2nd time reapplicant in need of suggestions!!!

[COBuffs]

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Hi there, So heres the deal. My stats are 3.5 cGPA 3.4 sGPA ( with a strong upward trend from a 3.2 freshman yr to a 3.9 senior year) from my state school and a 30R MCAT. I also have plenty of volunteer experience and clinical research experience as well. I have been out of college and working as a research assistant for a year. I am waitlisted at 2 schools still, and was excepted to KCUMB and RVUCOM. I turned down KCUMB and I was going to attend RVUCOM (I only applied to these 2 DO schools), but after speaking with several Doc's I have decided its just too risky for me at this point and I think I am going to defer my acceptance soon and reapply, if the other schools dont come through for me. So here's my questions....

1. If I am retaking my MCAT the first week in July, should I send in my primary app as is in june or wait until I get my results back in late july early august?

2. I plan on applying to lots of DO schools along with MD schools this cycle. Do you think DO schools will be understanding of why I turned down RVUCOM or do you think I will be "blacklisted" from DO schools?

Any other thought or advice would be much appreciated! I am really not looking forward to doing this again.....

 

[CycloneDO]

1. turn in your app as soon as possible. Your MCAT is good for DO schools. Your retake can be added later, and most schools will send a secondary regardless.

2. I don't think DO schools will hold it against you as long as you explain why you didn't go, ( I'm assuming b/c they are for profit or new)

3. Your GPA is good for DO as well, just make sure when you interview that you let them know why you like DO...not that you think you have a better shot at getting in.

4. Apply broadly. A DO I shadowed told me, "all you need to do is get in, the specifics will work themselves out.

5. Improve your app if possible by adding shadowing, volunteer, more classes, if you think it needs it. Let them know by your actions that you're fully committed.

 

[COBuffs]

After staring to look at MCAT material again Im a little worried I may not improve my score..... Is a 30R a good enough score that I should not take the test again if I am unsure?😕

 

[NotAMD]

whats the breakdown of that 30? if its pretty even i wouldnt take it again

i think what is hurting you is state school and 3.4-3.5 gpa, not the mcat

also what is your clinical experience/extracurriculars?

get some good extracurriculars going, such as research or ER tech in an academic hospital or working in someones office you know to generate letters that will make your app stand out.

Maybe take some science classes at a good name school and add it to your science GPA.

And apply early and broadly.

I personally got in with numbers around yours though not from a state school

Send your waitlist schools updates, significant ones, so if something opens up you can get it, it happens a lot, maybe look at those MD schools closer next cycle.

 

[COBuffs]

So yea, I have 10's across the board on the mcat, also my state school is actually a very good school so I think it is probably mainly the fact that my GPA and MCAT scores are both average- niether is outstanding. In terms of EC's I have worked in a private practice, shadowed an anesthesiologist, OBGYN, and Ortho Surgeon; done clinical research (I am currently a research assistant in the ER), I have also volunteered in and ER for a summer, gone on a short term medical mission, and I am currently doing habitat for humanity. I will definitely have another great LOR from the Doc I work with now which should help.

Maybe I will look into taking sciences classes though it could help.

Also do you have any suggestions of schools that might be a good match for me- It really sucks when you have one IS school and its very competitive..... Thanks again for your help!

 

[POWP]

why not defer?

 

[CycloneDO]

If you're interested in DO, order the College Information Book from aacom. Just go to their website. It gives you lots of info on each school. Really good, and fairly cheap.

 

[NotAMD]

So yea, I have 10's across the board on the mcat, also my state school is actually a very good school so I think it is probably mainly the fact that my GPA and MCAT scores are both average- niether is outstanding. In terms of EC's I have worked in a private practice, shadowed an anesthesiologist, OBGYN, and Ortho Surgeon; done clinical research (I am currently a research assistant in the ER), I have also volunteered in and ER for a summer, gone on a short term medical mission, and I am currently doing habitat for humanity. I will definitely have another great LOR from the Doc I work with now which should help.

Maybe I will look into taking sciences classes though it could help.

Also do you have any suggestions of schools that might be a good match for me- It really sucks when you have one IS school and its very competitive..... Thanks again for your help!

those are strong mcat scores i would not retake it for sure
maybe a post bac?

 

[COBuffs]

SO, still waitlisted, and I am going to be deferring admission to RVU....any schools that I should absolutely be appying to next year?? I would love any suggestions on OOS friendly schools