DO "safety" schools?

[reese07]

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I know there's no such thing as a safety school for med school, but which schools are mostly chosen as "safety" schools during one's application process? In other words, which schools have the highest acceptance rate/lowest avg applicant stats? I live in Texas, so would TCOM be my safety school of choice since 90% of their acceptances are given out to TX residents?

 

[Daedra22]

I know there's no such thing as a safety school for med school, but which schools are mostly chosen as "safety" schools during one's application process? In other words, which schools have the highest acceptance rate/lowest avg applicant stats? I live in Texas, so would TCOM be my safety school of choice since 90% of their acceptances are given out to TX residents?

TCOM is highly competitive. Our average MCAT is 28 and GPA is 3.6--many people with 30+'s have not been accepted, because they seem to look for a certain kind of student. Many of the out of state schools are probably easier to get into (though I'm not deriding any applicants here--getting into med school is hard anywhere you go). You should apply to places that you would like to go--to as many places as possible. Choosing "safety schools" is not as important as choosing schools that you would actually appreciate attending. Newer DO schools, however, tend to have lower stats... though many of the new schools (like LECOM-B, for example) are already getting more competitive as they demonstrate the quality of their curriculum.

Though TCOM is competitive, it is a great school and certainly worth applying to. It's very cheap and has great board scores. You're lucky to be in Texas so you have a better shot at TCOM. 🙂

 

[jm192]

Safe may be relative to your individual numbers. If you're holding a 3.0 and an 18 MCAT, it may not exist. Vs. If you're holding a 4.0 and a 33, probably most DO schools

if you google <DO school name here> average MCAT, you can find information on that specific school.

As a Kentucky Resident, I know Pikeville usually has MCAT scores of low to mid 20's.

 

[Coastie]

I know there's no such thing as a safety school for med school, but which schools are mostly chosen as "safety" schools during one's application process? In other words, which schools have the highest acceptance rate/lowest avg applicant stats? I live in Texas, so would TCOM be my safety school of choice since 90% of their acceptances are given out to TX residents?

Rocky Vista, LECOM-Seton Hill, Pikeville, Touro outside of Cali.

How bad are we talking about?

 

[samuraiR]

Rocky Vista, LECOM-Seton Hill, Pikeville, Touro outside of Cali.

How bad are we talking about?

I dont hear people talk about pikesville or Seton Hill too much. Any particular reason for there lack of love on these forums? I've read alot of the Visa and Touro drama already lol.

 

[MLT2MT2DO]

I dont hear people talk about pikesville or Seton Hill too much. Any particular reason for there lack of love on these forums? I've read alot of the Visa and Touro drama already lol.

Pikesville has a mission of taking kids from the Appalachian states and those that will practice in the area, for many this isn't a desirable location. If you are however from the area and this is what you want to do, only then would I call it a safety school.
LECOM also just opened their Seton Hill campus this year I believe, so their stats probably aren't near what others are yet for admissions. There are also plenty of other schools East that have good reputations and Seton Hill doesn't really have a reputation yet.

 

[Coastie]

pikesville has a mission of taking kids from the appalachian states and those that will practice in the area, for many this isn't a desirable location. If you are however from the area and this is what you want to do, only then would i call it a safety school.
Lecom also just opened their seton hill campus this year i believe, so their stats probably aren't near what others are yet for admissions. There are also plenty of other schools east that have good reputations and seton hill doesn't really have a reputation yet.

qft

 

[Bones DO]

Rocky Vista, LECOM-Seton Hill, Pikeville, Touro outside of Cali.

How bad are we talking about?

RVU c/o 2013: 3.46, 25.8 MCAT, about 3200 applications, class size 160... c/o 2014 will be slightly higher stats wise, I'd expect more applications also.