Chances of applying later in cycle

[Jc195]

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Long post but I need some advice . I'm looking to apply this upcoming cycle but I will be spending the entire month of June on an international non-medical mission trip and won't be taking the MCAT until August because of this. I'm hesitant to submit my application later in the cycle (end of September roughly) because everything that I have heard is the best bet is to apply sooner in the cycle.

I will have spent 5 years as an undergrad due to transferring schools and changing my career path. During that first year both my family and myself had numerous health issues and my father was out of work for an extended period of time. I choose to commute from home and work (~50 hours a week) to help my family out financially. With this plus being a full time student so my grades weren't the best and I finished with a 2.7 GPA that year.

Since transferring my GPA is now a 3.3 cumulative and in retaking the courses that I preformed the worst in it's a 3.43 with an overall science GPA of 3.51, over the last 4 semesters I have a 3.76 GPA so I'm defiantly trending upwards.

My concern is that due to my low GPA and applying later in the cycle this year my chances are slim to get an interview. Would it be best to wait until next year's cycle and apply first thing? And if so would a 1 year Master's degree be beneficial in helping to raise my GPA further?

 

[wannabedoc2000]

I think if you are applying in September, it is better to wait until next year because you will have very slim chances to begin with. Unless you have a compelling reason why you HAVE TO START this year that you can explain in your app.

And Masters degree wont help raise your UG GPA. It will show, but it will be separate from your UG GPA.

 

[Cardboard101]

I think if you are applying in September, it is better to wait until next year because you will have very slim chances to begin with. Unless you have a compelling reason why you HAVE TO START this year that you can explain in your app.

And Masters degree wont help raise your UG GPA. It will show, but it will be separate from your UG GPA.

This is just bad advice.

OP: September/Early Oct isn't late for a DO app. If you get 505+ on the MCAT apply broadly and go for it. Your cGPA is around the median at 3.43 and your sGPA is above the median at 3.51 and you have a good upward trend.
A masters program can help if its a SMP or a coursework masters in hard sciences. Your graduate GPA is separated from your uGPA but I believe there is another column that combines the two when adcoms see it.

It's up to you but if you take and ace another year of post-bacc and get 510+ on the MCAT you'd have a shot at MD next year.

 

[Magus5454]

Late for MD not late for DO. Also you can submit your app early but it will be on hold till receipt of the MCAT scores

TLDR : if you are wanting to pursue MD, wait a year. If DO is fine, go for it

 

[theLastprocastination]

OP,you definitely will NOT be late for DO. I took mcat in September and all DO primary in November and got accepted. However I may not be the norm.
Have everything else ready. That is app entered, transcripts delivered, Personal statement re read and re edited, and most of all LORs received by the time you get your mcat scores and apply in September. You’re still earlier than majority of your class.

 

[Magus5454]

OP,you definitely will NOT be late for DO. I took mcat in September and all DO primary in November and got accepted. However I may not be the norm.
Have everything else ready. That is app entered, transcripts delivered, Personal statement re read and re edited, and most of all LORs received by the time you get your mcat scores and apply in September. You’re still earlier than majority of your class.

My app was on hold with most schools this year because I didn't take the MCAT over till September, my old.one had expired for most schools

 

[Jc195]

This is just bad advice.

OP: September/Early Oct isn't late for a DO app. If you get 505+ on the MCAT apply broadly and go for it. Your cGPA is around the median at 3.43 and your sGPA is above the median at 3.51 and you have a good upward trend.
A masters program can help if its a SMP or a coursework masters in hard sciences. Your graduate GPA is separated from your uGPA but I believe there is another column that combines the two when adcoms see it.

It's up to you but if you take and ace another year of post-bacc and get 510+ on the MCAT you'd have a shot at MD next year.

Thanks for the advise. The Master's programs I've looked at have direct ties with the medical school. Ex: Get X GPA first semester with X MCAT and have a guaranteed interview.

My biggest worry was that applying later and having that poor first year will sink my chances of acceptance

 

[calivianya]

I was complete in November at all except one school. I had submitted my primary on September 27th for my favorite school, but once the MD rejections started rolling in, I added a ton more. I was complete at the last one November 28th.

I got 8 IIs out of 11 completed apps, including the ones I was complete at on November 27th/28th. Being "late" for DO is submitting after December, IMO.

 

[BobbyKoch]

My app was on hold with most schools this year because I didn't take the MCAT over till September, my old.one had expired for most schools

may I ask how old it was? I have a May 2016 MCAT that puts me about 8 weeks past many schools' 3 year test date-matriculation requirement.

I am resigned to contacting specific schools to make sure and even retaking. but dang would I like to avoid the retake if at all possible!!!

 

[Goro]

Long post but I need some advice . I'm looking to apply this upcoming cycle but I will be spending the entire month of June on an international non-medical mission trip and won't be taking the MCAT until August because of this. I'm hesitant to submit my application later in the cycle (end of September roughly) because everything that I have heard is the best bet is to apply sooner in the cycle.

I will have spent 5 years as an undergrad due to transferring schools and changing my career path. During that first year both my family and myself had numerous health issues and my father was out of work for an extended period of time. I choose to commute from home and work (~50 hours a week) to help my family out financially. With this plus being a full time student so my grades weren't the best and I finished with a 2.7 GPA that year.

Since transferring my GPA is now a 3.3 cumulative and in retaking the courses that I preformed the worst in it's a 3.43 with an overall science GPA of 3.51, over the last 4 semesters I have a 3.76 GPA so I'm defiantly trending upwards.

My concern is that due to my low GPA and applying later in the cycle this year my chances are slim to get an interview. Would it be best to wait until next year's cycle and apply first thing? And if so would a 1 year Master's degree be beneficial in helping to raise my GPA further?

The DO cycle is longer than that for MD and so applying up to T-giving is fine.

Your GPAs are great. No need for a MS.

 

[Magus5454]

may I ask how old it was? I have a May 2016 MCAT that puts me about 8 weeks past many schools' 3 year test date-matriculation requirement.

I am resigned to contacting specific schools to make sure and even retaking. but dang would I like to avoid the retake if at all possible!!!

Sept 2014, retook Sept 2017

 

[thunder_thighs_save_lives]

I applied end of September and got into schools just fine.

 

[cactus.flower]

Hi, I just wanted to say that all 4 programs I was accepted to, I didn’t even send a primary until September-November, and ultimately am matriculating to the last one I applied to in November. If you’ve got the application and average or better stats, just apply!