New to D.O idea need some guidence!

[Davermz450]

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Hey everyone! So here is my story and please steer me in the right direction. I am a pre dental student and lately have been looking in to DO. I want to know what is the general rule of thumb to get an acceptance letter? I am not looking for an easy way out or anything because my grades and DAT is respectable for a dental acceptance. I am just interested in how the pre med DO students do things. For example, as a pre dental student I know 3.4-3.5 with a 19AA DAT score is good with ~ 100hrs of shadowing and volunteering. So for DO is it more or less the same? How tough would it be to switch to pre med? Before I go and shadow a DO I would like to hear everyone's experience on what to expect and based on that maybe ill make the switch and start shadowing. My stats are 3.4 overall 3.48 BCP and for kicks my DAT is 18AA 19TS 23 PAT. So overall I want to hear why people want to go DO and what would the switch be like. I don't want to hear I need some soul searching blah blah blah. Just opinions and observations on what a pre med DO students is like!

 

[GopherMD]

Do you have any specific reasons for wanting to pursue medicine now, instead of dentistry?

 

[Davermz450]

Well 2 seconds ago you said is this Guy for real and now you want to help me out? Yeah ill wait for someone else to answer my questions.

 

[113]

I have no idea what those DAT numbers mean, but your GPA is good for DO school. If you get a 28+ on the MCAT, you will get interviews. If you get a 32+, you can probably have your pick at any DO school you choose.

A 28 MCAT is roughly mid-60 percentile. 32 is mid-80s.

What Are My Chances forum: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/forumdisplay.php?f=418

 

[NeuroLAX]

I have no idea what those DAT numbers mean, but your GPA is good for DO school. If you get a 28+ on the MCAT, you will get interviews. If you get a 32+, you can probably have your pick at any DO school you choose.

A 28 MCAT is roughly mid-60 percentile. 32 is mid-80s.

What Are My Chances forum: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/forumdisplay.php?f=418

Those appear to be AAMC numbers.

 

[113]

Those appear to be AAMC numbers.

And?

Both MD and DO (and podiatry and others?) applicants take the MCAT. The percentile is scaled for all 90,000 people who took the MCAT in 2012. Are you implying the percentile is just for MD students? It's not.

https://www.aamc.org/students/download/320554/data/combined12.pdf.pdf

These tables include test results for all examinees—
not just those who have applied (or are planning to
apply) to medical school. They also include multiple
test results for examinees who took the MCAT exam
more than once during the testing year, but exclude
test results for administrations in which examinees
opted to void their test scores.

 

[MedPR]

Hey everyone! So here is my story and please steer me in the right direction. I am a pre dental student and lately have been looking in to DO. I want to know what is the general rule of thumb to get an acceptance letter? I am not looking for an easy way out or anything because my grades and DAT is respectable for a dental acceptance. I am just interested in how the pre med DO students do things. For example, as a pre dental student I know 3.4-3.5 with a 19AA DAT score is good with ~ 100hrs of shadowing and volunteering. So for DO is it more or less the same? How tough would it be to switch to pre med? Before I go and shadow a DO I would like to hear everyone's experience on what to expect and based on that maybe ill make the switch and start shadowing. My stats are 3.4 overall 3.48 BCP and for kicks my DAT is 18AA 19TS 23 PAT. So overall I want to hear why people want to go DO and what would the switch be like. I don't want to hear I need some soul searching blah blah blah. Just opinions and observations on what a pre med DO students is like!

Your DAT scores mean nothing here. If the other pre-meds are anything like me, they have no idea what DAT scaling is like. Plus, the MCAT is harder for sure.

As far as what a "pre med DO student" is like, there is no answer.. They're not robots all created the same dude.

Your GPA is ok, a tad low though.

 

[MedPR]

And?

Both MD and DO (and podiatry and others?) applicants take the MCAT. The percentile is scaled for all 90,000 people who took the MCAT in 2012. Are you implying the percentile is just for MD students? It's not.

https://www.aamc.org/students/download/320554/data/combined12.pdf.pdf

I think he was saying that the percentiles are not exactly relevant to competitiveness for DO. I'm guessing your data is correct (too lazy to check) and while a 27 is only ~65%, it is a good enough score to get into DO (which is what is relevant to the OP).

 

[113]

I think he was saying that the percentiles are not exactly relevant to competitiveness for DO. I'm guessing your data is correct (too lazy to check) and while a 27 is only ~65%, it is a good enough score to get into DO (which is what is relevant to the OP).

Ah. Yes. The percentiles aren't just for DOs. Not really sure why I included them tbh. For completeness I guess?

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[MedPR]

Ah. Yes. The percentiles aren't just for DOs. Not really sure why I included them tbh. For completeness I guess?

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I think it's relevant when people try to make a DAT/PCAT/GMAT/whatever relevant to the MCAT.

"I got a 95% PCAT. Therefore I will get 35+ on the MCAT"

 

[Temperature101]

Hey everyone! So here is my story and please steer me in the right direction. I am a pre dental student and lately have been looking in to DO. I want to know what is the general rule of thumb to get an acceptance letter? I am not looking for an easy way out or anything because my grades and DAT is respectable for a dental acceptance. I am just interested in how the pre med DO students do things. For example, as a pre dental student I know 3.4-3.5 with a 19AA DAT score is good with ~ 100hrs of shadowing and volunteering. So for DO is it more or less the same? How tough would it be to switch to pre med? Before I go and shadow a DO I would like to hear everyone's experience on what to expect and based on that maybe ill make the switch and start shadowing. My stats are 3.4 overall 3.48 BCP and for kicks my DAT is 18AA 19TS 23 PAT. So overall I want to hear why people want to go DO and what would the switch be like. I don't want to hear I need some soul searching blah blah blah. Just opinions and observations on what a pre med DO students is like!

GPAs are ok...You will need some DO shadowing/LORs. You need more vounteering hours...200+ hours should be good. Then 27+ mcat should make you competitive at most DO schools. You might be able to get in with even a 24 mcat. Good luck.

 

[Davermz450]

Well here is another issue. I have a lot of volunteer hours at a dental clinic ~340. Now I am thinking if I make the switch I can explain how I was pre dent and switched and how the dental clinic helped me decide that. I have 2 leadership positions though my school but once again dental related. I have 3 years or organic chem research. I also have some other volunteer stuff. My gpa is low because a bad freshman year, but it is on the rise! Thank you folks for all the responses!

 

[GopherMD]

You will def need medically related shadowing and volunteering hours to help demonstrate a continued commitment to medicine and not dentistry. For the MCAT, shoot for a 27+ for DO, 32+ for MD. So basically, shoot for a 32+.

 

[BuddyTheElf]

Well here is another issue. I have a lot of volunteer hours at a dental clinic ~340. Now I am thinking if I make the switch I can explain how I was pre dent and switched and how the dental clinic helped me decide that. I have 2 leadership positions though my school but once again dental related. I have 3 years or organic chem research. I also have some other volunteer stuff. My gpa is low because a bad freshman year, but it is on the rise! Thank you folks for all the responses!

If you have a strong upward trend in your grades since freshman year, that will really help you. As everyone has stated: get more volunteer hours, shadow several different physicians, keep upping your GPA, and rock the MCAT.
Shadow, shadow, shadow. Maybe volunteer at a hospital. You need to show the schools that you know you really want to pursue medicine instead of dentistry.

Out of curiosity... why the change of heart? It sounds like you've been engrossed in the dental world for awhile now. Curious as to why the sudden change to medicine.

Edit: Start browsing the pre-med forums a lot if you're planning on applying. I'm sure there are a lot of different guidelines and timelines when applying med rather than dental. Good luck!

 

[GUH]

Being a pre-DO student is almost the same as being pre-MD except it's a good idea to shadow a DO and you have the option of grade replacement. I didn't shadow a DO though and still got in.
First, think about why you want to be a physician and whether it will be worth it to spend 3+ years in residency to get there.
Then shadow a physician for a while and then try to get some volunteer experience in the hospital. Maybe study for the MCAT during that period.
Then if you still want to do it, take the MCAT, get letters of rec from professors and physicians.

Assuming you already have the basic premed requirements (2 semesters each of bio, general chem, orgo, and physics), your GPA is fine for most DO schools. Take and score 28+ on the MCAT and it is very likely you will get into multiple DO schools, especially if you apply broadly.

 

[Goro]

1) have a cGPA/sGPA > 3.3
2) have an MCAT of >25
3) do relevant shadowing of MDs and DOs. Know how they're different and similar.
4) Have an understanding of osteopathy
5) have the relevant patient contact experience, plus anything else that shows altruism, and leadership.
6) research experience is purely optional

Hey everyone! So here is my story and please steer me in the right direction. I am a pre dental student and lately have been looking in to DO. I want to know what is the general rule of thumb to get an acceptance letter? I am not looking for an easy way out or anything because my grades and DAT is respectable for a dental acceptance. I am just interested in how the pre med DO students do things. For example, as a pre dental student I know 3.4-3.5 with a 19AA DAT score is good with ~ 100hrs of shadowing and volunteering. So for DO is it more or less the same? How tough would it be to switch to pre med? Before I go and shadow a DO I would like to hear everyone's experience on what to expect and based on that maybe ill make the switch and start shadowing. My stats are 3.4 overall 3.48 BCP and for kicks my DAT is 18AA 19TS 23 PAT. So overall I want to hear why people want to go DO and what would the switch be like. I don't want to hear I need some soul searching blah blah blah. Just opinions and observations on what a pre med DO students is like!

 

[MedPR]

1) have a cGPA/sGPA > 3.3
2) have an MCAT of >25
3) do relevant shadowing of MDs and DOs. Know how they're different and similar.4) Have an understanding of osteopathy
5) have the relevant patient contact experience, plus anything else that shows altruism, and leadership.
6) research experience is purely optional

I'm curious about that one. How can shadowing a few docs allow a pre-med to make a statement about how MDs and DOs are different? The docs I shadowed were all different, but I don't know how I'm supposed to know if it's because they are an MD/DO or because they have differing personalities and priorities.

 

[Davermz450]

If you have a strong upward trend in your grades since freshman year, that will really help you. As everyone has stated: get more volunteer hours, shadow several different physicians, keep upping your GPA, and rock the MCAT.
Shadow, shadow, shadow. Maybe volunteer at a hospital. You need to show the schools that you know you really want to pursue medicine instead of dentistry.

Out of curiosity... why the change of heart? It sounds like you've been engrossed in the dental world for awhile now. Curious as to why the sudden change to medicine.

Edit: Start browsing the pre-med forums a lot if you're planning on applying. I'm sure there are a lot of different guidelines and timelines when applying med rather than dental. Good luck!

Yeah you know I have been doin the pre dental thing for 4 years now and have had all of my focus on that. After talking to the dentist at that clinic I volunteer at they just seemed bummed. Student loads( I know med school will have that ), one dentist was unemployed, and their lower back and neck was hurting them. Also after shadowing in private practice and seeing the work they do for what they charge.....it's a little messed up hahaha. The physicians that I know just seemed tired all the time and have a slight ego. The dentist I know are always after that $ and are more business men and women. So it seem like working a a hospital seems tiring and stressful but less of the busniess stuff. I want to go into healthcare to do healthcare not business. I got caught into dentistry because I am a motorcycle mechanic and what the dentist do I see a lot of thing that are a like to what I use as a mechanic. So I was looking into DO because I have been told its less pill popping type of medicine. Also I want to be a DO because I could find a job working in the motocross industry as crazy as that sounds. Us motorcycle riders crash and crash hard lol

 

[GUH]

Yeah you know I have been doin the pre dental thing for 4 years now and have had all of my focus on that. After talking to the dentist at that clinic I volunteer at they just seemed bummed. Student loads( I know med school will have that ), one dentist was unemployed, and their lower back and neck was hurting them. Also after shadowing in private practice and seeing the work they do for what they charge.....it's a little messed up hahaha. The physicians that I know just seemed tired all the time and have a slight ego. The dentist I know are always after that $ and are more business men and women. So it seem like working a a hospital seems tiring and stressful but less of the busniess stuff. I want to go into healthcare to do healthcare not business. I got caught into dentistry because I am a motorcycle mechanic and what the dentist do I see a lot of thing that are a like to what I use as a mechanic. So I was looking into DO because I have been told its less pill popping type of medicine. Also I want to be a DO because I could find a job working in the motocross industry as crazy as that sounds. Us motorcycle riders crash and crash hard lol

What about PT school? Not to discourage you from shooting for med school or anything

 

[MedPR]

Yeah you know I have been doin the pre dental thing for 4 years now and have had all of my focus on that. After talking to the dentist at that clinic I volunteer at they just seemed bummed. Student loads( I know med school will have that ), one dentist was unemployed, and their lower back and neck was hurting them. Also after shadowing in private practice and seeing the work they do for what they charge.....it's a little messed up hahaha. The physicians that I know just seemed tired all the time and have a slight ego. The dentist I know are always after that $ and are more business men and women. So it seem like working a a hospital seems tiring and stressful but less of the busniess stuff. I want to go into healthcare to do healthcare not business. I got caught into dentistry because I am a motorcycle mechanic and what the dentist do I see a lot of thing that are a like to what I use as a mechanic. So I was looking into DO because I have been told its less pill popping type of medicine. Also I want to be a DO because I could find a job working in the motocross industry as crazy as that sounds. Us motorcycle riders crash and crash hard lol

Healthcare is business.

 

[GopherMD]

Healthcare is business.

Bingo.

 

[Davermz450]

Healthcare is business.

Yeah I get that but I am saying the physical aspect of medicine. I want to do the hands on stuff more not just crunch numbers and figure out how to maximize profit. I like the labor!

 

[MedPR]

Yeah I get that but I am saying the physical aspect of medicine. I want to do the hands on stuff more not just crunch numbers and figure out how to maximize profit. I like the labor!

Sounds like you should be a nurse.

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[NontradCA]

Yeah I get that but I am saying the physical aspect of medicine. I want to do the hands on stuff more not just crunch numbers and figure out how to maximize profit. I like the labor!

Surgery

 

[Davermz450]

Sounds like you should be a nurse.

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Surgery

Nurse? Dude 15 thousand posts....that explain why you would say something like that.

Surgery sounds like an option, likes for the advice Nontrad! That is actually helpful!

 

[racerwad]

Nurse? Dude 15 thousand posts....that explain why you would say something like that.

Surgery sounds like an option, likes for the advice Nontrad! That is actually helpful!

WTF is wrong with being a nurse?!? Without them, all of healthcare as we know it would grind to a halt.

You said you like procedures and doing things hands on - that's nursing. Doctors write orders and consider differentials; the nurses fulfill the orders. In some specialties there are a lot more "activities" for you to do as a doctor, but by and large, it's the nurse that's doing the heavy lifting.