Strengthening DO School Applications

[deleted956208]

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Hello all,
I recently graduated with my BS in Biology (including all necessary pre-reqs) and decided that I wanted to pursue medicine. I am seeking advice on what I need to do over the next 2 years to be competitive for DO schools. I apologize that this is redundant but I wanted advice specific to me, if it isn’t too much trouble. I am late to the pre-med track, as recent clinical experience and goals caused me to pursue medicine in October 2018.

My cGPA is a 3.4 and sGPA is 3.4, too. I have a strongish upward trend, with a 3.68 GPA in my last 60 credits/3-4 semesters. I have not taken the MCAT yet and am taking time off to study for it. I previously wanted to be a nurse and was accepted to several accelerated programs (decided it no longer aligned with my goals), so I have well over 1000 clinical hours as a CNA in a variety of work environments.

I have shadowed a DO but am actively looking for more to gain more shadowing experience and relevant experience/references. I do not have any research experience (being on the nursing track until only a few months ago, research was not necessary). However, I am interviewing for clinical/medical research positions currently. I do have 50+ hours volunteering in my local ED and 40 hours non-clinical volunteer hours.

BOTTOM LINE: What are the most important EC and experiences I need to focus on before applying? What areas am I lacking? Obviously, research and shadowing are what I am focusing on outside of MCAT prep for now. Do I need more patient care experience? More volunteering? Constructive criticism is welcome.

Thank you in advance

 

[Rusrus]

BOTTOM LINE: What are the most important EC and experiences I need to focus on before applying? What areas am I lacking? Obviously, research and shadowing are what I am focusing on outside of MCAT prep for now. Do I need more patient care experience? More volunteering? Constructive criticism is welcome.

Aim to increase your non-clinical volunteering, e.g. service towards the lesser fortunate. I'm not sure what your shadowing hours are like, but I would recommend gathering about 50 hours total of shadowing, of which includes primary care shadowing. Other than that, I would focus on getting a 508+ on the MCAT to be competitive for all DO schools.

 

[BobbyKoch]

Add 150+ clinical and non-clinical volunteering. The clinical may be less important considering your patient care experience.

Shoot for the moon with your MCAT. There is no reason not to put forth a broad MD application with a strong MCAT and your 3.4 with upward trend.

 

[Goro]

Hello all,
I recently graduated with my BS in Biology (including all necessary pre-reqs) and decided that I wanted to pursue medicine. I am seeking advice on what I need to do over the next 2 years to be competitive for DO schools. I apologize that this is redundant but I wanted advice specific to me, if it isn’t too much trouble. I am late to the pre-med track, as recent clinical experience and goals caused me to pursue medicine in October 2018.

My cGPA is a 3.4 and sGPA is 3.4, too. I have a strongish upward trend, with a 3.68 GPA in my last 60 credits/3-4 semesters. I have not taken the MCAT yet and am taking time off to study for it. I previously wanted to be a nurse and was accepted to several accelerated programs (decided it no longer aligned with my goals), so I have well over 1000 clinical hours as a CNA in a variety of work environments.

I have shadowed a DO but am actively looking for more to gain more shadowing experience and relevant experience/references. I do not have any research experience (being on the nursing track until only a few months ago, research was not necessary). However, I am interviewing for clinical/medical research positions currently. I do have 50+ hours volunteering in my local ED and 40 hours non-clinical volunteer hours.

BOTTOM LINE: What are the most important EC and experiences I need to focus on before applying? What areas am I lacking? Obviously, research and shadowing are what I am focusing on outside of MCAT prep for now. Do I need more patient care experience? More volunteering? Constructive criticism is welcome.

Thank you in advance

You're already a fine candidate and if you do well on MCAT, a number of MD schools are worth targeting.
Shadow one more DO and get LORs from both of whom you shadowed.

You don't need research.

You don't need any more clinical experience

You DO need service to others.

 

[Magus5454]

Add 150+ clinical and non-clinical volunteering. The clinical may be less important considering your patient care experience.

Shoot for the moon with your MCAT. There is no reason not to put forth a broad MD application with a strong MCAT and your 3.4 with upward trend.

Disagree with the clinical volunteering.

Get a LOR from a physician, preferably a DO.

As others have mentioned non clinical volunteering is important

 

[deleted956208]

First off, thank you all for the insight. Would volunteering tutoring at a local school, homeless shelter, and other disadvantaged groups be acceptable avenues for non-clinical?

 

[Magus5454]

First off, thank you all for the insight. Would volunteering tutoring at a local school, homeless shelter, and other disadvantaged groups be acceptable avenues for non-clinical?

Yes

 

[Deecee2DO]

Your most important thing right now is concentrating on the MCAT. Eat sleep and breathe MCAT for the next few months. It can make or break your entire application as well as open doors for being an MD candidate if you do well enough since your grades are not bad, and recent grades very strong. Aim for as high of an MCAT as you can. If you can score a 510+ you could get some MD IIs and 505+ and you'll be a good candidate for all DO schools

 

[cactus.flower]

Hello all,
I recently graduated with my BS in Biology (including all necessary pre-reqs) and decided that I wanted to pursue medicine. I am seeking advice on what I need to do over the next 2 years to be competitive for DO schools. I apologize that this is redundant but I wanted advice specific to me, if it isn’t too much trouble. I am late to the pre-med track, as recent clinical experience and goals caused me to pursue medicine in October 2018.

My cGPA is a 3.4 and sGPA is 3.4, too. I have a strongish upward trend, with a 3.68 GPA in my last 60 credits/3-4 semesters. I have not taken the MCAT yet and am taking time off to study for it. I previously wanted to be a nurse and was accepted to several accelerated programs (decided it no longer aligned with my goals), so I have well over 1000 clinical hours as a CNA in a variety of work environments.

I have shadowed a DO but am actively looking for more to gain more shadowing experience and relevant experience/references. I do not have any research experience (being on the nursing track until only a few months ago, research was not necessary). However, I am interviewing for clinical/medical research positions currently. I do have 50+ hours volunteering in my local ED and 40 hours non-clinical volunteer hours.

BOTTOM LINE: What are the most important EC and experiences I need to focus on before applying? What areas am I lacking? Obviously, research and shadowing are what I am focusing on outside of MCAT prep for now. Do I need more patient care experience? More volunteering? Constructive criticism is welcome.

Thank you in advance

Solid advice given so far. Definitely increase non clinical volunteering. I would also recommend scribing. I did for 5 years and made amazing connections that have helped me so much along the way, including strong LORs. It’s basically paid shadowing with the added bonus of learning how to chart.

I had minimal non clinical volunteering but ample clinical volunteering with 5 years of scribing and I had multiple acceptances, DO and MD. Ended up at a DO that was a perfect fit. If you want more info on where to find a scribe job shoot me a PM and I’m happy to help. I recommend it to everyone I know wanting to go to med school. Best of luck to you as you prep for the MCAT. 🙂