Applying to DO With Low MCAT

[okmaxd]

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Hey guys,

I'm not a frequent user of SDN but I've probably read thousands of threads on here regarding medical school. I'm a graduate of UCSD in Physiology and Neuroscience with a GPA of 3.35. Realistically, I knew that I would not have a shot at an MD program so I've been looking at DO schools for the past 6-7 months. Unfortunately, I took the MCAT in September and got a score of 498. I scored a 126 on CARS and a 124 on every other section. I knew I hadn't scored well and I started studying again right after my first attempt. I'm already doing well on practice exams, going over 505. However, I know some DO schools accept January MCAT scores and I'm looking to take one of the January MCAT exams.

I have already filled out my application, but haven't submitted it. I have decent extracurriculars including work as a lab tech in a lab on campus (no publication), volunteer work including 6 months of volunteering at a hospital, several volunteering experiences throughout undergrad that were nonclinical, and I currently work as a part-time chemist in a bleach factory and as a medical scribe in the emergency department. I have 2 letters from science professors, a letter from a non-science professor, a letter from the clinical volunteering experience I had, and a letter from one of the doctors I work with in the emergency department who happens to be a DO.

So my question is, do I submit my primary with my garbage MCAT score and just put in that I will retake the test or should I wait until I take my second attempt and get scores back or does that even matter? I do not want to wait another year and I'm confident that I will do much better on the January MCAT as I'm giving myself enough time to study. What do you guys think?

 

[ch91]

It's already pretty late in the application cycle (started in may). IMO I would just wait to retake it and apply right when applications open next cycle with your new score before spending the money on applications with an MCAT score that might get dismissed pretty quickly. That's just me though. Instead of looking at it as another year wasted look at it as another year you can make your application even better to guarantee your chances of getting in the first time around! 🙂

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

I would retake. Your score breakdown tells me you didn't understand the material as well as you thought you did. And a 124 in Bio is concerning (multiple adcoms on here have said that) so I think that will actually hurt you more than the 498. If you can get a 503+ you would be in a decent position with your GPA.

 

[okmaxd]

I would retake. Your score breakdown tells me you didn't understand the material as well as you thought you did. And a 124 in Bio is concerning (multiple adcoms on here have said that) so I think that will actually hurt you more than the 498. If you can get a 503+ you would be in a decent position with your GPA.

Should I submit my app now and just put in my application that I will retake the test in January or should I wait until I get my scores back and then submit my application right away? So in other words, does it matter if I submit my application right now or later in February when I get my scores back? Or will the schools just hold my application until scores from my January MCAT come back? I'm only looking at schools that are willing to accept January MCATs only.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Should I submit my app now and just put in my application that I will retake the test in January or should I wait until I get my scores back and then submit my application right away? So in other words, does it matter if I submit my application right now or later in February when I get my scores back? Or will the schools just hold my application until scores from my January MCAT come back? I'm only looking at schools that are willing to accept January MCATs only.

Eh the best course of action will be to wait until next cycle to apply. I know you probably don't want to hear that but it will give you much better odds

 

[summergirl]

Should I submit my app now and just put in my application that I will retake the test in January or should I wait until I get my scores back and then submit my application right away? So in other words, does it matter if I submit my application right now or later in February when I get my scores back? Or will the schools just hold my application until scores from my January MCAT come back? I'm only looking at schools that are willing to accept January MCATs only.

You won't get in this year if you retake your MCAT in January. Wait for next cycle.

 

[OrdinaryDO]

You won't get in this year if you retake your MCAT in January. Wait for next cycle.

As much as I would like to agree with you, you can't disregard someone completely. January is just the beginning of "late" for a DO school. Depending on the improvement of his MCAT he could easily get into SOME medical school. However, as much as I like to play devil's advocate, I sympathize with your viewpoint.

 

[okmaxd]

As much as I would like to agree with you, you can't disregard someone completely. January is just the beginning of "late" for a DO school. Depending on the improvement of his MCAT he could easily get into SOME medical school. However, as much as I like to play devil's advocate, I sympathize with your viewpoint.

Do you think I should just submit my app now and continue studying for my MCAT? Does it even make a difference if I submit my app now knowing that I will be submitting new MCAT scores in February?

 

[summergirl]

As much as I would like to agree with you, you can't disregard someone completely. January is just the beginning of "late" for a DO school. Depending on the improvement of his MCAT he could easily get into SOME medical school. However, as much as I like to play devil's advocate, I sympathize with your viewpoint.

😵Why are you talking with that patronizing tone?

 

[okmaxd]

So, assuming I want to give it a shot, should I submit my application now or wait until my scores come back in Februrary?

 

[OrdinaryDO]

😵Why are you talking with that patronizing tone?

Can I not reply with an honest comment? There is nothing patronizing about what I said, but I'm sorry you took it that way.

 

[Alienman52]

It's already pretty late in the application cycle (started in may). IMO I would just wait to retake it and apply right when applications open next cycle with your new score before spending the money on applications with an MCAT score that might get dismissed pretty quickly. That's just me though. Instead of looking at it as another year wasted look at it as another year you can make your application even better to guarantee your chances of getting in the first time around! 🙂

Strongly concur

 

[Alienman52]

😵Why are you talking with that patronizing tone?

"patronizing tone?" Seriously? He's 100% right, and is just being constructive.

 

[Goro]

Apply now with your MCAT score will merely lead to lots of rejections. Even if you get a good MCAT score in Jan, you'll merely be, at best, interviewing for a spot on a wait list at that point.

So, retake when you're 100% ready, and only then, and apply June 1, 2017. DO schools aren't going anywhere, and three more are opening their doors next Fall.

Should I submit my app now and just put in my application that I will retake the test in January or should I wait until I get my scores back and then submit my application right away? So in other words, does it matter if I submit my application right now or later in February when I get my scores back? Or will the schools just hold my application until scores from my January MCAT come back? I'm only looking at schools that are willing to accept January MCATs only.

 

[Goro]

January is NOT the beginning of late. It's late.

As much as I would like to agree with you, you can't disregard someone completely. January is just the beginning of "late" for a DO school. Depending on the improvement of his MCAT he could easily get into SOME medical school. However, as much as I like to play devil's advocate, I sympathize with your viewpoint.

Pay attention! NO and NO.

So, assuming I want to give it a shot, should I submit my application now or wait until my scores come back in Februrary?

 

[ch91]

Apply now with your MCAT score will merely lead to lots of rejections. Even if you get a good MCAT score in Jan, you'll merely be, at best, interviewing for a spot on a wait list at that point.

So, retake when you're 100% ready, and only then, and apply June 1, 2017. DO schools aren't going anywhere, and three more are opening their doors next Fall.

wait what 3 are opening this fall?

 

[Goro]

Fall 2017: UIW, RVU-UT, NYITCOM-AR

wait what 3 are opening this fall?

 

[movinonup]

Fall 2017: UIW, RVU-UT, NYITCOM-AR

NYIT will be in year 2. ARCOM will have first class next fall

 

[Goro]

So make that four new schools.

NYIT will be in year 2. ARCOM will have first class next fall