Helpful Hints and Info for appliers

[DD214_DOC]

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Let's start a helpful hints thread for those applying and those who will currently be applying, specific to AACOMAS.

(A) Call AACOMAS and keep them on the ball. YOU must be active throughout the entire process.

(B) Carefully read the requirements of ALL schools. A few deviate from the traditional 8/8/8/8 science requirements (VCOM, for example, requires 6 additional sciences - I didn't know this)

(C) So far, many DO schools (NSU, VCOM, WVSOM, PCOM) will accept a LOR from a premed advisor instead of 2 sciences/1 liberal arts letter. This is very helpful for those, such as myself, who attended large universities.

(D) WVSOM only sends secondaries to people whom they interview.

(E) VCOM states on its website that the MCAT is not as important as grades and the interview.

(F) A DO letter is practically a requirement.

(G) Only apply to schools where you would like to attend. It's cheaper and may help for those, "Why do you want to go here" questions. (Saying you like the region when you applied to schools halfway across the country doesn't look good)

(H) Many schools target specific regions when selecting students for admission, so be careful of where you apply. It may not be beneficial to apply to WVSOM when you're a CA resident.

(I) Some schools have a specific number of seats reserved for students applying from specific geographic regions or states. For example, if 5 SC residents apply to PCSOM for its one or two seats, you have a much better chance of getting in, as you're not competing with the overall pool.

 

[OnMyWayThere]

Very good advice... thanks 👍

(more) start working on secondary essays because they take a while and you're still not "complete" for review until secondaries, LORs and MCAT scores are there.

 

[purplekat]

Thanks for the advice!

Does anybody know what the % of out of state residents these DO schools take?

 

[OnMyWayThere]

Thanks for the advice!

Does anybody know what the % of out of state residents these DO schools take?

Some are private and have no preference and some are state funded and are required to take a certain percentage of in-state residents... you'd have to check on the school's website or ask specifically on SDN... I'm sure the answer is out there.

 

[DD214_DOC]

Thanks for the advice!

Does anybody know what the % of out of state residents these DO schools take?

This is from the list someone compiled. Don't know how old it is, but I don't think it varies much. (also, I added another tip)

% out of state

UMDNJ -- All become in-state
KCOM -- 80%
NSU -- 55%
WVSOM -- 44%
PCSOM -- ~10%
PCOM -- 40%
LECOM -- 50%
MSU -- ~15%
OUCOM -- 20%
CCOM -- 50%
UHS -- 87%
AZCOM -- 75%
UNE -- 40%
TUCOM -- 51%
COMP -- ~20%
NYCOM -- 30%
DMU -- 75%
TCOM -- 10%
VCOM -- 50%
OSUCOM -- 20%

Keep in mind, as I said above, many of these schools that accept from out-of-state have specific target areas. VCOM, WVSOM, PCOM-Atlanta, for example, target the SE region (GA, SC, NC, TN, etc.) Some schools even have X number of seats reserved for students applying from specific regions or states (as a DO once told me). Supposedly, PCSOM has a seat or two reserved for SC residents. 👍

 

[Peace&Health]

Request for transcripts to be sent to AACOMAS if possible in May, that means all the courses you need are on your transcript.

It will give you more time to focus on PS and entering in application info. Also, once you submit your application, AACOMAS doesn't have to be waiting on your transcripts since they're all there.

 

[Amy B]

Keep in mind, as I said above, many of these schools that accept from out-of-state have specific target areas. VCOM, WVSOM, PCOM-Atlanta, for example, target the SE region (GA, SC, NC, TN, etc.) Some schools even have X number of seats reserved for students applying from specific regions or states (as a DO once told me). Supposedly, PCSOM has a seat or two reserved for SC residents. 👍

From VCOM's web site......

"""""To recruit students from rural and underserved areas of Virginia, North Carolina, and the Appalachian region or those with a strong desire to practice primary care in the rural Appalachian region;"""""""""""""""

And..........

"""""""""""""""VCOM seeks to admit a portion of the class from qualified applicants based in Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia, and the Appalachian Region. (The Appalachian Region consists of rural and underserved areas of Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Tennessee). Although VCOM seeks students from these geographical areas, all qualified applicants are considered and students are accepted from areas throughout the United States.

VCOM was founded to meet the health care needs of the Southern Appalachian region, predominately in rural Virginia and North Carolina. The target area for student recruitment and for the graduates to serve includes Southwest Virginia, North Carolina, and additional Southern Appalachian states including Tennessee, Kentucky, and West Virginia. By training doctors in the medically underserved areas of Southwest Virginia, VCOM will improve the access and quality of health care to this region. """"""""""""""""

My tips:
1. As you mentioned above, keep in mind target areas while applying to certain schools. VCOM does take students from other areas, though.

2. To apply to VCOM and WVSOM, you MUST have a DO letter. No exceptions.

3. It is easy to add schools to your list after you have sumbitted your application. Just print out the form on AACOMAS's web site, check off the ones you want to add, pay them the money and mail it to the same address where you sent your transcripts.

4. As tempting as it is to apply to every school, make sure you would attend a school if they wanted you. In other words, if you would NEVER live in a rural area, don't apply to a rural school, or if cities terrify you don't apply to a school located in a city. Research the school as well as the location it is in. Check out cost of living, traffic, size of population, etc....Choose you schools wisely and don't throw away your money.

Good luck to you all!!!!!