Experiences DO applicants should have?

[MSMsong]

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Hey all, I'm about to graduate from undergrad this June and was wondering what kind of volunteer/shadowing/job experiences someone shooting for a DO should have on their resume before applying. I plan on applying to both MD and DO schools; however, since I do have a low cGPA (3.2) and AACOMAS sGPA (3.0) I want my experiences to stand out. As of right now, I'm planning on shadowing a DO and a chiropractor. Am I on the right track or does anyone know of any other experiences that might be beneficial to a pre-DO student? Is there much of a difference when comparing clinical ECs for pre-MD vs. pre-DO other than shadowing a DO physician?

I also plan on doing a DIY post bacc at UCLA Extension to raise my GPA so any suggestions for work experiences will be helpful to me. Particularly anything in the LA or Orange County area. Thank you in advance for providing input!

 

[AlteredScale]

Hey all, I'm about to graduate from undergrad this June and was wondering what kind of volunteer/shadowing/job experiences someone shooting for a DO should have on their resume before applying. I plan on applying to both MD and DO schools; however, since I do have a low cGPA (3.2) and AACOMAS sGPA (3.0) I want my experiences to stand out. As of right now, I'm planning on shadowing a DO and a chiropractor. Am I on the right track or does anyone know of any other experiences that might be beneficial to a pre-DO student? Is there much of a difference when comparing clinical ECs for pre-MD vs. pre-DO other than shadowing a DO physician?

I also plan on doing a DIY post bacc at UCLA Extension to raise my GPA so any suggestions for work experiences will be helpful to me. Particularly anything in the LA or Orange County area. Thank you in advance for providing input!

What is your MCAT score?

Don’t think you need to shadow a chiro. Shadow an MD and a DO in different specialties. Try and shadow a DO that does OMM.

Volunteer/EC/research experience should be as it would be applying to an MD school. Showing longitudinal commitment with an aptitude for self reflection and growth in those experiences.

Have strong LORs that speak for you personally and are not just verifications of attending a course and succeeding academically.

Spend time on your PS.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[MSMsong]

What is your MCAT score?

Don’t think you need to shadow a chiro. Shadow an MD and a DO in different specialties. Try and shadow a DO that does OMM.

Volunteer/EC/research experience should be as it would be applying to an MD school. Showing longitudinal commitment with an aptitude for self reflection and growth in those experiences.

Have strong LORs that speak for you personally and are not just verifications of attending a course and succeeding academically.

Spend time on your PS.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hey AlteredScale, thanks for the response. I haven't taken the MCAT yet; planning on taking it in about a year after I knock out biochemistry at UCLA Extension. Thanks for the tip, I'll definitely try and find a DO that practices OMM to shadow, is it a big deal if the DO doesn't? I know that OMM is a big part of the osteopathic curriculum, but I've heard mixed reviews about it. I appreciate you taking the time and sending a response, thanks!

 

[deleted859689]

Hey AlteredScale, thanks for the response. I haven't taken the MCAT yet; planning on taking it in about a year after I knock out biochemistry at UCLA Extension. Thanks for the tip, I'll definitely try and find a DO that practices OMM to shadow, is it a big deal if the DO doesn't? I know that OMM is a big part of the osteopathic curriculum, but I've heard mixed reviews about it. I appreciate you taking the time and sending a response, thanks!

A lot of DO schools do not need a DO letter of recommendation to apply to. Some of them like it, but most you can use either. That being said, it's not a big deal if you do not have any experience shadowing a DO doc that does OMM. I had my letter of rec from an MD. Make sure you have clinical and non-clinical volunteering. A good gig for a gap year is scribing, however that may be iffy during these times. Make sure to get a 4.0 in all your post-bac classes and kill the MCAT.

 

[MSMsong]

A lot of DO schools do not need a DO letter of recommendation to apply to. Some of them like it, but most you can use either. That being said, it's not a big deal if you do not have any experience shadowing a DO doc that does OMM. I had my letter of rec from an MD. Make sure you have clinical and non-clinical volunteering. A good gig for a gap year is scribing, however that may be iffy during these times. Make sure to get a 4.0 in all your post-bac classes and kill the MCAT.

Hey Kumorebi, I appreciate the tips. I’m going to look for scribing jobs and shadowing opportunities as soon as possible. Did happen to work as a scribe? If so, how did you manage to get hired? Also, did you contact random physicians asking to shadow or did you use personal connections?

 

[deleted859689]

Hey Kumorebi, I appreciate the tips. I’m going to look for scribing jobs and shadowing opportunities as soon as possible. Did happen to work as a scribe? If so, how did you manage to get hired? Also, did you contact random physicians asking to shadow or did you use personal connections?

Personal connections work better than contacting physicians dry. There are scribe companies like Scribe America, or Scribe Kick etc. Go on indeed and apply to a few scribe jobs. Some of them do drug test.

 

[MSMsong]

Personal connections work better than contacting physicians dry. There are scribe companies like Scribe America, or Scribe Kick etc. Go on indeed and apply to a few scribe jobs. Some of them do drug test.

Sweet, thanks for the info Kumorebi. I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors!

 

[Goro]

What is your MCAT score?

Don’t think you need to shadow a chiro. Shadow an MD and a DO in different specialties. Try and shadow a DO that does OMM.

Volunteer/EC/research experience should be as it would be applying to an MD school. Showing longitudinal commitment with an aptitude for self reflection and growth in those experiences.

Have strong LORs that speak for you personally and are not just verifications of attending a course and succeeding academically.

Spend time on your PS.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This. /thread

 

[deleted994889]

If you're in Southern California, you should know Scribe America is pretty saturated, even before the pandemic. I applied 2 years ago out of OC and the only openings they offered me (after waiting a long time) were in Hawaii. Apply anyways, but keep looking for other opportunities.