Solid mcat! Can i ask how you prepared for the test? I'm surprised they didn't accept you right away with that mcat score. There must of been something else lacking, maybe a bad essay, bad interview, did you shadow? what was your major? My app to dmu was placed on hold pending mcat score.
Major was Chemistry at Loyola University Chicago. That could have been it, maybe something I said in the interview or the essay, all those are possible. Also looking at the class of 2017 DMU facebook page there already are a decent amount of seats taken. Overall what ever happend happenend, it is more DMU was my first choice so that is why is was sort of a bummer essentially getting rejected.. The other thing too from their prospective is their average GPA is 3.3-3.4, so a 2.9 is a bit behind that component.
As for the MCAT here is what I did
1. Took Kaplan and took all the AAMC practice tests. Big thing is truly look at what you are getting wrong. If time or money do not permit the kaplan class, then all those books can still be found on bit torrent or even some town libraries.
2. Kept flash cards on me at all times even if waiting for an elevator I could review a topic or fact.
3. For VR I practiced as much as I could and read more "difficult" articles online (wikipremed has links to sites with such articles) and try to analyze their arguments and think of questions the MCAT would ask if this actually was on the test (even think of what would be offered as wrong answers).
Final tip that is not offered in many books, on a lot of the passage questions in the sciences you can often answer a couple questions without reading any line of the passage.
I will end with that I truly think a 26 or better is fully achievable by anyone on this forum , the science behind it is all freshman and sophomore level topics. If one is getting a low twenties or even in the teens, they either have not practiced and studied enough, have test anxiety, or do not have a full grasp of English. Too many seem to just take the test, get a bad score, and just rush to take it again while studying the same way they did before only to get a similar score.
If you have any more detailed questions on my MCAT study routine or strategies feel free to PM me.
I will just close out in saying that