Too late to apply DO without any DO shadowing or physician letter?

[MiddleEMed]

Hi all!

I'm a current international student MD applicant this cycle. I know it isn't necessarily late yet to hear back, but I'm starting to get quite anxious about hearing back from schools.

I've applied to 38 MD schools and so far I have had 6 rejections and 3 pre-II holds. I have a 515 MCAT and a 3.77 GPA from a T5 undergrad. I spent a long time curating my essays, having many people read them over, and believe I also had fairly strong ECs. I just think I'm really not that competitive of an applicant stats-wise in the contexts of internationals 🙁 I kind of figured this as my most recent R was from a school that loves internationals and has a median MCAT similar to my own.

I'm regretting not applying to any DO schools now. I've only shadowed MDs and don't have any letters from them. I hear it's basically a requirement for the top DO programs. Would it be too late now to 1) get some experience from a DO in the next month or so and/or 2) apply to a DO school for entry next year?

Any help would be appreciated – I really am uninformed about the DO process; thank you so much!

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[chilly_md]

Wait till next year and try to get a DO letter. Not all DO schools take international students (or essentially take them mostly from Canada) and many of them have filled their classes already.

US applicants may still have a chance applying now but I would not recommend you invest that time into an app for this cycle. Some also may require proof of funds for how you will pay for school as well since you are an international applicant.

 

[Splenda88]

I would apply. I don't think it's too late for DO with these numbers even as international student. Just apply to school that do no require a DO letter.

 

[Goro]

Hi all!

I'm a current international student MD applicant this cycle. I know it isn't necessarily late yet to hear back, but I'm starting to get quite anxious about hearing back from schools.

I've applied to 38 MD schools and so far I have had 6 rejections and 3 pre-II holds. I have a 515 MCAT and a 3.77 GPA from a T5 undergrad. I spent a long time curating my essays, having many people read them over, and believe I also had fairly strong ECs. I just think I'm really not that competitive of an applicant stats-wise in the contexts of internationals 🙁 I kind of figured this as my most recent R was from a school that loves internationals and has a median MCAT similar to my own.

I'm regretting not applying to any DO schools now. I've only shadowed MDs and don't have any letters from them. I hear it's basically a requirement for the top DO programs. Would it be too late now to 1) get some experience from a DO in the next month or so and/or 2) apply to a DO school for entry next year?

Any help would be appreciated – I really am uninformed about the DO process; thank you so much!

No it is not too late. And do understand that while you haven't shadowed a DO, nor have a DO etter, that will not hurt you. But it always helps to have those

 

[Mr.Smile12]

A DO letter isn't a requirement at all schools. Just apply to schools that want international students. This may include the newer schools.

I also don't think your stats cause your lack of MD success, even as a non-US applicant. Did you post a WAMC?

 

[NewEnglandGirl]

Piggybacking on this thread----I am also international and am fortunate to have received an II to a dream school, but this school is non-rolling and I won't hear back till March. I also have two Rs and a hold. All 27 apps were submitted mid to late August. I have a 524 and 3.98. How much energy should I be currently investing in reapplying?

 

[chilly_md]

Piggybacking on this thread----I am also international and am fortunate to have received an II to a dream school, but this school is non-rolling and I won't hear back till March. I also have two Rs and a hold. All 27 apps were submitted mid to late August. I have a 524 and 3.98. How much energy should I be currently investing in reapplying?

What is the breakdown between MD and DO for those 27 applications? If you have significant clinical experience and checked the MD schools on MSAR for whether they took >3 international students, you've maximized your chances from what you've shared with us.

 

[NewEnglandGirl]

What is the breakdown between MD and DO for those 27 applications? If you have significant clinical experience and checked the MD schools on MSAR for whether they took >3 international students, you've maximized your chances from what you've shared with us.

They are all MDs! I had 200 clinical volunteering hours and 40 hours of shadowing at the time of submission, with more now. My strength (in my opinion) is research and I have three publications, including one in C/N/S subjournal.

 

[chilly_md]

They are all MDs! I had 200 clinical volunteering hours and 40 hours of shadowing at the time of submission, with more now. My strength (in my opinion) is research and I have three publications, including one in C/N/S subjournal.

It would be good if you can reach 400 hours of clinical volunteering and get at least 200 hours at a food bank, homeless shelter or similar area of need for non-clinical volunteering in case you do have to reapply.

 

[white.coat.aspirer]

International applicant this cycle with 2 As from DO schools.

I think you are fine to apply. My friend applied 2 weeks ago as per her DO PI recommendation. Unsure about the letter, but I did not have a DO letter and/or much knowledge about the DO process (I had an MD letter though- I applied to all DO schools that accept internationals and a couple of them did require a physician LOR, but can be MD or DO).

And to be transparent with them, mainly thinking about interviews, I made it clear in my application that I only became familiar with the DO philosophy a few years ago and that I am still learning about it but passionate about their core values and view of medicine. I did not consider DO until March of this year as well, so I understand!

 

[NewEnglandGirl]

It would be good if you can reach 400 hours of clinical volunteering and get at least 200 hours at a food bank, homeless shelter or similar area of need for non-clinical volunteering in case you do have to reapply.

Thank you! I will definitely prioritize clinical experience for the upcoming cycle.