Need opinions for acceptance to LECOM-B or NOVA

[Sharp1128]

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Hello,

I am a Chiropractor that has been in practice for 5 years in Florida. I am considering applying to D.O programs at Nova and Lecom Bradenton. It has been a while since I was in school but I hold 3 degrees (AAS in Health Sciences, B.S. in Natural Science, Biology, and a Doctorate of Chiropractic, D.C.)

My Undergraduate GPA is a 3.5 and Graduate/Professional GPA from chiropractic college is a 3.25. I have not taken the MCAT yet but plan on taking a Kaplan Review and taking the actual test in May-June 2011 while applying for the September 2011 entry class.

I have great working relationships with many different MDs, DOs, Orthopedic Surgeons, Neurologists, etc from my work as a chiropractor. I own a multidiciplinary practice with a part time medical doctor, nurse practitioner, and PT. I have been practicing primarly in injury related care for the past 4 years. I have college internships with a D.O., and graduate externships with the VA hospital.

Given the statistics (GPA etc.), professional experience as a DC, internships/externships, relationships with other MD/DO/Specialists, and a hypothetical mid-high 20's score on the MCAT. What do you think my chances are at interviewing and getting accepted to LECOM and/or Nova?

When applying to these schools how do you think they would weigh my GPA in undergrad (3.5) vs Graduate/Professional (3.25)? How would this be viewed vs a typical undergraduate applicant that perhaps had a 3.5-3.7 GPA?

Any opinions, experiences, and feedback would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Dr Yiot]

Hello,

I am a Chiropractor that has been in practice for 5 years in Florida. I am considering applying to D.O programs at Nova and Lecom Bradenton. It has been a while since I was in school but I hold 3 degrees (AAS in Health Sciences, B.S. in Natural Science, Biology, and a Doctorate of Chiropractic, D.C.)

My Undergraduate GPA is a 3.5 and Graduate/Professional GPA from chiropractic college is a 3.25. I have not taken the MCAT yet but plan on taking a Kaplan Review and taking the actual test in May-June 2011 while applying for the September 2011 entry class.

I have great working relationships with many different MDs, DOs, Orthopedic Surgeons, Neurologists, etc from my work as a chiropractor. I own a multidiciplinary practice with a part time medical doctor, nurse practitioner, and PT. I have been practicing primarly in injury related care for the past 4 years. I have college internships with a D.O., and graduate externships with the VA hospital.

Given the statistics (GPA etc.), professional experience as a DC, internships/externships, relationships with other MD/DO/Specialists, and a hypothetical mid-high 20's score on the MCAT. What do you think my chances are at interviewing and getting accepted to LECOM and/or Nova?

When applying to these schools how do you think they would weigh my GPA in undergrad (3.5) vs Graduate/Professional (3.25)? How would this be viewed vs a typical undergraduate applicant that perhaps had a 3.5-3.7 GPA?

Any opinions, experiences, and feedback would be greatly appreciated.

I would think you have a shot. Your extracurriculars are really good. The only thing that would maybe make them squint at your application is your gpa in chiropractic school is sord of low. I would make sure you do well on the mcat.

 

[zac16125]

Unless you bomb your MCAT I would have to think the two schools would both take you in a heartbeat. There are lots of non-traditionals in DO schools, many from fields completely unrelated to health care. I would think your background as a chiropractor and the rest of your experiences in health care would make you a favorable applicant.

Also for your information, I am a 3rd year from LECOM-B and although I don't think we have any chiropractors in my class I know for certain we have PT's, nutritionist, nurses,etc that have gone through our school. Good luck.

 

[Total180]

I don't know if it is a typo or not, but you wouldn't be able to take a May 2011 MCAT and apply for the September 2011 class (class of 2015) you would have to apply in June 2011 for the fall 2012 class (class of 2016).

 

[rem23]

I'm pretty sure the 2014 class has a chiropractor

 

[drpierre]

You would definitely get into NSU with your outside qualifications as long as you dont do poorly on the MCAT, the gpa isn't something that would keep you away from an interview

 

[Sharp1128]

Thanks for the advice guys. I thought that I would be able to enter the September 2011 class if I interviewed over the summer. Can anyone confirm or deny this? If I was to take the kaplan course for a refresher, take the MCAT in May of 2011 and begin the application process now, would I be able to interview for the September 2011 admission. If not I would more than likely take some filler classes as refreshers in Chem, Physics, and Bio to boost GPA, maybe add an aditional B.S. degree, and prep for MCAT then apply over next year for September 2012.

I am a bit concerned about the MCAT because I have been removed from those subjects for 8 years and it all looks like greek to me at this point. Any recommendations for MCAT review? Prinston Review vs. Kaplan? Anyone with similiar experience of being so far removed from basic sciences and having to take the MCAT.

I also have an opportunity to go to USF for an accelerated RN program (14 months) beginning this May which would allow me to get an ARNP within 3 yrs. This would allow me to obtain prescriptive rights and entry into hospital systems and/or occupational health, or even CRNA/Pain Management. My only problem with that is that I would have to adapt to the nursing philosophy while I have been trained in diagnosis as a physician which could be difficult. It would be more like a lateral shift vs career advancement and I would much rather put in the extra 1-2 years for the D.O. Any opinions?

 

[taylormade2006]

Interviews usually end around April for most schools. I don't want to say there is no way, but there is pretty much no way you could do it for 2011. Most schools don't accept the January 2011 MCAT for the 2011 class, but a few do. That would mean you'd have to take the MCAT next month, and that's if you can even find an open seat to take the test. You don't want to screw up the MCAT, especially if you're worried about your GPAs, so make sure you give yourself time to review the material.

 

[MLT2MT2DO]

Thanks for the advice guys. I thought that I would be able to enter the September 2011 class if I interviewed over the summer. Can anyone confirm or deny this? If I was to take the kaplan course for a refresher, take the MCAT in May of 2011 and begin the application process now, would I be able to interview for the September 2011 admission. If not I would more than likely take some filler classes as refreshers in Chem, Physics, and Bio to boost GPA, maybe add an aditional B.S. degree, and prep for MCAT then apply over next year for September 2012.

I am a bit concerned about the MCAT because I have been removed from those subjects for 8 years and it all looks like greek to me at this point. Any recommendations for MCAT review? Prinston Review vs. Kaplan? Anyone with similiar experience of being so far removed from basic sciences and having to take the MCAT.

I also have an opportunity to go to USF for an accelerated RN program (14 months) beginning this May which would allow me to get an ARNP within 3 yrs. This would allow me to obtain prescriptive rights and entry into hospital systems and/or occupational health, or even CRNA/Pain Management. My only problem with that is that I would have to adapt to the nursing philosophy while I have been trained in diagnosis as a physician which could be difficult. It would be more like a lateral shift vs career advancement and I would much rather put in the extra 1-2 years for the D.O. Any opinions?

You'll be applying for the class of 2012, not 2011. There is a year turn around time from interview--->acceptance---->matriculation. The poster above doesn't want to say "there is no way" so I will "there is no way".

As for the ARNP/CRNA over DO that is a decision only you can make.

Not to be overly critical, but the fact you aren't familiar with the application process or even the fact that you might want to go the mid-level route, makes me think you need to slow down your decision. The decision to become a physician in this country is a big one and will be a minimum of 7 years. I would say research the differences of mid-levels vs physician and really delve into the training both require as well as what you'll be doing with your training before you decide.

 

[Total180]

I think you need to think some on which route you want to take. It seems like you are willing to put in the time and effort in order to become a physician, so I would go for it. But there really isn't a way to fast track the process. I think you need to research a bit more on the process in general also. AACOMAS (the general application service for DO schools) opens around June for the application cycle that would have you starting school a year from then (so if you applied next June 2011 you would be applying for the entering class starting summer 2012). By then you have to have all transcripts sent to them from anywhere you have taken classes post high school, and have the app filled out (I think you can start filling it out sometime in May). Applying early is really important, so I would try and take the MCAT sometime before then. It takes about a month to get your scores back, and schools won't consider you without an MCAT score. You also need to think about your letters of recommendation. If you are 8 years removed from all of your science classes, it might be pretty difficult to get solid LORs. How were your grades in the pre-req classes when you took them? If you aren't worried about the time frame, you might want to look into retaking those classes since they are so far removed, which would help with MCAT prep and would also give you access to professors for better LORs. You will probably need 2 letters from science professors who have taught you and one from a physician (preferably DO). I also had one from a Spanish professor since that was my major, and one from my PI.

I don't know much about MCAT prep courses except for Kaplan...but honestly I wasn't huge on the Kaplan class. If you really are so removed from the classes, I don't know if any class will work for you since they are designed to be more of a review than actually teaching you (which is why it didn't help my on my physical science section because I really learned nothing in my chem and physics classes). Anyway, I hope some of that helped...I know it was a little rambly. If you have any other questions you can PM me if you want.

 

[Sharp1128]

Thanks for your opinions. I have fully examined both routes. As a matter of fact I hold 3 degrees with a doctorate at the present time. Chiropractic college is a demanding program at a professional level so I feel like I would be prepared to endure the demanding schedule of either ARNP or D.O programs. As far as the mid-level route, it is considered as an alternative based on the amount of time required to complete. I have already been through 8 years of college and it appears that I would not be able to begin the D.O. program for another 1 1/2 years with completion of residency in 7.5 to 8 years.

As an ARNP, I would still be able to practice independently, with prescriptive rights, and access to the mainstream healthcare system (hospitals, home healthcare, etc.) I would be able to provide trigger point injections, non-narcotic medication rx, muscle relaxants, etc for my patients. I could also gain hospital employment with retirement and benefits.

In the state of Florida chiropractors are primary physicians for all intensive purposes on the same level as D.O. and M.D. I have AHCA certification with the state to allow me to hire any type of physician (MD/DO/ARNP/PA-C/DPT). Just by having the Chiropractic license I could even own and operate an urgent care center or walk in clinic. I know that the rules in other states are different, for instance in NY, as a chiropractor you are not able to hire MD or PT to work for you.

Basically what I am expressing is that I am certianly competent enough to understand the application process and the training/work involved with either degree. The reasoning behind looking into the mid-level route vs the D.O. route is purely based on time, convienience, location, advancement, entry into mainstream healthcare, and the ability to practice with prescriptive authority.

As a practicing chiropractor for the past 5 years I feel limited in the ability to completely treat the patient. Insurance companies & hospital systems limit our access to treatment and by persuing advancement with either a mid-level or Osteopathic degree, I feel as if I could bridge the gap. Salary and income is NOT the motivating factor here because I easily make just as much currently as a chiropractor as many of my MD/DO/ARNP colleagues.

I am simply exploring and assessing feedback that I receive from each community prior to deciding which route to take. Being a Chiropractor is very limiting because you either own and run a business, work as a low paid associate, or teach. Those are really the only options. You are responsible for your own retirement, benefits, overhead, and expenses. Insurance companies, while slowly allowing access, limit our scope and reimbursement, medicare does not cover most of our services, and the only real hospital affiliations we have is with the VA system. There really is no career advancement and the profession does not support its own. In fact we tend to hold ourselves back. Fortunately I have been blessed enough to develop great relationships with many different types of providers which has peaked my interest in persuing further education and professional advancement.

I do appreciate your opinions and the help that you have provided.

 

[MLT2MT2DO]

Nobody was questioning your competency. After you have done the research into both routes you need to weigh the pros and cons of each, then discuss it with the people in your life (wife, kids, anyone else's life that will be turned upside with the decision). Things to consider: Are you planning on practicing medicine in another state? If so are you going to be happy if you have to work under a physician? Is the time in training worth the autonomy (though many debate government is taking this away in all of medicine)? In the end only you will be able to figure out which route is the best for you and your family.

Side note: You are on the "pre-DO" board so 99% of us have decided to go physician over mid-level for whatever reason. Mine falls under the autonomy category, for the most part. Additionally I would recommend searching for some threads under the "non-traditional" forum as well.