Need Advice about Whether I should Reapply (3.87, 509)

[SiriC]

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Hi, this is my first time posting on SDN, and I will try to get everything straight and clear.

I'm a senior and first-time applicant to MD/DO schools in the last cycle (2025-2026), yet currently I ended up receiving multiple A from DO, like RVUCOM-colorado and DMU, and only 2 MD school interviews which turned out 1 R and 1 hasn't made decision (brand new school recruiting inaugural class). I applied to 50+ MD and DO schools (IS and OOS), and I was hoping getting into a MD school as I know MD students have larger chance matching into their desired specialties, and I want to keep my specialty option open (currently am interested in derm, opto, radiology, pulmonology, etc.). I hope to get advice about whether I should reapply/take a gap year trying to increase my MCAT scores? If so, what other parts on my application should I improve? Or should I just go with the DO schools?

1. cGPA 3.87, sGPA 3.81
2. MCAT 509 (128, 126, 127, 128)
3. First generation immigrant, NJ resident
4. Asian Female
5. BS in biology -- University of Wisconsin-Madison
6. First-time applicant (2025-2026 cycle)
7. Research: 400+ hours with 1 poster presentation at the symposium
8. Clinical:
   1. Hospice center volunteer (100+ hours by the time I applied)
   2. Local Clinic's volunteer (1300+ hours)
9. Non-Clinical volunteering:
   1. Elementary School Afterschool Program Volunteer (20hrs)
   2. Local Pharmacy's volunteer (1900+ hours)
10. Others: club member, hobbies
11. Shadowing: 119 hours (pulmonology, ophthalmology, dermatology, endocrinology, pediatric surgery)

 

[Faha]

Go with the DO schools. Which ones were you accepted to?

 

[SiriC]

Go with the DO schools. Which ones were you accepted to?

I'm deciding between RVUCOM-colorado and DMU. Both are good schools and have similar tuition though cost of living may be higher for RVU. In terms of weather, I definitely love the sunny and warmer weather at RVU. But my concern is that even though RVU also had quite stellar match rates (derm, orthopedic surgery, radiology) in 3 years, people said the data is inconsistent and they have weaker connections/network. On the other hand, DMU has harsher winter and lower cost of living, but is more well-established and have strong connections that could give me larger chance of matching into a competitive specialty. Do you have any suggestion?

 

[SiriC]

Go with the DO schools. Which ones were you accepted to?

May I know the reason why you don't recommend reapplying?