Apply this upcoming cycle or wait until 2015?

[camng22]

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Hey guys,

I really need your guys' opinion on when I should apply to medical school. I am currently a senior with a ~3.5 cgpa and ~3.6sgpa and haven't taken the MCAT yet. I've been studying for it for a while but I still don't feel confident in getting a good score (my practice tests are around mid 20s-high 20s). My test date is in May but I was thinking of rescheduling the test to perhaps october/november so that I can take the entire summer to study. During this time I probably will be looking for a medical related job such as a scribe or EMT. I have cookie cutter EC's (volunteering hospital/research/shadowing/clubs) and nothing out of the ordinary. Also my letters of recs are not too great and not bad. I do however have a strong drive to go into medicine, especially DO(long story) so I believemy personal statements will be somewhat interesting. But anyways, I really have 2 options here:

Option 1: Take the MCAT and hope to score in the high 20s and apply this cycle with cookie cutter ECs.
Option 2:Spend the summer studying for the MCAT for a better chance to get a higher score and apply next cycle with additional ECs (maybe scribe or EMT).

My goal is to get into a DO school granted I have a low chance in getting into MD.

 

[MJS4878]

Hey guys,

I really need your guys' opinion on when I should apply to medical school. I am currently a senior with a ~3.5 cgpa and ~3.6sgpa and haven't taken the MCAT yet. I've been studying for it for a while but I still don't feel confident in getting a good score (my practice tests are around mid 20s-high 20s). My test date is in May but I was thinking of rescheduling the test to perhaps october/november so that I can take the entire summer to study. During this time I probably will be looking for a medical related job such as a scribe or EMT. I have cookie cutter EC's (volunteering hospital/research/shadowing/clubs) and nothing out of the ordinary. Also my letters of recs are not too great and not bad. I do however have a strong drive to go into medicine, especially DO(long story) so I believemy personal statements will be somewhat interesting. But anyways, I really have 2 options here:

Option 1: Take the MCAT and hope to score in the high 20s and apply this cycle with cookie cutter ECs.
Option 2:Spend the summer studying for the MCAT for a better chance to get a higher score and apply next cycle with additional ECs (maybe scribe or EMT).

My goal is to get into a DO school granted I have a low chance in getting into MD.

It's only mid-March. If you're scheduled to take the MCAT in May then you have a month and a half to improve your score. In that that time I went from scoring low 20's to high 20's so I am sure you can do the same.

Cookie cutter EC's aren't necessarily a bad thing as long as you can explain what you got out of them.

 

[Mx300]

Take it from me don't take the mcat unless u are consistently scoring 3-4 points above ur target score. You can take it later than May if u want, the DO cycle runs longer so even taking it in August shouldn't impact u that much. This is especially true if u score well (high 20s).

 

[CSqueed]

Hey guys,

I really need your guys' opinion on when I should apply to medical school. I am currently a senior with a ~3.5 cgpa and ~3.6sgpa and haven't taken the MCAT yet. I've been studying for it for a while but I still don't feel confident in getting a good score (my practice tests are around mid 20s-high 20s). My test date is in May but I was thinking of rescheduling the test to perhaps october/november so that I can take the entire summer to study. During this time I probably will be looking for a medical related job such as a scribe or EMT. I have cookie cutter EC's (volunteering hospital/research/shadowing/clubs) and nothing out of the ordinary. Also my letters of recs are not too great and not bad. I do however have a strong drive to go into medicine, especially DO(long story) so I believemy personal statements will be somewhat interesting. But anyways, I really have 2 options here:

Option 1: Take the MCAT and hope to score in the high 20s and apply this cycle with cookie cutter ECs.
Option 2:Spend the summer studying for the MCAT for a better chance to get a higher score and apply next cycle with additional ECs (maybe scribe or EMT).

My goal is to get into a DO school granted I have a low chance in getting into MD.

Oh, god. Option 1 all the way. With a 3.5 and a mid-high 20's you are a SHOE in for just getting one acceptance.

LarkinCOM, LibertyU, and Incarnate World are mega safeties for you.

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

Oh, god. Option 1 all the way. With a 3.5 and a mid-high 20's you are a SHOE in for just getting one acceptance.

LarkinCOM, LibertyU, and Incarnate World are mega safeties for you.

I don't think Larkin or UIW will be open for next cycle.

OP, as long as your primary and secondary are in before October, you are consider early in DO world. A 3.5 doesn't need to be super early, so October is fine.

 

[kp11]

you can always apply with your MCAT score pending. apply early and take your time studying for the test.

 

[Dr Tony T. Chopper]

you can always apply with your MCAT score pending. apply early and take your time studying for the test.

Is applying early with pending MCAT score still considered as one of those highly desirable "early" applications that may COMs favor?

 

[Elevencents]

Is applying early with pending MCAT score still considered as one of those highly desirable "early" applications that may COMs favor?

You are basically applying to one school just so your primary is verified. Then you add schools based on your score.

 

[camng22]

hey guys, I am currently signed up for 3 science classes for next quarter and I'm planning to perhaps maybe add another class. At the moment, I have no LORs besides maybe a DO letter/research letter so I am still missing 2 science letters and hoping to get them from the 4 classes that I might take. I'm still unsure if I should apply this cycle or wait until next cycle because it really is hard to study for the MCAT while taking classes/research/volunteer. Even if I do apply this cycle, I think I would start applying either in July or August. What do you guys think? Should I just focus on my classes so that I have more things to say during office hours for my classes so that I'll get a better chance at getting a LOR? Or should I continue to study for the upcoming May mcat and hope for the best? Thanks guys, much appreciated.