Looking for some advice...

[ambernikel]

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Ok guys, I have a conundrum. 😕 Here's my stats: 24Q 11V 6PS 7BS. 3.39 gpa 3.60 BPMC. I have a lot of experience and what not. (see previous posts).
I'm retaking the MCAT in August since I hadn't had a physics course prior to taking it so I'm hoping to bring up my score a bit. Although, I've been working so hard at everything I'm very burnt out so I really doubt I'll bring it up to a 29 or 30 like I had originally hoped to do.
I've applied to KCOM, OSU-COM (my top choice) & KCUMB. I was originally planning on applying to MU & OU also but now I'm thinking I would be better served to focus my attention to other DO schools instead. I really like the DO philosophy and kind of want it more, but I'm not against MD in any way. Whatever can give me the preparation I need to be a good doctor. I know myself enough to know that I'll rock it if given the opportunity either way.

Do you think with the stats I have right now I should just send off to a few more DO schools (and if so.. any recommendations?) or should I shoot for the MD programs. I really don't want to move super far away from the MO/OK/AR/KS area but I am willing if need be.
Any thoughts?

 

[ambernikel]

Oh and to clarify... when I say burnt out... I don't mean burnt out on medicine. I mean burnt out because I'm really tired. I'm sure most of us are! I just need like two days off in a row, that's it... then I'll be back to normal.

 

[mx_599]

Ok guys, I have a conundrum. 😕 Here's my stats: 24Q 11V 6PS 7BS. 3.39 gpa 3.60 BPMC. I have a lot of experience and what not. (see previous posts).
I'm retaking the MCAT in August since I hadn't had a physics course prior to taking it so I'm hoping to bring up my score a bit. Although, I've been working so hard at everything I'm very burnt out so I really doubt I'll bring it up to a 29 or 30 like I had originally hoped to do.
I've applied to KCOM, OSU-COM (my top choice) & KCUMB. I was originally planning on applying to MU & OU also but now I'm thinking I would be better served to focus my attention to other DO schools instead. I really like the DO philosophy and kind of want it more, but I'm not against MD in any way. Whatever can give me the preparation I need to be a good doctor. I know myself enough to know that I'll rock it if given the opportunity either way.

Do you think with the stats I have right now I should just send off to a few more DO schools (and if so.. any recommendations?) or should I shoot for the MD programs. I really don't want to move super far away from the MO/OK/AR/KS area but I am willing if need be.
Any thoughts?

I don't think your stats are that bad at all...a little unbalanced on the MCAT. I think if you just do around the same MCAT, but more balanced it would help. I wouldn't go into the test stressing about getting a 29 or 30. That can be a lot of pressure for some.

I think it would be wise to apply broadly.

 

[dr.z]

Applying to more DO schools will help you with your chances. If you want to goto MD school, you'll definitely have to improve on your MCAT.

 

[DeLaughterDO]

ambernikel,

Agree with above - need to work on your MCAT a bit to be competitive for ANY school. With it so unbalanced (verbal MUCH higher than others), some eyebrows will be raised.

I don't know how you're studying for the MCAT, but I used the KAPLAN big red book. Didn't take a course, just memorized the book - highlighted the hell out of it, made question cards (over 1000 of them) and carried them around with me at work, school, church, wherever. Basically, I just lived, breathed and slept the MCAT for about 6 months before the test.

Of course, having actually finished all the pre-reqs will help you, but you need to bring up your biological sciences score as well, which is not going to be helped by physics. Review your bio, chem, and physics. I don't recall that orgo was that big on MCAT (of course, this was 5 years ago).

Best of luck, apply as broadly as possible, and keep your chin up,

jd

 

[Doctor Bagel]

Oh and to clarify... when I say burnt out... I don't mean burnt out on medicine. I mean burnt out because I'm really tired. I'm sure most of us are! I just need like two days off in a row, that's it... then I'll be back to normal.

yep, i feel the same way, too. take a vacation after the mcat -- i took that monday off and went to the coast, and it made me feel so much better. anyway, your being tired is probably making you feel more negative about your mcat chances than you need to be. since you just took physics, you should be able to raise the ps section. focus on studying biology right now to up the bs section. i had like one o-chen section on my mcat, so bio's more important than o-chem. since your vr was so high, it doesn't seem like you need help with test strategies, so just focus on learning stuff.

good luck!

 

[bbake87]

Oh and to clarify... when I say burnt out... I don't mean burnt out on medicine. I mean burnt out because I'm really tired. I'm sure most of us are! I just need like two days off in a row, that's it... then I'll be back to normal.

Apply everywhere (especially CCOM, ha), you may get an interview and find out you really dig a place or vice versa maybe one of your top choices isn't what as money as you thought it would be.

I checked out KC and CCOM and MSU and all are great. If you have any ?'s shoot me a PM

Billy
CCOM 2009

 

[C8H10N4O2Junkie]

Honestly, I wouldn't sweat your MCAT too much. Mine was fairly similar (just a little higher), in that my verbal score was much higher than my physical sciences score. From what I understand, many schools like to see a high verbal score. 😉 I also applied only to schools in the midwest (MO girl). Sent primaries to four (KCOM, KCUMB, DMU, and OSU), and secondaries to only three of those (eliminated OSU). I was invited to interview at all of those schools I sent secondaries. Went to two interviews, and was accepted to both schools. No one ever questioned my MCAT score. It probably wouldn't hurt to apply to a few more schools, just to be safe. (I won't say that what I did was wise, lol.) I would probably stick to the DO schools however. Just practice your interview skills like crazy! Know exactly why you want to be a doc (and an osteopathic one at that). Good luck!

 

[lealf-ye]

your science scores are on the low side but overall is ok. If the new MCAT shows some improvement, then you will be fine. 🙂

 

[ambernikel]

Thanks for all the advice. I spoke with one of the MD docs at work today and he really thinks I should go ahead and apply to some of the MD programs (esp his!). He says that with all my experience and if I up my scores a bit, I should have a pretty good shot. Who knows, with all his encouragement maybe I can talk him into giving me an awesome LOR! I bet he would in a heart beat.

I don't know why my BS was so low on the MCAT, (it was BS I tell you!! Ok bad joke). I was doing so much better on the practice tests scoring 9's or 10's on it, if I remember correctly.

Anyway, I think it is time to pull out the old class notecards and start quizzing. At least I can do that no matter where I'm at! I think classes like Ochem & anat & histology are my strongest features. I haven't had an actual physiology class yet but I've learned most of it here and there anyway. I just need to do a crash refresher on human phys & molecular & gen chem.

When I took the test I knew how I should know the answers but I went blank on some of it. There was a lot on the PS that I just didn't know at all. I've never choked on a test in my entire life. I'm not proud of these scores at all.

Sorry to ramble.... it's late... 😴