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If anyone would like advice from a Canadian on applying to DO schools, feel free to message me.
Although I was accepted at 6 DO schools and will not be attending, I still strongly feel that osteopathic medicine is a great option that should not be dismissed.
Just curious where you're going for med school?
Not sure yet. Either the University of Alberta or University of Calgary
I will be applying at MSUCOM for next year. Although i've tried to talk with my parents regarding the whole DO vs. MD issue, and the rights to practice in Canada, they're still skeptical on me attending. I personally am considering practicing in the US for simplicity and because I had some intentions of moving to the US anyways. The only thing that worries me is the amount of debt i'll be in when i'm done as compared to in Canada.
Depends on where you go (obviously going to Touro-NYC is going to cost you a lot more than Kansas City) but i'm guessing it'll be around $280,000 for 4 years undergrad. My mom is really against me going to the US, partly because she doesn't want me to be too far from her, and partly because she's afraid i'll be in debt forever.I feel you on the whole debt situation. Its a huge factor considering the time and money spent. What are we looking at for 4 yrs? around 250k more or less?
If anyone would like advice from a Canadian on applying to DO schools, feel free to message me.
Although I was accepted at 6 DO schools and will not be attending, I still strongly feel that osteopathic medicine is a great option that should not be dismissed.
hey mashmetoo,
If you don't mind me asking what exactly does your position entail as the Western U representative to the Canadian Osteopathic Medical Student Association? Is Western currently the only Canadian school that is a part of the COMSA?
Western U is a DO school in California. I represent the Canadian DO students in this school, and I am the eyes and ears for the latest information coming from COMSA/COA to be shared with the Canadians at my school.
I'm also the self professed ambassador for the DO profession to Canadian pre-meds/meds.
Depends on where you go (obviously going to Touro-NYC is going to cost you a lot more than Kansas City) but i'm guessing it'll be around $280,000 for 4 years undergrad. My mom is really against me going to the US, partly because she doesn't want me to be too far from her, and partly because she's afraid i'll be in debt forever.
While I probably would stay in Canada if I had the opportunity, the fact is that trying to get even an interview here is complete luck. A good friend of mine with a cGPA of 3.9 and 7 years of absurd volunteering & sports didn't even get an interview at any school he applied to in Canada. There's plenty of qualified hard-working Canadians who are perfect for med school but never get in, and I think going the US route, in particular the DO route is a good alternative. Besides you'll be able to pay off your debt working in the US much faster than in Canada.
Hey ziprasidone1,
which DO schools were you accepted at? Did they all have similar admission requirements? Also, how many med schools did you apply to in total. Thanks!!
You would be too late for MSU but not in bad shape for the rest. MSU filled up in October for the Canadians.
I think you might still be ok for MSU. I submitted my MSU secondary in November, was initially put on wait list but was then offered a spot a few weeks later.
Hi limoncello,
I should get my score back around Sept 3rd, so if I started working my secondary application early and have it ready for submission, I think it might not be TOO late. Also,do you mind if I ask what your stats were? (gpa, MCAT and EC)
Thanks!
"
Hi limoncello,
I should get my score back around Sept 3rd, so if I started working my secondary application early and have it ready for submission, I think it might not be TOO late. Also,do you mind if I ask what your stats were? (gpa, MCAT and EC)
Thanks!
PS I emailed the admissions office at MSU, and this is what they replied back "...it is a later date, and your application may be placed on hold until your scores are received. We strongly advise everyone to apply and test early."
Canadians, where you all applying? What are your stats? Anyone afraid of the ~ 300k in undergraduate and medical school debt and HOW are you guys getting all the money?
Hi everyone.
I am a Canadian, currently doing my undergrad in the US (California), im graduating this June, and taking mcat June 21st.
My cgpa is around a 3.3 and science gpa is ~3.2. Only about 120 volunteer hours. 2 years lab research. And 2 years being involved in an annual pre med/pre-health conference. Im anticipating getting around a 30 on the MCAT based on my practice scores so far.
I had a couple of questions:
For the behavioral sciences requirement if i don't have all the courses when i apply is it ok if i take them at a junior college in the year before i start? Will they just not look at you if you don't have them done in advance?
Also, for the LOR i know a MD really well and he will write me a really good letter, but i also know 2 DOs just not that well. Would it be better to have a strong lor from a MD or a weaker one from a DO?
The MD is very knowledge about DO programs as well bc his assistant director and one colleague are DO.
Any input would be appreciated. Also any comments on how competitive my application would be are welcome.
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Canadians, where you all applying? What are your stats? Anyone afraid of the ~ 300k in undergraduate and medical school debt and HOW are you guys getting all the money?
You don't need to have the pre-reqs done now. They have to be done before you start med school classes, so taking them after you apply is fine.
Most DO schools require or at least strongly recommend getting a reference letter from a DO. I am in the same position as you. I have an MD reference letter that is strong and a DO reference letter that is meh. Your best bet is to submit both. This way they see you have the DO reference and you can apply to more schools, and they also see the solid MD reference.
I posted this in the general pre-DO forum but figured I would move my question here.
Does anyone know if when it comes to doing residency (all things being equal in terms of LORs and scores), american DOs would be preferred over canadian DOs due to the fact that we need visas in order to stay? I heard some program directors just don't wanna deal with that when they have other applicants to choose from.
I don't know if they give preference but some (I think most AOA programs!) don't sponsor visas for foreigners. Therefore, you can't apply to those programs.
What if Im applying to DO schools but I don't have any LORs from a DO doctor, the only ones I have atm are an MD (my rsearch prof), a pharmacist at whose pharmacy i worked for a year and another one from my science prof. Do you think that would be good?
In the instructions manual it says that "If the transcript from the Canadian university you attended shows grade conversion to a 4.0 grading scale and credit conversion to the semester system, and is written in English, then the transcript is required. If the transcript does not list grade and/or credit conversion and/or is not written in English, please refer to the instructions for Other Foreign Transcripts below."
What Cdn university actually does all this?! Does everyone just send in their transcript anyways without going through the procedure listed below that for "other foreign transcripts" or do you actually pay the money to get your transcript re-evaluated by those outside companies?
I paid to have WES evaluate my transcript. Worked out for me - my GPA shot up like a mother.
I just had my school send in my transcript... Am I screwed if I didnt have it evaluated by WES?
That's odd. I'm going to call AACOMAS tomorrow and see what's good. I sent my transcripts at the start of June when winter grades became official at my school, but AACOMAS has not received them yet. I hope this doesn't delay the process any further.
Any Canadians out there that did not used WES and received admission into DO schools?
I didn't use WES or any evaluation services, and still got multiple interview offers.
Same here. No evaluation service. Didn't seem to affect admission