Really really in need of suggestion/advices

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Lukat

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I have read that some people have similar stats as me but I was hoping that I can get some advices for my situations so please bear with me. Any advices/suggestion would be greatly appreciated (especially from frequent posters such as Catalystik, JDub, etc.)

International student (not Canadian)
Graduated from college 2009, cGPA = 3.6, sGPA = 3.5, no upward trend
Triple majors: Biology, Chemistry, Molecular Biology
1st MCAT (2008) = PS 8, VB 9, BS 9 M
2nd MCAT (2010) = PS 10, VB 9, BS 10 M

ECs:
I was an exchange student for one year, studying abroad during high school.
Treasure of International Students club in college for 3 years, many activities for this that I can talk about
2 summer research internship (one in Alabama and one in Cali)
Ohio Reads: volunteer to read for elementary children (1 year)
Physics tutor (1 year)
Dance Team member (1 year)
Hospital volunteering: been going on since last year (~80 hours)
Shadowing: 20 hours with a primary care doctor, 8 hours with a urology doctor (in clinic) and 8 hours in the OR with a cadiothoracic doctor

I am working right now as a research assistant in a Microbiology lab so I guess this counts toward research activities?

I will have 5-6 very good LORs from science and non-science professors, PIs, and my supervisor at work.

I understand that my stats are not very stellar. My question is do I have a chance at US MD schools at all? The reason why I ask this is because I don't really understand the DO philosophy very much and if I want to go back to my country to practice medicine, I don't think they recognize DO degree there. Please understand I'm not trying to offend anybody.

Thanks for helping me out here...

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In my time on SDN, I do not recall seeing any international who did not have a green card or permanent residency with similiar numbers getting an acceptance through AMCAS. Will your status change anytime soon? Can you get your MCAT score higher, or do you feel you've hit your maximum potential? At least, you've done well on the VS.

Have you considered applying outside the US?

What is your country of origin?
 
Thank you so much Catalystik. I'm from Vietnam. I know that my MCAT is really low. I'm not sure whether I can improve. My practice test were in the 33-34 so this is really disappointing. Should I bother apply at all this year or should I look into SMP program? Would this program help the fact that I'm an international student? What are my options?
 
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The scope of practice for DO is unlimited in Vietnam, you know. What other country would you want to practice in?

An SMP is unlikely to help someone with a GPA as good as yours. You'd be better off taking more upper-level science classes to raise your BCPM GPA, which is less expensive.

If I were you, I would not waste my money applying to US MD schools at this time, unless the expense is no object and stress doesn't effect you. If your score was a fluke, then retake it.
 
DO can practice in Vietnam :eek:? That's great :cool:! I don't know why last time when I asked a doctor from Vietnam, he said he never heard of such degree.:confused:

So will I have a shot at DO schools? I don't have any shadowing with DO doctors though. Is there any link on SDN that have more info. about DO philosophy that I can read up on?

What are other options that I have if I want to pursue MD? Should I wait another year and re-take the MCAT?

Thank you so much Catalystik, you have been really helpful
 
For MD considertion, either get a green card or retake the MCAT and do much better.

Yes, you have a shot at DO schools. All Do schools do not require that you shadow a DO, but it would be a good idea. SDN has an entire forum dedicated to PreMed Osteopathic that you can read, learn from, and ask questions.

here are some helpful links:

PreMed-Osteo Forum: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/forumdisplay.php?f=13
"What Are My Chances?" http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=596702
International Practice Rights: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=107627
DO MSAR http://www.aacom.org/resources/bookstore/cib/Documents/cib2010/2010-CIB-complete.pdf
DO admission stat averages for specific schools: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=598056
DO schools needing DO recommendation: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=10677&d=1217108730
 
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