Needing some advice... DOQ Program at DMU?

[dntke1518]

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😕Hello all. I need some advice on what you all would do, or any knowledge that you could share about the following...

I started my application late, and didn't get complete until mid-december. Needless to say the results were not that stunning, one interview, lots of rejections, no acceptances. So, I did get an e-mail from DMU stating the following:

"After a review of your application, we feel you may have potential to be a successful medical student. As a result, we would like to offer you an opportunity to apply for the DO Qualifier program (DOQ), a non-degree seeking program at DMU, designed to assist promising candidates, like yourself, build a more competitive future application.

The 15.5 credit hour DOQ program will allow you to demonstrate your ability to be successful in a medical school curriculum by taking select courses side by side with our medical students during the fall term and the first half of spring term..."

"You will have the opportunity to interview for admission into the DMU DO class that begins in August 2012 if you meet the following criteria:
1. Your grades in each of the DOQ courses is greater than the DO class average for that course; and
2. You have a composite MCAT score of 27 or greater. If your score is below a 27, you will be expected to sit for the MCAT no later than January 31st of the spring term; and
3. Maintain professional and ethical conduct "

So really what I would like some opinions on is whether I should take this option, or take an upper level class or two over the summer, and reapply with out taking this. I will be living in Des Moines this summer, because that is where I am originally from and will be graduating from undergrad in the fall.

Thanks for any help!!

Oh... and just FYI I got a 27Q (10V, 7P, 10B) on my MCAT, so we should be good in that department.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

hey, i am a des moines resident as well. you have a low GPA and this seems like a DO SMP. That one is completely up to you, but I would personally apply broadly and early next cycle and save the money. you have an OPPORTUNITY to interview if you do well.

 

[dntke1518]

yeah my only worry would be that they would think that I did not try an opportunity to prove myself when they gave it to me...

 

[polodoc21]

Im sure if you do well in the program, then they will accept you. Plus then you would have a step up in medical school compared to others.

 

[peppy]

Personally I would focus on other ways to strengthen your app and reapply EARLY next year instead of doing this DOQ thing. While doing this DOQ thing might help you if you do well, it has the potential to hurt your application if you did it and didn't blow them away with good grades. If you do it, you definitely need to be honest with yourself about what you need to improve in your studying to make sure you receive better grades in the program than undergrad.

 

[PJ meowerton]

How much does it cost? I think that would be my biggest deciding factor. If you don't have anything planned it might be worth it, but then again you could just get a job and save some money.

Do you have to repeat the classes that you take in the DOQ program or do you get bumped ahead a year? Could be good review for your first year no matter where you get in. You could always take it and still apply to a lot of schools early in the cycle, unless these classes have some sort of attendance policy that makes it difficult for you to attend interviews.

 

[PJ meowerton]

You should also maybe think of calling the schools you got rejected from to see if they will tell you why, maybe they are looking for more volunteer experience, leadership experience etc., just in case it isn't just because you applied late. That way you could get some activities in before your secondaries are due next cycle to increase your chances even more.

 

[Dr Yiot]

Personally I would say no. You have a really good MCAT score despite the low verbal. Regarding your GPA, this can be fixed by either rocking the remainder of your classes and going back and retaking any classes you got a C or worse in and turning them into A's. This route might be much EASIER and CHEAPER for you and then you would just reapply early. I would also do what the other person said and call the schools and get some feedback as to why you were rejected. When I did that I was a little shocked at the results. I knew that my GPA would be a problem but I was also told that I needed more DO shadowing as well, Even though I had shadowed 2 DO's it wasn't for very long. Anyways, good luck.