The numbers- they are so freaking discouraging

[Freakingzooming]

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Hey guys:

I'm entering the hellish process of deciding on number of schools to apply to and I've been sorta moaning and groaning looking at the numbers- GPAs, MCATs.. acceptance rates that are barely in the teens to single digits.. and I have like several questions:

1) how many should I apply to?

2) State vs. private? (I'm from Cali by the way)

3) Why are some schools like NYU or Columbia not using AAMCAS?

4) DO in the first round or not? I wouldn't mind going to one.

 

[DrKicker]

1 and 2. I agree with you - the application process is definitely hellish! I am not from Cali. so my situation may be different. From the beginning, all 125 schools were possibilities for me - I had to justify to myself based on location, residency statistics, and even sometimes weather why I was crossing a school off the list. I definitely recommend this method of selecting schools. I narrowed the list to 15 - both public and private (although I would not apply to out-of-state schools with less than 40% out-of-state acceptance).

3. I have NO idea why Columbia and NYU are non-AMCAS - I applied to both and it was annoying to have to fill out separate applications!

4. I suggest that you add the DO schools in your list of MD schools and cross them off a list if you find reasons that you would not want to attend them.

Good luck!

 

[Mutterkuchen]

I think that low acceptance rates are often times artificially deceptive. For example, if you apply to a state school as an in-stater you have a higher chance of getting in than an out of stater. Yet they only publish the overall acceptance rate, ignoring the fact that 1000 out of state applicants only got one spot. One's chance of acceptants at a particular institution is based on location, GPA, MCAT, ECs. Some schools look for different things, i.e. research vs. clinical experience.

1. I applied to 16 (once acceptance so far)

2. Apply to both state and private. Its a blessing and a curse being from CA, since if you get into a state school it will be reputable and cheap, but difficult to get in. If you get in, though, $10000 a year would be hard to turn down.

3. Jerks

4. I decided that I did not want the stigma of the DO letters. I realize that the training is equally as good, but my grandma would never believe that I was a real doctor.

 

[MyEyesMesmerize]

Originally posted by JBJ

4. I decided that I did not want the stigma of the DO letters. I realize that the training is equally as good, but my grandma would never believe that I was a real doctor.

I respect the idea that you cannot deal with the stigma of being a DO and thus did not apply to those schools, but they aren't scarlet letters. If you realize that the training is equally good and appreciate the philosophy then I don't see what the problem is. A doctor is a doctor and i think if patients or people unfamiliar with DO's knew you diagnosed patients, wrote prescriptions, or performed surgery, no one would question you where one.....not even grandma.

 

[UCLAMAN]

Originally posted by MyEyesMesmerize
I respect the idea that you cannot deal with the stigma of being a DO and thus did not apply to those schools, but they aren't scarlet letters. If you realize that the training is equally good and appreciate the philosophy then I don't see what the problem is. A doctor is a doctor and i think if patients or people unfamiliar with DO's knew you diagnosed patients, wrote prescriptions, or performed surgery, no one would question you where one.....not even grandma.

In the healthcare world yes, a doctor is a doctor. But some people are idiots and can't see past a DO. To them, if you don't have an M and a D behind your name you somehow aren't as good a doctor as there is out there. So someone like grandma may care. For example I know quite a few people who would rather be seen by an MD rather than a DO. Certainly DO's are just as capable(if not more) as an MD but one cannot deny the stigma that JBJ is referring to.

Furthermore, why is it when people get on SDN and post low numbers(lets say for example 3.0/24) we tell them to go DO? Even among applicants DO school is considered second tier to MD school. Its often thought of as a fallback plan. (Not all the time as I know there are probably some people who are gung ho DO and are also probably brilliant people) But you have to admit, for the vast majority of med school applicants DO school takes a backseat to MD school.

 

[Iffy premed]

it is the way the world is...we can only change it a bit at a time
and hopefully those of us who will become MD or DO will remember these application years and understand each other better.
DO schools are gaining more respect, however, there are less opportunities for a good residency

 

[San_Juan_Sun]

Originally posted by Iffy premed

DO schools are gaining more respect, however, there are less opportunities for a good residency

It depends on what field you are talking about, and what you define as a good residency. If you're talking about high powered academic medicine in the difficult-to-obtain specialties (ortho, optho, derm, etc.) then you are correct, you don't see many DOs there. Of course, the majority of MD students don't end up in those fields either.

DOs are found in high numbers of ACGME residencies for stuff like OB, IM, and FP. If those things float your boat, and you don't care what grandma thinks, you won't have a problem getting an MD residency as a DO.

As far as residencies go, sometimes people who are geared for the high research, cutting edge residencies and careers don't think some programs are good. But, if you want to simply work in a private setting, those "bad" residencies prepare one for clinical practice really well. To those people, the prestigious residency might not be a good fit for them, and vice versa. It all depends on your goals.

 

[missbonnie]

Freakingzooming-

The individual school numbers can be disheartening, but you also should keep in mind that the OVERALL acceptance rate to medical school is in the high 40s, around 46% of all medical applicants DO get in. I think 46% is last year's number. There are about 16,000 seats.

-bonnie