Strategically Applying to DO Schools

[Ioannes Paulus]

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Hello Everyone.

So, I am interested in applying to DO schools this cycle but don’t have a good idea about how to apply strategically. First some background….

22 year old Biology graduate from UC San Diego.
sGPA: 3.51; cGPA: 3.72
My Current MCAT score is VR5/Bio10/Phys10 (I really have no explanation on how/why I received such a low Verbal Reasoning score).
The important part is, I’ll be retaking the new MCAT on June 20th and will receive my scores around July 21st.

My EC are very research heavy; I have one publication. I don’t have too much clinical experience but believe that I have enough. I am also involved in many education programs in downtown San Diego to underprivileged middle schools. I also held a few leadership positions on campus.

I know that the application cycle opened for the upcoming year.
I really want to apply early to show enthusiasm and commitment but am scared that most schools will weed me out due to my low MCAT. However, some of my friends are actually telling me that my current MCAT is good enough and I should just apply regardless.

The DO Schools I am interested in are:
**LECOM-Bradenton** (1st Choice)
**MUCOM** (2nd Choice)
LECOM-LE
MSUCOM
NYITCOM
NSUCOM
PCOM
UNECOM

I really want to apply to these schools, especially LECOM-B, early and try to snag a seat early but don’t want to be weeded out due to my low MCAT. Will DO schools wait until they have my new MCAT to review primaries before sending secondaries? Or is my score really good enough where they will just send a secondary anyway?
Finally, something important to note is that I will not have my LOR’s ready until end-of-June. Don’t know if that makes a big difference.
I know for MD schools I am fine, in terms of timing, because I will be sending secondaries after my new MCAT scores during which time I will also have all my LORs. However, it seems that DO schools move much quicker and am afraid of being behind if I wait until the end of July to submit primaries.
I am not well versed on the DO App cycle and would love some help. Any help.

Thanks in advance!

 

[adrian710]

Pending MCAT score PCOM is out of running with your 25. MSU-COM is a waste, they are very in-state bias and OOS tuition is 80K a year which is absurdly high, plus a 25 MCAT will not get you in there.

 

[W19]

You should also apply to WVSOM, DCOM, LUCOM, VCOM, PCOM-GA etc... if you really want a spot with that 5 in VR...

 

[ortnakas]

You'll get a secondary from most if not all of those, but with a planned retake, you might automatically get put on pre-interview hold at LECOM-B (that's what happened to me there when I applied with a 25 a few years ago).

 

[deleted158872]

for VCOM Carolina and Virginia, do i have to apply separately for each campus?

 

[JimmyB123]

Congrats on the publication. Few DO applicants will have that. You will be unique. Really play up your research experience because honestly we need more academic interests in osteopathic medicine. Get a few points higher on your MCAT retake too to be safe (27 ideally)