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[Liam K]

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Hello, everyone. I need some advice because I’m feeling kind of lost right now.

During undergrad, I had an undiagnosed but treatable condition that made me very sick and affected my GPA. I graduated with a 2.9 (Biochemistry), but I showed significant upward trend, making the Dean's List in my final two years. To make up for this, I’m currently completing an SMP with a 4.0 GPA while working a full-time job. The SMP guarantees an interview if you perform well in the program. I got the interview, it went really well, and then, to my devastating surprise, I was placed on the waitlist. My MCAT score is 504.

Now, here’s my dilemma. My job officially ends in June, and my master’s ends in May. I need to retake the MCAT to be more competitive, but I’m not sure what to do next or how to juggle everything in order to have a successful 2024-2026 cycle—God forbid I don’t get off the waitlist.

To be honest, now that I’m healthy and doing really well, I might be delusional, but I want to even apply to tiered medical schools, but I’m not sure how to plan this all out or what to do next. I really need advice.

I’m a first-gen student, and no one in my family has been through this process, so I’m trying to get some official guidance. Thank you guys!

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Hello, everyone. I need some advice because I’m feeling kind of lost right now.

During undergrad, I had an undiagnosed but treatable condition that made me very sick and affected my GPA. I graduated with a 2.9 (Biochemistry), but I showed significant upward trend, making the Dean's List in my final two years. To make up for this, I’m currently completing an SMP with a 4.0 GPA while working a full-time job. The SMP guarantees an interview if you perform well in the program. I got the interview, it went really well, and then, to my devastating surprise, I was placed on the waitlist. My MCAT score is 504.

Now, here’s my dilemma. My job officially ends in June, and my master’s ends in May. I need to retake the MCAT to be more competitive, but I’m not sure what to do next or how to juggle everything in order to have a successful 2024-2026 cycle—God forbid I don’t get off the waitlist.

To be honest, now that I’m healthy and doing really well, I might be delusional, but I want to even apply to tiered medical schools, but I’m not sure how to plan this all out or what to do next. I really need advice.

What does your SMP director say? IMO your top priority is to finish your SMP with your stellar GPA. Perhaps you are on the waitlist to make sure you do finish strong with the 4.0 GPA. Let them tell you to retake the MCAT and when; people who score 504 perform as well on USMLE exams as those who had higher MCAT scores (if I interpret the papers on this correctly).

My first thought: graduate with a strong SMP GPA, apply to AMCAS with the throwaway school, take your MCAT in June/July and add schools once you get a better MCAT result. Shoot for +10 overall (515+). Be ready to dump all of these plans if you get pulled off the waitlist at the last minute or a few days into orientation (because it could happen).

 

[AJS59]

I'm not really sure what constitutes a "tiered" med school but agreed with what Mr. Smile said; I'd also take a hard look at your current non-MCAT metrics and start assessing if there are weak areas, start getting letter writers lined up, etc.

 

[Faha]

Where is your state of residence? You are competitive for most DO schools with a MCAT of 504 and a SMP of 4.0

 

[Liam K]

I am in NY. I currently haven't considered DO yet as I think I can improve my stats to get into MD. Nothing against DO but I don't want it to be an extra struggle to match into competitive residencies(if what I am hearing is correct).

Where is your state of residence? You are competitive for most DO schools with a MCAT of 504 and a SMP of 4.0

 

[Liam K]

What does your SMP director say? IMO your top priority is to finish your SMP with your stellar GPA. Perhaps you are on the waitlist to make sure you do finish strong with the 4.0 GPA. Let them tell you to retake the MCAT and when; people who score 504 perform as well on USMLE exams as those who had higher MCAT scores (if I interpret the papers on this correctly).

My first thought: graduate with a strong SMP GPA, apply to AMCAS with the throwaway school, take your MCAT in June/July and add schools once you get a better MCAT result. Shoot for +10 overall (515+). Be ready to dump all of these plans if you get pulled off the waitlist at the last minute or a few days into orientation (because it could happen).

Thank you Mr.Smile12. I genuinely appreciate the advise. I am mid-way through my SMP and still in-line for a 4.0 this semester. I like the idea of submitting the app to throwaway school as it will give me ample time to get ready for the MCAT and have my application approve. The good news is my primary app (PS & activities), LOR are pretty much complete so I'll just have to finish secondaries.

 

[Faha]

I am in NY. I currently haven't considered DO yet as I think I can improve my stats to get into MD. Nothing against DO but I don't want it to be an extra struggle to match into competitive residencies(if what I am hearing is correct).

Post your new MCAT score here when available.

 

[AJS59]

I am in NY. I currently haven't considered DO yet as I think I can improve my stats to get into MD. Nothing against DO but I don't want it to be an extra struggle to match into competitive residencies(if what I am hearing is correct).

Do you have reason to believe that if you studied for and took the MCAT again, you could raise your MCAT up to around 515 or so - which is what you'd need to get a decent overall average? If not, then I'd just take your opportunity for DO

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I am in NY. I currently haven't considered DO yet as I think I can improve my stats to get into MD. Nothing against DO but I don't want it to be an extra struggle to match into competitive residencies(if what I am hearing is correct).

This thinking shows why are you are your own worst enemy. You also wrote

To be honest, now that I’m healthy and doing really well, I might be delusional, but I want to even apply to tiered medical schools, but I’m not sure how to plan this all out or what to do next. I really need advice.

I’m a first-gen student, and no one in my family has been through this process, so I’m trying to get some official guidance.

MD schools generally put significant weight behind your undergrad GPA. Most know that grad GPA tends to be highly inflated because of the way graduate education is set up. Not all MD schools reward reinvention.

DO schools will generally consider both undergraduate and graduate GPA. Most are known for rewarding reinvention.

Is your goal getting into a "popular" medical school or to become a physician? You're going to grind wherever you wind up. Are you seeking advice or confirmation?

I am mid-way through my SMP and still in-line for a 4.0 this semester. I like the idea of submitting the app to throwaway school as it will give me ample time to get ready for the MCAT and have my application approve. The good news is my primary app (PS & activities), LOR are pretty much complete so I'll just have to finish secondaries.

That's why I suggested that strategy. You must finish taking advantage of the SMP and its resources. This is why you need to discuss your plan with your SMP director or faculty because their perspective and relationship will be critical in convincing any adcom you're ready (which, if I were you, is what I would want in my LOR from them). You have asked your SMP faculty for letters, right?

Otherwise, yes, begin pre-writing secondaries from your research on each school you want on your list. Make sure your SMP faculty give you feedback; it's in their interest to make sure you get in somewhere, and they should be frank with your chances if you try to overshoot. They have the experience of prior students; use it.

 

[Liam K]

Post your new MCAT score here when available.

Thank you! Will keep you updated in June

 

[Liam K]

This thinking shows why are you are your own worst enemy. You also wrote

Are, one, DO students having a harder time matching into competitive specialties like neurosurgery, plastic surgery, and dermatology due to lower match rates and residency program bias, two, most DO schools being private and significantly more expensive than many MD programs, leading to higher debt with potentially lower earning potential, and three, DO students often needing to take both COMLEX and USMLE just to stay competitive, not valid concerns? Given these challenges—and the fact that I have a strong SMP record and a real shot at an MD program—wouldn’t choosing the DO route make things unnecessarily difficult?

 

[AJS59]

Are, one, DO students having a harder time matching into competitive specialties like neurosurgery, plastic surgery, and dermatology due to lower match rates and residency program bias, two, most DO schools being private and significantly more expensive than many MD programs, leading to higher debt with potentially lower earning potential, and three, DO students often needing to take both COMLEX and USMLE just to stay competitive, not valid concerns? Given these challenges—and the fact that I have a strong SMP record and a real shot at an MD program—wouldn’t choosing the DO route make things unnecessarily difficult?

I think your concerns are somewhat founded in reality but you gotta decided the tradeoff of years (and earned income) to try to maybe get into an MD school, vs. being able to apply decently well to DO schools now.

 

[chilly_md]

Are, one, DO students having a harder time matching into competitive specialties like neurosurgery, plastic surgery, and dermatology due to lower match rates and residency program bias, two, most DO schools being private and significantly more expensive than many MD programs, leading to higher debt with potentially lower earning potential, and three, DO students often needing to take both COMLEX and USMLE just to stay competitive, not valid concerns? Given these challenges—and the fact that I have a strong SMP record and a real shot at an MD program—wouldn’t choosing the DO route make things unnecessarily difficult?

Only a limited number in each class match into those specialties from MD programs anyhow. Most applicants also apply to private MD schools. In your case, you have multiple state schools, but that's the 4 SUNY's for a very competitive state. NYMC and Albany are private. Someone who graduates from LECOM vs Harvard is going to have a similar salary in the same specialty. Acceptance into the associated school of your SMP is your best bet for MD currently without knowing more information.

You can review your practice scores and evaluate why you think you got a 504 as opposed to a higher score.

 

[Goro]

I am in NY. I currently haven't considered DO yet as I think I can improve my stats to get into MD. Nothing against DO but I don't want it to be an extra struggle to match into competitive residencies(if what I am hearing is correct).

Beggars can't be choosy.

As a reinventor, you will need DO schools on your list when you apply, especially if the next MCAT score is not as optimal as you want it to be.

LECOM has dirt cheap tuition, BTW.

 

[Liam K]

Beggars can't be choosy.

As a reinventor, you will need DO schools on your list when you apply, especially if the next MCAT score is not as optimal as you want it to be.

LECOM has dirt cheap tuition, BTW.

Goro, what medical school do you go to, MD or Do?

 

[Goro]

Goro, what medical school do you go to, MD or Do?

Faculty at a DO school

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Goro, what medical school do you go to, MD or Do?

Read

Q&A with Goro, Medical School Admissions Committee and Faculty Member - SDN

The Student Doctor Network provides free tools, resources, and advising services to help students become health professionals.

www.studentdoctor.net

 

[eigen]

competitive specialties like neurosurgery, plastic surgery, and dermatology

Is your goal to be a physician? Or is your goal to match into a specific, highly competitive specialty?

I generally advise undergraduates to not be overly focused on specialty, since numbers show that it changes for most students over the time they're in school.