May 15th fast approaching

[DO Sigma Nu guy]

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I was just wondering if anyone is still unsure where they should send their final deposit to?

 

[Jaynine]

I was just wondering if anyone is still unsure where they should send their final deposit to?

i am sure there are lots of people. There is always that .1% of doubt.

 

[dr.z]

I'm sure there are lots of them. Also there are people waiting to get off the waitlist.

 

[nkazak]

Actually, I am still unsure where to go. I have been accepted into TCOM ( Texas college of Osteopathic Medicine) and RFU (M.D. school in chicago) and really have a hard time deciding. The main problem is that I wanted to take a year off before entering Med school (I did my undergrad in 3 years and feel sort of burnt out), but RFU, which was my top choice refused to grant me a year defferal. TCOM, however, is ready to give me one if I want. So, I have to decide bw the two and it is very taugh bc RFU has a spectacular match list and my goal is go into ophthalmology, but I really would like a year off. TCOM is a great school too, but the fact that I'll be getting a DO may hinder achieving my career goal. Also, I am a TX resident, and going to TCOM will amount to 100K less in debt(TCOM: ~11K/yr, RFU: ~37K/yr). Knowing all that , where you guys would go? Please, please help me, bc the deadline is soon approaching!

I'm sure there are lots of them. Also there are people waiting to get off the waitlist.

 

[sayoc]

To RFU. your goal

Actually, I am still unsure where to go. I have been accepted into TCOM ( Texas college of Osteopathic Medicine) and RFU (M.D. school in chicago) and really have a hard time deciding. The main problem is that I wanted to take a year off before entering Med school (I did my undergrad in 3 years and feel sort of burnt out), but RFU, which was my top choice refused to grant me a year defferal. TCOM, however, is ready to give me one if I want. So, I have to decide bw the two and it is very taugh bc RFU has a spectacular match list and my goal is go into ophthalmology, but I really would like a year off. TCOM is a great school too, but the fact that I'll be getting a DO may hinder achieving my career goal. Also, I am a TX resident, and going to TCOM will amount to 100K less in debt(TCOM: ~11K/yr, RFU: ~37K/yr). Knowing all that , where you guys would go? Please, please help me, bc the deadline is soon approaching!

 

[andi_cvr]

Actually, I am still unsure where to go. I have been accepted into TCOM ( Texas college of Osteopathic Medicine) and RFU (M.D. school in chicago) and really have a hard time deciding. The main problem is that I wanted to take a year off before entering Med school (I did my undergrad in 3 years and feel sort of burnt out), but RFU, which was my top choice refused to grant me a year defferal. TCOM, however, is ready to give me one if I want. So, I have to decide bw the two and it is very taugh bc RFU has a spectacular match list and my goal is go into ophthalmology, but I really would like a year off. TCOM is a great school too, but the fact that I'll be getting a DO may hinder achieving my career goal. Also, I am a TX resident, and going to TCOM will amount to 100K less in debt(TCOM: ~11K/yr, RFU: ~37K/yr). Knowing all that , where you guys would go? Please, please help me, bc the deadline is soon approaching!

I would go to TCOM. If you intend to stay in Texas, I don't think you will have a problem at all. DO's are highly regarded here (according to my profs who are MD's anyway). TCOM doesn't seem much different than an MD school to me. I would have applied to TCOM if I were a Texan. Good luck figuring out what to do.

 

[nkazak]

Thanks a lot for all your inputs!
I need more people to pitch in with their advice!!!! Please, guys!!!

I would go to TCOM. If you intend to stay in Texas, I don't think you will have a problem at all. DO's are highly regarded here (according to my profs who are MD's anyway). TCOM doesn't seem much different than an MD school to me. I would have applied to TCOM if I were a Texan. Good luck figuring out what to do.

 

[sayoc]

What is the match rate for TCOM? I heard it is a good place but I don't know the stats of the school. I am asking % who goes into speical field, ranking of places, and fellowship. Ophthalmology is a tough field and MD does better in those field so in a long run I will perfer MD over DO in your case. I will go to TCOM only after TCOM can match up to RFU.

Actually, I am still unsure where to go. I have been accepted into TCOM ( Texas college of Osteopathic Medicine) and RFU (M.D. school in chicago) and really have a hard time deciding. The main problem is that I wanted to take a year off before entering Med school (I did my undergrad in 3 years and feel sort of burnt out), but RFU, which was my top choice refused to grant me a year defferal. TCOM, however, is ready to give me one if I want. So, I have to decide bw the two and it is very taugh bc RFU has a spectacular match list and my goal is go into ophthalmology, but I really would like a year off. TCOM is a great school too, but the fact that I'll be getting a DO may hinder achieving my career goal. Also, I am a TX resident, and going to TCOM will amount to 100K less in debt(TCOM: ~11K/yr, RFU: ~37K/yr). Knowing all that , where you guys would go? Please, please help me, bc the deadline is soon approaching!

 

[strawberryfield]

Actually, I am still unsure where to go. I have been accepted into TCOM ( Texas college of Osteopathic Medicine) and RFU (M.D. school in chicago) and really have a hard time deciding. The main problem is that I wanted to take a year off before entering Med school (I did my undergrad in 3 years and feel sort of burnt out), but RFU, which was my top choice refused to grant me a year defferal. TCOM, however, is ready to give me one if I want. So, I have to decide bw the two and it is very taugh bc RFU has a spectacular match list and my goal is go into ophthalmology, but I really would like a year off. TCOM is a great school too, but the fact that I'll be getting a DO may hinder achieving my career goal. Also, I am a TX resident, and going to TCOM will amount to 100K less in debt(TCOM: ~11K/yr, RFU: ~37K/yr). Knowing all that , where you guys would go? Please, please help me, bc the deadline is soon approaching!

Student loan debt is a drop in the bucket for your final goal. Don't decide based on money.

If you think you will have trouble going ophtho without the MD, go RFU. I don't really know what the reality is for this specialty (if MD/DO makes difference), I just know it is probably THE most competetive residency there is. All in all, I would say go wherever you felt more comfortable.

 

[HunterGatherer]

Student loan debt is a drop in the bucket for your final goal. Don't decide based on money.

completely agree.

I had a delima in picking schools that revolved around money. Saving $100K is not a lot if you are going to end up unhappy or limit your future prospects dramatically. I think you should take the financial considerations out of the equation and choose the school that will give you the best shot at matching opthalmology. You have not started med school yet. Some may say you can't be so sure on what specialty you will decide to match on once the time comes, but I would seriously consider RFU if I was considering going the optho route.

Maybe TCOM has its own optho residency, maybe optho residencies are very open to interviewing DO applicants on equal footing with MDs, or other factors beyond money make TCOM a better choice. These need to be considered before money in my opinion.

 

[medhacker]

I was just wondering if anyone is still unsure where they should send their final deposit to?

Bro

I finally sent my payment today, can't believe it, it is set in stone.. 👍

 

[nkazak]

I think the fact that my current intent to go into optho may very well change in future complicates the disicion even further. I totaly realize that I might want to end up going into completely different field, but I think I should be making a final decision based on my CURRENT goal and not on what may or may not change.
My husband seems to also agree with you all that money should not be a factor at ALL in this decision and thus I am eliminating the money thing from the equation.
Unfortunately, TCOM does not have its own Ophto residency as neither does RFU, but RFU matched 5 people into ophto in 2005 and 7 people in 2006 (in places like Baylor), while TCOM only matched 1 person into ophto in 2006 (It is much harder for a DO to match there). RFU also had matched people into other ultra competative residencies such as Radiation Oncology (3 ppl), Rads(6ppl), Plastics (2ppl), ENT(3ppl), Orth Surg(5ppl), Derm(4ppl) and Neurosurgery(1) to name a few, where as TCOM's match list has much fewer ultra competative specialty matches: Rads(2ppl), Neurology(1),Orth Surg.(4). The majority of TCOM grads (do not know the exact statistic, but close to 65%) go to primary care fields, while the majority of RFU students go into specialty fields.
I guess my major dilemma is this year off that I wanted and did not get from RFU. Honestly, I just really afraid that if I go straight to RFU wo the break, I might burn out quickly and then will not be able to do good enought on the boards to get the optho residency!
Please comment!!!!

completely agree.

I had a delima in picking schools that revolved around money. Saving $100K is not a lot if you are going to end up unhappy or limit your future prospects dramatically. I think you should take the financial considerations out of the equation and choose the school that will give you the best shot at matching opthalmology. You have not started med school yet. Some may say you can't be so sure on what specialty you will decide to match on once the time comes, but I would seriously consider RFU if I was considering going the optho route.

Maybe TCOM has its own optho residency, maybe optho residencies are very open to interviewing DO applicants on equal footing with MDs, or other factors beyond money make TCOM a better choice. These need to be considered before money in my opinion.

 

[strawberryfield]

Did RFU give you specifics as to why they won't let you defer?

 

[sayoc]

DO is famous for primary. If you want to do specialty, you will have a better chance with MD period. Judging by the stats you gave me, I will no doubt go to RFU because this is what you want. I will repeat here, go to RFU! I don't think you will break! Most people who go into medicine should be able to handle anything they throw at you. Med-school is hard, no doubt! Don’t worry too much of what might happen, if so, you will have difficult time in any medschool. Take summer off and get ready for RFU.

I think the fact that my current intent to go into optho may very well change in future complicates the disicion even further. I totaly realize that I might want to end up going into completely different field, but I think I should be making a final decision based on my CURRENT goal and not on what may or may not change.
My husband seems to also agree with you all that money should not be a factor at ALL in this decision and thus I am eliminating the money thing from the equation.
Unfortunately, TCOM does not have its own Ophto residency as neither does RFU, but RFU matched 5 people into ophto in 2005 and 7 people in 2006 (in places like Baylor), while TCOM only matched 1 person into ophto in 2006 (It is much harder for a DO to match there). RFU also had matched people into other ultra competative residencies such as Radiation Oncology (3 ppl), Rads(6ppl), Plastics (2ppl), ENT(3ppl), Orth Surg(5ppl), Derm(4ppl) and Neurosurgery(1) to name a few, where as TCOM's match list has much fewer ultra competative specialty matches: Rads(2ppl), Neurology(1),Orth Surg.(4). The majority of TCOM grads (do not know the exact statistic, but close to 65%) go to primary care fields, while the majority of RFU students go into specialty fields.
I guess my major dilemma is this year off that I wanted and did not get from RFU. Honestly, I just really afraid that if I go straight to RFU wo the break, I might burn out quickly and then will not be able to do good enought on the boards to get the optho residency!
Please comment!!!!

 

[DO Sigma Nu guy]

Bro

I finally sent my payment today, can't believe it, it is set in stone.. 👍

Its official now. Class of 2010. 👍 😀

 

[nkazak]

Not really, they just sad that the reasons I gave them as the basis for my deferral request were not good enough.

Did RFU give you specifics as to why they won't let you defer?

 

[nkazak]

Thanks a lot for your encouragment! I am really leaning toward going RFU.
Any more input from other people, please!!!!! I really need your all advice bc the deadline is close and I must make up my mind asap!!!

DO is famous for primary. If you want to do specialty, you will have a better chance with MD period. Judging by the stats you gave me, I will no doubt go to RFU because this is what you want. I will repeat here, go to RFU! I don't think you will break! Most people who go into medicine should be able to handle anything they throw at you. Med-school is hard, no doubt! Don’t worry too much of what might happen, if so, you will have difficult time in any medschool. Take summer off and get ready for RFU.

 

[DD214_DOC]

It was pretty easy for me. I got into my first choice, my third interview, before going to any other interviews. I withdrew my remaining applications and haven't looked back. I mailed the huge deposit about 3 months ago.

Looking back on the process, I did fairly well.

* 6 Interview offers out of 8 secondaries; Attended 3
* 2 Acceptances
* 1 Waitlist
* 1 Very strange rejection (It was a post-interview rejection for a school I did not even send a secondary to)
* Never heard from NYCOM and Western/COMP.

Accepted to first choice in Dec. Withdrew my remaining apps and interviews.
👍

I have to give a plug to GA-PCOM. Out of all the schools I have visited and interviewed, MD and DO, I was never really exicted about anything other than the prospect of being in medical school. However, after my interview at GA-PCOM I was very excited not only for being a medical student, but also for attending that specific school. I did not even feel that way for undergrad.

 

[sayoc]

are you in army?

It was pretty easy for me. I got into my first choice, my third interview, before going to any other interviews. I withdrew my remaining applications and haven't looked back. I mailed the huge deposit about 3 months ago.

Looking back on the process, I did fairly well.

* 6 Interview offers out of 8 secondaries; Attended 3
* 2 Acceptances
* 1 Waitlist
* 1 Very strange rejection (It was a post-interview rejection for a school I did not even send a secondary to)
* Never heard from NYCOM and Western/COMP.

Accepted to first choice in Dec. Withdrew my remaining apps and interviews.
👍

I have to give a plug to GA-PCOM. Out of all the schools I have visited and interviewed, MD and DO, I was never really exicted about anything other than the prospect of being in medical school. However, after my interview at GA-PCOM I was very excited not only for being a medical student, but also for attending that specific school. I did not even feel that way for undergrad.

 

[mitawa]

It was pretty easy for me. I got into my first choice, my third interview, before going to any other interviews. I withdrew my remaining applications and haven't looked back. I mailed the huge deposit about 3 months ago.

Looking back on the process, I did fairly well.

* 6 Interview offers out of 8 secondaries; Attended 3
* 2 Acceptances
* 1 Waitlist
* 1 Very strange rejection (It was a post-interview rejection for a school I did not even send a secondary to)
* Never heard from NYCOM and Western/COMP.

Accepted to first choice in Dec. Withdrew my remaining apps and interviews.
👍

I have to give a plug to GA-PCOM. Out of all the schools I have visited and interviewed, MD and DO, I was never really exicted about anything other than the prospect of being in medical school. However, after my interview at GA-PCOM I was very excited not only for being a medical student, but also for attending that specific school. I did not even feel that way for undergrad.

After I actually set foot in PCOM-PA I felt that I finally found the right fit. It made the wait for my acceptance that much more excruciating!

 

[xTinaBna]

I was just wondering if anyone is still unsure where they should send their final deposit to?

i actually have a question about May 15th. I know that students are not allowed to hold more than one acceptance to a school after this date, but are they still allowed to be on waitlists for schools while holding an acceptance after may 15? Thanks!

 

[ShyRem]

yes, you can still be on as many waitlists as you want. Only ONE actual acceptance, however.

 

[ajanedo]

ok what is this may 15th deadline. All of the schools I have applied to don't have a date just a statement that the student has a responsibility to notify after the final decision is made. Or maybe the deadline you're refering to is reguarding deposits?

 

[Jezzielin]

ok what is this may 15th deadline. All of the schools I have applied to don't have a date just a statement that the student has a responsibility to notify after the final decision is made. Or maybe the deadline you're refering to is reguarding deposits?

Don't worry. 🙂 This deadline is for those that are going to an M.D. school. They must commit to ONE school on this date. If they are accepted to say 5 schools, either M.D. or D.O. they must pick one. Again, as said above you can be waitlisted at schools as well, that's okay.

For us on the pre-osteo, that pretty much "frees" up seats on this date and the waitlists begin to move. I think that is the jist of it. Hope it helps!