Need help deciding what I should do

[jsmith522]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

So I applied to multiple MD and DO schools this year and got only one interview but was denied after the interview. I still have a couple of DO schools that could ask me for ii, but this late I think that I am SOL. On the other hand I feel good about my possibility of being accepted at SGU. My question to everyone is do I take a year off from work and take a MS in Biological Science program and not accept SGU to improve my application. Or take my chances with SGU. I am just worried about the cost, and the likelyhood of finding a residency in 4 years.

My stats right now
MCAT 27
Overall GPA 3.65
Science GPA 3.10 (but I failed out in the 90s and since I been back I have a 3.85 over the last 2 years)
2 Undergraduate degrees.

 

[theseeker4]

So I applied to multiple MD and DO schools this year and got only one interview but was denied after the interview. I still have a couple of DO schools that could ask me for ii, but this late I think that I am SOL. On the other hand I feel good about my possibility of being accepted at SGU. My question to everyone is do I take a year off from work and take a MS in Biological Science program and not accept SGU to improve my application. Or take my chances with SGU. I am just worried about the cost, and the likelyhood of finding a residency in 4 years.

My stats right now
MCAT 27
Overall GPA 3.65
Science GPA 3.10 (but I failed out in the 90s and since I been back I have a 3.85 over the last 2 years)
2 Undergraduate degrees.

With that GPA, NEVER go Caribbean. Don't even think about accepting it. Re-take the MCAT, and apply early and broadly to both DO and MD schools at the beginning of the next cycle. If you have no red flags, I almost guarantee you will get in somewhere. Good luck!

 

[lunalight]

Agreed, don't go Caribbean! I don't even think you need to do that MS. Take a look at Table 24: https://www.aamc.org/data/facts/applicantmatriculant/85992/bymcatscoresandgpas.html. People with your stats have almost a 50% acceptance rate. Maybe re-take the MCAT if you think you can get >= 30, that would increase your chances to almost 70%.

Review your PS, work/activities and secondary essays. I think a lot of people focus too much on the numbers and not enough on the written part of the app. That is your place to really stand out. Also make sure that you have great LORs. Average or impersonal LORs will absolutely kill your app.

I would call the school you interviewed at and ask for feedback. You might contact a couple of your top choice schools and ask for feedback as well. I applied and got in (MD) with a similar track to you (tanked followed by comeback). Good luck!

 

[ObLaDi]

Don't go Caribbean.

Get interview feedback.

Improve your application over the next year. Write a masterful PS.

Apply early and broadly. Make sure you have chosen schools that are a good fit for you, personally and stats wise. I would apply to lots of DO schools if I were you.

I would only re-take the MCAT if you are absolutely SURE you can improve by AT LEAST 3 points.

Good luck!

 

[Goro]

Your MCAT score and sGPA make you non-competitive for MD schools, but an surprised that you haven't had betetr luck with DO programs. Contact the DO schools that rejected you and ask for feedback (not advice).

Then make yourself a stronger candidate and apply more broadly in the next cycle.

You can do better than Carib diploma mills.

So I applied to multiple MD and DO schools this year and got only one interview but was denied after the interview. I still have a couple of DO schools that could ask me for ii, but this late I think that I am SOL. On the other hand I feel good about my possibility of being accepted at SGU. My question to everyone is do I take a year off from work and take a MS in Biological Science program and not accept SGU to improve my application. Or take my chances with SGU. I am just worried about the cost, and the likelyhood of finding a residency in 4 years.

My stats right now
MCAT 27
Overall GPA 3.65
Science GPA 3.10 (but I failed out in the 90s and since I been back I have a 3.85 over the last 2 years)
2 Undergraduate degrees.

 

[jsmith522]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I contacted RVCOM and am waiting to hear back from them about scheduling a time to sit down and get feedback. I also talked to a couple of my mentors and they stated the same thing unless the schools say I need to change something drastic then I should consider the Caribbean.

 

[laricb]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I contacted RVCOM and am waiting to hear back from them about scheduling a time to sit down and get feedback. I also talked to a couple of my mentors and they stated the same thing unless the schools say I need to change something drastic then I should consider the Caribbean.

If you go carib, only go with SGU They have a good track record with residency placement