Need Help..Choices, Choices, Choices...

[Mcatinthehat]

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I just got back my MCAT score (second time I took it) and unfortunately it's not competitive enough for US Allopathic Schools, but I did want to take a shot at some Osteopathic places.

I have a 3.73 cumulative GPA and about a 3.8 BCPM (Amcas calculated). My MCAT was a 26R split as 6V🙁, 8P, 12B. I honestly do not wish to take that exam again...

I have shadowed an MD (Pulmonologist), and volunteered plenty of hours at a the hospital. I have taught for the 7 years (at a religious institution) and taught Organic Chemistry at college for the past year and half. I am also a registered Pharmacy Technician.

I have applied via AACOMAS to UMDNJ-SOM, CCOM, NYCOM, PCOM, and TUOROCOM. (I'm a NJ resident)

My question to you guys would be whether it's worth it to go through with the DO process, or apply to an MD school offshore (SGU/Ross)

Help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Stratego]

It seems to me you've applied to some of the most competitive DO schools. I've seen posts about some people getting accepted to DO schools with a verbal of 6, but my instinct tells me you need a broader range of selectivity among the DO schools you list. You might do better to ask your question in the Pre-Med Osteopathic Forum. Since you don't want to retake, I'd still apply in the Caribbean as a backup if they give you a greenlight.

 

[physicsnerd42]

I just got back my MCAT score (second time I took it) and unfortunately it's not competitive enough for US Allopathic Schools, but I did want to take a shot at some Osteopathic places.

I have a 3.73 cumulative GPA and about a 3.8 BCPM (Amcas calculated). My MCAT was a 26R split as 6V🙁, 8P, 12B. I honestly do not wish to take that exam again...

I have shadowed an MD (Pulmonologist), and volunteered plenty of hours at a the hospital. I have taught for the 7 years (at a religious institution) and taught Organic Chemistry at college for the past year and half. I am also a registered Pharmacy Technician.

I have applied via AACOMAS to UMDNJ-SOM, CCOM, NYCOM, PCOM, and TUOROCOM. (I'm a NJ resident)

My question to you guys would be whether it's worth it to go through with the DO process, or apply to an MD school offshore (SGU/Ross)

Help would be greatly appreciated!

I agree with Stratego that you really do need to cast a wider net at DO schools. I disagree about applying to the Caribbean. I honestly think that Caribbean MD schools are cutthroat pyramid schemes (not everyone who starts will graduate, and not everyone who graduates will get a US residency) that charge far too much tuition and prey on the desires of some people to become physicians at any cost. Going to a Caribbean school is an (expensive) uphill battle that will not necessary get you into a residency program. There are successful Caribbean grads, but they had to be extremely intelligent and dedicated and they, quite frankly, beat the odds. Going to a DO school in the US makes it very probable that you will be able to get a residency (although you probably won't be a radiation oncologist). I honestly think that the Caribbean is, almost without exception, a terrible idea for medical school. Going to an osteopathic school, however, is fine.

If you're in the position that you need to choose between the Caribbean and another career, I would suggest the other career. No profession (medicine included) is worth pursuing at any cost. The Caribbean is too expensive (in money and time) a gamble, in my opinion.

Anyway, sorry about the rant. I'll step off my soapbox now.