accepted in post bac do i retake the mcat?

[molly87]

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I was recently accepted into PCOM's post bacc program. I am not sure whether to do the two year master's program, therefore taking all year to study for the MCAT and retake it while in the program and go to medical school after completion of the MS degree. From what I have been reading it seems that most people do the 1 yr route and are granted interviews if they do well at PCOM, but I am concerned I will not have improved over all stats quick enough and reapplying will a waste of time or that I will be rushing into the MCAT again after only studying a few months considering i did TERRIBLE both times prior. Please help me with what you think I should do.

Stats:
GPA: 3.41
sGPA: 3.12
MCAT:22R, 23S

 

[jslo85]

Others may disagree with me but I personally believe that an SMP is unneeded in your case and that you just need to bring up your sGPA to at least a 3.3 with retakes and a few upper division classes and to retake the MCAT and aim for a 27+.

If you get that cGPA to a 3.4 and the sGPA to at least a 3.3 with a solid MCAT score and apply early, I think you have a good shot of getting in. My 2 cents.

 

[DrMidlife]

Definitely don't take the MCAT again until you're painfully sure that you'll raise your score. Which means don't take it again until you've invested months, probably 6 months, of study and practice tests.

That said, what I've seen here over the years is that folks who do the masters programs at DO schools get substantial consideration come interview time (at the host DO school and possibly other DO schools). The impression I get is that the host DO school evaluates you mostly on your on-site performance in the masters program. This relates more to the sub-3.0 GPA than the sub-25 MCAT, but I've seen some of both.

So, you could place your bet that doing the DO masters program absolves you from further undergrad GPA or MCAT work. 2nd, 3rd & 4th opinions recommended.

Best of luck to you.