Chances for DO? Low mcat high gpa

[phixius12345]

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Hey guys, so I really messed up with the MCAT. Took it once. MCAT was 23. 8/6/9 (really messed up in verbal attachFull189314) Both my science and regular GPA are mid to high 3.9. I worked as an EMT in an ambulance for 2 years. Became a trained phlebotomist, then worked in a hospital's lab for a year. I don't have any research to date but I will be starting and continuing during the application process for this cycle. I am currently volunteering, and basically teaching classes for underserved high schools who cannot afford proper health education. I teach classes to different high schools every week and have plans to increase freshmen's overall health and health awareness. I plan to continue this through next year.
I plan to also shadow a DO this year before applying in June. Do you guys think there's any chance of me getting into a DO school this cycle? Should I even bother applying? Thanks in advance guys!

 

[LChristmas]

I think your MCAT is too low to have a realistic chance of acceptance. You would need the equivalent of a 28/29. The rest of your app seems pretty good.

 

[DetectiveAlonzo]

You're gonna have to retake. 23 is just way too low. Maybe you could get into a newer school if you don't wanna retake but that's a big "maybe".

 

[WhyDoWeFall]

Try to hit the MCATs one more time, if you can hit maybe a 24 or 25 i'd say you have a good shot at some schools like LMU or Pikeville

 

[user3]

Hey guys, so I really messed up with the MCAT. Took it once. MCAT was 23. 8/6/9 (really messed up in verbal attachFull189314) Both my science and regular GPA are mid to high 3.9. I worked as an EMT in an ambulance for 2 years. Became a trained phlebotomist, then worked in a hospital's lab for a year. I don't have any research to date but I will be starting and continuing during the application process for this cycle. I am currently volunteering, and basically teaching classes for underserved high schools who cannot afford proper health education. I teach classes to different high schools every week and have plans to increase freshmen's overall health and health awareness. I plan to continue this through next year.
I plan to also shadow a DO this year before applying in June. Do you guys think there's any chance of me getting into a DO school this cycle? Should I even bother applying? Thanks in advance guys!

you should definitely get in somewhere, but your options might be limited.

 

[DetectiveAlonzo]

Also, not to pick on you or anything (so please don't take any offense" but with a 3.9 gpa... how did you end up scoring so low? Are u not a good standardized test-taker?

 

[phixius12345]

Also, not to pick on you or anything (so please don't take any offense" but with a 3.9 gpa... how did you end up scoring so low? Are u not a good standardized test-taker?

Well I taught myself physics, so I took the MCAT without taking a physics class. I think that might have affected my PS score quite a bit as my PS section was incredibly hard. I think having a hard PS psyched me out and I couldn't focus adequately on verbal, so I feel like that caused the biggest problem. Just wasn't a good day for me lol.

 

[ForensicOdontology]

I don't think your situation is quite so dire as some have made it seem. It's iffy, but I'd bet on an acceptance somewhere. That said, Physics is a prereq, are you planning on taking 1 & 2 before you apply?

 

[phixius12345]

I don't think your situation is quite so dire as some have made it seem. It's iffy, but I'd bet on an acceptance somewhere. That said, Physics is a prereq, are you planning on taking 1 & 2 before you apply?

Ya I'm currently taking Physics 1 right now and I'm planning on taking physics 2 while I'm applying. Is there a huge negative of going to a lower tier or new DO school? I'm not planning on going into any crazy specialty but I don't want to necessarily go into Primary Care. I was thinking of ER because of the experiences I've had as an EMT. Do you guys think a lower tier or new DO school would allow me to get some decent residencies besides primary care?

 

[ForensicOdontology]

IMHO, DO school is DO school is DO school. I'd imagine it's less an issue of where you get in and more an issue of how you do once you're there.

 

[IslandStyle808]

Take it again. It is your first time taking it and you probably did not taking it in best form. In your case, aim for a 26 at least. You want to aim for optimal not the bare minimum.

 

[Goro]

Concur. You might have some luck with the newest schools, but I suggest a retake AFTER you fix your VR deficits.

I think your MCAT is too low to have a realistic chance of acceptance. You would need the equivalent of a 28/29. The rest of your app seems pretty good.

 

[samac]

If you're not too concerned with new vs established DO schools I think you'll be fine. I know plenty of folks who has gotten into the newer schools with a 23-24 with GPA in the 3.7-3.8 range. If you're successful with your boards, I don't think an ER residency will be out of reach.