New to Pre-Osteopathic Track

[rb4hu]

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I just graduated from the University of Virginia this past May. I was originally thinking about MD school but after shadowing some DO's, I think Osteopathic School shouldn't be a bad option.

My cum. gpa is about a 3.5 and science GPA is a 3.3. During the last two years, I did great in my science classes.

I haven't taken the MCATs yet and will want to in the next two months or so. Could I still apply to enroll school Fall 2011?

 

[cliffhuxtableDO]

you're really late for this cycle since you don't have an mcat score. there are very few test dates remaining and none past september. you will be much better suited to wait for the next cycle. and it's better than "shouldn't be a bad option" so get that mindset corrected before you even think about applying.

 

[st2205]

You could, but you'd be very, very late by the time they got your score.

 

[CopToEM]

As I understand it there are virtually no seats left for the MCAT this year except in Hawaii and Guam. That may not be 100% true but it makes perfect sense given how late in the Fall 2011 cycle it is.

Your stats (and undergrad institution) are right in line with the DO averages. You're fine there. Do you have significant extra-curricular experiences? You need a minimum of 100 clinical shadowing hours, etc. which you can find more info on throughout the forums.

My advice is to spend the Fall studying. Take the MCAT in January. If you get a 24ish (average) score and aren't concerned with funding throw out a few late cycle apps to VCOM, LMU-DCOM, and WVSOM if they are still accepting apps. All of those fall within your geographical region (assuming you're from the CVille area).

The chances that late in the cycle are significantly lower but it is not unheard of. I remember someone on here a few cycles back didn't have their apps in to schools until March 1st. They ended up with three acceptances and entered in the Fall.

Also, on the flip side, if you score poorly your first time around (more common than many realize) you will have plenty of time to remediate and retake in March / April / May.

 

[angryazn88]

which schools require 100hrs of clinical shadowing?? im applied to 16 schools already and I havent read that requirement anywhere. i am curious about which schools cause i am currently shadowing a DO and he plans to let me shadow him for a couple of days, then write me an awesome LOR

 

[judasreznor]

It isn't required, but it is helpful. Actually, as many clinical hours as possible is the best way to go. The guy above you just meant that at least 100 would put you in a good spot.

 

[angryazn88]

oh i see, thanks

 

[PunkmedGirl]

If you had everything ready to go then you would be find because its not late in the game to apply. But since you wouldn't be able to realistically take the MCAT until Jan. that could possibly put you at an extreme disadvantage, although not completely impossible, even if everything else is submitted and verified.

 

[VeeTeeHokies]

I just graduated from the University of Virginia this past May. I was originally thinking about MD school but after shadowing some DO's, I think Osteopathic School shouldn't be a bad option.

My cum. gpa is about a 3.5 and science GPA is a 3.3. During the last two years, I did great in my science classes.

I haven't taken the MCATs yet and will want to in the next two months or so. Could I still apply to enroll school Fall 2011?

The biggest problem I see with your application is that you're a Wahoo...

Other than that, if you land a decent MCAT score and don't sit around and do nothing over the next year you should be in great shape to land an acceptance next cycle. It really is too late to have a solid shot this cycle. It definitely can be done, but the odds are against you and I personally would rather just go with the best shot and apply one time and do it right.

Also going DO "shouldn't be a bad option," it should be a GREAT option.

 

[rb4hu]

I am thinking about taking the earliest possible MCAT in Jan. and applying to some schools. I have everything ready.

Can my LOR just say "medical school" or does it have to state osteopathic schools? Also should I just go ahead and submit my primaries right now even though it is so late? Can I not submit a secondary without the MCAT score? I just want to try for this cycle. Thanks!

 

[Hokie06]

The biggest problem I see with your application is that you're a Wahoo...

Other than that, if you land a decent MCAT score and don't sit around and do nothing over the next year you should be in great shape to land an acceptance next cycle. It really is too late to have a solid shot this cycle. It definitely can be done, but the odds are against you and I personally would rather just go with the best shot and apply one time and do it right.

Also going DO "shouldn't be a bad option," it should be a GREAT option.

hey VeeTeeHokies, it's great to see a fellow hokie on SDN.
you must be going crazy over the boise state game next week too.

I just looked at your mdapplicant profile and just wanted to say a few words. i had the game mcat,gpa as you and I was accepted to 5 DO schools in the 2008-2009 cycle.

good luck in med school next year. btw i go to nycom and it seems there's a hokie in each class every year. it would be great if u came to nycom. in fact i think nycom likes virginian schools, my class alone there are student from tech, uva, radford, and jmu.

good luck and best wishes this cycle!

 

[VeeTeeHokies]

I am thinking about taking the earliest possible MCAT in Jan. and applying to some schools. I have everything ready.

Can my LOR just say "medical school" or does it have to state osteopathic schools? Also should I just go ahead and submit my primaries right now even though it is so late? Can I not submit a secondary without the MCAT score? I just want to try for this cycle. Thanks!

Ultimately your call on applying this cycle, but schools are going to want to see improvement in areas if you are a reapplicant which will make the following year harder. Your LOR can just say medical school. You should DEFINITELY submit your primaries right now, but ONLY if you are 100% positive you want to apply this cycle! You can definitely submit a secondary before your MCAT scores are in, and I highly suggest it. That way when your MCAT scores come in, they are the only thing that schools will need. One more suggestion is to only apply to schools that will accept a January MCAT score for this cycle, as many will not.

Best of luck with your MCAT and application!

hey VeeTeeHokies, it's great to see a fellow hokie on SDN.
you must be going crazy over the boise state game next week too.

I just looked at your mdapplicant profile and just wanted to say a few words. i had the game mcat,gpa as you and I was accepted to 5 DO schools in the 2008-2009 cycle.

good luck in med school next year. btw i go to nycom and it seems there's a hokie in each class every year. it would be great if u came to nycom. in fact i think nycom likes virginian schools, my class alone there are student from tech, uva, radford, and jmu.

good luck and best wishes this cycle!

Pleasure to meet you sir!

I am extremely pumped about the game. In fact, I'm going to it! I live about 30-40 min from FedEx Field (way longer with traffic). Encouraging news to hear about the 5 acceptances! I just received my first interview this morning at NSUCOM actually. I applied to NYCOM, but I haven't heard a single thing back from them yet (only school). I hear they take a while longer than the other schools though so I'm not overly concerned. I hear great things about the school though, and congrats on your acceptance!

 

[Siggy]

You need a minimum of 100 clinical shadowing hours, etc.

You need DO shadowing for most schools, you need physician shadowing at most of the schools that don't specify DO shadowing, but you don't need 100 hours of shadowing. I got into COMP with less than 20 hours shadowing my grad school adviser who was an MD...

 

[seap3]

I agree that you don't need 100 hrs clinical shadowing, but you probably need to have at least 100 hours clinical exposure, whether it's work, volunteering, shadowing, etc. Perhaps that is what the pp meant?