Possible reapplicant -Not sure how to precede

[wannabedoc21]

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I took the MCAT in 2012 as a junior and got a 20 (with Kaplan test prep), so I decided to take a gap year. I graduated college in May 2013 with a 3.7 and submitted my AMCAS in July (19 MD schools) with the intention of a Aug retake. I landed a very competitive research position for my gap year, but found out that September I scored a 21 on my retake. I was averaging 28/29 on all my practice exams. For some stupid delusional reason I continued filling out MD apps (obviously was rejected everywhere). In Jan, I finally realized that awesome research experience, great letters and extracurricular activities means nothing with a 20/21 MCAT. I was extremely devastated and just kept myself busy with my research fellowship. I lost all confidence and was told to not reapply to med school again until I was 150% I would score a 30+ on my MCAT.

Fast forward to now- I am still conducting research and extremely unsure of how to precede with my medical education. I was forced by my family to apply to SGU and was accepted with a modest scholarship (besides my MCAT the rest of my app is above average). My family is strongly encouraging/forcing me to start at SGU this Jan and not waste anymore time, since I would now have to retake my MCAT and apply for fall 2016. My siblings and several cousins are physicians and they think it's also wise to start at SGU and work my hardest so I can come back and at least match IM. They also think I should apply to DO schools, but say that they'd go to SGU if they were in my shoes. I'm a NY resident and my family thinks they can help me land a residency with their connections if I get a decent step score. I guess it's my pride wondering why I had to work hard in college (didn't party and have a few friends) just to end up in the Caribbean. My family helped a lot with the financial part of my app, and they just don't think it's worth reapplying for Fall 2016 because (1) there's no guarantee I'll get in (2) I'll be 25 when I start med school (I'm a female so that's a concern for them).

Does anyone have any advice for me? Any comments or suggestions would be extremely appreciated!

 

[ProudMD]

You are definitely in a difficulty/tricky position.

Your application has a lot going for it, most notably your excellent GPA and presumably strong ECs, but as you already know, your MCAT scores are lethally low, even for DO schools. Did you take all the AAMC practice full-length exams? Given your GPA and assuming you prepared adequately, I really can't fathom how you barely broke 20 both times.

I am no expert on Caribbean medical schools, but the overwhelming consensus on this site is that they should be avoided unless you have NO other options. Fortunately, you DO have options. You can still take the current MCAT during January, 2015. The best course of action for you, based on my opinion, is to study rigorously for the MCAT and take it a third time in about 2-2.5 months. If you can break a 25+, you should have a good shot at DO schools. If you can break a 30, then you'll be competitive for MD schools.

Keep in mind that DO schools require/strongly recommend that you shadow an osteopathic physician and get a LOR from him/her. After you get your MCAT score from January's test, you can then determine whether you should apply to DO or MD. If you score in the 25-29 range, you can focus primarily on DO schools and find an osteopathic physician to shadow. Fortunately, you'll have time from next January to next June to find and shadow a DO, which is plenty of time.

In the end, American MD schools are out of the question with your MCAT scores. And I think Caribbean schools aren't worth the risk. So the best course of action for you is to take the MCAT a third time and hopefully score competitive enough for DO schools.

I understand the influence of parental pressure, but it is YOUR career. And 25 is still very young to start medical school. I'll be 26 when I start next August.

Best of luck!

I am going to call @Goro and @gyngyn

I am certain that these adcom members will agree with my advice.

 

[Boolean]

Caribbean is a great place to drop $200,000 on an education that you could have gotten for $2.00 in late charges at the library

 

[AspiringERMD]

I took the MCAT in 2012 as a junior and got a 20 (with Kaplan test prep), so I decided to take a gap year. I graduated college in May 2013 with a 3.7 and submitted my AMCAS in July (19 MD schools) with the intention of a Aug retake. I landed a very competitive research position for my gap year, but found out that September I scored a 21 on my retake. I was averaging 28/29 on all my practice exams. For some stupid delusional reason I continued filling out MD apps (obviously was rejected everywhere). In Jan, I finally realized that awesome research experience, great letters and extracurricular activities means nothing with a 20/21 MCAT. I was extremely devastated and just kept myself busy with my research fellowship. I lost all confidence and was told to not reapply to med school again until I was 150% I would score a 30+ on my MCAT.

Fast forward to now- I am still conducting research and extremely unsure of how to precede with my medical education. I was forced by my family to apply to SGU and was accepted with a modest scholarship (besides my MCAT the rest of my app is above average). My family is strongly encouraging/forcing me to start at SGU this Jan and not waste anymore time, since I would now have to retake my MCAT and apply for fall 2016. My siblings and several cousins are physicians and they think it's also wise to start at SGU and work my hardest so I can come back and at least match IM. They also think I should apply to DO schools, but say that they'd go to SGU if they were in my shoes. I'm a NY resident and my family thinks they can help me land a residency with their connections if I get a decent step score. I guess it's my pride wondering why I had to work hard in college (didn't party and have a few friends) just to end up in the Caribbean. My family helped a lot with the financial part of my app, and they just don't think it's worth reapplying for Fall 2016 because (1) there's no guarantee I'll get in (2) I'll be 25 when I start med school (I'm a female so that's a concern for them).

Does anyone have any advice for me? Any comments or suggestions would be extremely appreciated!

I'm a female planning to matriculate at 28 and somehow manage to be a pregnant resident. It has been done. Don't let your age deter you; I'm jealous. 🙂 And I second the previous posters on this thread so far.

 

[MrLogan13]

Caribbean is a great place to drop $200,000 on an education that you could have gotten for $2.00 in late charges at the library

How do you like them apples?