I really need some advice

[Edward9583]

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So to make it very short and simple (it's a long story), I applied and am enrolled in the OD (Optometry) program at MWU. My dream since early undergrad has always been to go to either an MD or DO school. Some personal things changed my mind last minute and i applied to a OD program. I realize now, that OD is not for me. I am wanting to have a broader scope of practice and I just want to be more challenged by my career. I desperately want to apply to the DO program at MWU, but I need some advice on what the best approach would be (how to best explain to the DO program my situation).
Here are some of my stats. My MCAT score is a fluke and I know I could do much better.
Currently maintaining a 3.5+ in my OD basic sciences courses
3.4 cGPA for undergrad
23 MCAT
Job Shadowed 2 MDs
multiple mission trips to mexico to build homes
volunteered at homeless shelter and co-organized a Feed-the-Need event
Participated in a annual city-wide clean up for several years
Participated in visiting elderly homes bi-annually where we sang to the elderly and just had converstaions with them.

Please give me some advice on what my next steps should be in order to best improve my chances.
I am thinking to job shadow a DO before I apply for this cycle (2015). If I do not get in I want to continue getting clincal experience at a hospital and retake the MCAT.

 

[AlteredScale]

It will be very difficult to land an interview at MWU for either campus with a 23 MCAT honestly. CCOM's average hovers around a 29-30 while AZCOM has decided to only accepted people at or above their average (around 28).

I would suggest not applying this cycle. You are risking too much and being a reapplicant is very hard. On top of that applying out of an OD program might risk showing poor judgment on your part without building your application towards DO/MD schools.

Take this year to get clinical experience and retake the MCAT and apply for the 2015-2016 cycle.

 

[iWillOneDay]

Retake mcat.
Shadow.
Be honest and tell them why you changed your mind.

 

[PlasticBag]

I think you also need some clinical volunteering (shadowing is not the same as volunteering).

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

To be completely fair most schools are going to give you major hell for attending a professional program and dropping out of it.

 

[Edward9583]

Thank you for the advice. I know that applying next year after retaking the MCAT will give me the best chance of getting in. But do you guys think that if I get some more clinical experience and some DO job shadowing in before I apply, that I actually have a chance of getting in? Or should I just not waste my time?
Also would it hurt if I went to one of the advisors at the DO program and spoke with them?

 

[docmartin99]

So to make it very short and simple (it's a long story), I applied and am enrolled in the OD (Optometry) program at MWU. My dream since early undergrad has always been to go to either an MD or DO school. Some personal things changed my mind last minute and i applied to a OD program. I realize now, that OD is not for me. I am wanting to have a broader scope of practice and I just want to be more challenged by my career. I desperately want to apply to the DO program at MWU, but I need some advice on what the best approach would be (how to best explain to the DO program my situation).
Here are some of my stats. My MCAT score is a fluke and I know I could do much better.
Currently maintaining a 3.5+ in my OD basic sciences courses
3.4 cGPA for undergrad
23 MCAT
Job Shadowed 2 MDs
multiple mission trips to mexico to build homes
volunteered at homeless shelter and co-organized a Feed-the-Need event
Participated in a annual city-wide clean up for several years
Participated in visiting elderly homes bi-annually where we sang to the elderly and just had converstaions with them.

Please give me some advice on what my next steps should be in order to best improve my chances.
I am thinking to job shadow a DO before I apply for this cycle (2015). If I do not get in I want to continue getting clincal experience at a hospital and retake the MCAT.

Is there an academic advisor you could talk to in total confidence there at MWU? They may have advice, but I would be sure that the conversation was going to be kept confidential first. Best of luck.

 

[docmartin99]

Thank you for the advice. I know that applying next year after retaking the MCAT will give me the best chance of getting in. But do you guys think that if I get some more clinical experience and some DO job shadowing in before I apply, that I actually have a chance of getting in? Or should I just not waste my time?
Also would it hurt if I went to one of the advisors at the DO program and spoke with them?

Just saw this after responding - Admin - what do you think - is it ok to see an advisor in the DO program? Or could that become problematic?

 

[radian313]

Its one thing to withdraw from a program, but another thing to withdraw if you were having academic issues, that said, does your transcript at all show this? Meaning were you failing anything? Or did you...I know you said you have a 3.5+ average, but still, if there is a blip on your record, it will be looked at a lot.

You can certainly do it, I know so many PharmD folks that have gone to DO schools, but everyone has their reasons, and you need to have yours, as to why you made this change...

 

[Edward9583]

I know that if I talk with an advisor it would be under complete confidence. I'm just not sure what my first step should be before applying for the 2015 cycle...
Radian: I am definitely not failing anything. I'm actually doing really well. Scoring 90%+ on exams for every class. Much higher than my program average. So I'm banking on that helping me with my situation..

 

[W19]

Thank you for the advice. I know that applying next year after retaking the MCAT will give me the best chance of getting in. But do you guys think that if I get some more clinical experience and some DO job shadowing in before I apply, that I actually have a chance of getting in? Or should I just not waste my time?
Also would it hurt if I went to one of the advisors at the DO program and spoke with them?

If you can get 25+ in your retake, you will definitely will have a good chance in getting somewhere (probably not MWU) as long as you can explain why your are leaving the OD program. The explanation about greater scope of practice is ok IMO.

 

[PlasticBag]

If you can get 25+ in your retake, you will definitely will have a good chance in getting somewhere (probably not MWU) as long as you can explain why your are leaving the OD program. The explanation about greater scope of practice is ok IMO.

I agree that explaining why you're leaving the program is very important. But I'd make sure to go deeper than just the scope of practice explanation. You don't want to sound like you didn't know what you were getting into with the OD program (because DO adcoms might think the same will happen with the DO program). I don't know much about optometry so it's hard to give examples of how to frame it but, in general, I would try to sound like becoming a physician builds on what you initially wanted to do with optometry (making a positive impact on people's quality of life?). Avoid speaking negatively about optometry.