Looking for some advice and feedback

[ahm1211]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hello everyone. I graduated May 2013 and have a 3.53 cgpa, 3.31 sgpa and 24 mcat (7p 7v 10B). After applying broadly I was accepted into WVSOM and I am very grateful to have the opportunity to attend medical school next year especially with a below average mcat score. However, I have lived in N.Y. my whole life and I can't imagine living in a small town with no friends or family nearby. Additionally, WVSOM has extremely high oos tuition and focuses on rural medicine which I don't think is for me. Im considering devoting 3 months solely on the mcat and try to bump up my score to be considered for TouroCOM and NYCOM next year. I am also considering applying to TouroCOM masters program to work on my gpa and have a chance to matriculate in the next class.

The application process sucks and I'm not looking forward to going through it again but if it means Ill have another chance to get in to my top schools, I think it'll be worth it. What do you guys think? Work on app another year or take my acceptance and make the best of it? Any advice will be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[Mx300]

I think that would be a risk. I mean I think u have to report if u have been accepted to a med school on the osteopathic apps, I know u do on the amcas and Texas apps. You have something guaranteed now and ur wanting to give it up when u don't know how it would be perceived and whether it would affect ur chances next app. I wouldn't do it.

 

[DoctorKrieger]

Have you compared the tuition for those schools? The OOS tuition for WVSOM is cheaper than NYCOM and not too different that Touro-NY. Add in the cost of living difference for the two areas and WVSOM is cheaper in any scenario. WVSOM may 'emphasize' rural med, but that probably just means many of the rotation sites are in small towns. This won't in any way force you to practice FM in a town of 5,000.

You said you've lived in NY your whole life...take this opportunity to explore a different area of the country. Your classmates will quickly become your second family and it's not like those areas are on opposite ends of the country.

So, what exactly are you willing to sacrifice at least a year's worth of physician salary for??? My opinion: take the acceptance and run.

 

[chizledfrmstone]

How reasonable would it be for you to get a 28+ on the MCAT if you retook?

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

4 years in WVSOM and get yourself a residency in NYC. Spend the break in NYC and you'll probably be fine.

 

[gocougs339]

Get out of NYC for a few years and go to WVSOM. Nothing wrong with a change of pace, it will make you a better person.

 

[ahm1211]

How reasonable would it be for you to get a 28+ on the MCAT if you retook?

Very reasonable. When I took the mcats the first time I was taking 18 credits all upper division biology courses along with working part time. I believe if I devout three months solely on the mcat I can improve significantly.

 

[ahm1211]

4 years in WVSOM and get yourself a residency in NYC. Spend the break in NYC and you'll probably be fine.

Is it harder to find residency in NY after graduating from an oos school?

 

[chizledfrmstone]

Very reasonable. When I took the mcats the first time I was taking 18 credits all upper division biology courses along with working part time. I believe if I devout three months solely on the mcat I can improve significantly.

I understand why you want to stay in state with family and friends. I would have stayed if I could.

If you believe you can up that MCAT considerably and pump up your application a bit then it's worth a shot. There are not guarantees you will get in. Make sure you fully think it over because you would be turning down a sure thing for something that might not even happen. Being able to graduate 1 year earlier is a massive thing.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Get out of NYC for a few years and go to WVSOM. Nothing wrong with a change of pace, it will make you a better person.

No... no it won't.... lol

Is it harder to find residency in NY after graduating from an oos school?

Depends on a lot. But generally the belief is that if you rotate at away programs in your area of choice it may help. And I'm sure WVSOM will allow that....


All I can say is defer for a year.

 

[touchpause13]

I remember something about birds and bushes....

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

That's so dumb to give up a seat and a years salary just to spend more money in a masters you don't need only because it's in NYC.

 

[WalSlave]

Why did you apply to WVCOM if location is that important? Turning down your only acceptance is only going to hurt you in the future when it comes to reapplying. At least in my opinion. You wasted a lot of other people's time by applying and interviewing at a school you have absolutely no intention of attending. I doubt Adcoms at other schools will look too kindly on that.

I have also heard that some schools will blacklist you for it, but don't take that as gospel. Certainly something to think about though. Could just be an empty rumor.

If I were you, I'd do my time in the small town for the ultimate goal of being a doctor. It's so incredibly worth it. Take a step back and realize what you're potentially turning down, here. If you feel strongly enough about the location that you would rather give up being a DO altogether than attend school outside of NYC, then that is the only way I could see justifying taking the huge gamble you're about to take.

 

[Goro]

Turn down your only acceptance and you can pretty much kiss your medical career goodbye. In addition, you should realy consider your poor choice-making. Why did you apply to a school that you didn't want to go to? Didn't you think this through? Most WVCOM grads live and practice in the big WV cities anyway.

 

[plateletfactor5]

Turn down your only acceptance and you can pretty much kiss your medical career goodbye. In addition, you should realy consider your poor choice-making. Why did you apply to a school that you didn't want to go to? Didn't you think this through? Most WVCOM grads live and practice in the big WV cities anyway.

Hi Goro,

I was hoping you could elaborate on your comment or PM pm me with an elaboration. I have never heard anything like that before and since I do believe your comment it would just be nice to hear the reasoning behind it.

Thanks!

 

[Awesome Sauceome]

I personally know a guy who graduated from WVSOM last spring and is now doing his residency in internal medicine in NYC

 

[Jazzy G]

I'm still confused why you would apply to a school if you weren't willing to attend there? Obviously it now presents a problem.

 

[chizledfrmstone]

I'm still confused why you would apply to a school if you weren't willing to attend there? Obviously it now presents a problem.

For some people considerations change after having interviewed. When I sent out my primary I applied very broadly. After the interview I realized how much work it would take to travel and see my family during breaks. I ended up withdrawing my applications from a few schools because of that.

There is a school in FL I wouldn't attend even if I was paid. The interior was depressing and the environment wasn't what I expected. On paper their teaching method looked interesting but it was a different story once I got there.

He said he has lived in NYC his whole life. Visiting WVSOM might have been a bit of a shock for him.

 

[Roxas]

For some people considerations change after having interviewed. When I sent out my primary I applied very broadly. After the interview I realized how much work it would take to travel and see my family during breaks. I ended up withdrawing my applications from a few schools because of that.

There is a school in FL I wouldn't attend even if I was paid. The interior was depressing and the environment wasn't what I expected. On paper their teaching method looked interesting but it was a different story once I got there.

He said he has lived in NYC his whole life. Visiting WVSOM might have been a bit of a shock for him.

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess this was LECOM...

 

[user3]

Hello everyone. I graduated May 2013 and have a 3.53 cgpa, 3.31 sgpa and 24 mcat (7p 7v 10B). After applying broadly I was accepted into WVSOM and I am very grateful to have the opportunity to attend medical school next year especially with a below average mcat score. However, I have lived in N.Y. my whole life and I can't imagine living in a small town with no friends or family nearby. Additionally, WVSOM has extremely high oos tuition and focuses on rural medicine which I don't think is for me. Im considering devoting 3 months solely on the mcat and try to bump up my score to be considered for TouroCOM and NYCOM next year. I am also considering applying to TouroCOM masters program to work on my gpa and have a chance to matriculate in the next class.

The application process sucks and I'm not looking forward to going through it again but if it means Ill have another chance to get in to my top schools, I think it'll be worth it. What do you guys think? Work on app another year or take my acceptance and make the best of it? Any advice will be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

just stick with WVSOM

 

[up40loves]

edited

 

[up40loves]

edited

 

[68quebec]

I'm from los angeles and have been stationed at rural places only. guess what, it was a lot better than i was expected. cheap rent, bigger lot, less traffic, no worry about parking... rural area is not the end of your life. by the way, WV may be better place to study due to much less distraction than NY. I really hope you make a wise decision. like somebody above said, come back to NY after you graduate.