Not sure what to do during 2nd gap year

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mic127

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Here are my stats and ECs:
  • 3.45 cGPA with my last 2 years of courses being 4.0 (with several grad level courses).
    • Prereqs are mostly Bs
    • sGPA is in the 3.2-3.3
  • MCAT #1 was 495 (didn't finish any of the sections) --> MCAT #2 499 1 month after my first one.
    • Final mcat breakdown: 127 123 124 125
  • D1 athlete
  • Published research
  • Was part of a handful of different student organizations
  • Tutored sciences for 3 years
  • Volunteered at the hospital ~50 hours
  • Shadowing Physical therapist for 30 hours
  • Shadowing chiropractor for 200 hours
  • Shadowing DO for 30 hours
  • Shadowing DPM for 20 hours
  • Worked in a clinical setting for about ~1000 hours
During this current gap year while waiting for responses from school I worked as a rehabilitation aide (~150 hours) for 2 months then decided to work at a teleradiology clinic as a transcriber/associate for multiple radiologists (~1000 hours). Recently got laid off of the transcribing job because of the COVID 19.

I applied to:
California Health Sciences University - College of Osteopathic Medicine (CHSU-COM)
Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine
Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine
Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine–California
Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine–New York
William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University
Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University
PCOM Georgia
West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM) Long Island (Old Westbury NY) and NYITCOM at Arkansas State University (Jonesboro AR)
Waitlisted after interviews at:
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine Seton Hill
Edward via College of Osteopathic Medicine [VCOM]
Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine–New York

I had 3 interviews for DO schools and was wait listed at all 3 schools. I'm expecting to not get into these schools and am wondering what I can do if I take another year to reapply.

My applications for SMPs are complete but I haven't submitted them yet. I was wondering what you guys think I should do.
Option 1: Take a 9 month SMP and retake MCAT then apply.
Option 2: Take an EMT course and work as an EMT during my next 2 gap years while studying for the MCAT.

I think a masters in biomed science is overkill since its CRAZY expensive and my GPA isn't terrible...

Thank-you in advance.
 
When did you apply last cycle? I think you didn't apply broad enough.
 
Here are my stats and ECs:
  • 3.45 cGPA with my last 2 years of courses being 4.0 (with several grad level courses).
    • Prereqs are mostly Bs
    • sGPA is in the 3.2-3.3
  • MCAT #1 was 495 (didn't finish any of the sections) --> MCAT #2 499 1 month after my first one.
    • Final mcat breakdown: 127 123 124 125
  • D1 athlete
  • Published research
  • Was part of a handful of different student organizations
  • Tutored sciences for 3 years
  • Volunteered at the hospital ~50 hours
  • Shadowing Physical therapist for 30 hours
  • Shadowing chiropractor for 200 hours
  • Shadowing DO for 30 hours
  • Shadowing DPM for 20 hours
  • Worked in a clinical setting for about ~1000 hours
During this current gap year while waiting for responses from school I worked as a rehabilitation aide (~150 hours) for 2 months then decided to work at a teleradiology clinic as a transcriber/associate for multiple radiologists (~1000 hours). Recently got laid off of the transcribing job because of the COVID 19.

I applied to:
California Health Sciences University - College of Osteopathic Medicine (CHSU-COM)
Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine
Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine
Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine–California
Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine–New York
William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University
Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University
PCOM Georgia
West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM) Long Island (Old Westbury NY) and NYITCOM at Arkansas State University (Jonesboro AR)
Waitlisted after interviews at:
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine Seton Hill
Edward via College of Osteopathic Medicine [VCOM]
Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine–New York

I had 3 interviews for DO schools and was wait listed at all 3 schools. I'm expecting to not get into these schools and am wondering what I can do if I take another year to reapply.

My applications for SMPs are complete but I haven't submitted them yet. I was wondering what you guys think I should do.
Option 1: Take a 9 month SMP and retake MCAT then apply.
Option 2: Take an EMT course and work as an EMT during my next 2 gap years while studying for the MCAT.

I think a masters in biomed science is overkill since its CRAZY expensive and my GPA isn't terrible...

Thank-you in advance.
GPA is fine for DO. That MCAT and interview skills are holding you back. General rule I think is 1 A for every 3 interview invites. Work on interview skills and get that MCAT above 500. You should not retake the MCAT until you a few full length exams and consistently score within your desired score range.
 
Retake MCAT and hit 500+ and at the same time take some science classes to raise your sGPA. I don't think you need SMP.
 
I had a similar MCAT situation but had a little higher GPA. I don’t think SMP is worth your time/money, you’re a competitive applicant with an upward trend. You would also spend a lot of money on classes that I don’t think would make a huge impact on your sGPA. I would keep working and prepping for the MCAT but do not take it until you are scoring a couple points higher than your desired score. When it‘s time to fill out your primary, submit as early as possible (as long as everything is exactly the way you want it). Submit secondaries within 7-10 days of receiving them, earlier the better. Work on your interview skills from time to time as well. For your school list, I would add KYCOM, WVSOM, and some others @Faha could recommend. Good luck and feel free to PM with any questions.
 
Where is your state of residence ? If you apply more broadly and you should receive more interviews. I suggest all these schools with your stats:
CHSU-COM
ICOM
ATSU-SOMA
BCOM
UIWSOM
ARCOM
NYIT-AR
WCU-COM
ACOM
PCOM Georgia and South Georgia
LMU-DCOM
UP-KYCOM
WVSOM
VCOM (all 4 schools)
LECOM (all schools)
 
TBH the fact that you got 3 interviews shows you that your stats and ecs are good enough to get into a DO school. The fact that you didn't get into any schools shows that you have to work on your interviewing skills.
 
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