Need advice on what to do if I don't get in

[DantheManimal]

So this is my first cycle applying. Non trad, late applicant (complete Nov., secondaries all done by Jan. 1), only applied to DO. So far received 1 preinterview hold (AZCOM) and 3 interviews. All 10 schools sent me a II. Of the interviews, I have one rejection (WesternU COMP), one wait list (ACOM 1 week ago), and one decision coming soon (TouroNY Middletown).

D.O. stats MCAT 504, cGPA 3.05, sGPA 3.44

M.D. stats MCAT 504, cGPA 2.79, sGPA 3.10

No research, 200+ shadowing M.D., solid LORs, had to work full time while in school with upward trend (most recent 60 units cGPA 3.72)

My question is basically what do I do? I'd consider a postbacc with linkage if there's no gap year so I could be class of 2021, but I'm thinking that most linkage programs where u don't have a gap year are for D.O. only, which I think if I had applied early I for sure would have got in somewhere based on number of II and interviews. I'm intrigued about M.D. possibilities if there's any way to get in the class of 2021 assuming I kill it in a postbacc program. It's a catch 22 because I would want to apply early, but I'd have no grades yet to show M.D. schools.

Does anyone have advice please? Should I do postbacc or not? I actually prefer D.O. philosophy, but I have some concerns about residency competitiveness. If I get in Touro, obviously this is all moot. On the other hand, if I have to wait a year anyway, I'd like to know if there are M.D. options via postbacc so I could be competitive for both M.D. and D.O.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[meditative_premed]

You got 10 IIs and only went on 3 of them? Why if you don't mind me asking?

 

[CyrilFiggis]

You got 10 IIs and only went on 3 of them? Why if you don't mind me asking?

I think he meant all 10 sent him a secondary?

 

[meditative_premed]

I think he meant all 10 sent him a secondary?

That's what I was thinking, that makes way more sense lol

 

[meditative_premed]

My question is basically what do I do? I'd consider a postbacc with linkage if there's no gap year so I could be class of 2021, but I'm thinking that most linkage programs where u don't have a gap year are for D.O. only, which I think if I had applied early I for sure would have got in somewhere based on number of II and interviews. I'm intrigued about M.D. possibilities if there's any way to get in the class of 2021 assuming I kill it in a postbacc program. It's a catch 22 because I would want to apply early, but I'd have no grades yet to show M.D. schools.

Does anyone have advice please? Should I do postbacc or not? I actually prefer D.O. philosophy, but I have some concerns about residency competitiveness. If I get in Touro, obviously this is all moot. On the other hand, if I have to wait a year anyway, I'd like to know if there are M.D. options via postbacc so I could be competitive for both M.D. and D.O.

Definitely apply early for this next cycle, regardless of if you apply DO and/or MD. I did a medical science master's program last year, I don't regret it whatsoever because I now feel extremely prepared for med school-caliber classes, but I was told by multiple advisors and admissions people that having a postbacc or master's outright won't help you that much. I got a 3.8 in the program, but that GPA got factored into my overall GPA (UG + Master's) and the only way a school can see that you did super well in your master's program is if they actually go into your application and look more critically at your GPA. For schools that pre-screen MCATs and GPAs, it won't be super helpful. If you want the benefit of being super prepared for med school coursework, do a master's program through a medical school. Otherwise, its helpfulness is really a toss up.

A less time consuming option to improve your app would be to retake the MCAT. That way, you can still apply early and make them wait only a month or two for the new score.

 

[DantheManimal]

Thanks for your feedback @meditative_premed ...I was just thinking...Do you think I even have to retake the MCAT if I only apply to D.O. next cycle? Obviously it helps to have a better score, and realistically I could probably get in the 512 range. I just think that all 10 schools I applied to sent me a II after applying pretty late in the cycle. I got on a waitlist and still have a chance a Touro as well as any of the other schools who may just be behind on their interviews. I think if I apply early, even with the 504, I would get a spot. I guess what I am saying is the postbacc for me would be only if it makes it so I can broaden my application to include M.D. schools as well. If this is doable, then I would for sure retake the MCAT. So it all depends on whether or not my chances for next cycle in M.D. schools significantly increases by enrolling in a postbacc and retaking the MCAT. Does anyone have an idea at what happens to my chances, or if there are even any chances?

 

[meditative_premed]

Thanks for your feedback @meditative_premed ...I was just thinking...Do you think I even have to retake the MCAT if I only apply to D.O. next cycle? Obviously it helps to have a better score, and realistically I could probably get in the 512 range. I just think that all 10 schools I applied to sent me a II after applying pretty late in the cycle. I got on a waitlist and still have a chance a Touro as well as any of the other schools who may just be behind on their interviews. I think if I apply early, even with the 504, I would get a spot. I guess what I am saying is the postbacc for me would be only if it makes it so I can broaden my application to include M.D. schools as well. If this is doable, then I would for sure retake the MCAT. So it all depends on whether or not my chances for next cycle in M.D. schools significantly increases by enrolling in a postbacc and retaking the MCAT. Does anyone have an idea at what happens to my chances, or if there are even any chances?

I think your MCAT is good for DO schools, especially if you apply early, so no, you wouldn't have to retake it (I know it's exhausting and you would probably rather not haha). From what I've been told by some people with a much better idea of what goes on behind the scenes in admissions offices than I do, having a great master's GPA really won't put your application over the edge at a surface level. Once they look at your application holistically, a high master's GPA can definitely show your ability to succeed academically. But some MD schools pre-screen so if that master's GPA doesn't significantly raise your overall GPA, you may not trigger their threshold. I hope that makes sense! It's a toss up.

 

[DantheManimal]

I think your MCAT is good for DO schools, especially if you apply early, so no, you wouldn't have to retake it (I know it's exhausting and you would probably rather not haha). From what I've been told by some people with a much better idea of what goes on behind the scenes in admissions offices than I do, having a great master's GPA really won't put your application over the edge at a surface level. Once they look at your application holistically, a high master's GPA can definitely show your ability to succeed academically. But some MD schools pre-screen so if that master's GPA doesn't significantly raise your overall GPA, you may not trigger their threshold. I hope that makes sense! It's a toss up.

Yeah, that's where my head is at too. I just don't want to do great in a postbacc just to get screened and end up going to D.O. anyway. Again, I prefer D.O. anyway, and with the merger coming up, competitive residencies I think will be easier to attain. Thanks for your input btw

 

[meditative_premed]

Yeah, that's where my head is at too. I just don't want to do great in a postbacc just to get screened and end up going to D.O. anyway. Again, I prefer D.O. anyway, and with the merger coming up, competitive residencies I think will be easier to attain. Thanks for your input btw

Absolutely, and as long as you do really well on your boards, clinicals, and get some great LORs, those residency programs are completely attainable. Every single DO I shadowed did an ACGME residency (if that is your goal).