Need Advice for Low GPA and Low MCAT

[J.A.R.V.I.S]

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Hey guys

I was supposed to apply to medical school this year but got a really bad score on the MCAT (501). I have a cGPA of 3.5 and sGPA of 3.4.

I was thinking of applying to a few DO schools but not sure how successful my cycle will be. I was wondering if I should just do an SMP with a linkage or high acceptance rate to their MD like Temple, Drexel, Tulane etc. Or focus on retaking the MCAT and applying next cycle.

I would appreciate any advice. Feeling pretty lost at the moment. Im in my 2nd gap year and wasn't expecting the mcat score.

Any thoughts if I should take an SMP with linkage/preference or if I should focus on retaking the MCAT and re applying next year. Thanks for the help!

In terms of Extracurriculars, i don't think theyre the best but not horrible.
- Clinical
- 2000 hours paid
- ~350-400 hours volunteering,
- Non Clinical
- ~200 hours volunteering (community service, food banks/drives, homeless shelters, kids parasports coaching and refereeing.)
- Research
- About a semester worth, no paper or pub

 

[Goro]

If you're gunning for the MD degree, you definitely need either to resurrect your gpa, by excelling in a do-it-yourself postpack, or a special Masters program. Read my post on reinvention for pre-meds.

You're fine for a fair number of do schools, but the top ones like KCU, PCOM, DMU CCOM and the Toros probably will take a pass on you.

Avoid the brand new schools that have yet to graduate a class

 

[J.A.R.V.I.S]

If you're gunning for the MD degree, you definitely need either to resurrect your gpa, by excelling in a do-it-yourself postpack, or a special Masters program. Read my post on reinvention for pre-meds.

You're fine for a fair number of do schools, but the top ones like KCU, PCOM, DMU CCOM and the Toros probably will take a pass on you.

Avoid the brand new schools that have yet to graduate a class

Thanks for the advice. Honestly, my scores don't allow me to have a preference between DO and MD so I really don't mind at this point. Im just hoping to get into a school with good match rates for the specialty I'm interested in.

Would the SMP make up for my low MCAT or will I have to retake that regardless?

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Your GPA does not warrant an SMP (but they'll take your money), and only a higher MCAT addresses a low MCAT.

 

[Faha]

You are competitive for the majority of DO schools and I suggest these with your stats:
LECOM (all schools)
PCOM (all schools)
WVSOM
UP-KYCOM
MU-COM
ACOM
WCU-COM
NYIT-AR
ARCOM
UIWSOM
TUNCOM
LMU-DCOM (all schools)
BCOM (both schools)
Noorda-COM
VCOM (all schools)
CUSOM

 

[MD_Maker]

I'm not a fan of SMPs as they are not guarantees for medical school acceptance and obviously cost money. A DIY post-bacc can be very affordable. 5-10 classes at the UC Berkeley extension with their financial assistance can cost a few thousand dollars, compare that to the 50k you might spent at an SMP.

The real question is whether you have the willingness and ability to improve your MCAT score and only you know the answer to that.