DO Please help, should I retake my mcat?

[huntingelaborate1234]

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Hello everyone,

I wanted some advice on my DO application for the next cycle. My top schools are NOVACOM, NYITCOM, MSUCOM, LECOM, & PCOM. What should I do to improve my application? Should I retake my MCAT in March 2025?

Stats:
ORM Female
MCAT: Attempt 1(2023)- 496 (125/123/124/124)
Attempt 2 (2023) (1.5 months later) - 501 (124/124/126/127)
Attempt 3 (2024)(4 months later) - 504 (126/121/129/128)
GPA: 3.7 | Science GPA: 3.53 (still one more semester before graduating with my Bachelors)
MA Derm Office: 2000+ hours
MA Pulmonary Office: 400+ hours
Shadowing DO (speciality family med/OMM): 10 hours only right now and looking to build this
Research: 30 hours
2 student organization leadership positions (SASA and AMSA)
Club basketball captain

Thank you all in advance.

 

[Faha]

You do not need to retake a MCAT of 504, which is competitive at most DO schools. You should accumulate another 40 hours of physician shadowing and 150+ hours of non clinical volunteering (food bank, homeless shelter, etc.). Also apply broadly to at least 15 schools.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

You have cooked yourself with the three MCAT attempts that show marginal improvement each time. I don't think taking a 4th MCAT will impact your application much more, especially since many/most MD programs will average your attempts for screening. You have already shown that you can perform +10 above your initial MCAT result.

I would suggest more primary care exposure as well. Get it comparable to your MA hours since it looks like you're box-checking with shadowing a DO, given that you MA'ed at a dermatology office for 2000+ hours. Not that DOs can't be dermatologists, but your record shows where your aspirations are.

 

[huntingelaborate1234]

You do not need to retake a MCAT of 504, which is competitive at most DO schools. You should accumulate another 40 hours of physician shadowing and 150+ hours of non clinical volunteering (food bank, homeless shelter, etc.). Also apply broadly to at least 15 schools.

Hi,
Thank you for your feedback. I am looking to increase my shadowing and volunteer hours within the next year.

 

[huntingelaborate1234]

You have cooked yourself with the three MCAT attempts that show marginal improvement each time. I don't think taking a 4th MCAT will impact your application much more, especially since many/most MD programs will average your attempts for screening. You have already shown that you can perform +10 above your initial MCAT result.

I would suggest more primary care exposure as well. Get it comparable to your MA hours since it looks like you're box-checking with shadowing a DO, given that you MA'ed at a dermatology office for 2000+ hours. Not that DOs can't be dermatologists, but your record shows where your aspirations are.

Hi,
Thank you for your feedback and help!