DO program or MD traditional

[safla]

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I have been accepted to a do program but not to any MD programs my GPA is a 3.5 and my SATs were a 2100 or 1520 combined should i go to an undergrad such as TCNJ for around 14,000 a year or FDU for 5,000 a year but for only 3 years with an early acceptance at LECOM. However i am still allowed to Take the MCAT but once i apply out i lose my guaranteed no MCAT required spot at LECOM. So i was wondering if it is worth the risk or should i stick to the lesser undergrad but it gives me the guarantied DO school acceptance.

 

[AlteredScale]

I have been accepted to a do program but not to any MD programs my GPA is a 3.5 and my SATs were a 2100 or 1520 combined should i go to an undergrad such as TCNJ for around 14,000 a year or FDU for 5,000 a year but for only 3 years with an early acceptance at LECOM. However i am still allowed to Take the MCAT but once i apply out i lose my guaranteed no MCAT required spot at LECOM. So i was wondering if it is worth the risk or should i stick to the lesser undergrad but it gives me the guarantied DO school acceptance.

You should rename the title of this thread to show that this is about a BS/DO or BS/MD issue to avoid confusion.

Honesty the choice is up to you. The MCAT is work that you should get acclimated to since you'll be taking tests like that throughout medical school.

I personally don't like the idea of dipping out of a program when you've already stated your intent by applying there. You're increasing risk of not getting into any of these pipeline tracks by withdrawing.

 

[safla]

Thank you and yea it was just that i was speaking to current doctors within the family and they said to take the guaranteed spot just because the MCAT is a gamble. Due to the fact that if i don't achieve a high enough score my medical dreams are ruined. Also I was wondering if medical schools really care about the college you're coming from example FDU is a liberal arts school and it would be easier to keep a higher GPA there than it would be in TCNJ.

 

[Mavs88]

I know I would take the guaranteed route.

 

[AlteredScale]

Thank you and yea it was just that i was speaking to current doctors within the family and they said to take the guaranteed spot just because the MCAT is a gamble. Due to the fact that if i don't achieve a high enough score my medical dreams are ruined. Also I was wondering if medical schools really care about the college you're coming from example FDU is a liberal arts school and it would be easier to keep a higher GPA there than it would be in TCNJ.

MCAT is a risk. If you can avoid it now then do it. But my personal opinion is that one should get familiar with the idea of standardized tests that are long and require critical thinking on the spot.

 

[safla]

MCAT is a risk. If you can avoid it now then do it. But my personal opinion is that one should get familiar with the idea of standardized tests that are long and require critical thinking on the spot.

So you would recommend taking the DO Program now? and if i do really good on the MCAT then i should apply out but if not i have a safety net.

 

[AlteredScale]

So you would recommend taking the DO Program now? and if i do really good on the MCAT then i should apply out but if not i have a safety net.

Yeah I would take it!

 

[Stagg737]

So you would recommend taking the DO Program now? and if i do really good on the MCAT then i should apply out but if not i have a safety net.

That sounds like a solid plan. Take the MCAT no matter what. If you hit 30+ on the MCAT and have some solid ECs/GPA, then you can decide if you want to apply to other places (if those end up as your stats, you'll be competitive for some MD schools and very competitive at any DO school). If you bomb the MCAT and score 24 or lower then at least you'll know you've still got a guaranteed spot. It's a win-win-win situation imo.

Not to mention getting a whole degree for 15k blows my mind, that was half my tuition for one year of undergrad...

 

[cometstarg]

When you say go to TCNJ, do you mean their 7 Year partnership with Rutgers NJMS, or just go to TCNJ for 4 years and get a regular degree (and apply the normal route for med school)? Because if you mean the former, I would go that route.

 

[safla]

When you say go to TCNJ, do you mean their 7 Year partnership with Rutgers NJMS, or just go to TCNJ for 4 years and get a regular degree (and apply the normal route for med school)? Because if you mean the former, I would go that route.

The Normal route. Lol i wish i got into their 7 year program

 

[safla]

That sounds like a solid plan. Take the MCAT no matter what. If you hit 30+ on the MCAT and have some solid ECs/GPA, then you can decide if you want to apply to other places (if those end up as your stats, you'll be competitive for some MD schools and very competitive at any DO school). If you bomb the MCAT and score 24 or lower then at least you'll know you've still got a guaranteed spot. It's a win-win-win situation imo.

Not to mention getting a whole degree for 15k blows my mind, that was half my tuition for one year of undergrad...

Thank you so much for your advice i was just worried that even with a good MCAT medical schools would look down upon a high GPA coming from a small low ranked Liberal arts School when compared to some of the the more high ranked and rigourous bio programs such as the one TCNJ offers

 

[Stagg737]

Thank you so much for your advice i was just worried that even with a good MCAT medical schools would look down upon a high GPA coming from a small low ranked Liberal arts School when compared to some of the the more high ranked and rigourous bio programs such as the one TCNJ offers

Not really. A 4.0 from a small liberal arts program does not equal a 4.0 from Harvard. That being said, if you hit a solid GPA (above 3.7) it'll be fine wherever you're coming from. I went to a small liberal arts college and know multiple students that got into top 10 medical institutions (specifically Harvard, U Chicago, and Wash U). Not trying to bash any schools, but I had to look up what TCNJ and FDU were, so I wouldn't consider either of them to be 'elite' programs whose names will carry much weight outside of your region. Bottom line is that if you do well in classes, get a good MCAT, and get some solid ECs, you'll have a shot even without a safety net to fall back on. That's just icing on the cake in my mind.

 

[kspremed123]

Also consider the fact that you will be applying to med school four years from now if you opt for the normal route. At the current rate of progression in the field, for all we know, DO stats will likely be even closer, if not nearly the same as MD stats if the trend continues upward. In addition, as the fields continue to merge closer with residencies and such, I think its only natural that competition to obtain either degree will increase as well. Take the guarantee and don't look back.

 

[tartesos]

I have been accepted to a do program but not to any MD programs my GPA is a 3.5 and my SATs were a 2100 or 1520 combined should i go to an undergrad such as TCNJ for around 14,000 a year or FDU for 5,000 a year but for only 3 years with an early acceptance at LECOM. However i am still allowed to Take the MCAT but once i apply out i lose my guaranteed no MCAT required spot at LECOM. So i was wondering if it is worth the risk or should i stick to the lesser undergrad but it gives me the guarantied DO school acceptance.

Take your spot, be merry And thankful And remember that in the end, you will be Dr." Safla" and no one will question it, you will be able to do almost any specialty you choose to do just like anybody else.

Congratulations!!

 

[PlaqueBuster]

Take the DO early acceptance now. Take the MCAT whenever you need to take it. If you do really well on it and you ahve a solid resume and gpa, then apply out. I had a friend who got into a BS/MD program and she applied out of the program and eventually got into StanfordMed. So it is possible to do that and will not look bad at all for opting out of LECOM. You want to maximize your options and do what will be the best for your medical education and career.

My suggestion to you is starting fro day 1 of undergrad, your focus should be NOT on maintaining grades to be into the LECOM program, but to overexcel so that you can apply out. If you don't think you are a strong applicant in 3 years then continue with LECOM program. Good luck