Too late to Apply

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Is it too late to apply to an Osteopathic School to begin Fall 2008?

According to AACOMAS these schools deadlines are as follows:
Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic MedicineApril 1, 2008Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine - ErieApril 1, 2008Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine - BradentonApril 1, 2008Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine - NYApril 1, 2008Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine - CAApril 1, 2008Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine - NVApril 1, 2008Pacific Northwest University of Health SciencesApril 10, 2008

 

[Jpc984]

Depends on your stats. Have you shadowed a DO. I would say you are late.

 

[EEL08]

Honestly, at this point I would just save your money and plan on applying early for the next cycle. By the time your app would be verified and sent out by AACOMAS and you sent in the secondaries there would be very few, if any, interview spots left. You will have a much better chance if you get your app and LORs together as early as possible in June and submit then.

 

[DrMidlife]

Is it too late to apply to an Osteopathic School to begin Fall 2008?

According to AACOMAS these schools deadlines are as follows:
Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic MedicineApril 1, 2008Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine - ErieApril 1, 2008Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine - BradentonApril 1, 2008Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine - NYApril 1, 2008Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine - CAApril 1, 2008Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine - NVApril 1, 2008Pacific Northwest University of Health SciencesApril 10, 2008

imho you're wasting your money if you apply now, unless you just came out of a coma following a Peace Corps gig, half your family are DO's, your GPA and MCAT are good enough to get you into WashU, and you've already got an LOR from a DO non-relative.

Otherwise you'd have 6-8 weeks turnaround for AACOMAS to process your app, before the 6-8 weeks each school needs to turn around your secondaries. At best, and even this isn't likely, you'd be interviewing for the waitlist.

 

[prionsRbad]

Is it too late to apply to an Osteopathic School to begin Fall 2008?

According to AACOMAS these schools deadlines are as follows:
Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic MedicineApril 1, 2008Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine - ErieApril 1, 2008Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine - BradentonApril 1, 2008Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine - NYApril 1, 2008Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine - CAApril 1, 2008Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine - NVApril 1, 2008Pacific Northwest University of Health SciencesApril 10, 2008

Yes, it's too late.

Good Luck next cycle.

 

[paramediclizard]

I would save your money and apply beginning in June. In the long run, you won't have to limit your schools and you can be as competative as possible. I understand wanting to start in the Fall, but realistically, your opportunities will be very limited.
That's my two cents

 

[Amy B]

I agree with the others.. if you want to apply DO then wait and do it with this next cycle. I would caution you though, make sure you know why you want to apply DO. Have you shadowed any, do you have a LOR from any, etc....?

Not saying it is in your case, but very very late applicants raise red flags that they are just applicants that have been rejected at all their MD schools. Which is why it is better to apply next cycle. I am not even sure you could apply this year at such a late date. Its not just a fall back for people not being accepted to an MD school. The stats required have gone up and more and more people are applying so make sure you are a solid applicant with an interest in DO. Just my .002cents. Good luck!!

 

[Porco Rosso]

If you have a school or two in mind, call them for advice. Many schools may have later deadline but class maybe near capacity.

call to your top three choice and ask. I think they will see right through if you are doing this just because you didnt get into a MD program.

If they do not think you should apply this late, make an appointment with a admin counselor to discuss your file for the application cycle. This way, you will have time to shadow DO and know if DO is something you can relate with in terms of philosophy and personal characteristics.

 

[nlax30]

Too many variables to say..... but,

If you have the money and are interested in going to any of those schools with the later deadlines, and you are pretty competitive then why not give it a shot?

Otherwise, if you have some lacking areas in your app, and/or looking at holding onto to your money then try next cycle.

It IS possible, I was a late applicant when I applied here and it worked out for me, but that's just my situation.

 

[Tamburlaine]

You might as well do it. What do you have to loose--maybe money and some hours of peace and quiet? Heck, you may hit the jackpot, and if not, you'll get some practice.

It will cost you some money, though. But I say go for it....

 

[Powdermonkey]

Yes, it's too late.

Good Luck next cycle.

+1.

 

[EEL08]

You might as well do it. What do you have to loose--maybe money and some hours of peace and quiet? Heck, you may hit the jackpot, and if not, you'll get some practice.

It will cost you some money, though. But I say go for it....

You also have to consider the schools to which you are applying. Some say that if you reapply you have to get all new LORs. I hate to be blunt but that would just suck. 👎

 

[fisko82]

If you have a 20+ mcat and a 3.0+ gpa, I say what the hell, go ahead and give it a shot. What do you have to lose (besides money)? Sure it's a gamble and the odds aren't in your favor, but it won't cost that much to apply and you never know what could happen. Look at it this way, if you take a chance by applying and end up getting accepted, you just saved yourself a lot of time, money, and energy that you'd spend applying next cycle. They wouldn't have those deadlines if they didn't want you to apply. GL

 

[prionsRbad]

If you have a 20+ mcat and a 3.0+ gpa, I say what the hell, go ahead and give it a shot.

The OP is going to need more like a 3.4+ and a 26+ go be competitive this late in the game.

 

[fisko82]

The OP is going to need more like a 3.4+ and a 26+ go be competitive this late in the game.

How do you know this?

 

[EEL08]

How do you know this?

prions is psychic. She has ESPN.

 

[prionsRbad]

How do you know this?

It's true . . . I have ESPN and that's how I came up with the answer.

Come on, it's common knowledge that you need to have better and more competitive stats if you apply later on in the cycle. Why do you think people always say to apply early? Schools reserve a number of spots for highly competitive applicants later on in the cycle.

However, the numbers I posted are my personal opinion, but I would be very surprised to see an "average" (~3.4 GPA, 25 MCAT) applicant get in this late if they were just now submitting their primary.

 

[Pegasus1731]

+1.

+2

 

[bluemonkey]

Why don't you call those schools and ask for a realistic assessment of applying this late? Not to discourage you, but applying takes a decent amount of time and money. As a couple of the above posters mentioned, AACOMAS verification plus the schools processing your secondary apps can take quite a bit of time. Do you already have all of your letters of recommendation ready? Have you sent your transcripts in to AACOMAS? These can take some serious time as well. I'm not saying forget it, but take a second to actually figure out if it's realistic...

 

[mons86]

Too many variables to say..... but,

If you have the money and are interested in going to any of those schools with the later deadlines, and you are pretty competitive then why not give it a shot?

Otherwise, if you have some lacking areas in your app, and/or looking at holding onto to your money then try next cycle.

It IS possible, I was a late applicant when I applied here and it worked out for me, but that's just my situation.

How late did you apply? and what were your stats? My application's been verified and I'm about to submit my secondaries with my fingers crossed.....my stats: 26N on the MCAT, 3.6GPA.......anyone think I might have a chance?

 

[Boner]

How late did you apply? and what were your stats? My application's been verified and I'm about to submit my secondaries with my fingers crossed.....my stats: 26N on the MCAT, 3.6GPA.......anyone think I might have a chance?

I wouldn't get your hopes up if you haven't even submitted secondaries yet. At this point, I'd guess most schools have booked interviews through March, and those people are most likely interviewing for waitlist spots.

 

[metalmd06]

What do you guys think about my chances? My AACOMAS was completed 1/29/08 with all of my transcripts sent and dated 1/30/08. I only applied to NYCOM, my stats are 3.2 GPA and 30P MCAT. Good ECs, Good LORs (no DO LORs but I am currently working for one and My mom works for a few with whom I am acquainted, so I could always get one if necessary and send as an update), lots of volunteer and clinical experience.

 

[wcbcruzer]

Just to give you some insight. I just interviewed at TU-NV and 90 of 134 seats have been filled. They're conducting interviews 4 times a week, every week all the way through the next few months. At this point it's not so much the money or chances of getting in this year, but rather your chances of getting in next year as well. If you apply late and get rejected, that kinda looks bad if you re-apply next year (at least I think).

If you can get an interview by March or April then I'd say you still have a good chance, but how long does it take the school to process your apps and offer you and interview? You'll have to call them to find out. I submitted my secondaries in late December and just got an interview in April at AZCOM.

Now aside from all that, if I were you I'd go ahead and apply. That's just me. Screw what other people say on this board. Go off your own intuition.

 

[DrMidlife]

What do you guys think about my chances? My AACOMAS was completed 1/29/08 with all of my transcripts sent and dated 1/30/08. I only applied to NYCOM, my stats are 3.2 GPA and 30P MCAT. Good ECs, Good LORs (no DO LORs but I am currently working for one and My mom works for a few with whom I am acquainted, so I could always get one if necessary and send as an update), lots of volunteer and clinical experience.

You only applied to one school, and you waited to apply until January? That goes against every "how to do it right" guideline I've ever heard. I'd say you have less than a 10% chance if you're OOS. Maybe you'll get away with it if you're a NY resident. Best of luck to you, regardless.

*based on USNews Fall 2006 acceptance rate of 12.6%, of students with average GPA of 3.53, compounded by increased application numbers for '08.

 

[Boner]

What do you guys think about my chances? My AACOMAS was completed 1/29/08 with all of my transcripts sent and dated 1/30/08. I only applied to NYCOM, my stats are 3.2 GPA and 30P MCAT. Good ECs, Good LORs (no DO LORs but I am currently working for one and My mom works for a few with whom I am acquainted, so I could always get one if necessary and send as an update), lots of volunteer and clinical experience.

It's a little late in the game to be applying osteopathic as a backup, chief.

 

[metalmd06]

look at my previous posts, pal. I wasn't planning on applying this year, I was looking into it as a serious option for next year, after I met a student who goes to NYCOM. When I saw I could still apply I gave it a shot because I figured I had nothing to lose. Honestly, I'm looking for a serious response about my chances.

 

[metalmd06]

You only applied to one school, and you waited to apply until January? That goes against every "how to do it right" guideline I've ever heard. I'd say you have less than a 10% chance if you're OOS. Maybe you'll get away with it if you're a NY resident. Best of luck to you, regardless.

*based on USNews Fall 2006 acceptance rate of 12.6%, of students with average GPA of 3.53, compounded by increased application numbers for '08.

I didn't even consider DO because I wasn't vastly uneducated about it. I did apply allopathic this cycle and have had only one interview with no success, but my decision to apply last minute was due to my discussion with a NYCOM student, research and the DO and Chiro I work with. If not successful, I will certainly apply DO more broadly next cycle, but like the OP, I wanted to see if I would have any sort of shot.

 

[fisko82]

Honestly, I'm looking for a serious response about my chances.

Your mcat score may get you a serious consideration; your tardiness and grades may get you a serious rejection. I'd say the odds aren't in your favor, but that you're probably one of their stronger applicants yet to be interviewed, statistically speaking, at this point in the game. Here's hoping the DO gods smile favorably upon you and grant you an interview 👍

 

[metalmd06]

Your mcat score may get you a serious consideration; your tardiness and grades may get you a serious rejection. I'd say the odds aren't in your favor, but that you're probably one of their stronger applicants yet to be interviewed, statistically speaking, at this point in the game. Here's hoping the DO gods smile favorably upon you and grant you an interview 👍

Thanks for the objective and truthful response and I hope that I get a chance as well.

 

[EEL08]

If you apply late and get rejected, that kinda looks bad if you re-apply next year (at least I think).

I don't agree with this. Maybe applying late looks like you're using DO as a backup but reapplying just shows persistence in becoming a doctor.

 

[metalmd06]

I don't agree with this. Maybe applying late looks like you're using DO as a backup but reapplying just shows persistence in becoming a doctor.

I agree, but I know that most allo schools will make it harder for you a second time. I know for a fact that at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, if you are unsuccessful twice, you are not allowed to apply again; you are not even considered if you apply a third time. I guess they figure if they already rejected you once, what would make them consider you again? Unless you have some active, drastic improvements, your chances are slightly less the second time around.

Is it the same way with most DO schools? It seems like DO Adcoms are more interested in the person as a whole, so I would figure if you didn't get in a second time and you improved and tried again, you might show some grit and thus get a second look.

 

[wcbcruzer]

I don't agree with this. Maybe applying late looks like you're using DO as a backup but reapplying just shows persistence in becoming a doctor.

Yea I guess. But then you actually gotta do more to show that you've tried to make yourself a better candidate. lol...

 

[scpod]

....but reapplying just shows persistence in becoming a doctor.

In many cases that may be true. Both of the in-state MD schools where I'm originally from have classes that average about 20% second timers. They actually expect to have that many. I've heard officials from both schools say that they like second timers because it shows how hard they are willing to work to accomplish their goals.

 

[scpod]

Is it too late to apply to an Osteopathic School to begin Fall 2008?

Absolutely not! There is more than enough time to apply!

Now....if your question had been, "Is it too late to be accepted to an Osteopathic School to begin Fall 2008?"....well, I would have had a different answer.

 

[t-funk]

In many cases that may be true. Both of the in-state MD schools where I'm originally from have classes that average about 20% second timers. They actually expect to have that many. I've heard officials from both schools say that they like second timers because it shows how hard they are willing to work to accomplish their goals.

I don't know firsthand but I have been told by several different people that my state allopathic school particularly likes 2nd and 3rd time applicants bc it shows determination. I'm guessing this may be more of a specific school preference bc I have seen other schools who make it much harder on 2nd time applicants.

 

[EEL08]

Yea I guess. But then you actually gotta do more to show that you've tried to make yourself a better candidate. lol...

Well that plus the cost and possibly having to get new LORs is why the OP should probably wait until next cycle to apply. 😉

 

[wcbcruzer]

Well that plus the cost and possibly having to get new LORs is why the OP should probably wait until next cycle to apply. 😉

Oh yea, I totally forgot about the LOR's. JUST WAIT till the next cycle! Schools often want a totally new set of LORs each time you apply. That's a major PITA.