Save my money?

[MarsDominus]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi. I only recently submitted my primary for MD schools. I initially chose to take a year off but then changed my mind. I decided to take my chances even though it is so late in the cycle. My stats are

3.86 cGPA, 3.72 sGPA, 4.00 nsGPA, 110 hours of research, 9 hours shadowing a pathologist.

I'm taking the September 6 MCAT. Suppose I get 29-30 since I got 30 both in AAMC Practice Test 3 and 10. I've been told that it would be a waste of my time and money but do you guys think it would be worth it to spend another $200 to submit my AACOMAS application?

The only DO school I'm thinking of applying to is GA-PCOM.

 

[iWillOneDay]

Just apply to MD...
However, know that DO application cycle is longer than MD. So if you really want to start school next year, you should add some top-tier DO school schools on your list. Lets wait for that MCAT though.

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

9 hours of shadowing. 110 research? I hope that's not a comprehensive list of your EC because you're severely lacking. Your numbers are nice, but without proper shadowing and volunteering, I don't see your application getting much traction anywhere but the bottom tier desperate to get their averages up.

 

[Awesome Sauceome]

9 hours of shadowing. 110 research? I hope that's not a comprehensive list of your EC because you're severely lacking. Your numbers are nice, but without proper shadowing and volunteering, I don't see your application getting much traction anywhere but the bottom tier desperate to get their averages up.

I know, especially just a pathologist too... you cant really find another specialty more far removed from clinical contact than that.

 

[Goro]

It's getting late in the MD cycle already, and by taking MCAT in Sept, you're just going to end up on await list, at best. Shadowing a pathologist is also not a good way to know what a doctor's day is like. And concur with above, IF you don't have clinical ECs, you're asking for rejections.

Hi. I only recently submitted my primary for MD schools. I initially chose to take a year off but then changed my mind. I decided to take my chances even though it is so late in the cycle. My stats are

3.86 cGPA, 3.72 sGPA, 4.00 nsGPA, 110 hours of research, 9 hours shadowing a pathologist.

I'm taking the September 6 MCAT. Suppose I get 29-30 since I got 30 both in AAMC Practice Test 3 and 10. I've been told that it would be a waste of my time and money but do you guys think it would be worth it to spend another $200 to submit my AACOMAS application?

The only DO school I'm thinking of applying to is GA-PCOM.

 

[MarsDominus]

In my PS, I wrote about an experience and how that motivated me to pursue a career in pathology. I suppose that wouldn't help much?

 

[AlteredScale]

In my PS, I wrote about an experience and how that motivated me to pursue a career in pathology. I suppose that wouldn't help much?

Hey @MarsDominus have you heard of a PathA? You might be interested in that program if you are dead set on working in the pathology field!

 

[MarsDominus]

Hey @MarsDominus have you heard of a PathA? You might be interested in that program if you are dead set on working in the pathology field!

I specifically want to pursue a career in anatomical pathology. If I don't get accepted this cycle in GA-PCOM or Mercer, I will take a glide year to improve my application.

 

[ortnakas]

In my PS, I wrote about an experience and how that motivated me to pursue a career in pathology. I suppose that wouldn't help much?

They tend to want people who are open minded about specialties (or are primary care focused if that fits the school). Being specifically honed in on anatomic pathology might not be the best plan.

 

[MarsDominus]

Actually, I just said I want to become a pathologist. I didn't mention any specific specialty. I read here in Student Doc that it could be a double edged sword depending how you framed it in your PS. I understood the risks. I decided to go big or go home.

 

[ortnakas]

Actually, I just said I want to become a pathologist. I didn't mention any specific specialty. I read here in Student Doc that it could be a double edged sword depending how you framed it in your PS. I understood the risks. I decided to go big or go home.

Well, as long as you understand it's a risky move-- talking about a specialty is typically discouraged, and probably more so if it's not a specialty with direct patient care (nothing wrong with wanting to be a pathologist, just a little early to emphasize it). Best of luck!

 

[hallowmann]

Hi. I only recently submitted my primary for MD schools. I initially chose to take a year off but then changed my mind. I decided to take my chances even though it is so late in the cycle. My stats are

3.86 cGPA, 3.72 sGPA, 4.00 nsGPA, 110 hours of research, 9 hours shadowing a pathologist.

I'm taking the September 6 MCAT. Suppose I get 29-30 since I got 30 both in AAMC Practice Test 3 and 10. I've been told that it would be a waste of my time and money but do you guys think it would be worth it to spend another $200 to submit my AACOMAS application?

The only DO school I'm thinking of applying to is GA-PCOM.

Don't apply this cycle. If you get 30+, you'll get in to an MD school (next cycle), especially if you apply broadly. Your best option right now is to focus on the MCAT and do well. After that work on your ECs (shadow a doc for longer, volunteer more, get lots of hours of clinical experience under your belt, etc.) for the rest of this academic year. Apply early and broadly in June to many MD & DO schools (obviously only the ones you'd actually attend).

In my PS, I wrote about an experience and how that motivated me to pursue a career in pathology. I suppose that wouldn't help much?

That's fine. Usually most programs like it if you're interested in primary care, because that's usually their mission, but if you know what you want, that's not a bad thing per se.

That said, Path is not all that big in the DO community (to give you an idea, there is a total of 0 AOA Path residencies). Fortunately, ACGME Path is relatively open to DOs, but obviously your life will be easier if you go MD (won't need to take both Step and Level 1 to improve your ACGME chances, won't need to deal with the few Path programs that flat out don't accept DOs, etc.).

So again, if I were you, I'd wait to maximize your chances for MD.