Need advice for this cycle

[Fidgety]

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Did some research before posting this, so no negative comments please just want some advice from my peers.

I am debating this cycle with either applying MD and DO, or just applying MD, hoping for the best and reapplying MD and DO next year if its a no go. I have a 28 MCAT (8/10/10) 3.76 cgpa 3.78 sgpa and I would say some very solid ECs. Seems like the MCAT is the only thing holding me back. I will obviously apply smart, do my research, but do you all think it's ok to apply MD and if I have no success, to apply to both MD and DO next cycle. I want to be an MD but if it comes down to it I just want to be a doctor. Fire away, thanks for your help!

Hopefully there are others out there in the same boat!

 

[medic86]

Did some research before posting this, so no negative comments please just want some advice from my peers.

I am debating this cycle with either applying MD and DO, or just applying MD, hoping for the best and reapplying MD and DO next year if its a no go. I have a 28 MCAT (8/10/10) 3.76 cgpa 3.78 sgpa and I would say some very solid ECs. Seems like the MCAT is the only thing holding me back. I will obviously apply smart, do my research, but do you all think it's ok to apply MD and if I have no success, to apply to both MD and DO next cycle. I want to be an MD but if it comes down to it I just want to be a doctor. Fire away, thanks for your help!

Hopefully there are others out there in the same boat!

There's nothing wrong with your plan, imo.

Just make sure you apply super broadly (along with smartly), and you have a decent shot.

 

[WedgeDawg]

If you're willing to risk not getting in for a year, I don't see a problem with just applying MD this cycle and the MD and DO next cycle if this doesn't work out.

 

[Fidgety]

I guess my only fear was DO schools somehow receiving the information of what I was doing, could they receive that from anyone but myself?

 

[WedgeDawg]

I guess my only fear was DO schools somehow receiving the information of what I was doing, could they receive that from anyone but myself?

Even if they did somehow find out, I doubt they would care.

 

[caffeinemia]

Did some research before posting this, so no negative comments please just want some advice from my peers.

I am debating this cycle with either applying MD and DO, or just applying MD, hoping for the best and reapplying MD and DO next year if its a no go. I have a 28 MCAT (8/10/10) 3.76 cgpa 3.78 sgpa and I would say some very solid ECs. Seems like the MCAT is the only thing holding me back. I will obviously apply smart, do my research, but do you all think it's ok to apply MD and if I have no success, to apply to both MD and DO next cycle. I want to be an MD but if it comes down to it I just want to be a doctor. Fire away, thanks for your help!

Hopefully there are others out there in the same boat!

Only downside I see to this plan is disappointment and financial/time cost. If you go into it with realistic expectations, then no harm no foul.

 

[Fidgety]

Only downside I see to this plan is disappointment and financial/time cost. If you go into it with realistic expectations, then no harm no foul.

Yes cost is a major player, how much would applying to 25 schools roughly cost, for those who have done around that many schools?

 

[caffeinemia]

Depends. Apply implies desire for interviews. The interviews cost way more than the apps. If you get an interview to half of these places and they are separated by geography and time, then you're looking at 1-3 grand in flights alone.

If you're just asking about application costs -- primaries plus secondary will generally get you for about 100-120 per school? Recent applicants - is that a fair assessment?

 

[hoihaie]

Depends. Apply implies desire for interviews. The interviews cost way more than the apps. If you get an interview to half of these places and they are separated by geography and time, then you're looking at 1-3 grand in flights alone.

If you're just asking about application costs -- primaries plus secondary will generally get you for about 100-120 per school? Recent applicants - is that a fair assessment?

secondaries can range from like 50 to at least $120, usually around 100 or so.

 

[Fidgety]

Why don't you just apply to MD and DO this cycle instead of potentially wasting a year? My close friend just applied to MDs and DOs this cycle with a 28 (9P/10V/10B) and 3.95 cGPA and 3.9 sGPA with volunteer, clinical and research experience and she got rejected from every MD and accepted to the DOs. I feel like as the years go on it is getting increasingly difficult to get into medical schools as the Mcat score averages are increasing. I would apply to both MD and DO to not waste time.

My thought is to just go for it, the whole new MCAT thing killed me in terms of time I had to study for the MCAT and the courses I needed before taking it, I'm sure many were in the same boat as me. However, I really want to do MD because I want the chance, should the opportunity should arise, to do research or academic medicine. I know DOs can do this but it is much more difficult. If I don't get in I am fully prepared to retake the MCAT with sufficient time to do so and try again, while this time adding DO because I couldn't wait ANOTHER year. It will suck having to wait an extra year but I don't want to give up on my dream for a year of my time.

 

[caffeinemia]

It's gonna suck even worse waiting a year AND paying 2k to wait. But to each his own poison. Best of luck!

 

[Fidgety]

It's gonna suck even worse waiting a year AND paying 2k to wait. But to each his own poison. Best of luck!

haha touche, there is a lot to consider.

 

[Fidgety]

Also consider the fact that you will be a re-applicant at all the MD schools you applied to originally, which is worse than if you apply the first time. If you don't mind waiting a year, then take the year off and study for the new MCAT, get a job in the mean time/ strengthen your app and apply once when your application is at it's best.

I didn't actually know this, would you say that it is a significant disadvantage reapplying to the same school, how would they even know? I'm assuming you have to put if you applied before.

 

[Fidgety]

Starting to think this may be a good idea, even though I dread the thought of waiting another year to apply and re taking the MCAT.. Might be whats best for me though, anyone else in the same situation able to shed some light on this? I would appreciate it greatly.

 

[tiedyeddog]

sounds like a good plan, go for it

 

[gyngyn]

I didn't actually know this, would you say that it is a significant disadvantage reapplying to the same school, how would they even know? I'm assuming you have to put if you applied before.

The primary application will ask you and AMCAS knows where you applied.
Some schools will ask about previous applications even if not to their school.

 

[estanton]

What state are you from?

 

[Fidgety]

What state are you from?

Utah, I am actually Canadian but am a permanent resident, school in Utah and wife is from California (although that doesn't mean anything to them)

 

[DokterMom]

In general, I'd suggest applying to both MD and DO this year -- IF you're ready to apply. If you're not ready to apply - ie your application would be significantly better next year -- then do that, and apply to both MD and DO then.

Your two-step plan makes it less likely that you'll get your preferred outcome.

• This year, because your app isn't as strong as it could be,
• and next year, because you'll be a reapplicant.

 

[SCooFS]

I'm in a similar situation with my stats. I talked to lots of people about DO and did a lot of research into the schools, match lists, I looked up the DO's in my home state and have found lots of positive things. The point is I'm now excited about DO because you and I are very competitive for it. I would rather do MD but I will be applying DO as well so that I can be calm and know im getting in somewhere. If you are the toe of person who can wait two whole years there is nothing wrong with your plan and if you interview well and have your personal statement reviewed professionally I think you will get in to MD.

 

[Fidgety]

Still very on the fence about it all after a few weeks of research, I think the only thing pushing me to do MD is the opportunity to specialize, which I want. I know its possible as a DO but I want to minimize the battle. Thanks for the vote of confidence @SCooFS

 

[SCooFS]

BTW people get into Utah every year with 28's and even lower. Interviews are huge there so get some practice. If you are a Utah resident you are almost guaranteed an interview if you meet the average requirements listed on their site.