How common are linkage programs?

[whatwhy]

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While looking for places to apply to, I've seen some posts talk about linkage programs. I think it'd be a good fit for me, but such programs seem to be relatively rare nowadays. Apparently there used to be more of them in the past. Anyone have info on these? Thanks!

 

[DrMidlife]

You'll want to share whether you've completed the prereqs or not, if you want useful answers.

 

[whatwhy]

Like classes? I've completed all the coursework required. My GPA is right about a 3.0 which is what hurts me most. MCAT is 28. Thanks!

 

[Chip N Sawbones]

Tulane has the ACP program, in which you take gross anatomy with the MS1s. If you do better than the class average you're automatically accepted for the following year's class, and you'll be a TA for anatomy and physiology classes. If you're a little below the class average they'll still consider you. One of my lab partners got in this way. I don't know if they'll take you though; Tulane likes high MCAT scores, at least for their regular admissions.

I think your best bet will be to wait this cycle out. Take at least a semester of retakes, or maybe a summer and a semester, and apply next year to a good mix of DO schools. I think you should also consider studying some more for the MCAT and taking it again. You could try applying this cycle to a lot of low end DO schools, but even that might not get you in, and it probably isn't worth finding out. Retake your worst grades, bring your MCAT up by two points, and you'll be in excellent shape to go DO next year.

 

[whatwhy]

Thanks for the advice! I don't think I'll be ready for at least another year or two but I'm eager to do something new.

 

[Goro]

Dime a dozen. TUCOM-NV, Drexel (x2), PCOM, Rosy franklin, Mt Sinai, Georgetown are a few that come to mind.

While looking for places to apply to, I've seen some posts talk about linkage programs. I think it'd be a good fit for me, but such programs seem to be relatively rare nowadays. Apparently there used to be more of them in the past. Anyone have info on these? Thanks!

 

[Chip N Sawbones]

Thanks for the advice! I don't think I'll be ready for at least another year or two but I'm eager to do something new.

In that case, don't start looking for linkage programs just yet. Focus on getting accepted the regular way; it's a better deal and takes less time. For example, if you do the ACP program at Tulane you're basically taking five years to do med school by splitting the MS1 year into two years with half the classes in each. That leaves you with one less year to do a doctor's job and earn a doctor's paycheck, a decision that could cost you over a hundred grand in the long run. Getting accepted through a linkage program like this is certainly better than not getting accepted at all, but it should be a backup plan, not the intended way to get into med school. Linkage programs like this are for applicants who didn't quite get accepted anywhere and have to choose between a linkage program and applying the following year. In your situation, your stats are probably not good enough to get accepted to any linkage programs, so you will be better off taking the usual nontrad route of retaking classes to boost your GPA, retaking the MCAT, and then applying to a range of schools that you're competitive for when your stats look better.