Where do I start?

[Ehwic]

I am in the process of applying to 20 MD and 5 DO schools. I understand the process is very similar except for some minor differences.

I know that I need to submit primary/secondary applications for DO specific schools, but what is a general trajectory for an DO applicant? In general, what is the timeline for a DO applicant?

 

[TUVIX]

Everything is the same essentially. You need to have transcripts and LORs sent to two different places and the primary applications are slightly different. If suggest filling out MD first and then reworking essay and experience to fit the DO primary character limits. Other than that just get everything in as early as possible and wait for secondaries. Prioritize secondaries by your interest in the school. That's about it.


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[AlteredScale]

I am in the process of applying to 20 MD and 5 DO schools. I understand the process is very similar except for some minor differences.

I know that I need to submit primary/secondary applications for DO specific schools, but what is a general trajectory for an DO applicant? In general, what is the timeline for a DO applicant?

Do you have an LOR from a DO? Have you shadowed a DO? Any actual experience being around the osteopathic profession?

 

[Ehwic]

Do you have an LOR from a DO? Have you shadowed a DO? Any actual experience being around the osteopathic profession?

Unfortunately, not yet. I have a physician in mind that I can possible shadow. Other than that, I have an MD letter. Would this screw me over for this round?

 

[kingkapoor]

DO trajectory,
1. Starts around May for open application cycle.
2. Schools receive applications earliest at June 15th, send out secondaries within weeks
3. Respond to secondaries within days
4. Interviews take place
5. Acceptances

I personally wasnt accepted but Ive had friends be accepted anywhere from July into June the next year.
I think if youre going to spend the money and pay the hefty fee for the DO app you should probably apply to a little more than 5 schools unless your stats are 3.7+ and 30MCAT +.
If I had the stats that you probably had Id apply to atleast 15 since DO schools are very unique it seems.

 

[DrMikeP]

I am in the process of applying to 20 MD and 5 DO schools. I understand the process is very similar except for some minor differences.

I know that I need to submit primary/secondary applications for DO specific schools, but what is a general trajectory for an DO applicant? In general, what is the timeline for a DO applicant?

Timeline is apply ASAP, get secondaries soon after, complete them, wait on II, interview, get accepted hopefully. The majority of DO apps come in late July through Sept. Then another batch of MD applicants who didn't get any love from MD apply toward end of the year.

Google AACOM MCIB and that will have more details on timeline.

However, how do you know you'd want a DO? Some schools require shadowing and LOR's, so if you are serious about going DO if you don't get into MD it can help to get such now.

 

[clovet]

Unfortunately, not yet. I have a physician in mind that I can possible shadow. Other than that, I have an MD letter. Would this screw me over for this round?

I don't think it would necessarily "screw you over" this round. During the app process, it will help if you can obtain shadowing experience/a letter from a DO before interviews, but it is not the end of the world right now. Some are unable to obtain a DO LOR until after acceptance (like myself). There are a few schools that don't even require a DO rec. It just depends on what schools you're applying to! Best of luck.

 

[Ehwic]

Timeline is apply ASAP, get secondaries soon after, complete them, wait on II, interview, get accepted hopefully. The majority of DO apps come in late July through Sept. Then another batch of MD applicants who didn't get any love from MD apply toward end of the year.

Google AACOM MCIB and that will have more details on timeline.

However, how do you know you'd want a DO? Some schools require shadowing and LOR's, so if you are serious about going DO if you don't get into MD it can help to get such now.

The irony is that I was writing a secondary that asked Why M.D? and I basically wrote about being a D.O. with my background. haha

 

[kingkapoor]

Unfortunately, not yet. I have a physician in mind that I can possible shadow. Other than that, I have an MD letter. Would this screw me over for this round?

Ask your local'est DO school. I asked Touro CA and they were really accommodating.

 

[Ehwic]

Ask your local'est DO school. I asked Touro CA and they were really accommodating.

Sorry are you referring to see if they can give me an exception to a DO letter or for shadowing?

 

[clovet]

Sorry are you referring to see if they can give me an exception to a DO letter or for shadowing?

Ask the closest DO school in regards to shadowing someone. They probably won't give you an exception.

 

[kingkapoor]

Sorry are you referring to see if they can give me an exception to a DO letter or for shadowing?

Yeah what the person above me said, an exception is rare. Ask the closest DO school for an opportunity to shadow.

 

[Goro]

Also keep in mind that the DO cycle is longer so you can be complete by as late as October or even November and still be ok.

I am in the process of applying to 20 MD and 5 DO schools. I understand the process is very similar except for some minor differences.

I know that I need to submit primary/secondary applications for DO specific schools, but what is a general trajectory for an DO applicant? In general, what is the timeline for a DO applicant?

 

[kingkapoor]

Also keep in mind that the DO cycle is longer so you can be complete by as late as October or even November and still be ok.

Is this still true though, my stats aside, Ive heard many schools fill their class sizes by January (Bradenton last year is one I can think off the top of my head) and Stats-relative to application timing?

 

[Goro]

Not my school. Most DO schools tend to fill by Mar/Apr, but a few fill up earlier. I think KCU or COM filled up by Dec last year.

Is this still true though, my stats aside, Ive heard many schools fill their class sizes by January (Bradenton last year is one I can think off the top of my head) and Stats-relative to application timing?

 

[DrMikeP]

Is this still true though, my stats aside, Ive heard many schools fill their class sizes by January (Bradenton last year is one I can think off the top of my head) and Stats-relative to application timing?

You can look at the threads for each school and see when they mostly fill. Many don't completely fill until later, BUT the competition gets worse in Dec and Jan as those who didn't place MD start applying.

Is this still true though, my stats aside, Ive heard many schools fill their class sizes by January (Bradenton last year is one I can think off the top of my head) and Stats-relative to application timing?

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[benzyne]

Is this still true though, my stats aside, Ive heard many schools fill their class sizes by January (Bradenton last year is one I can think off the top of my head) and Stats-relative to application timing?

I would do stuff as early as possible. UNECOM filled up pretty quickly too.

I applied to both and grad school for public health and I did everything simultaneously. If you're sending in a transcript to AMCAS, it's not so much trouble to throw one over to AACOMAS while you're there.

My timeline was:

Submitted late September (should have done this earlier, I didn't know you could submit without LORs)
Verified late October
Got secondaries early November
Got IIs December & January
Went on my interviews Jan & Feb
Feb: 2 acceptances, 1 waitlist, 1 delayed decision
April: DD --> waitlist
June: Accepted off waitlist at PCOM where I will be attending!