MD & DO Mcat score:497, cGPA & sGPA: 3.6,desperately need some feedback

[777958]

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cGPA: 3.61, sGPA:3.60
MCAT: 497 (127/ 120/125/125) [awful biology section 🙁 ]
MO resident, Asian

Volunteer hrs: 350 (at a hospital).
Shadowing: I shadowed three doctors: Oncology-Hematology, Radiologist and Radiation Oncology for a total of 47.5 hrs.
Activities: President of a multicultural club (1 year)
Treasurer and Secretary of a multicultural sorority (1 1/2 year)
Chemistry Tutor ( 40 hrs)
Research: I did research with my sociology professor for a year, no publication: 100 hrs . I also did research for about 50 hrs at a pharmacology lab for about a year (possibility of publication, not first author though in the near future).

Please let me know if I have any chances for MD school? Do I even have a shot at DO school with my MCAT score? At this point my MCAT score is holding me back from considering MD school. But any suggestions are welcome. Thank you for taking time to read this!

 

[hopefulERdoc251]

So there are a few things that I see your app deficient in (ranked in importance):

1. MCAT: 497 is the equivalent to 36th percentile, which is approx. a 23. That's a no go no matter where you apply (except for a select few DO schools). I would absolutely retake this exam and find out how you can improve your score especially in bio (seeing as what you'll be learning is mostly biology).

2. Clinical experience- you need more clinical experience- find a job such as scribing (even though it's becoming more common now, still a great experience).

3. Volunteering- What was your hospital volunteering? Did it involve patient contact? If so, you're good on that front. If not, you need to address that as well as obtaining some non-clinical volunteering. Diversify your application! You want to make yourself stand apart from the rest of the pack in a good way and having a plethora of experiences will not only make it easier to write your secondaries, but also it'll broaden your horizons and make you a more well rounded individual!

Ultimately your limiting factor is the MCAT, but even with a higher MCAT, I can see your application being stuffed because of the lack of diversified volunteering + clinical experience. Your GPA is fine for both MD and DO so that's not something you need to worry about and you have some research experience which is good.

 

[Faha]

You have no chance for MD school with your MCAT. You have a small chance for DO schools,but only at a few of the newer schools. You will need to study extensively for the MCAT and do not retake until your practice Biology scores are at least 125.

 

[777958]

Thanks Faha! I have decided to retake my MCAT again in August. BTW, Which DO schools do I have a small shot at?

 

[Faha]

Thanks Faha! I have decided to retake my MCAT again in August. BTW, Which DO schools do I have a small shot at?

Mainly the new schools that open for 2016 and 2017. Also some of the established schools with MCAT medians in the 24 to 26 range (498 to 502 on the new MCAT). The new schools are:
ARCOM
BCOM
Incarnate Word (Texas)
RVU-Utah
NYIT-Arkansas
These schools have over 650 1st year positions to fill in 2017, positions that did not exist in 2015.
Some of the established schools:
UP-KYCOM
VCOM (all 3 schools)
WVSOM
LMU-DCOM
LUCOM
WCU-COM
ACOM
Your 120 sub score in Biology is concerning since knowledge of the biological sciences is the core of medicine so many schools could screen you out due to that score. However, if you raise your MCAT to 500, with a Biology sub score that is at least 3 points higher, in August you could potentially apply to DO schools in September. Some of the newer schools may not be accepting applications until July or August anyway. Post your score here in September when available.

 

[hopefulERdoc251]

Thanks Faha! I have decided to retake my MCAT again in August. BTW, Which DO schools do I have a small shot at?

OP, I know it's easier said than done, but if you rocked the MCAT this time around, why not take another year off and apply early next cycle? MO is a fortunate state to be in especially in state for your MD schools! Even if you are at 502/503 with a 3.6 you should be competitive.

 

[777958]

Mainly the new schools that open for 2016 and 2017. Also some of the established schools with MCAT medians in the 24 to 26 range (498 to 502 on the new MCAT). The new schools are:
ARCOM
BCOM
Incarnate Word (Texas)
RVU-Utah
NYIT-Arkansas
These schools have over 650 1st year positions to fill in 2017, positions that did not exist in 2015.
Some of the established schools:
UP-KYCOM
VCOM (all 3 schools)
WVSOM
LMU-DCOM
LUCOM
WCU-COM
ACOM
Your 120 sub score in Biology is concerning since knowledge of the biological sciences is the core of medicine so many schools could screen you out due to that score. However, if you raise your MCAT to 500, with a Biology sub score that is at least 3 points higher, in August you could potentially apply to DO schools in September. Some of the newer schools may not be accepting applications until July or August anyway. Post your score here in September when available.

Thanks! I will try to focus more on biology section this time around on my MCAT. Will definitely update with new scores in September!

 

[777958]

OP, I know it's easier said than done, but if you rocked the MCAT this time around, why not take another year off and apply early next cycle? MO is a fortunate state to be in especially in state for your MD schools! Even if you are at 502/503 with a 3.6 you should be competitive.

I thought about waiting a year but I just wanted give MCAT another shot since I have all the information fresh on my mind still. Hoping to cross that 500 hump this time around.

 

[NonTrad16]

I thought about waiting a year but I just wanted give MCAT another shot since I have all the information fresh on my mind still. Hoping to cross that 500 hump this time around.

You can retake the MCAT this year and still apply next year. The application process takes a lot of time -- the personal statement and activities are just the beginning. Secondaries get to be a pain... And reapplying is not fun. (Seriously... the money, re-writing everything because you have to, etc.)

Hoping to scrape by and get in anywhere this year (by applying late) could affect you down the road. You could end up at a school you don't really like, or in a place you don't really like, paying astronomical tuition, etc. Delaying your application to make sure you have a competitive MCAT and submit earlier will pay off in less stress and better outcomes. If you try to do too much now (MCAT+apply this year), you could at worst sink the MCAT and really damage/ruin your chances to attend an MD or DO school. Take it from someone who is nearly 29 and reapplying. The anxiety of the cycle is awful, the dollar cost is high, and my only joy this year is that I do have a stronger application. I wish I had not applied last year though.

You're better off applying with a score in hand next year then trying to juggle everything and potentially falling short.

 

[777958]

You can retake the MCAT this year and still apply next year. The application process takes a lot of time -- the personal statement and activities are just the beginning. Secondaries get to be a pain... And reapplying is not fun. (Seriously... the money, re-writing everything because you have to, etc.)

Hoping to scrape by and get in anywhere this year (by applying late) could affect you down the road. You could end up at a school you don't really like, or in a place you don't really like, paying astronomical tuition, etc. Delaying your application to make sure you have a competitive MCAT and submit earlier will pay off in less stress and better outcomes. If you try to do too much now (MCAT+apply this year), you could at worst sink the MCAT and really damage/ruin your chances to attend an MD or DO school. Take it from someone who is nearly 29 and reapplying. The anxiety of the cycle is awful, the dollar cost is high, and my only joy this year is that I do have a stronger application. I wish I had not applied last year though.

You're better off applying with a score in hand next year then trying to juggle everything and potentially falling short.

I am almost done with my application and will be ready to submit in a week, that's why I wanted to give MCAT another shot. Good Luck with your application! Here's hoping you get in this year!!!