EDP Allo and Regular DO admissions

[aedle]

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Let me preface my dilemma by saying that I have made efforts to understand the subtle differences between allopathic and osteopathic schools. Armed with this knowledge, I've come to the conclusion that in either system, I think I'd be fine and, ultimately, I just want to be the best doc for my patients that I can be. The letters following my name is not the deciding factor.

I find myself in a delicate situation. My gpa/mcat are 3.5/29, which hovers right around low-MD, average DO if I remember correctly. I won't lie and say I had considered DO school before understanding where I stood on the academic totem pole, but I now know that I still have a chance of going to med school, regardless of what kind it is, and that is very encouraging.

Realistically, to be accepted into an allo school I would need to apply EDP to my state school, and this is my primary plan of action. However, there still is a chance I won't be accepted, and with that in mind I would also consider applying for DO school in the same time frame.

Applying EDP for an allopathic school means I've committed myself to them, and therefore agree not to apply to any other medical school until the EDP school reaches a decision on your admission. Is it in bad taste (or altogether immoral) to apply to a DO school, say in september (when admissions for both are in full swing or potentially on the downswing) if I still haven't received an answer from the EDP school?

"Aedle, why not choose the school that better fits you?" Well, that's the thing--I work at the EDP school, live in the area, and the tuition is ~20k less per year than the local DO school. It all fits, but I'm open to the possibility of not being able to get in, and spending a year in waiting to apply for the DO school (early/on time) seems silly and redundant if the admission paths are independent. I applied once to the EDP school and was waitlisted, so I've already been through the suffering process that is med school admissions. It's something I'd rather not do for 3 straight years. Am I in the wrong for wanting to apply to DO school at the same time?

 

[PunkmedGirl]

Let me preface my dilemma by saying that I have made efforts to understand the subtle differences between allopathic and osteopathic schools. Armed with this knowledge, I've come to the conclusion that in either system, I think I'd be fine and, ultimately, I just want to be the best doc for my patients that I can be. The letters following my name is not the deciding factor.

I find myself in a delicate situation. My gpa/mcat are 3.5/29, which hovers right around low-MD, average DO if I remember correctly. I won't lie and say I had considered DO school before understanding where I stood on the academic totem pole, but I now know that I still have a chance of going to med school, regardless of what kind it is, and that is very encouraging.

Realistically, to be accepted into an allo school I would need to apply EDP to my state school, and this is my primary plan of action. However, there still is a chance I won't be accepted, and with that in mind I would also consider applying for DO school in the same time frame.

Applying EDP for an allopathic school means I've committed myself to them, and therefore agree not to apply to any other medical school until the EDP school reaches a decision on your admission. Is it in bad taste (or altogether immoral) to apply to a DO school, say in september (when admissions for both are in full swing or potentially on the downswing) if I still haven't received an answer from the EDP school?

"Aedle, why not choose the school that better fits you?" Well, that's the thing--I work at the EDP school, live in the area, and the tuition is ~20k less per year than the local DO school. It all fits, but I'm open to the possibility of not being able to get in, and spending a year in waiting to apply for the DO school (early/on time) seems silly and redundant if the admission paths are independent. I applied once to the EDP school and was waitlisted, so I've already been through the suffering process that is med school admissions. It's something I'd rather not do for 3 straight years. Am I in the wrong for wanting to apply to DO school at the same time?

I'm not a 100% sure (so you can take my post with a grain of salt), but it would be ok to apply to DO schools when applying EDP for MD schools.

 

[beckhunter116]

To apply through the Early Decision Program (EDP), applicants must follow these guidelines:

1. Apply to only one U.S. medical school by the stated deadline date (August 1 for schools that participate in AMCAS);
2. Provide the school with all required supplemental information by the stated deadline date (August 1 for those schools that participate in AMCAS); and
3. Attend only this school if offered a place under the Early Decision Program.

If these guidelines are met, applicants will be notified of the school's admission decision by October 1.

This is taken directly from the AAMC website.
http://www.aamc.org/students/applying/programs/earlydecision.htm

I am not 100% sure that #1 is refering to only allopathic schools. I would call the state school and ask if you can apply EDP their and apply to osteopathic schools at the same time.

If you find out please put that info on here as I am contemplating applying EDP at my state school but I am worried that if I don't get accepted that I will be really late applying DO.

 

[FormerCorpsman]

Let me preface my dilemma by saying that I have made efforts to understand the subtle differences between allopathic and osteopathic schools. Armed with this knowledge, I've come to the conclusion that in either system, I think I'd be fine and, ultimately, I just want to be the best doc for my patients that I can be. The letters following my name is not the deciding factor.

I find myself in a delicate situation. My gpa/mcat are 3.5/29, which hovers right around low-MD, average DO if I remember correctly. I won't lie and say I had considered DO school before understanding where I stood on the academic totem pole, but I now know that I still have a chance of going to med school, regardless of what kind it is, and that is very encouraging.

Realistically, to be accepted into an allo school I would need to apply EDP to my state school, and this is my primary plan of action. However, there still is a chance I won't be accepted, and with that in mind I would also consider applying for DO school in the same time frame.

Applying EDP for an allopathic school means I've committed myself to them, and therefore agree not to apply to any other medical school until the EDP school reaches a decision on your admission. Is it in bad taste (or altogether immoral) to apply to a DO school, say in september (when admissions for both are in full swing or potentially on the downswing) if I still haven't received an answer from the EDP school?

"Aedle, why not choose the school that better fits you?" Well, that's the thing--I work at the EDP school, live in the area, and the tuition is ~20k less per year than the local DO school. It all fits, but I'm open to the possibility of not being able to get in, and spending a year in waiting to apply for the DO school (early/on time) seems silly and redundant if the admission paths are independent. I applied once to the EDP school and was waitlisted, so I've already been through the suffering process that is med school admissions. It's something I'd rather not do for 3 straight years. Am I in the wrong for wanting to apply to DO school at the same time?

If I were you, I would apply to University of North Texas D.O. program. The out of state tuition is about $26,000. The school is excellent and the Texans are great.

 

[boone95]

Am I in the wrong for wanting to apply to DO school at the same time?

I would ask the school first... and I assume they mean 1 medical school, so they'll so no. Which sucks, but I would get the AACOMAS filled out and ready to go on October 1st (or a couple weeks earlier since it takes a bit to get certified). That still gives you plenty of time. Heck, people are still interviewing and getting accepted mid-Feb. You could even get a head start on the secondary essays in the 'down-time.'

Good luck!

 

[JaggerPlate]

You may be able to because it's through aacomas and not amcas ... but I don't think either would be happy to find out about it. If it feels a little sketchy, it's because it probably is. I'd call a school anonymously and see.

 

[KTownGT]

If I were you, I would apply to University of North Texas D.O. program. The out of state tuition is about $26,000. The school is excellent and the Texans are great.

Damn right.

TCOM has a great DO program, I talked to a couple med-students there a few days ago.

 

[aedle]

You may be able to because it's through aacomas and not amcas ... but I don't think either would be happy to find out about it. If it feels a little sketchy, it's because it probably is. I'd call a school anonymously and see.

It does feel sketchy, and I appreciate all the replies. I'll toss both schools a call this week and get their take... the last thing I want to do is get blacklisted or something because I tried killing 2 birds with 1 stone.

 

[235750]

It does feel sketchy, and I appreciate all the replies. I'll toss both schools a call this week and get their take... the last thing I want to do is get blacklisted or something because I tried killing 2 birds with 1 stone.

Just FYI aedle: do not assume that EDP is your safest bet. I had thought in the past, like you, that EDP was the way to go. I did EDP at Drexel last year, didn't get in, retook the MCAT, got a lower score, and got in this year at drexel via the normal application process. You might be better off submitting your AMCAS really early and getting the secondaries done right away

Look, the two parties won't know if you apply to each other. So don't worry about it. Do what you think is best for yourself

Good luck to you!

 

[Vita]

I almost did this last year, but decided against it. I am not sure who I talked to, but I remember being told that you couldn't do that even though they are different application processes.

Then again, you will still be rather early if you get your AACOMAS in at the start of October. Not super early, but you can go ahead and prepare your secondaries based on the questions other people post, then just send them right when you submit your AACOMAS. You should be okay with your stats.

 

[p30doc]

Go do a LOT more research on EDP on the pre-allo forums, everyone highly recommends that you do not do EDP unless for some compelling reason you must only attend that school. Your chances of admission are not improved, it is not a way for people with mediocre stats to slide into programs. EDP applicants are very competitive and sometimes schools require that your stats be above their normal averages for you to even apply EDP there. In short stay away from EDP, and go learn more about it on SDN don't take my word for it.

 

[JaggerPlate]

It does feel sketchy, and I appreciate all the replies. I'll toss both schools a call this week and get their take... the last thing I want to do is get blacklisted or something because I tried killing 2 birds with 1 stone.

For sure. I think it's a good idea to call schools. I would do it anonymously though.

 

[Grey Wind]

I think with your stats you could apply broadly and have a greatly increased chance of getting into a school somewhere. Why limit yourself with the EDP option? Plus, as someone already stated, it isn't your safest bet. There is a good article on SDN's homepage about EDP programs. I can't remember what it's called but you should look for it and read it.

 

[MossPoh]

EDP is best when you are above the averages for the school. Not at or below. I'd just apply to a ton of MD and DO programs. Interview. Get accepted and decide from the places you like. I had lower stats than you and had 3 allo interviews. It happens.

 

[roody41]

In response to the OP I would say that depending on your state of residence, your numbers should be fairly competitive. There are a few exceptions.....if your home state happens to be Washington, for instance, you might be in a tough spot. U. of Washington is a top program, and they have very high standards for all applicants, both out of state and in state. But in Illinois, for example, there are a couple allopathic schools (SIU and U of I) and they are a bit easier to get in to, ESPECIALLY if you're in-state. I actually know a couple in-state folks that have been accepted to U of I (which is a pretty solid MD program) with a 25 MCAT.

So I guess the take home message is before you fully commit to EDP, I'd recommend you take a step back and research the numbers for your state allo schools and decide if its really necessary. A 29 is a solid score, and provided you have good ECs and LORs I'd say you probably have a good shot of getting in at a state MD school, as well as a number of DO schools.

Either way, good luck. And maybe just go DO instead....because we are clearly WAY cooler 😎