3.62c, 3.50s, 26 MCAT

[truthserum]

---

Members do not see this ad.

First timer here... Just received my MCAT scores today, in need of some advice. Here is how my application would look. Optimally, I'd like to go MD, however with that MCAT score, I understand that may not be a possibility unless a take the MCAT a third time.

South Dakota Resident
Zoology Major, strong upward trend.
Freshman year: 2.65 (tough one)
Sophmore year: 3.70
Junior year: 3.80
Senior year: 3.60
Super Senior year: 3.85
cGPA: 3.62
sGPA: 3.50
MCAT: 22 (10,4,8) on 8/12/12, 26 (9,7,10) on 9/12/13

ECs:
One semester tutoring chemistry
1000+ clinical hours in ICU (ongoing)
2000 (~18 months) hours of research in a muscle physiology lab
Two publications, neither being first author
55 hours shadowing (ortho, general surgery, cardiology)
100 hours of nonclinical volunteering (American Red Cross & American Diabetes Association)
Should have at least 2 solid LORs, 1 MD, 1 PI, and one from boss in ICU

My GPA is okay, and my MCAT is pretty weak. Should I try and retake and aim early next year? Or should I shoot for DO this year? Any thoughts are appreciated, thanks!

 

[davemaster223]

My opinion would be to go ahead and apply with a variety of DO schools if thats something you would be alright doing. I know that there are plenty of people on the forums who have taken the MCAT more than 2 times but in my experience any more than 2 times without a tremendous improvement can cause some difficulties when applying to MD programs. You wouldn't have a problem getting into a DO program as you fall into pretty much the average MCAT score for almost all of the DO's schools. Just my two cents.