How Many to Apply To?

[tndoc12]

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I know that I'm full of questions. In fact it seems as if I live on SDN. Just wondering how many DO schools to apply to? I am only interested in Osteopathic Medicine and I am willing to do whatever it takes to become an osteopathic physician.

How many is a good number to apply to?

CG

 

[Thomas Hearns]

Depends on your stats. If you're a great applicant, meaning you have everything it takes to stand out, you can be more selective. If you aren't sure if you'd be accepted somewhere, you need to apply more broadly. I have a 3.4 and a 30 MCAT and I applied to about 10.

Always err on the side of caution... this is a crazy process, people get rejected all the time... so play it safe and hope to get in SOMEWHERE, and then be choosy.

 

[tndoc12]

Alright. I have a 3.4 as well and will be taking the MCAT this summer. Hoping for the best!

On a side note. Im going to do the 3 month home study. Is that adequate enough to thoroughly prepare for the test in mid July? (Will start studying first of April). Or should i study longer and take MCAT in August?

CG

 

[Thomas Hearns]

That's fine... some people would probably even say that's too long. Just put in hard study... do a lot of practice tests, and don't take the test until you're ready, until you're getting the scores you want consistently on your practice tests. Check out the MCAT section for more info.

 

[tndoc12]

Sounds great! Thanks for your help!

 

[MN premed]

Just to give you an idea, I have about a 3.8 gpa and a 29 MCAT, and I completed my application at 5 DO schools. 2 were complete during the summer (DMU and AZCOM) and 3 were complete in the past couple months (Western, CCOM, and Touro-NV). 5 turned out to be enough for me so far, but I'd say to play it safe because you never know and can't just count on your numbers either. I added Touro and CCOM after getting waitlisted at DMU, because I started getting really nervous that I'd need to reapply lol. With a 3.4, I'd say apply to more, depending on how high your MCAT is, but you should be fine getting in somewhere with a decent MCAT!

 

[DocHomer]

Just to give you an idea, I have about a 3.8 gpa and a 29 MCAT, and I completed my application at 5 DO schools. 2 were complete during the summer (DMU and AZCOM) and 3 were complete in the past couple months (Western, CCOM, and Touro-NV). 5 turned out to be enough for me so far, but I'd say to play it safe because you never know and can't just count on your numbers either. I added Touro and CCOM after getting waitlisted at DMU, because I started getting really nervous that I'd need to reapply lol. With a 3.4, I'd say apply to more, depending on how high your MCAT is, but you should be fine getting in somewhere with a decent MCAT!

I'm surprised you were even waitlisted anywhere. I would think that any DO school would have accepted you with your stats. This is definitely a crazy process. Anyway, congratulations on your acceptance!

 

[MN premed]

I'm surprised you were even waitlisted anywhere. I would think that any DO school would have accepted you with your stats. This is definitely a crazy process. Anyway, congratulations on your acceptance!

Thanks! They said it had nothing to do with my numbers, and that they just wished I had more clinical exposure. I thought I had enough but I guess not! So I'm getting more and updating them during the year, hoping for a chance off the waitlist. DMU is a great school, like the surgery skills class 🙂 Either way though, I loved AZCOM anyways and should be hearing from Touro soon as well.

 

[scummie]

Thanks! They said it had nothing to do with my numbers, and that they just wished I had more clinical exposure. I thought I had enough but I guess not! So I'm getting more and updating them during the year, hoping for a chance off the waitlist. DMU is a great school, like the surgery skills class 🙂 Either way though, I loved AZCOM anyways and should be hearing from Touro soon as well.

How much clinical experience did you have? Congrats on your acceptance!

 

[MN premed]

How much clinical experience did you have? Congrats on your acceptance!

Thanks!
I have 2 years of volunteering at a children's hospital, and only a couple of short shadowing experiences (one with an anesthesiologist, one with a radiologist). They said that I should try getting different kinds of experiences, like ER, family medicine, etc.

 

[just one]

I applied to one and was accepted. Don't know if I'd recommend that but it worked for me. Depends on state schools, mcat, and other factors. I would make sure that whatever schools you apply to that at least a couple have averages at or below your stats

 

[scummie]

Thanks!
I have 2 years of volunteering at a children's hospital, and only a couple of short shadowing experiences (one with an anesthesiologist, one with a radiologist). They said that I should try getting different kinds of experiences, like ER, family medicine, etc.

Wow, that's a lot of time! I don't have anywhere near those numbers. Guess I've got something to improve on.

 

[Mzeep]

Thanks!
I have 2 years of volunteering at a children's hospital, and only a couple of short shadowing experiences (one with an anesthesiologist, one with a radiologist). They said that I should try getting different kinds of experiences, like ER, family medicine, etc.

OMG really? I don't have that much volunteering either! So we should expand on different specialties when volunteering?

Gah, sorry that post freaked me out a little 🙁

 

[scummie]

OMG really? I don't have that much volunteering either! So we should expand on different specialties when volunteering?

Gah, sorry that post freaked me out a little 🙁

Same here! Now I'm going to be super paranoid...