What are the better/best DO schools for an app list for a student with stats too low for MD.
3.5 GPA
500 MCAT
Actually, the second MCAT was 500. The first one was 495.
DO schools aren’t ranked by US News like MD schools are so there’s no national rankings you can use.
Some of the older, more established DO programs and programs that are on either coast have stats that as high or higher than some lower-ranked MD schools. I know the AZCOM announced last year it won’t interview anyone with a MCAT below 30. (And it didn’t last cycle–still easily filled its class.) CCOM’s stats are just about the same as Rosalind Franklin and Loyola (both also in Chicago). The Touros (in NYC and CA) both have average MCATs around 31. I’ve also heard that Western (in CA) and PWCOM are both tough admits with high-ish stats because of their locations.
If the conversion tables are accurate, a 500 new MCAT is about a 25 old MCAT–which is going to be low-ish for a number of DO programs unless the person has a hook. You/your advisee may want to look at some of the school specific threads over at SDN to get current stats of admitted students.
You advisee should look at some of the newer DO programs-- ACOM, BCOM, Rocky Mtn COM, LECOM’s alternate campuses, GA-PCOM, Marian U, etc.
Using search function in SDN link below may be helpful:
http://■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■/forums/pre-medical-osteopathic-do.13/
I remember hearing there are 5 that are definitely in a tier above the rest. I know one is PCOM. I don’t know the other 4.
Look into UNT. Excellent facilities and located in nice city just outside Dallas.
although straying from OP, in response to question: “I understand MD school is the best choice, however, what are the best DO schools?”
Goro, a frequent and reliable DO adcom replies “Ask five people, you’ll get six opinions.”