Wow thanks for such quick responses. I'll try to address as many questions as I can. MY MCAT breakdown was a 8(Verbal), 9(Physical), 8(Bio). MY science gpa is around 2.99 and I submitted my app July 25th last year. After reading the comments I see the Caribbean schools are truly out of the option. I applied to mostly DO schools and I am aiming for a DO school in the long run. Considering there are 6 months left until the application cycle opens again, it looks like my two options are retake/study for the new MCAT and retake some classes at an extension program or apply to an SMP program now that guarantees an interview(such as Western), there is also a 2 year mph at drexel that guarantees acceptance of the next year's class.
My question is does retaking classes/studying for the new mcat seem like a viable option considering I should reapply by June? or should I focus on SMP programs that guarantee an interview/spot/have a high yield of acceptance to the next years class?
Doing an organized post-bac/SMP with linkage is an option, but honestly, I agree with others that you'd be better served with strategic class retakes and an MCAT retake. If you really don't want to do that, then I would do the program with linkage to whichever school you are most interested in. Forget MPH. Forget the Carib.
Your problem really is that you applied with a sGPA of <3.0. You should have never done that. You should have at very least bumped your sGPA above a 3.0 just to get above the stat cutoffs of most schools. If you can spend 1-2 semesters taking strategic retakes (even at a CC or junior college) you'd likely be able to bring your GPAs (both science and cumulative) up to ~3.3, which would give you a huge boost in your chances at DO schools, even if you don't retake the MCAT. Obviously retaking the MCAT and doing better percentile-wise, would also help, but even if you didn't want to do that, you'd probably get in if you just bring up your GPAs closer to the matriculant averages (~3.4/3.5).
It really depends on what you think you're capable of. If you can do well in classes and take the new MCAT (and do well obviously) by June, why not do it? Only you can make that assessment.
In terms of retaking classes, considering I've graduated, the grades can't replace my older grades so I would have another gpa to show correct? not my undergraduate gpa with increased points?
AACOMAS accepts any class as a retake provided the names/descriptions are similar and the semester credit hours for the retake are equal or greater than the original course. Like I said above, you can even take them at a different school.
In the case of retaking courses, wouldn't a post bacc at a DO schools be a better option as that will raise my gpa and maybe give me a better shot that that university at the very least?
Yes, but its also a bit more risky and will likely cost you a bunch more money. If you do bad (<3.0) in a post-bac/SMP you kill your chances at a US school for a couple years. If you do OK, but not great (i.e. you don't meet the minimum cutoffs for the guaranteed interview/acceptance) then you won't even really get the better shot at that university. On top of that, it won't actually affect your sGPA as much as retakes, because they have a much better impact on your GPA than taking new courses.
Honestly, if there is one DO school you really want to attend, you have the money, and you can be confident you'll do really well in it, then its not a bad option, but strategic undergrad course retakes will likely have a bigger effect on you getting in to any DO school in general. Good luck! You're not in terrible shape and could probably get in pretty soon if you take strategic retakes.
I'll also throw out this idea: while not ideal, you could always do retakes next semester, as well as over the summer and even into the fall. You can (and should) still submit your application in June (provided you're above cutoffs by then), but you'll also be able to update your application with new grades as they come in.
