Do I have a chance this cycle?

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heart1

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Hi,

I apologize in advanced if this is in the wrong thread or is repetitive but I am at a major crossroad. Any comments would be appreciated.

MCAT: I took the MCAT twice in 2012, (20: 8 PS, 5 VR, 7 BS & 25: 8 PS, 8 VR, 9 BS) and retook it just this past May for a third time (21: 8 PS, 5 VR, 8 BS). Looks bad, I know but I really don't want to take it a 4th time.

GPA: I have a cumulative 3.3 undergrad GPA, 3.2 science undergrad. I did a postbac just this past year and got a 3.87. I will also have a strong committee letter of rec that has letters from my professors and a LOR from a MD that I currently work for as a medical assistant.

Medically Related Exp: I was an EMT, volunteered in ER and pathology depts, and worked for about a year now as a medical assistant under an MD in an underserved community.

Other Exp: I've tutored and worked as a office assistant during undergrad. Worked at a summer day camp, started a summer camp for kids with special needs.

Bio: Asian, male, 25 year old, CA resident, enjoy long walks on the beach

I just wanted to know if I still have a chance this cycle and if so, which schools should I apply to? Truth is, I was devastated when I found out my 3rd score was lower than my second and not sure what should I do now.

Thank you in advance.
 
Some schools consider your highest score. I would look at lucom/mucom/Vcom. That 25 could get you in but you're going to have a lot of trouble. I would suggest a retake. Try Touro Nevada maybe.
 
DoctorSynthesis said:
Some schools consider your highest score. I would look at lucom/mucom/Vcom. That 25 could get you in but you're going to have a lot of trouble. I would suggest a retake. Try Touro Nevada maybe.
Click to expand...

sorry to ask but why would you think Touro Nevada is not a middle-tier DO school? but like a low-tier DO school? since their stat is like in the middle? and since it belongs to the TOURO I guess it will be harder to get into?
 
Ur undergrad stats are decent, ur post-bacc looks good, ur EC's are solid - Only problem is the MCAT. Retake my friend. Do most schools just look at ur highest or all together? I'm not sure.

If I were you I would apply to ALL of these schools. They range from average MCAT's 24-26. However you are under their average undergrad GPA for ALL of them. I would expect a couple acceptances though since you have a high post-bacc.

OSU-COM
KCUMB
CUSOM
WCU
ACOM
LMU
PNWU
VCOM-CC
VCOM-VC
WVSOM
KYCOM
 
Last edited:
darklordzzz said:
sorry to ask but why would you think Touro Nevada is not a middle-tier DO school? but like a low-tier DO school? since their stat is like in the middle? and since it belongs to the TOURO I guess it will be harder to get into?
Click to expand...

I know some people who couldn't get into touro ca and western u getting into touro nv so I just suggested it because I assume since the OP is from cali he would prefer to stay closer. It would definitely be a stretch for the OP to get in though. It's mid to low tier I would say. Also AT still arizona has an average MCAT of 26 and a 3.4 gpa so that could be a possibility. Also pacific northwest is another school to consider. OP you should apply early and broadly also.
 
adriano710 said:
Ur undergrad stats are decent, ur post-bacc looks good, ur EC's are solid - Only problem is the MCAT. Retake my friend. Do most schools just look at ur highest or all together? I'm not sure.
Click to expand...
I know some schools look at your best score. I read this on PCOMs website. However, the most recent score is important. That 25 kinda looks like a fluke so that will hold OP back. However, I would expect 1 acceptance.
 
DoctorSynthesis said:
I know some people who couldn't get into touro ca and western u getting into touro nv so I just suggested it because I assume since the OP is from cali he would prefer to stay closer. It would definitely be a stretch for the OP to get in though. It's mid to low tier I would say. Also AT still arizona has an average MCAT of 26 and a 3.4 gpa so that could be a possibility. Also pacific northwest is another school to consider. OP you should apply early and broadly also.
Click to expand...

you mean ATSU-SOMA?.....average of 26?.................the confusing thing is that while these averages exist, the students in these schools always claim the actual averages are like 1-2 points higher.....
 
DoctorSynthesis said:
I know some people who couldn't get into touro ca and western u getting into touro nv so I just suggested it because I assume since the OP is from cali he would prefer to stay closer. It would definitely be a stretch for the OP to get in though. It's mid to low tier I would say. Also AT still arizona has an average MCAT of 26 and a 3.4 gpa so that could be a possibility. Also pacific northwest is another school to consider. OP you should apply early and broadly also.
Click to expand...
Average MCAT is 27 at AT
 
Thanks for all your input guys. I was approved for the MD fee waiver and it gave me 15 schools to apply to for free and all secondaries will be comped also. Should I still bother to apply? Do some MD schools just look at the best score also?

I didn't qualify for the DO fee waiver, but I'm ok with applying to a lot of schools if it will get me in. I'm just concerned about the location of these schools and having my third, most recent score be lower than my 2nd score, 2 years ago.
 
heart1 said:
Thanks for all your input guys. I was approved for the MD fee waiver and it gave me 15 schools to apply to for free and all secondaries will be comped also. Should I still bother to apply? Do some MD schools just look at the best score also?

I didn't qualify for the DO fee waiver, but I'm ok with applying to a lot of schools if it will get me in. I'm just concerned about the location of these schools and having my third, most recent score be lower than my 2nd score, 2 years ago.
Click to expand...

sorry but why wouldnt you stop at a 25 and applied with that 25? an 8 in VR is good for DO schoool.....so VR is just a toss of luck or something? u got a 5 on VR then 8 on VR then 5 on VR?
if you read the threads of 2013-2014, a lot of people got into LMU-DBU, and VCOM and KYCOM with scores less than 25.
 
darklordzzz said:
sorry but why wouldnt you stop at a 25 and applied with that 25? an 8 in VR is good for DO schoool.....so VR is just a toss of luck or something? u got a 5 on VR then 8 on VR then 5 on VR?
if you read the threads of 2013-2014, a lot of people got into LMU-DBU, and VCOM and KYCOM with scores less than 25.
Click to expand...

i thought i could score higher, and apply to more competitive DO programs such as Western (in my home state) and DMU, and maybe some MD schools since i have the fee waiver. but that didn't work out so i'm not sure how the 20, 25, 21 would look which is why im asking. any thoughts from anyone?
 
heart1 said:
i thought i could score higher, and apply to more competitive DO programs such as Western (in my home state) and DMU, and maybe some MD schools since i have the fee waiver. but that didn't work out so i'm not sure how the 20, 25, 21 would look which is why im asking. any thoughts from anyone?
Click to expand...

Most MD schools if not all will look at all your scores. The most important score is the most recent. That being said even if they only did look at your best score that still wouldn't help you. A 25 is lethal for MD. If you got fee waiver I guess you can apply but your not going to get anywhere. Forget about MD.

"i thought i could score higher, and apply to more competitive DO programs such as Western (in my home state) and DMU, and maybe some MD schools since i have the fee waiver. but that didn't work out so i'm not sure how the 20, 25, 21 would look which is why im asking. any thoughts from anyone?"

The 20/25/21 is not going to look good but try anyway. Apply early and broadly. Apply to new schools. Put your effort into DO and maybe you will get lucky. You stand a chance at schools like lucom (25 average) at still arizona (26 average) Mucom/ touro-nv/ga-pcom/pacific northwest/vcom/west virginia/campbell.
 
Given that you don't want to take the MCAT again, I'd apply broadly to DO schools and hope for the best. Fwiw, I ran into several students on the interview trail at some of the oldest (i.e. most established) osteopathic schools who had MCAT scores of 24-26 and were accepted. It's not impossible.
 
heart1 said:
Thanks for all your input guys. I was approved for the MD fee waiver and it gave me 15 schools to apply to for free and all secondaries will be comped also. Should I still bother to apply? Do some MD schools just look at the best score also?

I didn't qualify for the DO fee waiver, but I'm ok with applying to a lot of schools if it will get me in. I'm just concerned about the location of these schools and having my third, most recent score be lower than my 2nd score, 2 years ago.
Click to expand...
Why did you retake? What were you practice scores before your third retake? You could have gotten in with that 25... Now most school might think that 25 was a fluke.
 
As a CA resident, don't bother applying MD. If you don't seem to be confident about raising your MCAT score, then don't retake it just apply to many DO schools.
 
OP, don't be this guy...

AChance.jpeg
 
BestDoctorEver said:
Why did you retake? What were you practice scores before your third retake? You could have gotten in with that 25... Now most school might think that 25 was a fluke.
Click to expand...

i wanted to be more competitive in my home state's schools (CA, western and touro) and top DO programs (DMU). my practice scores before my 3rd retake were averaging 28-29. and yes, I'm scared schools might think that 25 was a fluke, which is why I'm asking do schools have a bias when they see all 3 scores, or do they give me the benefit of the doubt and just show the best composite score? thanks.
 
heart1 said:
i wanted to be more competitive in my home state's schools (CA, western and touro) and top DO programs (DMU). my practice scores before my 3rd retake were averaging 28-29. and yes, I'm scared schools might think that 25 was a fluke, which is why I'm asking do schools have a bias when they see all 3 scores, or do they give me the benefit of the doubt and just show the best composite score? thanks.
Click to expand...

Just a little rule of thumb. When medical schools are picking from hundreds of applicants for a few seats they don't give the benefit of a doubt.

That 25 will look like a fluke.
 
heart1 said:
i wanted to be more competitive in my home state's schools (CA, western and touro) and top DO programs (DMU). my practice scores before my 3rd retake were averaging 28-29. and yes, I'm scared schools might think that 25 was a fluke, which is why I'm asking do schools have a bias when they see all 3 scores, or do they give me the benefit of the doubt and just show the best composite score? thanks.
Click to expand...
If it was 21-25-25, the 21 would look like a fluke. If it were 21-25-28, they would think, "this guy can improve". If it were 21-23-22, you'd be done. As it is 21-25-21 looks pretty bad. Do you think you just don't test well? If you were averaging a 28-29, I would've expected you to get at least a 27...
 
polylux said:
If it was 21-25-25, the 21 would look like a fluke. If it were 21-25-28, they would think, "this guy can improve". If it were 21-23-22, you'd be done. As it is 21-25-21 looks pretty bad. Do you think you just don't test well? If you were averaging a 28-29, I would've expected you to get at least a 27...
Click to expand...
i think i was getting burned out in the week/days leading up to the exam. and truth is, i was feeling a lot of pressure because i had to do well in order to apply this cycle. but that's no excuse, and the scores are there and there's nothing i could do about it. so I'm seeing what options or what can i do as of right now.

again, thanks for all your input.
 
heart1 said:
i think i was getting burned out in the week/days leading up to the exam. and truth is, i was feeling a lot of pressure because i had to do well in order to apply this cycle. but that's no excuse, and the scores are there and there's nothing i could do about it. so I'm seeing what options or what can i do as of right now.

again, thanks for all your input.
Click to expand...

Retake and score a BALANCED 28+ or maybe one of the lower tier schools will have sympathy and pick your highest score.

You're a ORM living in CA.

How much do you like Alabama?
 
hey OP, I got a 23 on my MCAT, and I'm a second year at a DO school on the east coast. Obviously check out LECOM, etc, but for pete's sake DO schools are popping up all over the place. Check out VCOM - VA, CC, and now at Auburn, Alabama. That's 3 campuses! I definitely think you have a chance. The third time you took your MCATs sucked, sure. But, it doesn't cost very much to apply. Also, I don't know your motivation, but PA ain't exactly a bad choice. I know you've prob considered it, but look at this one more time: I'll be 1/4 million dollars in debt when I finish and prob do Fam Med or IM if I'm lucky. Sure, you can get surgery etc, but look at your MCATS, boards ain't a breeze with scores for guys like us. I estimate 15 years to pay off my loans. Med school is 4 years of hell. Residency is 3-4 years of hell with 50K a year (thats not enough). Then you work long hours and try to not get sued. I'd tell you the positives for PA, but you prob know them...

Can you swing it? sure, I think so. Just think whether you want to. Sometimes, you focus on something and don't truly think about all it entails...
 
Try the newest schools.

heart1 said:
Hi,

I apologize in advanced if this is in the wrong thread or is repetitive but I am at a major crossroad. Any comments would be appreciated.

MCAT: I took the MCAT twice in 2012, (20: 8 PS, 5 VR, 7 BS & 25: 8 PS, 8 VR, 9 BS) and retook it just this past May for a third time (21: 8 PS, 5 VR, 8 BS). Looks bad, I know but I really don't want to take it a 4th time.

GPA: I have a cumulative 3.3 undergrad GPA, 3.2 science undergrad. I did a postbac just this past year and got a 3.87. I will also have a strong committee letter of rec that has letters from my professors and a LOR from a MD that I currently work for as a medical assistant.

Medically Related Exp: I was an EMT, volunteered in ER and pathology depts, and worked for about a year now as a medical assistant under an MD in an underserved community.

Other Exp: I've tutored and worked as a office assistant during undergrad. Worked at a summer day camp, started a summer camp for kids with special needs.

Bio: Asian, male, 25 year old, CA resident, enjoy long walks on the beach

I just wanted to know if I still have a chance this cycle and if so, which schools should I apply to? Truth is, I was devastated when I found out my 3rd score was lower than my second and not sure what should I do now.

Thank you in advance.
Click to expand...
 
I must apologize to OP; some school take a composite best score, so they'll have you at 8/8/9 = 25. I actually didn't see the 25 score fromt he 2nd try...just saw the 21 and 20.

Thus, I encourage OP to apply broadly, but aim especially for the newest schools. Skip the Touros, and CCOM.

serenade said:
Do you think most schools will just look at the 25?
Click to expand...
 
CUSOM will look at your most recent and your best composite.
 
heart1 said:
Hi,

I apologize in advanced if this is in the wrong thread or is repetitive but I am at a major crossroad. Any comments would be appreciated.

MCAT: I took the MCAT twice in 2012, (20: 8 PS, 5 VR, 7 BS & 25: 8 PS, 8 VR, 9 BS) and retook it just this past May for a third time (21: 8 PS, 5 VR, 8 BS). Looks bad, I know but I really don't want to take it a 4th time.

GPA: I have a cumulative 3.3 undergrad GPA, 3.2 science undergrad. I did a postbac just this past year and got a 3.87. I will also have a strong committee letter of rec that has letters from my professors and a LOR from a MD that I currently work for as a medical assistant.

Medically Related Exp: I was an EMT, volunteered in ER and pathology depts, and worked for about a year now as a medical assistant under an MD in an underserved community.

Other Exp: I've tutored and worked as a office assistant during undergrad. Worked at a summer day camp, started a summer camp for kids with special needs.

Bio: Asian, male, 25 year old, CA resident, enjoy long walks on the beach

I just wanted to know if I still have a chance this cycle and if so, which schools should I apply to? Truth is, I was devastated when I found out my 3rd score was lower than my second and not sure what should I do now.

Thank you in advance.
Click to expand...
here is where I would apply:

LMU
LUCOM
ACOM
WVSOM
ATSU-SOMA
ATSU-KCOM
VCOM-Auburn
PCOM-Ga
Touro-NV
PNWU
CUSOM
MUCOM
LECOM-E
 
chizledfrmstone said:
Retake and score a BALANCED 28+ or maybe one of the lower tier schools will have sympathy and pick your highest score.

You're a ORM living in CA.

How much do you like Alabama?
Click to expand...
ACOM's stats actually don't seem to be that low. LUCOM, LMU, and WVSOM seemed to accept those with the lowest numbers this year.
 
Kanyesadouche said:
hey OP, I got a 23 on my MCAT, and I'm a second year at a DO school on the east coast. Obviously check out LECOM, etc, but for pete's sake DO schools are popping up all over the place. Check out VCOM - VA, CC, and now at Auburn, Alabama. That's 3 campuses! I definitely think you have a chance. The third time you took your MCATs sucked, sure. But, it doesn't cost very much to apply. Also, I don't know your motivation, but PA ain't exactly a bad choice. I know you've prob considered it, but look at this one more time: I'll be 1/4 million dollars in debt when I finish and prob do Fam Med or IM if I'm lucky. Sure, you can get surgery etc, but look at your MCATS, boards ain't a breeze with scores for guys like us. I estimate 15 years to pay off my loans. Med school is 4 years of hell. Residency is 3-4 years of hell with 50K a year (thats not enough). Then you work long hours and try to not get sued. I'd tell you the positives for PA, but you prob know them...

Can you swing it? sure, I think so. Just think whether you want to. Sometimes, you focus on something and don't truly think about all it entails...
Click to expand...
you hit the nail on the head here
 
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