Help me decide please!!

[legacydoctor]

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Stats:
- cGPA: 3.4
- sGPA: 3.5
- MCAT: 9/5/9 --> 23

I applied to 15 DO schools back in October 2014 and have received zero invitations thus far. My plan is to take post-bac courses starting this winter 2015 semester but I do have a few questions.

1) how many courses/credits should I take per post-bac semester? so far I've signed up for 2 upper-level courses and 1 retake course.

2) with my GPA should I even take any post-bac courses? would a healthcare related job be a better option?

3) I'm worried that I will not be accepted this year so what would you guys recommend I do (other than to take the new MCAT) so that I will have a solid application come June 2015?

Any advice is greatly appreciated since I've been digging myself into a rut as of late..

 

[legacydoctor]

Also, should I even consider Caribbean schools?

 

[AlteredScale]

Do not go to the Caribbean. I would really suggest just doing the new MCAT. Your GPA is good for DO schools and bumping it up will not save the score you have right now.

Also when you reapply you will need to apply to more than 15 schools.

FWIW I do have a close friend who was accepted to a DO program (not LUCOM) with your same composite and VR score, but he had a very very compelling story as a URM and near 4.0 GPA from UCSD. So though I can say "it can be done" with you score, I wouldn't place my bets on it.

 

[Stlblues17]

Stats:
- cGPA: 3.4
- sGPA: 3.5
- MCAT: 9/5/9 --> 23

I applied to 15 DO schools back in October 2014 and have received zero invitations thus far. My plan is to take post-bac courses starting this winter 2015 semester but I do have a few questions.

1) how many courses/credits should I take per post-bac semester? so far I've signed up for 2 upper-level courses and 1 retake course.

2) with my GPA should I even take any post-bac courses? would a healthcare related job be a better option?

3) I'm worried that I will not be accepted this year so what would you guys recommend I do (other than to take the new MCAT) so that I will have a solid application come June 2015?

Any advice is greatly appreciated since I've been digging myself into a rut as of late..

Your grades are fine for DO, higher can't hurt I suppose. Unless you have something glaringly bad on your app, the only thing I'd say holding you back from IIs is your MCAT. VR is pretty low, and 23 is not very competitive. If you raised that verbal, and have 26+ I'd say you'd be good. Retake MCAT, sorry no advice on the new test, score whatever the new equivalent is or higher of that (26+, and raise verbal).

Apply early, and you'll be ok.

Also, should I even consider Caribbean schools?

False

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

A 3.4/23 with a primary in October isn't something that's going to produce great outcomes. Start preparing for a retake my friend.

 

[Osteopath999]

Stats:
- cGPA: 3.4
- sGPA: 3.5
- MCAT: 9/5/9 --> 23

I applied to 15 DO schools back in October 2014 and have received zero invitations thus far. My plan is to take post-bac courses starting this winter 2015 semester but I do have a few questions.

1) how many courses/credits should I take per post-bac semester? so far I've signed up for 2 upper-level courses and 1 retake course.

2) with my GPA should I even take any post-bac courses? would a healthcare related job be a better option?

3) I'm worried that I will not be accepted this year so what would you guys recommend I do (other than to take the new MCAT) so that I will have a solid application come June 2015?

Any advice is greatly appreciated since I've been digging myself into a rut as of late..

Retake the MCAT like other people said. You have nothing to lose now, with your GPA you don't need a post-bacc. I suggest that you should apply to some master programs NOW that have linkage to med schools (eg. Guaranteed interview if you meet the requirements) as a backup. Look at Some master programs at LMU, LECOM, ... I dont know about the other programs, but the more than 90% people enrolled in Master of Science at LMU matriculated to LMU-DCOM Class of 2018.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Retake the MCAT like other people said. You have nothing to lose now, with your GPA you don't need a post-bacc. I suggest that you should apply to some master programs NOW that have linkage to med schools (eg. Guaranteed interview if you meet the requirements) as a backup. Look at Some master programs at LMU, LECOM, ... I dont know about the other programs, but the more than 90% people enrolled in Master of Science at LMU matriculated to LMU-DCOM Class of 2018.

I don't recommend doing a linkage programs tbh. Not because they're bad, but because generally they should be seen as a last option ( exception being Western's program and wanting to stay in CA for example).

The OP did bad on the Mcat. But if he can bring it up then it's going to save him minimal 20k as opposed to doing a linkage program.

 

[DloopF2]

I would not waste money on a post-bac. Study hard for the new MCAT. And apply as early as possible.

 

[legacydoctor]

I would not waste money on a post-bac. Study hard for the new MCAT. And apply as early as possible.

Everyone has generally been recommending an MCAT retake but I was wondering if there is anything else I could possibly do to guarantee an acceptance besides retaking the MCAT.

Would extra research, volunteering, etc simply not makeup for the subpar MCAT score?

 

[Dr. Hopeful]

Everyone has generally been recommending an MCAT retake but I was wondering if there is anything else I could possibly do to guarantee an acceptance besides retaking the MCAT.

Would extra research, volunteering, etc simply not makeup for the subpar MCAT score?

If your score was 8/8/7 instead of 9/5/9, you'd have a stronger shot and maybe you'd be able to make up for the MCAT with some other method. Sadly, that 5 in verbal is really going to hold you back from nearly every US medical school. I know the MCAT sucks, but the new MCAT scoring is designed to (theoretically) bring more students' scores to the median so applications aren't tossed out the window due to MCAT scores. Take the new MCAT, I can nearly guarantee you'll do better than a 5 verbal if you start practicing now (read 2 passages a day, it is surprisingly easy and the results will be noticeable).

 

[DloopF2]

Everyone has generally been recommending an MCAT retake but I was wondering if there is anything else I could possibly do to guarantee an acceptance besides retaking the MCAT.

Would extra research, volunteering, etc simply not makeup for the subpar MCAT score?

All those ECs can only help you so do as much as possible. BUT you need to get in the door and the only way to get in is with a decent MCAT score. That would be my first priority.

Oh and there are no guarantees. All you can do is work your ass off to improve your chances.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Everyone has generally been recommending an MCAT retake but I was wondering if there is anything else I could possibly do to guarantee an acceptance besides retaking the MCAT.

Would extra research, volunteering, etc simply not makeup for the subpar MCAT score?

Nothing guarantees an acceptance period. My first cycle I likely beat you in stats across the board and in ECs and didn't get accepted.

And no, no amount of volunteering will redeem a low Mcat. That's not how it works.

So your options are either doing a post-bacc that is risky, costs you a year, and is going to easily cost you like a year of medical school.


But again, if you're entirely against taking a test this much I don't recommend medicine because you've got at least 3 standardized tests ahead of you.

 

[Goro]

There is nothing on this planet that will guarantee an acceptance, except, maybe a large donation check.

Seriously, quit fussing about your GPA. The MCAT is the problem. Do not retake it until you fix the deficit.

If you want to be a more attractive candidate, shadow a DO, and get a DO LOR.

Everyone has generally been recommending an MCAT retake but I was wondering if there is anything else I could possibly do to guarantee an acceptance besides retaking the MCAT.

Would extra research, volunteering, etc simply not makeup for the subpar MCAT score?

No.
Would extra research, volunteering, etc simply not makeup for the subpar MCAT score?

 

[legacydoctor]

There is nothing on this planet that will guarantee an acceptance, except, may a large donation check.

Seriously, quit fussing about your GPA. The MCAT is the problem. Do not retake it until you fix the deficit.

If you want to be a more attractive candidate, shadow a DO, and get a DO LOR.




No.
Would extra research, volunteering, etc simply not makeup for the subpar MCAT score?

I've already shadowed a DO and received a DO LOR; would simply studying for the new MCAT during the next 3-5 months look bad if I don't complete any other ECs?

I was thinking of shadowing a variety of DO specialists and sending update letters to the schools I've already applied to but is there anything else you guys would recommend in addition?

 

[legacydoctor]

Oh and would it be wise to drop all of the post-bac courses for my next semester?

 

[IAmNotaRobot]

I'm no expert, but barring any glaringly bad grades in science classes, Post Bac would probably be a waste for you. I think you might just be better off focusing on the MCAT

 

[Goro]

Nope.
I've already shadowed a DO and received a DO LOR; would simply studying for the new MCAT during the next 3-5 months look bad if I don't complete any other ECs?

 

[67552931811]

Stats:
- cGPA: 3.4
- sGPA: 3.5
- MCAT: 9/5/9 --> 23

I applied to 15 DO schools back in October 2014 and have received zero invitations thus far. My plan is to take post-bac courses starting this winter 2015 semester but I do have a few questions.

1) how many courses/credits should I take per post-bac semester? so far I've signed up for 2 upper-level courses and 1 retake course.

2) with my GPA should I even take any post-bac courses? would a healthcare related job be a better option?

3) I'm worried that I will not be accepted this year so what would you guys recommend I do (other than to take the new MCAT) so that I will have a solid application come June 2015?

Any advice is greatly appreciated since I've been digging myself into a rut as of late..

Your gpas aren't the issue. Your mcat is: 1- Study like there is no tomorrow; 2- get a 27+ (or whatever the equivalent percentile is on the new mcat); 3- Apply June 1; 4- Profit.

Also, should I even consider Caribbean schools?

Hell no.