Should I apply MD? or is it a waste of time

[ssj4vinh]

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3.1 cGPA, 3.1 sGPA, 34 MCAT (12/11/11)


EC's:
300 volunteer hours research lab experience
1.5 years working 30 hours/week as a physical therapy aide
300 hours ghost writing for a semi-famous nutritionist
1 year as a "mentor" at the Boys and Girls club for two semi-homeless kids
40 hours shadowing primary care physicians (D.O. and M.D.)

I'm applying broadly to D.O. schools (8-12 schools) as well as a few SMP's.

Should I even bother applying to M.D.? According to the data, people with my stats get accepted about 42% of the time. I feel like my chances are a lot lower than that lol.

 

[Pacna]

If you've got the cash, why not? 42% of the time it works every time.

 

[EngineerPreMD]

STATE SCHOOLS. GPA's a little low, but that MCAT looks fine, and the ECs aren't too bad. Go for it. The worst that happens is you lose at most ~$500 if you apply to a few schools. At best you could end up in a more competitive program. Seems like an easy decision.

 

[darklabel]

Definitely apply! Include state schools, low tier schools and a few "reach" schools (Which would be mid tier schools).

Look closely at the MSAR and see which accept your GPA (which will be around the low 10%).

Good luck and great job with that MCAT score.

 

[mrh125]

just try it, you never know. there's a lot of randomness. you have nice volunteering experiences and the mcat score is really good.

 

[padastra]

You've probably been getting outdated advice from your mentors, so I would say this:

If you have ANY interest in academic medicine (research, teaching, administration) or specializing, do your best to get into an MD program. It used to be you could an ACGME residency from a DO school but this is getting increasingly difficult.

 

[SpartanWolverine]

I'll be the devil's advocate and say that it is a waste of time and money unless you're URM; I'm afraid that 42% statistic might be a bit misleading... and nothing you list stands out an awful lot (ECs are pretty good, MCAT is pretty good, and GPA is well below average)

However, I would also suggest that you do still try for MD. Definitely apply broadly to DO... but also apply broadly to your in-state MD schools and to some of the "lower-tier" private schools. Who knows, you might get a lucky break!

I was in a similar position to you a year ago. I ended up with a few MD interviews, but none have yet to pan out. I was very successful with DO, though, so I have confidence you can be a doctor one way or another.

 

[ssj4vinh]

Thank you all for words of encouragement. I am a CA resident also so state schools will be very hard to get into. But it looks like the general consensus is that I should apply. I'll make sure to study the MSAR and apply broadly to lowest tier. My fingers will be crossed, and in the end I won't mind going DO either as primary care is my ultimate goal.

 

[DrEnderW]

You've probably been getting outdated advice from your mentors

It used to be you could an ACGME residency from a DO school but this is getting increasingly difficult.

The is completely incorrect information.

There has been an increase number of DOs matching ACGME residencies since 2009 (likely long before then too) every single year. Roughly 600 more DOs matched ACGME in 2013 compared to 2009. There has been over a 5% increase in the percentage of DOs matching as well, which controls for the increased numbers of schools opening. This trend has also increased every single year. Additionally, in 2013 the lowest percentage of DOs went unmatched and the lowest percentage withdrew from the match for AOA residencies.

Furthermore, all residencies will likely be ACGME accredited by the time OP applies meaning 100% of DOs will be in ACGME residencies.

As others have said, it's worth a try to apply to MD schools.

 

[mishaS]

The is completely incorrect information.

There has been an increase number of DOs matching ACGME residencies since 2009 (likely long before then too) every single year. Roughly 600 more DOs matched ACGME in 2013 compared to 2009. There has been over a 5% increase in the percentage of DOs matching as well, which controls for the increased numbers of schools opening. This trend has also increased every single year. Additionally, in 2013 the lowest percentage of DOs went unmatched and the lowest percentage withdrew from the match for AOA residencies.

Furthermore, all residencies will likely be ACGME accredited by the time OP applies meaning 100% of DOs will be in ACGME residencies.

As others have said, it's worth a try to apply to MD schools.

The number of residency spots isn't increasing, whereas the number of medical students is. I've heard multiple residency program directors say something along the lines of traditionally uncompetitive specialties quickly growing more competitive due to this disparity. Who knows what will happen, but I imagine IMGs will be hit first and hardest, however DO grads might feel the sting as well. If the OP is fine with primary care, then I doubt they'd feel much impact from this, however if they're shooting for specializing, as you stated, they should try to apply MD.

 

[padastra]

The is completely incorrect information.

Every DO student who wants to be optimistic / faculty advisor from the 1950s wants to believe everything in the world is equal, but having helped a few friends through the process:

In Internal Medicine:
1. University of Maryland (mid-tier program) used to accept DOs frequently. Have not done so in the past couple years.
2. Hopkins Bayview (mid-tier community program) used to accept DOs frequently. Have not done so in the past three years.
3. Einstein Montefiore (mid-tier program) used to accept DOs frequently. Now they simply do not even look at DO applications.
4. USC (mid-tier program) used to accept DOs frequently. Now they very rarely do (I don't think in the past couple years)
etc. etc.

I might be a year off, these are from memory, but the trend is definitely true. Your statistics are for all programs including the hundred or so ****ty ACGME residencies that are filled with FMGs, not for an ACGME residency which keeps you at least mildly competitive for a fellowship / academic future. And even if you can apply, you will generally need higher USMLE scores than your peers.