My chances to do schools?

[Maria123]

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I would really appreciate if anyone can help me out. I have a 3.09 Science GPA and a 3.3 overall GPA from one of the top UC schools. I just got my mcat score (21O), I am very unhappy with that because I had studied for it for a long time. Anyhow, I have about 600+ hours of volunteer work at the UC hospital, half of it being direct patient contact (I was a research associate, so I survey patients on the illness that brought them to ER). I worked on a project with a PhD(coordinator of the Research associate program) and ED MDs. I am the author of the paper from this project that is under review and would most likely get accepted (but I won’t find out before I submit my application). I have done (continue to do so) cancer research at a lab for the past 2 years. My PI is going to write me a very good LOR. I did a presentation on both this project as wells as the one from the ED at my school symposium (two different years) I have also done independent research at another lab for a year but was not an author on the papers, but my work was acknowledged in two papers. Right after graduating school, I got a full time job at one of the top 50 companies at USA (mine is biotech). I have also worked as a lab assistant, high school tutor, and another part time job while at school for two quarters, I held all these three jobs, was a full time student, volunteered, and did research and my GPA was much better than the previous quarters-I have an upward trend)
I am also doing another project at the ED (as a research associate). I will be the first author on the abstract that will be submitted soon and also be among the authors of the full paper which will also be submitted soon (I won’t find out if they will be accepted for presentation/publication before I submit my app): My PI (MD/PhD) has already written me a LOR.
My problem is the low mcat score (and off course my GPA). I am going to retake it in month but I don’t know if it will improve. Also, I don’t have any DO shadowing, but I can start shadowing a DO ASAP
What are my chances (if any) to DO schools or should I just apply to the Caribbean MD schools? I really want to become a doctor and I don’t mind taking the necessary steps that I need for reaching my dream.
Thanks in advance!!!! and sorry for the long post🙁

 

[MedPR]

I would really appreciate if anyone can help me out. I have a 3.09 Science GPA and a 3.3 overall GPA from one of the top UC schools. I just got my mcat score (21O), I am very unhappy with that because I had studied for it for a long time. Anyhow, I have about 600+ hours of volunteer work at the UC hospital, half of it being direct patient contact (I was a research associate, so I survey patients on the illness that brought them to ER). I worked on a project with a PhD(coordinator of the Research associate program) and ED MDs. I am the author of the paper from this project that is under review and would most likely get accepted (but I won’t find out before I submit my application). I have done (continue to do so) cancer research at a lab for the past 2 years. My PI is going to write me a very good LOR. I did a presentation on both this project as wells as the one from the ED at my school symposium (two different years) I have also done independent research at another lab for a year but was not an author on the papers, but my work was acknowledged in two papers. Right after graduating school, I got a full time job at one of the top 50 companies at USA (mine is biotech). I have also worked as a lab assistant, high school tutor, and another part time job while at school for two quarters, I held all these three jobs, was a full time student, volunteered, and did research and my GPA was much better than the previous quarters-I have an upward trend)
I am also doing another project at the ED (as a research associate). I will be the first author on the abstract that will be submitted soon and also be among the authors of the full paper which will also be submitted soon (I won’t find out if they will be accepted for presentation/publication before I submit my app): My PI (MD/PhD) has already written me a LOR.
My problem is the low mcat score (and off course my GPA). I am going to retake it in month but I don’t know if it will improve. Also, I don’t have any DO shadowing, but I can start shadowing a DO ASAP
What are my chances (if any) to DO schools or should I just apply to the Caribbean MD schools? I really want to become a doctor and I don’t mind taking the necessary steps that I need for reaching my dream.
Thanks in advance!!!! and sorry for the long post🙁

tldr;
3.09sGPA, 3.33cGPA, 21O MCAT
Great ECs other than no DO shadowing and evidently no MD shadowing either.

Your chances are pretty slim based on your GPA/MCAT. Your ECs are pretty good though and if you can do well on the MCAT (like a 29+) you can probably get in somewhere.

 

[NeuroLAX]

IMHO, your performance on this upcoming MCAT will determine whether or not you should apply this cycle. Can you retake any of your pre-reqs this coming Fall/Spring? Although your sGPA is not spectacular it isn't <3.0. You're right in that your MCAT is what is holding you back at the momet. I think you'd be an excellent candidate if you get your MCAT up and are able to retake some courses, but like I said grades aren't the major thing holding you back here.

If you don't mind me asking, and you can PM

 

[NeuroLAX]

I'm on my phone and for some reason it won't let me continue where I left off before I messed up and hit submit too soon.

What's your current MCAT breakdown? If verbal is killing you like it did me, I recommend Examkrackers. I improved by 4 points with EK Verbal.

Feel free to PM me.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

As it sits, you have no chance at DO. You have a way bad gpa, so you need to make up for it with a way good mcat. Unless you get a 28+, with you applying late, I don't see a DO acceptance happening. But don't go to the carribean.

 

[Maria123]

I have actually shadowed a pediatric neurologist (MD) and also my RA program has allowed me to shadow all the ED MDs & residents. Yes Verbal killed me. I did study from the exam krackers but I don't know what happened (english is not my first language). No I can't retake any classes. I already graduated and I can't afford to go back to school and retake the classes. A DO actually got back to me regarding I shadowing her but I am not sure if I should start that or not (and rather focus on my MCAT asm I only have one month+full time job). My PI recommended carribean schools over DO but I am just not sure. Thanks for the help

 

[angldrps]

I have actually shadowed a pediatric neurologist (MD) and also my RA program has allowed me to shadow all the ED MDs & residents. Yes Verbal killed me. I did study from the exam krackers but I don't know what happened (english is not my first language). No I can't retake any classes. I already graduated and I can't afford to go back to school and retake the classes. A DO actually got back to me regarding I shadowing her but I am not sure if I should start that or not (and rather focus on my MCAT asm I only have one month+full time job). My PI recommended carribean schools over DO but I am just not sure. Thanks for the help

Forget everything else and focus on the MCAT.

 

[tide11189]

Your options right now are caribbean or podiatry...


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[HalfListic]

I'd say, retake a full semester of classes this semester for grade replacement. Then, do nothing but study for MCAT starting January and take in April. Apply early next year and you'll get in if the MCAT is decent and your retakes go well

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Your Mcat is simply too low. You must retake.

 

[user3]

Apply broadly and pray. If you aren't getting interview invites then retake in spring.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Apply broadly and pray. If you aren't getting interview invites then retake in spring.

Wasted money and time on Secondaries that could have been used to prep for the mcat tbh. He's honestly nearly 2.5 SD's below average in the mcat and around 2 below average for his gpa's. He's a super underdog.

 

[H Y F R]

Wow. Top UC school. So cool.

 

[mdny]

Apply broadly and pray. If you aren't getting interview invites then retake in spring.

👍

somebody in the underdog thread last year got in with a 20 or 21.. yes off the waitlist, but in 2016, you'd still address him as "doctor" 🙂

 

[BestDoctorEver]

👍

somebody in the underdog thread last year got in with a 20 or 21.. yes off the waitlist, but in 2016, you'd still address him as "doctor" 🙂

21 mcat is to low. OP has no chance at all. OP should aim for at least 27 mcat to have a realistic shot.

 

[tide11189]

Too* low.


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[BestDoctorEver]

I would really appreciate if anyone can help me out. I have a 3.09 Science GPA and a 3.3 overall GPA from one of the top UC schools. I just got my mcat score (21O), I am very unhappy with that because I had studied for it for a long time. Anyhow, I have about 600+ hours of volunteer work at the UC hospital, half of it being direct patient contact (I was a research associate, so I survey patients on the illness that brought them to ER). I worked on a project with a PhD(coordinator of the Research associate program) and ED MDs. I am the author of the paper from this project that is under review and would most likely get accepted (but I won’t find out before I submit my application). I have done (continue to do so) cancer research at a lab for the past 2 years. My PI is going to write me a very good LOR. I did a presentation on both this project as wells as the one from the ED at my school symposium (two different years) I have also done independent research at another lab for a year but was not an author on the papers, but my work was acknowledged in two papers. Right after graduating school, I got a full time job at one of the top 50 companies at USA (mine is biotech). I have also worked as a lab assistant, high school tutor, and another part time job while at school for two quarters, I held all these three jobs, was a full time student, volunteered, and did research and my GPA was much better than the previous quarters-I have an upward trend)
I am also doing another project at the ED (as a research associate). I will be the first author on the abstract that will be submitted soon and also be among the authors of the full paper which will also be submitted soon (I won’t find out if they will be accepted for presentation/publication before I submit my app): My PI (MD/PhD) has already written me a LOR.
My problem is the low mcat score (and off course my GPA). I am going to retake it in month but I don’t know if it will improve. Also, I don’t have any DO shadowing, but I can start shadowing a DO ASAP
What are my chances (if any) to DO schools or should I just apply to the Caribbean MD schools? I really want to become a doctor and I don’t mind taking the necessary steps that I need for reaching my dream.
Thanks in advance!!!! and sorry for the long post🙁

Dont retake the MCAT unless you are scoring 27+ consistently on AAMC practice test.

 

[NeuroLAX]

Wasted money and time on Secondaries that could have been used to prep for the mcat tbh. He's honestly nearly 3 SD's below average in the mcat and around 2.5 below average for his gpa's. He's a super underdog.

Agreed 👍 Telling OP to apply broadly and early is poor advice at the moment.

Improved MCAT and grade replacement (if financially possible) is the best advice. If the new score is greatly improved (27-28+) I would definitely consider applying this cycle. I applied late with a 29 and decent other stats and was accepted early this calendar year.

Remember this: It only takes one acceptance.

Work hard for it. Good luck, OP!

 

[NightGod]

👍

somebody in the underdog thread last year got in with a 20 or 21.. yes off the waitlist, but in 2016, you'd still address him as "doctor" 🙂

Assuming he isn't part of that 3% or so that chokes on Step 1....

 

[drshark]

UCSD grad i'm assuming, based on the fact i know they have such a program... ? lol retake mcat as everyone said... and maybe retake a few classes at a CC it would be much cheaper

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Assuming he isn't part of that 3% or so that chokes on Step 1....

Actually students with low mcat scores tend to have higher attrition rates and lower first time pass rates. Generally with a 21 even if you get in you've got a high chance of either failing out/ redoing a year or failing to pass the boards, and failure to pass after 2 to 3 tries is pretty much game over for getting a license.
So generally if you can't break a 24 you might want to consider looking into a different career. Just saying.

 

[cliquesh]

Assuming he isn't part of that 3% or so that chokes on Step 1....

The first time pass rate for comlex level 1 is around 87% and 86% for level 2.

 

[mdny]

Assuming he isn't part of that 3% or so that chokes on Step 1....

21 mcat is to low. OP has no chance at all. OP should aim for at least 27 mcat to have a realistic shot.

i wasn't implying he'd def get in.. i was just agreeing with another poster saying if you don't even try you will never know! 🙂

but yes, i would retake and get atleast a 24 to get past the screening

 

[Dharma]

As most others have already said, focus on the MCAT. By focus, this means attack it as if everything depends on it for a solid 3-4 months. You need to set a schedule and stick to it. Give yourself the chance you deserve (of course this must be earned through dedicated effort). If you haven't seen it already, definitely give this a thorough read:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=623898

MCAT MCAT MCAT with loads of timed practice passages and then full-lengths. Truly invest yourself in your preparation.

 

[Goro]

The combined poor MCAT + low acceptable GPA will hurt you badly. You wouldn't get an interview at my school, alas.

Work a few years and try to improve your verbal skills. Don't bother with the Carribean for now.

I would really appreciate if anyone can help me out. I have a 3.09 Science GPA and a 3.3 overall GPA from one of the top UC schools. I just got my mcat score (21O), I am very unhappy with that because I had studied for it for a long time. Anyhow, I have about 600+ hours of volunteer work at the UC hospital, half of it being direct patient contact (I was a research associate, so I survey patients on the illness that brought them to ER). I worked on a project with a PhD(coordinator of the Research associate program) and ED MDs. I am the author of the paper from this project that is under review and would most likely get accepted (but I won’t find out before I submit my application). I have done (continue to do so) cancer research at a lab for the past 2 years. My PI is going to write me a very good LOR. I did a presentation on both this project as wells as the one from the ED at my school symposium (two different years) I have also done independent research at another lab for a year but was not an author on the papers, but my work was acknowledged in two papers. Right after graduating school, I got a full time job at one of the top 50 companies at USA (mine is biotech). I have also worked as a lab assistant, high school tutor, and another part time job while at school for two quarters, I held all these three jobs, was a full time student, volunteered, and did research and my GPA was much better than the previous quarters-I have an upward trend)
I am also doing another project at the ED (as a research associate). I will be the first author on the abstract that will be submitted soon and also be among the authors of the full paper which will also be submitted soon (I won’t find out if they will be accepted for presentation/publication before I submit my app): My PI (MD/PhD) has already written me a LOR.
My problem is the low mcat score (and off course my GPA). I am going to retake it in month but I don’t know if it will improve. Also, I don’t have any DO shadowing, but I can start shadowing a DO ASAP
What are my chances (if any) to DO schools or should I just apply to the Caribbean MD schools? I really want to become a doctor and I don’t mind taking the necessary steps that I need for reaching my dream.
Thanks in advance!!!! and sorry for the long post🙁

 

[dntke1518]

Actually students with low mcat scores tend to have higher attrition rates and lower first time pass rates. Generally with a 21 even if you get in you've got a high chance of either failing out/ redoing a year or failing to pass the boards, and failure to pass after 2 to 3 tries is pretty much game over for getting a license.
So generally if you can't break a 24 you might want to consider looking into a different career. Just saying.

serenade has been pretty spot on with everything that has been said. OP, you have some work to do. The MCAT score has to come up, grades have to improve, and a little more to your ECs wouldn't hurt. Like others have said, applying now will be a waste of your time and money.