What factors should I consider when choosing DO schools?

[redrosesfi]

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I have about a 3.77 cumulative and a 3.61 science. Mcat is 506. If I'm considering DO schools, what factors should I consider? State of residency is NC.

Should I look at a school's match list, and even then how should I interpret it correctly? At this point I'm leaning towards specializing in something but I'm not dead set.

Lastly, what are some DO schools I should be encouraged to apply to, and which ones should I stay away from? Regional preference is a non-factor for me. Thanks all.

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

Boards, boards and boards. If their curriculum is not driven toward it and you don't have ample study time, pass them up. Also choose a school with minimum OMM and no OMM rotation requirements.

 

[drkube]

Location, quality of rotation sites, mission of the school, cost, & curriculum.

In general, you should strongly consider applying to the more established schools first, like KCU, DMU, PCOM, etc.

Then look for schools where you might be a good fit (big city, rural focused, large class size, etc.)

Some schools have a regional bias (TCOM, WCUCOM, OSU...) so as an OOS'er, you have a much lower chance of interviewing/matriculation. Apply at your own risk.

 

[123medschoolme]

I have about a 3.77 cumulative and a 3.61 science. Mcat is 506. If I'm considering DO schools, what factors should I consider? State of residency is NC.

Should I look at a school's match list, and even then how should I interpret it correctly? At this point I'm leaning towards specializing in something but I'm not dead set.

Lastly, what are some DO schools I should be encouraged to apply to, and which ones should I stay away from? Regional preference is a non-factor for me. Thanks all.

Match lists aren't much help to be honest. Seeing fewer specialty residencies on a match list, for example, might just be a product of a school encouraging students to go into primary care or of students who happen to be interested in primary care being attracted to a certain school for whatever reasons. That being said, match lists can help you see the likely medical interests of your future classmates, but you might like having lots of like-minded peers or being a special flower, etc. -all personal preference. What you should consider more closely are amount of funding a school receives for research as well as quantity and quality of affiliated hospitals/residencies. Schools like NSUCOM and PCOM (and others that aren't on the tip of my tongue) stand out in those areas.

 

[redrosesfi]

Boards, boards and boards. If their curriculum is not driven toward it and you don't have ample study time, pass them up. Also choose a school with minimum OMM and no OMM rotation requirements.

How would you know whether a school has minimum OMM and any OMM rotation sites?

And just for a starting point, what number should I pay attention to when look at board scores, the actual score of exams or the pass rate? So any that are 95%+ pass rate I am guessing? Thanks.