Will Past apps hurt me?

[Traign]

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So I applied to MD schools the last two cycles, the first one not being my choice since it was so late when I got my MCAT scores back but my parents just wanted me to try. Anyway, I shadowed a DO this past summer and got to see DO students doing their rotations as well. Shadowing this DO was the best experience I've had with a doctor.

I think I fit in more with DO schools and the DO philosophy. I'm pretty sure I would be happier at a DO school than an MD, after experiencing what a DO is like.

I didn't apply DO last cycle because I thought it would have been too late in the application cycle to apply - November/December. I didn't want to hurt my chances if I decided to apply this year, which I am going to.

I'm a pretty non-traditional student. Graduated in may 2006. Have mostly been working part-time and volunteering and took a couple classes here and there. Spent a year working full time in the music industry. sGPA 3.3/cGPA 3.5. 31 MCAT.

I'm wondering will my previous applications to MD schools hurt my chances at DO schools? I don't want them thinking I'm opting for them because I didn't get into MD schools, because I'm really not. I just learned more about DO's and realized that's where I should have been applying in the first place.

 

[Semicolon]

So I applied to MD schools the last two cycles, the first one not being my choice since it was so late when I got my MCAT scores back but my parents just wanted me to try. Anyway, I shadowed a DO this past summer and got to see DO students doing their rotations as well. Shadowing this DO was the best experience I've had with a doctor.

I think I fit in more with DO schools and the DO philosophy. I'm pretty sure I would be happier at a DO school than an MD, after experiencing what a DO is like.

I didn't apply DO last cycle because I thought it would have been too late in the application cycle to apply - November/December. I didn't want to hurt my chances if I decided to apply this year, which I am going to.

I'm a pretty non-traditional student. Graduated in may 2006. Have mostly been working part-time and volunteering and took a couple classes here and there. Spent a year working full time in the music industry. sGPA 3.3/cGPA 3.5. 31 MCAT.

I'm wondering will my previous applications to MD schools hurt my chances at DO schools? I don't want them thinking I'm opting for them because I didn't get into MD schools, because I'm really not. I just learned more about DO's and realized that's where I should have been applying in the first place.

Your previous AMCAS applications have no bearing on any future AACOMAS applications.

With your stats, you shouldn't have much trouble getting an acceptance, assuming the rest of your application is solid.

 

[bellakk]

I would not worry about your MD apps for DO school. Alot of people only apply to DO school on their second or third try b/c its easeir to get in (or at least the stats are lower). I dont thik of your app that it ever lists where you were rejeted in the past, just that you are a reaplicant. Luckily for you, you have a general interest in osteopathy which I think will help for you to stand out. Keep shadowing that same DO if possible for a great DO LOR! I would try to emphasize in your apps that you are new to DO. Also, sched an appt w/ a recruiting coordinator/admsssions person at a local DO school to talk through your application and tell them you are concerned it will look like your applying simply b/c its "easier" to get accepted. Just make sure to be well informed of the DO philosophy so you know what you're talkin about. Did you call the past schools to find out why you were rejected. Your MCAT is pretty rockin for DO schools, so I think you have a good shot.

DO is my top choice too! I've toured a couple med schools and the DO schools always seemed to welcome me with open arms while the MD schools acted as though I may or may not be good enough for them.

 

[dozitgetchahi]

IDO is my top choice too! I've toured a couple med schools and the DO schools always seemed to welcome me with open arms while the MD schools acted as though I may or may not be good enough for them.

So true! This tended to be my experience when touring various med schools...the DO schools seemed like they were legitimately pleased that I wanted to find more out about them while the MD schools I toured seemed somewhat aloof and indifferent.

 

[rddoms]

Give it a shot. Previous applications won't matter (though interviewers probably won't even ask about past cycles). They would probably be thrilled to find out that your recent experience with a DO made you decide to choose this route.

Good luck.

 

[Traign]

Thanks so much for all your advice. Unfortunately, I can't really shadow the DO more because he just left the hospital he was working at for a promotion he got at PCOM. But he is writing me a letter, and I see him from time to time through my work. He's a really fantastic guy.

I did ask the MD schools this cycle, but it's so late before reapplication, I can't change some of the things they want me to. The 3 main things were my science GPA, they said they wanted more clinical experience, and finally apply earlier. I was average and not stand out, that's what was hurting me. Most of the volunteer things I tend to do are for a long period of time. And I've been committed to a hospital literacy program for the past 3 years. I wrote about this a lot in my personal statement. But I have no life changing events and unfortunately, I couldn't afford to go on a mission trip to another country. I also think my full time work in the music industry hurt me, it seems that I wasn't sciency enough. I majored in Literature, I'm humanities to the core and I wasn't selling myself well enough on paper. I'm very bad at selling myself, don't know how to embellish properly and I tend to be very sincere in everything I choose to do.

They were saying taking higher level science courses, or doing an SMP program. But I don't really want to wait much longer, I've been out of school for almost 3 years. I'm ready to go, and also my MCAT expires after this next application cycle. I don't know if I can rock a 31 again, especially that 12 in verbal. No way, I think I was really lucky with that test that day. It had all the material I knew really well.

This whole application process has been a learning process for me. I didn't know about SDN until probably my senior year of college. Didn't know about my undergrad's pre-health listserve until the end of my junior year of college. So a little late to the game on my part, didn't ask the right questions to the right people.

Also bellakk I've had the same experience at MD schools as well.

 

[Semicolon]

Thanks so much for all your advice. Unfortunately, I can't really shadow the DO more because he just left the hospital he was working at for a promotion he got at PCOM. But he is writing me a letter, and I see him from time to time through my work. He's a really fantastic guy.

I did ask the MD schools this cycle, but it's so late before reapplication, I can't change some of the things they want me to. The 3 main things were my science GPA, they said they wanted more clinical experience, and finally apply earlier. I was average and not stand out, that's what was hurting me. Most of the volunteer things I tend to do are for a long period of time. And I've been committed to a hospital literacy program for the past 3 years. I wrote about this a lot in my personal statement. But I have no life changing events and unfortunately, I couldn't afford to go on a mission trip to another country. I also think my full time work in the music industry hurt me, it seems that I wasn't sciency enough. I majored in Literature, I'm humanities to the core and I wasn't selling myself well enough on paper. I'm very bad at selling myself, don't know how to embellish properly and I tend to be very sincere in everything I choose to do.

They were saying taking higher level science courses, or doing an SMP program. But I don't really want to wait much longer, I've been out of school for almost 3 years. I'm ready to go, and also my MCAT expires after this next application cycle. I don't know if I can rock a 31 again, especially that 12 in verbal. No way, I think I was really lucky with that test that day. It had all the material I knew really well.

This whole application process has been a learning process for me. I didn't know about SDN until probably my senior year of college. Didn't know about my undergrad's pre-health listserve until the end of my junior year of college. So a little late to the game on my part, didn't ask the right questions to the right people.

Also bellakk I've had the same experience at MD schools as well.

Sounds like a case of the MD blues. You should definitely go DO; it'll be your best choice right now. 👍

 

[Nate]

Although your interviewer may ask about past applications it is your choice whether to be honest or not. I suggest being honest and I also believe that your current interest and knowledge of the profession is more important than any past applications. Your genuine desire to be a DO is important in a DO school accepting you but that really has nothing to do with your past or current applications to MD schools, especially if you truly want to be at the school you are interviewing at. It is important that you convey genuine desire to be at the school.

I am pretty sure your numbers alone will generate interest from the schools you apply to, it is up to you to interview well from there. good luck