Future DOs, I need help again!

[opee]

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Hello future Dos,

I have posted a similar question before and you guys were so nice and responsive, so thank you!

Well my MCAT score came back and are very disappointing. I was shooting for low 20?s according to my KAPLAN? score trends. I guess it was anxiety, because the test was not so hard this time. Anyway, I got a shameful 17M. This is my second time, and retaking it again is not an option for me with a full time management job and a family of 3.

My stats:
Overall GPA: 3.4?.Science 3.2, several years of volunteering with the American Red Cross, intercity literacy program. I am also an older minority applicant.

Realistically, what are my chances in getting into a DO school? Which one(s) should I apply to? Your very honest opinions please, do not be afraid of hurting my feelings. At my age, I take criticism very well 😀 .

My backup plan includes going to grad school for molecular Biology or Physiology.

Thanks again for you help and advise, and good luck with your studies.

***Forgot to add that I took the MCAT w/out any OChem and only 1 sem. of Phyics taken 7 years ago!

 

[Ypo.]

Well, I don't really know how much being an URM helps-just not familiar with policies on the issue. But I would think there would be plenty of URMs with adequate scores that adcoms could select from the applicant pool (and that you will be competing with).

I don't think your chances are high with those stats-but of course it is possible. My advice would be to attach yourself to an admissions advisor.


I hate to ask this, but, if you can't find the time to prepare better for the MCAT with your family of three (and score higher than a 17)-how do you think you will be able to handle medical school? You have to find a way to prove to the admission committee that you can handle it-and so far you haven't done that with your MCAT scores, and your GPAs are also borderline. The best way to do this is to get an advocate from the admissions office-someone that knows you and can vouch that sheer hard work and determination will pull you thru med school.

Good luck to you-

 

[opee]

I hate to ask this, but, if you can't find the time to prepare better for the MCAT with your family of three (and score higher than a 17)-how do you think you will be able to handle medical school? You have to find a way to prove to the admission committee that you can handle it-and so far you haven't done that with your MCAT scores, and your GPAs are also borderline. The best way to do this is to get an advocate from the admissions office-someone that knows you and can vouch that sheer hard work and determination will pull you thru med school.

Good luck to you-

Thanks for your thoughts. To answer your question, aside from the family, my job is the major obstacle. I work as a manager (mid-level), and that's very demanding. I average about 50+/week, yet was able to get my BA and the lousy MCAT score doing that. If I get into med/grad school, I will of course quit that job, and hopefully with the help of my spouse's job and some financial aid, we will be able to manage the finances, just have to give up the nice cars/home, vacations, etc. thus managing my studies and devoting sometime to the family will not be a problem.

 

[Ypo.]

Does that explain your GPA in college as well? You might really need to take the time off to retake the MCAT again-but good luck to you.

If you haven't already written about your life outside school in your PS-make sure to emphasize it in secondaries or interviews.

 

[medic170]

Thanks for your thoughts. To answer your question, aside from the family, my job is the major obstacle. I work as a manager (mid-level), and that's very demanding. I average about 50+/week, yet was able to get my BA and the lousy MCAT score doing that. If I get into med/grad school, I will of course quit that job, and hopefully with the help of my spouse's job and some financial aid, we will be able to manage the finances, just have to give up the nice cars/home, vacations, etc. thus managing my studies and devoting sometime to the family will not be a problem.

With a 17 MCAT and bordeline (below average) GPA, I would say your chances are slim to none.

I have a family and worked full time through college too. The thing is, you have to prioritize and make sacrifices. You may have to quit your job, or go part time, and borrow money to live on in order to get a decent score on the MCAT (BTW, don't shoot for low 20's, that is not that great either, shoot for 27+). If you are not willing to make the financial and time sacrifices, I promise there is someone else who will.

 

[OnMyWayThere]

If you want to become an osteopathic physician, work part time January - April and study for the beast. If you don't care what type of physician you will be, and truly feel that was your last punch at the MCAT, apply to schools in the Caribbean that do not require the MCAT (the ones that do still won't really welcome a 17). If you do choose that route, becareful. Many of the schools that do not require the MCAT are not approved by many states (do your homework on which schools because lots of shady schools out there).

If you truly want to be an osteopathic physician, I think taking some time off to study again for the MCAT and retaking is a really good idea. Best of luck to you.

 

[DrSmiles]

You mentioned you didn't have any O-chem and only 1 semester of Physics. Most medical schools require O-chem or at least 13 semester units of chemistry, and 8 semester units of Physics. Some even require biochem, genetics or other science classes. And most medical schools will not bend on these requirements. If I were in your shoes I would go back and take the required pre-med courses, brush up on your sciences, and retake the MCAT. Applying to medical school is a lengthy process and it is only in your favor if you don't cut corners. Plus if both you and your husband are working full time, you might benefit by forking out the money for a Princeton Review type of course prior to taking the MCAT (but maybe you did already). These review courses only work if you are truly ready for the test though, and since you are missing some basic science requirements, you might be behind the ball to begin with. If you really want to be a doctor, take your time and do it right. I can tell you from personal experience that it took me 10 years to finally get into medical school with working and going to school at night, but perseverance pays off in the long run.

 

[buomyta]

Dear friend,

I took the MCAT in April 04 and received a 17Q. I was quite disappointed. I worked mucho overtime prior to Jan so that I could have Jan through April completely off for study time. I paid 1500 for the Kaplan review course and paid for the AAMC tests, Examkrackers CDs etc... On the actual test, I ran out of time on many of the passages.

I debated on whether to apply or not. The physicians I shadowed told me to go ahead and apply. They said there are more people out there that have great packages despite low scores. So I did. Submitted August 19th (I believe). I applied to 6 schools and received secondaries from all except one. I received an interview invite prior to August scores coming out. I was excited until....

I retook in August 2004. This time around I was not able to take time off to study but I did retake organic chem during the summer to beef up my understanding and I used Examkrackers verbal, bio and bought a silent timer. I honestly did not have time to review physics like I needed to. I felt good going into the test b/c my practice scores were average except for physics.
Well, scores came out last week and my score was actually 2 points lower with the same exact writing score. I was horrified that I could do so badly and hated the thought that I'm going to have to take the beast again.

Called the school that I'm interviewing with next week and they stated that they look at the applicant with a holistic approach (like they do osteopathic medicine). If you feel you have a great application despite your low score....I would advice you to apply. You may want to call some of the schools and ask what there absolute minimum requirements are. One school I called said their absolute minimum was 17. Good Luck.

 

[docbill]

Each person brings something different to the table.

Should people be accepted with a 20 or bellow MCAT score.. hmmmm, that means one
has to get a 6, 7, 7. That is below the average. 17 means 5,6,6... I don't know.

The MCAT is not always a correct indicator for success.
Some Canadian schools don't take the MCAT.. That is okay.. but that means your GPA has to be superb.. and so does your EC.

 

[medic170]

Each person brings something different to the table.

Should people be accepted with a 20 or bellow MCAT score.. hmmmm, that means one
has to get a 6, 7, 7. That is below the average. 17 means 5,6,6... I don't know.

The MCAT is not always a correct indicator for success.
Some Canadian schools don't take the MCAT.. That is okay.. but that means your GPA has to be superb.. and so does your EC.

Good point bill

 

[Ice-1]

All of the posters have good points, but here is another item that you might consider. If you can save up to be able to work only part time, then go to graduate school and get a master's degree in a hard science. It should only take about a year or tow and if you can get great grades then you can show the adcoms that you can excel with graduate level science classes. Then retake the mcat. Just remember that getting into med school (and then surviving the process) is a marathon, not a sprint. Good luck!