What are my choices?

[AnarchyAshley]

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I am currently a Senior at a state university in Alabama. Chemistry major, Biology and philosophy minor.
-cGPA: 3.5 (upward trend); sGPA: 3.6
-MCAT: June 16, 2014 26 (10VR/8PS/8BS), January 10, 2015 26 (9/8/9)
-Shadowing experience: ~40 hrs MD in primary care and emergency setting (planning more ~50 ish w/ DO and MD)
-Research: 2 years in medicinal organic chemistry research lab at UG university, working on project which when published will hopefully acknowledge me
-Undergraduate Intro. Chem lab TA 1 yr w/ honors program
-Volunteer for local hospital (~100 hrs), Red cross, and UCP
-Leadership: Panhellenic delegate for local collegiate chapter
-About to start working at local hospital as a patent care assistant for clinical experience

So the main question is how are my chances at a decent DO school? Also, and this is where I really need some help, my parents are in the process of building their house for retirement in Florida, which should be done in three months. I am an only child with no living grandparents or much of any family whatsoever (the lagging few left dispersed mainly in Florida and Arkansas). Alabama schools aren't likely to look kindly on my application and my options seem to me to be better or at least wider in Florida as a resident.

You might think I am cheating and trying to fool the system, but in all honesty I am inevitably going to end up in Florida to live near my parents who are older and my only family. The problem is for me to try for Florida residency as a dependent means I need them to live in florida for at least a year to be counted as a domicile. But, since they love and spoil me, they need another year or two before retiring from their jobs in Alabama. So taxes would probably give them away in that case to account for my status as a dependent.

That leaves 2 of 3 options left. I could move to Florida right after graduation in May, meaning I would have to sell my house and find a place to live and a job (preferably to further help my app) while doing applications to try for state residency as an independent or for reasons other than educational purposes. But what would it count for if I use the house my parents are building as my primary residence on my AACOMAS and do in fact have a Florida DL and proof of property and taxes and etc. (things I can have without living there physically for a year)...?

Or I could just stay an Alabama resident for my AACOMAS and apply as usual. I really don't know if this is a sketchy path to try and take or if other people have looked into this topic that much.

Any input is helpful....

 

[deleted610572]

ACOM in Dothan HIGHLY stresses the care of the communities in the tri-state area (Alabama, Georgia, and Florida) So it doesn't matter that you will eventually end up in Florida. That region is still in their mission statement. I am from California and I will be moving out to Alabama this fall for ACOM, so I think you have a leg up on me wanting to practice in Florida and they still accepted me.

 

[s5260205]

It's not cheating at all to secure residency in another state to broaden your chances. If someone is willing to move, then all the power to them! There are two DO schools in Florida (NOVA and LECOM-Bradenton). Additionally, while your MCAT is a bit low for some of the more established schools, you still stand a good chances at most DO schools. Apply early and broadly and you should be fine.

 

[JeBrAs]

I don't think a balanced MCAT of a 26 like yours and with your competitive GPAs will hinder you at all even if you apply to some of the more established schools. Apply broadly and I am sure you will have some pleasant surprises.

 

[Goro]

Concur. But skip CCOM, AZCOM, the NY and CA Touros and KCUMB.

If you are currently an AL resident, then U AB might be doable. If FL, then a number of the FL schools are doable.

I don't think a balanced MCAT of a 26 like yours and with your competitive GPAs will hinder you at all even if you apply to some of the more established schools. Apply broadly and I am sure you will have some pleasant surprises.