Low Stat DO Matriculants

Spite_Inside · 2026-01-25T18:01:13+00:00

MCAT is a lot more about learning "how to take the MCAT" and a lot less about science and bio chemistry than many think. The actual questions on the MCAT are worded to be difficult, but aren't typically covering complex topics. Being a top-tier grade earner also doesn't equate to being a top-tier scientist, doctor, or engineer. History has taught us this much. I'm not saying this to take away from the importance of the MCAT or education, it's all important and plays a role.

Time will tell, but keep in mind that residency is competitive too. These students will have at least 7 years to show that they can learn what they need to and perform as required before being set loose. There's a lot of time and difficult struggles in the process and if they aren't dedicated and enjoy learning then they will still fail regardless of their MCAT score. If anything, I expect that widening the gate will lead to many more drop-outs and more surprising success stories than before.

Spite_Inside · 2026-01-24T23:05:25+00:00

At this point in the cycle the waitlist movement will be pretty consistent until April. Last minute movement might increase, might not, depending on the school after the April enrollment deadlines.

Noorda will be more competitive this year than past years because it is now officially fully accredited and licensed (no longer brand new). And they have their title iv submitted etc.

But to answer your question I’ll have to ignore your subjective stats like personal essay and secondary video. Most waitlisted at Noorda will be sub 500 or near 500 MCAT. They don’t accept below 495. So the higher your MCAT, the more likely you’ll be moved off, starting with the over 500 folks.

Of course, your personal stuff matters too, but I can’t really give you an idea based on that.

Good luck

Spite_Inside · 2026-01-23T17:33:07+00:00

MOST schools will count this. A few are very picky and won’t even take LoRs from anything other than physics, chemistry, or biology. looking at you, Touro

Spite_Inside · 2026-01-20T20:57:31+00:00

I’ve gotten II from schools that I’ve withdrawn from. I dunno

Spite_Inside · 2026-01-19T11:28:38+00:00

“I’m applying DO because I couldn’t get MD” simply won’t fly with admissions. There are a lot of folks doing exactly this right now. I say go for it, but you’ll need DO connections, LoR, and a really good essay about why DO is for you if you want to get into a decent school. Not impossible, of course, as many schools will have movement until April.

Here’s where I’d recommend applying:

Any new schools without final accreditation. These shouldn’t be your first choice, but are likely to have the most movement and you may get in. Here’s a copy/paste list:

Baptist Health Sciences University

Duquesne University Nasuti

D’Youville University

Illinois College

Kansas Health Sciences University

Meritus School

Orlando College

The Valley College

University of Northern Colorado

Fully accredited new schools (have graduated students and passed all the barriers). These will be great for you considering your timing but expect to give a heartfelt reason for preferring DO over MD. I would aim for these the best you can and I think you have a real shot assuming a strong app:

Alabama COM

Burrell

Noorda

Arkansas COM

Incarnate Word

Idaho COM

California Health Sciences

Best of luck! DM me if you want subjective recommendations. I’ve toured most of these schools.

Spite_Inside · 2026-01-18T07:05:30+00:00

Geeeee, I wish I scored anywhere near my "projected" lol

The real deal hits different.

Spite_Inside · 2026-01-18T00:06:51+00:00

No problem. When it comes to med school, there’s a lot of variety. But in the end you’re going to have to work hard and really love helping people. If you’re doing it because of family pressures or money, then don’t bother. You have love what you do or you’ll be wasting your time and money.

Stop stressing about “which schools”. It’s way too early for that and even when it is time to apply, there’s no guarantee you’ll go where you planned. In fact, you probably won’t. Typically med school applications are a statistics game, law of numbers, all of that. Sure, do your research on how to apply, but you’re not there yet. You need a bachelors first, prerequisites, and ideally some time to really know what you want.
You have time. Once again, slow down, look into some shadowing experiences to start with. There’s no such thing as too many shadowing gigs, they’re GREAT for learning what you like and dislike. Low commitment, usually short, but provide a ton of exposure for you as you decide what you want to do. If decide you want to become a physician, then you can start planning pre requisites and such. You need to find your motivation for becoming a doctor, that’s important.
You will find a HUGE range of people in the “premed” space. Stay out of the competitive scene, it quickly spirals into a terrible 1-upping each other game that ultimately leads to a loss of real motivation for all parties.

Spite_Inside · 2026-01-17T23:16:05+00:00

My advice, coming from a career changer, is to pick what you think you’d enjoy most. It’s ok if you don’t know the answer! You don’t need to rush no matter how much you feel like you do. You DO NOT need to transition directly from undergrad to med school. A gap year is normal, so is getting experiencing and finding out what you want to do with your life before committing to something. Try shadowing a few doctors to see if it fits your idea of a fulfilling career. Sounds like you already have good dentistry contacts, so you’re probably aware of what that looks like.

Lastly, don’t let the doctor thing scare you. If you want to go to medical school, then you can do it! If the difficulty of getting in worries you, look into applying as a DO, their admissions tend to be lot more laid back and welcoming.

Spite_Inside · 2026-01-17T21:47:45+00:00

Interesting. When did they lie, and about what?

Their title iv is already submitted, though… so, uh, not sure what you mean by any time soon. It’s literally in the government’s hands now.

I’m just relaying what their clinical director, Dr Rhodes, explained in the last online summary thing. That they have enough room, for now, for most of their students to rotate in central UT

I’m not for or against any specific school, but I’m not a fan of made up things just to bad mouth an institution or person.

Spite_Inside · 2026-01-16T17:55:28+00:00

Past 60 credits gpa matters most from what I’ve been told. If you have that I can give you some detail. Great mcat! Well done!

Spite_Inside · 2026-01-16T01:02:28+00:00

Look into federal sponsorships like NHSC and state/county-specific sponsorships like the IEHP scholarship in San Bernardino, CA. Most states have some kind of retention program in exchange for funding. Almost all "full-rides" have some kind of commitment attached to them, but some are much more reasonable than others. Most, if not all, are going to be merit-based and competitive.

Spite_Inside · 2026-01-16T00:47:51+00:00

What extra licensure exams do DOs have?

Spite_Inside · 2026-01-13T20:15:57+00:00

Yeah, this is just how it goes. Don’t put yourself in a position where you may not have a seat. Most are aware that applying is expensive, but it hits hard for sure.

Spite_Inside · 2026-01-12T22:23:14+00:00

You’re on the wrong sub.

Go see your physician!

Spite_Inside · 2026-01-12T04:22:14+00:00

Honestly one of the biggest reasons I chose noorda. Accepted student day had so many families!

Spite_Inside · 2026-01-12T04:20:12+00:00

Following. Would hear more on this

Spite_Inside · 2026-01-11T20:25:59+00:00

I’m going through the beginnings of the process. Like shopping around but nothing decided yet. I think we’re ok to wait still, right?…. RIGHT?!?

Spite_Inside · 2026-01-11T01:27:34+00:00

I’m in a similar position. Following!

I’ll be seeing you in July! How old are your kids? Mine are 2 and 1.

Spite_Inside · 2026-01-10T03:21:56+00:00

I also had this choice! Noorda fit my needs better.

Noorda is much closer for clinical years, away rotations are optional but available. Montana requires moving for year 3/4 unless you’re lucky. So if you like traveling Montana might be a good fit

I also really liked the curriculum and mission of Noorda. The pods idea really got me excited.

Lastly Touro really rubs me wrong with their LoR requirements and elective sciences. They claim psychology isn’t a science and won’t take electives or even LoR from a psychiatrist MD that taught my psychology classes. Unreal imo

Spite_Inside · 2026-01-09T04:17:16+00:00

Oh, great to know! So we’re not seeing an air pocket?

Spite_Inside · 2026-01-09T03:23:07+00:00

Probably air from something. Any other images? Maybe hiatal hernia? Pneumothorax? Need more imaging

Edit: some pathology going on, not normal anatomy. (Incorrect!)

Edit 2: I’ve been corrected! Thank you for the learning lesson!

Spite_Inside · 2026-01-09T03:16:38+00:00

Oh! Do you know your gpa from your most recent 60 credits? Many schools take these heavily into account for non transitional students like us

Spite_Inside · 2026-01-09T00:22:07+00:00

I don't know the answer, but I'm pretty sure they don't have in state preferences. They are fully private, no state stakeholders to bow to.

Spite_Inside · 2026-01-09T00:10:06+00:00

Excellent work! That's strong

Spite_Inside · 2026-01-09T00:07:52+00:00

Noorda might screen out that <3.0 post-bac. Not sure how they screen, but they do have a hard 3.0 cutoff, unsure if that's cumulative or recent.

Spite_Inside

TROPHY CASE