Should I reapply?

[FutureSoBrightMaybe]

After hearing today's news all I can say is that I am lost, confused, and scared. I was accepted into NSU for this cycle and was fully intent on going up until today. Everyone seems to agree that the new P/F system for Step 1 will greatly affect DOs in a bad way. I know NSU has a bad rep on here, especially with @Goro, however I left my interview with a good impression. It seems that they were doing a lot to address board scores and have improved from the last two years. Unfortunately, this combined with the Step 1 news is making me rethink whether this is really a good idea.

Should I take a gap year and reapply? Quite honestly the only bad thing on my application was my MCAT- which can be easily improved. I would really rather not, but now I'm concerned about matching in competitive locations. I was hoping to do primary care anyways... Right now this is the only acceptance I have.

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[bassquiat]

Personally, I wouldn't if you really are set on PC (especially fm or community IM). Also, it's not certain you would get into an MD school if you did reapply with a better MCAT

 

[Startingover123]

Personally, I wouldn't if you really are set on PC (especially fm or community IM). Also, it's not certain you would get into an MD school if you did reapply with a better MCAT

@BorntobeDO?

 

[Chibucks15]

Dear god no. An MD spot isn’t a given by any means. Nobody knows how this will play out and improving an MCAT isn’t “easy” or you would’ve scored higher to begin with...

 

[putmeincoach]

I think you should attend med school. That's 1 year of an attending salary(min ~250k), a year of apps again, and generally of your life. Also, considering your interest in primary care, you're good either route. But if you think you might be a self-hating DO, do yourself and everyone else a favor and don't go, please.

 

[BTR41]

I currently am in the same situation multiple DO acceptances. 1 MD waitlist and waiting to hear back from other interviews. I would take a base line MCAT and see where you stand. If you stand too far below I would say take the acceptance but if you aren't too far below I would study and at least see if you could improve. Try to give yourself the best shot you can. We all know program directors are already biased against DOs and this new pass/fail system will not help.
Don't give up! There are many people in this situation you are not alone.

 

[PapaGuava]

OP, if you have an acceptance, I would take it at the end of the day. Attending a DO school doesn’t automatically throw you into one area of medicine. Regarding the news today, no one really knows how that will all work out anyways so i wouldn’t put too much emphasis on that in regards to your decision right now.

However, you have to weigh the circumstances because if you withdraw now, you risk not getting accepted at MD, or even DO again. Especially since committees would wonder why you passed up an acceptance and decided to re-apply to DO medical schools.

If you’re still waiting to hear back from some more DO schools, then obviously wait on that as well.

 

[DO_or_Die]

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Take your acceptance and run with it.

 

[A Ryan Seacrest Type]

Depends. Is you dream to be a doctor, and would be happy being any doctor? That is, would you be still be happy if you were a family doctor in a rural area, because there’s a real possibility that might happen. If so, then take your DO. But if you really want a shot and won’t be happy unless you’re a sub specialty surgeon or some other competitive residency, study hard, take the MCAT again and strive for that MD.

 

[DO_or_Die]

Depends. Is you dream to be a doctor, and would be happy being any doctor? That is, would you be still be happy if you were a family doctor in a rural area, because there’s a real possibility that might happen. If so, then take your DO. But if you really want a shot and won’t be happy unless you’re a sub specialty surgeon or some other competitive residency, study hard, take the MCAT again and strive for that MD.

I disagree, I work in a level 1 hospital and work alongside many DO's that are internal medicine as well as subspecialist, my personal PCP is a DO in a ritzy area of the city and her partners are DO as well. Being a DO does not confine you to rural areas at all if you don't choose to live rurally.

 

[FutureSoBrightMaybe]

Depends. Is you dream to be a doctor, and would be happy being any doctor? That is, would you be still be happy if you were a family doctor in a rural area, because there’s a real possibility that might happen. If so, then take your DO. But if you really want a shot and won’t be happy unless you’re a sub specialty surgeon or some other competitive residency, study hard, take the MCAT again and strive for that MD.

I mean is it wrong for me to not want to live my life in some rural town? I'm not saying I want to live in the most exciting/extravagant city, I just want to return to my hometown for residency. Not really sure why I have to choose between that and being a doctor...

 

[A Ryan Seacrest Type]

I disagree, I work in a level 1 hospital and work alongside many DO's that are internal medicine as well as subspecialist, my personal PCP is a DO in a ritzy area of the city and her partners are DO as well. Being a DO does not confine you to rural areas at all if you don't choose to live rurally.

I gave rural is an example, ofcourse DOs can practice in urban areas. My point still stands though, if your life’s dream is to be an ortho, derm, plastic or some other competitive specialty, and are not comfortable with the idea that is exponentially harder if not close to impossible (especially at top programs like the ivys and such) as a DO (again not saying there aren’t exceptions), you’re better off going for the MD. If you’re not particularly gunning for a competitive specialty, sure stick with the DO

 

[A Ryan Seacrest Type]

Lol it was just an example. Residency programs, jobs fellowships etc in big cities are in general more competitive (is Nyc, LA etc). It’s fine if you want to live an rural area, ultimately it’s your choice to stay with the DO. But let’s not pretend DOs aren’t disadvantaged when it comes to matching competitive specialties compared with MDs

 

[never-too-late]

If you’re not going to be satisfied being a DO, you should reapply. No one needs that kind of negativity in their med school class. That’s really a judgement call you have to make. I, for one, am grateful that I had DO acceptances and I don’t have to do all this again! I also only am interested in less competitive specialties and would be so happy doing rural medicine, so maybe DO is just the right thing for me...

 

[Alkaidius]

I mean is it wrong for me to not want to live my life in some rural town? I'm not saying I want to live in the most exciting/extravagant city, I just want to return to my hometown for residency. Not really sure why I have to choose between that and being a doctor...

It’s not like you have no control your entire life. Your residency experience might be more streamlined, but your life after doesn’t have to be. Become skilled at your job, network, pad your CV, and you can work closer to home. If that doesn’t work, I know a lot of docs that work rural but live in a city. According to them, they’re not losing anything during transit because it gives them “me time” for podcasts, audiobooks, news, and they all seem to be incredibly happy.

The wonderful thing about DO schools is that it keeps the path to a physician open to those that came into the game late, non-traditionals, and those who might’ve made mistakes in life but ultimately got back on track. It’s a trade-off for not being absolutely perfect every step of the way, but it’s not to be underestimated. The competition is still fierce and without guarantees.

Look at this process realistically. The MCAT is no joke, are you confident you can score 20 percentiles higher? Were you doing something wrong last time that caused your MD-less score? If yes and you absolutely gotta be at the residency near home, you got your answer. But, if you can be patient and make some sacrifices short-term, you’re prospects aren’t nearly as bleak as they’re being shown on these forums...