Looking to go DO - need advice

[IntriguedStudent]

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Hey everybody!

I'm new to the forums (and kind of the field), and I was hoping some of you could give me advice!

I guess I should give you a little about myself first. I graduated with a BS in Animal Science and minors in Biology and Chemistry back in December 2013. I have always had a really big interest in medicine, but my original intention to attend Vet School, but I kind of lost my motivation and eventually my desire about half way through undergrad. I had pretty good grades up until my second year. After some personal issues happened, I went into a slump and my grades slipped. I finally started bringing them back up by my fourth year, but they definitely took a hit. I graduated with a 3.15 cGPA and a 2.98 sGPA (I have yet to take the MCAT).

I no longer am interested in going to Vet School. However, I still have a very strong interest and intent to pursue the field of medicine and public health. I've looked into both MPH programs and DO programs, and I've found that what I really want to do is eventually get my DO and pursue a specialty in infectious diseases. My question is, should I go for my MPH first and attempt to get a good GPA in a master's program, or should I attempt to go straight into a DO program? Additionally, what sort of other experience should I try to get in terms of extra-curriculars? Should I try to do some work at a hospital/shadow an internist to increase my chances? I have a lot of experience in the field of Veterinary medicine, but not as much in human medicine. What kind of chances would I have at getting accepted with my current GPA standing, assuming I could score well on the MCAT.

I apologize if this is a bit scattered, but any help you could provide would be immensely appreciated.

 

[AlteredScale]

Hey everybody!

I'm new to the forums (and kind of the field), and I was hoping some of you could give me advice!

I guess I should give you a little about myself first. I graduated with a BS in Animal Science and minors in Biology and Chemistry back in December 2013. I have always had a really big interest in medicine, but my original intention to attend Vet School, but I kind of lost my motivation and eventually my desire about half way through undergrad. I had pretty good grades up until my second year. After some personal issues happened, I went into a slump and my grades slipped. I finally started bringing them back up by my fourth year, but they definitely took a hit. I graduated with a 3.15 cGPA and a 2.98 sGPA (I have yet to take the MCAT).

I no longer am interested in going to Vet School. However, I still have a very strong interest and intent to pursue the field of medicine and public health. I've looked into both MPH programs and DO programs, and I've found that what I really want to do is eventually get my DO and pursue a specialty in infectious diseases. My question is, should I go for my MPH first and attempt to get a good GPA in a master's program, or should I attempt to go straight into a DO program? Additionally, what sort of other experience should I try to get in terms of extra-curriculars? Should I try to do some work at a hospital/shadow an internist to increase my chances? I have a lot of experience in the field of Veterinary medicine, but not as much in human medicine. What kind of chances would I have at getting accepted with my current GPA standing, assuming I could score well on the MCAT.

I apologize if this is a bit scattered, but any help you could provide would be immensely appreciated.

Chances are a bit slim because of your sub 3.0 science GPA.

I think you should do a post-bac and retake the courses you didn't do so hot in instead of completing the MPH. Though you proved yourself in your fourth year, you need to show more and get that GPA as close as possible to a 3.5 range (above a 3.25 at the very least)

Volunteer at a hospital and shadow a DO and also do something YOU love (some kind of hobby). Be wary though because if that something is doing clinical work with animals you may get questions about your passions for pursuing human clinical medicine as supposed to veterinary medicine. |

This is all a balancing act: back to school, shadowing, volunteering, and prepping for the MCAT. It's basically how you prove yourself in this process.

Hope this helps!

 

[DoctorKrieger]

Learn about AACOMAS grade replacement policy and spend a semester or two using it to get that gpa way up. You are not at all competitive right now with that gpa. Spend a lot of time studying for the MCAT so you only have to take it once (visit the MCAT subforum on sdn). Check out DO schools that offer dual-degree MPH/DO options in addition to a standalone MPH if you are really into that. Doesn't matter what kind of physician you shadow--any specialty will be fine. Keep in contact with your undergrad professors (or develop good relationships with your post-bacc profs) because you'll need letters of recommendation. Work/volunteer anywhere you want to, it doesn't matter if it's medical-related.

 

[IntriguedStudent]

Chances are a bit slim because of your sub 3.0 science GPA.

I think you should do a post-bac and retake the courses you didn't do so hot in instead of completing the MPH. Though you proved yourself in your fourth year, you need to show more and get that GPA as close as possible to a 3.5 range (above a 3.25 at the very least)

Volunteer at a hospital and shadow a DO and also do something YOU love (some kind of hobby). Be wary though because if that something is doing clinical work with animals you may get questions about your passions for pursuing human clinical medicine as supposed to veterinary medicine. |

This is all a balancing act: back to school, shadowing, volunteering, and prepping for the MCAT. It's basically how you prove yourself in this process.

Hope this helps!

Yeah, I had one semester where I made a D in an ANS class, and it threw my sGPA quite a bit. Other than that, it's been mostly Bs, with quite a few As and a C here and there. I figured that sGPA would hurt me though.

I really have moved away from clinical work with animals. I enjoyed it to a degree and a lot of my past experience is in it, but it's not something I want to do long-term (I like the medicine, just not the animal work). I feel like with some preparation, I should be able to do well on the MCAT. I'm a good test taker and I know that my GPA doesn't truly reflect my ability - I really hate that I let it slip . I'm hoping a good MCAT score can support that and at least get me a little further along. I'm going to take a class or two in the spring because I need a second physics course and I was going to take an anatomy class.

I'll try to see if I can do some volunteer work at a hospital so that I can get a little extra something on the resume.

Thanks for all of your help!

Learn about AACOMAS grade replacement policy and spend a semester or two using it to get that gpa way up. You are not at all competitive right now with that gpa. Spend a lot of time studying for the MCAT so you only have to take it once (visit the MCAT subforum on sdn). Check out DO schools that offer dual-degree MPH/DO options in addition to a standalone MPH if you are really into that. Doesn't matter what kind of physician you shadow--any specialty will be fine. Keep in contact with your undergrad professors (or develop good relationships with your post-bacc profs) because you'll need letters of recommendation. Work/volunteer anywhere you want to, it doesn't matter if it's medical-related.

I am really interested in the PH field. Is a DO/MPH more competitive to get into than just a DO?

 

[nontrad78]

Yeah, I had one semester where I made a D in an ANS class, and it threw my sGPA quite a bit. Other than that, it's been mostly Bs, with quite a few As and a C here and there. I figured that sGPA would hurt me though.

I really have moved away from clinical work with animals. I enjoyed it to a degree and a lot of my past experience is in it, but it's not something I want to do long-term (I like the medicine, just not the animal work). I feel like with some preparation, I should be able to do well on the MCAT. I'm a good test taker and I know that my GPA doesn't truly reflect my ability - I really hate that I let it slip . I'm hoping a good MCAT score can support that and at least get me a little further along. I'm going to take a class or two in the spring because I need a second physics course and I was going to take an anatomy class.

I'll try to see if I can do some volunteer work at a hospital so that I can get a little extra something on the resume.

Thanks for all of your help!



I am really interested in the PH field. Is a DO/MPH more competitive to get into than just a DO?

I would imagine entrance into a DO/MPH is more competitive, but it depends on the school. Some schools have dual degree programs that you apply for up front. Others you can select to join once you are accepted. If you really want to do an MPH, you don't have to do a dual degree at all. You can just take classes in the summers (while you can), and then take a class or two through residency, if you have any left. I'm not sure about infectious diseases, but if you haven't already, you may want to see what added degree (or alternative degree) is most appropriate for the type of work you're interested in. There are DrPH degrees as well, and this may suit your needs just as well as a DO would. Not trying to dissuade you from DO, just good to know all your options.

 

[DoctorKrieger]

Yeah, I had one semester where I made a D in an ANS class, and it threw my sGPA quite a bit. Other than that, it's been mostly Bs, with quite a few As and a C here and there. I figured that sGPA would hurt me though.

I really have moved away from clinical work with animals. I enjoyed it to a degree and a lot of my past experience is in it, but it's not something I want to do long-term (I like the medicine, just not the animal work). I feel like with some preparation, I should be able to do well on the MCAT. I'm a good test taker and I know that my GPA doesn't truly reflect my ability - I really hate that I let it slip . I'm hoping a good MCAT score can support that and at least get me a little further along. I'm going to take a class or two in the spring because I need a second physics course and I was going to take an anatomy class.

I'll try to see if I can do some volunteer work at a hospital so that I can get a little extra something on the resume.

Thanks for all of your help!



I am really interested in the PH field. Is a DO/MPH more competitive to get into than just a DO?

That probably depends on the individual school. Take a look at this and call the admissions office at the ones that interest you: http://www.aacom.org/resources/bookstore/cib/Documents/2014cib/2014cib-11 Dual Degree Programs.pdf

 

[hallowmann]

Yeah, I had one semester where I made a D in an ANS class, and it threw my sGPA quite a bit. Other than that, it's been mostly Bs, with quite a few As and a C here and there. I figured that sGPA would hurt me though.

I really have moved away from clinical work with animals. I enjoyed it to a degree and a lot of my past experience is in it, but it's not something I want to do long-term (I like the medicine, just not the animal work). I feel like with some preparation, I should be able to do well on the MCAT. I'm a good test taker and I know that my GPA doesn't truly reflect my ability - I really hate that I let it slip . I'm hoping a good MCAT score can support that and at least get me a little further along. I'm going to take a class or two in the spring because I need a second physics course and I was going to take an anatomy class.

I'll try to see if I can do some volunteer work at a hospital so that I can get a little extra something on the resume.

Thanks for all of your help!

I am really interested in the PH field. Is a DO/MPH more competitive to get into than just a DO?

You need to retake any science course you can that you got <B- in. That will significantly improve your sGPA. Right now, I wouldn't apply even if you did well on the MCAT (>28). Focus on at least getting your GPAs above 3.0, then getting a high MCAT.

DO/MPH programs are very school-specific. In a lot of cases, they are harder to get into if you have to get into them ahead of time (i.e. as a combined program from the start). That said, many schools allow you to apply to the MPH program during your first year (or even just after they accept you for the DO program), so if you are doing well in med school first year, you could get into the MPH then.