Which would be a good choice?

[physcigirl27]

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So long story short, I was forced to apply DO to appease the parents. No chance of getting in, but I'm looking at SMPS/masters programs for Fall 2012.
Stats:

My stats are pretty sucky since the ER job was $$ and some serious family/financial issues required me to work full time (i was usually working the graveyard and then attending class in the am). Not that that's an excuse for my sucky transcript, but I def wasn't having fun or going to keggers (Maybe i'd feel a little better about my incredibly horrible ug if I had...)

I'm also taking a 3 semester unit class right now (it's a health class, so I don't think it'll go under bcpm, and I plan on retaking a c- I have in chemistry next semester--granted I get in--WOOHOO CA budget cuts). I'm looking at some SMPs right now but, not gonna lie, I'm pretty depressed since my gpa seems to be too low...

Any suggestions which SMPS I should apply to?

I'm interested in the one Western, LECOM, PCOM-GA, VCU, Mississippi College...any advice?

thanks in advance

 

[Iliketoytles]

Well as you pointed out, your stats will get you automatically screened out of most places, and that really low science GPA is a vibrant red flag. Your MCAT is pretty good since both of them average to a 27.

I'm not too knowledgable about the screening process, but I think you'll get screened out pre-secondary of most DO schools. And if not, it's pretty late in the cycle to be applying with your stats.

BUT, do not lose your determination. Your ECs seem pretty good, and if you truly believe you can do it, then that alone will take you far. Continue to look into that masters program and work hard.

Maybe someone else can comment with any schools that will not screen you pre-secondary. I'll be honest, your chances are very very slim even if there is a school that won't screen you... so my advice to you and your parents would be to save the money you'll be putting into this application cycle, and use it to do some postbacc work or something to bring that GPA up!!!

Best of luck!! Stay focused, determined, optimistic, and most importantly... realistic! You can do it. 🙂

 

[physcigirl27]

thank you! I was waiting to get mean, nasty things written due to my gpa...
yeah I have zero expectations with DO apps. I applied to a few just so my parents would stop but the question pertains to the SMPS.

I know that those schools have them but they all seem fairly vague about what stats they'll accept you with. Hopefully someone knows if I at least have a shot the master's/postbacc/SMPS at the the schools I listed?

 

[jinobi]

sounds like you could be from ucla, given your username and CA residency.

gpa and mcat are the main sticking points. your cGPA actually disqualifies you from the UC post-bac programs. SMPs (at least the reputable ones like UCinci, Georgetown, Tufts, BU) tend to take low GPA/high MCAT students, so the downward trend is a bit worrying.

best thing would be to retake your science classes since your sGPA is low. retaking MCAT to show that your lower 2nd score was just a fluke would be smart too - that would increase your chances of acceptance at a SMP/post-bac and show that you can understand basic science coursework.

western MSMS has linkage with their DO school. http://prospective.westernu.edu/medical-sciences/welcome

 

[Iliketoytles]

thank you! I was waiting to get mean, nasty things written due to my gpa...

Lol sorry, I didn't mean to come across mean and nasty.

 

[physcigirl27]

Lol sorry, I didn't mean to come across mean and nasty.

haha no you weren't mean or nasty, you were nice...which is what i was shocked about. most people start pouncing on anyone that has a low gpa here

 

[sylvanthus]

So long story short, I was forced to apply DO to appease the parents. No chance of getting in, but I'm looking at SMPS/masters programs for Fall 2012.
Stats:

cGPA: 2.92 (AACOMAS), 2.84 (school--they incorporate retakes really wierdly)
sGPA: 2.64 AACOMAS and school
MCAT: 2x: May 2010--> 28S: 11V, 10B, 6P; Jan 2011-->26R: 10V, 8B, 8P (I don't know how/why my score went down... :/)

EC's:

ER scribe (3 years): have worked at 3 diff hospitals including one of a major med school. Excellent LOR from them
Heavily involved in volunteer work/fundraising for an epidemic (was director for the organization my senior yr)
Tutored incarcerated youth for GED x1 yr
Center for International Medicine volunteer x1 year
I have also been doing research with a physician at a local teaching hospital x1 year and am close to being done/published

My stats are pretty sucky since the ER job was $$ and some serious family/financial issues required me to work full time (i was usually working the graveyard and then attending class in the am). Not that that's an excuse for my sucky transcript, but I def wasn't having fun or going to keggers (Maybe i'd feel a little better about my incredibly horrible ug if I had...)

I'm also taking a 3 semester unit class right now (it's a health class, so I don't think it'll go under bcpm, and I plan on retaking a c- I have in chemistry next semester--granted I get in--WOOHOO CA budget cuts). I'm looking at some SMPs right now but, not gonna lie, I'm pretty depressed since my gpa seems to be too low...

Any suggestions which SMPS I should apply to?

I'm interested in the one Western, LECOM, PCOM-GA, VCU, Mississippi College...any advice? I want to go DO route for sure, it aligns with my personal beliefs pretty closely in terms of preventative medicine and i have a reallly good LOR from my medical anthro professor backing that up.

thanks in advance

I think you'll likely get flamed more for the bolded above, than for the low gpa.

 

[physcigirl27]

by "forced to apply DO" as in I don't think my stats are competitive for DO so I wanted to wait. DO has always been my first choice

 

[TriagePreMed]

Unfortunately, you're correct in that your stats are too low to expect an invite/acceptance. The MCAT will have to be retaken as to prove it didn't go down because the first was a fluke. The second should be the fluke! If you're interested in D.O. SMP, you will still need to get that GPA higher. Once you get 3.0 cGPA and 2.8 sGPA, you should have no problem securing an acceptance at any D.O. SMP. I would personally recommend researching for ones with established linkage.

 

[And I Was Like]

So long story short, I was forced to apply DO to appease the parents. No chance of getting in, but I'm looking at SMPS/masters programs for Fall 2012.
Stats:

cGPA: 2.92 (AACOMAS), 2.84 (school--they incorporate retakes really wierdly)
sGPA: 2.64 AACOMAS and school
MCAT: 2x: May 2010--> 28S: 11V, 10B, 6P; Jan 2011-->26R: 10V, 8B, 8P (I don't know how/why my score went down... :/)

EC's:

ER scribe (3 years): have worked at 3 diff hospitals including one of a major med school. Excellent LOR from them
Heavily involved in volunteer work/fundraising for an epidemic (was director for the organization my senior yr)
Tutored incarcerated youth for GED x1 yr
Center for International Medicine volunteer x1 year
I have also been doing research with a physician at a local teaching hospital x1 year and am close to being done/published

My stats are pretty sucky since the ER job was $$ and some serious family/financial issues required me to work full time (i was usually working the graveyard and then attending class in the am). Not that that's an excuse for my sucky transcript, but I def wasn't having fun or going to keggers (Maybe i'd feel a little better about my incredibly horrible ug if I had...)

I'm also taking a 3 semester unit class right now (it's a health class, so I don't think it'll go under bcpm, and I plan on retaking a c- I have in chemistry next semester--granted I get in--WOOHOO CA budget cuts). I'm looking at some SMPs right now but, not gonna lie, I'm pretty depressed since my gpa seems to be too low...

Any suggestions which SMPS I should apply to?

I'm interested in the one Western, LECOM, PCOM-GA, VCU, Mississippi College...any advice? I want to go DO route for sure, it aligns with my personal beliefs pretty closely in terms of preventative medicine and i have a reallly good LOR from my medical anthro professor backing that up.

thanks in advance

Lets start with this last statement. What do DOs have that MDs don't, other than significantly lower admission standards? If you look through my post history you'll find the exact numbers. The truth is now, and has always been, DO schools and MD schools look at the exact same things/practice the same medicine. DO schools are just more likely to take significantly less competitive applicants than MD schools.

As to the first statement, I understand that DO is a back-up. If you don't want to "settle" for being a DO then don't apply DO and take the spot from another applicant who is willing to "settle". This statement you made is bound to get grief from the DO students on here who cling to the belief that people choose DO over MD. Don't get me wrong, some do, but few and far between. I posted a number in a previous post of people who choose DO over MD and it was less than 3 percent, and I would say a large portion of these people are lying, or had to go DO because of extenuating circumstances but this is all speculative as it's all self-reported.

Moral of the story. Your stats are low, if you do retakes you will likely get into an osteopathic program. Traditional MD medical schools are pretty much out of the question. So I recommend you "settle" on DO.

 

[seap3]

Lets start with this last statement. What do DOs have that MDs don't, other than significantly lower admission standards? If you look through my post history you'll find the exact numbers. The truth is now, and has always been, DO schools and MD schools look at the exact same things/practice the same medicine. DO schools are just more likely to take significantly less competitive applicants than MD schools.

As to the first statement, I understand that DO is a back-up. If you don't want to "settle" for being a DO then don't apply DO and take the spot from another applicant who is willing to "settle". This statement you made is bound to get grief from the DO students on here who cling to the belief that people choose DO over MD. Don't get me wrong, some do, but few and far between. I posted a number in a previous post of people who choose DO over MD and it was less than 3 percent, and I would say a large portion of these people are lying, or had to go DO because of extenuating circumstances but this is all speculative as it's all self-reported.

Moral of the story. Your stats are low, if you do retakes you will likely get into an osteopathic program. Traditional MD medical schools are pretty much out of the question. So I recommend you "settle" on DO.

Yikes - you completely misread the OPs post.

She is NOT saying "forced to apply DO" meaning she'd rather apply MD.

She IS saying she didn't feel she was ready to apply AT ALL, and instead wanted to work on improving her app, but her parents wanted to apply this cycle.

Jeesh - do you just need to get in your digs at DO wherever you see a chance? Your post was not helpful in the least to the OP.

 

[LifeTake2]

I know this is not going to be easy, but unless your parents are paying for medical school:

you need to politely sit them down and tell them it is time to back off. You are not a kid anymore, and you sound like you have a good grasp of where you are and how to get where you want to be.

Don't mistake their raising you 0-18 with giving them the ability to tell you what to do now. Accept their counsel and opinions, but remember that this is YOUR life and you do more harm by applying when you are not ready than you do by waiting.

 

[And I Was Like]

Yikes - you completely misread the OPs post.

She is NOT saying "forced to apply DO" meaning she'd rather apply MD.

She IS saying she didn't feel she was ready to apply AT ALL, and instead wanted to work on improving her app, but her parents wanted to apply this cycle.

Jeesh - do you just need to get in your digs at DO wherever you see a chance? Your post was not helpful in the least to the OP.

Just saying, frankly I would wait a year and reapply both MD and DO. But this OP doesn't have a shot in hell at medical schools. So in that case it's better to "settle" with osteopathic programs.

 

[jinobi]

Just saying, frankly I would wait a year and reapply both MD and DO. But this OP doesn't have a shot in hell at medical schools. So in that case it's better to "settle" with osteopathic programs.

Jeebus, can you at least admit that you misread her post at first? In no way did OP say she wanted to "settle" for osteopathic programs - in fact, she WANTS to go DO. I'll admit, her initial point was muddy at first, but if you read the rest of her post you can see that she was encouraged to apply to medical school in general during her year off.

Hey OP: again, you need to look at SMPs and post-bacs with linkage, like NSU/Western/LECOM. GPA/MCAT will likely be too low for this cycle, so don't pin your hopes on getting a surprise interview. Apply broadly for SMP/PB, and work your way up through your retakes.

 

[Iliketoytles]

Just saying, frankly I would wait a year and reapply both MD and DO. But this OP doesn't have a shot in hell at medical schools. So in that case it's better to "settle" with osteopathic programs.

This was about the only helpful part of both of your posts combined.

If the OP doesn't have a "shot in hell at medical schools", then why would you even recommend "settling" with osteopathic programs? Do you not consider DO to also be medical school?

In any case, OP --- I think LifeTake2 is onto something here... your parents are probably just not informed enough on the chances you have at DO schools this cycle. I had to talk to my mom for months and months until it finally started to sink into her head that DO is also a "doctor", and if you work hard enough it can have the same opportunities as MD. It's something I still have to remind her of every once in a while... when I tell her I have an interview, she asks "DO or MD?"... and I remind her that IT DOESN'T MATTER DOES IT??!! lol. Sorry... I'm ranting. 🙄

Anyway, it's a waste of time and money to apply when most likely you won't get interviews to begin with. Then the next time you apply, you'll be considered a reapplicant. Do you want that? Nahh... do some research and tell your parents to look at the numbers you find. Nobody can argue with numbers. Show them that you'll be screened from almost every (if not every) medschool presecondary, so there is no chance you will get an interview. If they are still adamant, then they are just being stubborn (no offense). My parents are like that too sometimes. Then you just have to point that out to them, that their obviously not thinking with their head.

It might help to have them read this thread. Keep us updated on your status!!!

 

[Druggernaut]

Any suggestions which SMPS I should apply to?

None of them. They tend to be expensive, and shelling out a ton of money isn't ideal. You're already looking at $200K+ if you get into medical school, and I'd rather not have an extra $30,000 in debt if I didn't get in.

If you haven't graduated, put that off and start retaking courses you did poorly in. If you have graduated, reapply as a second degree-seeking student. Your gameplan should be getting the sGPA to 3.0+, and cGPA to 3.3+, with an MCAT of 28 or better. Apply broadly, and you should have a shot then.

I put off applying for a year, retook a few classes, and on the DO side, applied to 13 schools, had five interview offers, went to three, waitlisted at one, and accepted at two, with roughly a 3.3 GPA, 3.0 sGPA, and 30S MCAT. It might take you two years to get those grades up depending on if you had just a few D's and F's or more C's, but that's how I'd do it (and did do it).

 

[And I Was Like]

If the OP doesn't have a "shot in hell at medical schools", then why would you even recommend "settling" with osteopathic programs? Do you not consider DO to also be medical school?

The AOA refers to their programs as "osteopathic programs" or "Osteopathic medical schools". Allopathic is a derogatory term used by the AOA and other osteopathic organizations to refer to MDs. MD programs are medical schools. DO programs are osteopathic medical schools or simply osteopathic programs. So when I say medical school, it's MD programs. There's the extra qualifier word "osteopathic" on DO programs. Any attempt to not qualify DO programs as osteopathic is misleading.

Also, I'm aware that recently the AMA has been refering to medical schools as "Allopathic" in order to distinguish themselves from Osteopathic programs. It's done simply to alleviate confusion when both medical schools and osteopathic programs are being talked about in the same article.

Allopathic is a slur and should be treated as such.

 

[physcigirl27]

Jeebus, can you at least admit that you misread her post at first? In no way did OP say she wanted to "settle" for osteopathic programs - in fact, she WANTS to go DO. I'll admit, her initial point was muddy at first, but if you read the rest of her post you can see that she was encouraged to apply to medical school in general during her year off.

Hey OP: again, you need to look at SMPs and post-bacs with linkage, like NSU/Western/LECOM. GPA/MCAT will likely be too low for this cycle, so don't pin your hopes on getting a surprise interview. Apply broadly for SMP/PB, and work your way up through your retakes.

Thanks! 🙂 Yeah, my concern is that my MCAT/GPA might be TOO low for SMPs too..it seems like even DO SMPS are super competitive in terms of numbers and stuff...I'm hoping my EC's might convince them to give me a chance.

This was about the only helpful part of both of your posts combined.

If the OP doesn't have a "shot in hell at medical schools", then why would you even recommend "settling" with osteopathic programs? Do you not consider DO to also be medical school?

In any case, OP --- I think LifeTake2 is onto something here... your parents are probably just not informed enough on the chances you have at DO schools this cycle. I had to talk to my mom for months and months until it finally started to sink into her head that DO is also a "doctor", and if you work hard enough it can have the same opportunities as MD. It's something I still have to remind her of every once in a while... when I tell her I have an interview, she asks "DO or MD?"... and I remind her that IT DOESN'T MATTER DOES IT??!! lol. Sorry... I'm ranting. 🙄

Anyway, it's a waste of time and money to apply when most likely you won't get interviews to begin with. Then the next time you apply, you'll be considered a reapplicant. Do you want that? Nahh... do some research and tell your parents to look at the numbers you find. Nobody can argue with numbers. Show them that you'll be screened from almost every (if not every) medschool presecondary, so there is no chance you will get an interview. If they are still adamant, then they are just being stubborn (no offense). My parents are like that too sometimes. Then you just have to point that out to them, that their obviously not thinking with their head.

It might help to have them read this thread. Keep us updated on your status!!!

Thanks! Just keep me in your thoughts, Im keeping my fingers crossed for an SMP anywhereeee.
My parents think my EC will help me a lot and it doesn't help that their misinformed friends keep telling them to get me to apply (someone had the brilliant idea of telling them to get me to apply to NYU...thank GOD i was able to convince them that was crazy)

None of them. They tend to be expensive, and shelling out a ton of money isn't ideal. You're already looking at $200K+ if you get into medical school, and I'd rather not have an extra $30,000 in debt if I didn't get in.

If you haven't graduated, put that off and start retaking courses you did poorly in. If you have graduated, reapply as a second degree-seeking student. Your gameplan should be getting the sGPA to 3.0+, and cGPA to 3.3+, with an MCAT of 28 or better. Apply broadly, and you should have a shot then.

I put off applying for a year, retook a few classes, and on the DO side, applied to 13 schools, had five interview offers, went to three, waitlisted at one, and accepted at two, with roughly a 3.3 GPA, 3.0 sGPA, and 30S MCAT. It might take you two years to get those grades up depending on if you had just a few D's and F's or more C's, but that's how I'd do it (and did do it).

I was thinking about doing this but my UG institution (and all those around me) are around that ballpark for tuition--coupled with budget cuts, etc. That's why I'm hoping that I can get into an SMP and prove myself in 1 year. I am taking classes right now and will continue to do so until I get into a program somewhere. So in a year, you were able to bring your gpa that much?

 

[physcigirl27]

The AOA refers to their programs as "osteopathic programs" or "Osteopathic medical schools". Allopathic is a derogatory term used by the AOA and other osteopathic organizations to refer to MDs. MD programs are medical schools. DO programs are osteopathic medical schools or simply osteopathic programs. So when I say medical school, it's MD programs. There's the extra qualifier word "osteopathic" on DO programs. Any attempt to not qualify DO programs as osteopathic is misleading.

Also, I'm aware that recently the AMA has been refering to medical schools as "Allopathic" in order to distinguish themselves from Osteopathic programs. It's done simply to alleviate confusion when both medical schools and osteopathic programs are being talked about in the same article.

Allopathic is a slur and should be treated as such.

I don't know why you keep bringing stuff like this up. If you read what I wrote (like everyone else seems to have done) you would've noticed that I said that I wanted to go DO route because of the experience I had working with DO physicians and because of my class. I don't even know why I bothered writing a response. Thanks for not being helpful at all.

 

[And I Was Like]

I don't know why you keep bringing stuff like this up. If you read what I wrote (like everyone else seems to have done) you would've noticed that I said that I wanted to go DO route because of the experience I had working with DO physicians and because of my class. I don't even know why I bothered writing a response. Thanks for not being helpful at all.

No need to get mad. Look, your chances at medical schools are 0. You're "desire" to go to a osteopathic program is simply you acknowledging the fact that you have 0 chance at gaining admission to medical schools.

I always find it hilarious that the people with 3.4s and below (or 2.9s) and 28s and below on the MCAT are those that miraculously decide the DO route is better for them because they agree with the "philosophy".

Reality Check: You will not now, nor likely ever, be able to get into a medical school. Getting into a DO school is your only hope if you retake your courses. And you can keep spouting you "choose" to go to a DO school, but it's obvious it was simply a back-up... or in your case your only shot.

Good luck in your application, if you apply with your current stats you will be literally laughed at. Your better off in another career, the sheer fact that you got such a low GPA without partying every night amazes me. You will have SEVER trouble getting into a SMP with that GPA or if by some miracle you get into one you will likely fail-out.

But Good Luck, I would start looking at alternate careers now. Then again, with that GPA most employers will laugh at you too.

 

[doingit9]

I don't know why you keep bringing stuff like this up. If you read what I wrote (like everyone else seems to have done) you would've noticed that I said that I wanted to go DO route because of the experience I had working with DO physicians and because of my class. I don't even know why I bothered writing a response. Thanks for not being helpful at all.

You will have to pardon AndIwaslike, he/she enjoys coming off as a complete deush. They like it SO much that they will often overlook helping others, as long as they are able to stick to their guns and point out that there are indeed differences between MD and DO.

 

[lkthlttr]

I would just like to suggest to those who frequent the DO boards that judicious use of the Ignore user function can really improve the quality of SDN.

 

[shushumiga]

No need to get mad. Look, your chances at medical schools are 0. You're "desire" to go to a osteopathic program is simply you acknowledging the fact that you have 0 chance at gaining admission to medical schools.

I always find it hilarious that the people with 3.4s and below (or 2.9s) and 28s and below on the MCAT are those that miraculously decide the DO route is better for them because they agree with the "philosophy".

Reality Check: You will not now, nor likely ever, be able to get into a medical school. Getting into a DO school is your only hope if you retake your courses. And you can keep spouting you "choose" to go to a DO school, but it's obvious it was simply a back-up... or in your case your only shot.

Good luck in your application, if you apply with your current stats you will be literally laughed at. Your better off in another career, the sheer fact that you got such a low GPA without partying every night amazes me. You will have SEVER trouble getting into a SMP with that GPA or if by some miracle you get into one you will likely fail-out.

But Good Luck, I would start looking at alternate careers now. Then again, with that GPA most employers will laugh at you too.

You know, people like yourself should not even take the time to post/help others on here because you are lacking reading comprehension. The OP made it clear that working with osteopathic physicians made her want to pursue a career in osteopathic medicine. IT IS NOT A BACK-UP PLAN! Or maybe it makes you feel better to give the wrongggg advice. Since you are Medical Student, I can only imagine how you gonna be treating patients in the near future. I feel bad for them.

 

[fiznat]

Don't feed the troll, people.

A quick search of his posting history reveals that this guy clearly has some sort of chip on his shoulder regarding DO's. Best to just let it be.

 

[Iliketoytles]

I always find it hilarious that the people with 3.4s and below (or 2.9s) and 28s and below on the MCAT are those that miraculously decide the DO route is better for them because they agree with the "philosophy".

This part is actually somewhat true. There's nothing hilarious about it though. These philosophies of medicine these days are so integrated between allo and osteo that agreeing with the philosophies would make no difference. The DO essays ask about the philosophy and whatnot, but DO is really just a backup. But, there is NOTHING WRONG with that!! While it's true that most of us (if not all of us) had 4.0's and 38 MCATs we wouldn't be applying DO unless it was a state school. But this is not the case. People with sub 3.0 GPAs and 28 MCATs can still be great doctors, and the DO route (which really isn't any different than allo, as you admitted yourself AndIWasLike) gives them a chance to practice with the same quality of education, and even a little bonus of OMM to fit the old school philosophy.

So even though many people have convinced themselves otherwise, D.O. is in actuality a backup. But like I said, there is nothing wrong with that at all. You keep repeating yourself when you say that, and I think everyone already understands it, so why you keep saying it like a little childish boy I will never know. You're going to make one crappy doctor for sure. If you can't offer help around here, then get lost. No really.... get lost. Kthxbai

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

I wouldn't bother with SMPs, instead I highly recommend retaking classes and probably taking a few new upper level science classes. Raise GPA's up to around a 3.3 and apply early.
My reasoning for not recommending an SMP is that it won't save you from your below 2.75 science gpa. That is a non-negotiable cut off for like 60%+ schools.

 

[Mbeas]

I am MD student, I am better than everyone, DO=/=MD, "osteopathic program"=/=medical school, DO=inferior, DO=backup, I am troll, DO=janitor

LOL

The entertainment has arrived, ladies and gents!

DUDE, really????

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

No need to get mad. Look, your chances at medical schools are 0. You're "desire" to go to a osteopathic program is simply you acknowledging the fact that you have 0 chance at gaining admission to medical schools.

I always find it hilarious that the people with 3.4s and below (or 2.9s) and 28s and below on the MCAT are those that miraculously decide the DO route is better for them because they agree with the "philosophy".

Reality Check: You will not now, nor likely ever, be able to get into a medical school. Getting into a DO school is your only hope if you retake your courses. And you can keep spouting you "choose" to go to a DO school, but it's obvious it was simply a back-up... or in your case your only shot.

Good luck in your application, if you apply with your current stats you will be literally laughed at. Your better off in another career, the sheer fact that you got such a low GPA without partying every night amazes me. You will have SEVER trouble getting into a SMP with that GPA or if by some miracle you get into one you will likely fail-out.

But Good Luck, I would start looking at alternate careers now. Then again, with that GPA most employers will laugh at you too.

I know your intentions are good and you're saying the truth... but try to be less abrasive. But otherwise pretty there are people who have with such low stats attained redemption and gone on to even get into MD programs, so if the OP can improve then she/he can probably land an acceptance. However if she/he can't improve in even retakes, then I agree, OP should look for an alternative career.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

LOL

The entertainment has arrived, ladies and gents!

DUDE, really????

Ironically the AOA insists upon calling DO schools "osteopathic medical school." But yes, there is really no reason to distinguish between DO & MD schools in terms of being schools where you learn medicine or prep for residency.

 

[And I Was Like]

LOL

The entertainment has arrived, ladies and gents!

DUDE, really????

I've never said such a thing. If you look at my post history I have said quite the opposite. The only arguments I've ever made are that osteopathic programs accept significantly less competitive applicants than medical schools. This is a fact. I realize why a lot of grief could be directed at me, but it's simply unwarranted.

I will not and have not attempted to compare MD or DO degrees/practitioners beyond stating the simple fact that DO students have significantly lower MCAT and GPAs.

 

[And I Was Like]

Don't feed the troll, people.

A quick search of his posting history reveals that this guy clearly has some sort of chip on his shoulder regarding DO's. Best to just let it be.

Absolutely not. I think it's the opposite way around. DO students/applicants on this board seem to have quite a chip on their shoulder and spout the same 3 or 4 arguments on why they "chose DO". I have nothing against DOs, I think it's a viable alternative for those who are unable to get into a MD program.

 

[Iliketoytles]

Absolutely not. I think it's the opposite way around. DO students/applicants on this board seem to have quite a chip on their shoulder and spout the same 3 or 4 arguments on why they "chose DO". I have nothing against DOs, I think it's a viable alternative for those who are unable to get into a MD program.

This I agree with, like I mentioned before. What people have a problem with is you telling someone they have zero chance at medical school. You can mouth all you want that allo is medical and DO is osteo... but Osteopathic Medical School still has Medical School in its name. Both receive very similar training, and at least in the United States... are EQUALS. A primary care MD has no more authority or priviledges than a primary care DO. Same goes with any specialty, but we all know that being a DO makes it more difficult to get into a surgical residency. But in the case there is a neurosurgeon DO, their status is equivalent to that of an MD neurosurgeon. Because at the end of the day... they are both neurosurgeons.

 

[TriagePreMed]

Absolutely not. I think it's the opposite way around. DO students/applicants on this board seem to have quite a chip on their shoulder and spout the same 3 or 4 arguments on why they "chose DO". I have nothing against DOs, I think it's a viable alternative for those who are unable to get into a MD program.

Most of your posts revolve around how MD and DO are different and everyone in DO is just going for it because they failed to get into an MD program. Your entire existence on these forums is to highlight the difference and try to "prove" superiority of MD vs. DO. Guess what? Most people don't care. A medical education is a medical education whether MD or DO. Stop trying to find ways to divide us. Nobody here cares about your "technicalities."

 

[And I Was Like]

but Osteopathic Medical School still has Medical School in its name.

Both receive very similar training, and at least in the United States... are EQUALS.

1) Just like how naturopathic medical schools have medical school in the name. Would you be fine with a ND walking around a hospital saying their a medical student? What about a Chiropractor?

2) They are legal equivalents, yes.

 

[Iliketoytles]

1) Just like how naturopathic medical schools have medical school in the name. Would you be fine with a ND walking around a hospital saying their a medical student? What about a Chiropractor?

2) They are legal equivalents, yes.

No, I wouldn't. But the curriculums for osteopathic and allopathic schools are generally the same. They receive the same training, and are both qualified to do the same things. A chiropractor is not qualified to do the things a DO/MD can do.

 

[SLC]

Well as you pointed out, your stats will get you automatically screened out of most places, and that really low science GPA is a vibrant red flag. Your MCAT is pretty good since both of them average to a 27.

I'm not too knowledgable about the screening process, but I think you'll get screened out pre-secondary of most DO schools. And if not, it's pretty late in the cycle to be applying with your stats.

This isn't necessarily true, at least it wasn't in my experience.

I applied in late Oct last year with a similar GPA (my overall was a 3.1 and my sGPA was a 2.8). I got in at my top choice with little difficulty. They didn't even give me any trouble about my grades during the interview and when they phoned me to inform me I'd been accepted they told me it was a very quick and easy decision.

I was definitely an outlier, but it can happen and I'm your proof of that.

 

[Postal]

So long story short, I was forced to apply DO to appease the parents. No chance of getting in, but I'm looking at SMPS/masters programs for Fall 2012.
Stats:

cGPA: 2.92 (AACOMAS), 2.84 (school--they incorporate retakes really wierdly)
sGPA: 2.64 AACOMAS and school
MCAT: 2x: May 2010--> 28S: 11V, 10B, 6P; Jan 2011-->26R: 10V, 8B, 8P (I don't know how/why my score went down... :/)

EC's:

ER scribe (3 years): have worked at 3 diff hospitals including one of a major med school. Excellent LOR from them
Heavily involved in volunteer work/fundraising for an epidemic (was director for the organization my senior yr)
Tutored incarcerated youth for GED x1 yr
Center for International Medicine volunteer x1 year
I have also been doing research with a physician at a local teaching hospital x1 year and am close to being done/published

My stats are pretty sucky since the ER job was $$ and some serious family/financial issues required me to work full time (i was usually working the graveyard and then attending class in the am). Not that that's an excuse for my sucky transcript, but I def wasn't having fun or going to keggers (Maybe i'd feel a little better about my incredibly horrible ug if I had...)

I'm also taking a 3 semester unit class right now (it's a health class, so I don't think it'll go under bcpm, and I plan on retaking a c- I have in chemistry next semester--granted I get in--WOOHOO CA budget cuts). I'm looking at some SMPs right now but, not gonna lie, I'm pretty depressed since my gpa seems to be too low...

Any suggestions which SMPS I should apply to?

I'm interested in the one Western, LECOM, PCOM-GA, VCU, Mississippi College...any advice? I want to go DO route for sure, it aligns with my personal beliefs pretty closely in terms of preventative medicine and i have a reallly good LOR from my medical anthro professor backing that up.

thanks in advance

OK, back to the matter at hand.
Like others posted, I would recommend taking/re-taking your undergrad pre-reqs to bring that GPA up before applying to or doing an SMP. Even if you got into a SMP, your undergrad GPA has to be at least at a 3.0 mark. You can quickly bring up your GPA in a year if you are able to take classes full time.

I'm not sure if I would re-take the MCATs if I were you. It went down, but not by much so I don't think retaking the MCAT's is worth the effort.

You have good ECs. If you work hard at it, you can get in somewhere.

 

[TriagePreMed]

1) Just like how naturopathic medical schools have medical school in the name. Would you be fine with a ND walking around a hospital saying their a medical student? What about a Chiropractor?

2) They are legal equivalents, yes.

This right here should be enough to get your ass banned for trolling. You're comparing Osteopathic Medical Education with ND or Chiro? This blatant trolling or you're incapable of seeing the obviousness that the medical education is equivalent. Not only that, but you find plenty of DO's doing ACGME training.

 

[doingit9]

1) Just like how naturopathic medical schools have medical school in the name. Would you be fine with a ND walking around a hospital saying their a medical student? What about a Chiropractor?

2) They are legal equivalents, yes.

Do you think students that go to the Caribbean for medical school should have to walk around a hospital and introduce themselves as Caribbean medical students or "IMG in training" medical student? According to your ridiculous way of thinking, just because they have lower entry stats and many no MCAT requirement, they should be required to do this? That is exactly how you are coming off. And while you hide behind your veil of pretended innocence, your comments are malicious and condescending and are of nearly no help to anyone. So why post them? As the current healthcare system of today's world demands better teamwork, your comments are completely antagonistic to this goal. How do you expect to get along with other healthcare professionals including DO's, international medical graduates, nurses, pa's, np's and many others when you constantly undermine them?? Or wait, does being in MD medical school place you above this? I hope not...for your sake and your patients.

 

[OMGPharmD]

The guy is like a broken record, why you guys even bother arguing with him 🙄. Briefly looking over his post history (mostly DO bashing) it's clear that this is a trolling account, heck it's doubtful that he's even a medical student. I wonder why the ban hammer hasn't been swung yet.

OP: you are in no shape to apply to medical schools, be it DO or MD. Retake classes to get GPAs over 3.0, retake MCAT. If you are so interested in Western COMP, apply to their SMP program, good linkage and not very stringent requirements given that you have very good EC's.

 

[And I Was Like]

This right here should be enough to get your ass banned for trolling. You're comparing Osteopathic Medical Education with ND or Chiro? This blatant trolling or you're incapable of seeing the obviousness that the medical education is equivalent. Not only that, but you find plenty of DO's doing ACGME training.

I never said they were equivalent. The previous fellow simply stated that DO must be = to MD because they both have med. school in the name. So by that same logic ND = DO. That's obviously not true. I know you don't agree with me, but there's simply no reason to get mad.

Also, I'm curious why so many DOs would do ACGME training if they really were so gung-ho about the osteopathic philosophy...

 

[costales]

How do you expect to get along with other healthcare professionals including DO's, international medical graduates, nurses, pa's, np's and many others when you constantly undermine them?? Or wait, does being in MD medical school place you above this? I hope not...for your sake and your patients.

Patients? He'd probably run a credit check and a genealogical check on them before they'd be allowed to approach his divine presence and worship his diploma.

Ignore the troll.

 

[And I Was Like]

Do you think students that go to the Caribbean for medical school should have to walk around a hospital and introduce themselves as Caribbean medical students or "IMG in training" medical student? According to your ridiculous way of thinking, just because they have lower entry stats and many no MCAT requirement, they should be required to do this? That is exactly how you are coming off. And while you hide behind your veil of pretended innocence, your comments are malicious and condescending and are of nearly no help to anyone. So why post them? As the current healthcare system of today's world demands better teamwork, your comments are completely antagonistic to this goal. How do you expect to get along with other healthcare professionals including DO's, international medical graduates, nurses, pa's, np's and many others when you constantly undermine them?? Or wait, does being in MD medical school place you above this? I hope not...for your sake and your patients.

lol, absolutely not.

I do enjoy being attacked simply because I stated the fact that DOs have significantly lower statistics than US MD students. They also have fairly similar stats to some of the Caribbean MD students (SGU).

As I've said before I post my information simply because there seems to be a prevalence of misinformation on the DO forum here, and obviously anyone who doesn't think that DO schools are as hard or harder to obtain admittance to is attacked viciously.

Trolling is defined by SDN as the intentional initiation of conflict. None of my posts match such a definition as every single post made by me has been factual, and often cited from the AOA or AMA themselves. That's no more a bannable offense then saying the sky is blue, or water is wet.

I've made no attacks on DOs or the students. I'm simply stating facts and clearing up a lot of misinformation. There's absolutely no reason to get mad or make personal attacks on me.

Thanks.

 

[BilalL]

lol, absolutely not.

I do enjoy being attacked simply because I stated the fact that DOs have significantly lower statistics than US MD students. They also have fairly similar stats to some of the Caribbean MD students (SGU).

As I've said before I post my information simply because there seems to be a prevalence of misinformation on the DO forum here, and obviously anyone who doesn't think that DO schools are as hard or harder to obtain admittance to is attacked viciously.

Trolling is defined by SDN as the intentional initiation of conflict. None of my posts match such a definition as every single post made by me has been factual, and often cited from the AOA or AMA themselves. That's no more a bannable offense then saying the sky is blue, or water is wet.

I've made no attacks on DOs or the students. I'm simply stating facts and clearing up a lot of misinformation. There's absolutely no reason to get mad or make personal attacks on me.

Thanks.

I don't see anyone making the claim that it is as hard or harder to gain admittance into DO schools. However what I do see is your crusade to have DOs purposefully label themselves as DOs wherever they are because you don't see them as real medical students. That much I do see no matter how hard you try to say that isn't true in your ridiculously verbose arguments in every DO thread.

What people do argue on here is that the actual training in osteopathic schools is almost identical to allopathic schools in both curriculum and rigor. If you can argue against that one, you can get a cookie. The significant differences in average GPAs and MCAT scores is not seen in the pass rates for COMLEX and USMLEs.

 

[Juice9]

No need to get mad. Look, your chances at medical schools are 0. You're "desire" to go to a osteopathic program is simply you acknowledging the fact that you have 0 chance at gaining admission to medical schools.

I always find it hilarious that the people with 3.4s and below (or 2.9s) and 28s and below on the MCAT are those that miraculously decide the DO route is better for them because they agree with the "philosophy".

Reality Check: You will not now, nor likely ever, be able to get into a medical school. Getting into a DO school is your only hope if you retake your courses. And you can keep spouting you "choose" to go to a DO school, but it's obvious it was simply a back-up... or in your case your only shot.

Good luck in your application, if you apply with your current stats you will be literally laughed at. Your better off in another career, the sheer fact that you got such a low GPA without partying every night amazes me. You will have SEVER trouble getting into a SMP with that GPA or if by some miracle you get into one you will likely fail-out.

But Good Luck, I would start looking at alternate careers now. Then again, with that GPA most employers will laugh at you too.

This wasn't intended as malicious?

 

[physcigirl27]

This wasn't intended as malicious?

that entire post was malicious. whatever he's not worth. good luck treating all your patients. If I have to be like you to be a dr, I'd rather not become one...

thanks to the rest of you guys for the helpful comments.

 

[physcigirl27]

The guy is like a broken record, why you guys even bother arguing with him 🙄. Briefly looking over his post history (mostly DO bashing) it's clear that this is a trolling account, heck it's doubtful that he's even a medical student. I wonder why the ban hammer hasn't been swung yet.

OP: you are in no shape to apply to medical schools, be it DO or MD. Retake classes to get GPAs over 3.0, retake MCAT. If you are so interested in Western COMP, apply to their SMP program, good linkage and not very stringent requirements given that you have very good EC's.

yeah I'm actually talking about Western's smp program, I'm just worried about the chances of getting in. The people I know that got in had really high stats but no ec's, im in the opposite end of the spectrum that's why I'm unsure.

 

[And I Was Like]

This wasn't intended as malicious?

Nope. It's a statement of facts. Try applying for a job with a 2.8 GPA, you won't get it because there are 10 other people applying who have 3.0 GPAs or higher.

Malice implies harm - I'm actually trying to help her.

And to Iliketurtles, that was my point - just because two things have medical school in the name doesn't make them equivalent. Now before you guys get super defensive and mad again - I'm not saying DO programs are inferior educational programs to MD programs. I'm just saying the argument this fellow made, while I understand his point, was flawed.

And I'm well aware that DO training and Chiropractic training are not the same.

Although I do wonder how some DO students can sit through Anatomy any hear that the bones of the skull are fused, then go to OMM class and learn that the bones can somehow be miraculously moved and disease can be diagnosed/cured via nothing more than a scalp massage. But that's a topic for another day.

Anyway to the OP, you've been given all the advice already. I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors, I just hope you start being realistic with yourself as to what is and what isn't an obtainable goal for yourself. At a 2.8 AACOMAS GPA even DO schools are going to toss out your application in their preliminary screen. Malicious? No. Realistic? Yes.

 

[OMGPharmD]

yeah I'm actually talking about Western's smp program, I'm just worried about the chances of getting in. The people I know that got in had really high stats but no ec's, im in the opposite end of the spectrum that's why I'm unsure.

If you get both of your GPAs over the 3.0 mark and maybe a couple points on the MCAT, you have a pretty good chance getting into the SMP program. The people that I know who went through the program (they were in the inaugural class) have GPA ranging from 2.9ish to 3.3 and very good EC's. I think what you should focus on doing right now is retaking the pre req classes that you did not do well in (maybe this Fall semester/quarter) and try your luck with the SMP app in January.

 

[lkthlttr]

Ignore the troll.

This. Again, use the ignore user function.