've heard of this at schools like University of Maryland, UArizona, Loma Linda, and Einstein.


Sadly, OP's MCAT is well below the 10th% for U of Maryland (29) and Einstein (31) and just at it for LL (26) and UA (27). I think his idea of applying DO is high yield and likely to be more successful in both the short and long run.

WAMC is for both MD and DO!

 

[TheNewGuy8]

Slight update after entering all the coursework:

Non-Science GPA: 3.73
Science GPA: 3.92
Cumulative GPA: 3.79


Also, as far as medical schools go, I'm one of those rare students that is actually specifically interested in DO Schools. I know the curriculums are not nearly as hollistic and alternative as they used to be, but exposure to OMM is a must for me, and I haven't found any MD schools that would have a way for me to truly study OMM simultaneously (the schools that have MD and DO programs would be a possibility, but scheduling would be really tough to make myself available during all of their OMM labs, I imagine that would not be possible). Since my MCATS are so low, that sort of cements things, it seems.

Anyone have any specific insight into Tuoro CA, NYCOM, PCOM, UNECOM, Western, or any of the other 'top end' DO schools and how my stats stack up?

 

[Goro]

You're fine for any DO program.

Just got my MCAT and I'm disappointed :/ Got a 27, sigh. standardized tests like the MCAT are not my thing. Anyway, curious what folks think:

Non-trad (29 years old) with:

3.7 undergrad, degree in Religion
3.9 science courses taken at UC Berk. Extension (Includes Microbio w/ lab, Physio w/ lab, Anatomy, and biochem in addition to all the normal ones)
MCAT: 27 (10v/10bio/7ps :/ )


Work Experience:
*Executive Director of a non-profit organization for 4 years, very successful, 40 hours/week (did while doing half my course load in post bac)
*Massage therapist for 3 years working in clinical deep tissue and lots of osteopathic principles (muscle energy technique, active release technique, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, etc.)

Volunteer/Shadowing
100+ hours volunteering in medical clinics doing EMR, patient interaction, stocking pharmacopeia, etc.
50+ hours organizing global health brigade to Honduras (happening in August)
20+ hours organizing healthcare information workshops for local community
200+ hours volunteering with local social justice organizations, working specifically on low income housing and immigration

No research.

110+ hours shadowing various healthcare practitioners (MD's, DO's, PA's, NP's, etc) in lots of different settings


I am interested only in osteopathic schools - my main passion right now is osteopathic practice.

School list: I'm open. The schools I'm most pulled to are probably Tuoro Ca (I'm a ca resident at the moment, though im from the east coast originally), PCOM, maybe Western, maybe UMDNJ, UNECOM...

 

[DrSolus]

Anyone have any specific insight into Tuoro CA, NYCOM, PCOM, UNECOM, Western, or any of the other 'top end' DO schools and how my stats stack up?

Going to again suggest looking into the Pre-DO forums then. As Goro stated, your stats are fine for any DO. Look at VCOM too. Pick based on mission fit and location. Good luck!

 

[Pharmakon]

Many/Most DO schools are also quite welcoming for non-trads. Apply early enough and you can choose program + geography that suits your interest.

 

[TheNewGuy8]

That's encouraging, thanks. I guess b/c of the MCAT I was assuming I wouldn't be as competitive. I'm hoping the schools will appreciate my slightly-more-eclectic experience (thai natural medicine, massage therapy, interest in osteopathy, etc.).

It would certainly be nice to be able to choose based on mission and location.

Thanks all, feeling a bit better. Freaking MCAT....