Aug MCAT or DO or wait a year?

[journeytomed]

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Hi everyone! Posted this on the MCAT forums too!

So I just got my June scores today, and I dropped from the first time I took it. Took it in Jan and got a 29 (9/11/9) and got a 504 now, which is around a 28. The psych section destroyed me and I did better on my practice exams than on the real thing in CARS as well. Undergrad GPA is a 3.4cum, 3.1science. SMP GPA 3.7.

I was planning to submitting my primary apps tonight to both MD and DO programs, but I really thought I'd do better than that I did, and now I'm not sure what to do. Should I?

a) Submit my primary apps, retake MCAT in Aug and submit secondaries hoping I don't get rejected before MD schools get my scores?
b) Go with my current scores and apply this cycle with the assumption I'll probably get DO
c) Take an additional gap year, retake the MCAT, find a solid gap year job and apply the very first day of the cycle for MD next year?

My worry about applying this cycle and not getting in MD is being a re-applicant from what I know it a disadvantage. I'm only applying to DO schools I would not mind attending, if that helps. But I really was not planning on taking an additional year off, and I was really looking forward to starting medical school in the fall but not sure if it is actually worth it to take another year off if I can get into MD.

I have no qualms about DO, I actually appreciate the philosophy, just hoping to specialize in a more competitive speciality.

Thanks!

 

[whatever5]

If I were you, I would apply DO and to in-state MD programs. Anything else would really be a waste of money, but if titles are important to you wait a year and retake the MCAT. I understand a third try on the MCAT isn't usually looked upon well, especially if you don't improve significantly, though maybe since they just changed the MCAT you'll get some slack on that.

 

[candbgirl]

I know you say DO is okay but I don't think you really believe it. Better to wait a year a try for MD. Don't apply for MD this year. You'd be wasting money. If you are truly okay with DO it's your best bet to start med school in 2016. You should understand that your next MCAT might be around the same score.

 

[Lucca]

Wait a year.

 

[22031 Alum]

Jan to June your score stayed about the same, even dropped a little. What is going to change between now and August that makes you sure you'll have a significant improvement?

Don't rush this. Make your first app the best app possible.