NEED URGENT HELP!!! When to Apply to DO schools?

[FemaleDoc]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I need help BADLYYY!!!!
I logged into Aacom website to see when I should be applying and it shows the cycle is still open for FALL 2014! till MAY this Year!

I am taking my MCAT in May 2014. But my ultimate goal is to apply to DO schools. Is it too late to be applying for this year cycle. I am totally lost on this med school process please advise.

And if I am taking my MCAT in May when will be the best time to apply to this year cycle (if I still have chance to apply) or for 2015 cycle. When should I be submitting my Documents and when the application needs to be out?

I feel clueless. Please do advise!!!

 

[TXKnight]

It is way too late to apply now, or even a couple of months ago. The fact the 2013-2014 app is still open until May is puzzling; in any case, as a rule of thumb, you want to send your complete AACOMAS application (transcripts, MCAT and LORs) as close as possible to the 2014-2015 cycle opening day (first week of June). Many submit later, but the consensus, in general, is that the earlier the better, and that applying by Nov/Dec is already late. Good luck.

Edit: AACOMAS opens the application season in May, but starts receiving them proper in June. They give about a month for you to finish it. Of course you want to get the essay prompt now and work on your essay before that. Because if you are like me, a month is not enough time to write a solid essay.

 

[Awesome Sauceome]

A few less exclamation points will get the point across haha...
Basically how it goes is that AACOMAS applications open in May so you can fill it out. Then in the beginning of June you can submit the application. Then the cycle goes until the next May.

So currently we are on last years cycle. So basically get your stuff in order and apply this June coming up. You will get your scores at the end of May.

 

[FemaleDoc]

Thank you for your advises, you guys are wonderful 😛
And awesome sauceome the exclamation points where showing my frustration and confusion 🙁 😛 but thanks I appreciate.
I am taking MCAT on May 8th and will get the results back in June (like they say it takes a month, so assuming June 8th will be the latest).

 

[Awesome Sauceome]

Yup, you are perfectly on time then. Once May hits, start filling out your application. Then once you get your scores send the application. Anywhere in June is still very early, which is good.

In the mean time get your Letters of recommendation in order and write your PS and such. Your timing is very good.

 

[FemaleDoc]

Are you a medical Student? Did you get into Any schools yet?

 

[Awesome Sauceome]

Nope I will be standing shoulder to shoulder with you this application season, taking the hits heh...

Have been an SDN lurker for a couple years now though

 

[Mad Jack]

You are perfectly on time for matriculating in 2015. I'd start drafting your personal statement and make sure your letters of recommendation are in order, as they will likely take some time to obtain.

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

Are you a medical Student? Did you get into Any schools yet?

I can confirm he's right. I have been accepted to med school. Sometimes your peers are a better source because they play with most recent statistics. Once people get in, they change their focus to school and residency unless they sit on admissions.

 

[FemaleDoc]

Thank you guys.
I just have no one to ask in person. I have been out of school for a year now. I completed my B.A in biology in May 2013 and Studying for MCAT now.

I need some more Advise on what options to consider as well. I will be applying to 2015 cycle for DO schools. I am considering applying to St. George in Caribbean as well since they have rolling admission.

These are my Stats:
I have 3.3 cgpa. 3.2sgpa. Taking mcat in May for the first time.
have 100 hours of Volunteering in the hospital which was limited to directing patients and greeting visitors and answering incoming calls. 70 hours of experience as a medical scribe in ER. 30 hours of shadowing a gynecologist at a private clinic. No search experience! 🙁 Age 27.

I am considering doing a post bac but since I am taking the MCAT in May, most of the deadlines will be missed by then.

You guys have any suggestion about where to apply and what program to consider?

 

[petyr_baelish]

Mayne....I'm applying in August due to a July MCAT. I think you're good, OP.

Edit: We posted at the same time!

You can get into DO school. Don't go Caribbean unless you want a 50% chance of matching.

 

[FemaleDoc]

Sorry Gold Donor but what is Mayne and OP? Isn't Mayne an international school? :/ excuse me if I'm wrong.

 

[EmCEm]

Sorry Gold Donor but what is Mayne and OP? Isn't Mayne an international school? :/ excuse me if I'm wrong.

Hehe. "Mayne" is just a term of endearment like "buddy". OP stands for "original poster" (of the thread). Therefore you are both "Mayne" and "OP"

 

[FemaleDoc]

LOL. Well I have just given you guys a reason for good laugh, right? 😛

Thank you guys for coming fwd and sharing giving ur advise.
I'm still open to any suggestions that you guys might come up with.
Any post-bac where I might have higher chances of getting in as well as any Do school which you guys think have tendency to accept students with such stats.
I know I want to put Caribbean as my last option.

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

Your application looks very bland and nothing you've mentioned stands out. I recommend applying to all the newer programs and adding the more established schools as reaches, unless you score a 30. If that becomes the case, apply broadly to both newer and more established.

 

[FemaleDoc]

I am working on my MCAT. But what else can I do to make my application strong? I have been out of school for a year now. Had no luck with getting into any research.

 

[TXKnight]

I am working on my MCAT. But what else can I do to make my application strong? I have been out of school for a year now. Had no luck with getting into any research.

OP, have you been volunteering AND shadowing a doctor? if not you need to start ASAP; these are extremely important. Forget abt research at this point.
Do not, I repeat, do not go caribbean. you can land something in the mainland

EDIT: I just read that you have indeed been volunteering and shadowing. Continue to do so...do you have any other activities?

 

[FemaleDoc]

No not currently, I am trying to put as much as time to MCAT that I possibly can. I am not employed since I know I wont be able to study for MCAT with anything else right now. Its been a while since I have taken physics and chems so I'm just devoting my time in.

 

[dctodo]

Thank you guys.
I just have no one to ask in person. I have been out of school for a year now. I completed my B.A in biology in May 2013 and Studying for MCAT now.

I need some more Advise on what options to consider as well. I will be applying to 2015 cycle for DO schools. I am considering applying to St. George in Caribbean as well since they have rolling admission.

These are my Stats:
I have 3.3 cgpa. 3.2sgpa. Taking mcat in May for the first time.
have 100 hours of Volunteering in the hospital which was limited to directing patients and greeting visitors and answering incoming calls. 70 hours of experience as a medical scribe in ER. 30 hours of shadowing a gynecologist at a private clinic. No search experience! 🙁 Age 27.

I am considering doing a post bac but since I am taking the MCAT in May, most of the deadlines will be missed by then.

You guys have any suggestion about where to apply and what program to consider?

It will depend on your MCAT score. If you score < 30, then apply broadly. Also, check each school's prereqs..some require social science classes and others need biochem, so you can save money on apps if you havent taken those classes yet/dont plan on taking them before matriculation. I applied this cycle with stats similar to yours (submitted primaries in aug and completed secondaries by oct) and would recommend trying ACOM, ATSU-SOMA, LECOM. So keep studying for the MCAT, start your personal statement soon, keep shadowing. Keep us updated your progress!

p.s. the underdog threads have tons of valuable info! def helped me throughout this cycle. Good luck!

Sent from my HTC Glacier using Tapatalk 2

 

[FemaleDoc]

Thank you guys for all the advises, really appreciate since I don't have any other way of getting all this information.

Yes I haven't taken biochem.

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

I am working on my MCAT. But what else can I do to make my application strong? I have been out of school for a year now. Had no luck with getting into any research.

Nothing new at this point (could just add hours to your current activities). The new season is starting soon, but consider that 100 hours shadowing is the average for SOMA. Volunteer work is around 150, and many people supplement with non-medical volunteering. You are a biology graduate without research experience and in your time majoring in bio and between 18 and 27 years old I don't see having done much of anything else at all. I agree you could find success on mainland, but you have to be realistic about where to send the application.

 

[Awesome Sauceome]

Thank you guys.
I just have no one to ask in person. I have been out of school for a year now. I completed my B.A in biology in May 2013 and Studying for MCAT now.

I need some more Advise on what options to consider as well. I will be applying to 2015 cycle for DO schools. I am considering applying to St. George in Caribbean as well since they have rolling admission.

These are my Stats:
I have 3.3 cgpa. 3.2sgpa. Taking mcat in May for the first time.
have 100 hours of Volunteering in the hospital which was limited to directing patients and greeting visitors and answering incoming calls. 70 hours of experience as a medical scribe in ER. 30 hours of shadowing a gynecologist at a private clinic. No search experience! 🙁 Age 27.

I am considering doing a post bac but since I am taking the MCAT in May, most of the deadlines will be missed by then.

You guys have any suggestion about where to apply and what program to consider?

Look through this thread about the whole Caribbean thing... it got pretty heated over in that thread but there are some really good points and people talked about their actual experience with the Caribbean schools>
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/wait-listed-at-two-schools-feeling-discouraged.1060308/

 

[Awesome Sauceome]

Also, DO schools dont really require research, though I am sure its nice if you can spin it in a nice way. Keep working on getting clinical and kill that MCAT. Otherwise just apply broadly, you never know who will give you some love.

Do you have any other life experience since you are a non-trad? Own your own business? You a manager somewhere? Something that stands out? Any kind of leadership position? Do you have any other kind of medical exposure? These are things to start thinking about, not only to supplement your application but hopefully to write a real solid PS.

 

[Goro]

Just apply in June for the Fall of '15 and you'll be fine. You're in no hurry.

I need help BADLYYY!!!!
I logged into Aacom website to see when I should be applying and it shows the cycle is still open for FALL 2014! till MAY this Year!

I am taking my MCAT in May 2014. But my ultimate goal is to apply to DO schools. Is it too late to be applying for this year cycle. I am totally lost on this med school process please advise.

And if I am taking my MCAT in May when will be the best time to apply to this year cycle (if I still have chance to apply) or for 2015 cycle. When should I be submitting my Documents and when the application needs to be out?

I feel clueless. Please do advise!!!

 

[BestDoctorEver]

No not currently, I am trying to put as much as time to MCAT that I possibly can. I am not employed since I know I wont be able to study for MCAT with anything else right now. Its been a while since I have taken physics and chems so I'm just devoting my time in.

Get some more ECs and 26+ mcat should get you in somewhere.

 

[FemaleDoc]

What EC activities would help? Currently I am part of a health Association and we arrange health fairs every year, been part of few health fairs last year and then there will be few this year as well.

 

[BestDoctorEver]

What EC activities would help? Currently I am part of a health Association and we arrange health fairs every year, been part of few health fairs last year and then there will be few this year as well.

Habitat for Humanity... Boys N Girls club... Free Clinics etc...

 

[NontradCA]

You are perfectly on time for matriculating in 2015. I'd start drafting your personal statement and make sure your letters of recommendation are in order, as they will likely take some time to obtain.

*edit*. I just saw you're taking the May MCAT. I would focus all your energy (and life) on that. I can't say this enough.

Forget about your ECs, PS, LORs for now.

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

People always talk about the importance of the personal statement, but I don't believe it. I wrote mine from scratch to finish in 2 days working about 5-6 hours total on it. I sent it to my English major friend to revise it for grammar. I sent in that personal statement both cycles I applied, including the school that accepted me as a re-applicant.

 

[hallowmann]

OP, I believe that most schools require that you take the MCAT no later than the January before matriculation, so even if you wanted to (and its not advisable) apply for Fall 2014 matriculation, you couldn't. You are applying for Fall 2015, and you are doing fine and right on time (May MCAT).

Make sure you submit your app for verification as soon as possible (June 1st if you can). If you want you can submit it to one school on the 1st, then after you get your MCAT score and are happy with it, you can add the rest (be aware it may cost you something like $15 extra to do it that way).

As far as ECs, you are fine. Nothing spectacular, but nothing really missing. Do well on the MCAT, and continue what you're doing.

Have you had any job experience? If so (no matter what it was), make sure you include it in your app.

You don't need to apply to the Caribbean just yet. Even if you wanted to, you can literally apply whenever for it (i.e. some people apply for the fall at SGU in May and get in), and you can start the Fall or Spring - at other schools you could also start in the summer, so there really is no rush for it all. Leave it as a last resort, but realistically you should be fine for some DO schools, unless you can't manage to break 20/21 on the MCAT.

Be sure you apply early and broadly to many schools, especially the newer ones.

People always talk about the importance of the personal statement, but I don't believe it. I wrote mine from scratch to finish in 2 days working about 5-6 hours total on it. I sent it to my English major friend to revise it for grammar. I sent in that personal statement both cycles I applied, including the school that accepted me as a re-applicant.

PS is important at some schools, and is especially important for underdogs or people with other red flags. For the average applicant, as long as grammar is correct and there aren't glaring problems, its more of a formality. A PS won't get you into a school, but if your app gets to a person it might make them want to interview you.

Also, don't forget that although most pre-meds can articulate and write with some confidence/skill, there are certainly those that have little to no experience writing and are generally pure communicators, and that becomes more apparent in things like the PS and secondaries. Bottom-line, it should look polished (no glaring errors).

 

[FemaleDoc]

Thank you guys, I really appreciate your input. All of you guys are doing a wonderful job. The fact that I am applying this late and waited all these years for medical schools to approach me instead of putting some effort in was such a big stupidity and ignorance. Not to mention that I have always received discouragement from random people and were told to change my field of interest. But now I have decided to block out all those noises and concentrate on what I want. I know it does sound a bit foolish but yet true. Sometimes when you don't have right direction/guidance/encouragement its very easy to by influenced by pointless opinions and advises!


Yes I have been working through out my undergraduate years. Had various jobs at the university not really anything science related but yes from being a cashier to working in the computer lab.

Okay So I get my scores back in June. before getting my scores I should just apply to one school and then later to others? if I get above 22( I hope I get way higher than that) but just for the sake of an opinion. If I get higher than 22. I should just apply broadly to DO schools right? and I should be fine right?

 

[Awesome Sauceome]

Go broad... apply to all that you feel you can get into and can see yourself at. Depending on the rest of your stats, generally people say apply to 10-20 schools. I know a guy who only applied to Duke and UNC and got into both. But that kind of stuff is rare. Generally speaking, its a big numbers game, so cast a wide net.

 

[hallowmann]

I'd say anything above 22/23, you should add schools, but double check their averages/cutoffs. If a school has an average of 28+, it might be safer to wait for a retake.

If you get a 25 or above, just apply wherever you want. You'll be below average, but with a wide net and adding newer schools, you should be fine.