Help me understand DO admissions

[Moosepig]

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I am a bit confused as to how the average DO MCAT score is so low. The averages I have seen are around 25-27 with a lot of schools on the 25 side. My question is, if you take the MCAT and then get, say, a 27, why wouldn't you apply to 15 DO schools and then maybe 5 MD schools? It just seems that statistically that would be a smart decision considering how you are at average or above average at DO schools whereas you're on the lower end of competitive for MDs.

I am just confused as to how a student on the margins of competitive for an MD school is very competitive for a DO school in which they can receive roughly the same education and have mostly the same opportunities.

 

[DrWily]

I am a bit confused as to how the average DO MCAT score is so low. The averages I have seen are around 25-27 with a lot of schools on the 25 side. My question is, if you take the MCAT and then get, say, a 27, why wouldn't you apply to 15 DO schools and then maybe 5 MD schools? It just seems that statistically that would be a smart decision considering how you are at average or above average at DO schools whereas you're on the lower end of competitive for MDs.

I am just confused as to how a student on the margins of competitive for an MD school is very competitive for a DO school in which they can receive roughly the same education and have mostly the same opportunities.

I have a dream that one day this forum will rise up and live out the true meaning of its purpose: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all doctors are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the graduates of MD schools and the graduates of DO schools will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the Pre-Medical forum, a forum sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of tolerance and camaraderie.

I have a dream that my D.O. brothers and sisters will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the letters after their name but by the quality of care they provide to their patients.

I have a dream today!

 

[450618]

I think most people with 25-27ish MCAT stats do exactly that. Most will apply DO heavy with a few mid to lower tier MD programs also, just as you stated. In my opinion, the thing to remember is that MCAT is not the only thing that matters to program admissions. GPA and MCAT seem to be the biggest factors of course, for who gets invites to interview, and are definitely VERY important. However, research experience/ publications, community involvement, and clinical experience are also big parts of the application and could potentially bolster a mid level MCAT on an app.

It's also my perception that DO programs in the past may have been a bit more friendly to non-traditional students, who have different career/life experience and have gone back to school to take pre-med requirements with possibly lower stats... I myself am a non-trad and definitely would have had a higher GPA had I been serious about medical school when I was 20 instead of going back to take my pre-meds after a career change at 27, thus I'm applying DO heavy. However, I've gained a lot of life experience, have a graduate degree in a related field (master's in psychology; planning on doing residency in psychiatry) and have a publication in a top journal in the field. Does my lower overall GPA (3.49 cum, 3.95 Bio/Chem/Physics) mean I'll be mediocre physician? I hope not.

Also, all DO programs are not the same as far as averages, while not as common, some DO programs are right up there with med-tier MD programs as far as student averages.

"I am just confused as to how a student on the margins of competitive for an MD school is very competitive for a DO school in which they can receive roughly the same education and have mostly the same opportunities."

It seems to be the consensus that an individuals potential to become an successful, competent, caring physician is multi-faceted, and doesn't solely depend on one's pre-med grades, and MCAT score. Is it an important part and a potentially good predictor of how and individual will do in the first two years of medical school? Absolutely. However, if you look around these forums you'll find individuals with mid tier MCAT/GPA who excelled in med school and clinicals, and you'll find the gunner pre-meds who are now struggling in clinicals 3rd and 4th year.

Best of luck to you in your med-school journey. Good question and observation.

 

[MedPR]

I am a bit confused as to how the average DO MCAT score is so low. The averages I have seen are around 25-27 with a lot of schools on the 25 side. My question is, if you take the MCAT and then get, say, a 27, why wouldn't you apply to 15 DO schools and then maybe 5 MD schools? It just seems that statistically that would be a smart decision considering how you are at average or above average at DO schools whereas you're on the lower end of competitive for MDs.

I am just confused as to how a student on the margins of competitive for an MD school is very competitive for a DO school in which they can receive roughly the same education and have mostly the same opportunities.

You would.

People don't want to go to DO school for 2 reasons.

1. MD is more prestigious.. or perceived to be more prestigious
2. DO has less residency programs and it is more difficult to match into competitive MD residency programs as a DO.

2 is the main deterrent for many people and honestly is the only one that even matters.

 

[411309]

tbh i dont think any DO school has a 25 mcat average currently besides maybe pikeville?

 

[zoner]

You would.

People don't want to go to DO school for 2 reasons.

1. MD is more prestigious.. or perceived to be more prestigious
2. DO has less residency programs and it is more difficult to match into competitive MD residency programs as a DO.

2 is the main deterrent for many people and honestly is the only one that even matters.

but as an MD, you don't get to have OMM speciality practice where you make 500$ a pop per session in Santa Monica

 

[DrWily]

but as an MD, you don't get to have OMM speciality practice where you make 500$ a pop per session in Santa Monica

But they could learn OMM if they wanted to. It's not like OMM is D.O. only.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

tbh i dont think any DO school has a 25 mcat average currently besides maybe pikeville?

A few do, but the higher tier schools I'm majority are all 27-29.

 

[UrshumMurshum]

I have a dream that one day this forum will rise up and live out the true meaning of its purpose: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all doctors are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the graduates of MD schools and the graduates of DO schools will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the Pre-Medical forum, a forum sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of tolerance and camaraderie.

I have a dream that my D.O. brothers and sisters will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the letters after their name but by the quality of care they provide to their patients.

I have a dream today!

I'm a little disappointed that no one gave the man his props for this literature.

Thanks DrWily for being awesome.

 

[Temperature101]

tbh i dont think any DO school has a 25 mcat average currently besides maybe pikeville?

There are more than Pikeville and I am pretty sure that the 3 new schools (Marian, Alabama, Campbell) will have an mcat average 23-25.



School Averages
cGPA | sGPA | MCAT
Italics in the name means region bias.

-A.T. Still University, Kirksville | 3.5 | 3.4 | 27
-A.T. Still University, AZ | 3.5 | 3.41 | 27
-Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine, AL | first year taking students
-Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine | 3.51 | 3.46 | 28
-Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine, NC | first year taking students
-Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine | 3.56 | ? | 28 | (2009 data: 3.53 | 3.45 | 27)
-Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine, IA | 3.68 | 3.63 | 27.3
-Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences | 3.63 | 3.56 | 27
-Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine - Erie/Seton Hill, PA | 3.44 | 3.31 | 26
-Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine - Bradenton Campus, FL | (2010 data: 3.48 | 3.39 | 27)
-Lincoln Memorial University - DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, TN | 3.29 | 3.18 | 24.62
-Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine, IN | first year taking students
-Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, MI | 3.6 | ?.?? | 26
-New York College of Osteopathic Medicine of NYIT, NY | 3.6 | ?.?? | 28
-Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine, FL | 3.41 | 3.31 | 27
-Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, OH | 3.66 | ?.?? | 27
-Oklahoma State University OK | 3.64 | 3.58 | 26
-Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences WA | 3.44 | 3.36 | 26.39
-Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, PA | 3.45 | 3.38 | 27
-Georgia Campus - Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, GA |
-University of Pikeville-Kentucky, College of Osteopathic Medicine, KY | 3.5 | 3.4 | 24
-Rocky Vista University, College of Osteopathic Medicine, CO | 3.42 | 3.35 | 25
-Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in New York, NY | 3.4 | 3.3 | 27
-Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine - California, CA | 3.47 | 3.39 | 28.9
-Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine - Nevada, NV | 3.40 | 3.31 | 26.6
-UMDNJ - School of Osteopathic Medicine, NJ | 3.58 | ?.?? | 28
-University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine, ME | 3.5 | 3.45 | 27
-Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine -Virginia Campus, VA | 3.55 | 3.51 | 25
-Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Carolinas Campus, SC | 3.61 | 3.55 | 25
-West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, Admissions Office, WV | ?.?? | 3.37 | 25
-Western University of Health Sciences - Pomona, CA + Lebanon, OR | 3.53 | 3.47 | 28
-William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine, MS | 3.35 | ?.?? | 24.3

 

[DrWily]

I'm a little disappointed that no one gave the man his props for this literature.

Thanks DrWily for being awesome.

You bet. 👍

 

[angldrps]

I have a dream that one day this forum will rise up and live out the true meaning of its purpose: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all doctors are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the graduates of MD schools and the graduates of DO schools will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the Pre-Medical forum, a forum sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of tolerance and camaraderie.

I have a dream that my D.O. brothers and sisters will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the letters after their name but by the quality of care they provide to their patients.

I have a dream today!

This is Beautiful!

 

[Brumz]

There are more than Pikeville and I am pretty sure that the 3 new schools (Marian, Alabama, Campbell) will have an mcat average 23-25.



School Averages
cGPA | sGPA | MCAT
Italics in the name means region bias.

-A.T. Still University, Kirksville | 3.5 | 3.4 | 27
-A.T. Still University, AZ | 3.5 | 3.41 | 27
-Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine, AL | first year taking students
-Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine | 3.51 | 3.46 | 28
-Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine, NC | first year taking students
-Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine | 3.56 | ? | 28 | (2009 data: 3.53 | 3.45 | 27)
-Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine, IA | 3.68 | 3.63 | 27.3
-Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences | 3.63 | 3.56 | 27
-Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine - Erie/Seton Hill, PA | 3.44 | 3.31 | 26
-Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine - Bradenton Campus, FL | (2010 data: 3.48 | 3.39 | 27)
-Lincoln Memorial University - DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, TN | 3.29 | 3.18 | 24.62
-Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine, IN | first year taking students
-Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, MI | 3.6 | ?.?? | 26
-New York College of Osteopathic Medicine of NYIT, NY | 3.6 | ?.?? | 28
-Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine, FL | 3.41 | 3.31 | 27
-Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, OH | 3.66 | ?.?? | 27
-Oklahoma State University OK | 3.64 | 3.58 | 26
-Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences WA | 3.44 | 3.36 | 26.39
-Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, PA | 3.45 | 3.38 | 27
-Georgia Campus - Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, GA |
-University of Pikeville-Kentucky, College of Osteopathic Medicine, KY | 3.5 | 3.4 | 24
-Rocky Vista University, College of Osteopathic Medicine, CO | 3.42 | 3.35 | 25
-Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in New York, NY | 3.4 | 3.3 | 27
-Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine - California, CA | 3.47 | 3.39 | 28.9
-Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine - Nevada, NV | 3.40 | 3.31 | 26.6
-UMDNJ - School of Osteopathic Medicine, NJ | 3.58 | ?.?? | 28
-University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine, ME | 3.5 | 3.45 | 27
-Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine -Virginia Campus, VA | 3.55 | 3.51 | 25
-Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Carolinas Campus, SC | 3.61 | 3.55 | 25
-West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, Admissions Office, WV | ?.?? | 3.37 | 25
-Western University of Health Sciences - Pomona, CA + Lebanon, OR | 3.53 | 3.47 | 28
-William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine, MS | 3.35 | ?.?? | 24.3

Thanks for that.
It gives me an idea of the places I have the best likelihood of getting accepted at.

 

[411309]

There are more than Pikeville and I am pretty sure that the 3 new schools (Marian, Alabama, Campbell) will have an mcat average 23-25.



School Averages
cGPA | sGPA | MCAT
Italics in the name means region bias.

-A.T. Still University, Kirksville | 3.5 | 3.4 | 27
-A.T. Still University, AZ | 3.5 | 3.41 | 27
-Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine, AL | first year taking students
-Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine | 3.51 | 3.46 | 28
-Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine, NC | first year taking students
-Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine | 3.56 | ? | 28 | (2009 data: 3.53 | 3.45 | 27)
-Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine, IA | 3.68 | 3.63 | 27.3
-Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences | 3.63 | 3.56 | 27
-Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine - Erie/Seton Hill, PA | 3.44 | 3.31 | 26
-Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine - Bradenton Campus, FL | (2010 data: 3.48 | 3.39 | 27)
-Lincoln Memorial University - DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, TN | 3.29 | 3.18 | 24.62
-Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine, IN | first year taking students
-Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, MI | 3.6 | ?.?? | 26
-New York College of Osteopathic Medicine of NYIT, NY | 3.6 | ?.?? | 28
-Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine, FL | 3.41 | 3.31 | 27
-Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, OH | 3.66 | ?.?? | 27
-Oklahoma State University OK | 3.64 | 3.58 | 26
-Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences WA | 3.44 | 3.36 | 26.39
-Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, PA | 3.45 | 3.38 | 27
-Georgia Campus - Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, GA |
-University of Pikeville-Kentucky, College of Osteopathic Medicine, KY | 3.5 | 3.4 | 24
-Rocky Vista University, College of Osteopathic Medicine, CO | 3.42 | 3.35 | 25
-Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in New York, NY | 3.4 | 3.3 | 27
-Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine - California, CA | 3.47 | 3.39 | 28.9
-Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine - Nevada, NV | 3.40 | 3.31 | 26.6
-UMDNJ - School of Osteopathic Medicine, NJ | 3.58 | ?.?? | 28
-University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine, ME | 3.5 | 3.45 | 27
-Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine -Virginia Campus, VA | 3.55 | 3.51 | 25
-Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Carolinas Campus, SC | 3.61 | 3.55 | 25
-West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, Admissions Office, WV | ?.?? | 3.37 | 25
-Western University of Health Sciences - Pomona, CA + Lebanon, OR | 3.53 | 3.47 | 28
-William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine, MS | 3.35 | ?.?? | 24.3

this is outdated. William carey is 26-27 pikeville is 25 I believe, lmu is 25-26 and rock vista is 27-28. So theres around two DO schools with 25 mcat averages and im betting the three new ones will be around 25-26 but prob closer to 26.

 

[Moosepig]

this is outdated. William carey is 26-27 pikeville is 25 I believe, lmu is 25-26 and rock vista is 27-28. So theres around two DO schools with 25 mcat averages and im betting the three new ones will be around 25-26 but prob closer to 26.

25 does seem to be further below DO average than I thought, I apologize for misframing the discussion. Nonetheless the explanations do make sense. I am an Alabama resident so I am very interested in the new Alabama DO school and am overjoyed that its coming. Seems like, statistically, it'll increase my odds somewhat.

 

[411309]

25 does seem to be further below DO average than I thought, I apologize for misframing the discussion. Nonetheless the explanations do make sense. I am an Alabama resident so I am very interested in the new Alabama DO school and am overjoyed that its coming. Seems like, statistically, it'll increase my odds somewhat.

no problem at all. the average is 26.5 closer to a 27 for the majority of schools, being from alabama really does put you in a good spot; the new alabama school has a preference for in staters. Im florida and im interviewing there sept 13th and im really excited.

 

[Machine33]

I have a dream that one day this forum will rise up and live out the true meaning of its purpose: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all doctors are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the graduates of MD schools and the graduates of DO schools will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the Pre-Medical forum, a forum sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of tolerance and camaraderie.

I have a dream that my D.O. brothers and sisters will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the letters after their name but by the quality of care they provide to their patients.

I have a dream today!

This. 👍

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

no problem at all. the average is 26.5 closer to a 27 for the majority of schools, being from alabama really does put you in a good spot; the new alabama school has a preference for in staters. Im florida and im interviewing there sept 13th and im really excited.

Not really, the average is bimodal, with top tier schools averaging 27-28 and a lot pushing 24-26.

 

[MedPR]

but as an MD, you don't get to have OMM speciality practice where you make 500$ a pop per session in Santa Monica

You're misinformed.

But they could learn OMM if they wanted to. It's not like OMM is D.O. only.

+1.

 

[coolingglasses]

My GPA blows, that's why. lol