How Many DO schools should I apply to?

[daveyjwin]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I am planning on mainly applying to DO schools, in part because my GPA is low, but mostly because, of the physicians I've talked to, the DOs have convinced me that it is the way to go.

I live in Michigan, and am planning on applying to the three MD schools in my state as well, even though one of them is a dream (U of M). Other than those, I mainly want to apply to DO schools, but I am unsure of how many to apply to. I have 16 picked out that I would like to apply to, but that would put my total number of schools up to 19. I'm not really burdened financially as far as applications go. Would 19 schools be excessive/overkill? How many should I apply to? Are there any negatives to applying to this many schools?

My Stats:
MCAT: 29 (11P 11V 7B N)
GPA Science: 2.9 Cum: 3.0 (not an improving or decling trend, very scattered)
LORs:
-One from DO MSU alum, attending ER physician
-One from Sociology Prof I knew well
-One from Physics Prof who didn't know me at all, but I got a 4.0 and talked with him regarding Med school and gave him resume
-One from Orgo Prof who know me a little, and I got a 3.0, but haven't really talked about med school with. Gave him resume as well.
Community Service: 150+ hours in ER, and many other misc activities such as coaching little league and hockey.
Work: 1 year in Computer Science QA, 4 years as a bank teller, 1 year as a pizza driver.

Thanks for the help!

 

[mx_599]

I am planning on mainly applying to DO schools, in part because my GPA is low, but mostly because, of the physicians I've talked to, the DOs have convinced me that it is the way to go.

I live in Michigan, and am planning on applying to the three MD schools in my state as well, even though one of them is a dream (U of M). Other than those, I mainly want to apply to DO schools, but I am unsure of how many to apply to. I have 16 picked out that I would like to apply to, but that would put my total number of schools up to 19. I'm not really burdened financially as far as applications go. Would 19 schools be excessive/overkill? How many should I apply to? Are there any negatives to applying to this many schools?

My Stats:
MCAT: 29 (11P 11V 7B N)
GPA Science: 2.9 Cum: 3.0 (not an improving or decling trend, very scattered)
LORs:
-One from DO MSU alum, attending ER physician
-One from Sociology Prof I knew well
-One from Physics Prof who didn't know me at all, but I got a 4.0 and talked with him regarding Med school and gave him resume
-One from Orgo Prof who know me a little, and I got a 3.0, but haven't really talked about med school with. Gave him resume as well.
Community Service: 150+ hours in ER, and many other misc activities such as coaching little league and hockey.
Work: 1 year in Computer Science QA, 4 years as a bank teller, 1 year as a pizza driver.

Thanks for the help!

not excessive...just about right. you can probably trim your DO schools down to 10-12.

 

[daveyjwin]

Bump Bump Bump Bump! Bumpity Bump bump bump!

 

[MHC]

You could play it safe and apply to them all if you can afford it. But, keep in mind that if you get accepted into a school that is at the bottom of your list, you will have to decide if you dare turn it down hoping for a slot at a school that you'd rather go to. And, deposits are expensive and non refundable!!! (Up to 2 grand) It might be better to narrow it down to the schools that you'd really like to attend AND have a good chance at gaining admission. Check out stats for acceptances GPA/MCAT and in state/out of state. Newer and private schools tend to be slightly easier, and public out of state are darned near impossible.

Also, with that 29 MCAT you will get interviews- I'm sure of that. It did for me- at TUCOM MI, TUCOM NV, LECOM, and LECOM FL and I only applied to these schools. Good luck and get those apps in ASAP!

...of course, all this is just my 2 pennies...

 

[sia_simba]

If you are very certain that you will get into those few DO school which you apply to, then there is no point to apply to the ones you arent interested in. If you just want to be a doctor and the mean does justify the end for you, then apply to all the schools.

If you have no loss (if not financially unstable) for applying to all the schools. It is a rather smart thing, better to secure your position than to leave it hanging.

One of my close friend got 3.95 GPA and 42 on MCAT... He still got rejected (not even offered an interview) by a handful of schools. Believe it or NOT! Better safe than sorry.

 

[dr.z]

Apply to as many as possible. Will give you more opportinities to interview and check out schools.