DO DO Chances? Terrible MCAT..

[legacydoctor]

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I just got my MCAT score back today and I've been beating myself up on whether I should retake in 11 days or continue ahead with a few select schools that won't mind such a low score.

cGPA: 3.40
sGPA: 3.51
MCAT: 6/6/8 --> 20

Should I retake the MCAT in 11 days (practically no preparation time) or early September (every other available time before September is really far away) or should I just apply now?

If I apply now then which schools should I apply to? Do I have any chance with any of them?

 

[gyngyn]

I just got my MCAT score back today and I've been beating myself up on whether I should retake in 11 days or continue ahead with a few select schools that won't mind such a low score.

cGPA: 3.40
sGPA: 3.51
MCAT: 6/6/8 --> 20

Should I retake the MCAT in 11 days (practically no preparation time) or early September (every other available time before September is really far away) or should I just apply now?

If I apply now then which schools should I apply to? Do I have any chance with any of them?

Do not re-take without substantial time to prepare, unless you were deathly ill on the first administration. Multiple bad MCAT's are exponentially worse than a single.

 

[Catalystik]

I just got my MCAT score back today and I've been beating myself up on whether I should retake in 11 days or continue ahead with a few select schools that won't mind such a low score.

cGPA: 3.40
sGPA: 3.51
MCAT: 6/6/8 --> 20

Should I retake the MCAT in 11 days (practically no preparation time) or early September (every other available time before September is really far away) or should I just apply now?

If I apply now then which schools should I apply to? Do I have any chance with any of them?

Don't waste your money applying to DO schools with an MCAT of 20.

Don't retake the MCAT so soon unless you feel the score you got was a fluke, due to stress, or illness, malfunctioning computer, or somesuch.

 

[Sean Lee]

OP, your GPAs are very good for DO schools, but a 20 is way too low.

What were you scoring on your AAMC practice exams? Is the 20 significantly below your practice average?

 

[legacydoctor]

OP, your GPAs are very good for DO schools, but a 20 is way too low.

What were you scoring on your AAMC practice exams? Is the 20 significantly below your practice average?

My practice average was 25; do you think it wise for me to take the upcoming June 21st exam even though I haven't reviewed for the last month?

 

[legacydoctor]

Also, do I have a chance with the 3 new schools? Is it even worth a shot?

Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

 

[el_duderino]

At a practice average of 25 and an actual of 20, you're not prepared to retake. Unless you're a URM I wouldn't bother submitting an application right now, and even then I'd hesitate.

You need a solid program of intense study and practice. That verbal score of 6 is the most concerning.

 

[candbgirl]

Don't retake on the 21st and don't apply this cycle. You need to develop some sort of study plan for the MCAT and only take it when you are consistently scoring around 28-30. To apply now would be crazy. A 20 MCAT is not acceptable anyplace and then you'd be a re-applicant to make matters worse.

 

[legacydoctor]

Don't retake on the 21st and don't apply this cycle. You need to develop some sort of study plan for the MCAT and only take it when you are consistently scoring around 28-30. To apply now would be crazy. A 20 MCAT is not acceptable anyplace and then you'd be a re-applicant to make matters worse.

Would I be better off taking post-bac courses for a year so as to increase my chances for both DO & MD schools?

 

[el_duderino]

Acing a post-bac and increasing your MCAT by 12 points will make you reasonably competitive for MD. That's a pretty tall order though. Your current GPA is fine for DO. You need to focus on that MCAT.

 

[legacydoctor]

Acing a post-bac and increasing your MCAT by 12 points will make you reasonably competitive for MD. That's a pretty tall order though. Your current GPA is fine for DO. You need to focus on that MCAT.

I recently read that applying to DO schools before December is still considered "early" so why would October be that bad if I retook the MCAT in September? Is there really a point to waiting until the next cycle? 2 years of waiting doesn't sound like a great plan to me..

 

[el_duderino]

I don't think December would be considered early by any stretch, even for DO. December might be OK if you have strong stats, but September-October would be early.

What are you doing the rest of the summer?

 

[zzxxzz]

I recently read that applying to DO schools before December is still considered "early" so why would October be that bad if I retook the MCAT in September? Is there really a point to waiting until the next cycle? 2 years of waiting doesn't sound like a great plan to me..

You answered this question yourself.

My practice average was 25; do you think it wise for me to take the upcoming June 21st exam even though I haven't reviewed for the last month?

To be painfully honest, a 25 means you're getting roughly a third of the questions wrong. There's not guarantee you'll score much higher than you did.

I would suggest taking at least several months to study intensely before you consider re-taking. If you get a 30, or a 27, apply away. But another low score will destroy any chances you had.

 

[Goro]

100% concur. That score is NOT competitive. Heed the words of my learned colleague.

Do not re-take without substantial time to prepare, unless you were deathly ill on the first administration. Multiple bad MCAT's are exponentially worse than a single.

 

[Sean Lee]

I don't think December would be considered early by any stretch, even for DO. December might be OK if you have strong stats, but September-October would be early.

What are you doing the rest of the summer?

Would you consider 3.58 cGPA, 3.25 sGPA, 33 MCAT strong for DO?