Picking Schools To Apply To?

[MedPR]

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For those of you who matriculated and those of you still applying, how did/are you pick the schools you applied to? I'm going to apply DO and MD, and applying MD is much easier for me because my MD stats are so low so I'm limited to the lower tier schools. However, I think I have pretty good DO stats so I can be a little choosier with where I apply.

I personally have very little geographic preference and am mostly looking to go to the best school I can get in to. I know that there is very little debate about DMU and KCUMB being the top two DO schools, but who are 3-12? And what else should I be looking at in terms of picking where to apply? I assume the tuition is basically the same everywhere except MSU..

 

[michow87]

That really is all up to you. What is and isn't important to you in a medical school should pretty much sum up your reasons for choosing where to apply. Funny that you ask this since this is NYCOM's secondary question.

Also, I'm surprised that you are asking such questions with your massive post count.

 

[JeetKuneDo]

Depending on your stats and state of residence, I'd say old 5, state schools, and whatever other schools sound appealing to you. A list of 10-15 should be good enough.

 

[LSU Alex]

For those of you who matriculated and those of you still applying, how did/are you pick the schools you applied to? I'm going to apply DO and MD, and applying MD is much easier for me because my MD stats are so low so I'm limited to the lower tier schools. However, I think I have pretty good DO stats so I can be a little choosier with where I apply.

I personally have very little geographic preference and am mostly looking to go to the best school I can get in to. I know that there is very little debate about DMU and KCUMB being the top two DO schools, but who are 3-12? And what else should I be looking at in terms of picking where to apply? I assume the tuition is basically the same everywhere except MSU..

In a few hours, flaming will commence.

My advice to you is don't limit yourself already. "Low Teir MD schools"? Screw that thought. Apply everywhere. You never know what will happen. Now as far as DO schools go, again, apply everywhere. When looking for a filter, board scores and match lists are great and all, but any self starter will do well in medical school. I wanted to know where I'd be completing my 3rd year. I'd say look at the quality of the 3rd year Core Sites. People often overlook this. They hear "Oh, we train people in hospitals all over the country. So you'll be able to pick somewhere close to home." And then they don't research those hospitals and the quality of the training. Don't do this to yourself...

Bonne chance.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Locations you're pertinent to, cost, dual degrees if that is your interest, and maybe their OPTI. So for example I generally like Des Monies and it is a state that actually grants me certain rights that are still considered "special" in others. Now combine that with their excellent scores, alumni network, and history and boom,DMU is in my top circle of schools.
For the other schools I look similarly for a good history and reputation so PCOM and UMDNJ make it. I also look into schools that historically are biased towards students from my state, so for example I'll apply to VCOM as well, as they will likely accept me if DMU doesn't. And I will also apply to a few schools in good geographic areas such as NSU and avoid those that are not such as MSU and Pacific Northwest.

Pretty much if you can see yourself being happy in that area for 2-4 years then apply. If not then don't.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Personal comfort level should be in the list*

 

[Soccer171983]

I went to LECOM and I can say that they had the second lowest tuition of any med school. They also had three pathways that let you learn according to your preferred style of learning (independent, problem based, lecture discussion and pcsp).

 

[dntke1518]

Avoid schools with a strong regional bias like PNWU and others (my brain is tired or I would list more, someone else can follow up)

 

[MaximusMeridius]

Avoid schools with a strong regional bias like PNWU and others (my brain is tired or I would list more, someone else can follow up)

Pikeville, wvcom, western-leb....

 

[dntke1518]

Pikeville, wvcom, western-leb....

VCOM also too right?

 

[MedPR]

That really is all up to you. What is and isn't important to you in a medical school should pretty much sum up your reasons for choosing where to apply. Funny that you ask this since this is NYCOM's secondary question.

Also, I'm surprised that you are asking such questions with your massive post count.

Yea, 90% of my posts are in the MCAT Q&A. I'm just moving along through the entire application process trying to get advice.

Depending on your stats and state of residence, I'd say old 5, state schools, and whatever other schools sound appealing to you. A list of 10-15 should be good enough.

Thanks, but I thought DO schools weren't really in-state/regionally biased, except for a few of them. I'm going to apply to the schools in my state and region, since I like the midwest anyway, but am I at a big disadvantage applying to somewhere like PCOM?

In a few hours, flaming will commence.

My advice to you is don't limit yourself already. "Low Teir MD schools"? Screw that thought. Apply everywhere. You never know what will happen. Now as far as DO schools go, again, apply everywhere. When looking for a filter, board scores and match lists are great and all, but any self starter will do well in medical school. I wanted to know where I'd be completing my 3rd year. I'd say look at the quality of the 3rd year Core Sites. People often overlook this. They hear "Oh, we train people in hospitals all over the country. So you'll be able to pick somewhere close to home." And then they don't research those hospitals and the quality of the training. Don't do this to yourself...

Bonne chance.

From what I've read I thought people agreed that DMU/KCUMB were the top 2. I know PCOM and LECOM are also very respected on SDN, but I was positive DMU/KCUMB were the top 2. I don't know enough about any of the schools to make judgements though.

Boards/match lists are something I hadn't thought of. I also hadn't thought of the sites for 3rd year rotation. Thanks for mentioning those, I'll add them to the list of things to consider.

Locations you're pertinent to, cost, dual degrees if that is your interest, and maybe their OPTI. So for example I generally like Des Monies and it is a state that actually grants me certain rights that are still considered "special" in others. Now combine that with their excellent scores, alumni network, and history and boom,DMU is in my top circle of schools.
For the other schools I look similarly for a good history and reputation so PCOM and UMDNJ make it. I also look into schools that historically are biased towards students from my state, so for example I'll apply to VCOM as well, as they will likely accept me if DMU doesn't. And I will also apply to a few schools in good geographic areas such as NSU and avoid those that are not such as MSU and Pacific Northwest.

Pretty much if you can see yourself being happy in that area for 2-4 years then apply. If not then don't.

What's OPTI? The problem I have with picking based on location is I have very little regional preference. I'm not turned off by anywhere in the US and I won't know that I don't like an area until I actually visit the school. I guess I could do some online research to read about the specific area each school is in though. Why do you think the Pacific Northwest isn't a good geographic area? Just personal preference? Or is there something I should know about the schools out there?

I went to LECOM and I can say that they had the second lowest tuition of any med school. They also had three pathways that let you learn according to your preferred style of learning (independent, problem based, lecture discussion and pcsp).

I didn't know that about LECOM. Are any other schools like that? I know everyone studies and learns differently, but it's interesting that a school actually helps nurture the different learning types instead of presenting the information one way and expecting all students to make due.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

OPTI: Osteopathic Post-graduate Training Internships: Schools like PCOM, MSU, LECOM own a lot of residencies and will favor their own graduates who rotate there many a time.

Pacific Northwest = Rainy all year = feeling depressed.

 

[572776]

For those of you who matriculated and those of you still applying, how did/are you pick the schools you applied to? I'm going to apply DO and MD, and applying MD is much easier for me because my MD stats are so low so I'm limited to the lower tier schools. However, I think I have pretty good DO stats so I can be a little choosier with where I apply.

I personally have very little geographic preference and am mostly looking to go to the best school I can get in to. I know that there is very little debate about DMU and KCUMB being the top two DO schools, but who are 3-12? And what else should I be looking at in terms of picking where to apply? I assume the tuition is basically the same everywhere except MSU..

These are the schools I would apply to: azcom, DMU, CCOM, kcumb 👍 , msu, LECOM-B, nova, pcom, umdnj, western, tcom, osu, touro CA. ...there are other good schools, but I'm not as familiar with those.

 

[MedPR]

OPTI: Osteopathic Post-graduate Training Internships: Schools like PCOM, MSU, LECOM own a lot of residencies and will favor their own graduates who rotate there many a time.

Pacific Northwest = Rainy all year = feeling depressed.

Ah OPTI, that makes sense. And yea I've only heard stories about the Pacific Northwest. Never actually been there. I'd prefer to stay midwest or move further east anyway. Thanks for your help.

 

[sknight]

hey on a somewhat related note... has anyone here tried this site?

http://www.studentdoc.com/do-school-search.html

what do you guys think about its credibility?

also would anyone happen o know where we can acquire a list of IS:OOS ratio/GPA/MCAT statistics on DO schools?

 

[MedPR]

hey on a somewhat related note... has anyone here tried this site?

http://www.studentdoc.com/do-school-search.html

what do you guys think about its credibility?

also would anyone happen o know where we can acquire a list of IS:OOS ratio/GPA/MCAT statistics on DO schools?

What exactly does the score you get indicate?

What "How competitive your scores are" number should I be looking for?

 

[sknight]

yeah I'm not even sure, I just know the color codes are green = go blue = hopeful and red = long shot.

basically when I came up for my list of allopathic schools I did it based on gpa, mcat, and is : oos... the DO MSAR doesn't have any of these statistics so I'm curious as to how everyone has been choosing DO schools...?

 

[Soccer171983]

OPTI: Osteopathic Post-graduate Training Internships: Schools like PCOM, MSU, LECOM own a lot of residencies and will favor their own graduates who rotate there many a time.

Pacific Northwest = Rainy all year = feeling depressed.

I can vouch for this. I received an interview from most programs affiliated with my school, especially If I did a rotation there. The great thing about LECOM Erie is that you have a lot of freedom to set up your own rotations which helps when applying for residency.

 

[tenndoc]

i have a fool proof method. get a dartboard and a pitcher of beer. you're welcome

 

[COMedic2Doc]

i have a fool proof method. get a dartboard and a pitcher of beer. you're welcome

It almost feels that way at times.... I'm right there with you OP. We'll make this work I'm still looking at a lot of different programs as well MD and DO. (less MD apps, more DO apps at this point due to a variety of factors)

 

[MedPR]

It almost feels that way at times.... I'm right there with you OP. We'll make this work I'm still looking at a lot of different programs as well MD and DO. (less MD apps, more DO apps at this point due to a variety of factors)

I'm having more trouble picking MD schools at this point. There are way less DO schools to research and even though it took forever, I have a pretty good idea of the DO schools I'm interested in. MD is a crapshoot though!

 

[COMedic2Doc]

I'm having more trouble picking MD schools at this point. There are way less DO schools to research and even though it took forever, I have a pretty good idea of the DO schools I'm interested in. MD is a crapshoot though!

I found the LizzyM score table to be somewhat helpful here. I say somewhat because I have a ton of ECs that I'm coming in with and am also non-trad. However, I do think that it's worthwhile for getting a baseline knowledge of which schools to consider. The website for the LizzyM is on here just do a search and it should come up.

 

[MedPR]

I found the LizzyM score table to be somewhat helpful here. I say somewhat because I have a ton of ECs that I'm coming in with and am also non-trad. However, I do think that it's worthwhile for getting a baseline knowledge of which schools to consider. The website for the LizzyM is on here just do a search and it should come up.

Thanks, I'll definitely do that. My current MD list is based on the bottom 10% of GPA matriculated as well as location and cost.

Are you going to send your DO LOR(s) to AMCAS?

Are you comparing your LizzyM score to the ~50% matriculants for schools?

 

[Iliketoytles]

hey on a somewhat related note... has anyone here tried this site?

http://www.studentdoc.com/do-school-search.html

what do you guys think about its credibility?

also would anyone happen o know where we can acquire a list of IS:OOS ratio/GPA/MCAT statistics on DO schools?

This website seems terribly outdated... I wouldn't use it for any information.

I found the LizzyM score table to be somewhat helpful here. I say somewhat because I have a ton of ECs that I'm coming in with and am also non-trad. However, I do think that it's worthwhile for getting a baseline knowledge of which schools to consider. The website for the LizzyM is on here just do a search and it should come up.

LizzyM score is better than the first website, but I still wouldn't use it to see what my chances are (no offense to the great LizzyM... it's just difficult to quantify this stuff when the numbers constantly change).

Your best bet to see where you stand is to look at the past year's average stats. These numbers can be found on each school's website. Remember having a high GPA/MCAT does not make up for slacking off on ECs... and same vice versa to an even greater degree (meaning GPA/MCAT takes precedence over ECs, always).

Just my $0.02.

 

[COMedic2Doc]

Thanks, I'll definitely do that. My current MD list is based on the bottom 10% of GPA matriculated as well as location and cost.

Are you going to send your DO LOR(s) to AMCAS?

Are you comparing your LizzyM score to the ~50% matriculants for schools?

I use the LizzyM purely to get a wide angle picture of what applicants were accepted where. My ECs are very heavy coming into this process but I also have to balance that with my academic performance thus far.

I'm using a DO LOR for my MD applications but I'm not planning on receiving a huge acceptance from the MD community for most programs. I think that adcoms will see that yes I am applying DO and won't particularly care if it's a DO letter or an MD when compared against my other letters.

I'm also only picking like 4-5 MD programs and something around 10 DO programs to apply to this cycle. Some of my decisions may be made after I get my MCAT score later on this year.

 

[MedPR]

I use the LizzyM purely to get a wide angle picture of what applicants were accepted where. My ECs are very heavy coming into this process but I also have to balance that with my academic performance thus far.

I'm using a DO LOR for my MD applications but I'm not planning on receiving a huge acceptance from the MD community for most programs. I think that adcoms will see that yes I am applying DO and won't particularly care if it's a DO letter or an MD when compared against my other letters.

I'm also only picking like 4-5 MD programs and something around 10 DO programs to apply to this cycle. Some of my decisions may be made after I get my MCAT score later on this year.

I thought about applying to only a few MD schools (in addition to 7-10 DO schools), but then I figured if I want to get into an MD school I'm going to have to apply broadly and applying to only a handful would probably just be a waste of money.

I don't know what your GPA is, but my MD GPA is only ~3.0 and DO only 3.22. I've got no problem going to a DO school, and I actually do find OMM/OMT interesting, but if going the MD path makes my life easier, then I'd certainly prefer to go that route.

I'll definitely be torn if I get into a good DO program and a lower tier MD program. That's assuming I even get in though.

 

[COMedic2Doc]

I thought about applying to only a few MD schools (in addition to 7-10 DO schools), but then I figured if I want to get into an MD school I'm going to have to apply broadly and applying to only a handful would probably just be a waste of money.

I don't know what your GPA is, but my MD GPA is only ~3.0 and DO only 3.22. I've got no problem going to a DO school, and I actually do find OMM/OMT interesting, but if going the MD path makes my life easier, then I'd certainly prefer to go that route.

I'll definitely be torn if I get into a good DO program and a lower tier MD program. That's assuming I even get in though.

I totally understand. Our stats are similar and so I am going to be looking at only a few, select MD programs. I am not sure that going MD will make that much difference for me in the long run as far as what I want to do for residency. I really could care less about research and care more about international medicine and a few other things.

 

[MedPR]

I totally understand. Our stats are similar and so I am going to be looking at only a few, select MD programs. I am not sure that going MD will make that much difference for me in the long run as far as what I want to do for residency. I really could care less about research and care more about international medicine and a few other things.

I don't care about research either. I just want to have the most options available to me when it comes to location and type of residency/fellowship programs. Probably going to be looking to start a family during residency so I would like to be living somewhere decent!

 

[COMedic2Doc]

I don't care about research either. I just want to have the most options available to me when it comes to location and type of residency/fellowship programs. Probably going to be looking to start a family during residency so I would like to be living somewhere decent!

Yeah I completely understand starting a family during residency instead of med school. My wife and I talked a lot about this when I proposed to her and have continued talking about it since then. Our goal has become to get me into at least 3rd year before considering starting a family.

 

[group_theory]

Thanks, but I thought DO schools weren't really in-state/regionally biased, except for a few of them. I'm going to apply to the schools in my state and region, since I like the midwest anyway, but am I at a big disadvantage applying to somewhere like PCOM?



From what I've read I thought people agreed that DMU/KCUMB were the top 2. I know PCOM and LECOM are also very respected on SDN, but I was positive DMU/KCUMB were the top 2. I don't know enough about any of the schools to make judgements though.

.

PCOM does favor in-state applicants (your chance of getting an interview and acceptance increases if you are an PA resident but I have classmates from Florida, California, Michigan, and other states)


And the "there is very little debate about DMU and KCUMB being the top two DO schools" comment .... there are active threads talking about those schools, but I never got the impression (through my years here on SDN) that these were "absolutely the best, no need for debate". Some of the more vocal posters here on SDN happen to be DMU or KCUMB students, but there isn't any consensus on what are the top schools (many would also include PCOM in that list since it is one of the older schools in a city famous for medical education, with one of the stronger clinical rotation affliations amongst DO schools, a large OPTI network with lots of residency choices, and a large alumni base). Every year, PCOM (the original philly campus) gets more applicants than any other DO schools.

 

[costales]

And the "there is very little debate about DMU and KCUMB being the top two DO schools" comment .... there are active threads talking about those schools, but I never got the impression (through my years here on SDN) that these were "absolutely the best, no need for debate". Some of the more vocal posters here on SDN happen to be DMU or KCUMB students.

Amen to that! Everyone will say their school is the best.

 

[MedPR]

I didn't mean to say DMU/KCUMB were better than everywhere else. I just thought that's what the general consensus was. Sorry!

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

I think generally it's PCOM. But honestly it's a moot point with established schools, you can't go wrong with them and it is more a decision of external factors like location, etc.

 

[Mosonik]

Popularity seems to drive the impression of prestige/program ranking for students on these forums. I've don't buy into any rankings of DO or MD programs personally. Pick the right place for you and don't worry about "prestige"

 

[xBODOMx]

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