Research or MCAT prep?

[Pktgresch]

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I am an up-in coming Junior in under grad at Bethany College (Bio major) and my grades have been all but fantastic. I am sitting at a 3.0 (2.9 sci) which I realize will not cut it to get into medical school. I have only just recently began to develop a passion for the medical field. My grades are not the issue, I am sure they will come up. I am doing volunteering now at ORMC (a hospital) in downtown Orlando where I am from. I plan on getting over 100 hours easy during the rest of this summer. Now, next summer (going into my senior year) I plan on studying intensely for the MCAT to do well on it. There also is a program in West Virginia where I go to school that enables students to do research for the summer along side grad students at WVU and Marshall. I am concerned with not only my gpa aspect but my lack of research on my application. My EC's are good and I currently hold a plethora of leadership positions in my fraternity, clubs etc. My question then to you wise folks out there then is if I get accepted to the research program, should I bail on the MCAT for the time being to get some research experience to beef up my app? I am well aware of the intensity of the MCAT and I plan on studying at least for three months before sitting for it regardless of when I take it.Just as a reference point my dream would to be in Florida where I am from in a D.O school and to serve my country as a doc after graduation. How concerned are NSU and LECOM-B with research experience (or D.O schools in general)? Long post, but not bad for a first one. This is a real concern of mine and I appreciate the advice!

 

[FrkyBgStok]

in general, DO schools are not known for their strong research programs so they are not as concerned in research. research is definitely available and will be favorable, but it isn't a deal breaker.

 

[BeefStew]

Research is nice but IMO if your GPA is sitting at 2.9 I would make sure my MCAT scores are as high as possible. I would prioritize the MCAT.

 

[calvinhobbes]

KILL the MCAT; do nothing else but MCAT. Then, when you score HIGH, do all the other stuff like research, etc.

Follow this, and you shall succeed (in addition to getting excellent grades, but take time-off to do MCAT, like in the summer, etc.)

 

[DrDre2001]

I'd agree with the above.

The MCAT is worth just as much as your 4 years of undergrad and your 120 credits or whatever you took. Once you realize that, its hard not to put a ridiculous amount of effort into the MCAT.