Is it worth it to apply for '07 at this point?

[WanderingDave]

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I applied to 10 MD schools this round, and no DO schools. I only recently realized that my credentials and career goals make me a considerably better fit for the latter than the former. (I know, stupid.)

Would it be worth it for me to try and apply now, if the application would only be received in complete form by mid January? I realize I could apply this year AND next year, but wouldn't it make me look better if I applied next year for the first time, giving it my best shot, rather than late and in a half-assed fashion now, and then once again with my act together?

I have only one science recommendation, which, unlike with the allopathics, seems to severely limit the number of DO schools I can apply to. It's funny how the DO schools will accept someone like me with a 3.2 GPA in the name of looking at the whole person, but won't look twice at a guy without two LORs from science professors, which seems to be a mark of only the most traditional of MD schools.

Plan B is to wait until next year, and in the meantime take a mid-level biology course at a local college, ace it, and get another science LOR out of it. I could definitely get a LOR from an osteopathic doctor I know in that time, too. I'd feel better about asking her for next year than either rushing her this year, or applying without it.

Should I go ahead and try getting out a DO application this year, or is there really no point?

 

[AustinFinklea]

I applied to 10 MD schools this round, and no DO schools. I only recently realized that my credentials and career goals make me a considerably better fit for the latter than the former. (I know, stupid.)

Would it be worth it for me to try and apply now, if the application would only be received in complete form by mid January? I realize I could apply this year AND next year, but wouldn't it make me look better if I applied next year for the first time, giving it my best shot, rather than late and in a half-assed fashion now, and then once again with my act together?

I have only one science recommendation, which, unlike with the allopathics, seems to severely limit the number of DO schools I can apply to. It's funny how the DO schools will accept someone like me with a 3.2 GPA in the name of looking at the whole person, but won't look twice at a guy without two LORs from science professors, which seems to be a mark of only the most traditional of MD schools.

Plan B is to wait until next year, and in the meantime take a mid-level biology course at a local college, ace it, and get another science LOR out of it. I could definitely get a LOR from an osteopathic doctor I know in that time, too. I'd feel better about asking her for next year than either rushing her this year, or applying without it.

Should I go ahead and try getting out a DO application this year, or is there really no point?

True, you do, generally speaking, need two LOR's from science professors, unless you have a pre-med advisor. That one letter from the pre-med advisor trumps all the other letters; however, it is still a good idea to have another science, volunteer/service, leadership,etc in addition to your pre-med advisor letter, if you have one. About applying now: you are going to be wayyyyy late if you primary aacomas app is not complete by January-ish. Is that what you meant? Or did you mean your secondaries would all be completed by then? If the latter is the case, go ahead and apply to a couple of schools, you may very well get in. I would rather get the ball rolling one year faster, personally. I hope that you will get some great info from the guys and gals on here that may clarify what I am trying to say. Good Luck dude. Let us know how it all pans out.....👍

 

[Dr.Inviz]

I applied to 10 MD schools this round, and no DO schools. I only recently realized that my credentials and career goals make me a considerably better fit for the latter than the former. (I know, stupid.)

Would it be worth it for me to try and apply now, if the application would only be received in complete form by mid January? I realize I could apply this year AND next year, but wouldn't it make me look better if I applied next year for the first time, giving it my best shot, rather than late and in a half-assed fashion now, and then once again with my act together?

I have only one science recommendation, which, unlike with the allopathics, seems to severely limit the number of DO schools I can apply to. It's funny how the DO schools will accept someone like me with a 3.2 GPA in the name of looking at the whole person, but won't look twice at a guy without two LORs from science professors, which seems to be a mark of only the most traditional of MD schools.

Plan B is to wait until next year, and in the meantime take a mid-level biology course at a local college, ace it, and get another science LOR out of it. I could definitely get a LOR from an osteopathic doctor I know in that time, too. I'd feel better about asking her for next year than either rushing her this year, or applying without it.

Should I go ahead and try getting out a DO application this year, or is there really no point?

What are you talking about? Any MD and/or DO school will require 2 science professor LORs. Whats your MCAT score? 3.2 is rather low.

I'd probably wait till next year to apply, but many others here seem to advocate going ahead and applying to the other posters with similar questions.

 

[MedStudentWanna]

I don't know what MD schools you applied to, but all the ones I've looked at require at least two science letters. Second, if you apply now, it looks like DO is your back-up because you haven't gotten into any MD schools, especially with a 3.2. I'd wait and apply early next year. And I really wouldn't apply without the DO letter. You'd eliminate your chances at some schools right there.

 

[HemaOncoDoc]

I applied to 10 MD schools this round, and no DO schools. I only recently realized that my credentials and career goals make me a considerably better fit for the latter than the former. (I know, stupid.)

Would it be worth it for me to try and apply now, if the application would only be received in complete form by mid January? I realize I could apply this year AND next year, but wouldn't it make me look better if I applied next year for the first time, giving it my best shot, rather than late and in a half-assed fashion now, and then once again with my act together?

I have only one science recommendation, which, unlike with the allopathics, seems to severely limit the number of DO schools I can apply to. It's funny how the DO schools will accept someone like me with a 3.2 GPA in the name of looking at the whole person, but won't look twice at a guy without two LORs from science professors, which seems to be a mark of only the most traditional of MD schools.

Plan B is to wait until next year, and in the meantime take a mid-level biology course at a local college, ace it, and get another science LOR out of it. I could definitely get a LOR from an osteopathic doctor I know in that time, too. I'd feel better about asking her for next year than either rushing her this year, or applying without it.

Should I go ahead and try getting out a DO application this year, or is there really no point?

I agree with MedStudentWanna, I don't know of any MD schools that only require one science LOR. A DO letter is helpful, but many of them do not require one from a DO specifically. An MD letter is just fine for many programs. A 3.2 isn't bad. It would have been nice if you applied to DO schools earlier, but you're in the middle of the process right now. If you're serious about applying, please do it now. It'll take awhile to get things processed. I do not believe that MD and DO schools confer with each other, so they won't know that DO is your "back-up" unless you tell them. Some schools require that you list all the schools that you are applying or have applied to. Whatever the course of action you choose, best of luck! If you're going to wait until next year, do some DO shadowing, get a letter, and apply early!

 

[bkpa2med]

I was a 1st time applicant this year. I even applied before I even took the MCAT in August. Since, I had 2 interviews and 1 acceptance so far. I believe this has alot to do with getting all your stuff early. BTW, I had a LOR from a DO who I know for over 2 years, and 3 science LOR's with no premed committee. I used Interfolio for my letters.

My advice to you would probably be to save your money and shadow a DO and get a good LOR. Try obtaining some more science LOR's and you should be in good shape if your MCAT is greater than 25 with some sort of balance I guess.

Albeit, we are not adcoms and no one really knows what they look for. If money isn't an issue you should definately apply and be prepared to honestly convey why DO?

Good luck!

 

[WanderingDave]

I don't know what you're all talking about with most MD schools requiring two science LORs. I applied to Albany, Columbia, Wisconsin, NYU, St. Louis, all the SUNY schools except Upstate, and Tufts. All of these places said to send at least two LORs, at least one of which is from a professor in the sciences. My letter packet from my college service has three letters -- one from a professor in my undergrad major (Chinese), one from a chemistry professor, and one from my boss on a health care job. I don't see why that packet doesn't fit the bill.

I think I WILL try to get an additional science LOR and one from an osteopathic doctor (I do happen to know one who's willing to write for me), and apply next year in a more timely fashion.

My MCAT is 32Q, by the way.

 

[ttmp]

Do you really need LORs from science professors. I know it says it in the application but when I applied I had three MDs who I did research with write all my LORs and got several MD interviews and DO interviews? I was accepted several places including a DO school and never shadowed a DO or had a letter from one. I think that if the letters are from a physician or any professor that it would be alright but thats just my opinion.

If you have the money and time you might as well try to get in this year. You never know what might happen, but you had better turn the application in soon

 

[ScFm546]

I’m applying late myself and I’m kind of curious as to what yall think my chances are. I sent in my AACOMAS app to GA-PCOM yesterday. I currently have a 3.9 GPA which is a dream as far as I’m concerned. However, My MCAT has me a bit worried. I made a 26N (11VR, 7PS, 8BS) the first time which would have been a fairly decent score. I retook on the hopes of doing better and it came back a 23N (9VR, 9PS, 5BS). I really have no idea what happened. I’m wondering if they’ll ignore my 26N and only look at the 23N. So in short, what are my odds at Ga-PCOM with me being this late with a questionable MCAT, and will they consider my first MCAT score?

 

[Dr.Inviz]

I’m applying late myself and I’m kind of curious as to what yall think my chances are. I sent in my AACOMAS app to GA-PCOM yesterday. I currently have a 3.9 GPA which is a dream as far as I’m concerned. However, My MCAT has me a bit worried. I made a 26N (11VR, 7PS, 8BS) the first time which would have been a fairly decent score. I retook on the hopes of doing better and it came back a 23N (9VR, 9PS, 5BS). I really have no idea what happened. I’m wondering if they’ll ignore my 26N and only look at the 23N. So in short, what are my odds at Ga-PCOM with me being this late with a questionable MCAT, and will they consider my first MCAT score?

Most DO schools look at the more recent score, so not good. However, even if they average it, idk. dont think pcom-ga averages it.

 

[scpod]

Do you really need LORs from science professors. I know it says it in the application but when I applied I had three MDs who I did research with write all my LORs and got several MD interviews and DO interviews? I was accepted several places including a DO school and never shadowed a DO or had a letter from one. I think that if the letters are from a physician or any professor that it would be alright but thats just my opinion.

Yes, but keep in mind that TCOM doesn't require either a DO letter or science professor letters. Some schools do. If the requirements said you needed science professor LOR's and you didn't provide them, then I would have to seriously question your ability to follow directions.

 

[ttmp]

Yes, but keep in mind that TCOM doesn't require either a DO letter or science professor letters. Some schools do. If the requirements said you needed science professor LOR's and you didn't provide them, then I would have to seriously question your ability to follow directions.

Sometimes its better not to follow directions. Seriously why do schools want letters from professors. You are in their class 3 days a week with a bunch of other students. About the only thing they can say is that you are smart and work hard, but if you got an A in that class that should be obvious. If you do research with them thats a different story but not every premed can do this.

Anyway this thread is about the OP's question and in my opinion give it a shot this year with what ever you have. The worst they can say is no

 

[scpod]

Sometimes its better not to follow directions. Seriously why do schools want letters from professors. You are in their class 3 days a week with a bunch of other students. About the only thing they can say is that you are smart and work hard, but if you got an A in that class that should be obvious.

Are you serious? What really happens when you DON'T follow directions is you DON'T get an interview and you DON'T get an acceptance. Why on Earth would you advise people NOT to follow the directions?

Getting an A in one class has little to do with your attitude, your work ethic, the way you get along with others or your potential for success in a graduate environment. Those are the kinds of things they look for in an LOR. Are you a troll?

 

[MaximusD]

Schools specifically say not to send more than 5-6 letters. I think I've sent 7, because of 3 physician letters. The schools don't seem to mind.. in fact, I was commended for it at WVSOM.

Directions should only be broken if its for positive benefits. Shirking on something is never a good thing. If they require a certain number of LORs you should NEVER be under that threshold.