Is it too late to apply this year?

[chewy88]

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Hey everyone...

So i got my MCAT back today and ended up doing a point worse than when i took it last year. Last year I was waitlisted at my state-school and made it to the top 1/3rd without getting in. I scored a 27(8,9,10) last year... this year around i got a 26 (10,6,10). I'm really bummed since I was averaging around a 32 this time around, I guess i just choked. I was wondering about D.O. schools earlier in the summer, and now I'm trying to figure out whether or not to apply right now. I dont know if it's too late at this point, and if my lower MCAT score is going to pretty much black ball me. I have a 3.64 cumulative GPA, and great EC's. Would it be worth trying to apply to D.O. schools right now, or am I kind of too late and screwed? Thanks.

 

[SavoirFaire]

It's not too late. Get the process moving along. Your MCAT and grades are good.

 

[chewy88]

Thanks!

I was just really worried since my MCAT dropped a point, i know a 26 a still competitive for D.O. schools, but the 6 is verbal is really worrying. Maybe since I got a 9 the first time in verbal it will kind of offshoot that horrible score? Could you provide any insight of schools I should look into applying to. So far I've been looking into VCOM and the two florida schools. What schools would i have a good chance at being accepted with my stats. Thanks again

 

[SavoirFaire]

Thanks!

I was just really worried since my MCAT dropped a point, i know a 26 a still competitive for D.O. schools, but the 6 is verbal is really worrying. Maybe since I got a 9 the first time in verbal it will kind of offshoot that horrible score? Could you provide any insight of schools I should look into applying to. So far I've been looking into VCOM and the two florida schools. What schools would i have a good chance at being accepted with my stats. Thanks again

You're competitive at most (if not all) DO schools. They will see both MCAT scores. There was an 8 point total difference in my two scores and I was accepted so there you go. Some schools have regional preferences, such as Pacific Northwest, VCOM, WVSOM, Pikeville and others. I would only apply to these if you are from the region or have ties because your chances decrease based on that requirement alone.

Some schools I would recommend - AZCOM, ATSU, PCOM, LECOM, LMU, any in state schools (MD or DO), any Touro schools.

 

[chewy88]

8 points as in 8 points lower the second time around you took it? I'm a Virginia resident, so applying to VCOM shouldn't be an issue. I'm definitely going to apply to both florida schools since I have family down there and the rest of my family intends on moving there shortly. I'm going to complete my application this weekend and submit it on monday and have my transcripts sent in by this friday. Does it take about a month to verify like AMCAS does? If so, I should be completely verified by mid october, hopefully it wont be too late in the application cycle.

 

[SavoirFaire]

8 points as in 8 points lower the second time around you took it? I'm a Virginia resident, so applying to VCOM shouldn't be an issue. I'm definitely going to apply to both florida schools since I have family down there and the rest of my family intends on moving there shortly. I'm going to complete my application this weekend and submit it on monday and have my transcripts sent in by this friday. Does it take about a month to verify like AMCAS does? If so, I should be completely verified by mid october, hopefully it wont be too late in the application cycle.

8 points higher the second time.

AACOMAS took about 3 weeks for me when I applied in June. I imagine it will take about that amount of time or less.

 

[chewy88]

I really appreciate all your help and feedback so far. I had already sent in for the Fee assistance a few days ago, but since that takes 2-4 weeks, I'm just going to shell out the money now and submit on monday so that I can get it in there. So far, it seems that even my lower MCAT is still above or around average for most schools and my GPA is a little above average. I just dont want to sit another whole year and re-apply at this point. MD or DO, i'm still a physician and i can still treat patients. Doesn't matter to me what initials are next to my name. Plus, from what I've been reading about OMM, it seems pretty cool.

 

[light warrior]

I really appreciate all your help and feedback so far. I had already sent in for the Fee assistance a few days ago, but since that takes 2-4 weeks, I'm just going to shell out the money now and submit on monday so that I can get it in there. So far, it seems that even my lower MCAT is still above or around average for most schools and my GPA is a little above average. I just dont want to sit another whole year and re-apply at this point. MD or DO, i'm still a physician and i can still treat patients. Doesn't matter to me what initials are next to my name. Plus, from what I've been reading about OMM, it seems pretty cool.

FYI, I sent in a fee waiver request last month and they sent me an email A MONTH LATER telling me they ran out of waivers for this application cycle. Definitely don't wait to submit your app asap

 

[ksmajmudar]

I really appreciate all your help and feedback so far. I had already sent in for the Fee assistance a few days ago, but since that takes 2-4 weeks, I'm just going to shell out the money now and submit on monday so that I can get it in there. So far, it seems that even my lower MCAT is still above or around average for most schools and my GPA is a little above average. I just dont want to sit another whole year and re-apply at this point. MD or DO, i'm still a physician and i can still treat patients. Doesn't matter to me what initials are next to my name. Plus, from what I've been reading about OMM, it seems pretty cool.

If you are applying this cycle, I would start shadowing a DO doc for that letter of recommendation. Although it's not technically mandatory at some places, there's absolutely no reason not to give yourself the leg-up in the admissions process by spending a few hours shadowing a DO.

 

[chewy88]

Question, i'm trying to send my MCAT scores to AACOMAS... can you designate which scores to send, or does it automatically send all your scores? I would prefer to only send my first test score if possible.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

not only does it automatically do all, but you HAVE to send all.

 

[chewy88]

Ah that's what i figured. Any chance that some schools may see my increase in physical science as a good thing even though my verbal dropped. If my scores were to be combined, i'd be at a 29... do any DO schools take combining into consideration?

 

[FrkyBgStok]

it really depends on the school. it depends on how they each thing, which is a formula I am sure they will never release. as a poor example, my first mcat had a PS of a 9, and second was an 8, and it isn't hindering me. again, bad example. i would say try and hope for the best. the 6 could be a major downfall, or it could be looked at as a fluke. i honestly couldn't answer much better than that. sorry.

 

[poopyhead]

hrm...you know guys. This is kinda weird.

You guys ripped the OP apart in an earlier thread http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=854652

Yet, the OP in this thread seems to fit the description you guys were attaching to the previous thread's OP, but this thread's OP doesn't get any backlash........😕

 

[DoctorQuack]

hrm...you know guys. This is kinda weird.

You guys ripped the OP apart in an earlier thread http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=854652

Yet, the OP in this thread seems to fit the description you guys were attaching to the previous thread's OP, but this thread's OP doesn't get any backlash........😕

 

[FrkyBgStok]

hrm...you know guys. This is kinda weird.

You guys ripped the OP apart in an earlier thread http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=854652

Yet, the OP in this thread seems to fit the description you guys were attaching to the previous thread's OP, but this thread's OP doesn't get any backlash........😕

interesting......however, not sure you read the other thread or this one. how is:

"Someone PM me, I want to gain a better understanding of D.O. schools and advantages and disadvantages from someone who will have an unbiased opinion."

the same as:

"So i got my MCAT back today and ended up doing a point worse than when i took it last year......am I kind of too late and screwed?"


The other thread's OP came across as "I want to do MD, but I will settle for DO," while this OPs thread explicitly states "should I apply right now" and clearly was referencing the drop in MCAT. So I am not sure how long your buddy cried for, but tell him we didn't mean to hurt his feelings.

 

[poopyhead]

sigh, I was just pointing out an observation. I don't know the OP from the other thread. I'll give specific examples.

this thread:

Hey everyone...

So i got my MCAT back today and ended up doing a point worse than when i took it last year. Last year I was waitlisted at my state-school and made it to the top 1/3rd without getting in. I scored a 27(8,9,10) last year... this year around i got a 26 (10,6,10). I'm really bummed since I was averaging around a 32 this time around, I guess i just choked.

other thread:

Sounds like someone got an MCAT back and didn't like their score. Why not just browse around this forum for a few weeks. Gain all the info you can and if you have questions, come back and ask.

this thread:

I just dont want to sit another whole year and re-apply at this point. MD or DO, i'm still a physician and i can still treat patients. Doesn't matter to me what initials are next to my name. Plus, from what I've been reading about OMM, it seems pretty cool.

other thread:

No. Most of the people that make posts like yours are anti-DO with a passion and then they end up getting a 25 on the MCAT and realize they aren't competitive forr MD schools and they come on here asking a bunch of stupid questions about DOs compared to MDs saying that now they don't care about the letters, they just want to be a doctor.

You can always telll who they are because they ask questions that can be easily answered by browsing around the archived threads. I suspect your questions will be similar in nature.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

sigh, I was just pointing out an observation. I don't know the OP from the other thread. I'll give specific examples.

this thread:



other thread:



this thread:



other thread:

oh ok.......yeah still not seeing it. how is someone asking about getting a lower mcat the same as "i have some questions and i don't want to put in the effort." really? i am not seeing it. and unfortunately, your examples do not prove, they confuse. i have not sure you have the best observation skills.

 

[poopyhead]

oh ok.......yeah still not seeing it. how is someone asking about getting a lower mcat the same as "i have some questions and i don't want to put in the effort." really? i am not seeing it. and unfortunately, your examples do not prove, they confuse. i have not sure you have the best observation skills.

What you assumed about the OP in the other thread (lower MCAT leads to a switch to DO, not believing the "doesn't care about the letters behind his name," etc), actually is what happened with this thread's OP.

Just pointing out that the posts you made in response to the other OP actually fits here as well.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

What you assumed about the OP in the other thread (lower MCAT leads to a switch to DO, not believing the "doesn't care about the letters behind his name," etc), actually is what happened with this thread's OP.

Just pointing out that the posts you made in response to the other OP actually fits here as well.

but they don't fit. that's the point. anyway this argument is worthless. this OP wasn't insinuating anything about not being qualified for DO. he was asking if his drop in MCAT would hurt him. i am not going to respond to you in this thread anymore because you clearly aren't reading. good day sir.

 

[poopyhead]

but they don't fit. that's the point. anyway this argument is worthless. this OP wasn't insinuating anything about not being qualified for DO. he was asking if his drop in MCAT would hurt him. i am not going to respond to you in this thread anymore because you clearly aren't reading. good day sir.

This OP applied to MD schools previously and didn't get in. Retook the MCAT hoping to get a higher score to get into MD schools. He gets lower than he expected. He comes and asks about DO and says he doesn't care about the letters behind his name and just wants to be a physician.

How is this not similar to what you assumed about the previous thread's OP? You further ripped the previous OP because you assumed he is anti-DO and only posting here because he had a lower than expected MCAT score and not buying his "BS" about not caring the letters behind his name.

So, yes I did read.

 

[doingit9]

, back on topic...OP, you should be fine. Get your stuff in asap so you can compete for the max number of seats

 

[DrWily]

This OP applied to MD schools previously and didn't get in. Retook the MCAT hoping to get a higher score to get into MD schools. He gets lower than he expected. He comes and asks about DO and says he doesn't care about the letters behind his name and just wants to be a physician.

How is this not similar to what you assumed about the previous thread's OP? You further ripped the previous OP because you assumed he is anti-DO and only posting here because he had a lower than expected MCAT score and not buying his "BS" about not caring the letters behind his name.

So, yes I did read.

The difference is that this person didn't blatantly ask "Why should I be a DO? I don't know jack about DOs, someone fill me in on MD vs DO (asking about advantages disadvantages is basically asking MD vs DO), and if you don't help me, I'll call you names"

This OP said "man I didn't do so hot, but you know what, I'm interested in D.O. Do you guys think I should apply now and does a drop in score hurt me?" Asking about applying late is a legitimate question that cannot be really be answered by looking around since it's time-based and the answer depends on certain circumstances. Asking about MD vs DO is something that has been talked about endlessly and can be researched by oneself.

There's a big difference in these two, and if you can't see it, then no one can help you. Hint: attitude.

 

[chewy88]

Lol i'm not trying to start some feud between threads. Like DrWilly stated, I'm just trying to find out if applying right now during this cycle is a wise idea, or if it's too late, that's all. From the feedback I've received thus far and from calling a few D.O. schools, with my stats and MCAT they advised me to apply right now and that I was still a very competitive applicant, so that's what I'm going to do in hopes of starting next year, rather than just sitting around for another year.

 

[chewy88]

Also, I'm assuming that it should help me a little bit by applying both medically and economically disadvantaged, correct? My father is disabled from an auto-accident and my mother is a home-maker, as well as having 5 siblings. I also grew up in a rural area, where the closest doctors from us were about 30 minutes away.

 

[DrWily]

Also, I'm assuming that it should help me a little bit by applying both medically and economically disadvantaged, correct? My father is disabled from an auto-accident and my mother is a home-maker, as well as having 5 siblings. I also grew up in a rural area, where the closest doctors from us were about 30 minutes away.

This only applies up to age 18. Otherwise, yes it will help, a little. But it's not going to magically get you in 🙂 👍

 

[LifeTake2]

You're competitive at most (if not all) DO schools. They will see both MCAT scores. There was an 8 point total difference in my two scores and I was accepted so there you go. Some schools have regional preferences, such as Pacific Northwest, VCOM, WVSOM, Pikeville and others. I would only apply to these if you are from the region or have ties because your chances decrease based on that requirement alone.

Some schools I would recommend - AZCOM, ATSU, PCOM, LECOM, LMU, any in state schools (MD or DO), any Touro schools.

I'm going to have to challenge you a bit. While at 26 is doable; a 6 in a sub-section by definition will not be "competitive" anywhere. Quite a few schools will screen out at this level. In fact, PCOM that you list is very firm about an 8 minimum.

Does the OP have a shot, sure.

Is it going to be a tough climb, you bet, and applying late isn't going to help.

There is not much to lose other than some $$, so I'd probably go for it. The biggest risk would be not getting in and having to try again; but all you need then is to knock the MCAT up and you will be sitting pretty.

 

[seawolflu]

fyi, I submitted aacomas a month ago and am still not verified. good luck.

 

[chewy88]

a few of the schools I talked to stated that they take the better of the two test scores and not the most recent. so for these schools, they would be looking at my 27 (8,9,10)

 

[poopyhead]

The difference is that this person didn't blatantly ask "Why should I be a DO? I don't know jack about DOs, someone fill me in on MD vs DO (asking about advantages disadvantages is basically asking MD vs DO), and if you don't help me, I'll call you names"

Sorry, I couldn't respond sooner, as I was flying back from an interview. I'll be a bit more specific. Here's what Fry posted in the previous thread:

No. Most of the people that make posts like yours are anti-DO with a passion and then they end up getting a 25 on the MCAT and realize they aren't competitive forr MD schools and they come on here asking a bunch of stupid questions about DOs compared to MDs saying that now they don't care about the letters, they just want to be a doctor.

You can always telll who they are because they ask questions that can be easily answered by browsing around the archived threads. I suspect your questions will be similar in nature.

It's not just the type of questions asked by 803 that Fry didn't like. In fact, if you re-read Fry's post above, the reason he didn't like 803's OP is because he assumed 803 "got lower than expected MCAT scores, comes and asks about DO, and says he doesn't care about the letters behind his name and just wants to be a physician." The questions asked by 803 is just a reflection of this characteristic that Fry doesn't like, which fits chewy88 as well, even if the questions asked were different.

This OP said "man I didn't do so hot, but you know what, I'm interested in D.O. Do you guys think I should apply now and does a drop in score hurt me?" Asking about applying late is a legitimate question that cannot be really be answered by looking around since it's time-based and the answer depends on certain circumstances. Asking about MD vs DO is something that has been talked about endlessly and can be researched by oneself.

Don't kid yourself. I've been lurking here long enough to see numerous threads asking similar, if not the same, question about applying later in the cycle.

There's a big difference in these two, and if you can't see it, then no one can help you. Hint: attitude.

There's no need to get defensive here. I'm applying only to DO. My point is you guys don't need to treat any suggestion of MD vs. DO as some form of personal insult. Just refer people to the sticky thread above without ripping them based on assumptions. Hint: play nice and give people the benefit of the doubt.

BTW, in that previous post, Fry's assumption was WRONG since 803 hasn't received his MCAT yet.

 

[chewy88]

Dude are you seriously that bored and have nothing better to do with your time than to sit here and compare and analyze two different posts from people? I came here asking a question seeking help and valuable opinions, not to read your rambling comparison between my post and someone else's. Seriously, go do something better with your time.

 

[poopyhead]

Dude are you seriously that bored and have nothing better to do with your time than to sit here and compare and analyze two different posts from people? I came here asking a question seeking help and valuable opinions, not to read your rambling comparison between my post and someone else's. Seriously, go do something better with your time.

I'm very sorry chewy. Yes, I was/am that bored...stuck in hotels between interviews. There's only so much interview prep one can do. None of my posts were meant as an insult towards you. Again, my apologies chewy. 😳

edit: I guess my point was that Fry and DrWily will encounter a fair number of people on their interviews who were at some point at least partially "anti-DO." People who applied to MD only first, didn't get in, and are applying to DO now. People who apply primarily to MD, at the same time applying to DO as a backup. People who only apply to DO thinking their MCAT scores wouldn't be competitive for MD. They shouldn't be ripped on these forums because some of them will be sitting next to you during interviews and may even be your colleagues in the future. So, yes people will post in this forum with some anti-DO bias, but immediately being hostile just adds to the DO negativity. People do appreciate when you give them the benefit of the doubt

 

[DrWily]

I'm very sorry chewy. Yes, I was/am that bored...stuck in hotels between interviews. There's only so much interview prep one can do. None of my posts were meant as an insult towards you. Again, my apologies chewy. 😳

edit: I guess my point was that Fry and DrWily will encounter a fair number of people on their interviews who were at some point at least partially "anti-DO." People who applied to MD only first, didn't get in, and are applying to DO now. People who apply primarily to MD, at the same time applying to DO as a backup. People who only apply to DO thinking their MCAT scores wouldn't be competitive for MD. They shouldn't be ripped on these forums because some of them will be sitting next to you during interviews and may even be your colleagues in the future. So, yes people will post in this forum with some anti-DO bias, but immediately being hostile just adds to the DO negativity. People do appreciate when you give them the benefit of the doubt

In the other thread, I tried to be civil. I gave him some advice, told him to do a little bit of research on his own as the topic has been covered before and he's likely to not get a PM from someone when the information is readily available and has been discussed before. He then proceeded to call us socially challenged and used terms like "Pre-Med Superhero." Again, attitude. Fryk made the assumption that I'm sure many people would: it's getting later in the cycle, that guy has never been on the DO forums before, recently took the MCAT, and asks MD vs DO... and I know it won't be the last time that happens this cycle either.

Hell, I used to be Anti-DO because I was ignorant. I did my own research by reading threads about it on this very forum. It's not rocket science, and it takes little time if you know how to use the search function.

Anyway, about this OP's question, I still think it depends on each person's circumstances. If this guy had a lower GPA, I'd tell him to wait until next year, but with his strong GPA and EC's he's fine applying this year this late in the game. You can read all you want about other people's circumstances and even if they are similar to you, they are not you and you'd want to know what your chances were specifically. I'd still ask if I was in the OPs position even if I read somewhere else that I should/shouldn't apply. 👍

Anyway, done with this thread. Good luck to the OP