If you want a shot at DO youll need a 505 to be competitive at all DO schools and 500+ for newer DO schools (i dont recommend new DO schools for certain reasons but its better than carribbean MD). Your GPA is competitive for most DO schools. If youre shooting for MD I’d shoot for a 512+ with a 3.5 gpa. Bottom line work your butt off and shoot for as high of an MCAT as possible. You got a 495 first go, but your grades arent bad so you have a second chance. study hard! Retaking the MCAT isnt a HUGE deal like having to retake your medical boards, but make sure your second try you show some major improvement
Is there something wrong with the newer DO schools?
I would shoot for 505+
Yes they haven't had enough time to tweak their curriculum, and their clinical rotation sites typically won't be as strong. They also haven't had enough time to build a strong foundation for connections (residency etc) and for those schools that are really really new you'll have no idea what their board pass rate is or their match list so you don't know if their curriculum is working or not. Of course if you are down to going to a new DO school vs caribbe or not being able to be a doctor at all do the smart thing and go to the new DO school. You'll still be a physician. Oh and it is never ok to go caribbean
I agree with his post but think it's also important to give consideration to new DO schools who are adding a campus and using the same + boosting faculty (eg RVU) vs new schools popping up without any track record of outcomes whatsoever (ICOM). Maybe that's just my opinion, but I would 10/10 take a new campus splitting a decently reputable program between locations over a 100% new program altogether.
Yes this is true. When I say new schools I mean brand new starting from scratch not satellite campi (not a word but whatever lol). Overall US MD>established/state US DO>new satellite campus US DO>brand new US DO>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>carrib MD
Just to clarify something, getting accepted is 100% on you. Not even a 525 score can guarantee acceptance.
Yet I play war thunder so i know some WWII airplane lol.
I was in the same boat as you with the MCAT score and I brought it to a 509. If I can do it, so can you!
I agree with the other posts on this thread. Somewhere north of 505 for most DO schools. If your score is lower, You could look into masters programs that feed into medical schools. I know KCUMB has the bioscience 1 years masters. I believe if you get above a 3.5 in that program, you only need a 501 to apply to their school, and get an automatic interview. There are still many options open for you with a 3.5 gpa. I took the mcat three times with a 494,496,509 and got multiple DO and MD interviews this cycle with a Similar gpa. Feel free to DM if you have any questions. Good luck
Are you URM?
I have a great story. Unfortunately my numbers kept me out of UAMS.
From his post history, yes. One of his MD interviews doesnt really count since UAMS interviews all residents
Ok tough guy. I think half of us in my class are from turd holes but we don’t proclaim self determined greatness. U do u tho brah
