I am a 25 year old new mother who is returning to school after staying out for a year. I am wondering what my chances are for D.O. acceptance? I am a biology major and have a 3.4 total and 3.3 science. I won't take the MCAT for another couple of semesters because I still have 2 years left. The problem that I am wanting some advice on is the fact that I went through a change of majors (to Education) about three years ago because I was led to believe that my GPA isn't good enough for med school. I have now re-enrolled as a biology major at a completely different school and am looking forward to working on my original goal. How is a change of major going to look to an admissions committee? I have been looking into the D.O. schools because I really like the philosophy behind the education. If anyone can tell me how I stand as far as possible acceptance it would help me out a lot (one way or the other!) I've already taken all of the required coursework for med school (except for Organic Chemistry), have loads of volunteer time as an Army wife, will begin hospital work in January, and I have several upper-level biology classes on my transcript. Thank you in advance.
Should I Even Try?
- Thread starter MelAnn
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MelAnn,
I think your chances of getting in are pretty good. I started out in college as a Zoology major, but ended up with a B.A. in International Business. I've received 2 acceptances to D.O. schools. Your change in majors will merely serve as interesting interview conversation! I was asked questions about this at my interviews, but always in a positive way. The D.O. schools really focus on you as a person and on your individuality. The more varied your personal experiences, the more you have to draw from in relating to your patients. So, don't worry about your major. If you really want to be a D.O., you can make it happen. Good luck to you!
Stef
I think your chances of getting in are pretty good. I started out in college as a Zoology major, but ended up with a B.A. in International Business. I've received 2 acceptances to D.O. schools. Your change in majors will merely serve as interesting interview conversation! I was asked questions about this at my interviews, but always in a positive way. The D.O. schools really focus on you as a person and on your individuality. The more varied your personal experiences, the more you have to draw from in relating to your patients. So, don't worry about your major. If you really want to be a D.O., you can make it happen. Good luck to you!
Stef
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MelAnn, I would encourage you to put all of your energy into the remaining coursework and MCAT so you see how things come out. You should absolute go for it if it is your life dream. However, don't do it if you are afraid of being taken away from your new family because I can promise this will happen. But there are many osteopathic medical students currently enrolled with children, so it can defintely be done.
And the change of major should not be a concern. From my experiences with my friends (and these are just my limited experiences, perhaps I am wrong), M.D. schools would not view this favorably. They tend to like their students young and straight out of college with consistent academic records (i.e., premed from day one with little to no wavering). However, D.O. schools seem to favor students who have deviated from the traditional route. Perhaps they realize (and correctly so) that growth obtained outside the premedical realm is worthy of merit.
Finally, your grades are about average for D.O. schools so you are on track there. What you need to do now is survive organic chemistry and really strive to pull a good score on the MCAT. And when you get your interview, talk positively about your life experiences and the decisions you've made. Tell the committee how you have learned from these experiences. What you don't want to do is make excuses.
I wish you the best of luck!
Gregory Gulick
http://www.osteopathic.com/gregory
And the change of major should not be a concern. From my experiences with my friends (and these are just my limited experiences, perhaps I am wrong), M.D. schools would not view this favorably. They tend to like their students young and straight out of college with consistent academic records (i.e., premed from day one with little to no wavering). However, D.O. schools seem to favor students who have deviated from the traditional route. Perhaps they realize (and correctly so) that growth obtained outside the premedical realm is worthy of merit.
Finally, your grades are about average for D.O. schools so you are on track there. What you need to do now is survive organic chemistry and really strive to pull a good score on the MCAT. And when you get your interview, talk positively about your life experiences and the decisions you've made. Tell the committee how you have learned from these experiences. What you don't want to do is make excuses.
I wish you the best of luck!
Gregory Gulick
http://www.osteopathic.com/gregory
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MelAnn,
Go for it. I know many new mothers and fathers who are in medical school. It's challenging to balance school and family but not impossible.
--dave
[This message has been edited by drusso (edited 12-07-98).]
Go for it. I know many new mothers and fathers who are in medical school. It's challenging to balance school and family but not impossible.
--dave
[This message has been edited by drusso (edited 12-07-98).]
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I recently interviewed at KCOM and the interviewer told me that they've observed that married students tend to do better at school than others, since they're able to manage their time better.
In fact, they have married housing etc. and provide provide facilities for couples etc. Might be a school you may want to consider.
MaCk
I am a married father of a two-year old. I have changed my major 3 times and am going to graduate with a BS in computer science. I • am • going to med school
Just stay positive and be sure to have a good sense of yourself and how the changes in your life have led you to be who you are.
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So what ended up happening?
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Amazing 16-yr necrobump! With the OP's history of 3 messages total, doubt she ever returned to these here forums after posting this thread.
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16 years. Waiting to see if there'll be a necrobump for a thread as old as me!
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I wish it was even possible for a necrobump of a thread my age 🙁...Unfortunately, the internet as it is today didn't really exist in the early '80s.
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Lol this thread is awesome. I was just getting caught up in Op's story too. I hope she became a doctor
