Silence From Majority of schools

[Confuzzledmed]

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So as my title states , I have not heard back from majority of schools I applied to. My stats are on the lower end but my extracurriculars and my letters are strong. The only negative , I think I have in my application is no DO LOR. I applied to 25 DO schools and only 2 MD schools and so far only received 4 pre interview rejections and 1 interview invite in october which unfortunately led to a rejection. I do not really have much to update the schools on, so I am wondering is there anything else I can do. Like should I send a letter of interest Or should I just wait it out ....

 

[Goro]

How much on the lower end???

Most applicants never get an II.

 

[Confuzzledmed]

How much on the lower end???

Most applicants never get an II.

3:3 gpa , 500 mcat

 

[Zazam]

when did you apply?

 

[Dr. Anonymouss]

Applying to DO schools without a letter of rec from a DO physician is like drinking all weekend when you have an o-chem exam on Monday, not a great idea. In all seriousness it's not the end of the world but for some reason the DO academia places a big emphasis on getting a letter of rec from a DO physician. As of right now, assume you have been rejected and start volunteering clinically/non clinically and get into clinical work if you can. Do whatever you can to improve your application, which includes shadowing a DO and getting a letter of rec, so you can reapply in June. There is a chance you get the interview and acceptance you want, but why take the chance. The last thing you want is for may to come with no new additions to your application and no acceptance which means you must apply again. Get out there and start improving your app right now and you might be pleasantly surprised by an acceptance. goodluck

 

[Confuzzledmed]

Applying to DO schools without a letter of rec from a DO physician is like drinking all weekend when you have an o-chem exam on Monday, not a great idea. In all seriousness it's not the end of the world but for some reason the DO academia places a big emphasis on getting a letter of rec from a DO physician. As of right now, assume you have been rejected and start volunteering clinically/non clinically and get into clinical work if you can. Do whatever you can to improve your application, which includes shadowing a DO and getting a letter of rec, so you can reapply in June. There is a chance you get the interview and acceptance you want, but why take the chance. The last thing you want is for may to come with no new additions to your application and no acceptance which means you must apply again. Get out there and start improving your app right now and you might be pleasantly surprised by an acceptance. goodluck

I mean based on what I read here , getting a DO letter is beneficial but not the end of the world if you don’t have one . The schools I applied to did not require the DO letter only. I have a MD letter , so I used that instead . I have shadowed a DO , but the one I shadowed never responded to my emails or calls about writing me a Lor . I have also scribed for a DO, but she told me that she doesn’t do LORs. I have been looking for more opportunities to shadow . Since July actually . And I haven’t had any luck at all . I’m still trying to search but where I live I don’t think it’s possible anymore. Idk what more clinical and non clinical volunteering I can do since I have been doing different volunteer opportunities for 5 years now ..... will adding a few hundred more hours even make a significant difference in my app?

 

[Faha]

You could still receive II from DO schools in the next 2 months.

 

[Deecee2DO]

Your stats arent bad but they arent good. See what the rest of the cycle brings then apply early next cycle if u get no love. Thing is with a 500 its not like youre out of the game because there are people who get into DO school with that MCAT but its just not setting you up to be locked in very well. If you really want to go into next cycle confidently then I would retake the MCAT and find a DO LOR. If you do both and score a 505+ you should set yourself up for an acceptance somewhere pretty confidently if you apply broadly and smart

 

[deleted709753]

I would spend your time on a mcat retake not a DO letter.

 

[AngelsFan17]

What time in the cycle did you apply/when were you complete at most schools? This could also make a difference, so if you are applying again I would recommend applying very early. I was complete at some schools I ultimately received an II from for several months in some cases. I did not have a DO letter and had just under 30 hours of DO shadowing with a specialist but I have found success this cycle.

 

[el_duderino]

A lot of DO schools specifically require a DO letter, don't they? There's nothing you can do now but make your application better for the upcoming cycle. I think that will have to include some significant DO shadowing and a DO letter.

 

[Osminog]

OP, I don't think you're telling us the whole story. At face value, a 3.3/500 would be more than enough to get multiple DO IIs for an AA female like yourself.

The lack of a DO letter isn't a huge deal. The biggest problems affecting your application are most likely your concerning MCAT history (490, 500), your low science GPA (3.0), and the fact that you applied fairly late in the cycle. But even these issues shouldn't be enough to keep you out of the running.

Questions: How are you doing in your SMP program, and have schools received your fall grades? Also, did you have others (family members, friends, faculty) evaluate and proofread your application essays?

 

[Confuzzledmed]

OP, I don't think you're telling us the whole story. At face value, a 3.3/500 would be more than enough to get multiple DO IIs for an AA female like yourself.

The lack of a DO letter isn't a huge deal. The biggest problems affecting your application are most likely your concerning MCAT history (490, 500), your low science GPA (3.0), and the fact that you applied fairly late in the cycle. But even these issues shouldn't be enough to keep you out of the running.

Questions: How are you doing in your SMP program, and have schools received your fall grades? Also, did you have others (family members, friends, faculty) evaluate and proofread your application essays?

I was told that anytime before thanksgiving is ok. When I posted initially , I did ask if I was ok to go ahead and apply and I was told I was fine by Goro and some others I pm’d. I knew my weaknesses with my grades and mcat , but I was assured on here and from advisors I would be fine. My smp gpa was 3.6 for fall semester which I already updated . I’m not really sure what you mean that I’m not telling the whole story....

 

[Osminog]

I was told that anytime before thanksgiving is ok. When I posted initially , I did ask if I was ok to go ahead and apply and I was told I was fine by Goro and some others I pm’d.

The later you apply, the lower your chances are of getting accepted and the later schools will get back to you. This is especially true for applicants with borderline stats. As the cycle progresses, seats get filled and schools become more picky about whom to interview and accept.

It's true that the DO cycle runs later than the MD cycle. Most DO schools would be willing to consider a October application, while MD schools would typically not. However, this doesn't mean that a DO applicant has the same odds of being admitted whether he applies in June or in October.

I knew my weaknesses with my grades and mcat , but I was assured on here and from advisors I would be fine.

The cycle isn't over, so you may still be fine... but you do have three important strikes against you: concerning MCAT record (i.e., took the MCAT unprepared and got an 18th percentile score), low science GPA, and late application.

My smp gpa was 3.6 for fall semester which I already updated .

This is decent. It may partly make up for the low science GPA from undergrad. Do you think you might have some luck with the institution at which you're working on the SMP?

I’m not really sure what you mean that I’m not telling the whole story....

You excluded some super-important details that would help someone give you informed advice regarding your situation.

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If this cycle doesn't work out for you, here's what you should do for next cycle (in no particular order):

1. Shadow a DO and get a DO letter (it's easy and can only benefit you).
2. Finish your SMP strong (don't let that GPA drop!).
3. Apply as EARLY and as BROADLY as humanly possible.
4. Refine your personal statement and supplemental essays.

One point of disagreement with some of the above posters: I don't think an MCAT retake is necessary. A score of 500 is already above the MCAT average for African-American DO matriculants.

I'm rooting for you. Best of luck!

 

[Dr. Anonymouss]

I mean based on what I read here , getting a DO letter is beneficial but not the end of the world if you don’t have one . The schools I applied to did not require the DO letter only. I have a MD letter , so I used that instead . I have shadowed a DO , but the one I shadowed never responded to my emails or calls about writing me a Lor . I have also scribed for a DO, but she told me that she doesn’t do LORs. I have been looking for more opportunities to shadow . Since July actually . And I haven’t had any luck at all . I’m still trying to search but where I live I don’t think it’s possible anymore. Idk what more clinical and non clinical volunteering I can do since I have been doing different volunteer opportunities for 5 years now ..... will adding a few hundred more hours even make a significant difference in my app?

So the ranked order would be: No letter < letter from MD < letter from DO. Its good you have the letter of rec from the MD, but many DO schools require the letter of rec from a DO to be considered while almost all give "preference" to the latter. Check out doctorsthatdo.org and make cold calls. This is what I did, and although I got rejected and given the cold shoulder by 25 doctors, I got one doctor that agreed and she has been absolutely fantastic.

On the note of volunteering, I wasn't aware you had so many hours. That is fantastic, I would still recommend staying involved in something rather than doing nothing. You can do the volunteering for experience and something to talk about rather than saying "I spent 200 hours doing this". I think what I am trying to get at is that you have 4 months to improve your application so do whatever you can to have the absolute best application come June 1st.

 

[Deecee2DO]

The later you apply, the lower your chances are of getting accepted and the later schools will get back to you. This is especially true for applicants with borderline stats. As the cycle progresses, seats get filled and schools become more picky about whom to interview and accept.

It's true that the DO cycle runs later than the MD cycle. Most DO schools would be willing to consider a October application, while MD schools would typically not. However, this doesn't mean that a DO applicant has the same odds of being admitted whether he applies in June or in October.



The cycle isn't over, so you may still be fine... but you do have three important strikes against you: concerning MCAT record (i.e., took the MCAT unprepared and got an 18th percentile score), low science GPA, and late application.



This is decent. It may partly make up for the low science GPA from undergrad. Do you think you might have some luck with the institution at which you're working on the SMP?



You excluded some super-important details that would help someone give you informed advice regarding your situation.

---

If this cycle doesn't work out for you, here's what you should do for next cycle (in no particular order):

1. Shadow a DO and get a DO letter (it's easy and can only benefit you).
2. Finish your SMP strong (don't let that GPA drop!).
3. Apply as EARLY and as BROADLY as humanly possible.
4. Refine your personal statement and supplemental essays.

One point of disagreement with some of the above posters: I don't think an MCAT retake is necessary. A score of 500 is already above the MCAT average for African-American DO matriculants.

I'm rooting for you. Best of luck!

Did not read he is URM and thus a 500 might not need to be retaken given his first score of 490, but OP needs to realize that applying early is the single EASIEST and most advantageous move an applicant can make that is completely in his or her control! So please OP apply early and broadly like many have mentioned if you get no love this cycle

 

[JimBone905]

Hi OP. good luck on your cycle and if you dont get love, you should get in next cycle as long as u crush that SMP. Keep working your PS and fix it as much as you can.

I have similar stats to OP except I'm ORM; 3.4 CGPA 3.9 SGPA 501MCAT and I also applied in November. Could a late app be the reason I haven't heard back yet from the 10 schools I applied to as well? I have great ECs and a DO letter.

 

[Deecee2DO]

Hi OP. good luck on your cycle and if you dont get love, you should get in next cycle as long as u crush that SMP. Keep working your PS and fix it as much as you can.

I have similar stats to OP except I'm ORM; 3.4 CGPA 3.9 SGPA 501MCAT and I also applied in November. Could a late app be the reason I haven't heard back yet from the 10 schools I applied to as well? I have great ECs and a DO letter.

Yes. November is on the later side. Youll get love eventually whether its this cycle or next. Apply in May/June when AACOMAS opens next cycle if you get no love this cycle

 

[Magus5454]

Hi OP. good luck on your cycle and if you dont get love, you should get in next cycle as long as u crush that SMP. Keep working your PS and fix it as much as you can.

I have similar stats to OP except I'm ORM; 3.4 CGPA 3.9 SGPA 501MCAT and I also applied in November. Could a late app be the reason I haven't heard back yet from the 10 schools I applied to as well? I have great ECs and a DO letter.

With your MCAT you needed to apply more broadly as well.