DO School List Input

[Tupaka]

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Hey everyone,

I'd appreciate any input on the list of schools I've compiled for this upcoming cycle (any I should consider adding or taking away). A quick glance of my stats:

CA resident/non-trad (mid-late 20s)
cGPA: 3.2x (started badly, strong upward trend from mid-sophomore to graduation)
sGPA: 3.1x
Graduate GPA: 3.8x (masters in biology)

MCAT: 33 (11 PS/10 VB/ 12 BS)

Research: 1 publication (during undergrad) + research during graduate school
Clinical volunteering: ~300 hours
Medical mission: to a medically under-served Pacific Island country (going on another mission next month)
MD shadowing: ~200 hours
DO shadowing: NONE (looking to shadow around June, hopefully get a LOR)
ER scribe for ~2 years
OR clerk for ~6 months


My List (besides Western Pomona campus being my top choice there is no particular order)

1. Western University of the Health Sciences – CA (Pomona)

2. Western University of the Health Sciences – OR (Lebanon)

3. Philadelphia COM – PA

4. Philadelphia COM – GA (Suwanee)

5. Nova Southeastern University COM – FL (Davie)

6. Touro University – CA (Vallejo)

7. Touro University – NV (Henderson)

8. Midwestern University Chicago COM – IL (Downer’s Grove)

9. Midwestern University Arizona COM – AZ (Glendale)

10. Rocky Vista University – CO (Parker)

Are there any schools I should seriously consider adding/removing? Will an II bank on whether or not I receive a LOR from a DO?

Thanks for taking the time to read.

 

[ToKingdomCome]

Apply anywhere that interests you. You have a shot stat-wise to any DO school. Do get a DO letter though

 

[chizledfrmstone]

Are you applying to both MD/DO?

 

[asdf123g]

anywhere

 

[midweststudent1]

Apply to KCU. Our new dean likes high MCAT scores it seems.

I would say that perhaps one of the biggest things for you to do is be prepared to submit your application as early as possible. That is one of the biggest steps you can take to gain an acceptance.

 

[JW2020]

Some schools require a DO LOR, so make sure you read over each school carefully.

 

[Tupaka]

Thanks for the replies, everyone.

Are you applying to both MD/DO?

Yeah, I'm applying to just a handful of MD schools (~5-6) but I'm shooting for 10+ DO schools.

Some schools require a DO LOR, so make sure you read over each school carefully.

That's one of my biggest worries at this point with the cycle starting so soon. I don't want to wait to apply due to my lack of a DO letter. Is it appropriate to update the schools later in the cycle once I've received my DO letter?

 

[JW2020]

You definitely don't want to wait, but I would meet with a DO ASAP and/or shadow so that they can talk with you and decide if they'd be able to write you a strong letter. Updating with the DO letter later on (preferably soon) is better than not getting your app out there in June.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

You've got a shot at MD tbh. For DO mostly concentrate on school you really want to attend and top tier ( KCU, DMU, CCOM, PCOM, etc.)

 

[HH Holmes]

You have a shot at every DO, apply where you want to go.

For the letter.... from my application experience, most DO schools start interviews in November, and therefore start inviting in October. Set yourself a deadline to submit your DO letter by, say, September 30th the latest? This allows you to submit your app early and still get your letter in before the bulk of IIs go out.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

You have a shot at every DO, apply where you want to go.

For the letter.... from my application experience, most DO schools start interviews in November, and therefore start inviting in October. Set yourself a deadline to submit your DO letter by, say, September 30th the latest? This allows you to submit your app early and still get your letter in before the bulk of IIs go out.

Most DO schools probably have done a few interviews by nov. Most are in full swing from October to Dec with it slowing down considerably Feb to March.

 

[neontetras]

How about NYIT, DMU, UNE? I think you have a great list and a good shot at all of those places. Good luck!

 

[Goro]

GPAs might be too low for CCOM, but I'd say fine everywhere else. Your sGPA might raise some concern at my school, alas.

Hey everyone,

I'd appreciate any input on the list of schools I've compiled for this upcoming cycle (any I should consider adding or taking away). A quick glance of my stats:

CA resident/non-trad (mid-late 20s)
cGPA: 3.2x (started badly, strong upward trend from mid-sophomore to graduation)
sGPA: 3.1x
Graduate GPA: 3.8x (masters in biology)

MCAT: 33 (11 PS/10 VB/ 12 BS)

Research: 1 publication (during undergrad) + research during graduate school
Clinical volunteering: ~300 hours
Medical mission: to a medically under-served Pacific Island country (going on another mission next month)
MD shadowing: ~200 hours
DO shadowing: NONE (looking to shadow around June, hopefully get a LOR)
ER scribe for ~2 years
OR clerk for ~6 months


My List (besides Western Pomona campus being my top choice there is no particular order)

1. Western University of the Health Sciences – CA (Pomona)

2. Western University of the Health Sciences – OR (Lebanon)

3. Philadelphia COM – PA

4. Philadelphia COM – GA (Suwanee)

5. Nova Southeastern University COM – FL (Davie)

6. Touro University – CA (Vallejo)

7. Touro University – NV (Henderson)

8. Midwestern University Chicago COM – IL (Downer’s Grove)

9. Midwestern University Arizona COM – AZ (Glendale)

10. Rocky Vista University – CO (Parker)

Are there any schools I should seriously consider adding/removing? Will an II bank on whether or not I receive a LOR from a DO?

Thanks for taking the time to read.

 

[midweststudent1]

You have a shot at every DO, apply where you want to go.

For the letter.... from my application experience, most DO schools start interviews in November, and therefore start inviting in October. Set yourself a deadline to submit your DO letter by, say, September 30th the latest? This allows you to submit your app early and still get your letter in before the bulk of IIs go out.

No way, my school was almost done with acceptances by the end of November this year. If OP doesn't apply til September 30th he will have placed himself at the back of a very long line of applicants. Applications for DO schools are rising at a ridiculous pace as people are fleeing the Caribbean schools.

 

[Tupaka]

Apply to KCU. Our new dean likes high MCAT scores it seems.

I would say that perhaps one of the biggest things for you to do is be prepared to submit your application as early as possible. That is one of the biggest steps you can take to gain an acceptance.

Looking at the AACOM website, I see that the application service opens May 5th. However, the schools don't receive the applications until June 15th. AACOM guarantees that they will process applications in under four weeks. Do you think I'd still have a competitive chance submitting May 18th (exactly four weeks prior to June 15th)?

You definitely don't want to wait, but I would meet with a DO ASAP and/or shadow so that they can talk with you and decide if they'd be able to write you a strong letter. Updating with the DO letter later on (preferably soon) is better than not getting your app out there in June.

You have a shot at every DO, apply where you want to go.

For the letter.... from my application experience, most DO schools start interviews in November, and therefore start inviting in October. Set yourself a deadline to submit your DO letter by, say, September 30th the latest? This allows you to submit your app early and still get your letter in before the bulk of IIs go out.

I agree--I've already looked through the database for local DOs. Going to make some calls tomorrow.

You've got a shot at MD tbh. For DO mostly concentrate on school you really want to attend and top tier ( KCU, DMU, CCOM, PCOM, etc.)

I didn't mention it initially, but I am a re-applicant (applied MD last cycle). Having no interview invites after applying to a large number of schools makes suspect that my stats may be good enough to pass any screens, but too low for any further consideration. Additionally, I am half subset of Asian/half white and NOT economically disadvantaged. I am going to apply to a few MD schools this cycle, but the more I learn about DO schools the more attractive they are.

Just wondering, how are "top-tier" DO schools determined? Is it by matriculant stats or board exam results? Age of the school? Thanks for your reply.

How about NYIT, DMU, UNE? I think you have a great list and a good shot at all of those places. Good luck!

I'll add them to the list to check out this evening and tomorrow!

 

[Tupaka]

Again, thanks everyone for your input. Here is my updated list:

1. Western - CA
2. Western - OR
3. PCOM - PA
4. PCOM - GA
5. NSUCOM - FL
6. Touro - CA
7. Touro - NV
8. Touro - NY
9. CCOM - IL
10. AZCOM - AZ
11. RVUCOM - CO
12. LECOM - FL
13. LECOM - PA
14. DMUCOM - IA

I am still relatively naive with ranking schools. Am I allowing enough "lower tier" schools? I'd like to know if any of these schools could qualify as a safety net regarding my stats (that is, if my low undergrad GPA could even warrant a safety net school).

I left out NYIT and UNECOM due to in-state/regional bias... are either worth adding?
I also left out KCUMB due to the GPA cut-off at 3.25/3.25 (I took two science courses this past year, but I doubt those will take my sGPA to 3.25 from 3.16).
Lastly, I'm considering removing/replacing PCOM-GA because I'm not sure if I'd be a good fit there, mainly due to location and I'm having some trouble finding out more information on that location.

Anybody have extra thoughts?

GPAs might be too low for CCOM, but I'd say fine everywhere else. Your sGPA might raise some concern at my school, alas.

Thanks for the input, Goro. Should I even attempt applying to CCOM or would it be a waste?

 

[Goro]

Suggest deleting CCOM, and add MUCOM, all three VCOMs, and/or a few more new schools.

Again, thanks everyone for your input. Here is my updated list:

1. Western - CA
2. Western - OR
3. PCOM - PA
4. PCOM - GA
5. NSUCOM - FL
6. Touro - CA
7. Touro - NV
8. Touro - NY
9. CCOM - IL
10. AZCOM - AZ
11. RVUCOM - CO
12. LECOM - FL
13. LECOM - PA
14. DMUCOM - IA

I am still relatively naive with ranking schools. Am I allowing enough "lower tier" schools? I'd like to know if any of these schools could qualify as a safety net regarding my stats (that is, if my low undergrad GPA could even warrant a safety net school).

I left out NYIT and UNECOM due to in-state/regional bias... are either worth adding?
I also left out KCUMB due to the GPA cut-off at 3.25/3.25 (I took two science courses this past year, but I doubt those will take my sGPA to 3.25 from 3.16).
Lastly, I'm considering removing/replacing PCOM-GA because I'm not sure if I'd be a good fit there, mainly due to location and I'm having some trouble finding out more information on that location.

Anybody have extra thoughts?



Thanks for the input, Goro. Should I even attempt applying to CCOM or would it be a waste?

 

[spenguin]

Looking at the AACOM website, I see that the application service opens May 5th. However, the schools don't receive the applications until June 15th. AACOM guarantees that they will process applications in under four weeks. Do you think I'd still have a competitive chance submitting May 18th (exactly four weeks prior to June 15th)?
I agree--I've already looked through the database for local DOs. Going to make some calls tomorrow.
I didn't mention it initially, but I am a re-applicant (applied MD last cycle). Having no interview invites after applying to a large number of schools makes suspect that my stats may be good enough to pass any screens, but too low for any further consideration. Additionally, I am half subset of Asian/half white and NOT economically disadvantaged. I am going to apply to a few MD schools this cycle, but the more I learn about DO schools the more attractive they are.
Just wondering, how are "top-tier" DO schools determined? Is it by matriculant stats or board exam results? Age of the school? Thanks for your reply.
I'll add them to the list to check out this evening and tomorrow!

There is no official tier system but generally
older
harder to get into
high average stats for matriculants
good reputation
(happy students)
strong rotations
=======> "higher tier"

however there are only a handful of schools every one considers high tier, the rest would be argued about