When do we start looking at plan B?

[PooplaiKhan]

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Hello!
So I sent in most of my secondaries around early- to mid-August with pretty average stats. I thought I would have heard back from some schools by now, but so far I have only been waitlisted for an interview by AZCOM. It's been around 5-6 weeks for me, which is worrisome, but at the same time I haven't been rejected anywhere, so that's also quite relieving. Anyway, what is the timepoint that you guys suggest we start looking at plan B (perhaps a postbac program)? I was thinking at 8 weeks I would start looking at some SMPs, but I haven't even been rejected anywhere! Do the majority of schools silently reject or should I stay patient?
Thanks!

 

[Marrowist]

What were your stats and what schools did you apply to?

 

[PooplaiKhan]

Super average stats! About a 3.3 for both sGPA and cGPA with a 3.9 senior year and a 503 mcat. I'm banking on my ECs to make a good impression because I think they're my strong suit. I don't want to list all of the schools here but I did about 17ish schools or so. I live in Ohio so I had no choice but to apply broadly! I honestly wish I would get rejected than sit here so that I could start acting on my plan B. Thoughts?

 

[GypsyHummus]

Super average stats! About a 3.3 for both sGPA and cGPA with a 3.9 senior year and a 503 mcat. I'm banking on my ECs to make a good impression because I think they're my strong suit. I don't want to list all of the schools here but I did about 17ish schools or so. I live in Ohio so I had no choice but to apply broadly! I honestly wish I would get rejected than sit here so that I could start acting on my plan B. Thoughts?

I was waitlisted last cycle and it was so stressful. I ended up not getting in.

Look into dental schools

 

[Shotapp]

@GypsyHummus

why do you always suggest dental lol?
would you go into dental as your back up?

 

[Marrowist]

Super average stats! About a 3.3 for both sGPA and cGPA with a 3.9 senior year and a 503 mcat. I'm banking on my ECs to make a good impression because I think they're my strong suit. I don't want to list all of the schools here but I did about 17ish schools or so. I live in Ohio so I had no choice but to apply broadly! I honestly wish I would get rejected than sit here so that I could start acting on my plan B. Thoughts?

Unless your PS and LORS/EC's were just terrible or nonexistent, you will be fine. I also hope you applied to newer schools. Just be patient and I believe you will get some love. Good luck. FYI, if you have not applied to ACOM, you should do so. It was an amazing school.

 

[Goro]

Xmas

Hello!
So I sent in most of my secondaries around early- to mid-August with pretty average stats. I thought I would have heard back from some schools by now, but so far I have only been waitlisted for an interview by AZCOM. It's been around 5-6 weeks for me, which is worrisome, but at the same time I haven't been rejected anywhere, so that's also quite relieving. Anyway, what is the timepoint that you guys suggest we start looking at plan B (perhaps a postbac program)? I was thinking at 8 weeks I would start looking at some SMPs, but I haven't even been rejected anywhere! Do the majority of schools silently reject or should I stay patient?
Thanks!

 

[Shotapp]

Op, what is your school list? Your app to AZCOM was really just a donation. I too hope that you added some new schools.

 

[PooplaiKhan]

@GypsyHummus

why do you always suggest dental lol?
would you go into dental as your back up?

I don't think so. I really don't know much about the career; I think doing an SMP is definitely my backup. I'm just trying to figure out the next move without spending extra money on apps if I don't have to!

 

[PooplaiKhan]

Op, what is your school list? Your app to AZCOM was really just a donation. I too hope that you added some new schools.

Yeah I applied to a bunch of schools, I guess I'll list the ones off the top of my head:
Incarnate, both Touros, WesternU, Nova, Lecom, Vcom, Kcu, Pcom, Lucom, NEcom, Nyit, Rowan, CCOM I think there could be a few more; I basically applied as broadly as I could, regardless of the strong IS bias of some schools. I think I'm definitely on the outside looking in but it would be nice to have some confirmation on my status. I'm losing my mind!

 

[Shotapp]

@ PooplaiKhan

My questions were pointed @GypsyHummus. He/She always suggests going into the dental field. I don't know why he/she does that repeatedly, especially when it is not relevant to the topic at hand.

 

[PooplaiKhan]

@ PooplaiKhan

My questions were pointed @GypsyHummus. He/She always suggests going into the dental field. I don't know why he/she does that repeatedly, especially when it is not relevant to the topic at hand.

Ahh I gotcha. I guess I could always use some more people telling me to floss my teeth

 

[Shotapp]

Did you apply to ACOM, BCOM, LMU-DCOM, KYCOM, ARCOM, GA-PCOM, ATSU-SOMA etc. I wouldn't recommend LUCOM (that's just me). NOVA get a lot of apps, VCOM love their high GPAs, Rowan do not look kindly to GPAs below 3.4, CCOM is a reach with your stats (love high MCATs and competitive GPAs)

 

[PooplaiKhan]

Unless your PS and LORS/EC's were just terrible or nonexistent, you will be fine. I also hope you applied to newer schools. Just be patient and I believe you will get some love. Good luck. FYI, if you have not applied to ACOM, you should do so. It was an amazing school.

I will take ACOM into account, thanks for the advice! Would you mind letting me know which are the newer schools? As of now, Bcom and Incarnate are the only ones that are on my radar.

 

[PooplaiKhan]

Did you apply to ACOM, BCOM, LMU-DCOM, KYCOM, ARCOM, GA-PCOM, ATSU-SOMA etc. I wouldn't recommend LUCOM (that's just me). NOVA get a lot of apps, VCOM love their high GPAs, Rowan do not look kindly to GPAs below 3.4, CCOM is a reach with your stats (love high MCATs and competitive GPAs)

Sorry for this messy thread, I'm on my phone, which I'm terrible with managing. Of the ones you listed I applied to Bcom and Atsu. Which school is LMU, if you don't mind me asking?

 

[Shotapp]

NYIT-Arkansas (new), ARCOM (new), Incarnate word (new), CUSOM, LMU-DCOM, and WVSOM.

 

[Shotapp]

Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU DCOM)

 

[PooplaiKhan]

Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU DCOM)

Oh okay, I remember that's the one in Tennessee. I'll look into that one too if the funds will allow me to 🙂 Thanks for your suggestion!

 

[Shotapp]

No problem man. I hope for your success this cycle because when I apply in 2018, my GPAs will be right where yours are at.

 

[PooplaiKhan]

No problem man. I hope for your success this cycle because when I apply in 2018, my GPAs will be right where yours are at.

Haha the struggle is real here, I wish I could have gotten my head into the game a bit earlier, but that's in the past. I wish you luck too, fingers crossed! Hopefully you can find me in the interview thread in the future =]

 

[TrumpPence2016]

I was waitlisted last cycle and it was so stressful. I ended up not getting in.

Look into dental schools

nah he should just do a postbac like SMP or something. dentistry isnt a backup for med school. its like if youre going to Disney, and you miss an exit, and say "nevermind! lets just go skiing in Colorado instead". see my point? dont give up if you get rejected once. idk just trying to motivate 🙂

 

[kamakazi5]

What is your MCAT breakdown if you don't mind sharing?

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Just add some of the above mentioned schools and you will be fine.

 

[GypsyHummus]

@GypsyHummus

why do you always suggest dental lol?
would you go into dental as your back up?

Oh yeah!

Couple reasons

1)you get to provide instant relief to your patients.

2) the hours are so much kinder

3) it's only 4 years

4) the pay is outstanding for the amount of hours worked. Most dentists I know take Friday off.

5) lot less insurance oversight.

6) DAT is wayyyyyy easier than MCAT.

 

[getfat]

Xmas

OP should start looking for a back up around xmas if he/she doesn't have an acceptances or IIs?


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[Ho0v-man]

No ouhcom?


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[NecrotizingFasciitis]

I will take ACOM into account, thanks for the advice! Would you mind letting me know which are the newer schools? As of now, Bcom and Incarnate are the only ones that are on my radar.

Careful with ACOM. You have stats that I think might get an interview, and you will most certainly fall in love with the school when you visit. 😉

 

[PooplaiKhan]

thanks for all your replys everyone! I had a 125 in every section with a 128 in verbal reasoning on my mcat if anyone was wondering. Also I haven't applied to OU because as dumb as it may be for my future career, I need to get out of Ohio for my own mental health! (I've been in Ohio for about 10 years after growing up in the NYC area and most of my friends have been slowly leaving). Also with all the love for ACOM, I may send an application in tomorrow. I've been on the postbac pages looking at SMPs; the $$$ is truly frightening but the thought of excelling and perhaps going to Georgetown or even an established DO program is insanely enticing!

 

[Goro]

That AND fixing deficits in his/her app.

OP should start looking for a back up around xmas if he/she doesn't have an acceptances or IIs?


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[PooplaiKhan]

That AND fixing deficits in his/her app.

I agree. I know that my gpa and mcat are the red flags in my app. I know that boosting my stats will undoubtedly make me a better candidate, but having my own fate in my hands, so to speak, by going to an SMP is much more attractive to me at this point. Further, if I attend a 1 year program, do you think there is a benefit/drawback of choosing to boost my stats via UG classes instead during that 1 gap year besides obviously the monetary stresses? Thanks so much for your input!

 

[Goro]

You have already answered your question.


Further, if I attend a 1 year program, do you think there is a benefit/drawback of choosing to boost my stats via UG classes instead during that 1 gap year besides obviously the monetary stresses? Thanks so much for your input![/QUOTE]

 

[PooplaiKhan]

You have already answered your question.


Further, if I attend a 1 year program, do you think there is a benefit/drawback of choosing to boost my stats via UG classes instead during that 1 gap year besides obviously the monetary stresses? Thanks so much for your input!

[/QUOTE]
lol fair enough. I hate money, I'm contemplating going full Walter White with my ochem lab II expertise. So other than the money, you think that both options have relatively equal pros and cons then?

 

[Goro]

Your GPA, as you stated, is the factor that's hurting you. Thus, do what you need to do.

lol fair enough. I hate money, I'm contemplating going full Walter White with my ochem lab II expertise. So other than the money, you think that both options have relatively equal pros and cons then?[/QUOTE]

 

[PooplaiKhan]

Your GPA, as you stated, is the factor that's hurting you. Thus, do what you need to do.


lol fair enough. I hate money, I'm contemplating going full Walter White with my ochem lab II expertise. So other than the money, you think that both options have relatively equal pros and cons then?

I agree with you 100%, I really appreciate the input. Basically all my friends and family are in business so this forum is really my only source of advice that I can use for myself! I think I am leaning towards doing an SMP (if I stand a shot of getting in) because if I am going to take a gap year, I'd rather take the risk of doing well in an SMP, which could be a dream come true, versus doing poorly and that being the kiss of death; I think retaking UG courses in my gap year would be less risky and would put me in the 3.5-3.6 range, which is perfect for DO, which could lead me to become a physician but is honestly not where I see myself being a few years down the line. I have an ego and the prestige of the MD is tough to pass up for me, which I know could ultimately be a thorn in my career path if I fail to do well. I respect DO schools, don't get me wrong, that's why I applied to 20 of them and 0 MD schools. I don't know, I will try to stay patient during this time--just trying to air out my thoughts to the internet =). I hope some people can relate to my thought process

 

[Abraxas305]

Some of the top-notch SMP programs are actually harder to get in than some DO schools.

 

[Shotapp]

I agree that you should improve your app towards your MD aspirations by going the SMP route. I would even say that you should withdraw all of your DO apps because you never want to settle (you will end up regretting it). DO would somewhat limit you. Only you know what is best for you.

 

[PooplaiKhan]

I agree that you should improve your app towards your MD aspirations by going the SMP route. I would even say that you should withdraw all of your DO apps because you never want to settle (you will end up regretting it). DO would somewhat limit you. Only you know what is best for you.

I know, I definitely don't want to settle, but if DO can save me a year, then i'm hopping on that right away! I think during my midlife crisis i would contemplate going back and doing an MD, but right now it's all about those 1-2 years. I'm 23 years old and my personal life means the world to me. Maybe that's not smart, but it's huge for me; staying in Ohio is seriously hurting my mental health whereas the thought of moving to the East or West Coast or even a big city like Indianapolis or San Antonio is so tempting. At this point i would love to do DO, but if i'm on the cusp of admission, geez i would rather get rejected now and apply to SMP or rethink retaking courses than sit here for 1-2 months and risk losing admission to SMP (since they have rolling admissions) or (if i'm accepted) then risk spending money applying to SMPs that I don't have (i'm a poor sap). i hope that makes sense. You've all been super helpful, like I said, this forum definitely lets me think out loud since I can't really relate to my business friends and famiy!

 

[kelminak]

I think during my midlife crisis i would contemplate going back and doing an MD

People don't do this. DOs are practicing physicians. It would make literally no sense to "go back" and get an MD.

I'm 23 years old

Average matriculant age is 26. An extra year to get an MD, if you want it that badly, is a drop in the long-term bucket.

If you really want MD, fight for it and get there so you don't regret it. Don't think short-term and screw yourself out of your dreams. Most of us here don't care about DO/MD initials and just want to be a doctor, but if it means something to you, then do what's necessary to get what you want.

 

[Petrichor1]

It is silly to hear that in yout midlife you will regret not getting the md. If you've shadowed, the DO will show you a world where they are the bosses at their workplace. I have classmates that went staight to DO because they didn't wanted to dabble atound. Those ppl know that you are studying to be a physician not some clown school. With your credentials, if time is valuable, apply DO and wait to see if you get in. Don't accept with a superiority complex. If one accepts you, you will feel what a privilege it would be. Withdraw if you want the md, but coming from someone who thought they cud get a stellar app with some gap years behind me, I have learned the lesson of not falling prey to fantasies. Nothing is guaranteed in life and the ppl who run with what they've got are my favorite ppl. Chill and take the time to plan alternatives. Masters ate expensive but if you're gping to sit at home or work at a store after graduating, being in school is far better for someone who wants to improve gpa.

 

[lnguyen1412]

I'm confused. It's your ultimate goal becoming a doctor or MD? If it's the latter, withdraw your apps and work on your GPA. That's probably the reason why you've been on hold for school cause maybe somewhere in your apps you showed them that??

Otherwise, if you don't care what title you have, then just go through cycle and follow Goro advice by Xmas

 

[JB50]

First, a DO is a united states educated doctor. The fact that someone would contemplate going back for their MD after achieving DO is ridiculous and shows SERIOUS insecurity.

Second, every year you spend not working as a physician is one less year of serious money going into retirement, savings, etc. This was some of the advice the DO I shadowed gave me. Go to medical school as soon as you can because what seems like a "drop in the bucket" is actually quite substantial when you look at loan repayment, raising a family, and savings. I'm all for "chasing your dreams" or whatever but we don't live in dreams we live in reality.

Also, the patients don't give a f*** about your MD just as much as they don't give a f*** about your DO.