I'm new to this forum and would appreciate some advice on my situation. I have recently graduated from a top tier university and have been applying to medical schools over the past year. I applied to over 40 schools (MD only) and received only 1 interview. I am currently waitlisted at this school but am realistic with my chances given the large waitlist size. I have also applied and been accepted to St. George's university and have also applied to Sackler (have not heard back yet). Anyway with my stats (3.33gpa and 28 Mcat) should I just take the acceptance that I've been given (SGU) if I am not accepted anywhere else, or would it be in my interest to reapply? I am skeptical about reapplying because it has been over a year and a half since I took the MCAT (2014 version) and I understand that the exam has changed significantly. Some of the topics now being tested I did not even take in undergrad (biochem, psychology). I should also mention that my mcat score was a retake from a 25, and I really studied hard and took prep courses for both attempts. My GPA also has somewhat of a downward trend thanks to a few upper level chemistry courses I needed to complete my major (pchem, etc). Prior to my junior year, my lowest grade in a prerequisite course for medical school (or any course for that matter) was a B. I know that many people on this forum seem to emphasize improving their application in the event that they are unsuccessful in securing admission, but I don't really know what I have the ability to improve in my portfolio (or if an improvement would really make a difference). After all with nearly 130 credits completed, if I were able to get straight A's in two semesters of additional coursework (something I have been unsuccessful in doing since I started undergrad) this would only raise my overall GPA marginally. I also do not think my extra-curricular activities are what is holding me back (but I could be wrong). I know that going to medical school abroad is a gamble, but it seems to me that taking additional time (years) and spending more money on additional applications, MCATs, and courses is also a huge risk. I am very worried that if I am not accepted, I may not be able to improve my stats significantly enough to be competitive in future cycles, and will end up going abroad anyway (just having lost additional time through failed attempts). If anyone could please advise me through personal experience or expertise, that would be greatly appreciated.
Need advice moving forward
- Thread starter Kisangani
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Don't even think about going to SGU unless you really like the idea of being unemployed and deeply in debt.
Use the search function in the forums to understand why.
If you get shut out, aim for DO schools.
Use the search function in the forums to understand why.
If you get shut out, aim for DO schools.
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I would consider applying to DO medical schools. Your GPA and MCAT stats are borderline for MD schools. It also depends on what your science GPA is and whether your MCAT subsection scores are balanced. A number of medical schools have a MCAT subsection cutoff at 8. If you're really set on applying to only MD medical schools, you'll likely have to take more classes to boost your science GPA (if it's around 3.33) and possibly the MCAT as well (depending on your subsection scores).
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