How are my changes for DO/MD?

[NicholasGvetadze]

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I graduated college last year May. Cgpa ~3.3, sgpa ~2.9. I have taken mcat twice, 492 and 496 respectively. It was dumb of me but I took it 2 months after. I am studying for MCAT one last time and will take it in around 2 months. Hoping for high score, fingers crossed. Do I have any chances of getting accepted into an American school?

 

[giguerex35]

Don’t take the mcat until you’re ready andscoring high on practice tests. One bad score not good, two even worse, three will be the last nail in the coffin especially since your gpa is rather low. See if you can get that sgpa over 3 as well. Not an e pert but would say md ship has sailed and do is still going to be difficult but not impossible with some work. Good luck

 

[ERDOC555]

I graduated college last year May. Cgpa ~3.3, sgpa ~2.9. I have taken mcat twice, 492 and 496 respectively. It was dumb of me but I took it 2 months after. I am studying for MCAT one last time and will take it in around 2 months. Hoping for high score, fingers crossed. Do I have any chances of getting accepted into an American school?

MD - Impossible
DO - Highly Unlikely
Caribbean - Probably Guaranteed Admission Somewhere (but based on your MCAT/GPA I would give it less than 10% odds of graduating and eventually matching)

I think it may be time to consider alternate careers. Maybe Podiatry or Optometry?

 

[Goro]

I graduated college last year May. Cgpa ~3.3, sgpa ~2.9. I have taken mcat twice, 492 and 496 respectively. It was dumb of me but I took it 2 months after. I am studying for MCAT one last time and will take it in around 2 months. Hoping for high score, fingers crossed. Do I have any chances of getting accepted into an American school?

Chances lethal for MD and circling the drain for DO, expect for the newest of the newest schools.

After two disastrous MCAT attempts, why do you think you can magically do better on round three?

IF you're a non-US citizen, it's time for Plan B. And don't even think about Carib.

 

[BurntFlower]

I disagree with people that said it's time to look at a plan B. What were your practice scores when you took the MCAT your first two times? Take your time studying for the MCAT, focus on practice exams, truly address WHY you did so badly your first two times, and apply for next year.

 

[NicholasGvetadze]

I am currently studying to a degree that I think is pretty active. I am hoping I will do SIGNIFICANTLY better this time around. If that happens, maybe will take a few high-end science undergrad courses to raise sGPA to right above 3.0. If I do that, do you all think I have a decent chance?

I am a US citizen. Caribbean, yes, I am not willing to take a chance to. If DO accepts me, I will go. If not, I will take GRE and go to PA. But this is my last attempt before I "get real" or whatever it is. How high do you think I have to score on MCAT to have a semi-competitive score?

 

[BurntFlower]

I am currently studying to a degree that I think is pretty active. I am hoping I will do SIGNIFICANTLY better this time around. If that happens, maybe will take a few high-end science undergrad courses to raise sGPA to right above 3.0. If I do that, do you all think I have a decent chance?

I am a US citizen. Caribbean, yes, I am not willing to take a chance to. If DO accepts me, I will go. If not, I will take GRE and go to PA. But this is my last attempt before I "get real" or whatever it is. How high do you think I have to score on MCAT to have a semi-competitive score?

Get the highest score you possibly can. People are right in saying that some DO/MD schools average MCAT scores. I called dozens of schools asking whether they average scores, take the most recent score, highest score, etc. I made a list of schools that were receptive to a MCAT comeback story. However, do not forget that even schools that say they take the highest score, it is actually up to individual interpretation by each adcom member who looks at your file. My averaged MCAT scores were depressingly low, my first practice exam back in 2012 was a freaking 15... You will be competing against people who got a great score their first time, so the rest of your app should shine like a diamond.

Good luck. I'm rooting for you!

 

[NicholasGvetadze]

Get the highest score you possibly can. People are right in saying that some DO/MD schools average MCAT scores. I called dozens of schools asking whether they average scores, take the most recent score, highest score, etc. I made a list of schools that were receptive to a MCAT comeback story. However, do not forget that even schools that say they take the highest score, it is actually up to individual interpretation by each adcom member who looks at your file. My averaged MCAT scores were depressingly low, my first practice exam back in 2012 was a freaking 15... You will be competing against people who got a great score their first time, so the rest of your app should shine like a diamond.

Good luck. I'm rooting for you!

Thank you!!
Is there any chance you have the information about which schools take highest MCAT score? 🙂

 

[Goro]

I am currently studying to a degree that I think is pretty active. I am hoping I will do SIGNIFICANTLY better this time around. If that happens, maybe will take a few high-end science undergrad courses to raise sGPA to right above 3.0. If I do that, do you all think I have a decent chance?

Not with those MCAT scores. In fact, you're in a risk zone for failing out of med school and/or failing Boards.

IF you have test taking anxiety issues, those can be fixed.

 

[NicholasGvetadze]

Not with those MCAT scores. In fact, you're in a risk zone for failing out of med school and/or failing Boards.

IF you have test taking anxiety issues, those can be fixed.

I am not understanding you. My anxiety?

 

[deleted928813]

Maybe look into a master's program with an emphasis in the biomedical sciences to improve your GPA. If you do well and perform significantly better on your 3rd MCAT retake (which should be your last), then I'd say you'd definitely have a chance of getting into at least a DO school. Also make sure to get as much clinical experience as you can during that time.

Best of luck to you!

 

[BurntFlower]

Thank you!!
Is there any chance you have the information about which schools take highest MCAT score? 🙂

I would link you to my MDApplicants profile, but it looks like there is a glitch going on because it erased at least 60% of the schools I applied to.

I would use this thread as a starting point: Multiple MCAT Score Policy School List

But this is slightly outdated and this does NOT replace actually calling the schools individually and doing your own research. MCAT retake policies CAN change.

 

[Goro]

I am not understanding you. My anxiety?

10 Ways to Overcome Test Anxiety
http://student-tutor.com/blog/how-to-overcome-test-anxiety/
How to reduce test anxiety

It's one DDx for your poor performance. Poor judgment (taking the exam when you're not ready) is another.

Quoting the wise Homeskool: Taking the MCAT is like getting married: ideally you only do it once, and the more times you do it the worse you start looking to suitors with good judgment.

 

[yogidoc19]

I had a little better stats for MCAT/GPA and got no interviews my first time applying. I did a 1 yr post-bacc with a 3.7 overall for 30+ credits and improved by mcat score by 12 points and am applying again this cycle. I would not apply this cycle and get that gpa up with some kind of post-bacc or SMP work and make sure you will kill this next MCAT, then I think you will be a better candidate and not waste time/money like I did.

 

[NicholasGvetadze]

I had a little better stats for MCAT/GPA and got no interviews my first time applying. I did a 1 yr post-bacc with a 3.7 overall for 30+ credits and improved by mcat score by 12 points and am applying again this cycle. I would not apply this cycle and get that gpa up with some kind of post-bacc or SMP work and make sure you will kill this next MCAT, then I think you will be a better candidate and not waste time/money like I did.

Hey Yogi, I would really appreciate if you will update me on your situation, if you get accepted and whatnot. I am very curious.

 

[dial1010usa]

Take the positivity from here. You will get lot of positive and negative comments here. Re-take MCAT when you think you will do better and cross 500. Take more science classes and raise your sgpa. The other option is do master with linkage.
Here is a separate thread for post-bacc and smp.
Postbaccalaureate Programs

All the best! Stay positive and don't rush.

 

[Blanky]

Pod?

 

[de Ribas]

If DO accepts me, I will go. If not, I will take GRE and go to PA.

Who said it is less competitive? From what I see averages at PA programs are around 3.6. Plus you need at least 500 hours of paid direct patient care.

You have to get a good score on GRE as well.

 

[Blanky]

Yea that gpa is low for PA, maybe if you had like 3,000 paid clinical hours...

 

[GypsyHummus]

I’m surprised nobody else has advised Podiatry. OPs GPAs and MCAT scores are fine for a majority of pod schools.

MD is prolly not gonna happen unless OP gets a 520+ and DO is gonna need the 505+ after 3 attempts unless he is bringing something extra to the table (URM, Veteran, disadvantaged, etc.). Plus, many DO schools screen at 3.0s GPA

OP I would look into Podiatry (DPM) and see if it’s something you can get into/intrests you. Apps are way down this year and prolly will be next year (good economy= less people wanting to invest 7 years in being a doctor), so now is a good time to enter the system while residency spots are plentiful. It will save you years of trying to beef up your app, and even if you do, there is no guarentee that a DO school will say yes.

DPM>Carribean any day, every day if your goal is to be a doctor in the United States.

Pod?

 

[yogidoc19]

Hey Yogi, I would really appreciate if you will update me on your situation, if you get accepted and whatnot. I am very curious.

Will do! I sent in my apps on June 1st (bye bye $1400) so the wait begins... I just hope you are confident in whatever decision you make. My way may not be the right way but it was for me and I'm so happy I waited before reapplying again because now I am much more confident.

 

[FlyerScribe]

If you really want to be a doctor with some hard work you can turn things around. It may take some time to make your app more competitive. Its up to you and your desire and drive to do what needs to be done. But i would agree with previous posts dont take the mcat till your ready. The practice tests are good indicators of where you are at.

Sent from my SM-G930P using SDN mobile

 

[BlueFeesh]

I am currently studying to a degree that I think is pretty active. I am hoping I will do SIGNIFICANTLY better this time around. If that happens, maybe will take a few high-end science undergrad courses to raise sGPA to right above 3.0. If I do that, do you all think I have a decent chance?

I am a US citizen. Caribbean, yes, I am not willing to take a chance to. If DO accepts me, I will go. If not, I will take GRE and go to PA. But this is my last attempt before I "get real" or whatever it is. How high do you think I have to score on MCAT to have a semi-competitive score?

I took a kaplan course (hella expensive) before I took my first MCAT and got a 508 (first year of the "new" MCAT). It cost me nearly $1500 but I seriously believe it boosted my score because it taught me how to answer MCAT style questions and made me a better test taker overall. I don't know if you can afford it, but perhaps it could be an option since you are at that final third attempt and want to maximize your score. Exam krackers really helped me as far as books go, kaplan ones were too detailed but the questions were far better.

Also, have you taken a practice GRE? See what you get on that. Its a very different kind of exam. I have a PA friend that bombed the MCAT, but did decent in his science classes (despite nearly failing one in undergrad), did well on the GRE, and is now quite happy with the outcome.

 

[Ho0v-man]

Wikipremed

 

[rg2o3]

To be honest, podiatry doesn’t sound like a bad gig. It was always my back up. Definitely look into it.

 

[Jyggaswoop]

get a 525 mcat, then explain your previous shortcomings.

 

[rg2o3]

get a 525 mcat, then explain your previous shortcomings.

Op already tested twice and didn’t break 500. I think he needs better advice than that.

 

[gensurghopeful]

If I didn't squeeze into med school thru a direct link post-bacc, I would have gone pod route.
It allows you to still be a "doc", money is good, and surgery is 100% there for you to do if you'd like.

 

[GypsyHummus]

It’s a good alternative to be sure, but you have to be willing to at least tolerate feet all day and be willing to do the stuff other docs won’t touch, like smelly foot fungus. If you ever had dreams of being a cardiologist or an ENT doc, it isn’t the path to take.

It’s got a good mix of primary care, Ortho, derm, etc. the pay ranges from fine (120-150k) to great (300k+) depending on what kind of gig you land.

If I didn't squeeze into med school thru a direct link post-bacc, I would have gone pod route.
It allows you to still be a "doc", money is good, and surgery is 100% there for you to do if you'd like.