Re App...August MCAT..Slight downward trend

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Hi
I applied last year to a bunch of DO schools my stats were
cGPA 3.7 sGPA 3.4 MCAT (8P 8V 6B) 22N
I received an interview at VCOM-CC then rejected...which I was really upset about I loved the school!!!
I'm retaking the MCAT in August
Only problem is senior year I took Genetics- fall semester and Biochem and Endocrinology- spring semester
Genetics- C
Biochem- C+
Endo- A
So this somewhat shows a downward trend since those are my first two C's ever!
My new stats are sGPA 3.35 cGPA 3.66
What do you think I should get on my new MCAT to be competitive for DO school?
I plan on submitting my AACOMAS within the next few days and than secondaries if I get sent them. Finally my new MCAT will be released in September
What do you guys suggest?
Will reapplying with a lower GPA hurt me? Will schools see this?
I feel that with just over a month left I can really only reach a 25/26
What MCAT is needed? Is there a certain cutoff I should be making? Will an 8 in BS be too low?
Thanks for your help!

nvm

Originally Posted by TheU12

Hi
I applied last year to a bunch of DO schools my stats were
cGPA 3.7 sGPA 3.4 MCAT (8P 8V 6B) 22N
I received an interview at VCOM-CC then rejected...which I was really upset about I loved the school!!!
I'm retaking the MCAT in August
Only problem is senior year I took Genetics- fall semester and Biochem and Endocrinology- spring semester
Genetics- C
Biochem- C+
Endo- A
So this somewhat shows a downward trend since those are my first two C's ever!
My new stats are sGPA 3.35 cGPA 3.66
What do you think I should get on my new MCAT to be competitive for DO school?
I plan on submitting my AACOMAS within the next few days and than secondaries if I get sent them. Finally my new MCAT will be released in September
What do you guys suggest?
Will reapplying with a lower GPA hurt me? Will schools see this?
I feel that with just over a month left I can really only reach a 25/26
What MCAT is needed? Is there a certain cutoff I should be making? Will an 8 in BS be too low?
Thanks for your help!

It's certainly never good to have a downward trend and it's even worse if you are a reapplicant. All schools expect you to identify why you didn't get in your first try and improve before you reapply.

That being said, your GPA is still pretty competitive for DO schools so it might not matter too much.

A 25/26 is probably good enough, but you would be in better shape with a 28 or higher. AN 8 in any one section won't be too low. A 7 is borderline, at least from what I read on SDN.

Have you been studying or will you only be doing MCAT prep for 1 month?

Originally Posted by MedPR

It's certainly never good to have a downward trend and it's even worse if you are a reapplicant. All schools expect you to identify why you didn't get in your first try and improve before you reapply.

That being said, your GPA is still pretty competitive for DO schools so it might not matter too much.

A 25/26 is probably good enough, but you would be in better shape with a 28 or higher. AN 8 in any one section won't be too low. A 7 is borderline, at least from what I read on SDN.

Have you been studying or will you only be doing MCAT prep for 1 month?

I've been studying, but not nearly as much as I need to. Putting in about 4 hours a day. I started a prep course in the middle of June, independent tutor who uses ExamKrackers. I've been taking verbal practices and I am getting between 7-9 on those. He has really helped increase my knowledge of biology which was my main problem. Starting tomorrow my summer class will be over so I can start putting in 8-10 hours 5 days a week for the next 5 1/2 weeks. On my MCAT I took last year I was averaging 25-27 on my practice tests, so hopefully I can pull something off.
Do you think I'm going to be late? I heard for DO school I won't really be late. You also think a 28 would put me in a good position? Thanks for your help! I'm hoping to get another interview at VCOM I really like that school, but my dream would be MSUCOM since I'm a Michigan resident!
Thanks for your help and encouragement!

I hope you're planning to wait until next year to apply... You're taking a huge risk by not being complete until September, especially with borderline stats... If I were you, I'd take your test as planned and submit June 1st 2013. "Not really late for DO" is BS. I had most of my interviews scheduled or complete before your file will even be looked at...

I'd be more worried about your MCAT than your GPA trend. Aim for at least a 26+ and you should be fine.

The low MCAT score coupled with the higher GPA is a bad combo. And yes, a downward trend in both (for a reapplicant applying late) would be a disaster.