Gap Year advice

[letsgoblues]

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Hello SDN,

I recently graduated college with a 3.65 cumulative and 3.49 science GPA. My MCAT scores were 503 from last August to 501 this past may. I was not expecting my score to drop.

I am thinking about doing the JHU Masters program (cancer and reproductive bio) in my gap year and I am also applying DO this cycle while doing the masters program.

I am also planning on re-taking the MCAT and if I score a 510+ I plan on applying MD (California Resident, ORM) and letting the DO schools know my decision by August.

I really prefer MD over DO, and I figured that taking the MCAT again couldnt hurt especially for DO schools as currently my MD chances are zero.

Any advice is welcome!

Thanks!

 

[P0ke]

I'd say apply DO while you're in your masters and if you're not accepted anywhere by early spring, retake the MCAT and reapply. The MCAT is going to be the limiting factor in your admissions (at least academically), so your masters performance won't compensate for that. You might(?) get in somewhere with your scores, but if you don't then you definitely need a higher score.

 

[letsgoblues]

Do you think I have a decent shot at Western or Touro CA with my current MCAT scores? I have worked a lot with underserved and other volunteer work. I hear some schools do composite MCAT?

@Goro @gyngyn

 

[Goro]

Yes.

Do you think I have a decent shot at Western or Touro CA with my current MCAT scores? I have worked a lot with underserved and other volunteer work. I hear some schools do composite MCAT?

@Goro @gyngyn

 

[letsgoblues]

@Goro What do you think about my plan about re-taking the MCAT. I understand I cannot magically improve my score quickly which is why I plan to take it in a year after completing masters coursework. Do you think I will have a shot at MD with a 510+ and I completely understand that this is quite the feat.

 

[Goro]

If you're boning for the MD, you have to do much better on the MCAT. More like 513+. 510 might work for your state school, unless you live in CA.

@Goro What do you think about my plan about re-taking the MCAT. I understand I cannot magically improve my score quickly which is why I plan to take it in a year after completing masters coursework. Do you think I will have a shot at MD with a 510+ and I completely understand that this is quite the feat.