Advice and guidance needed: 3 Retakes, downward trend.

[lemondrop_63]

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Hi everyone! I really wish I wasn't in the situation I am in right now but I could use any advice from anyone and who knows maybe this post will help someone else?

A little bit about me. I am a recent graduate in engineering with a 3.67 cGPA and 3.7 sGPA (strong upward trend with GPA after ****ing up freshman year and I failed Calc 5 Spring sophomore year which I retook and got a B in Fall Junior Year) with an MCAT scores of 501; 501; and 498 (which I received my score yesterday). It is hard for me to discuss MCAT scored because I have studied and retook for close to an year and all my practice exams score range from 512-523. I know my material but for some reason I was not able to perform well on the actual exam. I have considered it to be testing anxiety and I am actually going to go see a doctor soon.

Additionally, I received an IA Spring Junior year from a prof for a homework assignment. That homework assignment allowed us to collaborate and work with other students to create engineering 3D models so my friend and I split a portion of it and shared it amongst each other and submitted which I now know that is was plagiarism essentially. I received a 0 for the HW assignment from the dean and I will be reporting this on my application.

I am a Texas resident so I have already applied to TMDSAS on 05/20 prior to my score and am, awaiting secondaries. However, I think I do not have any shot at MDs anymore which breaks my heart slightly but I know I as a person align more with DO schools. However, I am not even sure if I am even competitive anymore for DO schools due to the downward trend. I considered taking for a fourth time but I won't be able to apply this cycle and personally, I would really try to apply and see what happens. Additionally, I am 100% done with PS, 70% done with AACOMAs W&A and 80% done with AMCAs so if anyone is also willing to read and provide me with advice on better show my story with these hurdles, I would appreciate it.

Below are my ECs:

Clinical Experience:
- OBGYN Medical Assistant (850 hours)
- Shadowing - Nephrology, OBGYN, Vascular, Pediatrics, Urology (130 hours)
- Baby Cuddler- both clinical and volunteer (110 hours)

Employment:
- Full-Time Engineer (200 hours ongoing -->Gap Year Job
- Swim Instructor for Kids (200 hours)

Volunteering:
- General Hospital Volunteer (400 hours ongoing)
- Community Health Underserved Volunteer - (70 hours ongoing)
- Underserved Clinic Volunteer (started last week Gap Year)

Research:
- Lab #1: Molecular Biology (800 hours)
- 3 published papers and 1 manuscript
- No posters presented

- Lab #2: Immunology (700 hours)
- 2 published papers (1 is second author)
- 8 posters were presented

Leadership:
- President of Robotics Org (350 hours )
- President of Pre-Med Volunteering Club (750 hours)
- Secretary for Book Club (100 hours)
- Capstone Project (110 hours)

Extracurriculars/Clubs:
- Competitive Runner (400 hours)
- Hold 6 records
- High School Mentor Program (300 hours)
- App Startup (60 hours)

Current School List:

MD Schools – TMDSAS

• UTRGV School of Medicine
• Texas Tech University HSC Paul L. Foster School of Medicine (El Paso)
• Texas A&M College of Medicine
• McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston
• University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB)
• Long School of Medicine at UT Health San Antonio
• University of Houston Fertitta Family College of Medicine
• Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
• UIW School of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
• Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (TCOM) – UNTHSC (DO)

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MD Schools – AMCAS

• Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine
• Meharry Medical College
• Howard University College of Medicine
• Charles R. Drew/UCLA Medical Education Program
• Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW)
• Thomas F. Frist Jr. College of Medicine at Belmont University
• Rush Medical College
• Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine (classified as MD)

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DO Schools

• Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM – Erie or Bradenton)
• Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM – PA or GA)
• Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine (TouroCOM – Harlem or Middletown)
• New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM – Long Island)
• Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCU-COM – Missouri)
• Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (COMP – California)
• California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine (CHSU-COM)
• Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine (TUNCOM)
• Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine (RVUCOM – Colorado or Utah)
• Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine (Noorda-COM – Utah)
• Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine (KPCOM – Florida)
• A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (ATSU-SOMA)
• Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MU-COM – Indiana)
• Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine (AZCOM – Midwestern University)

Again, I would be open to any advice including school suggestions. I am really lost and completely crushed so I would appreciate any ounce of support or advice on where I stand this application cycle.

 

[ecobio]

You should be fine for DO schools. I know someone who took the MCAT 5 times, scoring under 500 every time, and he had multiple DO interviews/acceptances. Im not familiar with Texas MD schools but unfortunately i think its a really large uphill battle for an MD acceptance with a 498. According to the MCAT-GPA grid only about 20% of those with similar stats to you have historically gained admission to MD programs — however with a sub 500 its probably less likely

Make sure the schools youre applying to dont have MCAT limits. Im pretty sure Western U , CHSU, Touro CA, etc requires you to have an MCAT of 500+

Also, take care of yourself. I can understand why you feel lost and crushed — please remember that the MCAT is not a reflection of your value as a person or future physician. I wish you the best of luck on your journey

 

[lemondrop_63]

You should be fine for DO schools. I know someone who took the MCAT 5 times, scoring under 500 every time, and he had multiple DO interviews/acceptances. Im not familiar with Texas MD schools but unfortunately i think its a really large uphill battle for an MD acceptance with a 498. According to the MCAT-GPA grid only about 20% of those with similar stats to you have historically gained admission to MD programs — however with a sub 500 its probably less likely

Make sure the schools youre applying to dont have MCAT limits. Im pretty sure Western U , CHSU, Touro CA, etc requires you to have an MCAT of 500+

Also, take care of yourself. I can understand why you feel lost and crushed — please remember that the MCAT is not a reflection of your value as a person or future physician. I wish you the best of luck on your journey

Thank you! I appreciate it. I was wondering if for those schools if they would consider my first two scores vs the most recent one?

 

[ecobio]

Thank you! I appreciate it. I was wondering if for those schools if they would consider my first two scores vs the most recent one?

Each school is different— i feel like most either average your scores, or consider the most recent one for the screening cut offs. You can email admissions to ask though!

 

[chilly_md]

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MD Schools – AMCAS

• Meharry Medical College
• Howard University College of Medicine
• Charles R. Drew/UCLA Medical Education Program

Again, I would be open to any advice including school suggestions. I am really lost and completely crushed so I would appreciate any ounce of support or advice on where I stand this application cycle.

Do you fit these 3 schools' very specific mission?

Are you originally from Ohio and that's why you are applying to Wright State? Otherwise, just because it has a lower median MCAT score for accepted students does not mean you should apply there. It is a state school that accepts primarily residents and those who graduated high school or college from there, with the remaining probably coming from a neighboring Midwest state.

Rush expects several hundred hours of volunteering (ie 500 hrs and likely closer to 1000) to those less fortunate in the community. Hospital volunteering does not count for this.

 

[chilly_md]

I also do not know why you listed Meritus as an MD school. There has been nothing suggesting it should be classified as such like you indicated.

 

[Goro]

I also do not know why you listed Meritus as an MD school. There has been nothing suggesting it should be classified as such like you indicated.

For those of you who are not aware of this, like the okay, Meredith is a new do school opening up in maryland. As such applicants are advised to avoid applying to new schools, because they have lots of teething pains.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Before we jump too quickly, MD also stands for Maryland. 😉 But it should be in your AACOMAS list.

 

[lemondrop_63]

Before we jump too quickly, MD also stands for Maryland. 😉 But it should be in your AACOMAS list.

Oh Which school is this?

 

[Faha]

You are not competitive for OOS MD schools with your stats. You could receive interviews at some DO schools and I suggest these:
UIWSOM
OSU-COM
VCOM (all schools)
ARCOM
NYIT-AR
WCU-COM
ACOM
WVSOM
UP-KYCOM
MU-COM
LECOM (all schools)
PCOM (all schools)
BCOM (both schools)
LMU-DCOM (all schools)
Noorda-COM
TUNCOM

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Oh Which school is this?

I was referring to Meritus, the new DO school in Maryland.

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