Advice about interview vs MCAT retake

[Aldlal]

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[ahawke100]

I would attend the DMU interview! It would be great experience even if you don't end up going there. You might love the school and decide to go there if you are accepted, or you might find it's not for you. Even if you get in, you don't have to accept the offer.

April gives you enough time to see your new score before you would attend the school anyways.

P.S.-I believe applying EARLY (complete July) opened up so many doors for me during the DO cycle. I believe I had a solid application besides my pretty bad MCAT score, but I believe my early application helped me to receive 8 IIs.

EDIT: I'm basically saying to do both if you can!!

 

[sharpstickie]

I was in the same boat! 3.9 GPA/25 MCAT with a retake scheduled for April. Applied to only 5 schools in November and 3 IIs (RVU, SOMA, PNWU). During my interview invite time, I decided I was going to continue studying for the MCAT because I didn't want to be up a creek without a paddle. It turned out well for me, I'll be going to RVU this year. No regrets (well except for not getting a 40 the first time).

 

[Aldlal]

I would attend the DMU interview! It would be great experience even if you don't end up going there. You might love the school and decide to go there if you are accepted, or you might find it's not for you. Even if you get in, you don't have to accept the offer.

April gives you enough time to see your new score before you would attend the school anyways.

P.S.-I believe applying EARLY (complete July) opened up so many doors for me during the DO cycle. I believe I had a solid application besides my pretty bad MCAT score, but I believe my early application helped me to receive 8 IIs.

EDIT: I'm basically saying to do both if you can!!

Thanks for the advice. Hypothetically if I get accepted and turn them down but reapply the following cycle, is that a red flag at that school or other schools as well?

I was in the same boat! 3.9 GPA/25 MCAT with a retake scheduled for April. Applied to only 5 schools in November and 3 IIs (RVU, SOMA, PNWU). During my interview invite time, I decided I was going to continue studying for the MCAT because I didn't want to be up a creek without a paddle. It turned out well for me, I'll be going to RVU this year. No regrets (well except for not getting a 40 the first time).

Congrats on getting in! RVU was also one of the schools I applied to.

 

[OrdinaryDO]

Thanks for the advice. Hypothetically if I get accepted and turn them down but reapply the following cycle, is that a red flag at that school or other schools as well?



Congrats on getting in! RVU was also one of the schools I applied to.

If you were accepted to RVU, then decided to turn it down to re-apply the next cycle, then you can almost guarantee you won't get another invite from RVU..BUT, no other school will know of your acceptance/declination aside from RVU unless you disclose it yourself. Other than that you will be absolutely fine aside from being a reapplicant to the schools you applied to this cycle (which would probably be a red flag if you declined their interview invite, if one was offered.)

 

[Shotapp]

To answer your question, yes that would be a red flag at that school. Why would that even cross your mind of rejecting a potential acceptance if it were to be your only one?

 

[mathnerd88]

Thanks for the advice. Hypothetically if I get accepted and turn them down but reapply the following cycle, is that a red flag at that school or other schools as well?

That school definitely yes. For others, if you've managed an increase your MCAT, then it won't be a red flag. However, keep in mind that you will be a reapplicant, and you will need to rewrite all your essays.

It isn't worth it going through the application process again and lose another year of physician's salary.

 

[OrdinaryDO]

That school definitely yes. For others, if you've managed an increase your MCAT, then it won't be a red flag. However, keep in mind that you will be a reapplicant, and you will need to rewrite all your essays.

It isn't worth it going through the application process again and lose another year of physician's salary.

Nice addition to the thread, totally forgot about this.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Uh why would you turn down a DMU acceptance....? And why is this a question..

 

[DrMikeP]

Did I read that correctly? If you get accepted you'll "turn them down" because you just maybe possibly might potentially do better on the MCAT and just might possibly get a better offer next year is your plan? Really?

A few points on the MCAT will not suddenly make you that much better of a candidate if you only got one interview invite, especially with that score at a DO school. New MCAT is also very different than the old one, so you could do worse AND you'll be a retake and re-applicant! (2 strikes) My guess is there might be other issues with your stats as well (BCPM? sgpa?, EC's?). Something doesn't make good sense, as you are the one who applied to the school, not them seeking you out, and you just decided they are suddenly not good enough. Is it that you really want MD? Do you feel like everyone loves you so much you are upset that you only got one II/acceptance and that's bad? Feel entitled much? Recent TBI?Just trying to figure it out, because your question seems quite nuts.

If you don't want to be at that school definitely turn it down and let someone who would love to be there have the spot. If it's an MD thing thing you shouldn't apply to any DO schools next year.

 

[Shotapp]

As Goro would say "if you are boning for the MD then go hard for it" Not his exact words but whatever...

 

[Goro]

How badly and fast do you want to be a doctor?

Your MCAT is fine for nearly all DO schools.

IF you're boning for that MD, then retake and call DMU and tell them thanks but no thanks, because I'd rather see the seat go to someone who unconditionally wants to be a doctor.

Hi all, hope this is in the right forum. I recently applied only to 4 DO schools due to financial constraints (~3.7 GPA, 26 MCAT) and have not had any encouraging results. Recently I received an interview invite to DMU. However, in the meantime I have been studying for an MCAT retake as I think it's the biggest weakness to my overall application.

I believe I can do better than my first attempt of 26 (old scale) and was preparing to reapply to both MD and DO schools should my MCAT score improve. I'm signed up for an April retake, however I'm currently on the fence about what I should do. Obviously an interview invite does not guarantee acceptance, especially in the spring, and would be good experience.

I suppose deep down I want to bet on myself to improve and open up more doors, but am tempted by this current opportunity from what I hear is a good DO school. Any advice or tips? Thanks.

 

[Aldlal]

Did I read that correctly? If you get accepted you'll "turn them down" because you just maybe possibly might potentially do better on the MCAT and just might possibly get a better offer next year is your plan? Really?

A few points on the MCAT will not suddenly make you that much better of a candidate if you only got one interview invite, especially with that score at a DO school. New MCAT is also very different than the old one, so you could do worse AND you'll be a retake and re-applicant! (2 strikes) My guess is there might be other issues with your stats as well (BCPM? sgpa?, EC's?). Something doesn't make good sense, as you are the one who applied to the school, not them seeking you out, and you just decided they are suddenly not good enough. Is it that you really want MD? Do you feel like everyone loves you so much you are upset that you only got one II/acceptance and that's bad? Feel entitled much? Recent TBI?Just trying to figure it out, because your question seems quite nuts.

If you don't want to be at that school definitely turn it down and let someone who would love to be there have the spot. If it's an MD thing thing you shouldn't apply to any DO schools next year.

Hahaha chill out dude.

I changed my mind after taking the non-scored AAMC FL and improving on my passages. Most of this is hypothetical as I could very well bomb the interview and/or retake. I was just curious how such a process would play out. I'll admit that even if I do drastically improve my MCAT and get accepted it would be hard not to go. But I like to plan out for every possible scenario.

To the others, thank you for the advice. I have no problems with going DO but if I can avoid the politics down the road for residency with MD I would prefer that. Still doing research and reading on how much of a difference that really makes in the present day.

 

[DrMikeP]

Hahaha chill out dude.

I changed my mind after taking the non-scored AAMC FL and improving on my passages. Most of this is hypothetical as I could very well bomb the interview and/or retake. I was just curious how such a process would play out. I'll admit that even if I do drastically improve my MCAT and get accepted it would be hard not to go. But I like to plan out for every possible scenario.

To the others, thank you for the advice. I have no problems with going DO but if I can avoid the politics down the road for residency with MD I would prefer that. Still doing research and reading on how much of a difference that really makes in the present day.

Didn't hit a nerve did I? LOL

My point was trying to emphasize how just plain misguided your idea was. Own it. If you are serious about medicine you just don't refuse an acceptance unless there is an overwhelmingly good reason. Good luck!

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