Pre-supplementary screenin?

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Eyecon82

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Hi. I was just wondering if anyone knew which of the 19 Osteopathic schools actually screen the applicants before sending out the supplementary and which schools send the supplementary no matter what...thanks
 
It is my understanding that all schools screen their applicants before sending secondaries. Maybe some of the newer schools don't, since they are having to compete against established schools. If all schools sent secondaries to all applicants, they would have an insurmountable task of sorting through too much paperwork. I am not positive about this though. I can say that I know for a fact that MSUCOM does screen, this is from my own personal experience. Then again, I sent my primary to 18 schools, and have received secondaries from all of them, so who knows!!
 
Hey..thanks...have you been accepted anywhere yet and if so what are is your mcat/gpa if you don't mind me asking.... or even PM me if you don't want to put it in the public. The reason being is because I'm pretty insecure about my "stats"..thanks
 
WstSdDesi, the vast majority of medical schools will send you a secondary application almost automatically (they make money that way). Most DO schools will not send you a secondary if you fall below their "minimum" requirements, but those are easy to satisfy. The average DO school requires a C or better in all pre-requisite courses, a GPA of at least 2.75 (some are 2.5) and a 7 on each section of the MCAT. It's easy to get a secondary from a DO school, not necessarily easy to get an interview or an acceptance.

If your stats are decent, you have good clinical experience and interesting life experiences and a sincere interest in osteopathic medicine, you have a chance. Just make sure when you fill in your secondary applications don't be bashful and let them know how much you know about osteopathic medicine and how much you want to be a DO. There are many people that apply to DO schools as a backup in case they don't get into MD school, so you can make your application stand out from the bunch by really showing an interest and understanding of the DO profession (a solid letter of recommendation from a practicing DO is key).

Don't underestimate your stats. I thought I wasn't going to get a single interview offer and started collecting all sorts of applications and brochures for off-shore schools. Turns out I ended up with so many interview offers I had to decline several (declined one MD school and three DO schools!). DO schools do look at you as a total person "package" instead of just a GPA and MCAT. Good luck and let us know how it goes!
 
I'd like to add that it is still possible to at least act like you believe in the philosophy even though you may not. I applied to DO schools as not really a back up but more as an additional route that will still allow me to be a doctor. Thus, I really don't see myself as a strong advocate of the osteopathic philosophy although I do think OMM will be an extra tool that I could use to help my patients better.

Other than that, to me DO=MD in everything else, but DO schools are a bit easier to get into. There was a time when I thought I could never be a doctor because I thought I couldn't make the grade. I was about to give up until I found out about osteopathy and how they accepted students with lower stats. This actually gave me the motivation that I needed because I realized I could still be a doctor and not have to be such a gunner. Thus, I can honestly say if I never learned that such a thing as DOs existed, I would have given up on my dream to be a doctor.

As long as at your interviews when they ask you why osteopathy, you give an intelligible answer citing some of the ideas of osteopathy and act like you believe it, they will believe you. This does not mean you wholeheartedly have to love the philosophy to get into a DO school. Hope that helps.
 
Slickness,

Would you mind telling me your stats....i have a 3.2 gpa and a 28o mcat and stressing out big time about not getting in
 
Originally posted by WstSdDesi
Slickness,

Would you mind telling me your stats....i have a 3.2 gpa and a 28o mcat and stressing out big time about not getting in
3.7gpa, 29R. I'd say don't worry about it. You should have a lot of success particularly with the DO schools pretty soon. A month and a half ago I was pretty stressed also thinking I wouldn't get in anywhere. Now I've been accepted to 3 schools. Your time will come.
 
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