Very lost after a rejection, should I just settle for DO?

[Mr. MD or DO]

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Hi, I'm a senior graduating this May.
I applied to nearly 30 schools last year and had one interview, which rejected me after a long while. My gpa is sci 3.54 and overall 3.62. I know it was the MCAT score that screwed me up (6v, 10p, 8b). I was thinking about taking a year off after graduaion to study for MCAt and retake it in april 2002. That means i have to take another year off to wait for the interview and acceptance. I was thinking about other alternatives like osteopathic and forien med school. Should I just settle for less or try taking MCAT one more time (=wasting 2 years). I know I could improve my MCAT but what's my chance at this point? I currenty learned alot of osteopathy and it sounds great too, maybe better than allopathy to me (b/c it shares my philosophy) But it seems like they would be some significant restriction like residency and fetting a job in the future. I'm worried.
Please help...thank you so much.

 

[Cobragirl]

Why wait TWO years??? If taking the MCAT this April is too close (with your other finals to worry about) buckle down and take the August MCAT!!! Your score is fine with the exception of the verbal and that isn't a section that you need to spend a year studying for! Sure the 8 could come up too, but my overall score is only 3 points higher than yours (10V,9P,9B) and I've received 4 interviews out of 7 completed apps (2 wailists, 2 unknown)! Don't be so hard on yourself and don't let the MCAT freak you out like this! You might want to take a hard look at the rest of your application (ie: extracurriculars, volunteerism, personal statement, etc) and see if it's lacking somewhere else. And by ALL means, call those 30 schools and ASK THEM how you could improve your app! Most are pretty willing to tell you where you need improvement!

As for DO...that's an option too. The end result is the same, and if you like the philosophy...GO FOR IT!

Good Luck!

PS-I took the August 2000 MCAT...and had to take it AGAIN in October (the courier lost our tests...my scores were reported 6 weeks after everyone elses!) yet I've still received interviews! Don't give up!

[This message has been edited by Cobragirl (edited 01-29-2001).]

 

[gabbers22]

HI! This post is for cobragirl...I was curious about how MCAT lost the tests and how they contacted you...did they call you personally or write you a letter? Also, how much time did they give you before you retook the test? I mean, I would probably be panicked at the thought of having to take the test again after not studying/taking practice tests for awhile! WHat was your experience--I can't even imagine what all of you guys who had to take it again went through!
Thanks!

 

[Mr. MD or DO]

Thank you very much for your reply.
I was actually thinking about taking the MCAT in August, but what's the point of taking it earlier when the first day we can send our AMCAS app. after june 1st. I thought I would do better if I study for maybe 8-9 months and take the MCAT in april of 2002. After so many rejections, i'm very determined to study hard for my MCAT to get at least 30 or more. Thinking about what I have to go through for the whole year studying and another year waiting, DO schools sound more gratifying to me, but Should I waste one extra year to hopefully to well on MCAT and get into MD school, or just apply to DO and get it over with, with better chance?
Thanks alot cobragirl, and good luck with your career!

 

[WishUponAStar]

Apply to both and see what happens.

Your MCAT score is low even for D.O. schools, but I would say you have a reasonable chance.

W.

 

[cjw0918]

I just wanted to say that you should not attend a DO school if you feel you would be settling. DO schools have MCAT averages of only 1 or 2 points lower than MD schools on the whole, so it is not like you are a guarantee at a DO school. The reason most DO schools have lower MCAT's anyway is because they are willing to trade a couple of points on the MCAT for interesting health care experience, maturity, and previous life experiences that are remarkable. It's a trade off. If you don't have anything interesting going for you beside the typical pre-med experience, DO schools will be just as difficult to get in to as MD schools. They really look for that sort of stuff at most DO programs I know of. It's great that you like the DO philosophy, but don't go there if you won't be proud to be a DO. And if you do, just be glad you are in med school, b/c a lot of people who wanted to be aren't. Good luck...

 

[Cobragirl]

Gabbers...

In answer to your question about the lost MCATs...the courier (Fed-ex, Airborne Express - they never told us who) lost the tests in transit to the scoring facility. ACT (the people who put out the MCAT) didn't notify us until FIVE WEEKS later...and by letter. They gave us exactly THREE weeks to study before the retest (including the day we got the letter!) In two words - IT SUCKED! My score went down (they found our "original" scores last week) and it was reported many weeks after everyone else in the nation had theirs...making my app incomplete for even longer! I had done my part...had my AMCAS in by June 15th, my secondaries done by the beginning of Sept...I was just waiting on my MCAT scores like everyone else.

So anyway, don't despair...everybody has a glitch in their application process...I've still received 4 interviews despite the problems.

 

[David511]

CJW, you speak words of truth. DO school is not for people who feel its some sort of 'consolation prize' for MD-school rejects. It is for those who are serious about the profession and who will be proud to be a DO.

Mr MD/DO, it sounds like you might have a genuine interest in the DO philosophy. I suggest you take some time and get some real-world experience with Osteopathic Medicine (i.e. shadow a DO)...I feel its the only real way to know if you're right for DO school.

In the meantime, please don't refer to DO school in a negative fashion. It only propagates an outdated stereotype and offends those of us who are look forward <with pride> to becoming Osteopathic physicians.

Regardless of the path you choose, I wish you luck.

-d
PCOM, Class of 2005

 

[Shania]

Right on David, for that much needed response.

 

[VAD]

Mr. MD or DO,

I think you're right to consider not rushing the application process and taking your time in preparing for the MCAT. I know for me, I was so anxious to apply last year, and I decided to wait and take more classes. I have to say that I felt so much better applying this year than I would have last year. And, I don't think it could hurt you at all to be as prepared as possible for the MCAT. The extra time should allow you to refine and perfect your personal statement. My only advice would be to create a schedule or plan of what you're going to study and when between now and when you take the MCAT.

Use your time wisely!

VAD

 

[Katie]

I totally agree with VAD.. I applied in 1998-99 with an MCAT score of 26 and was rejected everywhere. Since I was moving and had a lot going on in the summer after I graduated from college, I elected to take 2 years off to do some grad work and retake the MCAT in April 2000. I brought my score up 3 points (I know, not all that great, but went up 2 points in VR), did very well in grad classes, applied to more schools, etc. I have 5 interviews so far this time applying and may hear from other schools (knock on wood). I'm so glad that I took my time and was able to go through the application process with some degree of confidence and organization. Best of luck to you! Oh yeah, I would apply to both MD and DO schools the next time you apply as well.

 

[Mr. MD or DO]

Thanks alot everyone for your concerns and help. I'm sorry most of you misconstrued my opinion about DO. Although it might have sounded like it, but I never intended to understimate DO in anyway. Nor did I even try to say DO is some kind of last resort out of desperation either. That was my ignorance and I apologize those who were offended by my unintential comments. Many people have suggested retaking the MCAT and improving the profolio to give it another try. However, I was recently convinced after many research, that DO is truly what my heart desires to do. If I considered DO as a second option, I would apply both allopathic and osteopathic. But I'm applying only osteopathic due to my strong conviction in my heart. Some even suggested getting the MD degree after getting a DO through some programs in foreign med school that grants MD to those DO's who decide to participate. Title is nothing but the name. I personally think It's virtually the same (MD and DO). It's like comparing Catholics and Christians, even from the manner they were formed. Just as both religions are bound under one GOD, MD and DO are also bound under one Medical Care. I think I'll do what my heart tells me to do. Thank you everyone.

 

[jdaasbo]

Catholics are Christians.


------------------
Johan Aasbo
M3 CCOM

 

[guy104]

cobragirl, will the med schools look at the scores that they just found? it seems unfair if they won't.

 

[Deoxynando]

Jumping on this sympathetic bandwagon, I hope things go well for you Cobragirl. I can't image how agonizing that must have been for you. Good luck.

As for the original post, I agree with everyone else who said to take the time to apply to both MD and DO schools. I will be worth it when you get into a school that originally rejected you.

 

[doctorperez]

Talk about Politically Incorrect!..