Need advice after doing worse on mcat second time

[Kwai]

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Hi!

So I don't know if it is worth for me to apply this cycle or not to DO schools because I retook my mcat and did worse. My first score was a 505 and then I got a 503. I'm not sure what happened but I don't know if I have it in me to retake the exam again.
I was a religious studies major and my GPA is 3.767 and science is 3.72. I have done a lot of research in religious studies department and in my neuroscience lab. I will have a good amount of patient contact and from my gap year and service hours too. Does anyone think I should still give it a shot?

 

[gensurghopeful]

You're fine.
Although a drop in MCAT scores is a negative, you still scored around average for most DO schools.
Your high GPA is a plus - apply to VCOM as they prefer that.
I would probably avoid applying to big 3 - CCOM, PCOM, and MSUCOM (unless from those respective states)

 

[Grannywang]

Same boat. I got a 504 first time a 503 second time and i somehow still managed to get in. Once you get an interview, your score doesn’t matter.

 

[SergeantBuzzKill]

My understanding is it is detrimental to your application if you do worse on a retake. I wouldn't apply if you're a reapplicant. If this is your first cycle, give it a shot if you can't do a gap year to study for another retake. The MCAT decrease will limit the schools you have a realistic shot at getting into, but with your GPA you can probably get in somewhere. Point is, if you're worried about getting into a specific school, like one of the more established DO schools, you should really consider studying for a retake. If you just want to get in somewhere, you can probably still pull it off.

 

[Kwai]

You're fine.
Although a drop in MCAT scores is a negative, you still scored around average for most DO schools.
Your high GPA is a plus - apply to VCOM as they prefer that.
I would probably avoid applying to big 3 - CCOM, PCOM, and MSUCOM (unless from those respective states)

 

[Kwai]

I was thinking about applying to PCOM because Im from PA??? Do you think there might be a chance

 

[SergeantBuzzKill]

You're above their average c/sGPA (based on a spreadsheet I saw on SDN comparing the DO school stats) and right at their MCAT average, but its hard to say how much weight they're going to put on your MCAT trend.

 

[gensurghopeful]

I was thinking about applying to PCOM because Im from PA??? Do you think there might be a chance

Then yes do it, but your MCAT is far off from thier average. I rate them as the TOP osteo school in the country.
Being from PA, it would be foolish not to apply to them though, including thier GA campus.
I would apply to 15+ schools.

 

[gensurghopeful]

My understanding is it is detrimental to your application if you do worse on a retake. I wouldn't apply if you're a reapplicant. If this is your first cycle, give it a shot if you can't do a gap year to study for another retake. The MCAT decrease will limit the schools you have a realistic shot at getting into, but with your GPA you can probably get in somewhere. Point is, if you're worried about getting into a specific school, like one of the more established DO schools, you should really consider studying for a retake. If you just want to get in somewhere, you can probably still pull it off.

Detrimental is a bit much. Obviously it's negative and certain doors have closed due to this drop but OP will 100% get into a DO school for class of 2023. His GPA is great for DO and MCAT scores are both competitive regardless.

 

[MedicineN'Jazz]

Same boat. I got a 504 first time a 503 second time and i somehow still managed to get in. Once you get an interview, your score doesn’t matter.

Lol I wouldn’t go that far. But for the rest of your post, I agreee 100%. OP, you should be fine for DO schools

 

[Goro]

Hi!

So I don't know if it is worth for me to apply this cycle or not to DO schools because I retook my mcat and did worse. My first score was a 505 and then I got a 503. I'm not sure what happened but I don't know if I have it in me to retake the exam again.
I was a religious studies major and my GPA is 3.767 and science is 3.72. I have done a lot of research in religious studies department and in my neuroscience lab. I will have a good amount of patient contact and from my gap year and service hours too. Does anyone think I should still give it a shot?

You're fine

 

[SergeantBuzzKill]

Then yes do it, but your MCAT is far off from thier average. I rate them as the TOP osteo school in the country.
Being from PA, it would be foolish not to apply to them though, including thier GA campus.
I would apply to 15+ schools.

I wouldn’t say it’s far off, according to PCOM’s website, under admission indicators, it says the average MCAT was 503 (2017 data). But perhaps this is referring to the average applicant MCAT rather than the average matriculate.

Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) Program Data | PCOM

 

[Kwai]

Thanks for all the advice! I am still going to apply this cycle; its my first time applying and i want to give it a shot. These are my list of schools so far:
- PCOM
- NYIT
- VCOM
-MSUCOM
- LECOM
- NOVA
- ROWAN
- OUCOM
- CCOM

These were the schools i had down before i got my recent mcat score. Any suggestions for others? / should i take any off?

 

[SergeantBuzzKill]

Thanks for all the advice! I am still going to apply this cycle; its my first time applying and i want to give it a shot. These are my list of schools so far:
- PCOM
- NYIT
- VCOM
-MSUCOM
- LECOM
- NOVA
- ROWAN
- OUCOM
- CCOM

These were the schools i had down before i got my recent mcat score. Any suggestions for others? / should i take any off?

I’d take off CCOM because they love high MCATs and replace it with DMUCOM. As for MSU, be aware that their OOS tuition alone is about 88k and they have a heavy in-state bias. Nova is on a bit of a downward spiral with respect to level 1 pass rates (down to 85% now I think) so that’s something worth considering if you’re thinking about applying there. Lots of horror stories about LECOM-Bradenton’s clinicals and students often have to travel far for them.

Edit: OUCOM has a 5 year commitment of medical practice in OH. Although, I think if you do your residency in OH, it counts towards the obligation.

 

[gensurghopeful]

Thanks for all the advice! I am still going to apply this cycle; its my first time applying and i want to give it a shot. These are my list of schools so far:
- PCOM
- NYIT
- VCOM
-MSUCOM
- LECOM
- NOVA
- ROWAN
- OUCOM
- CCOM

These were the schools i had down before i got my recent mcat score. Any suggestions for others? / should i take any off?

I'd add MUCOM and ACOM - newer schools but have proofed worthy early on and would def take you on
MSUCOM - very instate bias and even if you got in ur looking at a FAT tuition expense
CCOM is a stretch

 

[ERinspired]

Thanks for all the advice! I am still going to apply this cycle; its my first time applying and i want to give it a shot. These are my list of schools so far:
- PCOM
- NYIT
- VCOM
-MSUCOM
- LECOM
- NOVA
- ROWAN
- OUCOM
- CCOM

These were the schools i had down before i got my recent mcat score. Any suggestions for others? / should i take any off?

I’d take off MSU. Their OOS $$$ is insane.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[Kwai]

I’d take off CCOM because they love high MCATs and replace it with DMUCOM. As for MSU, be aware that their OOS tuition alone is about 88k and they have a heavy in-state bias. Nova is on a bit of a downward spiral with respect to level 1 pass rates (down to 85% now I think) so that’s something worth considering if you’re thinking about applying there. Lots of horror stories about LECOM-Bradenton’s clinicals and students often have to travel far for them.

Edit: OUCOM has a 5 year commitment of medical practice in OH. Although, I think if you do your residency in OH, it counts towards the obligation.

Thank you! This was very helpful !

 

[Kwai]

I'd add MUCOM and ACOM - newer schools but have proofed worthy early on and would def take you on
MSUCOM - very instate bias and even if you got in ur looking at a FAT tuition expense
CCOM is a stretch

Thank you!