What else to apply to? PA, MS, year off?

[Gmw1386]

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In my typical pessimistic fashion I'm wondering if I should consider applying to other things in case I don't get into DO school the first time around.
I plan on applying to DO schools around the country and public MD schools in NY. But should I apply to some other things?

I was thinking about maybe applying to a PA program, but I don't really want to be a PA, and would apply to DO school again while in school.

I was also thinking about applying to a Biomedical Science masters program. I figure this way I can still persue my interests and show that I can handle graduate level material. But I don't know what I would ever do with this degree. I don't have any interest in research.

There is always just spending that year off and doing this and that. Working, traveling, maybe getting certified as a HS teacher. (Just in case...)

Anyone have anything to share about what else they applied to, or what they did with their "year off." I've heard having a year off is great.

 

[Faraaz23]

I did the year off thing. Over the summer i got my EMT-B license and I'm an ER tech now. I chose to work outta the ER instead of on an ambulance because you have a heck of a lot more patient contact in the ER, although being a field EMT would be a pretty fun job. It's actually very good clinical experience. I feel as if I won't be so clumsy and lost when I start my 3rd year clinicals. I was also thinkin about takin a phlebotomy course at comm college just for the sake of learning how to stick. I am however taking micro and A&P 1 at comm college this semester (this wasn't even on my AACOMAS or secondaries though).

Some schools will ask you "so what have you done since you've graduated?". I got in to two osteos, so I guess they were satisfied with what I was doing this year?

But if you do a post-bac and do very well in it, it definitely can't hurt. Also, perhaps if you think a couple more points would be beneficial to you, maybe try studying and sitting for the MCAT again? I've also heard of people doing americorp for a year... that'd sit well especially with DO schools since they value serving underserved communities.

I don't think there is any set formula of what you need/can do during your year off. My advice, do something productive, but also enjoy yourself! I am very, very glad I took a year off. If I would've went straight to med school after undergrad, I think I would've been too burned out to do well. I feel pretty recharged now to go to med school in the fall and face the punishment we all know as Gross Anatomy and Biochem!

 

[MDTDO]

I took 3 years off and didn't really do jack, still got into every DO school I applied to. Take the time to learn more about DOs and meet one to write a good letter, get 30 on your MCAT and I don't see how any DO school could deny you. I basically went from dentistry to DO/MD to PA back to DO/MD. It shouldnt have taken 3 years but I did a lot of traveling.. I would recommend the year off though; I know I needed it. Just don't do anything to hurt your chances.

I'm waitlisted at one MD and I really want to go there, but they seem probably more turned off by my 3 years off..

Applying to PA/Dental/ etc. at the same time I guess could be done but each one wants to see that you are devoted ultimately to that profession and its nothing i've heard of doing. I guess you could cover up that you applied to all of them, but getting letters of rec (one from a PA, one from a DO, etc..) could become pretty time consuming. Ultimately I would advise that if you have to take a year off, use it to make sure you get into DO school (which isnt that tough)