Special Masters & DO applicant questions

[kayak30]

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Hey guys,

I'm back for some more advice.

Anyone from Illinois know anything about MS in Biology from Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago? It's the cheapest program I found, but no med schools linkage. It has a thesis option though so more research experience might not be a bad thing. Is this a good school?

I know it's not Midwestern or Rosalind but I don't have the MCAT yet to apply to those programs and would lose a year again. (I'm 31 and my spouse is getting impatient with this process).

Currently, I am in the process of applying DO for this cycle and taking the MCAT in August so I will be applying late with low stats...(~3.3 or less for sgpa, my overall on aacomas came out to: ~3.47) because I have a downward trend (C's in Physics and a bunch of B's and W's I know this will hurt my app as well).

It was advised to me on here before to consider an MS program that could show that I could handle full-time sciences. I applied to Touro for their MS (it didn't require the MCAT) but I don't think I got in there.

Am I better off waiting to apply to a program with actual DO/MD linkage?

Thanks 😳

 

[Belle Melodie]

I dont know anything about what you're asking BUT in regards to applying late.... I think with you stats (or any stats at that) would be a very bad idea. Hopefully you will get an acceptance but if you do not, you will end up losing money and hope if you dont get accepted anywhere. Is it possible to take the MCAT earlier ? There has been lots of stories of ppl applying late and not getting any interviews.

 

[kayak30]

August is the earliest I can take the MCAT, I am doing the self-study sn2ed plan.

I was thinking of applying to at least 1 school to see what happens. When I apply through AACOMAS again next year, would I be considered a re-applicant if I apply to all new schools?

 

[Belle Melodie]

August is the earliest I can take the MCAT, I am doing the self-study sn2ed plan.

I was thinking of applying to at least 1 school to see what happens. When I apply through AACOMAS again next year, would I be considered a re-applicant if I apply to all new schools?

Im not sure, But I think yes. Once you apply, and then you apply again, you are a reapplicant. I dont think it matters if you picked the same schools or not. Is it possible for you to take the MCAT in august and apply next year June 1st? During that year you can strengthen your application and take some post bacc classes. During that time you can also do a bit more research on the programs with linkage and apply to those.

I am also considering a post bacc program but most likely i will only apply to those with linkage. Either way, I really dont suggest applying in September/October (it takes a month to get scores back). With your stats, you would probably want to be one of the first ones to get looked at rather than the last.

To answer your original question, I think you're better off applying to a program with linkage.

 

[kayak30]

Thanks, in that case I may have to wait to apply next cycle and do an MS for sure. Now back to MCAT study for now 🙂!

 

[Belle Melodie]

Thanks, in that case I may have to wait to apply next cycle and do an MS for sure. Now back to MCAT study for now 🙂!

Best of luck to you!👍

 

[edgerock24]

You actually seem to have decent stats for DO. If you apply broadly, I do think you can get some interviews even with your August application. I'm not sure if a MS is entirely necessary. Just have solid EC's and be able to explain your lower grades if asked.