DO 7/12/8 3.4 cGPA 3.3 sGPA, lots of EC and clinical...retake MCAT next month for DO this cycle?

[skeletor06]

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So, I just got my scores back yesterday, made a 7/12/8. I had never received a 7 on any AAMC practice test, and had been averaging 8-9 on PS. So, that 7 in PS was a bit of a shock. Verbal was in line with FLs, and Bio was below average (9 - 10 on FLs). So, given these scores, should I retake? GPAs are given above, and are verified. Applying strictly DO, with lots of ECs. Have M.S. and research in pediatric psychology, work as a psychiatric tech at a hospital, great LORs with DO letter, etc.

LECOM-SH would be my dream school at the moment. However, I would certainly retake if needed to open up my options. Have studied a bit over the past month, but could kick it into gear to prepare for Sept. 18th sitting.

Any thoughts are welcome!

 

[skeletor06]

Bumping, in hopes that someone can give me some direction! 🙂

 

[jlinblr]

Is this the first time you've taken the MCATs?

 

[skeletor06]

Yes, July 12th was my first time taking the test. Really not looking forward to taking it again, but I will if I have to!

 

[jlinblr]

hmmm 27 is definitely good enough to apply to DO but its a little borderline. My only worry is that since you did so well in verbal that you could do better in PS the next time you take it but verbal might go do...so it depends on how confident you are that you'll be able to improve in all 3 areas!

 

[DoctorSynthesis]

Yes, July 12th was my first time taking the test. Really not looking forward to taking it again, but I will if I have to!

hmmm 27 is definitely good enough to apply to DO but its a little borderline. My only worry is that since you did so well in verbal that you could do better in PS the next time you take it but verbal might go do...so it depends on how confident you are that you'll be able to improve in all 3 areas!

A 27 is fine for DO. Lecom included.

However, your biggest problem is that you don't seem to be successful in the sciences. A 3.3 sgpa is OK and you're MCAT science is low. You're applying to medical school here. A 7 isnt a killer but it will hurt. Lecom isnt the hardest to get into but its not easy.

I would say put together a good list and I think you will be fine. You don't have to retake.

I would suggest applying to 12 or so schools with varying stats.

What does your list look like?

 

[skeletor06]

A 27 is fine for DO. Lecom included.

However, your biggest problem is that you don't seem to be successful in the sciences. A 3.3 sgpa is OK and you're MCAT science is low. You're applying to medical school here. A 7 isnt a killer but it will hurt. Lecom isnt the hardest to get into but its not easy.

I would say put together a good list and I think you will be fine. You don't have to retake.

I would suggest applying to 12 or so schools with varying stats.

What does your list look like?

So far, my list is as follows:

LECOM - SH
LECOM - B
ATSU - Arizona
ACOM
AZCOM
Cambell
VCOM - Carolina
VCOM - VA
PCOM - GA
PCOM - PA
LMU - DCOM
Nova
NYIT
Western - CA
William Carey

Thinking of adding KYCOM, VCOM - Auburn, and WVCOM. Thoughts on my list? I can probably retake the MCAT and bring my PS score up at least 1 point, and keep my Verbal score and Bio score where they are, if not raising my BS score a point. Would that be worth a retake? I'd rather not do it, but will if I have to.

@Goro, @gyngyn or any other Ad Coms, care to weigh in? It would ease my mind a bit to get some confirmation about what I'm hearing from someone on a committee, if you wouldn't mind dropping me a line! 🙂

 

[gyngyn]

I'm not as familiar with the differences in DO schools (with rare exceptions!) so I generally defer to my better informed colleagues on such matters.

 

[pericardium]

Amazing verbal score, I think you might not even need to retake unless you're shooting for a Touro or CCOM

 

[DoctorSynthesis]

So far, my list is as follows:

LECOM - SH
LECOM - B
ATSU - Arizona
ACOM
AZCOM
Cambell
VCOM - Carolina
VCOM - VA
PCOM - GA
PCOM - PA
LMU - DCOM
Nova
NYIT
Western - CA
William Carey

Thinking of adding KYCOM, VCOM - Auburn, and WVCOM. Thoughts on my list? I can probably retake the MCAT and bring my PS score up at least 1 point, and keep my Verbal score and Bio score where they are, if not raising my BS score a point. Would that be worth a retake? I'd rather not do it, but will if I have to.

@Goro, @gyngyn or any other Ad Coms, care to weigh in? It would ease my mind a bit to get some confirmation about what I'm hearing from someone on a committee, if you wouldn't mind dropping me a line! 🙂

I think that's a good list. You should be successful this cycle.

 

[skeletor06]

I think that's a good list. You should be successful this cycle.

Thanks for the vote of confidence! Do I need to add those three schools?

 

[DoctorSynthesis]

Thanks for the vote of confidence! Do I need to add those three schools?

Adding those schools would obviously increase your odds. Maybe some others will weigh in also

 

[skeletor06]

Well, it looks like I may be okay, but I'm as nervous as a downed gladiator in front of Caesar...@goro or @Catalystik, care to give me the proverbial final thumb up or down? Of course, they say Hollywood got the actual meanings backward, but I'd still appreciate it! 😉

 

[Catalystik]

So far, my list is as follows:

LECOM - SH
LECOM - B
ATSU - Arizona
ACOM
AZCOM
Cambell
VCOM - Carolina
VCOM - VA
PCOM - GA
PCOM - PA
LMU - DCOM
Nova
NYIT
Western - CA
William Carey

Thinking of adding KYCOM, VCOM - Auburn, and WVCOM. Thoughts on my list?

Did you check each school's website to be sure they don't specify a minimum subscore? How do you feel about including newer DO schools?

Also, when you tagged @Goro in your post above without capitalizing it, it didn't register.

 

[Goro]

Concur!

I think that's a good list. You should be successful this cycle.

 

[skeletor06]

Concur!

Thanks for the thumbs up! Or was it down that meant you lived? 😉

@Catalystik, I'm definitely okay applying to newer schools. I will check on score minimums, but I don't remember any off the top of my head. I'm strongly interested in Peds, EM, and maybe Psych, and have no interest in gunning for a very competitive specialty, so I don't think newer schools will hold me back from that.

Thanks for everyone's replies!