Is it too much work to apply to both DO and MD?

[premedrod]

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So I was looking for some advice about applying. I think that I have a minuscule chance of getting at least an interview with a MD school and I was wondering if it is too much work to do both application services? I don't think the money is the issue, but I think I would be fine going to either programs if I got accepted.
I think both degrees have their pros and cons that end up being equal to me so I would like to get some advice on how this coming summer will be like if I did both. So if fellow applicants who have done both or know about both services can please help me out, that'll be super. 😀

 

[Porco Rosso]

So I was looking for some advice about applying. I think that I have a minuscule chance of getting at least an interview with a MD school and I was wondering if it is too much work to do both application services? I don't think the money is the issue, but I think I would be fine going to either programs if I got accepted.
I think both degrees have their pros and cons that end up being equal to me so I would like to get some advice on how this coming summer will be like if I did both. So if fellow applicants who have done both or know about both services can please help me out, that'll be super. 😀

yes plus $$$$

 

[TexasTriathlete]

It is a pain in the ***, but you're just looking at a few hours per application.

What really gets to be hard work is the secondary apps. They start piling up, and it can be overwhelming. As they come in, do them and send them back as quickly as you can, so they don't accumulate.

 

[gasapple]

Yes, it's the secondaries and the cash outflow that hurts. Only advice I can give is be selective based on your personal criteria by researching each and every school thoroughly -and from more sources than just biased pre-meds on SDN.

 

[Orthodoc40]

Like I said on your identical pre-allo thread, is it more work to apply now selectively, then not get in, and have to re-apply next year more inclusively?

Just do it - but spend enough time on the pre-osteo forums to make sure you know how to do it right.

 

[Bond8204]

No, it's not too much work or money but as people have already gotten into here, you need to be smart about it.

That means that although you'd love to go to Northwestern/Mayo/etc. you'll have to resist that temptation to go "oh heck I might as well try!" when listing schools to apply to on AMCAS.

The normal advice for somebody who's borderline like you for allo schools is to "apply broadly" ...as in...apply to 20+ schools. If you want to do both this and osteopathic, I think you'd burn out both mentally with secondaries and monetarily with fees. I recommend applying to 15 lower tiered allo schools + your state school allo. Then maybe a maximum of 8 osteo schools. At that point you're looking at 23 schools, minus a few who might not send you secondaries, minus another few you might end up deciding not to complete. You can handle that.

Timing is important in this. Make sure you get both primary applications done by June. Make sure to include reasons for interest in osteopathic schools in your primary application. You still have time to get a letter from a DO right now and so that's definitely worthwhile. When the secondaries start pouring in around July, make sure you set yourself on a strict schedule and get them done by mid-August (edit: A little trick with this is that a lot of schools have their secondaries available on their websites. While you shouldn't turn it in until you've been invited to complete it, you can start working on several of these questions before they're sent to you). Be prepared to be asked by osteopathic schools whether you're also applying to allopathic ones (and emphasize in your response that it's the school that matters most to you, not necessarily the degree). Hope that helps. Good luck

 

[DrMidlife]

...I recommend applying to 15 lower tiered allo schools + your state school allo. Then maybe a maximum of 8 osteo schools. At that point you're looking at 23 schools, minus a few who might not send you secondaries, minus another few you might end up deciding not to complete....

Re bolded above, this person is from California, so "state school allo" is no cakewalk.

That said, in the OP's shoes, I'd apply to all the California schools including DO anyway. And I'd apply to all the DO schools outside CA that interest me. Choosing allo schools is tricky.

When choosing schools, MD/DO/TX, be very careful about understanding in-state and regional preference, even if the MSAR and the school's website "advertise" an OOS percentage over 10%. For example, West Virginia isn't interested in "average" candidates outside Appalachia. South Alabama is the same for non-Gulf candidates. TX OOS might be easier this year because there's a new school in El Paso. But I wasted app fees on these because it looked like they are OOS-friendly, which is only true if you're a stellar applicant.

Lastly, be aware that the GPA calculations and application requirements vary with the app service. So if you're doing AMCAS, TMDSAS and AACOMAS, you're going to have 3 sets of GPAs. You're going to need your LORs at app time for Texas. You really do need to have a DO LOR for DO schools, btw.

For the record, I applied to a total of 45 schools, MD/DO/Texas. It cost a fortune. It was NOT worth it, but there's no way I could have known that (excepting a couple schools). There is no method in this madness other than that you'll regret every low grade you ever got.

Best of luck to you.

 

[go lakers]

as long as you have a couple of months fairly free, it's do-able. just apply to schools that fit your numbers and be ready to fork over some serious cash.

 

[RySerr21]

Re bolded above, this person is from California, so "state school allo" is no cakewalk.

That said, in the OP's shoes, I'd apply to all the California schools including DO anyway. And I'd apply to all the DO schools outside CA that interest me. Choosing allo schools is tricky.

i'm in the exact same situation as the OP. i'm a california resident and I'm really interested in goin to a DO school. the only thing that would really make me consider going MD is if i got into a UC, specifically San Diego, cuz thats where i'm from and it would just be waaaay easier than having to go anywhere else. so yea, i'm planning on applying to all the cali MD schools and DO schools and some select DO schools that I wouldn't mind going to that are far from home.

 

[TexasTriathlete]

The school in El Paso is going to have only like 40 spots, I think, and they will still take like 95 percent TX residents, or whatever the rule is. So we're talking about maybe 2-3 extra spots in TX for OOS applicants.

 

[premedrod]

thanks for the advice guys. im fine if i dont get in the first time bc i have issues with interviews so if i go in this years application cycle knowing its "practice" i'll feel a lot more comfortable and improve my chances of getting in this year...

im a little worried about applying to both since i have things coming up in the beginning of july and one of my LOR wont be done until sometime in july :-/

i think applying this year later than june is seriously gonna screw me over for MD schools...but what about DO schools? lets say end of july...is that too late for DO schools????

 

[Bond8204]

i think applying this year later than june is seriously gonna screw me over for MD schools...but what about DO schools? lets say end of july...is that too late for DO schools????

You know the way this works, right? You'll fill out a primary application for both allo (AMCAS) and osteo (AACOMAS) schools. This needs to be done by June. In mid-July you'll start receiving secondaries. Those secondaries need to be done by both types of schools by Mid-August. If everything's complete by then--secondaries, LOR's, MCAT--you'll be fine for both.

It would really help if you get complete at allo schools by late July or early August--the earlier there the better. Osteo schools tend to be a little more forgiving on timing, especially with better stats, but there's still a tremendous advantage to getting complete as early as possible.

 

[premedrod]

sounds good. im hoping that all the LORs will be done by the beginning of june cuz i think im going to work my *** off this spring quarter to get everything else turned in...i hope MD schools like it even tho my stats are lame...but i can take the MCAT again and get over 32 next year so its all good.

how was everyone elses experience with this years applications? success? anyone having to settle?