MD & DO Merits of applying For Fall 2017 start?

[PrinceOfDarkness]

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Hey Guys!

I am about to start my MCAT prep (Kaplan diagnostic: 494-->122 C/P, 126 CARS, 121 Bio, 125 Behavioral) and I intend to dedicate myself this summer towards achieving a high score on the exam. I have a history of doing well on standardized exams from the SAT (2320) to the GRE (165 V, 164 M) so I'm optimistic, but obviously the MCAT is a completely different beast.

Looking at the GPA side of the equation, I have a 3.7 non-science GPA, 3.0 science GPA, and an overall GPA of about 3.4.

Finally, looking towards the experiential activities portion, I've done a few meaningful ones so far (Senator in Student Govt for 2 years, Club President for 2 years, and interned at the county public health department last summer). I know this looks light on clinical experience and thus I will be doing significant shadowing and volunteering in clinical settings this summer.

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Now, my question essentially comes down to this: what do my chances look like for acceptance into an MD and/or DO school if I apply widely this cycle (I am Asian American)? I'm not picky, any accredited US schools that will enable me to succeed on USMLE and/or COMLEX works for me.

I would definitely prefer to go directly from undergrad to med school and application fees are not a problem so my only real worries are a) exerting all that effort to apply with no realistic chance of any acceptance b) being dubbed a re-applicant in the future.

What are my chances of acceptance to a US MD or DO program? Does being dubbed a re-applicant become a negative in case I fail this cycle? Please reply for chances with the following three MCAT score scenarios: 500, 510 and 520.

Also, let's assume that I'm not going to medical school next year for a minute. What specific things do you suggest I do to make my application more competitive in the future?

 

[candbgirl]

Impossible to tell without a real MCAT. Anything anyone tells you would be guessing. So you are planning to apply with NO clinical work or shadowing? That's really setting yourself up for a tough cycle. It's already the end of March, when do you plan to take the MCAT? Your current pre-test on the MCAT converts to around a 21. That score is not competitive for MD or DO. So I suggest slowing down and really getting prepared for the MCAT. While you are doing that, work on beefing up your weak ECs . In other words take a gap year or two. One thing for sure is don't take the MCAT until you are scoring consistently near your goal score which should probably be 512+(32) for MD. You only want to do this thing once so take your time and do it right.

Edited to remove a erroneous statement!

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[PrinceOfDarkness]

I very much intend to hold off the MCAT till I'm at the target score. If I don't get there, I don't apply.

Essentially, what I'm wondering is if I can get in with a decent MCAT (512+) and a summer's worth of shadowing and volunteering.

 

[Faha]

If you do the shadowing and clinical volunteering in the summer as that would delay your application until September, which is too late to apply for MD school. If you applied in June or July with the shadowing and clinical volunteering pending your application will suffer. You would be better off to apply for the 2018 admission year.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Your sGPA is a huge problem. You are DOA at all MD schools and circling the drain for most DO schools. You need to retake some grades and get it up to about 3.3. And make sure you get a good MCAT score. Aim for 505+ to he good for DO programs. But you really need to retake some F/D/C courses to get that sGPA up.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

even with your good GPA.

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Notice OP has a 3.0 sGPA and 3.4 cGPA. His chances at MD schools are basically 0. I missed it the first time I read the post as well.

 

[freak7]

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Notice OP has a 3.0 sGPA and 3.4 cGPA. His chances at MD schools are basically 0. I missed it the first time I read the post as well.

What if OP destroyed the MCAT? Like 95th+ percentile? I'm not saying it's likely, but it seems slightly harsh to just say DOA solely based on GPA

OP asked for 500, 510, and 520 MCAT scenarios.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

What if OP destroyed the MCAT? Like 95th+ percentile? I'm not saying it's likely, but it seems slightly harsh to just say DOA solely based on GPA

OP asked for 500, 510, and 520 MCAT scenarios.

A high MCAT may compensate for a low GPA in the 3.3-3.4 range but not a 3.0. A 3.0 is DOA for MD without some out of the universe ECs, connections, or URM. He would have to do an SMP, most likely even with a 520 MCAT. Its blunt but it is true and realistic. DO would be a different matter.

 

[candbgirl]

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Notice OP has a 3.0 sGPA and 3.4 cGPA. His chances at MD schools are basically 0. I missed it the first time I read the post as well.

Thanks! That's what I get for skimming. I stop at the 3.7. Sorry OP your GPAs are awful. Why would you even think of rushing through this process to be able to apply this upcoming cycle. You need to take a gap year or two and in addition to everything else you need to do some serious grade repair.


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[candbgirl]

What if OP destroyed the MCAT? Like 95th+ percentile? I'm not saying it's likely, but it seems slightly harsh to just say DOA solely based on GPA

OP asked for 500, 510, and 520 MCAT scenarios.

Doubtful OP will destroy the MCAT. Her
sGPA is really low so unless she goes back and learns the content she'll have problems. OP needs to slow down and do it right!


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[PrinceOfDarkness]

I thank you all for the honest answers. After much consideration, I have decided to follow your advice and not apply this cycle. I am looking for things that may improve my application and was wondering how helpful an SMP (like this https://med.uc.edu/msinphysiology/program-benefits) might be?