DO school application list. Desperately need advice

[misunderst00d]

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OK full disclosure. I f-cked up and applied twice to MD schools and not to DO schools. I dunno if I was worried that I didn't have a DO letter, much osteopathic experience, or that I was aware that DO adcoms are weary of being second choice. It doesn't matter anymore, I know I messed up and the last cycle really humbled me. All I care about is actually practicing medicine (preferably without having to go to Carribbean please!!!).

I am trying to learn as much as I can about DO schools, the application process, and requirements but its slow going because.... I'm currently freaking out about having to take the brand new and improved MCAT on MAY 22nd. To be honest I am kinda just starting. This post is a needed break from the madness. I know that not all DO schools expire the MCATs in three years (TU in CA?), but for the purposes of allopathic mine are for sure expired and need to retake if I intend to reapply. I most likely will do worse since I now work a full-time research position.

Rundown:
35 MCAT (only taken once in May 2012)
CA asian resident
UC San Diego BS in Physio and Neuro (3.5 uGPA, 3.6 sGPA)
UC San Diego MS in Biology (3.97 grad GPA)
7 quarters as TA for upper div physio and neuro courses
4+ years research (2 years UG and grad, same UCSD SOM lab hired me after MS for 1.5 years and now a major hospital in Los Angeles)
3 publications (1 as 2nd author, 2 as 3rd, 2 more pending)
350+ hours as a clinical volunteer with rotations in Cardio, pulm, neuro telemetry units, plus ICU CICU SICU and ED. (usually run vitals, feed, clean, bathe patients, assist nurses, watch/assist procedures, give CPR etc. scope of practice is pretty much like that of a CNA).

Current weaknesses that I see for a potential DO app, I have only taken philosophy and an anthro (not necessarily behavioral sciences) and would need to try to squeeze in psych and sociology to be sure after my MCAT. Also no DO shadowing or letter, but I could again potentially acquire the experience and letter post MCAT. My previous letter writers from 2012 are significantly strong, PI - worked with for 3.5 yrs, and two professors whose classes I attended and that I've taught for multiple times. Letters are strong, but they are from 2012. Will maybe get updates from 2 of them, and two new ones from dept director at hospital I work and the clinical volunteer program I completed.

So if you made it this far through my dumb rant, I sincerely thank you for your time and beg for your further advice. Again, I am super caught up with MCAT prep basically on a 45 day schedule with a f/t M-F job. I seriously could use any advice or information about what schools and programs I should look into. Is there a central resource like MSAR for allopathic, where I can see MCAT requirements and expire dates, course requirements, interview/admissions stats and demographics etc? I ordered the guide book thing but it says they wont mail out til May 1st. Any advice or information that can help whittle down the time I spent randomly looking at DO schools' individual websites can save me a lot of time that I really need.

Thanks in advance

 

[BorntobeDO?]

Do you have a criminal background or something?

CIB is the central resource for DO (College Information Book) its free but not quite as useful as the MSAR. Its downloadable.

Where did you apply MD? I know for certain those stats should have got you an interview at about any school in Florida except UF, and FSU.

Theres something more here.

 

[Goro]

Unless OP only applied top-heavy and stuck with the UCs.

OP, your stats are fine for ANY DO school. Start with Western and Touro.

If you live within driving distance of either (or TUNCOM, or Western-OR), go visit them and chat up the DOs there. My colleagues love it when people do that at my school.

Do you have a criminal background or something?

CIB is the central resource for DO (College Information Book) its free but not quite as useful as the MSAR. Its downloadable.

Where did you apply MD? I know for certain those stats should have got you an interview at about any school in Florida except UF, and FSU.

Theres something more here.

 

[misunderst00d]

Nope! I say the same things. 1st time I applied, I didn't really have any volunteer experience and thought that the teaching and research and constant employment could overcome. Took a gap year to do the clinical program I mentioned and then reapplied last cycle to 24 md schools. All of the UC's were definite reaches but I thought I chose the remaining schools carefully based on OOS interviews (targeted above 30%) and OOS matriculation (number or OOS acceptances/OOS interviews). I was complete in mid august bc my stupid community college failed to send out my transcripts and delayed my submission, verification, and therefore secondary receipt.

But yea, one MD interview at the military allopathic med school. Subsequently disqualified for nearsightedness. I've had ton of med school professors, bosses, and physicians looks at my app. Nothing wrong, grades ok, mcats were good, PS/essays were strong, and the only the answer they could give me was "record number of applicants" and the proverbial "apply earlier". But yea, I'm definitely full on discouraged and am kinda just going through the motions for MCAT prep. To be honest, I really need some semblance of hope to keep going. Can't take the rejection anymore

 

[jaguar33]

You should continue to apply MD. People who chose DO as a backup are really unhappy at my school.

 

[misunderst00d]

You should continue to apply MD. People who chose DO as a backup are really unhappy at my school.

DO wasn't necessarily a backup for me. I truly believe that I didn't fully consider it because I didn't have much exposure or understanding. I initially wanted a MSTP program, internal med residency, pulm/crit care fellowship, and then academic medicine given my affinity for teaching and research. All of which you can fault me for. Fault me for being narrow minded and ambitiously goal oriented.

But now is different story. As I said I've been humiliated this cycle. You strip all that away and I just want the privilege of practicing medicine. I don't want to solely teach or solely perform research. Those things are great but when it comes down to it, practicing is the only priority. Despite how I feel now due to this cycle, I still believe I can/will be a good physician. I'm tired of all the BS and i'm trying to be as honest as possible. I would hope that some adcoms as well as my peers would recognize my qualifications, efforts, and desire to practice medicine, whether allopathic or osteopathic.

 

[jaguar33]

DO wasn't necessarily a backup for me. I truly believe that I didn't fully consider it because I didn't have much exposure or understanding. I initially wanted a MSTP program, internal med residency, pulm/crit care fellowship, and then academic medicine given my affinity for teaching and research. All of which you can fault me for. Fault me for being narrow minded and ambitiously goal oriented.

But now is different story. As I said I've been humiliated this cycle. You strip all that away and I just want the privilege of practicing medicine. I don't want to solely teach or solely perform research. Those things are great but when it comes down to it, practicing is the only priority. Despite how I feel now due to this cycle, I still believe I can/will be a good physician. I'm tired of all the BS and i'm trying to be as honest as possible. I would hope that some adcoms as well as my peers would recognize my qualifications, efforts, and desire to practice medicine, whether allopathic or osteopathic.

No need to be defensive, it is OK that you feel that way. From your first post as well as this one it seems that DO is what you chose when you gave up and decided that you just wanted to practice medicine. I think you should follow your dreams and go MD no matter how long it takes so that you don't feel inferior.

 

[BorntobeDO?]

You should continue to apply MD. People who chose DO as a backup are really unhappy at my school.

In a wierd way I sort of agree. OP what is your list that you applied to this cycle?

 

[paradoctor1]

DO wasn't necessarily a backup for me. I truly believe that I didn't fully consider it because I didn't have much exposure or understanding. I initially wanted a MSTP program, internal med residency, pulm/crit care fellowship, and then academic medicine given my affinity for teaching and research. All of which you can fault me for. Fault me for being narrow minded and ambitiously goal oriented.

But now is different story. As I said I've been humiliated this cycle. You strip all that away and I just want the privilege of practicing medicine. I don't want to solely teach or solely perform research. Those things are great but when it comes down to it, practicing is the only priority. Despite how I feel now due to this cycle, I still believe I can/will be a good physician. I'm tired of all the BS and i'm trying to be as honest as possible. I would hope that some adcoms as well as my peers would recognize my qualifications, efforts, and desire to practice medicine, whether allopathic or osteopathic.

I respectfully disagree with some of the above sentiment. At the end of the day MDs and DOs have the same practice rights, so if you are really set on being a physician I think that considering both is fine. You seem like you have your priorities straight, and you will be fine in either

 

[BorntobeDO?]

I respectfully disagree with some of the above sentiment. At the end of the day MDs and DOs have the same practice rights, so if you are really set on being a physician I think that considering both is fine. You seem like you have your priorities straight, and you will be fine in either

He wants a academic position as a teaching faculty at a big hospital. That is easier as an MD.

Op why didnt you apply to Loma Linda? They are in your state also, and you are very competative. If you want academic medicine, you can get it through DO, it will just be harder, especially if the goal is being a faculty at a big teaching hospital.

 

[misunderst00d]

Albany MC, UCLA, EVMS, Dartmouth, GWU, Georgetown, USC, Loma Linda, NYMC, NYU, Northwestern, Oakland University William Beaumont, Quinnipac, SLU, Univ of Vermont, Tulane, USUHS, UC San Diego (alma matter), UCSF, UC Davic, UC Irvine, UC riverside, Virg Tech...

And no, giving up and feeling inferior is what I did last week after I got my disqualification and looked at Caribbean MD schools, relocating from CA and establishing residency elsewhere, PA programs, FNP programs, RN, hell even Respiratory Therapy (I did some tutoring for RT's to pass their license exam and could prolly pass that now). But I came to my senses. I've already decided to retake MCAT asap (although I have a sinking feeling I'll do worse) despite doubts will it even matter on reapps when I couldn't get more interviews with a 35? I'll have to find a way to keep my job and study in the meantime, and will work on trying to improve my app after MCATS. I don't know what else I can do besides MORE, and yes, applying earlier. I will apply MD, DO, and yea even the caribbean. For all that I've done and all the adversity I've faced, if I still can't get in (in the US)... yea that's when I would consider losing my **** and actually settling for a backup (caribbean).

 

[BorntobeDO?]

Albany MC, UCLA, EVMS, Dartmouth, GWU, Georgetown, USC, Loma Linda, NYMC, NYU, Northwestern, Oakland University William Beaumont, Quinnipac, SLU, Univ of Vermont, Tulane, USUHS, UC San Diego (alma matter), UCSF, UC Davic, UC Irvine, UC riverside, Virg Tech...

And no, giving up and feeling inferior is what I did last week after I got my disqualification and looked at Caribbean MD schools, relocating from CA and establishing residency elsewhere, PA programs, FNP programs, RN, hell even Respiratory Therapy (I did some tutoring for RT's to pass their license exam and could prolly pass that now). But I came to my senses. I've already decided to retake MCAT asap (although I have a sinking feeling I'll do worse) despite doubts will it even matter on reapps when I couldn't get more interviews with a 35? I'll have to find a way to keep my job and study in the meantime, and will work on trying to improve my app after MCATS. I don't know what else I can do besides MORE, and yes, applying earlier. I will apply MD, DO, and yea even the caribbean. For all that I've done and all the adversity I've faced, if I still can't get in (in the US)... yea that's when I would consider losing my **** and actually settling for a backup (caribbean).

Sent PM, you are us citizen right?

 

[misunderst00d]

He wants a academic position as a teaching faculty at a big hospital. That is easier as an MD.

Op why didnt you apply to Loma Linda? They are in your state also, and you are very competative. If you want academic medicine, you can get it through DO, it will just be harder, especially if the goal is being a faculty at a big teaching hospital.

I did. Nothing from loma linda.

And no I don't think I care about being in academic medicine anymore. I did initially because I loved being a teaching assistant and was obviously involved in research. I still think I can combine those teaching, communication skills, and critical thinking into daily interaction with patients. That's all i want to do now. I didn't say it before but just teaching and just researching seems so insignificant compared to actually treating/interacting with patients. I'd like to the the results (good or bad) of my effort and work without the multiple degrees of separation you have with research. Like teaching, every interaction/communication seems like a teaching moment. 2-way communication, Answer questions, stimulate understanding of Dx, Rx, Tx options, and hopefully overall making patients interested and invested in their own health. That's prolly my corny answer but whatever? what do I know, just how I imagined that as the goal.

 

[songl4a]

.

 

[Promethean]

He wants a academic position as a teaching faculty at a big hospital. That is easier as an MD.

Op why didnt you apply to Loma Linda? They are in your state also, and you are very competative. If you want academic medicine, you can get it through DO, it will just be harder, especially if the goal is being a faculty at a big teaching hospital.

There are plenty of DOs in academic/research faculty positions at the prestigious university teaching hospital system near me. In competitive specialties. Some of whom went through osteopathic residencies.

EDIT: I realize that you didn't say that it was impossible. But I think that the difficulty for DOs is somewhat overstated. Those positions aren't just handed out to anyone. Even MDs have to work very hard and be quite competitive to get into them.

 

[capit]

"record number of applicants" and the proverbial "apply earlier".

Plus "apply to considerably more schools" in my case. My situation was similar to yours, just another mid-30s MCAT late applicant with a failed MD-only cycle. I wasn't going to reapply this cycle but my mentor convinced me not to waste a year and to include DO schools. I sensed during my MD interviews that my non-trad background was a liability, but it seemed to strengthen my DO application. I was accepted and I'm thrilled, and still kicking myself that I didn't apply DO the first time.

aacom.org has free info sheets on each school similar to the MSAR info (including oldest MCAT considered). No info on matriculants' grades and MCAT scores, though, but yours would be above average at any rate, even if you dropped a few points on your 2nd MCAT. You might be asked about a downward trend if applicable, but one of my interviewers mentioned that his DO school understood the rigors of writing the MCAT while working full-time, and probably other schools would take this into account as well.

Good luck with the MCAT prep! I studied for mine while working full-time too...rough.