What would you guys do?

[DD214_DOC]

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I'm in a bit of an situation and would like some input. As most of you know by now, I was accepted to AUC. I'm considering applying to SGU, but I don't think it would make any differences.

I'm waiting on a decision from WVSOM and am completing the rest of my DO stuff. This is my second time applying. I'm also taking courses yadda yadda.

Anyways, I'm wondering if I should just head to the Carib if I don't get in again this year. THe only thing stopping me is my increasing grades for each application cycle. I don't seem to have any problem getting interviews as it is, but acceptances don't come that easily to me. For some reason, I don't have a problem getting competitive jobs because I interview really well, so I don't know wtf the deal is. Below I have listed my increasing grades per application cycle based upon my current performance in courses.

2004
3.31 cumulative, 3.17 science

2005
3.29 cumulative, 3.33 science (3.31/3.40 after December. Also wondering if I should wait until Jan to do more apps because of this!)

2006
3.35 cumulative, 3.53 science

Depending on what I score on the August MCAT, I would consider taking a review course and taking it again in April.

My current MCAT is a 22 (10VR, 5PS, 7BS) but my PS GPA is a 3.68, which I believe has offset the low PS MCAT score. I also think my high VR has helped to string me along.

So I'm just wondering if I should skip on guaranteed medical school (albeit in the Caribbean) to try again. If I"m going to end up down there anyways, I'd rather do it now before my wife settles into her nursing career.

Your thoughts.

 

[ShyRem]

Me personally - I'd try again (taking an MCAT prep course if necessary) rather than go caribbean. But I have a family, so moving them all to the caribbean would be difficult at best. Not to mention the absolutely enormous loans since my husband wouldn't be able to work down there. I think, however, that it is a very personal decision. I have a good friend down at AUC, and he is quite frank about the good and bad points, but overall he is very happy. To go to AUC, he and his wife have sold everything they own and they will be deep in debt when they come back to the states.

I'm sure you can find people with lower GPAs, higher MCATs, or any combination of high/low that have gotten acceptances. As for the interview, I've had a really bad one and two really good ones, and am fortunate to have an acceptance to a DO school in hand. Good luck with your decision - I don't envy you the angst.

 

[christinejane19]

I wouldn't wait another year. Just think about it...by the time you apply 3 times, you could have already finished your first two years of med school had you gone off to the carib the first time around!

Your goal is the MD or DO degree, go for it wherever you can this cycle and get it over with so you can start practicing medicine.

Hopefully, you will gain an acceptance to WVSOM or another US school and won't be faced with this difficult decision!

Best of luck!

I'm in a bit of an situation and would like some input. As most of you know by now, I was accepted to AUC. I'm considering applying to SGU, but I don't think it would make any differences.

I'm waiting on a decision from WVSOM and am completing the rest of my DO stuff. This is my second time applying. I'm also taking courses yadda yadda.

Anyways, I'm wondering if I should just head to the Carib if I don't get in again this year. THe only thing stopping me is my increasing grades for each application cycle. I don't seem to have any problem getting interviews as it is, but acceptances don't come that easily to me. For some reason, I don't have a problem getting competitive jobs because I interview really well, so I don't know wtf the deal is. Below I have listed my increasing grades per application cycle based upon my current performance in courses.

2004
3.31 cumulative, 3.17 science

2005
3.29 cumulative, 3.33 science (3.31/3.40 after December. Also wondering if I should wait until Jan to do more apps because of this!)

2006
3.35 cumulative, 3.53 science

Depending on what I score on the August MCAT, I would consider taking a review course and taking it again in April.

My current MCAT is a 22 (10VR, 5PS, 7BS) but my PS GPA is a 3.68, which I believe has offset the low PS MCAT score. I also think my high VR has helped to string me along.

So I'm just wondering if I should skip on guaranteed medical school (albeit in the Caribbean) to try again. If I"m going to end up down there anyways, I'd rather do it now before my wife settles into her nursing career.

Your thoughts.

 

[USArmyDoc]

I would ride it out for this year. I think you will get in. If you for some reason do not, I would go to the carribean. You have tried three times already. Is there something on your application that you think might be holding you back (e.g. criminal conviction, academic dishonesty)?

 

[dr.z]

I think you should goto the Carribean. You said it didn't matter to you where you went to school at before. Then you might as well get started.

Also interviews for medical school and jobs are different. Getting a job doesn't mean you are doing well with medical school interviews.

 

[USArmyDoc]

There has to be something holding you up. You do not have horrible stats. It may be the 5 in the Physical science section. Anything else?

 

[Careofme]

Where have you done most of your studies thus far? Have you jumped around a lot between different programs, universities, etc? If so, this may be a red flag to programs....I really cannot tell you what is keeping you from getting accepted nor can anyone else on here. Are you sure that your LOR's are all positive?

care

 

[JohnnyOU]

I would definitely wait.
Your GPA is not bad at all....all you have to do is bring up your mcat a little (3 pnts or >) and you should get several US acceptances.

Good luck.

 

[DD214_DOC]

There has to be something holding you up. You do not have horrible stats. It may be the 5 in the Physical science section. Anything else?

I know what's in my LORs for the most part, so it couldn't be those. I would imagine if they had a problem with my PS they would at least ask about it in the interview or wouldn't invite me to one in the first place.

I don't have any convinctions or academic things or anything.

And whoever made the comment, so far med school and job interviews (for real jobs, not pointless crap) have been exactly the same. I have even been asked the same exact questions: "Why this company [school]?", "Why this field [MD/DO/Medicine]?", "Tell me about yoruself.", etc. etc.

 

[Raven Feather]

I know what's in my LORs for the most part, so it couldn't be those. I would imagine if they had a problem with my PS they would at least ask about it in the interview or wouldn't invite me to one in the first place.

I don't have any convinctions or academic things or anything.

And whoever made the comment, so far med school and job interviews (for real jobs, not pointless crap) have been exactly the same. I have even been asked the same exact questions: "Why this company [school]?", "Why this field [MD/DO/Medicine]?", "Tell me about yoruself.", etc. etc.

I think you have a shot at WVSOM. Did they know that last cycle you declined the interview? I think I remember you saying that, correct me if I am wrong. You should know pretty quickly if you are accepted to WV.

So anyway, if you don't get in WV, I say go to the carribean if it doesn't matter that much to you.

 

[nrddct]

jkmed,

I tried three times with this application my third. If I didn't get in anywhere this time, I seriously comtemplated going carribean. or guadalajara (which starts in Jan.) I applied to about 25 schools this time, md and do combined. It gets harder to improve your stats every year and depressing as hell. I would go where ever you get accepted. If you go carribean, then you end up a MD and won't have as much trouble if you want to specialize later on.

 

[DD214_DOC]

I think you have a shot at WVSOM. Did they know that last cycle you declined the interview? I think I remember you saying that, correct me if I am wrong. You should know pretty quickly if you are accepted to WV.

So anyway, if you don't get in WV, I say go to the carribean if it doesn't matter that much to you.

They asked and I told them I withdrew because of finances and spousal separation issues. They seemed fine with it.

The interview was very odd, because I wasn't really asked anything. They asked about my plethora of W's, to which my answer was alright. In retrospect I wish I would have elaborted more (I switched majors and withdrew from a grad school program because I thought it wasn't worth the money, and didn't see a point in remaining in courses that counted for nothing) and clearly pointed out all of the reasons, although I mentioned the same thing rather briefly. I really only have 3 W's, and I picked up the same courses later on (the ones that do reappear on my transcript) for nothing less than a B+

 

[USArmyDoc]

I think you are good for WVSOM!

 

[Raven Feather]

They asked and I told them I withdrew because of finances and spousal separation issues. They seemed fine with it.

The interview was very odd, because I wasn't really asked anything. They asked about my plethora of W's, to which my answer was alright. In retrospect I wish I would have elaborted more (I switched majors and withdrew from a grad school program because I thought it wasn't worth the money, and didn't see a point in remaining in courses that counted for nothing) and clearly pointed out all of the reasons, although I mentioned the same thing rather briefly. I really only have 3 W's, and I picked up the same courses later on (the ones that do reappear on my transcript) for nothing less than a B+

When did you interview?

 

[DD214_DOC]

When did you interview?

10/6.

Even though I've interviewed a thousand times, I was actually a bit nervous about this one because I fell in love with Lewisburg and the school.

 

[-Goose-]

If I were you, I would def apply to SGU; of all the carib schools, this one obviously stands out as the best. The clinical rotations beat several US md and many do schools, and they have a great match every year. It sounds like your heart isn't exactly set on DO, so I'd say "to hell with it" and try for St. George's (provided you don't have family/SO issues to worry about).

Good luck with whatever you choose to do!

 

[Doctor Bagel]

honestly, i'd go to the caribbean instead of applying for a third round. as you said, you're not really committed to going to an osteopathic school, and auc can get you where you want to be. when do you have to decide on auc? you'll know about wvsom and the august mcat in the next few weeks, so i'm guessing that won't interfere with auc.

i agree with goose in that i'd also apply to sgu. their rotations do seem to be the best, which will make your third and fourth years a lot easier. i know it's more expensive than auc, but it doesn't seem like it would make that huge of a difference. my guess is that sgu and wvsom are on par in terms of cost.

 

[DD214_DOC]

I don't really agree with the assertions that I'm not commited to the DO profession. I really do like DO schools and the holistic approach is interesting, though I don't believe it to be completely exclusive to osteopathic medicine. There are other reasons that I prefer DO.

However, I am a bit skeptical regarding OMM. I think it has its uses but isn't the panacea some make it out to be and I don't believe it has a definite place in modern medicine. Remember, most practicing DO's do not use OMM. I would think it would be a good thing to have more DOs willing to scrutinize the bases of their own profession and adapt as the times change.

Nobody has really even touched on the other dilemma I face. After this academic year my numbers will be in the "possibility" range for both my state and lower-tier US MD schools.

 

[Megalofyia]

Perhaps you should be aware that the OPP dept at WVSOM is actually pretty into OMM. They do actually expect students to learn the techniques. Have you considered applying to other more MD like DO schools?

I personally would prefer not to have someone attend the school who is using it as a back up plan cause they dont want to live on an island.

 

[DD214_DOC]

Perhaps you should be aware that the OPP dept at WVSOM is actually pretty into OMM. They do actually expect students to learn the techniques. Have you considered applying to other more MD like DO schools?

I personally would prefer not to have someone attend the school who is using it as a back up plan cause they dont want to live on an island.

You guys really need to stop with this cult-like attitude that unless someone believes all this DO/OMM stuff without question then they shouldn't be at a DO school.

DO schools are medical schools just like any other in the U.S. They're one option for us to become physicians, no better and no less than any other school in the states.

I find it a bit ridiculous that, since I'm attracted to DO schools for reasons other than OMM, I'm viewed as some sort of pariah.

Yeah, OMM is kind of interesting, but I don't think it's relevant in every day practice. Given the habits of practicing DOs, most appear to agree with me.

 

[Doctor Bagel]

well, i don't think anybody's being cult-like, but omm is a major part of the curriculum at most osteopathic schools, including wvsom. if you're really interested in omm, you probably would be happier at a more md-like osteopathic school. i just visited ccom, and i would say that that school fits the bill because omm makes up a very small part of their first and second year studies.

as for your wondering why people would question your devotion to osteopathic medicine, reread your second to last post. if your ultimate goal is to be accepted at your state or lower tier md program, then necessarily, you're not that committed to osteopathic medicine.

as for your question about waiting another year, it's sort of pointless until you get your mcat scores. also, it's one of those questions that only you can answer. personally, if i were in your shoes, i'd do whatever i could to start school next year even if that means going to the caribbean. i'm older than you, though, and have realized that this application thing has thrown some kinks in my life. if i were 22, i might feel differently.

 

[dr.z]

Nobody has really even touched on the other dilemma I face. After this academic year my numbers will be in the "possibility" range for both my state and lower-tier US MD schools.

This is really dependent on your MCAT score. Unless you raise your MCAT score by several points, your GPA alone isn't going to help you.

 

[Megalofyia]

You guys really need to stop with this cult-like attitude that unless someone believes all this DO/OMM stuff without question then they shouldn't be at a DO school.

DO schools are medical schools just like any other in the U.S. They're one option for us to become physicians, no better and no less than any other school in the states.

I find it a bit ridiculous that, since I'm attracted to DO schools for reasons other than OMM, I'm viewed as some sort of pariah.

Yeah, OMM is kind of interesting, but I don't think it's relevant in every day practice. Given the habits of practicing DOs, most appear to agree with me.

I'm not saying OMM is the end all be all of osteopathic medicine. It just seems your attitude towards the school is pretty poor. I think ultimately you'd be disapointed going to WVSOM if you were constantly fightly to be like an MD student.

I know I know you've "said" you like it.... but a lot of your other posts suggest that it's not the best fit for you.

 

[docbill]

I personally would prefer not to have someone attend the school who is using it as a back up plan cause they dont want to live on an island.

What island? No one told me there was an island? Do you mean like the one on LOST. That was interesting last night. Who would of thought that there were 21 other people on that island.

PS.

OMM would be cool to learn. Even though I am a hard core scientist "See PhD candidate in my profile..." There are many young emerging scientists (and some older folks having a midlife crisis) who are starting to feel, that there are lots of things we don't know. Even the placebo effect in being studies. There was one speaker saying that ~25-30% improvement is considered Placebo effect. WOW... that is one big sugar pill. (the next statment doesn't come from Republican party and I am not religious mind melter) Even faith and religion is now bieng studies as improving recovery after surgery/disease.

 

[docbill]

PS.2. I don't plan to be an OMM guru and saving the world with my manipulation. I just want to become a kooky physician/scientist.

 

[Buckeye(OH)]

Nobody has really even touched on the other dilemma I face. After this academic year my numbers will be in the "possibility" range for both my state and lower-tier US MD schools.

Not unless you have at least a 25 MCRAP.

 

[dr.z]

OMM would be cool to learn. Even though I am a hard core scientist "See PhD candidate in my profile..." There are many young emerging scientists (and some older folks having a midlife crisis) who are starting to feel, that there are lots of things we don't know. Even the placebo effect in being studies. There was one speaker saying that ~25-30% improvement is considered Placebo effect. WOW... that is one big sugar pill. (the next statment doesn't come from Republican party and I am not religious mind melter) Even faith and religion is now bieng studies as improving recovery after surgery/disease.

I'm there with you. Science cannot explain everything, and we don't know enough.

 

[crys20]

Nobody has really even touched on the other dilemma I face. After this academic year my numbers will be in the "possibility" range for both my state and lower-tier US MD schools.

Are you planning on a retake?

 

[Doctor Bagel]

Are you planning on a retake?

i think he took it in august and is waiting on his scores.

 

[EastWestN2grt]

I have an MD friend here in LA, and BOTH of his daughters are going to school out in the Caribbean. He absolutely has nothing but positive things to say about the program--I think it might be St. George, not certain--I joke to him that he should become the westcoast rep for the carib schools. According to him, and as was mentioned earlier, the residency match is very good. So in the end, when it comes down to it the only thing that matters is the fact you are a practicing physician. So if you are accepted now...then start ASAP.

BTW. Is it a possibility for your wife to practice as a nurse down in the Carib???

 

[crys20]

ohh ok sorry 🙂

 

[DD214_DOC]

I have an MD friend here in LA, and BOTH of his daughters are going to school out in the Caribbean. He absolutely has nothing but positive things to say about the program--I think it might be St. George, not certain--I joke to him that he should become the westcoast rep for the carib schools. According to him, and as was mentioned earlier, the residency match is very good. So in the end, when it comes down to it the only thing that matters is the fact you are a practicing physician. So if you are accepted now...then start ASAP.

BTW. Is it a possibility for your wife to practice as a nurse down in the Carib???

I think she can, but it's difficult. I just don't know if I can get the loans to go down there.

Life would be a lot easier if I could stay in the US.

 

[dcratamt]

I think she can, but it's difficult. I just don't know if I can get the loans to go down there.

Life would be a lot easier if I could stay in the US.

Just head down to AUC and get started. Your not really into the DO/OMM thing and you have been waiting for a while now. So just get the first two years over with and see if you can't get back to the states after that. I wouldn't worry about the in state MD schools. I applaud your determination. Best of luck. 👍

 

[DD214_DOC]

Just got my August scores. An improvement at least.

11 VR, 6 PS, 8 BS

 

[cosmicstarr]

Just got my August scores. An improvement at least.

11 VR, 6 PS, 8 BS

Good job on the verbal! I would think that puts you within the average MCAT range for DO schools.

Good luck!

 

[Raven Feather]

Just got my August scores. An improvement at least.

11 VR, 6 PS, 8 BS

I think you will be fine.

 

[DD214_DOC]

I think you will be fine.

Hope so. I put a bit of time into PS, as much as I could between working and classes. Naturally, the entire section is composed of material I wasn't studying.

 

[EMTLizzy]

Perhaps you should be aware that the OPP dept at WVSOM is actually pretty into OMM.

Not to mention the OPP integration into every other subject as well. 🙂

On our anatomy exam there were opp related questions as well.

 

[DD214_DOC]

Not to mention the OPP integration into every other subject as well. 🙂

On our anatomy exam there were opp related questions as well.

I have zero problem learning OMM as I think it has its uses. I have seen plenty of people, especially with my involvement in the martial arts, suffer through countless M-S problems because they didn't want surgery or to be enslaved to some pharmaceutical. I think OMM can be very useful for these people, and it is one of the reasons I became interested in osteopathic medicine, though obviously not the primary reason.

I just have a problem with the way some people present it. I think its usefulness is very limited and may not have a place in everyday practice. I would also like some definitive research into OMM to see if it actually is an effective treatment. Otherwise, I wouldn't be comfortable charging people for OMM treatment.

I really do love the osteopathic philosophy, but as I have said before I don't think its exclusive to DOs. Anyone can adopt such a philosophy, DO schools just tend to integrate it into their curriculum.

There are other reasons why I prefer DO that are more personal and I see no reason to discuss them.

My biggest irritant, however, is that a lot of people seem to treat osteopathic medicine as some sort of religion; if someone doesn't believe everything without question, then they're not true to its "teachings" and don't deserve to be a part of it. I always thought physicians were supposed to be more critical than that, otherwise we'd all end up using treatments that don't work or end up doing more harm than good. Asking questions is ALWAYS a good thing.

 

[JohnnyOU]

I have zero problem learning OMM as I think it has its uses. I have seen plenty of people, especially with my involvement in the martial arts, suffer through countless M-S problems because they didn't want surgery or to be enslaved to some pharmaceutical. I think OMM can be very useful for these people, and it is one of the reasons I became interested in osteopathic medicine, though obviously not the primary reason.

I just have a problem with the way some people present it. I think its usefulness is very limited and may not have a place in everyday practice. I would also like some definitive research into OMM to see if it actually is an effective treatment. Otherwise, I wouldn't be comfortable charging people for OMM treatment.

I really do love the osteopathic philosophy, but as I have said before I don't think its exclusive to DOs. Anyone can adopt such a philosophy, DO schools just tend to integrate it into their curriculum.

There are other reasons why I prefer DO that are more personal and I see no reason to discuss them.

My biggest irritant, however, is that a lot of people seem to treat osteopathic medicine as some sort of religion; if someone doesn't believe everything without question, then they're not true to its "teachings" and don't deserve to be a part of it. I always thought physicians were supposed to be more critical than that, otherwise we'd all end up using treatments that don't work or end up doing more harm than good. Asking questions is ALWAYS a good thing.

I feel about the same. OMM is useful sometimes...but not always. It's the "sometimes" that I find attractive. Osteo Docs seem to do more hands-on...and I like that. And I've yet to hear of any training an allopath has that an osteopath doesn't also have. (if anyone knows of any, please speak up...I'd like to hear about it)

Johnny

 

[USArmyDoc]

It sounds like JKMED is dedicated to medicine in general. On another note, I don't know why everyone is harrassing him. He is someone looking to become a doctor. If that means a DO or MD, I don't think he really cares. I am going to an osteopathic school next year and I do not find OMM to be sooo interesting. I think its an awesome treatment to have in your "arsenal" but it was by no means a deal breaker. I think you are in at WVSOM and then I guess we will see how much you really care about the MD. With all that being said, I would go DO it is still better to get the American degree.

 

[elise]

I believe that the study proving that osteopathic manipulation helped relieve chronic ear infections in children by increasing the movement of spinal fluid even made the news.

If you are concerned with it's validity, I would do further research. I think why people get their panties all twisted hearing you say things like that is that they genuinely believe in OMM and are applying to only osteopathic schools. I wish everyone who felt like you did would do more research, until they were either more attracted or put off by it. As someone who believes in OMM (after critically considering it, I don't agree with blind faith, in anything) I would like it if everyone who might be sitting in a seat next to me, or sitting in a seat that could have been mine, will try to get as much from OMM as I will/ could have.

I'm only applying to DO schools, and I have personally been helped by OMM. I was looking at an entire year of no physical activity from my health plan's MD, when he referred me to a DO, who had me back running long distance in two weeks, and 4 months later, I ran 30 miles straight through.

 

[Doctor Bagel]

It sounds like JKMED is dedicated to medicine in general. On another note, I don't know why everyone is harrassing him. He is someone looking to become a doctor. If that means a DO or MD, I don't think he really cares. I am going to an osteopathic school next year and I do not find OMM to be sooo interesting. I think its an awesome treatment to have in your "arsenal" but it was by no means a deal breaker. I think you are in at WVSOM and then I guess we will see how much you really care about the MD. With all that being said, I would go DO it is still better to get the American degree.

hmm, i don't think anybody is harassing him. honestly, from reading his posts, it seems like he views osteopathic medical school as a fallback -- in fact, he essentially admitted this. if that's the case, he's probably not going to be too happy at a school like wvsom that places lots of emphasis on omm. instead of listening to these comments, he just accuses people of having a cultlike mentality.

 

[DD214_DOC]

hmm, i don't think anybody is harassing him. honestly, from reading his posts, it seems like he views osteopathic medical school as a fallback -- in fact, he essentially admitted this. if that's the case, he's probably not going to be too happy at a school like wvsom that places lots of emphasis on omm. instead of listening to these comments, he just accuses people of having a cultlike mentality.

Didn't you apply to both MD and DO? Because I didn't. I don't see how DO can be a "backup" if I've never applied to any USMD schools. I only applied to the Caribbean as a backup for DO.

Your signature linking to your MDapplicants profile is curiously absent in this post.

 

[medhacker]

Didn't you apply to both MD and DO? Because I didn't. I don't see how DO can be a "backup" if I've never applied to any USMD schools. I only applied to the Caribbean as a backup for DO.

Your signature linking to your MDapplicants profile is curiously absent in this post.

I thought I was seeing things when I didn't see exlawgrll mdapplicant's link

 

[Megalofyia]

Didn't you apply to both MD and DO? Because I didn't. I don't see how DO can be a "backup" if I've never applied to any USMD schools. I only applied to the Caribbean as a backup for DO.

Your signature linking to your MDapplicants profile is curiously absent in this post.

From reading your posts it can come across that you didn't apply to MD schools aswell because you didn't think you'd get into an MD school. And this may be completely wrong but it is the impression that some people are getting.

 

[DD214_DOC]

From reading your posts it can come across that you didn't apply to MD schools aswell because you didn't think you'd get into an MD school. And this may be completely wrong but it is the impression that some people are getting.

Then that isn't accurate. After this academic year, my numbers are good enough to stand a chance at both of my state schools, yet I'm still choosing to not apply to them.

 

[ShyRem]

I thought I was seeing things when I didn't see exlawgrll mdapplicant's link

One of the upgrades to SDN is that signatures, links, etc., only appear ONCE per person per page. Therefore, exlawgrrl's signature can be found on the first post on this page from her. Subsequent posts from her ON THIS PAGE ONLY will not show her signature. If she posts on the next page, her first post on the next page will again show her signature.

At least, that's how I interpreted Lee's upgrade explanations.

 

[DD214_DOC]

One of the upgrades to SDN is that signatures, links, etc., only appear ONCE per person per page. Therefore, exlawgrrl's signature can be found on the first post on this page from her. Subsequent posts from her ON THIS PAGE ONLY will not show her signature. If she posts on the next page, her first post on the next page will again show her signature.

At least, that's how I interpreted Lee's upgrade explanations.

That's probably it. I just noticed mine was gone too.

 

[USArmyDoc]

JKMed, it really comes down to you. Do you REALLY want the MD? If so, go Carribean. What can I tell you? If you want a top notch AMERICAN EDUCATION, go DO. I don't care what anyone says. DO's is better than being a FMG. Notice I didn't say they were better doctors, I just think it will be easier for you in the long run.