Questions from a Canadian applicant

[Winner32]

---

Members don't see this ad.

*I posted this in the "what are my chances" forum but got no replies so thought posting in the pre-osteopathic one would be better*

Hey guys! Long time lurker first time poster.

Pursuing a career in healthcare has always been a goal of mine, however I did not know exactly which specific career I'd be interested in. For the first 2.5 years of undergrad, I was pursuing Dentistry and was even planning on taking the DAT in the summer. However, in the back of my mind, medicine (allopathic or osteopathic) was also something I had always thought about studying. Long story short, after thorough research, osteopathic medicine has grasped my interest the most.

I know DO schools require or prefer students shadowing physicians who are a DOs, but here in Canada there isn't many to choose from. The doctor I'm planning on shadowing is an MD but has received training in OMT so its the closest I can get to a DO.

I am finishing my 3rd year of undergrad in Canada and my stats as of now look like this (not including two summer classes I plan to take):

cGPA = 3.53
sGPA = 3.42
MCAT = TBD

I understand Canadians generally need higher stats than Americans when applying to DO schools but I hopefully plan to compensate with a high MCAT score. I'm thinking of taking the new MCAT sometime late July early August. I understand the application process is rolling admission so applying early even without MCAT scores is crucial.

I guess my main question is, should I still consider applying this year (class of 2016) to DO school even though I just recently changed my career choice. I feel if I was applying to dentistry in the States, I would have more ECs and volunteer work that I could include in my app since I had over 2 years to prepare. Besides my dentistry ECs (research, shadowing, volunteering, ect..), for now I don't have anything that is overly impressive compared to other applicants who've been eyeing DO for a long time. I still have a decent amount of community involvement. Some of which include volunteering as a teacher for sunday school (from church) for over 3 years, and being a local facilitator who organizes youth service projects within the community (1 year). I plan on shadowing a few doctors during the summer and volunteering in a lab but as of now, I don't think I can do anything overly impressive before June and add it to my application. I see some people with over 1000 hours of hospital volunteering and research and its kind of discouraging me.

If you don't think I'll have a good shot this year even with a decent mcat score (i.e. >508), would you suggest I apply to a 1 year post bach or Masters program which have linkages to the DO school? Should I apply for DO school and Masters simultaneously?

I really appreciate the help. Thanks!

 

[UBC2014]

I think your GPA's are alright, definitely keep up the grades in 4th year so that you can update schools. Definitely get that physician shadowing so you can get LOR, I wouldn't worry about it not being a DO. Also, get the ball rolling on getting your other LORs ahead of time too.

It pretty much rests on your MCAT. Try and take it latest August, or September if you really really need to...but use your months of May, June, July wisely and dedicate it to the MCAT. I would say see how you are doing after studying in May, and see if you can take it in early July. Honestly, people waste a lot of time studying for the MCAT - its easy to see 2-3 months go by and you haven't accomplished much because you keep thinking "oh i can just push it back just in case). Make sure make the MCAT your priority and get it over with.

You do not need a post bacc or masters. Apply broadly to all 10 Canadian Friendly USDO schools this upcoming cycle (June 2015) for starting school Summer 2016 (Class of 2020). IF it turns out that you don't get in (again, pending your MCAT), you can always just re-apply and be in an even better position having completed your 4th year successfully and added more to your ECs during the year.

Your ECs are probably fine, people with less have gotten in.

(I am an Canadian who was accepted this cycle).

 

[URMD]

I think if you score 27+ on your MCAT you should be in good shape for DO so go ahead and apply.
You can spin the dentistry thing in a positive way because you can say that you have experienced other healthcare professions and still choose medicine. That is something that can be looked upon favorably by some adcoms
you don't need post bacc masters.
Does your GPA have an upward trend?
You can also think about MD schools as well if you score really well on MCAT (average MCAT for matriculants was 32).

Above all else dont compare yourself to what other people are doing. There are many people of differing roads all applying to medical school and each has their own strengths and weaknesses. Some people that you think have stronger apps than you, well you can be suprised where they end up. Just focus on you!

Keep your grades on that upward trend, rock the MCAT, keep up your ECs (even if you can't add any before the cycle starts you cans till send update letters to schools your interested in), apply early and broadly, have a good PS, start working on those LOR, and you should be fine!

(I am a Canadian applicant who was accepted this cycle)

 

[Winner32]

@UBC2014 and @URMD thank you so much for the advice! It's nice to see fellow Canadians getting accepted! MCAT will be the game changer for me and is definitely my priority right now. I will do my best to apply broadly to the Canadian schools and will get started on LOR asap!