re-applying to DOs after turning down II?

[mangomaniac]

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I am a first time applicant and I made the mistake of applying to DO schools this cycle when I wasn't ready to. I have not been accepted to any MDs but am siting on a couple of DO interviews. I am conflicted for what to do next because what I ultimately would like to do is apply to MDs one more time. If that does not go well, I would gladly attend a DO.

Please no judgement. I made a mistake - I applied to DO schools when I wasn't ready to. I recognize this and I would take it back if I could. But I can't so I'm asking for your advice on where to go from here.

My biggest question is: will I be looked down upon by the DO schools if I re-apply after turning down an II?

The other option is going through with the interviews but deferring the acceptance to re-apply to MDs. I know this is a very controversial option, but I am acting in my best interest as an applicant (just as are the medical schools when they are evaluating my application). I would like to know:
1. Has anybody done this before? If so, how did it work out for you?
2. Does AMCAS ask in the primary if you have been previously accepted or is currently holding an acceptance? (I cannot recall unfortunately, but I did not find a question like that when I went back to my primary application)
3. If you defer at a DO school, do they make you sign a contract that specifically say you cannot apply to MD schools?

Thank you.

 

[abtl31]

I am a first time applicant and I made the mistake of applying to DO schools this cycle when I wasn't ready to. I have not been accepted to any MDs but am siting on a couple of DO interviews. I am conflicted for what to do next because what I ultimately would like to do is apply to MDs one more time. If that does not go well, I would gladly attend a DO.

Please no judgement. I made a mistake - I applied to DO schools when I wasn't ready to. I recognize this and I would take it back if I could. But I can't so I'm asking for your advice on where to go from here.

My biggest question is: will I be looked down upon by the DO schools if I re-apply after turning down an II?

The other option is going through with the interviews but deferring the acceptance to re-apply to MDs. I know this is a very controversial option, but I am acting in my best interest as an applicant (just as are the medical schools when they are evaluating my application). I would like to know:
1. Has anybody done this before? If so, how did it work out for you?
2. Does AMCAS ask in the primary if you have been previously accepted or is currently holding an acceptance? (I cannot recall unfortunately, but I did not find a question like that when I went back to my primary application)
3. If you defer at a DO school, do they make you sign a contract that specifically say you cannot apply to MD schools?

Thank you.

Let me first start out by saying congratulations on the II's. Secondly, I have not been exposed to the medical application process very long so I do not know much about this subject, so take my advice with a grain of salt. Hopefully, someone more experienced can shed light on the subject as well. However, I wouldn't worry about it now since this dilemma is based on the assumption that you will get acceptances from the DO programs and nothing in this process is a guarantee.

DO might not "look down" if you turn down an II, but it probably wouldn't be looked upon favorably either. Essentially, what guarantees them that you wouldn't turn them down again?

1) I have not done this.
2) When you fill out the AMCAS as a reapplicant you have to state which schools you have applied to and, if I remember correctly, they ask you the result (i.e. secondary, II, accept/wl/reject), but I don't think that included DO schools.
3) I do not know, I have never done this.

At the end of the day it is your call, honestly. I comes down to how strongly you feel about becoming a MD vs. a DO and whether you are willing to risk not getting into MD and burning bridges at DO. In reality this is an ethical dilemma: should I reapply to MD while deceiving DO about my intentions to matriculate a year later? How would you advise someone who asked you this question? Hint: deception is never a good thing. At one point or another the schools are going to find out.

So, if you are not willing to attend the school you could either withdraw your application or go to your II, who knows maybe you really like the programs.

Good luck!

 

[Goro]

I strongly suggest that you withdraw from all your interviews so those spots can go to people who really want to be doctors. You then take the time to improve your app to get into an MD school, because it's clear that you really don't want to be a DO.

You will bar yourself from those schools that offered IIs.

It's a common pre-med-MD wannabe delusion that you blithely defer your acceptance, in order to try for an MD spot next year. Deferrals are given out on a case by case basis, to those is need of it.

And yes, MD schools do ask for accepts. Interviewers even ask in interviews at some schools.

I am a first time applicant and I made the mistake of applying to DO schools this cycle when I wasn't ready to. I have not been accepted to any MDs but am siting on a couple of DO interviews. I am conflicted for what to do next because what I ultimately would like to do is apply to MDs one more time. If that does not go well, I would gladly attend a DO.

Please no judgement. I made a mistake - I applied to DO schools when I wasn't ready to. I recognize this and I would take it back if I could. But I can't so I'm asking for your advice on where to go from here.

My biggest question is: will I be looked down upon by the DO schools if I re-apply after turning down an II?

The other option is going through with the interviews but deferring the acceptance to re-apply to MDs. I know this is a very controversial option, but I am acting in my best interest as an applicant (just as are the medical schools when they are evaluating my application). I would like to know:
1. Has anybody done this before? If so, how did it work out for you?
2. Does AMCAS ask in the primary if you have been previously accepted or is currently holding an acceptance? (I cannot recall unfortunately, but I did not find a question like that when I went back to my primary application)
3. If you defer at a DO school, do they make you sign a contract that specifically say you cannot apply to MD schools?

Thank you.

 

[mangomaniac]

You will bar yourself from those schools that offered IIs.

@Goro are you saying from your past experience that admissions will typically not offer re-applicants another II next time around? I know that if I take the II, I will definitely put myself in a dilemma I do not want to be, but I was hoping turning down an II wouldn't be as detrimental. I only applied to my top choice DOs unfortunately. 🙁

 

[gyngyn]

I am familiar with several MD schools that inquire about previous applications (including DO) in their secondaries.
The AMCAS primary only includes previous applications at the school in question.

 

[mangomaniac]

I am familiar with several MD schools that inquire about previous applications (including DO) in their secondaries.
The AMCAS primary only includes previous applications at the school in question.

@gyngyn what would be your recommendation at this point? Do you think withdrawing from the II would be detrimental if I reapply to the same school next year?

 

[gyngyn]

@gyngyn what would be your recommendation at this point? Do you think withdrawing from the II would be detrimental if I reapply to the same school next year?

Withdrawing before an interview (as early as possible) is common.
Waiting until the last minute is rude, though.

 

[gamieg]

the osteopathic schools you turned down IIs to will most likely not offer you an II again. put yourself in their shoes; would you offer a reapplicant an II if he/she declined the first time around and you knew this reapplication process he/she were only applying again because of no acceptances from somewhere he/she would prefer to go more?

sometimes you can't have your cake and eat it too. you obviously don't really want to go to an osteopathic school, and mistake or not, you should be honest to yourself.

 

[Goro]

One should never, ever apply to a school to which you have no intention of going to. OP, you don't want to be a DO, so don't waste your time and ours, and your money.

 

[puglover94]

@Goro are you saying from your past experience that admissions will typically not offer re-applicants another II next time around? I know that if I take the II, I will definitely put myself in a dilemma I do not want to be, but I was hoping turning down an II wouldn't be as detrimental. I only applied to my top choice DOs unfortunately. 🙁

n=1, but last year I applied very late to a handful of only DO schools. I received IIs to 3/4 schools. I was in a really bad place & ended up withdrawing all of my applications before even attending the interviews. This cycle I applied broadly, to both MD & DO. I received IIs to 2/3 of the schools I received IIs last year & was actually accepted to both of them. I withdrew my application from the 3rd school before hearing anything back regarding IIs/rejection. I know n=1, but it is obviously not a death sentence at every school. On both of those school's secondaries there was a question regarding being a reapplicant, which I answered honestly so that may have also helped

 

[TheaterOfTheme]

n=1, but last year I applied very late to a handful of only DO schools. I received IIs to 3/4 schools. I was in a really bad place & ended up withdrawing all of my applications before even attending the interviews. This cycle I applied broadly, to both MD & DO. I received IIs to 2/3 of the schools I received IIs last year & was actually accepted to both of them. I withdrew my application from the 3rd school before hearing anything back regarding IIs/rejection. I know n=1, but it is obviously not a death sentence at every school. On both of those school's secondaries there was a question regarding being a reapplicant, which I answered honestly so that may have also helped

Did you give reason for withdrawing ?


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[puglover94]

Did you give reason for withdrawing ?

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When I withdrew? No, I didn't. On the secondaries at those schools though I did mention receiving IIs & kind of just stated that I was going through a lot in my personal life that disabled me from being focused on an application cycle the first time around. I did not mention specifics. Obviously if you go this route and do receive a second II in the next cycle, you better be prepared to give a better explanation than I really just wanted the MD.

 

[TheaterOfTheme]

When I withdrew? No, I didn't. On the secondaries at those schools though I did mention receiving IIs & kind of just stated that I was going through a lot in my personal life that disabled me from being focused on an application cycle the first time around. I did not mention specifics. Obviously if you go this route and do receive a second II in the next cycle, you better be prepared to give a better explanation than I really just wanted the MD.

Interesting. Did you get into MD?

 

[puglover94]

Interesting. Did you get into MD?

Yeah, I did. 4 MD II so far. Attended 2, 1 waitlist & 1 acceptance.

 

[mangomaniac]

n=1, but last year I applied very late to a handful of only DO schools. I received IIs to 3/4 schools. I was in a really bad place & ended up withdrawing all of my applications before even attending the interviews. This cycle I applied broadly, to both MD & DO. I received IIs to 2/3 of the schools I received IIs last year & was actually accepted to both of them. I withdrew my application from the 3rd school before hearing anything back regarding IIs/rejection. I know n=1, but it is obviously not a death sentence at every school. On both of those school's secondaries there was a question regarding being a reapplicant, which I answered honestly so that may have also helped

Thank you @puglover94 for sharing. I know we are not the only ones that have found ourselves in a similar situation but it makes me feel a little better hearing from someone that has been through it. I will shoot you a PM 🙂

And thank you to everyone else for your honest responses

 

[doctorbob23]

How many DO schools did u apply to? If you apply to one haven't before you'd be considered a first time applicant for that school.

But if you turned down a DO interview to a school and you applied the following. Year, they would have that information and they may be reluctant to extend a second one

 

[mangomaniac]

How many DO schools did u apply to? If you apply to one haven't before you'd be considered a first time applicant for that school.

But if you turned down a DO interview to a school and you applied the following. Year, they would have that information and they may be reluctant to extend a second one

10-15 primaries, but only about 5 secondaries.

 

[femmegoblue]

n=1, but I know someone who was ADMITTED to a DO school, turned them down because of her ego, and was then admitted again the next cycle at the same school 🙄

 

[TheaterOfTheme]

n=1, but I know someone who was ADMITTED to a DO school, turned them down because of her ego, and was then admitted again the next cycle at the same school 🙄

Where did she go? Lol


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[femmegoblue]

Where did she go? Lol


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She came back groveling in her second cycle (after not getting into MD's like she assumed) and is a first year at MSUCOM. Homie just straight up didn't pay the deposit her first cycle because she assumed she would get in elsewhere.

 

[edawgmd]

I am familiar with several MD schools that inquire about previous applications (including DO) in their secondaries.
The AMCAS primary only includes previous applications at the school in question.

Hypothetically, if an applicant decides to lie about applying in previous cycles and or about being previously accepted to medical school (MD or DO), how would the schools know? Will they actively investigate on the matter and can they since AMCAS and AACOMAS are separate? I filled out a good number of secondaries this year to MD and DO schools that asked if I previously applied or was accepted, but can schools access your school list and history? Dw I didn't lie, just curious!

 

[Goro]

My wily old Admissions dean seems to be well connected to his counterpart at our state school. On top of that, I've have gotten the sense that there is some informal network of communication between multiple deans.

Hypothetically, if an applicant decides to lie about applying in previous cycles and or about being previously accepted to medical school (MD or DO), how would the schools know? Will they actively investigate on the matter and can they since AMCAS and AACOMAS are separate? I filled out a good number of secondaries this year to MD and DO schools that asked if I previously applied or was accepted, but can schools access your school list and history? Dw I didn't lie, just curious!

 

[mangomaniac]

Hypothetically, if an applicant decides to lie about applying in previous cycles and or about being previously accepted to medical school (MD or DO), how would the schools know? Will they actively investigate on the matter and can they since AMCAS and AACOMAS are separate? I filled out a good number of secondaries this year to MD and DO schools that asked if I previously applied or was accepted, but can schools access your school list and history? Dw I didn't lie, just curious!

I don't think they would know.

My wily old Admissions dean seems to be well connected to his counterpart at our state school. On top of that, I've have gotten the sense that there is some informal network of communication between multiple deans.

That's one medical school out of many. Informal network of communication between multiple deans.. do deans really have that much time to spare to make a list of applicants and communicate them between all the MDs and DOs...

 

[Goro]

It is a very common pre-med delusion that we at the higher levels of medical education (Faculty, deans, residents and PDs) "don't have the time" to do things.

We do.

As I have said, they appear to talk to each other. My dean has also mentioned that when a red flag is raised about an candidate (like one caught lying about his/her app), not not only notifies AACOMAS, but also his counterpart at our state MD school.

There's more. One SDN adviser, who sadly no longer posts here, mentioned to me once in a PM that he knew all the Admissions deans in a particular geographic area, (including mine). This was a faculty member...whose contacts thus went up two command levels.

So just keep life simple. You don't want to be a DO. You know it. I know it. Withdraw your DO app, and aim for MD schools. You know what you need to do.

I don't think they would know.

That's one medical school out of many. Informal network of communication between multiple deans.. do deans really have that much time to spare to make a list of applicants and communicate them between all the MDs and DOs...

 

[mangomaniac]

It is a very common pre-med delusion that we at the higher levels of medical education (Faculty, deans, residents and PDs) "don't have the time" to do things.

We do.

As I have said, they appear to talk to each other. My dean has also mentioned that when a red flag is raised about an candidate (like one caught lying about his/her app), not not only notifies AACOMAS, but also his counterpart at our state MD school.

There's more. One SDN adviser, who sadly no longer posts here, mentioned to me once in a PM that he knew all the Admissions deans in a particular geographic area, (including mine). This was a faculty member...whose contacts thus went up two command levels.

So just keep life simple. You don't want to be a DO. You know it. I know it. Withdraw your DO app, and aim for MD schools. You know what you need to do.

"So just keep life simple." - sure, easy to say when it's not your future.

Booked my flights for my interviews in Jan. for DMU and RVU and going to book my interview for KCU as soon as I get my next paycheck. Spot me if you can Goro.

 

[Goro]

The wily old Admissions dean reads these forums too. So do other Admissions deans.

"So just keep life simple." - sure, easy to say when it's not your future.

Booked my flights for my interviews in Jan. for DMU and RVU and going to book my interview for KCU as soon as I get my next paycheck. Spot me if you can Goro.

 

[mangomaniac]

The wily old Admissions dean reads these forums too. So do other Admissions deans.

That's cool. Let's see them try to weed me out from the hundreds of other applicants that are also using DOs as backup.

 

[Goro]

We don't take it personally. We know people do the latter; But they're also more interested in being doctors, right now period. They've come to peace with being DOs,

You want to be a MD. That's OK. But my Adcom members, especially the DOs, have term for candidates like you, and we're pretty good at spotting them.

Are you really sure you want to go through with this? You're already copping an attitude, and engaging in magic thinking.

That's cool. Let's see them try to weed me out from the hundreds of other applicants that are also using DOs as backup.