Score Cuttoffs: DO EM Programs

[GreenShirt]

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I know a lot of this is kept on the down low and may be hearsay, but please share if you've heard any info on Step I cut off scores for DO EM programs. I've hear these 2 so far:

1) Doctor's Hospital Columus, OH: 500 (from a resident)
2) Mt. Sinai Miami Beach, FL: 550 (hypothetical number thrown out by program director at talk).

 

[EM2BE]

This is not really a reasonable thought in the process of elimination of programs that may/ may not accept you. In the DO world, all these supposed cut-offs are not valid if you rotate with them and show them your abilities. In addition, they often ignore the scores if you have a great LOR from a PD they know.

 

[TeamZissou]

The program director for CCOM's gave us a presentation and said during it he would probably take someone with a 410 (or whatever passing is) who had a great rotation with him over someone who scored 700. I dunno if that meant rotations trump scores there. Or if they still have a cutoff for those who don't rotate. Either way he ended by saying just try to help yourself out and not be that 410.

 

[MSmentor018]

there's no real cut off number, it just decrease your chances. many factors go into who will get an interview, the most influential is doing well on that rotation. you're almost guaranteed a courtesy interview just by rotating but that's not set in stone. I know 1 student that rotated with me that wasn't offered one. strong LOR's from known directors and a well written PS also helps.

 

[GreenShirt]

I know a good audition helps get an interview even if you're below cutoff (if you're lucky enough to get a rotation at that program in the first place). However, knowing cutoffs helps you decide where to audition. More strategic to choose a place where you're below rather than above all other factors being equal.

 

[TeamZissou]

I know a good audition helps get an interview even if you're below cutoff (if you're lucky enough to get a rotation at that program in the first place). However, knowing cutoffs helps you decide where to audition. More strategic to choose a place where you're below rather than above all other factors being equal.

I'd just rotate at the places where you want to go the most. That way you can kill two birds with one stone. You can impress them and increase your chances of going there, and you can also see if you mesh well with the program.

Though if you are going to apply to MD programs too then it opens up a whole new bag of worms to make sure you can get SLORs from the programs vs if you only have SLORs from MD programs some of the DO ones may not take you seriously... I'm still watching all the advice people give on this subject though.