Which DO Schools process applications quickly?

[LocutusofBorg]

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Hi Guys, since I discovered this forum, I read up on the Osteopathic approach, and truthfully -- I love it. I want to become a damn good doctor, and the fact that DO schools offer an skill set on top of the traditional western medical education makes me feel that after DO, I will be more knowledgeable, and a better physician...

However, being non-traditional, at 26 years old -- and still taking my premed requirements, I am running somewhat short on time. So here is my timeline as it stands:

Fall 2005 - Spring 2006 -- take Orgo and Bio (and im also opting to take Anatomy and Physiology).
Spring 2006 -- Take the MCATs

Fall 2006 -- Admission to a medical school. Yes... i know. That severely limits my choices, as most schools take a year to process applications. However Im wondering if any DO schools work quickly, and if I score high enough on the MCATs in Spring 2006, will admit me the same Fall. If I must, I will go to a foreign allopathic program... but I would definitely take a DO over that. Any DO schools out there that will let me do that without waiting a year? Also, any DO schools with Spring Admissions? I would wait 6 months for a DO program..

thanks.

 

[LVDoc]

That would be impossible. The Spring MCAT is in April and it takes about 2 months to get your scores back. So, you would have them back by June. Most schools would already have their classes filled by this time and would have a large waiting list as well. The deadlines I think for AACOMAS applications also end early in the year.

If you want to look at a foreign allopathic program, then it's possible that you may be able to get in (earlier), but again, probably not in Fall 2006. Most popular offschore schools admit students 2-3 times a year, typically in August, January, and May. You would have a good chance at applying for entrance into the January 2007 class.

 

[Kazema]

No, schools will only consider MCAT scores from the previous August at the latest.

 

[blessed1]

Hi Guys, since I discovered this forum, I read up on the Osteopathic approach, and truthfully -- I love it. I want to become a damn good doctor, and the fact that DO schools offer an skill set on top of the traditional western medical education makes me feel that after DO, I will be more knowledgeable, and a better physician...

However, being non-traditional, at 26 years old -- and still taking my premed requirements, I am running somewhat short on time. So here is my timeline as it stands:

Fall 2005 - Spring 2006 -- take Orgo and Bio (and im also opting to take Anatomy and Physiology).
Spring 2006 -- Take the MCATs

Fall 2006 -- Admission to a medical school. Yes... i know. That severely limits my choices, as most schools take a year to process applications. However Im wondering if any DO schools work quickly, and if I score high enough on the MCATs in Spring 2006, will admit me the same Fall. If I must, I will go to a foreign allopathic program... but I would definitely take a DO over that. Any DO schools out there that will let me do that without waiting a year? Also, any DO schools with Spring Admissions? I would wait 6 months for a DO program..

thanks.

Taking the test in April 2006 for Fall 2006 admissions might be too late. You won't have your scores back until mid-June 2006. Also, you mentioned some additional courses that you are taking Fall 05-Spring 06 and Biology is a pre-req. You would have to wait on those grades as well. Not a highly likely scenario. Don't rush, give yourself the time necessary to do it properly and to do well.

Just my 2cents.....

 

[ShyRem]

Didn't I see something a while back about the MCAT being offered something like 10 times a year in the near future with scores coming back in about 30 days? I can't remember if that was to happen in 2006 or 2007... anyone remember this (or was I drinking too much that night?)

 

[LocutusofBorg]

No, schools will only consider MCAT scores from the previous August at the latest.

That is false. I know for a fact that SGU will accept someone who took their first MCAT in April, for the Fall of same year. I spoke with several admissions counselors there -- and even called the campus directly, and they said that they can make their decision within that time frame. I dont know about UAG (my first choice foreign school, if i have to go abroad), but I'm working on finding this out with them as well.

So as per my second questions, which DO schools have January admissions? Where can I get such information?

thanks!

 

[LocutusofBorg]

Didn't I see something a while back about the MCAT being offered something like 10 times a year in the near future with scores coming back in about 30 days? I can't remember if that was to happen in 2006 or 2007... anyone remember this (or was I drinking too much that night?)

I heard that too!! We must have been drinking in the same watering hole...

 

[dr.z]

That is false. I know for a fact that SGU will accept someone who took their first MCAT in April, for the Fall of same year. I spoke with several admissions counselors there -- and even called the campus directly, and they said that they can make their decision within that time frame. I dont know about UAG (my first choice foreign school, if i have to go abroad), but I'm working on finding this out with them as well.

So as per my second questions, which DO schools have January admissions? Where can I get such information?

thanks!

I don't know of any DO school that would do this. Also I don't know of any DO schools that accept students for January.

 

[mastamark]

Didn't I see something a while back about the MCAT being offered something like 10 times a year in the near future with scores coming back in about 30 days? I can't remember if that was to happen in 2006 or 2007... anyone remember this (or was I drinking too much that night?)

You heard right. The MCAT will be administered by computer starting April 2007. This new technology will allow for more test dates and quicker scoring(30 days) according to princeton review. I have also heard the test will be getting a makeover, making it shorter and intensifying its critical thinking value. This is why alot of people are scrambling to get it done by next year. I think finishing it now or waiting for the new one both have advantages. For me I'm gonna wait till I finish physics before taking them which will put me in the 2007 bunch. I'm taking Orgo 2005-2006 fall and spring. I am also 26 years old, but not in such a rush. I would'nt be so hasty if I were the you dood, you may find that things may not go as planned and a little time isnt such a bad thing. 🙂

 

[mastamark]

I stand corrected. You will actually have a choice of which test you can take, either paper-based or computer-based. Here is more info.

http://www.princetonreview.com/medical/testprep/testprep.asp?TPRPAGE=787&TYPE=MCAT-ABOUT

 

[Kazema]

That is false. I know for a fact that SGU will accept someone who took their first MCAT in April, for the Fall of same year.

I was referring to DO schools, which I thought your question was about. No DO schools accept the April MCAT of the year you're applying to matriculate in. So people who took the MCAT this past April can't use their scores for 2005 entering class.

 

[mshheaddoc]

MCAT right now you have a choice paper or computer based test. All the computer test is .... is the test on a computer. Its not like the GMAT, GRE which are "computer adaptive" tests meaning you get your score at the end and it knows where you stand. Trust me, you don't want for the MCAT.

2007 there will be testing sites which will offer the exam about 20 times or so a year, with the "GOAL" of getting the exams back to the "SCHOOLS" of 30 days and eventually 14 days. So they don't say SPECIFICALLY when you would get but the assumption is the same time frame 😉

 

[OrthoFixation]

However, being non-traditional, at 26 years old -- and still taking my premed requirements, I am running somewhat short on time. So here is my timeline as it stands:

Fall 2005 - Spring 2006 -- take Orgo and Bio (and im also opting to take Anatomy and Physiology).
Spring 2006 -- Take the MCATs

Fall 2006 -- Admission to a medical school.

I don't think your timeline is achievable. Most med schools have deadlines from Nov 1 to Feb, with a couple in March. This date is the last day that your application can be submitted. For consideration of your application, most schools want to review a completed file. Many will not crack it open until it is complete.

For acceptance F'06, August '05 would be the last date for MCATing. You have also not considered that the latest interview slots are more competitive since the applicant pool gets bigger and deeper later in the cycle. My last interview was on April 1 this year. That's really late. It was their last interview date.

Just out of curiosity, what's the big rush? So you're 26. Big deal. I was just accepted at 38. I've had a fulfilling and successful first career and am now moving on to the second stage. Take your time, improve your stat's, volunteer (almost mandatory), and smell the flowers along your journey.

Be cautious about the foreign path if you want to practice in the US. That is an even more difficult road to travel. Personally, I would wait a year to stay stateside.

Good luck.

 

[kyriacos01]

...However, being non-traditional, at 26 years old -- and still taking my premed requirements, I am running somewhat short on time. So here is my timeline as it stands:

Fall 2005 - Spring 2006 -- take Orgo and Bio (and im also opting to take Anatomy and Physiology).
Spring 2006 -- Take the MCATs

Fall 2006 -- Admission to a medical school. Yes... i know. That severely limits my choices, as most schools take a year to process applications. However Im wondering if any DO schools work quickly...

The rare transfer student or emergency situation aside, I am unaware of an Allopathic or Osteopathic university that begins course work in January. As stated by the previous posters, the MCAT will be offered more frequently; however, I fail to see how this will change will expedite the application process. AMCAS/AACOMAS Primary applications begin batch processing in June and secondary application processing are university dependant; as are interviews, waitlists, and acceptance offers.

Since you plan to take the April '06 MCAT, you will be applying for '07 admission. If you want to be admitted in '06, then you need to take the MCAT this August. I agree with the previous posts, much of your acceptance probability will depend on your MCAT performance.

I too was a non-traditional applicant (started ug at 28, clinical oncology & hematology research 3 years, starting ms at 35); IMHO, being apart from the norm is to your advantage. Obviously, we all have a master plan and ideal timeline, but at 26 you should not feel disadvantaged by time.

Anyway, in my limited experience with the application process (5 Osteopathic universities); AZCOM & MSUCOM were quite quick to process my secondary, interview, and extend offers of acceptance. Just to give you an idea, I submitted my primary application in early June, secondary applications in mid-July, interviewed at AZCOM & MSUCOM in late-September and accepted MSUCOM's offer in late-October; after which, I declined AZCOM's offer and withdrew my application from the remaining schools. My application (N) is fairly atypical so perhaps others will confirm or refute my impression of AZCOM's & MSUCOM's expediency.


All the best,
-ky

 

[blessed1]

I heard that too!! We must have been drinking in the same watering hole...

You heard correctly and that will go into effect in 2007. I had the opportunity to hear a head to head presentation from representatives of both Kaplan and The Princeton Review on Thursday evening and they both confirmed this information.

 

[mx_599]

However Im wondering if any DO schools work quickly, and if I score high enough on the MCATs in Spring 2006, will admit me the same Fall. If I must, I will go to a foreign allopathic program... but I would definitely take a DO over that. Any DO schools out there that will let me do that without waiting a year? Also, any DO schools with Spring Admissions? I would wait 6 months for a DO program..

thanks.

to answer many of your questions...no.

but KCOM did me pretty fast

 

[LocutusofBorg]

Thanks folks... I've decided to slow a bit down too. After much self-reflection I realized that:
1) Taking Organic Chemistry, first semester Bio, and first semester A&P with their respective labs in one semester is suicide, which will probably result in poorer performance. This considering that I havent had a bio course in 11 years (7th grade, honors bio @ Von Steuben... oh the memories!).
2) Im still bent on taking my first MCATs spring 2006, but that is only to give me a window to retake it in August.
3) Ill go for 2007 admissions.... since you all are yelling at me that im nuts to even think about 2006. I mean, my grades are bad (GPA 3.1 but inching upwards, science about the same level), so SGU may yet be the only school to take me... but I still want to try for others, especially because im not a big fan of going to Granada.

so... here is my revised plan of action:

Fall 2005/Spring 2006 -- Take Orgo, Bio, and retake Physics 2 that was taken in another college, and the grade wasnt so hot (heck, ill need the review for the MCATs anyway).
January 2006 -- Take a Princeton review course to culminate in my first crack at the MCATs!
Fall 2006/Spring 2007 -- while I wait for applications, take A&P, and volunteer (thinking about the Bellvue PAVERS program).

In terms of extra curriculars Im currently doing bio-psychology research, and this summer im taking a medical Spanish course at UAG in Guadalajara (with 4 hours a day clinical exposure).

Does this sound reasonable? Given my less-than-stellar record and performance so far, what should be my target MCAT score which will give me a fair fighting chance for Fall 2007 OD admissions?

 

[Kazema]

Looks like a good plan. The extra year will give you more time to improve your GPA and make yourself a more rounded applicant. I think you'll be in good shape 👍.

 

[MJB]

Glad to see you're gonna be on my plan! I would LOVE to get in a hurry (and even trying for '07 admission for me might be pushing it), but I wanna take my time and get it right...Hoping to take Chem II this fall, Org. I next Spring, and BioChem next summer with the MCAT in August...and try applying where I can...as I'll need Phys. II and Org. II (but the way I understand it, there are a couple of DO schools I will be able to apply to, including my preferred choice of DO schools).

 

[mastamark]

Thanks folks... I've decided to slow a bit down too. After much self-reflection I realized that:
1) Taking Organic Chemistry, first semester Bio, and first semester A&P with their respective labs in one semester is suicide, which will probably result in poorer performance. This considering that I havent had a bio course in 11 years (7th grade, honors bio @ Von Steuben... oh the memories!).
2) Im still bent on taking my first MCATs spring 2006, but that is only to give me a window to retake it in August.
3) Ill go for 2007 admissions.... since you all are yelling at me that im nuts to even think about 2006. I mean, my grades are bad (GPA 3.1 but inching upwards, science about the same level), so SGU may yet be the only school to take me... but I still want to try for others, especially because im not a big fan of going to Granada.

so... here is my revised plan of action:

Fall 2005/Spring 2006 -- Take Orgo, Bio, and retake Physics 2 that was taken in another college, and the grade wasnt so hot (heck, ill need the review for the MCATs anyway).
January 2006 -- Take a Princeton review course to culminate in my first crack at the MCATs!
Fall 2006/Spring 2007 -- while I wait for applications, take A&P, and volunteer (thinking about the Bellvue PAVERS program).

In terms of extra curriculars Im currently doing bio-psychology research, and this summer im taking a medical Spanish course at UAG in Guadalajara (with 4 hours a day clinical exposure).

Does this sound reasonable? Given my less-than-stellar record and performance so far, what should be my target MCAT score which will give me a fair fighting chance for Fall 2007 OD admissions?

Best of luck buddy. I think you will succeed with that mind set.