New to Osteopathic Process..help?

[Johannen]

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Hey all.

I'm coming over from Allopathic medicine because I feel that Osteopathic medicine may be a good fit for me.

I'm on a few allopathic waitlists for the Fall of 2007. I did not apply to osteopathic schools.

I would like to apply to DO schools when I apply next. I've been reviewing the online materials and I think I understand the process, but I still have a few questions:

1. Do I have to wait for the schools to send me access to their supplemental applications, or can I simply fill them out after submitting my primary?

2. What is the approximate timeline for the Osteopathic application?

More questions to follow later, I'm sure, as I continue to review materials.

 

[Animus]

1. All the Osteopathic schools I applied to sent me the secondaries. Not sure if all of them are like this but I am guessing most of this are, so you submit and wait for secondaries.

2. Not sure when it will begin this year, but most of the Osteopathic schools start interviews around Sept or Oct and interview usually through March if not a few weeks into April. The Texas school is one exception, interviewing as early as July and only up through November I think.

 

[Kappy1]

Hey all.

I'm coming over from Allopathic medicine because I feel that Osteopathic medicine may be a good fit for me.

I'm on a few allopathic waitlists for the Fall of 2007. I did not apply to osteopathic schools.

I would like to apply to DO schools when I apply next. I've been reviewing the online materials and I think I understand the process, but I still have a few questions:

1. Do I have to wait for the schools to send me access to their supplemental applications, or can I simply fill them out after submitting my primary?

2. What is the approximate timeline for the Osteopathic application?

More questions to follow later, I'm sure, as I continue to review materials.

Your stats are awesome and I am suprised you were not accepted to an allopathic school. I believe you should be able to get in to an allopathic program. I don't believe you applied broadly enough. I don't know what your financial situation is but, if you applied to 20 or so allopathic schools I'm sure you would of been accepted. I also believe you will be pulled off one of those waitlists soon as people decide where they are going. It depends on the school. Some school's you download it off their website like UMDNJ, others send you secondaries after they recieve your primary like all three Touro schools, and others send it out only if they want to interview you like NYCOM. With your stats its just a matter of the school you would want to attend because you should get in as long as you don't mess up the interview. The time table is basically the same as the allopathic schools. It may be a drop latter, but the best advice is to apply broadly and as early as possible. I hope your accepted to the school of your choice. Good Luck!!!!

 

[Johannen]

Your stats are awesome and I am suprised you were not accepted to an allopathic school. I believe you should be able to get in to an allopathic program. I don't believe you applied broadly enough. I don't know what your financial situation is but, if you applied to 20 or so allopathic schools I'm sure you would of been accepted. I also believe you will be pulled off one of those waitlists soon as people decide where they are going. It depends on the school. Some school's you download it off their website like UMDNJ, others send you secondaries after they recieve your primary like all three Touro schools, and others send it out only if they want to interview you like NYCOM. With your stats its just a matter of the school you would want to attend because you should get in as long as you don't mess up the interview. The time table is basically the same as for the allopathic schools. It may be a drop latter, but the best advice is to apply broadly and as early as possible. I hope your accepted to the school of your choice. Good Luck!!!!

Hehe...thanks. Let me clarify about the last application, though..

I hadn't been an RA yet when I was applying, nor had I done the second round of shadowing. In fact, anything that has several semesters was actually two less when I applied, which made my EC's really, really weak and negatively affected my application. It looks better on paper now, but it's still not as strong as that of other candidates. Update letters were not significant enough to help.

Meanwhile, where would you guys suggest I apply?

 

[Kappy1]

Hehe...thanks. Let me clarify about the last application, though..

I hadn't been an RA yet when I was applying, nor had I done the second round of shadowing. In fact, anything that has several semesters was actually two less when I applied, which made my EC's really, really weak and negatively affected my application. It looks better on paper now, but it's still not as strong as that of other candidates. Update letters were not significant enough to help.

Meanwhile, where would you guys suggest I apply?

Statistics wise Western has the highest stats of any of the DO programs. If your decision depends on the size class, NYCOM and MSUCOM have large classes in the 300-350 range. Other schools are smaller like UMDNJ. MSUCOM and UMDNJ also take most of their classes with the allopathic medical school besides OMM. It really depends on what you are looking for. If you are looking for research, most Osteopathic School are not really big on that. If you are looking for match results some schools push for primary care harder than others. NYCOM I know has a great match list that is comparable or even better than some allopathic programs. PCOM also has a great match list and doesn't push students to go into primary care. Again like anything you will have to do some research on it and see what schools fit what you are looking for. In terms of tution the state schools will be the cheapest such as UMDNJ, MSUCOM, etc...

 

[simpleman]

wow, u got waitlisted with ur scores!!!!! i am schocked...its their loss! unless you completely bombed the interviews..

I dont know what to tell you, but apply to more schools I guess, both DO and MD. Good luck and keep up your good work.. excellent stats.

 

[Dr JPH]

Hey all.

I'm coming over from Allopathic medicine because I feel that Osteopathic medicine may be a good fit for me.

Or is it because you were waitlisted at MD schools so osteopathic medicine might be the ONLY fit for you.

No reason to blow smoke, tell the truth. 👍

 

[MaximusD]

Or is it because you were waitlisted at MD schools so osteopathic medicine might be the ONLY fit for you.

No reason to blow smoke, tell the truth. 👍

Have you looked at his MDApplicants profile? Impressive.

I agree that you should broaden the entire base of your application including lower-tier and more geographically diverse MD schools in addition to those of the osteopathic persuasion.

Good luck... write good essays and don't say stupid **** at your interviews. 👍

 

[Dr JPH]

Have you looked at his MDApplicants profile? Impressive.

So what?

Lots of people decide that they like the "osteopathic philosphy" about this time of year when it doesnt look like they are going to move from the waitlist. Suddenly they are amazed at the "whole person" concept and they think they are "in line with the DO way of thinking."

One year later they are back on SDN trying to change the degree to MDO and turn OMM into an elective.

 

[MaximusD]

So what?

Lots of people decide that they like the "osteopathic philosphy" about this time of year when it doesnt look like they are going to move from the waitlist. Suddenly they are amazed at the "whole person" concept and they think they are "in line with the DO way of thinking."

One year later they are back on SDN trying to change the degree to MDO and turn OMM into an elective.

but it's too late for him this cycle at a DO school so if he applies to DO and MD concurrently in the next cycle, he can go to the DO schools and decide if he really likes DO... if not, there will probably be an MD school (lower-to-mid tier-->whatever that really means) that admits him with those stats... that was my only point. Looking at his profile, it seems as though he applied to too few schools...

 

[DropkickMurphy]

Face it JP, as much as it sickens you, chances are if they really had a way to weed out everyone who isn't a true believer then there would be a lot of empty seats at osteopathic schools.......

 

[Lamont]

Excellent numbers, good EC's, not enough schools! I would apply much more broadly in my next app cycle - you really had a bunch of reach schools and a couple safeties but not enough in between, make sense? Harvard and Hopkins are great, but they will attract a ton of serious candidates. I would apply to more schools, mix in some DO's that legitimately interest you and not becuase its the only way. Your numbers indicate you are really bright but something apparently isnt clicking with the way you present yourself. Your resume is plenty good enough, how did your interview go and how was your personal statement? Did you apply earlier or later? There are quite a few variables, I would try to work in a medically related field and apply early (poor dead horse). This is truly a head scratcher and im not trying to rub anything in, im just trying to help you figure all of this out. Regardless, I wish you all the luck in the world and I feel that you are going to inevitably be accepted this time around, those numbers are hard to ignore.

 

[Dr JPH]

Face it JP, as much as it sickens you, chances are if they really had a way to weed out everyone who isn't a true believer then there would be a lot of empty seats at osteopathic schools.......

Thats not the part that bothers me.

What bothers me is the whole apparent change in mindset.

Dont try to bull$hit anyone, tell the damn truth.

You didnt get into an MD school so now youre going to apply to a DO school. Thats fine. I have no problem with that.

But yammering about how you suddenly think "DO is for me" is crap.

 

[MaximusD]

Thats not the part that bothers me.

What bothers me is the whole apparent change in mindset.

Dont try to bull$hit anyone, tell the damn truth.

You didnt get into an MD school so now youre going to apply to a DO school. Thats fine. I have no problem with that.

But yammering about how you suddenly think "DO is for me" is crap.

100% Agreement here.

 

[lala83]

Thats not the part that bothers me.

What bothers me is the whole apparent change in mindset.

Dont try to bull$hit anyone, tell the damn truth.

You didnt get into an MD school so now youre going to apply to a DO school. Thats fine. I have no problem with that.

But yammering about how you suddenly think "DO is for me" is crap.

i agree. it's hard for me to have too much sympathy for these folks.

 

[DropkickMurphy]

Thats not the part that bothers me.

What bothers me is the whole apparent change in mindset.

Dont try to bull$hit anyone, tell the damn truth.

You didnt get into an MD school so now youre going to apply to a DO school. Thats fine. I have no problem with that.

But yammering about how you suddenly think "DO is for me" is crap.

Exactly......I agree 100%. At least I am honest as to why I am applying to DO programs- to improve my chances and because of the quality of the programs (KCOM and PCOM) and the locations.

 

[Dr JPH]

Exactly......I agree 100%. At least I am honest as to why I am applying to DO programs- to improve my chances and because of the quality of the programs (KCOM and PCOM) and the locations.

Exactly.

If I didnt get into medical school I might have suddenly realized that "podiatry was my calling" or that I "really enjoyed the philosophy of pharmacy"

🙄

Give me a break.

Also, a few people have mentioned the OPs stats.

Well, there is something to be said for someone with stellar numbers who is denied after a secondary app essay and/or an interview. I have enough faith in adcoms for them to look at someone with great numbers but "something just aint right".

 

[DropkickMurphy]

Exactly.

If I didnt get into medical school I might have suddenly realized that "podiatry was my calling" or that I "really enjoyed the philosophy of pharmacy"

🙄

Give me a break.

Also, a few people have mentioned the OPs stats.

Well, there is something to be said for someone with stellar numbers who is denied after a secondary app essay and/or an interview. I have enough faith in adcoms for them to look at someone with great numbers but "something just aint right".

BTW, how many hours until you're officially Dr. Hazelton?

 

[MaximusD]

Well, there is something to be said for someone with stellar numbers who is denied after a secondary app essay and/or an interview. I have enough faith in adcoms for them to look at someone with great numbers but "something just aint right".

Thing is, the schools on his applied-to list are really competitive. Maybe he interviewed well, but didn't interview excellently... just a thought.

 

[MaximusD]

BTW, how many hours until you're officially Dr. Hazelton?

Yeah I want to know, too. I think I'll have to have your return your SDN party favor (no pun inten--... ok that's a lie...)

 

[Dr JPH]

60

 

[Johannen]

Thats not the part that bothers me.

What bothers me is the whole apparent change in mindset.

Dont try to bull$hit anyone, tell the damn truth.

You didnt get into an MD school so now youre going to apply to a DO school. Thats fine. I have no problem with that.

But yammering about how you suddenly think "DO is for me" is crap.

It's not so much a change in mindset as much as it's an alternative path. I've read a lot on the osteopathic philosophy, and I know what I would be signing up for. I can appreciate the work that's been done over the past few decades to further this type of medicine.

I'm not saying that Osteopathic medicine is the only way that I could go. I'm simply saying that I would fit well within its philosophical program.

I'll be applying to both types of schools, but I don't know much about the process for DO schools. This is why I'm here.

 

[scpod]

.

I'll be applying to both types of schools, but I don't know much about the process for DO schools. This is why I'm here.

I would go back to the schools first and ask them why you were rejected. I can understand the top tier schools rejecting you, but you have excellent stats on paper and it's unusual for most state schools (except for Cali) to reject you after an interview with stats like those. JP has a valid point. Is there something wrong with your interviews, maybe? You might want to find that out now, before you begin randomly applying elsewhere. IF you just want to get in, though, there are actually schools that will accept you with your numbers without an interview.

 

[Johannen]

I would go back to the schools first and ask them why you were rejected. I can understand the top tier schools rejecting you, but you have excellent stats on paper and it's unusual for most state schools (except for Cali) to reject you after an interview with stats like those. JP has a valid point. Is there something wrong with your interviews, maybe? You might want to find that out now, before you begin randomly applying elsewhere. IF you just want to get in, though, there are actually schools that will accept you with your numbers without an interview.

Of my five interviews, I had one great one (Twin Cities), one good one (Case Western), two mediocre ones (UWisc, UMich), and one bad one (MCW). I know I was turned down by MCW because of the interview. I did an exit interview at UWisc, and they told me essentially that my EC's were crap. I've since been doing more extracurricular work (including significantly more shadowing). I've updated my profile as I've grown.

My extracurriculars were the detrimental factor last cycle. I feel that I'm capable of getting into a MD school, but the DO concept genuinely appeals to me, so I'm exploring it.

Admittedly, I'm also relatively high on the Twin Cities' ranked waitlist, so it may be a moot point. In the interest of being prepared, though, I'm getting ready to apply again. I thank you all for your great advice and commentary.

 

[scdocusc]

I think it's extremely apparent that the OP just thinks he has a better shot at DO. I think it's funny that at this point in the year so many people magically start to love the Osteopathic Philosophy. Stick with MD please

 

[Animus]

I think it's extremely apparent that the OP just thinks he has a better shot at DO. I think it's funny that at this point in the year so many people magically start to love the Osteopathic Philosophy. Stick with MD please

This topic has already been covered and the OP has explained. We no longer really need more opinions on the subject, thanks though.

 

[prionsRbad]

60

Hmmmm, that girl was right in a previous thread . . . you are pretty damn sexy, Dr. Hazelton 😉

 

[Dr JPH]

Hmmmm, that girl was right in a previous thread . . . you are pretty damn sexy, Dr. Hazelton 😉

What if I said it was 44 hours now...

 

[prionsRbad]

What if I said it was 44 hours now...

73% sexier

 

[GreenShirt]

OP, here's all you need to know about the DO process: it's exactly the same as the MD process, except for the following minor differences:

-AACOMAS instead of AMCAS
-Retakes replaced, not averaged
-AACOMAS has later deadlines than AMCAS by a month or two
-Need a DO LOR in many cases

Either than that you have to do all the same primary, secondary, interview fun-ness that you would do for MD schools.

 

[DropkickMurphy]

73% sexier

Get a room you two.....

 

[Oculus Sinistra]

This topic has already been covered and the OP has explained. We no longer really need more opinions on the subject, thanks though.

Agreed.

I understand the anger about MD applicants switching over to DO when things go south (on that note: don't apply DO this cycle, wait until next one), but I'm okay with it because one of my friends is in DO school now and she initially had no interest in it. Now she said she wouldn't do it any other way. People change, epsecially in light of information. I'm sure with a 3.7 and a >35 MCAT, no one ever bothered to even tell the OP about osteopathic medicine.

Anyway, if this whole thing is true -- and I'm an optimist so I'm going to believe it is -- it lends evidence to the idea that medical schools do look for more than numbers. As the OP has admitted, EC's can cripple an otherwise stellar application.

Although you probably had a good shot at WashU.

 

[Dr JPH]

As the OP has admitted, EC's can cripple an otherwise stellar application.

True, but a school isnt going to invite you for an interview simply to tell you that your ECs are crap.

The way things panned out I would tend to think there was something in the interview itself that didnt seem right to the interviewers.

I know a few people from college who were the "weird" type, with few ECs but great grades. Same thing happened to them.

 

[Johannen]

True, but a school isnt going to invite you for an interview simply to tell you that your ECs are crap.

The way things panned out I would tend to think there was something in the interview itself that didnt seem right to the interviewers.

I know a few people from college who were the "weird" type, with few ECs but great grades. Same thing happened to them.

State schools are required to grant us interviews (WI). It's nice, if only for the feedback.

 

[Dr JPH]

State schools are required to grant us interviews (WI). It's nice, if only for the feedback.

But you had a few other interviews there as well.

What happened there?

And not all state schools are required to grant interviews...perhaps instate residents often interview, but thats not a ubiquitous rule. I know that for a fact!

I dont want to rip on you for this, but what happened in the interviews? Are you the antisocial type? If youre a bad interviewer that can be worked on. If youre a quiet person, that can be worked on. If youre just a weird dude...well, you need to have a weirder dude interviewing you!

 

[Doc Henry]

Hmmmm, that girl was right in a previous thread . . . you are pretty damn sexy, Dr. Hazelton 😉

I hope you're not trying to steal my man now that he is about to be an official doctor.

JP- just remember who hit on you first, before all the fame and glory😍

 

[Dr JPH]

Im going to start asking for pictures to be sent to me before I committ to an online love affair.

Less than 36 hours left.

BTW, did I mention I was going to be surgeon and I am amazing with my hands...OMM, of course. 😉

 

[Oculus Sinistra]

If youre just a weird dude...well, you need to have a weirder dude interviewing you!

There are a couple on this very forum, in fact.

Don't know if they're around at the moment. Perhaps he had something to attend to back on the Enterprise.

 

[Dr JPH]

There are a couple on this very forum, in fact.

Don't know if they're around at the moment. Perhaps he had something to attend to back on the Enterprise.

True. Although he is currently on probationary status so he is keeping a low profile until that expires.

 

[Oculus Sinistra]

True. Although he is currently on probationary status so he is keeping a low profile until that expires.

Is he really? That's awesome.

What happened?

 

[Doc Henry]

Im going to start asking for pictures to be sent to me before I committ to an online love affair.

I could say the same to you, but I'll trust your judgment from when you confirmed your sexiness😉

 

[Dr JPH]

Is he really? That's awesome.

What happened?

I have no idea. It wasnt my turn to watch him.

We better change the subject though because Nate will come in here and close this thread because we're talking about another member.

A weird, antisocial, female phobic member.

 

[Doc Henry]

Is he really? That's awesome.

What happened?

Speaking of that sort of thing; what happened to Dr Ivinez?

 

[Dr JPH]

I could say the same to you, but I'll trust your judgment from when you confirmed your sexiness😉

Im telling you, Im stunningly beautiful. I am a beautiful, beautiful man. You can quote me on that. Someone should put that in their signature.

I'm hotter than a Bovie cutting through adipose.

 

[Dr JPH]

Speaking of that sort of thing; what happened to Dr Ivinez?

Banned. But likely already back with another name. In time he will be spotted.

 

[Doc Henry]

Im telling you, Im stunningly beautiful. I am a beautiful, beautiful man. You can quote me on that. Someone should put that in their signature.

I'm hotter than a Bovie cutting through adipose.

Done. Now don't do anything to make me remove it😀

 

[Oculus Sinistra]

Speaking of that sort of thing; what happened to Dr Ivinez?

I was going to suggest a "What happened to...?" thread

but it would probably look like this

"What happened to WinkyDinky?"
"I AM HERE MDs RULE DOs ARE GLORIFIED PROCTOLOGISTS"
"What? DOs are not "glorified proctologists", in fact..."
"You don't have to explain it. We know."
"but"
"Looks like he got banned"
"NUH UH HERE I AM PROCTOLOGISTS ALL OF YOU HAHAHAHA I HAVE A MILLION NAMES COME GET ME"

so we're better off without it.

 

[Johannen]

But you had a few other interviews there as well.

What happened there?

And not all state schools are required to grant interviews...perhaps instate residents often interview, but thats not a ubiquitous rule. I know that for a fact!

I dont want to rip on you for this, but what happened in the interviews? Are you the antisocial type? If youre a bad interviewer that can be worked on. If youre a quiet person, that can be worked on. If youre just a weird dude...well, you need to have a weirder dude interviewing you!

I'm pretty sure my state is, though.

For the other schools: Michigan invited me to interview before I submitted a secondary, I'm sure it was an EC problem there too.

This leaves three schools that were actually interested in me. MCW I botched the interview at. I accept that.

The other two I'm waitlisted at. We'll see how that goes.


I feel that I have more control over my application after the experience gained last year. We'll see how it goes.

 

[prionsRbad]

I hope you're not trying to steal my man now that he is about to be an official doctor.

JP- just remember who hit on you first, before all the fame and glory😍

Aren't you married?

It's OK, we can share 🙂

 

[Doc Henry]

Aren't you married?

It's OK, we can share 🙂

Damn MDapps!! You caught me, I am married...but hey, we're a pretty open couple

And isn't JP taken too?