Too Late to Apply Now?

[chocofudges]

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Hi guys!!
I'm thinking of applying to a few DO schools in addition to MD schools...my stats are on the side (MDapp profile)....Do you think it is too late for me to send in DO apps now? It will take about a month probably (maybe 2 weeks if I am lucky), for them to get my transcripts...then some time after that to get verified...I think my stats are solid for DO schools, but I feel as if I pushed this off until too late lol.

took out a certain word to those who noticed 😛

 

[gmcguitar4]

If I were you I would repost this because more people are gonna hate on this then give you advice. The part about saying applying DO as a backup can incite riots.

But yea I think that will be too late fo sho

 

[DrWily]

Hi guys!!
I'm thinking of applying to a few DO schools as a back up...my stats are on the side (MDapp profile)....Do you think it is too late for me to send in DO apps now? It will take about a month probably (maybe 2 weeks if I am lucky), for them to get my transcripts...then some time after that to get verified...I think my stats are solid for DO schools, but I feel as if I pushed this off until too late lol.

Nice.

Theoretically you are looking at a 2 month wait just to get verified, and then you have to submit secondaries after that. That puts you at about... December as being complete. That's pretty late. It's not impossible though. People have applied later and gotten interviews, but generally interviewing for waitlist spots.

What I'm concerned about is your age. Being 17 years old, you're going to get a lot of maturity questions brought up. Also, why the rush? You're missing out on some important years of your life. Enjoy them before you jump into a demanding lifelong career.

 

[Mbeas]

I'd say get on it now!! It's not too late, but it's getting there. Oh, and if you are really 17, you are going to have a really hard time getting in without a bachelor's degree or work experience.

 

[Morsetlis]

Applying late + being 17 do not together show maturity.

 

[chocofudges]

I'm 17, but I will be getting my degree from Rutgers this spring...I did college normally (well, doing it in 3 instead of 4 years due to AP credit)...I like to keep myself challenged, and if I did not skip grades, I would not have felt challenged enough. In the long run, 3 or 4 years is no big thing; I don't feel as if I am rushing anything, but rather that I am dedicating myself and time to things that I want to learn and value rather than things I already know.

Also, all my classmates and professors can''t guess I'm 17, and they only know if somehow it comes up in a conversation. Since I've been with the same range of people (have not skipped) since the start of high school, I've become accustomed to being with people older than me. In almost every country but the US, people go to med school after high school rather than after undergrad, and I doubt that a patient can tell the difference between a US trained doctor and a British doctor in terms of maturity.

I wouldn't say applying late is a sign of immaturity. I actually only recently heard about DO schools from my adviser when we were discussing what to do if I don't get in this cycle, and after doing some research, I actually found it to be a cool option.

 

[IDFsoldierboy]

I'm 17, but I will be getting my degree from Rutgers this spring...I did college normally (well, doing it in 3 instead of 4 years due to AP credit)...I like to keep myself challenged, and if I did not skip grades, I would not have felt challenged enough. In the long run, 3 or 4 years is no big thing; I don't feel as if I am rushing anything, but rather that I am dedicating myself and time to things that I want to learn and value rather than things I already know.

Also, all my classmates and professors can''t guess I'm 17, and they only know if somehow it comes up in a conversation. Since I've been with the same range of people (have not skipped) since the start of high school, I've become accustomed to being with people older than me. In almost every country but the US, people go to med school after high school rather than after undergrad, and I doubt that a patient can tell the difference between a US trained doctor and a British doctor in terms of maturity.

I wouldn't say applying late is a sign of immaturity. I actually only recently heard about DO schools from my adviser when we were discussing what to do if I don't get in this cycle, and after doing some research, I actually found it to be a cool option.

I think its not a sign of immaturity as there are many who apply late and it is true that if you apply now (and it takes a month to get transcripts) youll be lookin at a december verification...some get in i think the majority will be waitlisted and its sort of a shot in the dark whether you get in off the waitlist or not...I think as far as being 17 you have to look at whether or not you care about whats after your name and being so young you could always do a masters program and build up a resume...remember the avg age of matriculants is roughly 25...and I know DO schools love people with more life experience many will look at you and see your 17 and think that you dont know what you want yet (I know many of my friends who changed majors a few times as they realized what they want to do and what they want out of life) and while its remarkable to be graduating doogie howser style...many schools will be hesitant because they don't want to put the time in you and suddenly you realize medicine isn't for you.

 

[Colbare]

You'll probably have no problem with your stats it's not even that late. I didn't apply until mid November last year and interviewed with lower stats than you.

You really might consider the value of having practically no responsibilities before jumping into your life long career though. You will never be 17-21 again and they are golden for being young and carefree. Why spend all of them buried in stuff you will be stressed about the rest of your life? It's your life though of course so do what you want, good luck!

 

[jinobi]

Had some friends with similar stats as you who applied DO as backup while they were applying MD. It ended up very fortunately; they did not receive any interviews from MD schools, but they got into several DO schools. Better to send in your AACOMAS application now than to not get into ANY medical school at the end of this application cycle.

Now, the choice to jump straight into medical school is up to you. Like everyone else says, these are the best years of your life. I have no regrets taking a year off before medical school, as I had time and money to travel and have some awesome times with my friends before moving to the hardcore studying that I now have as a M1. Heck, taking a year off also meant I could turn 21 years old before going to med school (wouldn't want to miss out on all those bar crawls, y'know?).

If you're set on med school next year, be aware that you don't have any more summers off after M1. Careful not to burn out, you could always take a year off for research or something else if you desire before jumping right into residency afterwards.

BTW let me know if you receive an interview to Albany Med. I'd be more than happy to show you around.

 

[cliquesh]

You really should take some time off and travel or do something besides school. You do have some free time in medical school, but once you are an intern your life kind of sucks. Go have some fun for a year or two.

 

[musclemilk619]

missing out on the good years brother, enjoy life while you can

 

[munchymanRX]

Hi guys!!
I'm thinking of applying to a few DO schools in addition to MD schools...my stats are on the side (MDapp profile)....Do you think it is too late for me to send in DO apps now? It will take about a month probably (maybe 2 weeks if I am lucky), for them to get my transcripts...then some time after that to get verified...I think my stats are solid for DO schools, but I feel as if I pushed this off until too late lol.

took out a certain word to those who noticed 😛

Please reconsider applying to medical school at 17. If you're convinced that it's really what you want to do, then by all means. I will give you a word of warning though. Few people in my program are younger than 24, and nobody is younger than 21. Maturity is a huge part of tackling the next phases of your life, and if you really feel up to this then more power to you. You will only be competing academically with these people for 2 years, and then the differences in maturity level and just general life experience will be on full display during your rotations. Do you think youll be mature enough and ready to match your 25+ peers in the hospitals at 19? How do you think your patients will feel?

Outside of that though, if you can afford it, do it.

 

[gmcguitar4]

You won't even be able drink on your off time when in med school. How will you vent?!

 

[chocofudges]

Please reconsider applying to medical school at 17. If you're convinced that it's really what you want to do, then by all means. I will give you a word of warning though. Few people in my program are younger than 24, and nobody is younger than 21. Maturity is a huge part of tackling the next phases of your life, and if you really feel up to this then more power to you. You will only be competing academically with these people for 2 years, and then the differences in maturity level and just general life experience will be on full display during your rotations. Do you think youll be mature enough and ready to match your 25+ peers in the hospitals at 19? How do you think your patients will feel?

Outside of that though, if you can afford it, do it.

Well, I doubt my patients can discern visually between someone who is 19 and someone who is 23; the only way they would find out my age would be if I told them. Also, I go to school at Rutgers, and of the many people I have encountered, none of them would have guessed I was younger than them. I skipped third, fifth, and seventh grade. These were pretty early on; I've had all the life experiences high school and college have had to offer (well, besides drinking, which I would not do even if I were over 21 due to my beliefs), and I am really dedicated to studying medicine.

I understand your concern about not fitting in and about being outstripped maturity wise with my peers when it comes to rotations and even career choices, but I also want to say that I have been with people 3 years older than me for 8 years now in my most critical formative years (age 10 onwards), to the point where I barely consider the age difference significant.

Also, as I said in another post, doctors in countries all over the world enter medical school after high school (and I'm talking about better off countries, not just some shady program in an unheard of country), and I seriously doubt that the quality of care between doctors from these countries and the US upon graduating medical school and undergoing residency is different due to maturity.

I do like your advice though since it raises important points that I should be able to answer. If I were not able to answer them, then I would seriously reconsider applying this early. Thanks for putting the time in for writing a thoughtful response! I don't want my response to seem as an argument or a form of self-validation; I am simply showing my view of applying so that those who read it later on can provide some improved feedback, perhaps disagreeing with some things I've pointed out.

 

[chocofudges]

You won't even be able drink on your off time when in med school. How will you vent?!

Well, drinking goes against my beliefs, so either way I wouldn't drink! So I am really not missing out on anything 😀

 

[munchymanRX]

Well, I doubt my patients can discern visually between someone who is 19 and someone who is 23; the only way they would find out my age would be if I told them. Also, I go to school at Rutgers, and of the many people I have encountered, none of them would have guessed I was younger than them. I skipped third, fifth, and seventh grade. These were pretty early on; I've had all the life experiences high school and college have had to offer (well, besides drinking, which I would not do even if I were over 21 due to my beliefs), and I am really dedicated to studying medicine.

I understand your concern about not fitting in and about being outstripped maturity wise with my peers when it comes to rotations and even career choices, but I also want to say that I have been with people 3 years older than me for 8 years now in my most critical formative years (age 10 onwards), to the point where I barely consider the age difference significant.

Also, as I said in another post, doctors in countries all over the world enter medical school after high school (and I'm talking about better off countries, not just some shady program in an unheard of country), and I seriously doubt that the quality of care between doctors from these countries and the US upon graduating medical school and undergoing residency is different due to maturity.

I do like your advice though since it raises important points that I should be able to answer. If I were not able to answer them, then I would seriously reconsider applying this early. Thanks for putting the time in for writing a thoughtful response! I don't want my response to seem as an argument or a form of self-validation; I am simply showing my view of applying so that those who read it later on can provide some improved feedback, perhaps disagreeing with some things I've pointed out.

Finally, someone on the internet who doesn't respond to an honest post with indignation!
My post was exactly that--considerations for you to reflect on. If you think you've surmounted those obstacles, then more power to you! I'll be happy to call you a colleague someday.

 

[munchymanRX]

You won't even be able drink on your off time when in med school. How will you vent?!

Psh. yes you can.

 

[Iliketoytles]

No advice here. Just want to say that I love your avatar picture munchyman. 🙂

 

[ksmajmudar]

Having gone to Rutgers as well, I'm reasonably sure I had a few classes with you. Were you the mythical 16 year-old in my Molecular Biology class in Spring, 2010? If that's you, I'm pretty sure Professor Brill hated you for all the thoughtful, impressive questions you used to ask 😀

(At least, he confided this to me in office hours, haha)

 

[chocofudges]

Having gone to Rutgers as well, I'm reasonably sure I had a few classes with you. Were you the mythical 16 year-old in my Molecular Biology class in Spring, 2010? If that's you, I'm pretty sure Professor Brill hated you for all the thoughtful, impressive questions you used to ask 😀

(At least, he confided this to me in office hours, haha)

lol...never taken molecular biology...or had professor brill! I was going to take biochem though this spring...now i am reconsidering if he teaches any of those classes hahaha...

 

[ksmajmudar]

lol...never taken molecular biology...or had professor brill! I was going to take biochem though this spring...now i am reconsidering if he teaches any of those classes hahaha...

Wow, I can't believe that's not you! Haha...No, Professor Brill is great, don't get me wrong, he was just peeved by this one student who couldn't attend class without asking at least four or five questions a day!

Deis for Biochem is great though 👍 Brilliant man!

 

[shushumiga]

So...OP...did you graduate high school when you were 14? (prodigy kid?) because most students are fresman in HS at that age. You mentioned that you don't feel/look like your 17? Hmmm...I guess when your 25 (for example) you gonna feel/look like your 40. sad IMOH.

Regarding the med schools...look at the age range of matriculated students and u will see that most schools accept students with lowest age of 18. I think DO (your back up plan) accept anything above 20. Most likely you will not be accepted this cycle because you just turned 17. I think you are rushing and deff not enjoying your teenage years.

Ohh if you happen to get in this cycle, please come back and tell us. 😀

 

[Slack3r]

 

[chocofudges]

So...OP...did you graduate high school when you were 14? (prodigy kid?) because most students are fresman in HS at that age. You mentioned that you don't feel/look like your 17? Hmmm...I guess when your 25 (for example) you gonna feel/look like your 40. sad IMOH.

Regarding the med schools...look at the age range of matriculated students and u will see that most schools accept students with lowest age of 18. I think DO (your back up plan) accept anything above 20. Most likely you will not be accepted this cycle because you just turned 17. I think you are rushing and deff not enjoying your teenage years.

Ohh if you happen to get in this cycle, please come back and tell us. 😀

Yeah I entered HS at 11 (very awkward lol) and graduated at 14.

I don't think I'll look forty, but I will probably feel 3 or 4 years older than myself...if that is anything. In the long run, a couple of years are really nothing. Does a 25 year old really feel that different from a 28 year old?

Also, I skipped younger grades and have not skipped any since I was 10; I like doing things I enjoy rather things that I know that would bore me, so if you look at it that way, I am actually maximizing my enjoyment time as a teenager. I have time to hang with my friends and enjoy life while still succeeding academically. By the time I actually enter med school, I will be 18, so no worries there.

I have no idea what to expect this cycle, but I'll keep you guys posted if anything happens!

 

[plauto]

Your stats are fine for MD school. Your age is going to play a major role in whether you get it or not. Even though you can't see it now, you severely lack in life experiences, and those are so important in shaping how you are with patients. Honestly, I would apply to the more research oriented schools, because I think you might have more of a shot there. The time where med schools only looked for intelligence is over. Now the want brain and social skills. At your age, social skills are still in the process of starting to develop. I doubt DO schools are going to look at you seriously, same goes for MD schools. If you don't get in, just go on for an advance degree and enjoy life before applying again.

 

[DrWily]

The OP is very articulate in her writing, and if this translates to how she expresses herself in real life, then I have high hopes for her. Just be able to explain everything you've said here to us and you should be able to sweet talk your way into a school. I'm quite impressed actually; she's much more mature than I was at 17.

 

[ksmajmudar]

The OP is very articulate in her writing, and if this translates to how she expresses herself in real life, then I have high hopes for her. Just be able to explain everything you've said here to us and you should be able to sweet talk your way into a school. I'm quite impressed actually; she's much more mature than I was at 17.

I agree. Good luck chocofudges, be sure to let us know if you get in!

 

[shushumiga]

appropriate picture for this thread

 

[PJ meowerton]

The OP is very articulate in her writing, and if this translates to how she expresses herself in real life, then I have high hopes for her. Just be able to explain everything you've said here to us and you should be able to sweet talk your way into a school. I'm quite impressed actually; she's much more mature than I was at 17.

I was thinking the same thing, I still can't express myself as well as she is in writing and I'm 10 years older.. lol

 

[chocofudges]

Just had my interview at NJMS! If any of you have questions, just pm me!

 

[Nan65]

Just had my interview at NJMS! If any of you have questions, just pm me!

CONGRATS! i wish you get into your top choice so tell me how was your interview??