Need Advice: MD/DO in the US or are my only chances in the Caribbean?

[momar2378]

Hello! I originally in the re-applicant forum but wouldn't mind getting a review from you guys here as well.

Last summer I began the AMCAS application process but did not receive any secondary interviews for the MD programs I applied to. I only applied to schools in Florida (because that is where I currently live) and should have definitely spread that out to other states/schools.

I received a 27 on the MCAT (11VR/7PS/9BS) and have a 3.47 GPA with a recently received degree in Nutrition/Food Sciences. Having taken a convoluted route to getting my bachelors, starting school in 2005 and leaving mid degree to be in the military, I do not believe I would do very well retaking the MCAT with the new sections that have been recently added.

I do not have much clinical experience, however I will be volunteering/working as an EMT from this summer until my medical school start date if I do get in.

I also have an underage drinking charge from when I was 19 (I'm almost 28 now).

I do however have extensive leadership/mentoring/volunteering experience from when I was in the military. I also have research experience from my more recent time working towards my degree. I have numerous awards from the military, and have quite a great LOR from one of my CO's that I worked with in Japan.

Taking all of this into consideration, if I reapplied without taking the MCAT again and expanded my MD school applications, would I have a chance of getting in to any schools?

Would I even have a chance of getting into DO programs here in the US?

I have an interview with AUC (in the Caribbean) this upcoming week for a position into their Aug. 2015 class, but after extensive reading the past few days on matriculation/matching/being pidgeon-holed into 4 practices, I do not believe I want to attend an out of country school.

Any help or advice on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

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[gyngyn]

You are right. Do not go Carib.
You are a good candidate for DO.

 

[Vain Brother]

the fact that you didn't receive any IS interviews is a little concerning. any red flags you're leaving out? other MCAT scores?

your best MD chances are in FL. assuming no red flags, you're a good DO candidate

 

[momar2378]

MCAT was only taken once, but I did apply kind of late. Took the MCAT in mid July so I didn't start getting secondaries until almost September I think it was?

I also really think the lack of clinical experience/shadowing was a big issue.

Edit: my GPA started out a bit low when I was in school the first time (2005) but has only gone up since. Well over a 3.5 for the second 60 hours of schooling (this includes the core sciences like Organic chem 1/2, bio 1/2, biochem, physiology etc...)

 

[momar2378]

So I'd guess the general advice is to either apply DO with what I have now, or spend the year getting my MCAT up and more clinical activities in addition to EMT work?

 

[candbgirl]

How badly do you want yo be a doctor? Your best chances are with DO schools. Even if you retake the MCAT you'd have to improve a lot. Your GPA is well below average for MD schools so even with a big improvement in your MCAT you'd be fighting an uphill battle for a MD acceptance. Check out the DO schools. Do not even think about going to the Caribbean.

 

[Misch Ievus]

Your best chances are with DO schools. Even if you retake the MCAT you'd have to improve a lot. Your GPA is well below average for MD schools so even with a big improvement in your MCAT you'd be fighting an uphill battle for a MD acceptance. Check out the DO schools. Do not even think about going to the Caribbean.

I agree completely. Apply early and broadly to DO with strong primary and secondaries. You should be fine.

 

[momar2378]

Ok awesome, thanks for the advice! I will have my application ready and submitted by the June 2nd date!

 

[Misch Ievus]

Make sure it's a strong, well-prepared application. Don't feel pressured into submitting on the first day. Quality matters more.