Some DO schools easier to get into than others?

[Mike MacKinnon]

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I have heard rumblings about this on the forum here and there. I dont mean v MD i mean v other DO schools.

Which schools are easier to get into and why? I assumed they were all roughly the same.

 

[JohnnyOU]

I'd just examine the average gpa and mcat scores for those who matriculated to each school.

And the number of out-of-staters accepted.

Good luck
Johnny

 

[crys20]

No, like COMP's avg MCAT is around a 29 whereas there are other schools with 25 or even a bit lower avg MCATs. You basically have to just go thru the school's websites to find out that kind of information.

 

[Mike MacKinnon]

Wow, i am surprised some are lower. I guess if it isnt a desireable place to live you wont get the best applicants eh?

 

[Buckeye(OH)]

Why are you surprised some are lower? Some MD schools are easier to get into then others....

 

[markt]

I have heard rumblings about this on the forum here and there. I dont mean v MD i mean v other DO schools.

Which schools are easier to get into and why? I assumed they were all roughly the same.

Hi, I posted this a while ago when people were trying to decide which D.O. school was the "best". I don't think these statistics will say that, but I still feel that the average MCAT scores and GPAs that a school accepts do have some correlation to how "good" it is.

I think these statistics are also useful to decide which school is harder to get into. As to why one school is harder to get into than another? Probably the same reasons that one M.D. school is better than another. There are probably several factors: funding, availability of good teachers, research, location, prestige, past match lists, etc.

I'm not sure how helpful it is, but here's the link:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=2759700#post2759700

BTW, this doesn't include any information about in-state vs. out-of-state. If there is enough interest, I might be inclined to post that info here.

Cheers

 

[dr.z]

Why are you surprised some are lower? Some MD schools are easier to get into then others....

Yeah, not all MD schools are the same either.

 

[subtle1epiphany]

Definitely pay attention to how many out-of-state students the school takes. Schools like MSU and TCOM take very few non-residents. While their MCAT scores are not the highest, it's quite an accomplishment to gain an acceptance there, also at OSU or UMDNJ. Aside from those, WesternU/COMP, Touro-MI, PCOM, CCOM, DMU, KCOM, and KCUMB are at the top (I'm sure I missed something). The others may be a bit less competitive, due to the recent addition of the program (LECOM-FL, PCOM-GA, Touro-NV, even VCOM) or others due to their "undesirable" location for many (LECOM-PA, WVUSOM, NJ). You have to pay attention to these factors as well. Many of these programs are outstanding in their own right, but are less competitive for other reasons. It' the same with any school, DO MD PhD DPM DDS DMD etc, many people who get into Harvard or WashU or a top 20 will not go due to family or money or location. Like your application, the schools are multi-faceted and no one metric will account for everything.

 

[box29]

TUN-COM (or as others may say TUCOM-NV) may not be that "easy" to gain admission, despite it's being a new addition to the other COMs. Admission requirements are being strictly adhered to where the minimum MCAT to qualify for a secondary application is 23. I do know of someone who had a sub 23 MCAT get the pre-secondary rejection rescinded. However, I am not sure if an interview will be granted. FYI, the secondary fee for TUCOM (MI & NV) is $100.00.

My suggestion to anyone who is in question is to contact the admissions department and ask an admissions counselor directly.

 

[Mike MacKinnon]

Very interesting. Somehow I had assumed that all med schools (MD & DO) were about as competitive with the exception of ivy league schools.

So which DO schools do you all suggest are NOT good places to go due to one issue or another?

 

[box29]

I really think that it is a decision that you have to make for yourself. Remember, this is an anonymous bulletin board and opinions vary across the board. Research the schools as much as you can, gather info from whatever sources, and make a decision based on your criteria. Where would you like to live for 4 years? How much can you spend on applications, and then additionally on interviews? All the schools, no matter osteopathic or allopathic will have at least one issue or another. It's a tough decision!

 

[docbill]

Very interesting. Somehow I had assumed that all med schools (MD & DO) were about as competitive with the exception of ivy league schools.

So which DO schools do you all suggest are NOT good places to go due to one issue or another?

Most Med Schools do look for grades and MCAT. But at the same time there are always exceptions to the rules. As Grad degree, Clinical or non-clinical experience, maturity etc... I think this is more so with DO schools!

As others have suggested, find the school you are interested in and study it in more details. There are the class threads with people accepted and they can provide you with more info on the school and their requirements.

 

[FutureDocDO]

Why are you surprised some are lower? Some MD schools are easier to get into then others....

Was gonna say the same thing when I read the previous poster's comment.

 

[FutureDocDO]

Definitely pay attention to how many out-of-state students the school takes. Schools like MSU and TCOM take very few non-residents. While their MCAT scores are not the highest, it's quite an accomplishment to gain an acceptance there, also at OSU or UMDNJ. Aside from those, WesternU/COMP, Touro-MI, PCOM, CCOM, DMU, KCOM, and KCUMB are at the top (I'm sure I missed something). The others may be a bit less competitive, due to the recent addition of the program (LECOM-FL, PCOM-GA, Touro-NV, even VCOM) or others due to their "undesirable" location for many (LECOM-PA, WVUSOM, NJ). You have to pay attention to these factors as well. Many of these programs are outstanding in their own right, but are less competitive for other reasons. It' the same with any school, DO MD PhD DPM DDS DMD etc, many people who get into Harvard or WashU or a top 20 will not go due to family or money or location. Like your application, the schools are multi-faceted and no one metric will account for everything.

Why is WVUSOM undersireable? Just curious.

 

[subtle1epiphany]

Why is WVUSOM undersireable? Just curious.

Perhaps that was too strong of a word, but from what I've noticed, most people tend to prefer other places than West Virginia. Granted, I may be completely wrong, I never would have thought I'd like Virginia or any part of the southeast, I loved Norfolk, VA and the whole Hampton Roads area. Also, much of the aim for that medical school is the underserved population of the Appalachians (same with Pikeville), so there is also the fact that this goal may not coincide with that of many potential applicants.

This is the case with many schools, MSUCOM for instance, is a fantastic school for primary care, so an applicant wishing to specialize may choose to not apply as the mission of the schools does not coincide with theirs. It's a very personal decision, and it should be. But this does have an effect on the averages for schools, one that cannot be discounted. Compare the Univ of Louisville or Univ of Iowa with UCLA or UCI. They are all fantastic schools with incredible faculty and produce gifted and talented physicians, but I can assure you that the California schools have higher averages, they attract far more applicants and with higher averages. It kind of makes sense.

 

[DD214_DOC]

Why is WVUSOM undersireable? Just curious.

Because it's in Lewisburg, WV, which is basically nowhere. The school is really great though. I wish I could have gone to the interview last cycle, but I didn't have the cash.

 

[Mike MacKinnon]

I have done a little research but am still pre med so im a year off writing the MCATS let alone the applications. I will do more looking when the time comes. Currently my plan is emergency med. so ill be looking to go somewhere with a strong focus there.

thanks again for the input all!