Is it feasible to do do postbacc, and apply to DO school at the same time?

[TechMessenger]

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Hey friends, I was planning to start in VCOMs postbacc program, and go for the guaranteed admission, while also applying to DO schools around the country.
Do you think going to interviews would get in the way of school, where I would have to miss too many class days, or are med school interviews usually done on weekends?
In the case I get accepted to a DO program, would I be able to leave halfway thru the school year?
Thanks a bunch for your help.

 

[bcurtis]

This is definitely a first for me. What are your stats like? We can't give you accurate advice without knowing where you stand on your application/s.

First off, the VCOMs postbacc program is not a guaranteed admission program (last time I checked), however if you do well in their program it is unlikely that you would be denied acceptance to their school (assuming you fit the bill in other areas).
Secondly, why on earth would you want to apply to both at the same time? Your essentially promising yourself that you will loose money somewhere along the way. But again, we would need to know your stats.

My initial advice that I wanted to blurt out when I read the title of your post is to do either A or B. It just seems a bit silly to apply to both, maybe some more educated members on here can give better advice than me.

 

[TechMessenger]

Thanks for your reply.
Here are my stats, but what really worries me is that I have been unable to shadow a DO, and it's been more than 3 years since I took my core science classes, so I am really lacking in LOR. Plus I just recently started doing research a few weeks ago, so I don't have much experience there. I know some schools give a lot of importance to research and LOR, so that's what's got me worried. I'm hoping the post bacc will provide me with peace of mind while applying. Money isn't an issue for me, because I'm planning to join the army hpsp scholarship as soon as I get in.
"GPA: (Science GPA 3.45) (Cumulative GPA 3.705)
MCAT 28 (Verbal 8, Physical Sciences 10, Biology 10) (took this January)

I do have plenty MD and community volunteer hours, but just no DO hours. 🙁​

 

[DoctorSynthesis]

Thanks for your reply.
Here are my stats, but what really worries me is that I have been unable to shadow a DO, and it's been more than 3 years since I took my core science classes, so I am really lacking in LOR. Plus I just recently started doing research a few weeks ago, so I don't have much experience there. I know some schools give a lot of importance to research and LOR, so that's what's got me worried. I'm hoping the post bacc will provide me with peace of mind while applying. Money isn't an issue for me, because I'm planning to join the army hpsp scholarship as soon as I get in.
"GPA: (Science GPA 3.45) (Cumulative GPA 3.705)
MCAT 28 (Verbal 8, Physical Sciences 10, Biology 10) (took this January)

I do have plenty MD and community volunteer hours, but just no DO hours. 🙁​

Don't bother with a post bac. Just apply normally.

 

[Dr Air Jordan]

Also you can apply to post bacc at the end of the med app cycle - March 2016

 

[MightBeACylon439]

Why a complete post bacc? I would just take a few classes to back into the academic swing of things. Take two over the summer and update your AACOMAS when you get your grades. D.O. Schools like research, but it's not make or break for them.

 

[boxer0011]

Do you have to be poor or a URM to get into VCOMs post-bacc? I was thinking about the program, I live in a rural area, does that count? I would just take it as it has guaranteed acceptance.

 

[PlaqueBuster]

Why a complete post bacc? I would just take a few classes to back into the academic swing of things. Take two over the summer and update your AACOMAS when you get your grades. D.O. Schools like research, but it's not make or break for them.

Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe DO schools like to see volunteering and shadowing more than research. Reasearch isn't as important as showing your interest in clinical practice. I suggest volunteering and shadowing.

 

[bcurtis]

Just apply and work on LORs as you go. Your stats are not worth a postbacc.

 

[MightBeACylon439]

Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe DO schools like to see volunteering and shadowing more than research. Reasearch isn't as important as showing your interest in clinical practice. I suggest volunteering and shadowing.

Yes that is what my experience was.

 

[igor_raptor]

Just apply and work on LORs as you go. Your stats are not worth a postbacc.

What would be, in your opinion?

 

[bcurtis]

What would be, in your opinion?

What would be what? Lol worth a postbacc?

The stats the OP provided are decent and I believe he or she would be wasting time and money applying to a postbacc program.

 

[TechMessenger]

Thanks y'all for the advice. Personally, I've come to realize that time is just a number, and the end goal is all that matters. I plan to start working on a strong personal statement, and keep trying to find a DO to shadow. Also will enroll in classes over the summer to boost my transcript. If nothing works out this application cycle, my MCAT will still be good to go for the guaranteed admission program at VCOM next year.

 

[IslandStyle808]

Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe DO schools like to see volunteering and shadowing more than research. Reasearch isn't as important as showing your interest in clinical practice. I suggest volunteering and shadowing.

Yes that is what my experience was.

I was asked about my research in all of my interviews. What you are saying is true PlaqueBuster, but they still are interested in the research that you do, especially the ones that teach the basic science classes.

 

[PlaqueBuster]

I was asked about my research in all of my interviews. What you are saying is true PlaqueBuster, but they still are interested in the research that you do, especially the ones that teach the basic science classes.

You were asked because you did research. It was the same in my case. However, if you have no research experience I do not think you will be grilled on this. They will focus questions on other parts of your application

 

[IslandStyle808]

You were asked because you did research. It was the same in my case. However, if you have no research experience I do not think you will be grilled on this. They will focus questions on other parts of your application

What you are saying is true and even if I did not have research I would not be grilled about it. However, if they were not interested in my research, they would not ask questions about it either. I'm just trying to state that it has some value, just not to the degree that volunteering has.