Why Apply MD only cycle?

[AB92]

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If you’re stats are borderline (cGPA 3.4 sGPA 3.6 and MCAT 510) why do some people say that you should try an MD only cycle? Couldn’t you just apply to all the MD schools that you would in an MD only cycle, but then add some DO schools too?

Is it just because you’d be spending extra money on DO applications that you don’t need to? Or is there a limit of how many schools you can apply to? I’m just trying to understand the strategy! I’m a non-trad, so I’m still figuring out all the nuances, strategy, etc!

 

[deleted987519]

If you’re stats are borderline (cGPA 3.4 sGPA 3.6 and MCAT 510) why do some people say that you should try an MD only cycle? Couldn’t you just apply to all the MD schools that you would in an MD only cycle, but then add some DO schools too?

Is it just because you’d be spending extra money on DO applications that you don’t need to? Or is there a limit of how many schools you can apply to? I’m just trying to understand the strategy! I’m a non-trad, so I’m still figuring out all the nuances, strategy, etc!

One reason might be the non-refundable deposit attached to a DO acceptance that could be $1000-2000 wasted if you get an MD acceptance the same cycle

 

[jt6234]

I think the thought is that MD is pretty much always the better choice, if only in terms of residency competitiveness (and 3rd+4th year) and therefore if you have the stats to make it you should put all your energy into aiming for that goal. Doing AACOMAS and more importantly spending a lot of money on apps/secondaries/getting to interviews/potentially holding your spot for DO schools isn't something that you probably want to do if you are competitive for MD - it's just so much money. That being said, if that's not a problem for you, I don't think it's a bad idea to do both (especially if you're borderline and you know you would be happy as a DO). I could be wrong though

 

[Cornfed101]

If you are super set on Derm or something. I think it's pretty stupid to apply MD only with borderline stats. At the end of the day, I am more interested in being a doctor than I am in doing an ultracompetitive specialty. I have my eye on a couple of more competitive ones, but I also work with a DO ophthalmologist so anything is possible.

 

[AB92]

I think the thought is that MD is pretty much always the better choice, if only in terms of residency competitiveness (and 3rd+4th year) and therefore if you have the stats to make it you should put all your energy into aiming for that goal. Doing AACOMAS and more importantly spending a lot of money on apps/secondaries/getting to interviews/potentially holding your spot for DO schools isn't something that you probably want to do if you are competitive for MD - it's just so much money. That being said, if that's not a problem for you, I don't think it's a bad idea to do both (especially if you're borderline and you know you would be happy as a DO). I could be wrong though

I just want to be a physician- so I would be fine with DO. Obviously if i has a choice between the two, I’d choose MD. But, my interests are anesthesiology or OB/GYN (which I know can change), but those appear to be DO friendly.

So if you’re accepted to a DO school, you pay $1000-$2000 deposit, and then if you get an MD acceptance later, you could withdraw your DO acceptance for the MD program and you would lose that money. Do I understand that correctly?

 

[AB92]

If you are super set on Derm or something. I think it's pretty stupid to apply MD only with borderline stats. At the end of the day, I am more interested in being a doctor than I am in doing an ultracompetitive specialty. I have my eye on a couple of more competitive ones, but I also work with a DO ophthalmologist so anything is possible.

Agreed on the physician statement!! And I’m interested in anesthesiology or OB/GYN, so not necessarily anything super competitive...

 

[Cornfed101]

Agreed on the physician statement!! And I’m interested in anesthesiology or OB/GYN, so not necessarily anything super competitive...

and both very DO friendly. All the DO schools I applied to had a ton match into anesthesiology (another speciality I am interested in)

 

[Cornfed101]

So if you’re accepted to a DO school, you pay $1000-$2000 deposit, and then if you get an MD acceptance later, you could withdraw your DO acceptance for the MD program and you would lose that money. Do I understand that correctly?

yes

 

[jt6234]

So if you’re accepted to a DO school, you pay $1000-$2000 deposit, and then if you get an MD acceptance later, you could withdraw your DO acceptance for the MD program and you would lose that money. Do I understand that correctly?

yup- you might also consider applying DO a bit later in the cycle if you weren't getting anywhere with MD since the cycle is much longer

 

[AB92]

yup- you might also consider applying DO a bit later in the cycle if you weren't getting anywhere with MD since the cycle is much longer

So what does anyone do if they get multiple acceptances to MD or DO? Are you allowed to hold them until you see where all you get accepted or do you have to pay a deposit within a time frame and just know you might lose that money? sorry for all the probably silly questions, just trying to learn!

 

[deleted987519]

So what does anyone do if they get multiple acceptances to MD or DO? Are you allowed to hold them until you see where all you get accepted or do you have to pay a deposit within a time frame and just know you might lose that money? sorry for all the probably silly questions, just trying to learn!

Schools give a short window to place the deposit to hold a seat for you (2 weeks I think); the big difference is the DO deposits are much more expensive and non-refundable while the MD program deposits are more like $100-200 and refundable up until a certain date (I think the end of April)

 

[Cornfed101]

So what does anyone do if they get multiple acceptances to MD or DO? Are you allowed to hold them until you see where all you get accepted or do you have to pay a deposit within a time frame and just know you might lose that money? sorry for all the probably silly questions, just trying to learn!

The general strategy that I have heard is to accept your first acceptance, and then you can be choosy after that. If you get an acceptance that you like more then elect that one and so on...

 

[AB92]

Schools give a short window to place the deposit to hold a seat for you (2 weeks I think); the big difference is the DO deposits are much more expensive and non-refundable while the MD program deposits are more like $100-200 and refundable up until a certain date (I think the end of April)

That makes sense- thanks for the info!

 

[AB92]

Y’all are awesome for answering all my questions!

 

[Goro]

If you’re stats are borderline (cGPA 3.4 sGPA 3.6 and MCAT 510) why do some people say that you should try an MD only cycle? Couldn’t you just apply to all the MD schools that you would in an MD only cycle, but then add some DO schools too?

Is it just because you’d be spending extra money on DO applications that you don’t need to? Or is there a limit of how many schools you can apply to? I’m just trying to understand the strategy! I’m a non-trad, so I’m still figuring out all the nuances, strategy, etc!

I suspect that people give that advice because they're ignorant of the admissions process and how competitive things are out there.

I always recommend that people with median MD acceptee stats (such as yours) to have DO schools on the list as insurance.

 

[PA_dud3]

Nobody is gonna care whether the guy working on their kidneys is a DO/MD so I plan on applying to mostly DO my first go-around no matter my stats. If I was interested in an uber competitive specialty it might be different, but even my backup interests always have strong DO match rates in their respective residencies/fellowships.

Also I don't really know If I will have the resources for multiple cycles.

 

[AB92]

I suspect that people give that advice because they're ignorant of the admissions process and how competitive things are out there.

I always recommend that people with median MD acceptee stats (such as yours) to have DO schools on the list as insurance.

Thanks for the input! To go MD only seems to intentionally limit myself where I might have to reapply, and that strategy makes no sense to me.

 

[Bonne Nuit]

I suspect that people give that advice because they're ignorant of the admissions process and how competitive things are out there.

I always recommend that people with median MD acceptee stats (such as yours) to have DO schools on the list as insurance.

I know there’s probably a lot of other factors at play, but roughly what GPA/MCAT would you feel is reasonable for an MD-only cycle? I’ve always been curious about this.

 

[993444]

Nobody is gonna care whether the guy working on their kidneys is a DO/MD so I plan on applying to mostly DO my first go-around no matter my stats. If I was interested in an uber competitive specialty it might be different, but even my backup interests always have strong DO match rates in their respective residencies/fellowships.

Also I don't really know If I will have the resources for multiple cycles.

I've had two friends with exactly this mindset before. But then one of them scored a 516 and the other scored a 518 and they ended up having 2 failed MD cycles each before they applied DO. High stats can make people do stupid things sometimes.

 

[AB92]

I've had two friends with exactly this mindset before. But then one of them scored a 516 and the other scored a 518 and they ended up having 2 failed MD cycles each before they applied DO. High stats can make people do stupid things sometimes.

I think a lot of it too, is that just because you have a high GPA/MCAT doesn't mean you're a personable person and can interview well (not necessarily saying that about your friends, but more of a generalization). I'm currently an engineer and see this ALL the time!! You can be very smart, but have zero social skills. So while a really high GPA/MCAT might get you an interview, they won't carry you all the way through.

 

[Goro]

I know there’s probably a lot of other factors at play, but roughly what GPA/MCAT would you feel is reasonable for an MD-only cycle? I’ve always been curious about this.

A 4.0 GPA is irrelevant when your MCAT is a 509.

My rule of thumb is no need for DO is you're at a 513 or higher.

You'd be surprised how some SDNers can think that they're God's gift to medicine if they have a high MCAT score.

 

[Lardy Boy]

Borderline MD stats LM 71. No acceptances. Put DOs like what goro said. Will save stress and sanity