MD & DO .

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Everything looks great except for the 5 in VR. That'll probably kill your chances at MD. Are you ESL?
 
Imo you don't have a shot at MD with that MCAT. (It's sad to say, because your application is otherwise very strong.)

I'm not versed in the world of DOness, but apply widely at mid-high tier programs and you'll probably get in somewhere.

Have you considered retaking your MCAT?
 
Yeah, that 5 really hurts your chances. It's unfortunate that you have such a strong application besides that red-flag of an MCAT score. Maybe a chance at DO, but probably not MD.

Not to be too critical... but if you can't even manage to pick yourself up and fight through a MCAT retake, med school will be rough for you. I assume this was your first try at the MCAT.

Any idea why you did so poorly?
 
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Clinicall said:
I'm 28 and really want to start my path into medicine so maybe I'll plan another retake but still take a stab at local MDs and every DO school known to mankind.
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Unfortunately, most schools won't even read you application with a 23 and a 5 in VR. The issue with a 5 is it's essentially in "good guesser" territory, with 50-55% of the questions wrong. Everything else looks good, so maybe look into hiring a VR tutor.
 
It's very unfortunate that you scored lower than your average on full lengths, but what is done is done.

Retaking a third time and scoring similar -or not significantly improving- would be a death sentence, so I wouldn't risk it (unless you are ABSOLUTELY certain that you can get at least 28+).

I'll reiterate that your chances at MD school are abysmal - I wouldn't bother unless you have some money to spare. In that case, go ahead and apply to as many "low-tier" MD programs as you can along with your DO schools.

(You don't seem favorable to the idea of going DO, but you know, MD=DO=Physician as far as I'm concerned. Will you get less opportunities? Sure. If you work hard, however, you'll make it wherever you want to go.)
 
It would not be a reflection of good judgement to apply to onshore MD schools with these MCAT scores.

If you are fluent in Spanish and have a commitment to service in Puerto Rico, there are three schools that entertain applications from mainlanders.
 
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Gyngyn's post does lead to a consideration the Caribbean road... and you would very likely be successful applying Caribbean. If you're stuck on MD and don't want to re-take the MCAT a third time, that's an idea. Otherwise, you can take your chances with DO now or re-take the MCAT and apply after that.

My personal feeling is that it's a shame to let your score on one exam dictate your future if it means you're not doing exactly what you want. I think taking the MCAT three times is fine (heck, I did)... but, as an above poster suggested, you would need to really find out what's going on and fix your issues before re-taking. Without that abovementioned 28+, you're basically sunk for US MD.
 
johnamo said:
Gyngyn's post does lead to a consideration the Caribbean road... and you would very likely be successful applying Caribbean. If you're stuck on MD and don't want to re-take the MCAT a third time, that's an idea.
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Would not recommend applying to a Caribbean medical school unless the only thing you want from your medical education is a degree to hang on the wall.
 
You will not get into medical school with a 4 in VR.

Retake that MCAT and up the VR or you will be in for a year of disappointments come application cycle.
 
Waste of time and money for MD, and with DO schools, only the newest might give you some love. You'd be auto-rejected from mine.

A VR 4 and then 5 for a native English speaker is worrisome. If you can't fix those deficits, suggest alternative career paths.

Clinicall said:
I feel I have a strong application minus the MCAT. I don't think I have the energy to take the MCAT again though.

GPA 3.8 (science and cumm) with 2 degrees
-Bachelors in Biomedical Science
-A.A.S. in Cardiovascular Technology
MCAT 8/5/10

EC's
- 4 Years currently working at Mayo Clinic in Cardiac Surgery (full time)
- 1 year teachers assistant in cardiovascular technology program
- 2 years cardiovascular assistant
- Histological Research
- Studied abroad in Croatia (studied public health, pathophysiology)
- Volunteered 1 summer in New Orleans building houses
- Currently volunteering with big brother big sister
- Shadowed countless hours and worked with physicians
- Over 9,000 hours working with patients.

LOR
- 1 Cardiologist from Mayo Clinic
- 1 Neonatal Cardiologist from Children's Hospital
- Committee LOR from University
- Committee LOR from Supervisors at Mayo Clinic

I'm applying to both DO and MD. Any advice appreciated...
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johnamo said:
Gyngyn's post does lead to a consideration the Caribbean road... and you would very likely be successful applying Caribbean. If you're stuck on MD and don't want to re-take the MCAT a third time, that's an idea. Otherwise, you can take your chances with DO now or re-take the MCAT and apply after that.

My personal feeling is that it's a shame to let your score on one exam dictate your future if it means you're not doing exactly what you want. I think taking the MCAT three times is fine (heck, I did)... but, as an above poster suggested, you would need to really find out what's going on and fix your issues before re-taking. Without that abovementioned 28+, you're basically sunk for US MD.
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Puerto Rico MD schools =/= Caribbean MD schools. PR schools are mission-based - they want providers for PR and other similar areas, so there is a pipeline from degree to salary there, just like American MD/DO programs. Caribbean schools are trying to pump students back into the American residency network though, hence their horrid success rates (and it really should be said every time the Caribbean comes up that those rates are about to plummet further).

If you want to be a mainland doctor, American schools are the only safe bet. Puerto Rican schools, however, do at least give you a decent alternative by practicing in PR.
 
Pattycake25 said:
Puerto Rico MD schools =/= Caribbean MD schools. PR schools are mission-based - they want providers for PR and other similar areas, so there is a pipeline from degree to salary there, just like American MD/DO programs. Caribbean schools are trying to pump students back into the American residency network though, hence their horrid success rates (and it really should be said every time the Caribbean comes up that those rates are about to plummet further).

If you want to be a mainland doctor, American schools are the only safe bet. Puerto Rican schools, however, do at least give you a decent alternative by practicing in PR.
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Yes, I am aware of the differences between Caribbean and PR schools -- you're quoting me out of context now that Gyngyn has edited her statement to be more specific. Anyhow, I don't believe the OP has stated any connection to PR and/or being fluent in Spanish.

Point being, I think we pretty much all agree that the MCAT needs to be rectified for a mainland education (excepting, possibly, the newest DO schools).
 
Pattycake25 said:
Puerto Rico MD schools =/= Caribbean MD schools. PR schools are mission-based - they want providers for PR and other similar areas, so there is a pipeline from degree to salary there, just like American MD/DO programs. Caribbean schools are trying to pump students back into the American residency network though, hence their horrid success rates (and it really should be said every time the Caribbean comes up that those rates are about to plummet further).

If you want to be a mainland doctor, American schools are the only safe bet. Puerto Rican schools, however, do at least give you a decent alternative by practicing in PR.
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I edited my post to clear up this ambiguity. At first, there was some thought that I was referring to non LCME schools in the Carribean. Sorry for the confusion.
 
Doudline said:
Imo you don't have a shot at MD with that MCAT. (It's sad to say, because your application is otherwise very strong.)

I'm not versed in the world of DOness, but apply widely at mid-high tier programs and you'll probably get in somewhere.

Have you considered retaking your MCAT?
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So you're not versed but you still give advice on something you don't know anything about?

OP, the 23 closes the door to every high tier DO program. The 5 closes the door for nearly all mid-tier programs. Low tier is still a big maybe due to that 5. My suggestion is a 3rd retake if you were really scoring 28-30 on practice tests. If not, you should apply to all the DO programs without regional preference and that have an MCAT average of less than 26, which I think is pretty much like 5 or 6 schools.
 
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