Where to apply?

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DenTony11235

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Hi all,

Would someone give me advice on where to a apply please. sGPA 3.4, oGPA 3.55, MCAT 37, average EC's.

Problem is that I don't have an LOR from a DO doctor. I'm a ny resident. I'm overworked with not a single day off so I can't get that LOR anytime this summer. Maybe September, October. Are there schools I can apply to that don't need one? Like NYCOM or any top tier schools?
 
Honestly you might be one of those rare folks that DO schools dismiss because your stats are too high.... If you don't have a DO letter and you have scores well above most MD schools, believe it or not, they might think you are not/would not be dedicated to the whole DO idea and are 100% using it as a backup.

I mean I wouldn't care either way, just saying I have heard it happen before...

But otherwise just google for schools that doesn't require DO letters. I think all schools require a letter from a physician but only about half require a letter from a DO, that half simply says "suggested." Your scores are good enough for anywhere so any school that doesn't require a DO letter, that is affordable, and in an area you would like to live is fair game.
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Awesome Sauceome said:
Honestly you might be one of those rare folks that DO schools dismiss because your stats are too high.... If you don't have a DO letter and you have scores well above most MD schools, believe it or not, they might think you are not/would not be dedicated to the whole DO idea and are 100% using it as a backup.

I mean I wouldn't care either way, just saying I have heard it happen before...

But otherwise just google for schools that doesn't require DO letters. I think all schools require a letter from a physician but only about half require a letter from a DO, that half simply says "suggested." Your scores are good enough for anywhere so any school that doesn't require a DO letter, that is affordable, and in an area you would like to live is fair game.
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Click to expand...

Thanks. I'm a bit worried about being overqualified. But don't we all have something that we feel are little red Flags.
 
I mean don't get me wrong. If I was an adcom I would take you. I mean obviously you are a smart cookie. I think that's what the majority of it should be about anyways.

I would definitely focus on some of the older DO schools. They will likely show you some more love. They usually have higher stats.

CCOM, PCOM, DMU, KCUMB, maybe leave out KCOM. Also maybe add AZCOM and Tuoro Harlem. NSU and Marian might be other good schools too. Those few schools seem to appreciate higher scores a little more.

Even if you don't have a DO letter you best go in having a real good idea of the similarities and "differences" between MDs and DOs. Otherwise for real they might tag you as someone who is definitely playing the DO backup card. If you go in with a compelling reason though why DO would be a good fit, I imagine it would be hard to turn someone like you down.
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chizledfrmstone said:
Nice MCAT. Do you have an MD LOR?


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Click to expand...

Awesome Sauceome said:
I mean don't get me wrong. If I was an adcom I would take you. I mean obviously you are a smart cookie. I think that's what the majority of it should be about anyways.

I would definitely focus on some of the older DO schools. They will likely show you some more love. They usually have higher stats.

CCOM, PCOM, DMU, KCUMB, maybe leave out KCOM. Also maybe add AZCOM and Tuoro Harlem. NSU and Marian might be other good schools too. Those few schools seem to appreciate higher scores a little more.

Even if you don't have a DO letter you best go in having a real good idea of the similarities and "differences" between MDs and DOs. Otherwise for real they might tag you as someone who is definitely playing the DO backup card. If you go in with a compelling reason though why DO would be a good fit, I imagine it would be hard to turn someone like you down.
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Click to expand...

I do have an MD LOR. Thank you for explaining, I didn't know that it would count for anything to DO schools.

In any case, once I have time to, I'll shadow DO doctors, which should be just in time for interviews.
 
An MD LoR should be sufficient for almost any DO school, save the few that are very particular about that sort of thing.

I think your only real hurdle to getting an interview is going to be convincing any DO school you apply to that they aren't just a plan B.
 
Carl Seitan said:
An MD LoR should be sufficient for almost any DO school, save the few that are very particular about that sort of thing.

I think your only real hurdle to getting an interview is going to be convincing any DO school you apply to that they aren't just a plan B.
Click to expand...

It is my plan B, though. Would it be fair for them to ask me whether I'm applying to MD schools and plan to keep them as a backup?

Is being overqualified seriously a big issue?

Ill shadow a DO if I have the time. Would shadowing several be an even better idea?
 
DenTony11235 said:
It is my plan B, though. Would it be fair for them to ask me whether I'm applying to MD schools and plan to keep them as a backup?

Is being overqualified seriously a big issue?

Ill shadow a DO if I have the time. Would shadowing several be an even better idea?
Click to expand...

No, having stats well above the average applicant isn't a big issue. But, you will almost certainly be asked why you are applying to a DO school. The answer you give shouldn't be "your school is my backup plan".

They may ask where else you applied. You can answer at your own discretion--they won't know otherwise.
 
DenTony11235 said:
It is my plan B, though. Would it be fair for them to ask me whether I'm applying to MD schools and plan to keep them as a backup?

Is being overqualified seriously a big issue?

Ill shadow a DO if I have the time. Would shadowing several be an even better idea?
Click to expand...

Ever use the pickup line "You're my plan B" on a girl?

Have you ever been to an interview and said "This job is my back up plan"

I have no doubt you will get into an MD program this time next year. Don't waste your money if you don't have a good answer to the "Why DO?" question.

This is how high stat people get rejected. Don't ever apply for something in your life if you're going to half-a** it.

There was a guy with your MCAT but slightly lower GPA who got into CCOM last year. He applied really late too.

Save your cash and ride out the Allo cycle. If you don't get any love and don't want to reapply then come back with one of those "I just heard about osteopathic medicine and I'm TOTALLY interested" threads.

Edit: I'm pretty sure some schools have started saving seats for high stat apps at the end of the year. They know how the game works.
 
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DenTony11235 said:
It is my plan B, though. Would it be fair for them to ask me whether I'm applying to MD schools and plan to keep them as a backup?

Is being overqualified seriously a big issue?

Ill shadow a DO if I have the time. Would shadowing several be an even better idea?
Click to expand...

Don't take this the wrong way, but if you want to be an MD, don't just apply to a DO school if it's your "plan B". You'll likely be taking a seat away from someone who really wants to be a DO.

You have the stats for MD (GPAs might be a little low), but like the above commenter said, ride it out and go MD next cycle.
 
COMPLETELY disagree with the posters here, who may just be jealous of your stellar app. Apply wherever you want, just do your research on what schools require a DO letter and what don't. That being said your chances for MD are pretty strong.

Nothing wrong with using DO as backup, just as one might apply to NYMC as a potential backup for Harvard.

Just have a decent answer to "why DO" in your interview, which applies to ANY APPLICANT, HIGH AND LOW STATS ALIKE.
 
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Awesome Sauceome said:
Even if you don't have a DO letter you best go in having a real good idea of the similarities and "differences" between MDs and DOs.
Click to expand...

This is the same advice I would give whether he had a 40 or a 20. Schools will not expect a better answer to this question just because your stats are higher.
 
user3 said:
COMPLETELY disagree with the posters here, who may just be jealous of your stellar app. Apply wherever you want, just do your research on what schools require a DO letter and what don't. That being said your chances for MD are pretty strong.

Nothing wrong with using DO as backup, just as one might apply to NYMC as a potential backup for Harvard.

Just have a decent answer to "why DO" in your interview, which applies to ANY APPLICANT, HIGH AND LOW STATS ALIKE.
Click to expand...
Truth right here. Nothing wrong with what you have and what you are planning. I hope this thread doesn't turn into some flame war.

The idea I, and user3 are suggesting is to just be prepared. The only difference between the MD and DO interview is at MD your gonna get "why this school" and maybe "why physician." At a DO you are gonna get "why this school" and "why DO" (especially with your stats). If you go in just as prepared for the DO as you would be for the MD then you are good and deserve a shot.
 
FutureDrB said:
Don't take this the wrong way, but if you want to be an MD, don't just apply to a DO school if it's your "plan B". You'll likely be taking a seat away from someone who really wants to be a DO.

You have the stats for MD (GPAs might be a little low), but like the above commenter said, ride it out and go MD next cycle.
Click to expand...

No offense taken, I appreciate your opinion but I don't necessarily want to be an MD over DO, we just all know that taking the MD path has it's advantages in getting into some specialties. For that reason alone I think most people would shoot for an md over a do in any case. I'm not taking a seat away from anyone, I'm working my ass off toward the goal of being a student in an American medical school.

Btw guys I obviously won't speak about them being my plan B, but even knowing that they are my plan B shouldn't be an issue. If they interview 30 people with high stats who are likely keeping them as a plan B, they may get 5 of those people in their class.

Thank you guys, I have a clearer picture of what I need to do, it seems I have the green light to apply.
 
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