I can definitely relate to you, as I am also sort of on the border with my stats; I could theoretically get into an MD school, but what if I don't? Would I rather become a physician as a DO or waste one or two or more years of time and money applying MD? That's why I am considering to apply to a mix of MD and DO schools, but now that I think about it, I might actually apply to more DO schools to increase my chances of acceptance. Heck, if I won't get a 27+ on the MCAT, I probably won't even bother applying MD and will stick to DO. Hopefully I will still get a decent MCAT though. The reason I want to take it in the summer before having taken ochem is because I can then retake the same old mcat in january if I do bad.
Best way to think of it is in several terms:
1) Every year you are not a doctor you are missing out on at least $150,000. Period. Now I am not all money hungry, but I certainly am tired of being poor as crap.
2) Depending on what you want it may behoove you to be patient and apply MD. Personally The only three specialties I could see myself in is FM, Peds, and mayyyyyybe Ortho. All of which are reasonable to attain (ortho obviously the hardest but there are some solid AOA ortho programs) as a DO.
If you know you want to be a radiation oncologist or a pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon, or possibly even neurosurgeon, or other very rare stuff. Take a gap year (like I am doing), retake the MCAT if need be, do an SMP, get some work experience, something that would make you a stronger candidate for MD. Would being an MD guarantee that you can become those things? Hell no. You would have to still have to freaking kill it and be the top of your class. But getting into programs would be easier as an MD, that much has been discussed time and time again on here.
Depending on what state you live in a 28+ might get you an acceptance (wouldnt say 27 necessarily unless you live in WV or Texas. If you are in CA you are screwed). You can get some in-state favor especially at public schools. They would accept you with slightly lower stats.
For me my AMCAS gpa is 3.38 and sgpa is 3.23 (this is the nail in the coffin for me. I have BOTH a below average gpa and MCAT for almost all allopathic schools).
My AACOMAS gpa is like 3.57 and sgpa is like 3.65 or something (grade replacement and the fact that they dont count math classes really helps)
My state is wisconsin. Sooo I had to make the decision: mayyyyyybe get into one of the Wisconsin schools, which granted, have lower stats (especially for in-state) or be a decent applicant if I go DO. I will be accepted for the AACOMAS FAP (since they dont take into account parent income unless you are dependent). I will NOT be accepted for AMCAS FAP because dependency/independency is not considered in their decision.
So for me it was sort of like everything was lining up. I would say work through some of that stuff and maybe your direction will be more clear. You wont really know though until you take your MCAT. If I busted out like a 33 or something. I would still probably be applying DO, but I would feel more comfortable applying to my two state schools instead of just throwing my money away, which is what I would be doing now if I applied to them.
As for the new/old MCAT. I dont think the new one will be all that bad. People are freaking out about it but the way I look at it is that right now people are like laser focused on how to do well on the current MCAT. There are dozens of books, strategies, prep courses etc. But when the new MCAT comes out it will take a year or two for people to really catch on to the new techniques, so I think it would level the playing field out a bit more, since everyone would be a guinea pig.
right? The me that took O-chem and the me that studied for the MCAT make current me look like an idiot! haha
