Need some osteopaths to help me help a friend

[bcat85]

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Hey guys *and girls

I didn't apply osteopathic, but I have a good friend who is applying this year and I'm trying to understand the osteopathic process a little better so I can help her get in. She has marginal stats (25 MCAT, ~3.75 GPA) which, from looking at some averages, she may be able to get into some schools, but her real problem is that she applied kind of late (she just started turning in secondaries this week !) My question for you guys is, what is the timeline for applying to osteopathic schools? I realize she is certainly really late, but what can I tell her to make her realize that she has to push up her applications? or should I just wait for the schools she applies to to kind of guide her in the right direction (in the typical blunt medical school sort of way)? Any advice anyone??? Thanks a lot

 

[spazzz]

timeline is similar to allopathic ones. earlier the better.

 

[JaggerPlate]

Hey guys *and girls

I didn't apply osteopathic, but I have a good friend who is applying this year and I'm trying to understand the osteopathic process a little better so I can help her get in. She has marginal stats (25 MCAT, ~3.75 GPA) which, from looking at some averages, she may be able to get into some schools, but her real problem is that she applied kind of late (she just started turning in secondaries this week !) My question for you guys is, what is the timeline for applying to osteopathic schools? I realize she is certainly really late, but what can I tell her to make her realize that she has to push up her applications? or should I just wait for the schools she applies to to kind of guide her in the right direction (in the typical blunt medical school sort of way)? Any advice anyone??? Thanks a lot

- 'Osteopaths' haven't existed since the early 1900s (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, completely equal to an MD etc)
-Good gpa, MCAT could be better, averages differ between schools, it is best to look on their individual websites
-It is extremely late in the season, it's basically on he same time line as allo schools

 

[fastdude400]

Yeah, turning in secondaries right now is EXTREMELY late. I applied to MSUCOM in late October (which I thought was pretty late) and was waitlisted, but guaranteed a seat for class of 2013. I called an advisor and asked why they would do this, and she said my application was simply in too late. So.... just submitted secondaries this late will just make it that much more difficult.

 

[MaximusD]

Tell her we don't like sloppy seconds

 

[lacesoutdan]

- 'Osteopaths' haven't existed since the early 1900s (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, completely equal to an MD etc)

A lot of people say osteopaths, including my osteopathic physician cousin.

 

[Nasem]

Yeah, turning in secondaries right now is EXTREMELY late. I applied to MSUCOM in late October (which I thought was pretty late) and was waitlisted, but guaranteed a seat for class of 2013. I called an advisor and asked why they would do this, and she said my application was simply in too late. So.... just submitted secondaries this late will just make it that much more difficult.

I don't underestand this exactly, if you apply to MSUCOM and they waitlist you, are they basically guaranteeing your a seat in thier next cycle ?? do they do this for everyone? or just the few ?

 

[theserbatron]

generally, osteopathic schools and allopathic schools have the same time frame. for both, the earlier you apply the better. i would say that this is very late in the cycle. it might benefit your friend to take a year to shadow a physician, do some research, or get some unique travelling experiences - anything to strengthen the application, then apply early next cycle.

i don't think anyone in their right mind would apply allopathic now, just like no one should be applying osteopathic right now. my $0.02

 

[Jpc984]

I don't underestand this exactly, if you apply to MSUCOM and they waitlist you, are they basically guaranteeing your a seat in thier next cycle ?? do they do this for everyone? or just the few ?

Not everybody gets a guarantee for next year.

 

[gazziza]

Hey guys *and girls

I didn't apply osteopathic, but I have a good friend who is applying this year and I'm trying to understand the osteopathic process a little better so I can help her get in. She has marginal stats (25 MCAT, ~3.75 GPA) which, from looking at some averages, she may be able to get into some schools, but her real problem is that she applied kind of late (she just started turning in secondaries this week !) My question for you guys is, what is the timeline for applying to osteopathic schools? I realize she is certainly really late, but what can I tell her to make her realize that she has to push up her applications? or should I just wait for the schools she applies to to kind of guide her in the right direction (in the typical blunt medical school sort of way)? Any advice anyone??? Thanks a lot

I would not say those are marginal stats. I think if she applies early (turn in secondaries say June or July) and applies broadly she'll get in to a school of her choice. Maybe not her #1 choice but a program she really likes. That is of course if she's got everything else in line, extracurriculars, LORs, etc. I turned my ish in about mid december and got 3 interviews (not my top choices) and 1 acceptance so far. My stats are lower than your friends. Really the only thing that hung me up was that I take long to write essays. After my primary was done it took me a while to finish all the secondaries. I highly doubt the essays change too much for the next year but if I did apply for next year, I know what to do and know pretty much what to write.

So really, if she did apply for the next cycle there isn't much she needs to do. Just maybe update her LORs, edit her primary and secondaries if need be, and just fill everything out again.

 

[JaggerPlate]

A lot of people say osteopaths, including my osteopathic physician cousin.

Well your cousin is wrong 😉 ... just kidding. I guess once you earn the degree you can refer to yourself as whatever you want, but I think the modern view is to get physican or medicine in there, as DOs are fully licensed physicians. I just personally don't like 'Doctor of Osteopahty' or 'Osteopath,' but instead Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine or Osteopathic Physician.

To each his own ...

 

[EastWestN2grt]

Well your cousin is wrong 😉 ... just kidding. I guess once you earn the degree you can refer to yourself as whatever you want, but I think the modern view is to get physican or medicine in there, as DOs are fully licensed physicians. I just personally don't like 'Doctor of Osteopahty' or 'Osteopath,' but instead Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine or Osteopathic Physician.

To each his own ...

Yeah, I think its even more a generational thing. Alot of the older clinicians sometimes call themselves Osteopaths at my school. Now I have never heard any of my classmates, or the younger (<50yo) clinicians use Osteopath. With that said, I would correct any classmate who used Osteopath to instead use Osteopathic Physician, if not just physician/doctor.