make it or break it

[njinga413]

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Hey guys, so i am currently applying to MD schools but i have poor mcat scores, 24 then 26. i have a gpa of 3.7. I have decided to include DO schools but unsure of which ones, knowing that i havent even started the application...(i know but i ve just been thru ups and downs this year being an international student), so if you guys can advise me about the schools to apply to, id be extremely grateful. I have no DO shadowing but here are some of my features:
1. Awarded Deans list for 3 years.
2.Research experience; Visualization of SRB in Acid mine Drainage- 1year
3.HHMI Poster presentation- 1
4.Teaching Assistant; General Microbiology lab- 1.5 years
5. Teaching Assistant; Pathogenic Bacteriology- 1 semester
6. Volunteer at ER; VA Palo Alto hospital- 2 summers
7.Volunteer at Pacific Free Clinic (student run clinic by Stanford)- 2 summers
8. Volunteer in Colonoscopy dept- Telemedicine with Japan; VA palo alto- 1 summer
9. Volunteer at Childrens Discovery Museum; California- 1 summer
10.Volunteer at children’s orphanage; Kenya- day to day for a week
11.Volunteer at Pine Breeze Hospital; Kenya- 1 year
12.Worked at Disability Resource Center; California SJSU- 1.5 years
13.Completed all levels (Bronze, Silver and Gold) of Duke of Edinburgh scheme; Kenya- Chief Secretary of the program

I jst need to have some ideas about the schools.

 

[DannMann99]

Honestly. that 24+26 hurts you more then you know. Not to mention you haven't even started applying... a 24 in july is different from a 24 in mid september...

At that rate you have to ask yourself if DO is really for you. You're going to be spending plenty of time in OMM class and if you don't like it it may sour your experience.

Your scores don't suck though. Honestly, if you're going to go DO i'd apply where you wanted to attend. Take a look at the schools websites, take a look at their programs, and their focuses...

I have said this numerous times, PCOM is the best DO school in the country. But you have to choose what works for you.

 

[p30doc]

http://www.aacom.org/resources/bookstore/cib/Pages/default.aspx

check that out, it is free to download has a bunch of information about DO schools. Everyone has their own opinions on which ones are the best, you will need to make that determination on your own. Some schools require a DO letter, most just strongly recommend one, others will require a physician letter (MD or DO). Do you have a MD LOR? I didn't shadow a DO, but I shadowed an MD, and I have 4 DO interview invites so far.

 

[spicedmanna]

Having a 24 and then a 26 on your MCAT puts you on very weak ground for allopathic medical schools. I won't say that you have no chance, but I wouldn't get your hopes up. In this light, I'd probably put more of your focus on osteopathic medical schools, since your numbers won't, in most cases, put you out of the running, like it would at many allopathic medical schools. Just apply where you'd like to be geographically and take a look at curriculum, COA, and rotations sites.

I read in your original post that you might be an international student. Does that mean you are not a US citizen or permanent resident (green card)? If so, this could add another level of difficulty for you. Many schools do not take international students, who are not at least a permanent resident of the US. You are going to have to check each schools individual policy on this and it will limit your choices.

 

[JaggerPlate]

Hey guys, so i am currently applying to MD schools but i have poor mcat scores, 24 then 26. i have a gpa of 3.7. I have decided to include DO schools but unsure of which ones, knowing that i havent even started the application...(i know but i ve just been thru ups and downs this year being an international student), so if you guys can advise me about the schools to apply to, id be extremely grateful. I have no DO shadowing but here are some of my features:
1. Awarded Deans list for 3 years.
2.Research experience; Visualization of SRB in Acid mine Drainage- 1year
3.HHMI Poster presentation- 1
4.Teaching Assistant; General Microbiology lab- 1.5 years
5. Teaching Assistant; Pathogenic Bacteriology- 1 semester
6. Volunteer at ER; VA Palo Alto hospital- 2 summers
7.Volunteer at Pacific Free Clinic (student run clinic by Stanford)- 2 summers
8. Volunteer in Colonoscopy dept- Telemedicine with Japan; VA palo alto- 1 summer
9. Volunteer at Childrens Discovery Museum; California- 1 summer
10.Volunteer at children’s orphanage; Kenya- day to day for a week
11.Volunteer at Pine Breeze Hospital; Kenya- 1 year
12.Worked at Disability Resource Center; California SJSU- 1.5 years
13.Completed all levels (Bronze, Silver and Gold) of Duke of Edinburgh scheme; Kenya- Chief Secretary of the program

I jst need to have some ideas about the schools.

No physician LOR, no dice. If you don't want DO, don't apply simply because your scores are low, BUT if you'd be happy as a DO ... I'd work on getting that letter.

 

[NontradICUdoc]

It seems to me that you only included DO schools when your MCAT scores were lower than you anticipated. I think you should concentrate on getting your MCAT score up rather than just apply to DO schools because of your MCAT. Retake the test and apply to Allopathic Schools.

Unless, of course, you can honestly tell me why do you want to be a DO?