Reapplicant in need of advice

[TeNa]

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I'm gonna officially be a re-applicant for next cycle (2007) and I need some advice on how to improve my application. I currently have a GPA BCPM of 3.4 and overal GPA of 3.55. My MCAT was a 25N, 7VR, 8PS, 10BS. I took this MCAT on August of the year that I applied, so I guess on top of the bad score I was also late in the cycle. I'm latino but I'm not an URM. ECs are far from great (some volunteering, shadowing, sports). I'm graduating next month, and I was thinking of reappling to my school in order to stay another year so I can take some more classes. Since I haven't taken the GRE, I wouldn't go to grad school. I don't have enough money to go to a SMP program like the one in georgetown. Anybody has some kind of advice for me? Thanks for your time.

 

[NapeSpikes]

Your gpa isn't great but still competitive for non top-tier med schools. I'd say skip the full-time schooling for now. You should probably retake the mcat (that VR 7 probably hurt you this cycle) and work on your ECs, maybe get a job in a clinical or research setting for the year. Good luck!

 

[TeNa]

You think I shouldn't take classes next year and just work in something related to medicine?

 

[ShyRem]

If you're set on the MD route, you're going to need to retake that MCAT. Sorry. Your GPA shouldn't be much of a problem, but I agree some clinical experience and ECs would be a good thing to work on this year. Get something going NOW so you have something to write about in your app. Too late to take the April MCAT, so unfortunately you're going to be a late applicant again with the August scores. However, you can certainly put in your AMCAS early and make sure to check the box stating you're retaking in August. You'll get your secondaries over the summer (fill those puppies out PRONTO) and once mcat scores come out you'll be complete.

 

[yellowpersuazio]

I'm sure you'll be very competitive for some DO schools.

 

[ValidPoint]

ever thought about a masters degree in the meanwhile... i hear those are stepping stones sorta to the md degree???

 

[jebus]

A) Lie about being a URM. You're latino, for most people that's enough - and I'm sure you could BS it. (I don't even know if I'm being sarcastic.... but I had some Spanish - I'm talking white European - friends from high school who managed to lie about being latino.)
B) You've got to retake the MCAT.
C) If you can get some great LORs and a lot of solid clinical ECs you may be ok. But you'll need those LORs to be absolutely fantastic. Sports is a great EC, don't knock your own application. Medical schools seem to really like athletes because sports is a good avenue to show leadership. I'm not an athlete but I've definitely noticed this. Use it to your best advantage.
Good luck.

 

[cubguy83]

to the OP....did you get any interviews? I would think you'd need at least a 28 with that GPA and EC"s to score any interviews. I have a similar GPA and a 29 (10V, 10P, 9B) and only managed to get 2 interviews (waitlisted and awaiting a descision). i did apply kinda late and took the mcat in August like you. i have a friend who has a 3.7 and a 3.95BCPM from UPenn and a 26 (7V, 10P, 9B) and only got two interviews (one he was rejected from and told him it was because of his MCAT and the other hes still waiting from - the same one I'm waiting for). dude i wish you the best of luck. go today and buy examcrackers and work your butt off for the august mcat and you will be an MD from US school someday. MD schools really want to see that 30+ MCAT and I am learning that clearly now.

 

[TeNa]

to the OP....did you get any interviews? I would think you'd need at least a 28 with that GPA and EC"s to score any interviews. I have a similar GPA and a 29 (10V, 10P, 9B) and only managed to get 2 interviews (waitlisted and awaiting a descision). i did apply kinda late and took the mcat in August like you. i have a friend who has a 3.7 and a 3.95BCPM from UPenn and a 26 (7V, 10P, 9B) and only got two interviews (one he was rejected from and told him it was because of his MCAT and the other hes still waiting from - the same one I'm waiting for). dude i wish you the best of luck. go today and buy examcrackers and work your butt off for the august mcat and you will be an MD from US school someday. MD schools really want to see that 30+ MCAT and I am learning that clearly now.

I had 1 interview. I also heard that one of my LOR was not very supportive. My advisor said that it was too impersonal, like the proffesor didn't know me at all. My problem now is that I can't take this LOR out of my application anymore because it was needed for the commitee letter, which I can't re-do since the dealine is over. So I'm stuck with a mediocre LOR. I'm gonna study my ass off for the august MCAT and apply anyways. I think I might apply without checking the "taking the august mcat box" and then show them the new MCAT score so my application wont be too late in the process.

 

[davematthews]

I had 1 interview. I also heard that one of my LOR was not very supportive. My advisor said that it was too impersonal, like the proffesor didn't know me at all. My problem now is that I can't take this LOR out of my application anymore because it was needed for the commitee letter, which I can't re-do since the dealine is over. So I'm stuck with a mediocre LOR. I'm gonna study my ass off for the august MCAT and apply anyways. I think I might apply without checking the "taking the august mcat box" and then show them the new MCAT score so my application wont be too late in the process.

Retake the MCAT this August- Maybe look into a masters program-2 year so you wont have an off year (something that is course heavy for the first year- not just semnars and journal clubs) , or post bacc where you take upper level sciences- do very well, volunteer in clinical environment, and get to know your professors REALLY well. Ask for letters from them and apply for the class of 2012.

 

[TeNa]

I really don't wanna wait 2 years. If there is a way of getting in next cycle it's what I wanna try.

 

[jebus]

I really don't wanna wait 2 years. If there is a way of getting in next cycle it's what I wanna try.

With a late application (courtesy of your August MCAT), mediocre ECs (you said they are "far from great), and a marginal GPA this sounds appropriate.
It is spring and you are now sowing the seeds of next spring's failure. What have you done to improve your ECs? To get shining LORs? To improve your GPA? It sounds like you think a better MCAT score will fix all that ails your application. I'm going to tell you now, that is wrong.
I have a 3.3 BCPM GPA from top tier schools, I've been published in the Journal of Neuroscience (whoooo! go membrane fusion and synaptic plasticity! whooo!), and I have a 36 MCAT. I'm not applying in two months because I know I haven't done anything to improve my clinical ECs this year. I also haven't done anything to procure better LORs. I'm waiting a year and I will apply for the class of 2012. (I'm sorry if I seem like a huge, bragging **** because I know do. That's not my intent. Sincerely, I do want to offer constructive advice.) During the 2006-07 academic year, I plan to spend a substantial amount of time volunteering in a hospital. I plan to improve my academic credentials, too.
I think a better MCAT score will help you. An August MCAT, and consequently a late application, will not help you. I strongly encourage you to spend a year to improve your non-academic credentials, and apply early in June 2007. It is my understanding they look at the whole package, and even with a high MCAT score you can still fail without strong clinical ECs.

 

[yellowpersuazio]

You're really gonna have to weigh the pros and cons at this point. I really don't think a 3.4/3.5 and a 25 is gonna get you any attention at US Allopathic schools. They'd probably put you in the "let's send her a secondary to take her application fee and then reject her" pile. If you do plan on applying this coming cycle, I would check the August MCAT box so that they actually wait for your new MCAT score before they make a decision on your file. Chances are they'll come across your file (if you submit in June) before your August scores come in, and their decision will probably not work in your favor. They're not going to care what you get on your August MCAT when they've already rejected you. That's what the box on the AMCAS is for: to hold a decision on your file until after they receive your scores.

That being said, applying while taking the August MCAT will also not work in your favor either. Your application will be complete late at most schools, and those who are actually granted interviews after their August scores come in are usually ones who have outstanding GPAs, and put under extra consideration. With a 3.4/3.5, even if you were to get a 30 on the MCAT, you're just average for the applicant pool. This is where being complete early gives you an advantage.

My advice is to take the August MCAT but hold off on applying. That way, you'll be able to see just how competitive you are in the next cycle, and if you still feel your scores are low, you have the option of taking the April MCAT. Either way, you'll be early in applying for the class of 2012. This is also a better idea because nearly all schools will want to see some kind of progression from your first application to your next. You even acknowledge your lack of EC's, so you will want to work on that before you apply anyways. 2 months of volunteering (which is the time left from now until the next round of applications come in) is not going to look all that great either. Applying again with the same scores, the same GPA, and the same lack of EC's will most likely get the same result as this cycle. Some schools won't even accept a 3rd application, so take that into consideration.

Like I said before, apply to DO (osteopathic) schools. Your scores are more competitive for their programs.

 

[yanky5]

DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME and apply to MD schools since you will not get in. You have no where near the required scores to get into even the lowest ****tyest MD school. Trust me, my mcat was 31 with 3.73 GPA and I didn't get into the crappyest MD school. Apply to 10 DO shools and you have a possible chance of getting in to one or two.

 

[MediMama23]

I had 1 interview. I also heard that one of my LOR was not very supportive. My advisor said that it was too impersonal, like the proffesor didn't know me at all. My problem now is that I can't take this LOR out of my application anymore because it was needed for the commitee letter, which I can't re-do since the dealine is over. So I'm stuck with a mediocre LOR. I'm gonna study my ass off for the august MCAT and apply anyways. I think I might apply without checking the "taking the august mcat box" and then show them the new MCAT score so my application wont be too late in the process.

If you don't check that box, they may toss your app because they'll think that's the score you're applying with, and you know where that score got you last year. 👎 I would check the box, so that they'll at least put some faith in your getting a better score come August.

 

[rgerwin]

I just wanted to put out there that not getting into an MD school with 3.73 gpa and 31 MCAT doesn't mean that those scores suck. More goes into it. The range/# of schools, timing, but also what you put into your personal statement, and your interview abilities. I think with a better MCAT, you will get in somewhere, just don't hold your hope for Yale, and apply everywhere and early. Take the year off, it will help you in the long run.

 

[rgerwin]

Oh yeah, andif you decided to go DO(which is a fine option, I definitely am applying that route) then you could apply this year. Just do it broadly.

 

[TeNa]

I don't know much about DO schools, is the process of applying to them the same? Do I have to shadow a DO doctor or something? It seems like a lot of people think I should hold off for another year. It's a tough choice to make cuz I feel like I have nothing that I would wanna do during this "extra" year off. Wouldn't I be improving my ECs if I start some more volunteering during the summer with the intention of staying for a year doing it? Couldn't I get an extra LOR from another proffessor and send it to schools on top of my committee letter? My GPA from this year (senior year) will be almost exactly the same as my GPA, with my BCPM improving a tiny bit. I'm glad a lot of people are giving me advices but I still feel lost in what I should do.

 

[rgerwin]

So, there is still time to shadow. I'm starting on Monday. I mean, even if you apply, say, June 1st, it'll take about 4 weeks to get processed, and then at least 2 (probably) to get secondaries. That gives you until mid-July to get a shadowing letter. No problem. What state do youlive in? You can even add volunteer experience. I'm adding a volunteer experience starting beginning of May. If you have LORs already, then you don't need more.

 

[rgerwin]

Even if one LOR isn't the most personal, it doesn't say anything bad about you, so don't focus on that.

 

[yellowpersuazio]

I don't know much about DO schools, is the process of applying to them the same? Do I have to shadow a DO doctor or something? It seems like a lot of people think I should hold off for another year. It's a tough choice to make cuz I feel like I have nothing that I would wanna do during this "extra" year off. Wouldn't I be improving my ECs if I start some more volunteering during the summer with the intention of staying for a year doing it? Couldn't I get an extra LOR from another proffessor and send it to schools on top of my committee letter? My GPA from this year (senior year) will be almost exactly the same as my GPA, with my BCPM improving a tiny bit. I'm glad a lot of people are giving me advices but I still feel lost in what I should do.

Applying DO is practically the same process, just a different application. Some schools, I hear, encourage and sometimes require you to get a LOR from an actual DO. Research the actual field of Osteopathic medicine and decide if it's something you're interested in. Your scores are in the general ballpark for most DO schools.

You have to realize that if you were to apply this year, schools are not going to see that you've been volunteering for a year. They'll see that you started within a month of sending in your application with this "promise" of continuing to volunteer for a year. It's better to apply after you've completed a year of volunteering, that way schools will see that you genuinely have an interest for that kind of thing, instead of just an application booster, which is what your strategy might look like.

There are plenty of things to do in your year off that I'm sure you don't realize quite yet. You can travel the world, work for a year and save up money, etc. You may not realize this now, but having an extra year while you're still young is a privilege.

Oh yeah, don't let yanky5 put you off. Some people are still bitter about the whole process, but it doesn't mean your scores don't stand a chance. His stats are actually quite good, but I'm sure there was a gaping hole in his application somewhere.

 

[emgirl]

I'm glad a lot of people are giving me advices but I still feel lost in what I should do.

it seems like you are hearing advice you didnt want to hear- if you are intent on reapplying this year, why even ask for advice? people here are right- if you want to apply MD you need to spend a year doing more than volunteering a bit- you need to retake the MCAT no matter what and i dont know why you think retaking it in august AGAIN is going to get you in this time. you are getting good advice here and if you still feel lost then you need to think harder about what is lacking in your app and how you are going to improve it in a few months if you apply this june.

 

[KAM]

I'm gonna officially be a re-applicant for next cycle (2007) and I need some advice on how to improve my application. I currently have a GPA BCPM of 3.4 and overal GPA of 3.55. My MCAT was a 25N, 7VR, 8PS, 10BS. I took this MCAT on August of the year that I applied, so I guess on top of the bad score I was also late in the cycle. I'm latino but I'm not an URM. ECs are far from great (some volunteering, shadowing, sports). I'm graduating next month, and I was thinking of reappling to my school in order to stay another year so I can take some more classes. Since I haven't taken the GRE, I wouldn't go to grad school. I don't have enough money to go to a SMP program like the one in georgetown. Anybody has some kind of advice for me? Thanks for your time.

Tena, dont' have enough money for grad school ? enough money to apply in the 2007 cycle and not feel the pinch. I SAY DO IT ! but just realize the odds are against you. apply, get the 30+ MCAt and have ur fingers crossed. But just realize, the odds are AGAINST you!

1. Apply to your state schools.
2. Have everything complete before scores come out and apply broadly. God knows i'm doing the same thing.

Good luck and God bless !

👍

 

[jebus]

I feel like I have nothing that I would wanna do during this "extra" year off.

Ah, I understand. You just need a slight attitude adjustment.
What do you want to do during your year off: improve your application to medical school.

 

[TeNa]

I guess all of you guys are right. It would probably be better for me to take an extra year off to apply again. But what if instead of not trying next cycle, I apply anyways and keep trying to improve my application thinking about next cycle (class of 2012). Would it affect me negatively in any way if I apply that many times? I know somebody mentioned that some schools don't take 3 applications, but I believe I applied to about 12 schools last cycle so It leaves a lot of other options.

 

[yellowpersuazio]

I guess all of you guys are right. It would probably be better for me to take an extra year off to apply again. But what if instead of not trying next cycle, I apply anyways and keep trying to improve my application thinking about next cycle (class of 2012). Would it affect me negatively in any way if I apply that many times? I know somebody mentioned that some schools don't take 3 applications, but I believe I applied to about 12 schools last cycle so It leaves a lot of other options.

geesh...after all of that advice, you're still going to apply anyways. Why even bother asking when you already know what you're going to do. Just do it and stop waiting for someone to agree with you.

 

[TeNa]

geesh...after all of that advice, you're still going to apply anyways. Why even bother asking when you already know what you're going to do. Just do it and stop waiting for someone to agree with you.

It's a big decision to make. I'm not completely sure I'm going to apply next cycle I'm just trying to make sure that I will have some kind of chance applying next cycle with the possible improvements in my application (MCAT, LOR, and some volunteering). I'm not asking anybody to agree with me, I just believe that a forum like this is a good opportunity for me to discuss this topic so at the end I'll make a decision for myself.

 

[MediMama23]

I guess all of you guys are right. It would probably be better for me to take an extra year off to apply again. But what if instead of not trying next cycle, I apply anyways and keep trying to improve my application thinking about next cycle (class of 2012). Would it affect me negatively in any way if I apply that many times? I know somebody mentioned that some schools don't take 3 applications, but I believe I applied to about 12 schools last cycle so It leaves a lot of other options.

This is frustrating. 🙁 Look TeNa, you obviously have something bigger in mind than the rest of us can imagine, so go ahead and apply. I feel like you'll be disappointed in yourself if you don't. If you want to throw money away, that's your decision. You are definitely fighting the great opinions given here, so I say why even bother with us and what we think? I mean, we are just premeds like yourself. So apply! I wish you all the best!

 

[yellowpersuazio]

It's a big decision to make. I'm not completely sure I'm going to apply next cycle I'm just trying to make sure that I will have some kind of chance applying next cycle with the possible improvements in my application (MCAT, LOR, and some volunteering). I'm not asking anybody to agree with me, I just believe that a forum like this is a good opportunity for me to discuss this topic so at the end I'll make a decision for myself.

Did you not read any of the comments that people have written, including my own? What else is there to spell out?

1. Your MCAT score right now is a mere 25, and a score like that is not going to help you, especially if you don't indicate that you will be taking the August MCAT.

2. If you do take the August MCAT, you'll be in the EXACT same situation (the late application) you were complaining about in your very first post. And with a 3.4/3.5, you're not doing yourself any favors.

3. You have 2 months to start more volunteering experience, which probably isn't enough time to sign up, do the required tests, go through orientation, etc. for good clinical experience. It's even doubtful that you'll find something meaningful to write about it in that short of a time anyways. Even if you do manage to find something to write about, schools may see that you've only been volunteering for roughly a month. They will probably then deduce that you did nothing meaningful in your four years of undergrad and just threw this in for the sake of boosting your application.

4. You even said yourself that it is too late to change your mediocre committee LOR, so do you think you can manage to get a FANTASTIC LOR to offset the committee letter from a professor all within two months? Doubtful.

These points have already been expressed in previous threads, yet you still are trying to find some excuse to apply this year. Change the way you look at this year you will be "wasting" and do something useful. If you want to be in school so badly because you feel like you'll be some kind of failure otherwise, then look into DO schools.

Despite everything I've said, I'm sure you'll apply this year and you won't include one single DO school. And then I'm sure you'll be on here again the next year asking the same exact question.

 

[jebus]

It's a big decision to make. I'm not completely sure I'm going to apply next cycle I'm just trying to make sure that I will have some kind of chance applying next cycle with the possible improvements in my application (MCAT, LOR, and some volunteering). I'm not asking anybody to agree with me, I just believe that a forum like this is a good opportunity for me to discuss this topic so at the end I'll make a decision for myself.

Good luck with whichever path you choose, but please use my experience as a yardstick: 3.3 BCPM from WashU and the UofWashington (both USNews top tier schools which I was told during one of my interviews definitely helps), 4+ years Neuroscience research and publication in a major journal, I don't know the strength of my LORs but my clinical ECs are marginal to poor (some shadowing & some volunteering; this past year I've spent about a month and a half out of town helping to take care of my brother so I've been unable to really substantively volunteer otherwise), my other ECs are marginal (co-owner of a company, some tutoring, I'm hung like a horse... ok, maybe not that last part), and a 12VR 12PS 12BS on my August 2005 MCAT. I applied late because of this MCAT. I had 2 allo interviews this year. So far I have no acceptances, one rejection and I'm waiting on one result (but I'm not too optimistic). The numbers matter but from what I've learned your clinical ECs will make or break you. You can overcome a low GPA or MCAT. The SDN forums are littered with examples of that. Again, I feel you are assigning a lot of value to a good MCAT score. However, this is not my experience - you will need good ECs and/or LORs regardless. These become more important if you have another deficiency (a marginal GPA, for instance). Just keep that in mind and try to avoid the same mistakes that both you and I made this year
Again, good luck with whatever you choose. We all want you to succeed eventually and avoid the emotional and monetary costs of a failed application cycle.
-A

 

[TeNa]

After the initial disapointment of last applycation cycle I was able to think more clearly. I realized that most of you were right, even though I want to go to med school as soon as possible my chances of improving my application for next cycle is slim to none. So I decided to wait 2 years before applying again. I'm retaking the MCAT in august so I'll have it out of the way. I also have 2 volunteer jobs set up already. I still have a question though. I haven't taken the GRE so I'm not able to get into a masters program or so it seems, do you guys think it's OK for me to just stay at my undergrad for two more years taking a mixture of undergrad + grad classes. Since I'm in the honors program they allow me to do that. Or is it better for me to get a full time job in a medical area, even though it looks like the only job I could get would be a lab tech job. It seems pointless since I already have 3 years of research.

 

[rgerwin]

I think that if you don't want to wait 2 years, which is a different choice for everyone, apply DO. If you apply broadly, you will mostly likely get in, b/c they are more forgiving about MCAT scores. A 25 will be fine.

 

[TeNa]

I think that if you don't want to wait 2 years, which is a different choice for everyone, apply DO. If you apply broadly, you will mostly likely get in, b/c they are more forgiving about MCAT scores. A 25 will be fine.

I'm still interested in MD schools, so I'm gonna wait those 2 years and hopefully improve my application.

 

[kevin02138]

TeNa...if you are going to reapply, you need to show some sort of improvement. I will be applying for my third time starting this June. My big problem is the MCAT (8,8,8). Believe it or not, I got the same score 3 times!! I am also a non-traditional applicant. I already have my MBA and a masters in healthcare administration. The Dean of Admissions at VCU/MCV was most helpful. She met with me personally in August of last year. She said that if I didn't get in and I can't improve my MCAT, I would probably have to do some masters in medical science (like the Georgetown program you mention). I wouldn't say that DO schools are a sure thing either. I got rejected from 5 of them as well and applied to about 30 MD schools. If you can improve your MCAT that will be the quickest way. A class here or there, isn't going to signficantly improve your overall GPA. The masters programs allow you to take some of the same classes med students do and shows the admissions people you can handle the curriculum. If one enters such a program you have to do very very well. If you don't, you've probably sealed your fate. A good friend had the same problem I do and he went to Georgetown. He went to Tufts and just graduated last year. He said the year at Georgetown was the hardest academic year of his life given the pressure. He was in a class with 90 other people competing for excellent grades. It seems a bit depressing but this application process is still very numbers (MCAT and GPA) driven.

 

[rgerwin]

TeNa, how old are you?

 

[jebus]

i have no good advice anymore (except try to get a job doing clinical research instead of basic research) but good luck, TeNa!

 

[TeNa]

i have no good advice anymore (except try to get a job doing clinical research instead of basic research) but good luck, TeNa!

Thanks, jebus. I'm 22.

 

[rgerwin]

Well, then you definitely have time to take 2 years off.

 

[accepted]

I do not know what state you are in, but if you are a California resident I highly recommend applying to one of the UC's post bac program. It would be perfect for you and they are very affordable. And although the programs are mostly for URM's or socioeconomically disadvantaged applicants, I know people that really do not fit either category but have been accepted. But the deadlines are rapidly approaching for these programs so you would have to hustle to get your application in.Good luck. As a reapplicant myself I found that it was helpful to take a break between the first time I applied and now. The first time I applied I did not get any interviews and this time I had six. The only thing that changed was that I did the post-bac program and it brought my gpa up a little.

QUOTE=TeNa]I'm gonna officially be a re-applicant for next cycle (2007) and I need some advice on how to improve my application. I currently have a GPA BCPM of 3.4 and overal GPA of 3.55. My MCAT was a 25N, 7VR, 8PS, 10BS. I took this MCAT on August of the year that I applied, so I guess on top of the bad score I was also late in the cycle. I'm latino but I'm not an URM. ECs are far from great (some volunteering, shadowing, sports). I'm graduating next month, and I was thinking of reappling to my school in order to stay another year so I can take some more classes. Since I haven't taken the GRE, I wouldn't go to grad school. I don't have enough money to go to a SMP program like the one in georgetown. Anybody has some kind of advice for me? Thanks for your time.[/QUOTE]

 

[rgerwin]

Your GPA really isn't that bad. I would focus on the MCAT, which is your biggest academic weakness, retake any classes you got below a B, and get into clinical research. Also, if you have any interests that aren't the norm, pursue those as well, b/c alot of applicants have good grades/scores/hospital volunteering.

 

[TeNa]

Your GPA really isn't that bad. I would focus on the MCAT, which is your biggest academic weakness, retake any classes you got below a B, and get into clinical research. Also, if you have any interests that aren't the norm, pursue those as well, b/c alot of applicants have good grades/scores/hospital volunteering.

Well I got a lot of research uder my belt already, but it's not clinical research, do u think I should do clinical research during this time? Also, the retaking classes thing. Since AMCAS considers both grades in the event of a retake don't you think I should just take upper level classes instead? And for the above post, I'm a NY resident.

 

[MediMama23]

Well I got a lot of research uder my belt already, but it's not clinical research, do u think I should do clinical research during this time? Also, the retaking classes thing. Since AMCAS considers both grades in the event of a retake don't you think I should just take upper level classes instead? And for the above post, I'm a NY resident.

I think if you got anything below a C, it would help to retake. And I would DEFINITELY go for upper level courses, to show you can handle upper level work. Clinical research could be a good idea, as is applying for one of the UC post-baccs, if you're willing to relocate. But there are good programs in NY, too.

 

[rgerwin]

don't bother with a whole post-bacc, b/c then you'll have to redo courses you may not need to. There are lots of continuing ed programs in NY, take what you need. Get a clinical research job. Focus on th MCAT.

 

[myscrubz]

Tena, you might still be able to get a masters degree - there are some programs out there that will accept MCAT scores in place of GRE scores. I am working in admin of a masters program right now that accepts MCAT scores, and it is a graduate degree in the College of Medicine at my school. It's also not as *competitive* (well, I think) when they use MCAT comp. to GRE scores (minimum 21 MCAT comp. to min 1000 GRE).

You should look into it ...

 

[rgerwin]

I guess I'm just not understanding if you have a low MCAT and average ECs, why everyone is telling you to focus mainly on your GPA, which seems to be the least weak spot on your application.

 

[studybug]

I don't know much about DO schools, is the process of applying to them the same? Do I have to shadow a DO doctor or something? It seems like a lot of people think I should hold off for another year. It's a tough choice to make cuz I feel like I have nothing that I would wanna do during this "extra" year off. Wouldn't I be improving my ECs if I start some more volunteering during the summer with the intention of staying for a year doing it? Couldn't I get an extra LOR from another proffessor and send it to schools on top of my committee letter? My GPA from this year (senior year) will be almost exactly the same as my GPA, with my BCPM improving a tiny bit. I'm glad a lot of people are giving me advices but I still feel lost in what I should do.

I notice some people are giving you advise strictly based on speculations. I know a couple people with 19s and 21 MCAT who are in decent MD schools in the U.S. as I speak and they did awesome on their board exams. Get the MSAR and check your stats against each school. Applying to the right school is a must do in this business to get in. Also, don't forget the compassionate aspect of Medicine. Personal non-academic qualities are extremely important as well as experience. Also, there's nothing different about being a DO and an MD (may not be able to practice in Great Britain and Ireland because their osteopaths there are different from American DOs). There are folks in DO schools with much better stats than MD schools. It's just overall that MD stats edge out DO and not my much. I have worked with both physicians while in the military. Absolutely no difference. You get paid the same (according to specialty) and you are entrusted with the same duties and expectations. An advantage of being a DO is you have additional tool (Osteopathic Manipulation) which is pretty much same as physical therapy that MDs don't have. Many doctors you see in the hospitals are actually DOs but go with MD badges since some hospitals make MD badges for all docs.
I applied to 14 medical schools (8) MDs and (4) DOs and only got two initial reject after secondaries. My GPA however is 3.9+ but my MCAt on first try was lower than yours. Overall I had a very successful year and will be going to school this fall. It looks like I'm set on a DO school because I like the curriculum a lot better and also I deposited 1500 with a school. Your MCAT score really doesn't tell much of how your board exam scores will go and the medical schools know that. They're very different tests. MD schools like Meharry, Howard and Morehouse have much lower stats than most DO schools in the country.
I do advice that if you're going to take the MCAT this summer, make sure you're ready. You don't want to score lower because it will be devasting. You can get in to any of the three MD schools i mentioned above and many DO schools if you work on your persona non-academic qualities and gain some clinical exposure.
Best of luck to you.