Reapplication advice for MD/DO

[mangopapaya]

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Hi guys -

I've been reading other threads and have taken a lot of the advice into account, and am hoping to get some personalized advice, if possible!

I applied for admission to 8 medical schools in Texas (including one DO) for Fall 2010, but did not receive any interviews. I am currently working on an MPH and will graduate in May. My graduate GPA is 3.8; my undergraduate science GPA is 3.32 and cumulative is 3.43. Together, the GPA figured as 3.38 science and 3.51 cumulative. My MCAT was pretty bad - 26Q (VR 9, PS 7, BS 10), though when preparing, I had scores consistently at 29. I had good LORs, including one from a former medical school professor, lots of volunteering, both healthcare and non healthcare related (though no clinical experience). I have undergraduate and graduate research experience, and I co-authored a poster over the research I did as a graduate student that was presented at NAPCRG. My plans to improve my application include working in the medical field after I graduate, applying to more schools (around 20, including more DO schools), getting clinical experience, and raising my MCAT substantially. Would it be wise to participate in an SMP in addition to raising my MCAT? Any other advice?

Thanks so much!

 

[gman33]

Your grades are on the low end for accepted students.
A SMP would help, as long as you do well.

Your grad gpa will not help much, if at all.

The main thing you need is a good MCAT score.
Some of the SMP programs will not take you, until you improve that first.

 

[ReApper24]

How is your money situation? 20 schools is a low number in my opinion. I applied to 21 my first time, then about 35 the second time (not including DO schools, which I was about to apply to when I was accepted). If you want to go to allo md school, you really need a 29 mcat, unless the rest of your application is great. Retake the test, shadow/work in the field, and apply broadly (including DO).