Thinking about attending DO school vs postbacc and then MD. Want to go into emergency medicine, what do you guys think I should do? I’m fairly confident I can handle a postbacc I’ve averaged a 3.8 gpa my last 3 semesters of college but I also realize it puts me around 250k into debt(50k for the program plus around 200k in potential earnings lost). Any school suggestions if DO is a viable route for this residency? I have a 3.45 gpa and a 515 mcat
How hard is to match emergency medicine?
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DO matches EM very consistently, but you should focus on getting into a school first. Are you confident you couldn't get into an MD school with your stats? The GPA isn't stellar for MD but the MCAT is fine and maybe your state schools would look kindly at you?
Don’t get me wrong I’m going to apply to a lot of low tier MD schools and pray to get in but I’m being realistic right now and thinking worst possible scenario. My state is va and Ik with my stats vcu uva and tech are reaches and evms is unpredictable.
I would postbacc and apply MD if you don’t mind waiting a year or two. If you manage to boost that Gpa by .1-.2 you’ll get a lot of looks with that MCAT score.
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Personally, I wouldn't take on the extra debt and time if you are only wanting to do EM. Its competitive, but there are tons of DOs matching EM. GPA and MCAT would easily net you a great DO school (as long as you aren't totally devoid of personality during the interview)
Ill put it this way.. If you don't match in EM as a DO, its not because you're a DO.
Ill put it this way.. If you don't match in EM as a DO, its not because you're a DO.
If you can get into a formal SMP do an SMP. Then look at informal DIY stuff.
Matching EM as a DO is very doable, but after having graduated from a DO program I still recommend people with your stats to apply MD regardless of career aspirations. This is because more doors are open to you as a MD that aren’t as a DO and you can fall into either degree depending on how you play your cards. I’d hate to see you miss a chance and getting into your state school and save money as opposed to dropping tons on a private established DO school far from home. I had a 3.4/35 and my biggest regret is not taking an extra year or two for GPA repair.
If MD really doesn’t work out after you’ve given your best shot, you’d be fine at any established DO school if the rest of your app is up to par.
Any recommendations for SMP programs?
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Not hard with an average application or better as a DO or a below average application or better as a MD...
You are within striking distance for low/mid tier MD... and I think you should be ok if you apply broadly and other aspects (ECs, LOR, research) of your application are solid. You might change your mind while in med school and want to do something ultra competitive and that MD degree wills serve you well.
You are within striking distance for low/mid tier MD... and I think you should be ok if you apply broadly and other aspects (ECs, LOR, research) of your application are solid. You might change your mind while in med school and want to do something ultra competitive and that MD degree wills serve you well.
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http://manoa.hawaii.edu/undergrad/pac/health/post-bacc-special-masters-programs/
The university of Hawaii has a surprisingly complied list of them here that I just found.
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A 3.45 is low but not fatal -- One or two more great semesters should be enough to show a firm upward trend even if it doesn't budge the overall too much. That should get you into safer MD territory.
Also, it's not really fair to count $200k lost income as if it were additional debt -- it isn't.
AND don't be too sure EM is what you want to practice. Many/most medical students change their mind when it comes to specialty choices.
Bottom line, I'd suggest a DIY post-bac and buff your ECs
Also, it's not really fair to count $200k lost income as if it were additional debt -- it isn't.
AND don't be too sure EM is what you want to practice. Many/most medical students change their mind when it comes to specialty choices.
Bottom line, I'd suggest a DIY post-bac and buff your ECs
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Most students who want to do EM will have changed their minds by M3, unless they have significant experience in the field. It's a field where the perks sound way cooler on paper than in practice. Now, many people also like it (me included), but just a warning about setting your mind on a speciality before school begins.
Do not do an SMP or postbacc. You just need several more classes to get your GPA close to a 3.6, am I correct? Calculate it out. Also, what's your sGPA? And is that GPA definitely what AMCAS is calculating it out to be (you don't have any retakes that your undergrad potentially takes and then ignores the original attempt)?
SMP is a huge risk and very expensive one. If you mess up (and it can happen), your chances are gone forever to get into an MD school. Take some good science classes, bust out some A's, and apply MD. Don't even think about applying DO - that's a huge mistake for someone who has a decent MCAT and a borderline GPA that just needs a bit of tweaking. DO is a backup, and one that you don't need.
EM may not be that competitive, but as a DO a lot of great EM programs won't even want to sniff your application. It is always worth getting into an MD school.
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I don't disagree with the fact OP shouldn't do a post-bacc and just fix a few classes but not even applying DO is a mistake. Dual apply. If you get no MD love then head to one of the good DO schools (not the new ones) and you should match EM fine in the long run.
In terms of OPs app not even being looked at? Maybe at the tip top ivory tower places but EM was one of, if not the highest matched specialties this past year for DOs. Hell even if you're at a low MD you probably wouldn't get looked at in those types of places. Cmon now sab you're usually better than that.
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http://www.nrmp.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Main-Match-Result-and-Data-2018.pdf
Page 7 if you're curious. 3rd highest match rate among DOs and this is the NRMP not AOA match, which definitely would boost the numbers.
Page 7 if you're curious. 3rd highest match rate among DOs and this is the NRMP not AOA match, which definitely would boost the numbers.
If I take 30 credits(15/semester) which is basically full time studying I end up with a 3.56 and this is if i get a 4.0 in each. Seems a bit laborious and even after this my gpa is still a little low for MD.
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Honestly I think dual apply. Yeah its more expensive out front but average GPAs are average. Choose schools realistically and you'll have a shot. It may still be an uphill battle but its possible.
This is the problem I have with an informal postbacc though, you work your ass off and have no aim in life for 1 more year then reapply and theres still a chance you wont get in. If I'm going to work my ass off why not do an SMP with some type of linkage so atleast I know I didn't waste a year of my life. Honestly I'm so demotivated I wish I had just done better in undergrad right now everything looks so bleak and up in the air even with my mcat score being 90th percentile
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I mean that's doable too...you wouldn't be terribly wrong doing it. Those can be much more expensive than an informal one which is the issue, especially with no gurantee you'll get in with linkage, and the rising costs of med school tuition.
In terms of you feeling demotivated...remember that this is SDN. In the real world, not everyone is 4.0 superheros with publications out the wazoo in undergrad. Work hard and you'll be alright, especially with that MCAT. Good luck
That's true, he can apply dually as a backup plan.
Damn, that's tough. But what about your science GPA? Schools sometimes weigh that more heavily.
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Just do it, DO schools will still be there next year. I can pretty much guarantee if your not obnoxious one of the good ones will take you. The bottom admitted GPA at most MD's is a 3.4, and the average MCAT is like a 509. You have clearly made up for the deficits. A 3.5 would put you in state school range easily, and you will save a ton of money and have better options to boot.
This is a no brainer, I might even try an 'early decision' this year for a instate school in my preferred location. I think that (early decision) might be enough for you to get in this cycle (18-19). I would still do the 24-30 credits tho.
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I didn't feel like reading the other responses so my post might be redundant, but plenty of my class matched EM. However, I know a few with solid scores (~230s step 1/2) that didn't match. If you want EM you have to make your CV scream it. My friends that didn't get it think that's what happened to them. Plus, like I'm sure others have said you better dominate your auditions and not be a shy med student or some arrogant d-bag.
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As a DO in EM, I can attest it's doable, geting harder by the year though. The advice on here is sound. I agree that you should take a crack at MD schools. Not because of the EM thing, rather in spite of it... Tastes change, especially once you are exposed to the breadth of medicine. Don't unnecessarily limit yourself should you fall for a hyper-competitive specialty. Yes, it'll be harder work from the position of a DO OR a low tier MD school, but don't close doors you don't have to.
Good luck!
Good luck!
