What to do if applying MD and DO

[Eagleye2]

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Hey guys I will most likely be applying to both MD And DO programs this upcoming cycle. However, (and im not sure this is 100% true) but ive been told that some DO schools will only give you a few weeks to claim your spot if they accept you. Since the prevailing wisdom here is to go MD if you have the choice, what should I do if a DO school sends an acceptance letter before any MD program has gotten back to me. Is it worth waiting a little on the DO application to see how the MD cycle goes?

Thanks

 

[mariposas905]

I have this exact same question! Was going to post a thread, but you beat me to it 😉

 

[DoctorSnow]

Would also like to know the answer to this question. I have never heard of that rule.

 

[Goro]

Hey guys I will most likely be applying to both MD And DO programs this upcoming cycle. However, (and im not sure this is 100% true) but ive been told that some DO schools will only give you a few weeks to claim your spot if they accept you. Since the prevailing wisdom here is to go MD if you have the choice, what should I do if a DO school sends an acceptance letter before any MD program has gotten back to me. Is it worth waiting a little on the DO application to see how the MD cycle goes?

Thanks

Consider the deposit that you have to pay to hold the seat at a DO school to be insurance. You'll make it back once you're a doctor.

The DO cycle is longer, so you ca apply by T-giving and still not be late.

EDIT: the DO schools want you to pay an initial deposit; I believe that most charge a larger one in May or so. Again, think insurance.

 

[mariposas905]

Consider the deposit that you have to pay to hold the seat at a DO school to be insurance. You'll make it back once you're a doctor.

The DO cycle is longer, so you ca apply by T-giving and still not be late.

EDIT: the DO schools want you to pay an initial deposit; I believe that most charge a larger one in May or so. Again, think insurance.

Aren't the initial deposits in the thousand dollar range though? That's what I heard...

Also, can you please comment on the DO school timeline in more detail? Which month(s) of AACOMAS submission/completion are applicants considered early and when is late? This is always confusing to me 🙄

 

[Rusrus]

Aren't the initial deposits in the thousand dollar range though? That's what I heard...

Also, can you please comment on the DO school timeline in more detail? Which month(s) of AACOMAS submission/completion are applicants considered early and when is late? This is always confusing to me 🙄

Seat deposits can go up to $3,000 - but as @Goro mentioned, consider it an investment that you'll eventually pay back as a physician.

I believe that it is considered "timely" if you have submitted your AACOMAS application prior to Thanksgiving, but by all means submit it before then. I know a friend who had stats hovering around a 3.4 GPA and 505 MCAT that received multiple interviews from "top tier" DO schools by submitting his application in June. Meanwhile another friend with similar stats didn't find much luck at all... granted it's not only dependent on stats, but they do play a big role in the grand scheme of things.

 

[Goro]

Aren't the initial deposits in the thousand dollar range though? That's what I heard...

Also, can you please comment on the DO school timeline in more detail? Which month(s) of AACOMAS submission/completion are applicants considered early and when is late? This is always confusing to me 🙄

For the DO cycle, early is June though November. December and later is getting late.

Yes, the initial deposits are steep. the optimisitc would say that it shows your dedication to attend the school. The cynical would say is a money generating device. Which is correct? The answer is yes.

 

[el_duderino]

When you get your first acceptance, you give them the deposit before the offer expires.

Period.

After that, if you get an acceptance at a place you would rather go, give that school its deposit and kiss the other deposit goodbye.

Rinse and repeat with each new acceptance offer.

One note: after you get an acceptance, withdraw your application from all other institutions you've applied to, haven't been rejected from, and would not choose over the one where you're currently holding a spot.

 

[JugglesMed]

Seat deposits can go up to $3,000 - but as @Goro mentioned, consider it an investment that you'll eventually pay back as a physician.

I believe that it is considered "timely" if you have submitted your AACOMAS application prior to Thanksgiving, but by all means submit it before then. I know a friend who had stats hovering around a 3.4 GPA and 505 MCAT that received multiple interviews from "top tier" DO schools by submitting his application in June. Meanwhile another friend with similar stats didn't find much luck at all... granted it's not only dependent on stats, but they do play a big role in the grand scheme of things.

What schools would you consider at Top DO? KCU, PCOM?
Also, do you think a letter from a DO is a must or you have a high chance to get in

 

[Rusrus]

What schools would you consider at Top DO? KCU, PCOM?
Also, do you think a letter from a DO is a must or you have a high chance to get in

1) There's a lot of variation in responses you'll get for this answer. Generally, I consider any state funded DO school or well-established and consistent programs (which includes KCU despite it being a private school.)

2) Some schools require a DO letter, although it is "recommended", I personally did not have one. I think your exposure and understanding of the osteopathic philosophy and what it entails is more important.

 

[treatem-and-streetem]

you would be foolish to not secure a seat when one is given. Get over the stupid DO and MD thing

 

[tammyp]

Hey guys I will most likely be applying to both MD And DO programs this upcoming cycle. However, (and im not sure this is 100% true) but ive been told that some DO schools will only give you a few weeks to claim your spot if they accept you. Since the prevailing wisdom here is to go MD if you have the choice, what should I do if a DO school sends an acceptance letter before any MD program has gotten back to me. Is it worth waiting a little on the DO application to see how the MD cycle goes?

Thanks

It sucks A LOT losing money, but I'm personally extremely thankful that I received a DO acceptance early on in the game. It takes an unbelievable amount of stress of you knowing that no matter what, you have an option ready to go. Some DO schools like mine have two deposits, one small deposit in the fall and a large deposit in the spring. It might work out so that you get a MD acceptance early and you don't have to pay for any deposits or just the small one. Or like me you end up paying both deposits and get accepted at a MD school a week later. Whichever way it happens, I think you have to come to terms with the fact that spending the money is worth not having to gamble with your future. Cuz you're gonna feel real dumb if you delay your applications or give up acceptances with the hopes of something better and end up with nothing come next August.

 

[fldoctorgirl]

I agree with the above. Having an early acceptance (whether MD or DO) and securing it with the deposit is worth the peace of mind. I got my first DO acceptance in early October, before I had even gone on most of my interviews. It felt so nice going on the rest of the interviews already knowing I was going to be a doctor, especially since the school was one I actually liked. It allowed me to be much calmer on the rest of my interviews.

Also, I had to pay a deposit to secure my seat the day before getting into my top choice school, and I knew I was going to hear the day after too because the school had said that was when decisions would likely be out. But, I sucked it up and paid the deposit because it's worth it to not take a gamble with your acceptances.

 

[Colorado96]

I have 3 C's (2 freshmen year and one sophomore) and grades have all been As and Bs from there with a GPA of 3.65. Do I have any chance on getting in to MD schools? Close to 1,000 volunteering and about 100 hours shadowing. Has anyone got in to MD schools with 3 Cs. What MCAT score should i aim for?

 

[Jdp00921]

Hey guys I will most likely be applying to both MD And DO programs this upcoming cycle. However, (and im not sure this is 100% true) but ive been told that some DO schools will only give you a few weeks to claim your spot if they accept you. Since the prevailing wisdom here is to go MD if you have the choice, what should I do if a DO school sends an acceptance letter before any MD program has gotten back to me. Is it worth waiting a little on the DO application to see how the MD cycle goes?

Thanks

Your question seemed to already have been answered by a number of posters above; however, I thought I'd offer my n=1 experience and maybe it will work out the same way for you or at least help alleviate any financial concerns.

While some DO schools give mere weeks to respond, it seems that many just have an earlier response date. What I mean by this is for MD, the response date is in April for all schools because they follow AMCAS rules. Many DO schools want an initial response by December. As a means of trying to mitigate some of the chances of having to forfeit a DO deposit before hearing back from MD, I applied to both AMCAS and AACOMAS very early - I submitted both on the AMCAS submission day. This allowed me some early interviews and any acceptances I received, I was able to sit on for several weeks in order to wait for all pending post-II decisions, be it DO or MD. Moral of this story - apply as early as you can. Applying early can only help you.

Obviously, this will not be the case at DO schools that require an answer in 2-3 weeks post-acceptance. However, I don't believe that timeline is the status quo, at least not at the DO schools I interviewed at.

 

[Eagleye2]

you would be foolish to not secure a seat when one is given. Get over the stupid DO and MD thing

not once did I ever say that I would not secure a seat, I was simply asking a question. Thanks for your useless response

 

[Kingsmen2018]

I agree with the above. Having an early acceptance (whether MD or DO) and securing it with the deposit is worth the peace of mind. I got my first DO acceptance in early October, before I had even gone on most of my interviews. It felt so nice going on the rest of the interviews already knowing I was going to be a doctor, especially since the school was one I actually liked. It allowed me to be much calmer on the rest of my interviews.

Also, I had to pay a deposit to secure my seat the day before getting into my top choice school, and I knew I was going to hear the day after too because the school had said that was when decisions would likely be out. But, I sucked it up and paid the deposit because it's worth it to not take a gamble with your acceptances.

wait so u didn't get into MD? 😀

 

[fldoctorgirl]

wait so u didn't get into MD? 😀

No, I'm on a waitlist lol why...

 

[MedScat]

I applied to both MD and DO schools as EARLY as possible (As soon as i was able to submit). As you know, the earliest you can get an acceptance from an MD school is October 15. DO schools do not have this restriction. Even though I applied to both extremely early, the earliest acceptance I got from a DO was in September (After a mid August interview). They told me I did not have to submit any money until Dec 14. I was then accepted to another DO school later and they said the same thing. LECOM was the only one that I applied to that tried to bully me with a deposit. Actually, Touro NY did too but I was already accepted to a MD by then

My point: chances are, even if you apply early, most schools will give you some time to decide. If they don't, NO QUESTION secure your seat. Imagine giving up an acceptance and then NOT getting another one? I get chills just thinking about it. Good luck!

 

[el_duderino]

Gotta love LECOM. Never miss an opportunity to get a little money.

 

[Kingsmen2018]

No, I'm on a waitlist lol why...

Goodluck 😀

 

[Goro]

I have 3 C's (2 freshmen year and one sophomore) and grades have all been As and Bs from there with a GPA of 3.65. Do I have any chance on getting in to MD schools? Close to 1,000 volunteering and about 100 hours shadowing. Has anyone got in to MD schools with 3 Cs. What MCAT score should i aim for?

Best to make your own thread in WAMC.
Getting into med school is 100% on you. We can only advise on chances for IIs.

 

[DameJulie]

I didn't know that DO starts interview in June already...

If I submit AACOMAS late June with spring grades, will I still be considered early? Really hope to get that advantage of timing as a below-avg applicant.

 

[fldoctorgirl]

I didn't know that DO starts interview in June already...

If I submit AACOMAS late June with spring grades, will I still be considered early? Really hope to get that advantage of timing as a below-avg applicant.

Yep, June is super early. They don't start interviewing till around August at the earliest.

I submitted at the end of June, got 6 IIs out of 9 schools I applied to.

 

[RodofAsclepius]

Yep, June is super early. They don't start interviewing till around August at the earliest.

I submitted at the end of June, got 6 IIs out of 9 schools I applied to.

Congrats on the acceptances!! I'm taking the MCAT July 7th so by the time scores come out and I can submit secondaries, it'll be mid-August. Would that still be within the "early" range or would that start getting into late territory?

 

[JugglesMed]

Congrats on the acceptances!! I'm taking the MCAT July 7th so by the time scores come out and I can submit secondaries, it'll be mid-August. Would that still be within the "early" range or would that start getting into late territory?

That's still early for DO.
For MD it's not late but it's not early

 

[fldoctorgirl]

Congrats on the acceptances!! I'm taking the MCAT July 7th so by the time scores come out and I can submit secondaries, it'll be mid-August. Would that still be within the "early" range or would that start getting into late territory?

What the above poster said-- perfectly fine for DO apps, getting a bit on the later side for MD (especially if your stats aren't too great).