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Long-time lurker, first time poster. I would like advice concerning my MCAT score and options moving forward.
Brief background: I'm a 26 y.o. non-trad working full time as a medical technologist. Working as an MT has provided the motivation to pursue a medical career primarily by inspiring a desire to work directly with patients - especially the elderly. Making a committed decision to apply to medical school and completing the requirements has been a long process involving much thought and prayer, but I can't escape the thoughts of working as a geriatrician as my spiritual calling.
The numbers:
BS Clinical Laboratory Science GPA 3.85
DIY post-baccalaureate GPA (50+ hrs) GPA 3.95
Overall cGPA 3.88 (sGPA falls somewhere b/w 3.80-3.90)
MCAT 510 - 130/123/129/128
Clinical exp:
Currently work FT as medical technologist (evening shift) - Includes working as charge technologist - basically the "go-to" person;
During senior year of undergrad worked as medical lab assistant - Involved phlebotomy and performing bleeding times on patients;
~ 50 hours hospice volunteering (current volunteer) - Involves interacting with family/patient for support/companionship;
Little shadowing (~12 hrs) - enough to get an idea about the profession from a physician's point of view;
My MCAT composite is unbalanced w/ an absolutely abysmal CARS - I knew this was going to challenge me but I gave it a go and it simply did not match up to my practice scores. I am a Louisiana resident and was hoping to apply to my state schools LSU-S and LSU-NO, but from what the LSU-NO advisor told me back in July is they look for ~ 60%tile in each section (123 = 33%tile).
This is where I need advice:
My two options are
1) Retake MCAT: I am really trying to avoid this option.
2) Apply strictly to DO schools: My only qualm here is if this is a realistic possibility considering such a low CARS. I haven’t considered DO schools prior to taking MCAT due to financial reasons, but I agree with their philosophy and at this point would consider an interview an absolute blessing.
I'm thankful for the advice this forum provides! Keep it up!
Brief background: I'm a 26 y.o. non-trad working full time as a medical technologist. Working as an MT has provided the motivation to pursue a medical career primarily by inspiring a desire to work directly with patients - especially the elderly. Making a committed decision to apply to medical school and completing the requirements has been a long process involving much thought and prayer, but I can't escape the thoughts of working as a geriatrician as my spiritual calling.
The numbers:
BS Clinical Laboratory Science GPA 3.85
DIY post-baccalaureate GPA (50+ hrs) GPA 3.95
Overall cGPA 3.88 (sGPA falls somewhere b/w 3.80-3.90)
MCAT 510 - 130/123/129/128
Clinical exp:
Currently work FT as medical technologist (evening shift) - Includes working as charge technologist - basically the "go-to" person;
During senior year of undergrad worked as medical lab assistant - Involved phlebotomy and performing bleeding times on patients;
~ 50 hours hospice volunteering (current volunteer) - Involves interacting with family/patient for support/companionship;
Little shadowing (~12 hrs) - enough to get an idea about the profession from a physician's point of view;
My MCAT composite is unbalanced w/ an absolutely abysmal CARS - I knew this was going to challenge me but I gave it a go and it simply did not match up to my practice scores. I am a Louisiana resident and was hoping to apply to my state schools LSU-S and LSU-NO, but from what the LSU-NO advisor told me back in July is they look for ~ 60%tile in each section (123 = 33%tile).
This is where I need advice:
My two options are
1) Retake MCAT: I am really trying to avoid this option.
2) Apply strictly to DO schools: My only qualm here is if this is a realistic possibility considering such a low CARS. I haven’t considered DO schools prior to taking MCAT due to financial reasons, but I agree with their philosophy and at this point would consider an interview an absolute blessing.
I'm thankful for the advice this forum provides! Keep it up!
