DO/MD 2026: WAMC/School List Help (cGPA = 3.91, sGPA = 3.81, 497, Ohio resident)

[bluedragon00]

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Hi, I am looking for advice on my school list and honestly whether I should apply this cycle or not. My low MCAT score is hurting my application the most. I would prefer not to take an additional gap year, but I could.

What do I like in a program?

• Location is a pretty big factor
  • I’m from Ohio and would prefer Ohio or NYC/Long Island since I have strong ties to extended family and long-term romantic relationship there
  • Urban preferred
• Interested in schools with missions focused on underserved populations

WAMC

• cGPA: 3.91
• sGPA: 3.81
• MCAT: 497
• State of Residence: Ohio, strong ties to NYC/Long Island
• Ethnicity: White & Asian (Vietnamese) female
• Undergrad institution: small liberal arts college
  • Magna cum laude
  • B.A. in Anthropology
• Disadvantaged status: Low SES - FAP and Pell grant recipient

Clinical Experience (938 hrs)

• EMT (paid) - 460 hours
• Medical Assistant (volunteer) - 143 hours
• Scribe (paid) - 335 hours, anticipating 1000+ hours

Research Experience (292 hrs)

• Neuroscience research (undergrad) (3 posters, no pubs) - 252 hours
• Public health research (gap year) - 40 hours, anticipating 30+ hours

Shadowing Experience (57 hrs)

• Primary Care - 29 hours
• Gastroenterologist - 28 hours

Non-Clinical Volunteering (324 hrs)

• Food Pantry - 100 hours
• Farmers Market - 30 hours, anticipating 30+ hours
• Hunger Free America intern (social justice/advocacy) - 194 hours

Non-Clinical Paid Employment (941 hrs)

• Research Fellow at FQHC (social justice/advocacy) - 378 hours
• Professional Tennis Coach - 169 hours
• Pre-Health Peer Advisor (in undergrad pre-health office) - 394 hours

Other Extracurricular Activities (368 hrs)

• Collegiate Tennis Team - 258 hours
• Club Officer (leadership) - 100 hours
• Gap Year Activities (in addition to those listed above)
  • Animal Shelter volunteer - 10 hours, anticipating 50+ hours

Honors and Awards

• Gilman Scholarship (for study abroad in Africa)
• Regional entrepreneurial competition award

Anything else not listed you think might be important

• Good LORs
  • 1 science professor - got A in that class, great relationship with prof
  • 1 MD - currently work for her as scribe, she is a med school prof and I believe she wrote a very good letter
  • 1 major professor, 1 study abroad professor, 1 research PI
  • School’s committee letter
• Good personal statement (professionally reviewed) and I interview well

Current School List

MD
NEOMED
University of Toledo
Wright State
Ohio State University
University of Cincinnati
Marshall University
Tulane
Penn State
Thomas Jefferson
Quinnipac
Oakland University

DO
Ohio University
LECOM - Erie
Touro - Harlem
NYIT - Westbury
PCOM
UNECOM
VCOM

 

[ecobio]

I would recommend retaking the MCAT. You may be able to get into DO schools with that score but its an uphill battle. If you can secure a505 you’d be competitive for DO, 510+ for MD

Otherwise you have a great app imo

 

[Mr.Smile12]

With a 497, you don't have much leverage to choose where you would like to go or not take a gap year. How confident are you if you have to retake the MCAT?