new to DO ... maybe over MD

[medboy]

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Hey y'all ....

I have a few questions about DO's and I really would appreciate it if someone could help me out with a few Q's that I have.

1. Is it too late to apply to DO's now? I am in the middle of applying to MD schools, but I think I want to apply to DO's now.

2. What are my chances with stats like 3.2 gpa and 28/24 MCAT(took it twice)

3. What are the rankings of the schools? which are the top tier and bottom tier?

4. Any advice? please?!

Thanks.

Medboy

 

[Shinken]

1. It's not too late yet, but many DO schools require a physician letter, preferably a DO letter of recommendation. That might take a bit of time to obtain. Time is of the essence especially at this stage when classes are starting to fill.

2. Your stats are fine, but DO schools will look at more than that. Make sure you have good clinical experience and have knowledge of the osteopathic profession.

3. There are no rankings for DO schools and as far as I know, no schools are considered top or bottom tier. Ask 100 people and you'll get 100 answers. Choose the best school for you.

4. My advice is if you plan to apply, you have to know what you're getting yourself into. Know the history of the profession, where it stood 100 years ago and where it stands today. Find out if you really want to become a DO. Don't apply to DO schools simply because you think you might not get into an MD program; you might be disappointed and you will have taken a spot from someone who really wanted to be a DO.

Good luck!

 

[irish79]

Why did you wait so long to apply to a DO school? Make sure it is something you want to do (have you researched it at all?). I think admissions people can tell someone who is applying only because they didn't get into an allopathic school from someone who is generally interested.

 

[medboy]

I guess the reasons for my waiting so long to apply to DO's are:

1. I wanted to wait for my August MCAT scores to make sure they were competitive.

2. I wanted to hear from the one MD school that I wanted to go to first....didn't want to spend more money if I was accepted at my top choice.


But, I do know of the philosophy of DO's ...I know a few doctors who are DO's...Do you think adcom's will look down on my delayed applications?

 

[irish79]

I don't think they will. You have good reasons. As long as you are honest and show a genuine interest in osteopathy, then I think you would be a great candidate.

Good luck and if you have any questions about AZCOM let me know.

 

[rmp]

Hey Medboy,

I have a couple of questions for you.

1. Are you a Georgia resident, and if so, did you apply to MCG?

2. Your mcat and gpa seem competitive for both MCG and Mercer. Do you have a strong upward trend, downward trend, or is it steady across all four years. If it's a downward trend maybe taking 2 or 3 semesters of upper division science courses would enhance your aplication.

3. You mentioned you have clinical experience, hate to pry, but is it "quality experience." Meaning, was it direct patient care, shadowing, hospice care or volunteering. The quality of your extracurric's can set you apart from the 2,000 other candidates.

4. I'm sure you spent a lot of time on your personal statement, but is it interesting. Could any premed applicant tell the same story? If so, you may need to dig deeper. ADCOMS love ps' that really inform the reader on who the applicant really is besides the regular ol' I went to X undergrad, majored in Biology, volunteered in Y hospital, I want to be a doctor, essay.

5. You seem really dedicated so I doubt the above items apply to you. However, before you enter another application cycle and spend anymore money you should talk with some of the schools you applied to. If you have a pre-med advisor I would talk with them also. Often times they can give you honest advice that a med school rep might not feel comfortable giving.

With all that said, I hope you get off your first choice wait list!!!

Cheers!
rmp

P.S. Be proactive, crank out some loi's to get off those waitlists!

 

[Chronotropic]

Have you always been able to apply to schools this late?