504 MCAT help!

[dugudwn23]

Hello! My question is whether to re-take MCAT or not (Do I need to retake MCAT if my goal is to get into ANY MD/DO school in U.S.)?
Age: 23
MCAT: 504 (126/124/127/127)
cGPA: 3.945 sGPA: 3.984
Ethnicity: Asian (Green card holder)
State of residency: Colorado
EC: I worked as a Teaching Assistant for 2 semesters, currently doing a research program with university hospital at Emergency Department. I got on the Dean's list (university honors) almost every semester.
Volunteer: I have none, but I am not planning to apply this cycle but the next one and therefore I will start midweek of December (perhaps 8 hours of each week?)
I have also volunteered for a I have a Dream foundation, which is basically tutoring students (I am waiting to hear from coordinator to provide me with sites and times where I would need to go so I really don't know the time commitment).
Shadowing: 8 hours of shadowing at family medicine (MD), 8 hours of shadowing at radiology (MD), planning to do more hours in plastic surgery (DO) + ER (MD)

I know my chances of getting into MD program is low, so I am looking mainly for DO schools. I was wondering if my stats (at least what I have) is competitive for DO schools and if they are, could you let me know which ones? I want to stay in my state but if I have to go out of state, I really don't mind. I mainly want to know if I can get into medical schools and whether or not I need to retake MCAT. Based on what I have researched, if my score is evenly distributed, I don't need to retake it but is my score breakdown 126/124/127/127 really balanced? I don't want to retake the MCAT if I don't have to as I know that I will have to score significantly better than what I scored.

Thank you!

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[Dr panda]

You are fine for all DO schools just get the hours

 

[Faha]

Your MCAT and GPAs are competitive for all DO schools. You could also try some MD schools and I suggest these:
Colorado
Vermont
Quinnipiac
New York Medical College
Seton Hall
Drexel
Temple
Jefferson
NOVA MD
Oakland Beaumont
Wayne State
Medical College Wisconsin
Rosalind Franklin
TCU-UNT
You do need 150+ hours of clinical volunteering with patient contact before you apply.

 

[dugudwn23]

I had a 3.97cgpa with 3.95sgpa and 504 (127/123/127/127). I had 2 MD II (1 Acceptance so far OOS) and 5 DO II (4 acceptances).

Congratulations!!!! I respect you for already making it there. Could i ask you what kind of EC’s you had and could you (if you dont mind) tell me which md schools you applied to?

 

[Goro]

Hello! My question is whether to re-take MCAT or not (Do I need to retake MCAT if my goal is to get into ANY MD/DO school in U.S.)?
Age: 23
MCAT: 504 (126/124/127/127)
cGPA: 3.945 sGPA: 3.984
Ethnicity: Asian (Green card holder)
State of residency: Colorado
EC: I worked as a Teaching Assistant for 2 semesters, currently doing a research program with university hospital at Emergency Department. I got on the Dean's list (university honors) almost every semester.
Volunteer: I have none, but I am not planning to apply this cycle but the next one and therefore I will start midweek of December (perhaps 8 hours of each week?)
I have also volunteered for a I have a Dream foundation, which is basically tutoring students (I am waiting to hear from coordinator to provide me with sites and times where I would need to go so I really don't know the time commitment).
Shadowing: 8 hours of shadowing at family medicine (MD), 8 hours of shadowing at radiology (MD), planning to do more hours in plastic surgery (DO) + ER (MD)

I know my chances of getting into MD program is low, so I am looking mainly for DO schools. I was wondering if my stats (at least what I have) is competitive for DO schools and if they are, could you let me know which ones? I want to stay in my state but if I have to go out of state, I really don't mind. I mainly want to know if I can get into medical schools and whether or not I need to retake MCAT. Based on what I have researched, if my score is evenly distributed, I don't need to retake it but is my score breakdown 126/124/127/127 really balanced? I don't want to retake the MCAT if I don't have to as I know that I will have to score significantly better than what I scored.

Thank you!

Why is is that you have no volunteering at all?

For schools, when ready, I suggest:
Gtown
EVMS
MCW
Loma Linda (only if you are SDA or a very devout Christian)
Loyola
MCW
Rosy Franklin
Seton Hall
Uniformed Services University/Hebert (just be aware of the military service commitment)
U CO

Any DO school. I can't recommend Touro-NY, Nova, Wm Carey, LUCOM, for different reasons. MSUCOM? Read up on Larry Nasser and you decide. LMU has an accreditation warning, which concerns me. CalHS is too new and appears to be too limited in rotations sites.

 

[dugudwn23]

Why is is that you have no volunteering at all?

For schools, when ready, I suggest:
Gtown
EVMS
MCW
Loma Linda (only if you are SDA or a very devout Christian)
Loyola
MCW
Rosy Franklin
Seton Hall
Uniformed Services University/Hebert (just be aware of the military service commitment)
U CO

Any DO school. I can't recommend Touro-NY, Nova, Wm Carey, LUCOM, for different reasons. MSUCOM? Read up on Larry Nasser and you decide. LMU has an accreditation warning, which concerns me. CalHS is too new and appears to be too limited in rotations sites.

The real reason is because I was lazy, but I was preparing for pharmacy school orginally and I got accepted to CU Skaggs of Pharmacy. But I decided that it had limitations as to what I wanted to do in the future, so I decided to "try out" for medical school. What is the realistic percentage of me getting into one of those MD schools you have listed? Can I not even make it to TCU-UNT? I have my high school best friends who moved to Texas (Fort Worth) and if I had to choose an MD program, I would want to go here. Thanks for the advice!

 

[OrexinRules]

The real reason is because I was lazy, but I was preparing for pharmacy school orginally and I got accepted to CU Skaggs of Pharmacy. But I decided that it had limitations as to what I wanted to do in the future, so I decided to "try out" for medical school. What is the realistic percentage of me getting into one of those MD schools you have listed? Can I not even make it to TCU-UNT? I have my high school best friends who moved to Texas (Fort Worth) and if I had to choose an MD -

 

[kellyk12]

Really depends on if you think you can score higher. Were you scoring around 504 on your practice tests? And how many practice tests did you take?

 

[Goro]

The real reason is because I was lazy, but I was preparing for pharmacy school orginally and I got accepted to CU Skaggs of Pharmacy. But I decided that it had limitations as to what I wanted to do in the future, so I decided to "try out" for medical school. What is the realistic percentage of me getting into one of those MD schools you have listed? Can I not even make it to TCU-UNT? I have my high school best friends who moved to Texas (Fort Worth) and if I had to choose an MD program, I would want to go here. Thanks for the advice!

Not with a 504 MCAT, and the limited amounts of volunteering you have. Take a gap year and build up your app.

"Try out medical school?"

What are you going to say when asked how you know you are suited for a life of caring for the sick and suffering? “That you just know”? Imagine how that will go over!


I can't sugar coat this: This is not the application of a person who dearly wants to be a physician. It is the application of someone who wants to be a doctor just because the don't like Pharmacy.

Ditto from LizzyM: If you have more than 300 hours of non-clinical volunteering by the time you apply you will be in the top 25% of applicants with regard to community service (based on what I see). The tip top of the pyramid are those who do a full-time volunteerism during a gap year or two (Peace Corps, City Year, etc).

Clinical... top 25% of the pool have employment in a clinical setting: EMT, scribe, patient care technician (aide). The hours don't matter... it is going to be hundreds of hours if you even work full-time for a few weeks.

The proportion of top applicants who have a publication or a thesis is relatively low -- maybe <20% if you include undergrad thesis. Publications? Less than 5% have anything in a reputable peer reviewed journal.

Most applicants have neither a thesis or a publication after 2 years of lab work during undergrad.

To stand out in the top tier, seriously, you need to be in the top 2% in terms of MCAT and have an excellent GPA. Beyond that, if you have the minimum in all areas and stand out in one or two areas (research, clinical, service, leadership, life experience) you'll be fine.

Here's the deal: You need to show AdComs that you know what you're getting into, and show off your altruistic, humanistic side. We need to know that you're going to like being around sick or injured people for the next 40 years.

Here's another way of looking at it: would you buy a new car without test driving it? Buy a new suit or dress without trying it on??

We're also not looking for merely for good medical students, we're looking for people who will make good doctors, and 4.0 GPA robots are a dime-a-dozen.

I've seen plenty of posts here from high GPA/high MCAT candidates who were rejected because they had little patient contact experience.

Not all volunteering needs to be in a hospital. Think hospice, Planned Parenthood, nursing homes, rehab facilities, crisis hotlines, camps for sick children, or clinics.

Some types of volunteer activities are more appealing than others. Volunteering in a nice suburban hospital is all very well and good and all, but doesn't show that you're willing to dig in and get your hands dirty in the same way that working with the developmentally disabled (or homeless, the dying, or Alzheimer’s or mentally ill or elderly or ESL or domestic, rural impoverished) does. The uncomfortable situations are the ones that really demonstrate your altruism and get you 'brownie points'. Plus, they frankly teach you more -- they develop your compassion and humanity in ways comfortable situations can't.

Service need not be "unique". If you can alleviate suffering in your community through service to the poor, homeless, illiterate, fatherless, etc, you are meeting an otherwise unmet need and learning more about the lives of the people (or types of people) who will someday be your patients. Check out your local houses of worship for volunteer opportunities. The key thing is service to others less fortunate than you. And get off campus and out of your comfort zone!

Examples include: Habitat for Humanity, Ronald McDonald House, Humane Society, crisis hotlines, soup kitchen, food pantry, homeless or women’s shelter, after-school tutoring for students or coaching a sport in a poor school district, teaching ESL to adults at a community center, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, or Meals on Wheels.

 

[Dr. Anonymouss]

I applied with a 505 MCAT and 3.9 GPA. I received 1 MD interview and 9 DO interviews all to the "top" or better said "most established" medical schools. You won't be held back from any DO school with your stats, but will be drastically be held back from MD schools. I am proof that there is hope to receive that 1 interview though... I am currently waiting to hear back post interview.

 

[Dr panda]

I applied with a 505 MCAT and 3.9 GPA. I received 1 MD interview and 9 DO interviews all to the "top" or better said "most established" medical schools. You won't be held back from any DO school with your stats, but will be drastically be held back from MD schools. I am proof that there is hope to receive that 1 interview though... I am currently waiting to hear back post interview.

Hope you will turn that interview into A, best of luck!

 

[dugudwn23]

Not with a 504 MCAT, and the limited amounts of volunteering you have. Take a gap year and build up your app.

"Try out medical school?"

What are you going to say when asked how you know you are suited for a life of caring for the sick and suffering? “That you just know”? Imagine how that will go over!


I can't sugar coat this: This is not the application of a person who dearly wants to be a physician. It is the application of someone who wants to be a doctor just because the don't like Pharmacy.

Ditto from LizzyM: If you have more than 300 hours of non-clinical volunteering by the time you apply you will be in the top 25% of applicants with regard to community service (based on what I see). The tip top of the pyramid are those who do a full-time volunteerism during a gap year or two (Peace Corps, City Year, etc).

Clinical... top 25% of the pool have employment in a clinical setting: EMT, scribe, patient care technician (aide). The hours don't matter... it is going to be hundreds of hours if you even work full-time for a few weeks.

The proportion of top applicants who have a publication or a thesis is relatively low -- maybe <20% if you include undergrad thesis. Publications? Less than 5% have anything in a reputable peer reviewed journal.

Most applicants have neither a thesis or a publication after 2 years of lab work during undergrad.

To stand out in the top tier, seriously, you need to be in the top 2% in terms of MCAT and have an excellent GPA. Beyond that, if you have the minimum in all areas and stand out in one or two areas (research, clinical, service, leadership, life experience) you'll be fine.

Here's the deal: You need to show AdComs that you know what you're getting into, and show off your altruistic, humanistic side. We need to know that you're going to like being around sick or injured people for the next 40 years.

Here's another way of looking at it: would you buy a new car without test driving it? Buy a new suit or dress without trying it on??

We're also not looking for merely for good medical students, we're looking for people who will make good doctors, and 4.0 GPA robots are a dime-a-dozen.

I've seen plenty of posts here from high GPA/high MCAT candidates who were rejected because they had little patient contact experience.

Not all volunteering needs to be in a hospital. Think hospice, Planned Parenthood, nursing homes, rehab facilities, crisis hotlines, camps for sick children, or clinics.

Some types of volunteer activities are more appealing than others. Volunteering in a nice suburban hospital is all very well and good and all, but doesn't show that you're willing to dig in and get your hands dirty in the same way that working with the developmentally disabled (or homeless, the dying, or Alzheimer’s or mentally ill or elderly or ESL or domestic, rural impoverished) does. The uncomfortable situations are the ones that really demonstrate your altruism and get you 'brownie points'. Plus, they frankly teach you more -- they develop your compassion and humanity in ways comfortable situations can't.

Service need not be "unique". If you can alleviate suffering in your community through service to the poor, homeless, illiterate, fatherless, etc, you are meeting an otherwise unmet need and learning more about the lives of the people (or types of people) who will someday be your patients. Check out your local houses of worship for volunteer opportunities. The key thing is service to others less fortunate than you. And get off campus and out of your comfort zone!

Examples include: Habitat for Humanity, Ronald McDonald House, Humane Society, crisis hotlines, soup kitchen, food pantry, homeless or women’s shelter, after-school tutoring for students or coaching a sport in a poor school district, teaching ESL to adults at a community center, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, or Meals on Wheels.

Thank you! I wanted a brutal honesty, and I did get some. I do agree that becoming a physician wasn't my passion, but through research and shadowing, I have found love for this profession. Understand that when I was applying to Pharmacy school, I was preparing for plan B, as life doesn't always work out the way it does and my family isn't rich enough to support me while I go for medical school. I did find passion to teaching as well, when I had a TA job at the University. For this reason I am starting as a tutor (volunteer) on 1/07/19 at my old high school (where 45% of the kids are on lunch support program called district service). I am also going to the new hospital nearby my house to volunteer as well (job training begins this Tuesday). I really appreciate how you were trying to approach me, I didn't mean any disrespect but was realistically trying to plan my future. For now, I am dead set on becoming a physician and to contribute to my community as both an immigrant and underprivileged person.

 

[dugudwn23]

Really depends on if you think you can score higher. Were you scoring around 504 on your practice tests? And how many practice tests did you take?

I took 3 practice tests, studied for a month and a half, and my highest score was in FL#3 = 506!