How hard is it to get into a DO school?

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Aspiringphysician

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I know of schools who receive 4k-6k applicants for a class of 100-200. DO schools.

It seems like it would be pretty hard to get a DO acceptance, right? Then why does everyone think that applying to DO schools is just a "backup"?

Are there any ACCREDITED DO schools that are easy to get into? Like, maybe there are some new schools that are easy to get into? Which ones?

For someone with a 3.5-3.6 gpa with extremely average extra curriculars, is it hard to get into DO school?
 
C'mon man. There's a thread titled exactly this like 5 threads down.
 
Aspiringphysician said:
Oh oops. Sorry
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It's fine.

But there's also a "what are my chances" sub forum where people will chance you.

You'll be fine if you get >25 MCAT and apply broadly. It's also important to apply early (Moreso if you have lower scores). Shoot for 30+ on the MCAT and you will have a shot at MD programs as well.
 
Aspiringphysician said:
I know of schools who receive 4k-6k applicants for a class of 100-200. DO schools.

It seems like it would be pretty hard to get a DO acceptance, right? Then why does everyone think that applying to DO schools is just a "backup"?

Are there any ACCREDITED DO schools that are easy to get into? Like, maybe there are some new schools that are easy to get into? Which ones?

For someone with a 3.5-3.6 gpa with extremely average extra curriculars, is it hard to get into DO school?
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22-23 to get in somewhere. 27-28 will get you ii's almost anywhere that isn't regionally biased.
 
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Aspiringphysician said:
I know of schools who receive 4k-6k applicants for a class of 100-200. DO schools.

It seems like it would be pretty hard to get a DO acceptance, right? Then why does everyone think that applying to DO schools is just a "backup"?

Are there any ACCREDITED DO schools that are easy to get into? Like, maybe there are some new schools that are easy to get into? Which ones?

For someone with a 3.5-3.6 gpa with extremely average extra curriculars, is it hard to get into DO school?
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According to user3, you actually don't need to apply anywhere, just wait for the acceptance letters to start coming in. Right user3😉?
 
Mad Jack said:
22-23 won't really cut it at any schools I know of without exceptional ECs. 1-2 of your scores would be 7s if your score was balanced. 24 seems to be the minimum in all but exceptional cases.
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👎

I don't think they would get into CCOM or anything but the lower tier would still be in reach, provided they applied early and broadly.
 
I remember @Goro talking about the huge amount of unqualified applicants that apply to medical school every year. Basically, tons of people apply that have no shot in getting into any school (think <3.0 GPA, among other low credentials).
 
user3 said:
👎

I don't think they would get into CCOM or anything but the lower tier would still be in reach, provided they applied early and broadly.
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You're right. I was looking at some of the lower tier schools and those with strong in state biases, and they took some candidates with 23s.
 
Mad Jack said:
22-23 won't really cut it at any schools I know of without exceptional ECs. 1-2 of your scores would be 7s if your score was balanced. 24 seems to be the minimum in all but exceptional cases.
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I realize this is simply anecdotal (and I'm giving user3 more ammunition), but 2 of my friends got into PNWU with 23's, around 3.2-3.3 gpa, and not from the region. 2 is a sizable number when there are only like 12 applicants from my school. I'm more wondering what that says about PNWU...
 
I feel like figuring out where you are competitive isn't that hard. When I sent in my primary app I was sitting on a 24 MCAT and studying for a retake. Due to the 24, I applied to newer/lower tier schools like LMU, ACOM, MUCOM, etc just in case. I did have hopes that I would do well on my retake, so I also applied to DMU, KCUMB, AZCOM, etc and when I got my score back I shifted my focus to other schools. My example is definitely not one to follow in the sense that while I did send primaries broadly, I only sent 2 secondaries back which gave me 2 ii's and 2 acceptances.
 
O Grady said:
I realize this is simply anecdotal (and I'm giving user3 more ammunition), but 2 of my friends got into PNWU with 23's, around 3.2-3.3 gpa, and not from the region. 2 is a sizable number when there are only like 12 applicants from my school. I'm more wondering what that says about PNWU...
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PWNU, ACOM, VCOM, LMU-DCOM, AZCOM, and LUCOM seem to be pretty friendly to low MCAT OOS students. All of them have accepted multiple people that I can find this cycle in the 23 range from out of state. OU-HCOM also took an in-stater with those stats.
 
As of right now, the newest schools (ACOM and LUCOM) might be less choosy. Let's say that DO schools might be "easier" to get into" than MD schools, but that's only because of grade replacement, and the willingness to forgot a high MCAT for a good GPA, and vice-versa.

The avg DO matriculant now has a GPA of 3.5 and an MCAT of ~28 (I think..I don't have the data sheet handy).


I know of schools who receive 4k-6k applicants for a class of 100-200. DO schools. It seems like it would be pretty hard to get a DO acceptance, right? Then why does everyone think that applying to DO schools is just a "backup"?

Are there any ACCREDITED DO schools that are easy to get into? Like, maybe there are some new schools that are easy to get into? Which ones?

No, as long as you have a decent MCAT score.

For someone with a 3.5-3.6 gpa with extremely average extra curriculars, is it hard to get into DO school?[/quote]
 
uploadfromtaptalk1392687344189-jpg.178566


I was also told the average Step1 score is right around national average. Universidad Central Del Caribe School of Medicine has a 20-21 average MCAT score... Therefore, MCAT has ALMOST no predictive value for Step1. For people who don't know, UCC is a M.D. school in Puerto Rico.

Edit: Credit to DrOne for the above link...
 
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Aspiringphysician said:
I know of schools who receive 4k-6k applicants for a class of 100-200. DO schools.

Keep in mind that many of these applicants are applying to almost every DO school, so it's not as intimidating as it looks. Also consider that many people apply who frankly have awful stats, like <3.0 GPA and <24 MCAT.

It seems like it would be pretty hard to get a DO acceptance, right? Then why does everyone think that applying to DO schools is just a "backup"?

Because frankly it is. Consider that the GPA averages published by DO schools include grade replacement, which I would guess inflates their GPAs by about 0.1. Even then, many DO schools don't have averages above 3.4.

Are there any ACCREDITED DO schools that are easy to get into? Like, maybe there are some new schools that are easy to get into? Which ones?

Yes. Like you said--look at the new ones. I wouldn't recommend them, though. Go to an established school like UNECOM, PCOM or Western. I would also consider LECOM because they have a good track record and are very affordable.

For someone with a 3.5-3.6 gpa with extremely average extra curriculars, is it hard to get into DO school?

It depends on your MCAT of course, but in general, no, it's not hard--you would be a shoe-in with a 27 MCAT and that GPA. Just make sure you apply to enough schools.

Good luck.
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BestDoctorEver said:
uploadfromtaptalk1392687344189-jpg.178566


I was also told the average Step1 score is right around national average. Universidad Central Del Caribe School of Medicine has a 20-21 average MCAT score... Therefore, MCAT has ALMOST no predictive value to Step1. For people who don't know, UCC is a M.D. school in Puerto Rico.

Edit: Credit to DrOne for the above link...
Click to expand...

or we can look at the data and ask questions like: was everyone in the class allowed to take the Step 1? or were only the selected testers that were getting higher practice scores allowed (sampling bias). another question I'd like to ask: how many students failed out by the end of the second year? what's the attrition rate? if 50% of the class fails out (and that tends to be close to the attrition rates at many Caribbean med schools), then would it be wise to go to this school and risk losing hundreds of thousands of dollars and have no degree to show for it?

Thats why I will always repeat this slogan: DON'T GO CARIBBEAN, AVOID BECOMING AN FMG
 
Aspiringphysician said:
I know of schools who receive 4k-6k applicants for a class of 100-200. DO schools.

It seems like it would be pretty hard to get a DO acceptance, right? Then why does everyone think that applying to DO schools is just a "backup"?

Are there any ACCREDITED DO schools that are easy to get into? Like, maybe there are some new schools that are easy to get into? Which ones?

For someone with a 3.5-3.6 gpa with extremely average extra curriculars, is it hard to get into DO school?
Click to expand...

Apply to ~20 DO schools and you will be a Shoe-In with at least a 23 on the MCAT.

Edit: As long as you don't write your essays like a monkey and be sure to have under a 0.15 BAC at your interviews.
 
CSqueed said:
Apply to ~20 DO schools and you will be a Shoe-In with at least a 23 on the MCAT.

Edit: As long as you don't write your essays like a monkey and be sure to have under a 0.15 BAC at your interviews.
Click to expand...
Hmmm, I would say anything under 0.20 BAC, most applicants will be okay. Maybe not a shoe-in, but competitive.
 
guylewis said:
or we can look at the data and ask questions like: was everyone in the class allowed to take the Step 1? or were only the selected testers that were getting higher practice scores allowed (sampling bias). another question I'd like to ask: how many students failed out by the end of the second year? what's the attrition rate? if 50% of the class fails out (and that tends to be close to the attrition rates at many Caribbean med schools), then would it be wise to go to this school and risk losing hundreds of thousands of dollars and have no degree to show for it?

Thats why I will always repeat this slogan: DON'T GO CARIBBEAN, AVOID BECOMING AN FMG
Click to expand...
Attrition rate at this school is low just like any other US M.D. school, and they don't make people take any test before sitting for Step1... This is a US med school if you did not know. Therefore, they are AMG!
 
guylewis said:
or we can look at the data and ask questions like: was everyone in the class allowed to take the Step 1? or were only the selected testers that were getting higher practice scores allowed (sampling bias). another question I'd like to ask: how many students failed out by the end of the second year? what's the attrition rate? if 50% of the class fails out (and that tends to be close to the attrition rates at many Caribbean med schools), then would it be wise to go to this school and risk losing hundreds of thousands of dollars and have no degree to show for it?

Thats why I will always repeat this slogan: DON'T GO CARIBBEAN, AVOID BECOMING AN FMG
Click to expand...
Totally unrelated to the thread, but I read every one of your posts in Fry's voice. It's infinitely entertaining.
 
O Grady said:
I realize this is simply anecdotal (and I'm giving user3 more ammunition), but 2 of my friends got into PNWU with 23's, around 3.2-3.3 gpa, and not from the region. 2 is a sizable number when there are only like 12 applicants from my school. I'm more wondering what that says about PNWU...
Click to expand...

Wow this is interesting, because I am actually from the region that PNWU prefers! (pacific northwest!).

If I have decent stats (mid 3.5 gpa- maybe 3.6 when i graduate), do I have a good shot at that school, since I am from the region?
 
guylewis said:
you haven't lived until you're on your hands and knees, hugging porcelain and scream vomiting into the white bowl.
Click to expand...

I think I'll pass. Vomiting doesn't sound too appealing. I might change my mind later on and get drunk just once to try it out once I turn 21, but for now it just doesn't seem entertaining to me, it seems like it would be painful. I remember when I was a kid and was ill, I was vomiting all day and couldn't stop. Now that was a really horrible feeling.
 
Aspiringphysician said:
I think I'll pass. Vomiting doesn't sound too appealing. I might change my mind later on and get drunk just once to try it out once I turn 21, but for now it just doesn't seem entertaining to me, it seems like it would be painful. I remember when I was a kid and was ill, I was vomiting all day and couldn't stop. Now that was a really horrible feeling.
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oh, the horrible part is only after the awesome part. and that only happens if you overdo it and drink irresponsibly. I've only puked from drinking about 4 times in my whole life. you learn your lesson pretty well after the first time puking and figure out what your limits are. the other three times were probably from birthdays where my friends would keep buying me shots and beers as a gift.
 
guylewis said:
oh, the horrible part is only after the awesome part. and that only happens if you overdo it and drink irresponsibly. I've only puked from drinking about 4 times in my whole life. you learn your lesson pretty well after the first time puking and figure out what your limits are. the other three times were probably from birthdays where my friends would keep buying me shots and beers as a gift.
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The sleep afterwards is amazing though. Only have drank enough to throw up once. But after I threw up I slept like a baby. Passed out in my buddy's queen on the outside edge of the mattress (which was pressed against a wall). My buddy who didnt want to sleep on the couch decided he was going to just try and go over me to get to the inside of the bed. Dude had a full leg cast from a broken femur and never woke me up haha.

And this is coming from a guy who wakes up if someone knocks on a door like 3 houses down haha.
 
guylewis said:
oh, the horrible part is only after the awesome part. and that only happens if you overdo it and drink irresponsibly. I've only puked from drinking about 4 times in my whole life. you learn your lesson pretty well after the first time puking and figure out what your limits are. the other three times were probably from birthdays where my friends would keep buying me shots and beers as a gift.
Click to expand...

Some people get the idea that after taking one shot or beer they spend the next 3 hours making out with a toilet and getting STDs without remembering anything.
 
Look at it this way, those 4-6k applicants probably applied to 15-20+ schools so most are going to get in somewhere, even if they don't get into said school.

I don't know how many applicants apply each year total but you get the grand picture of things.
 
I just don't have money to apply to a lot of schools, so I am worried. I only want to apply to schools that I have the best chance to get into.
 
Aspiringphysician said:
I just don't have money to apply to a lot of schools, so I am worried. I only want to apply to schools that I have the best chance to get into.
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Try applying for the FAP through AMCAS (if your parents are relatively poor). You get a free MCAT I believe, as well as some free applications.

I payed for everything through my financial aid package at school. I went to the administrative woman at my school and laid out exactly how much I would need and for what, expressing my goals of becoming a physician etc.
She gave me a $3,000 grant that payed for a course and stuff. Doesnt hurt to try.
 
That's the problem, my parent's are middle class and don't qualify for FAP. But they won't pay for any of my applications either.
 
When I am a doctor, I really want to make some sort of scholarship fund for students from middle class families that don't get any financial aid, but their parents won't pay either.
 
guylewis said:
or we can look at the data and ask questions like: was everyone in the class allowed to take the Step 1? or were only the selected testers that were getting higher practice scores allowed (sampling bias). another question I'd like to ask: how many students failed out by the end of the second year? what's the attrition rate? if 50% of the class fails out (and that tends to be close to the attrition rates at many Caribbean med schools), then would it be wise to go to this school and risk losing hundreds of thousands of dollars and have no degree to show for it?
Thats why I will always repeat this slogan: DON'T GO CARIBBEAN, AVOID BECOMING AN FMG
Click to expand...
I agree with the essence of your post, but just for record keeping, you don't become an FMG when you graduate from any med school in PR. All of them are AMCAS schools.
 
Awesome Sauceome said:
The sleep afterwards is amazing though. Only have drank enough to throw up once. But after I threw up I slept like a baby. Passed out in my buddy's queen on the outside edge of the mattress (which was pressed against a wall). My buddy who didnt want to sleep on the couch decided he was going to just try and go over me to get to the inside of the bed. Dude had a full leg cast from a broken femur and never woke me up haha.

And this is coming from a guy who wakes up if someone knocks on a door like 3 houses down haha.
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Alcohol interferes the REM cycle, so I wouldn't use it as a sleep aid.
 
TXKnight said:
I agree with the essence of your post, but just for record keeping, you don't become an FMG when you graduate from any med school in PR. All of them are AMCAS schools.
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I stand corrected. thanks for the enlightenment
 
Aspiringphysician said:
When I am a doctor, I really want to make some sort of scholarship fund for students from middle class families that don't get any financial aid, but their parents won't pay either.
Click to expand...


I hate when kids come from upper or middle class families and everyone assumes their parents will just pay for them.

Some parents that worked their way to financial success want their kids to be able to do the same.
 
Aspiringphysician said:
When I am a doctor, I really want to make some sort of scholarship fund for students from middle class families that don't get any financial aid, but their parents won't pay either.
Click to expand...
You can do whatever you want, but it doesn't stop it from being bs. Middle and upper class kids by default had certain advantages that no kid growing up poor could. Being poor and overcoming those obstacles deserves more merit than doing what is expected of you as middle/upper class kid.
 
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