Research vs Retake MCAT

[CVTet]

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I'm trying to decide what to do with my summer. My MCAT is 28M w/a GPA of 3.2. I currently work as an ED scribe (awesome experience), and have the opportunity to do research this summer w/the new research director at my site. I have never done research before. Another doc has offered to help me try to bring up my MCAT. The first article we publish would likely be late July, early August, putting me a bit late for MD schools and early for DOs. It would be a similar time frame for getting my MCAT score back. I already work more than full-time, so I won't have time to do both. Any thoughts on which would benefit my chances the most for getting a slot next cycle?

 

[FrkyBgStok]

Are you looking for A slot or a specific slot? Are there certain schools you are gunning. A 3.2/28 should def get you an acceptance or two, probably some decent DO schools. I wouldn't bet on any of the "top" DO schools though. So what's your goal?

 

[dntke1518]

I'm with Frky, what are you gunning for? If you get your app in early (which is not august) then you should be sitting pretty good. You could do the research and then update your app if thats something you want schools to see before you get interview invites. But by the time August rolls around a good chunk of applicants will be sending their secondaries back in and a few interview invites will be rolling out.

 

[ManBroDude]

If you're only applying DO, I'd say leave the MCAT alone and keep working as a scribe (that's what I do too) and work as many hours as possible to put on your application. I really think one of the main reasons I got in this year was because of it (an apprenticeship, if you will).

Don't let your research hold back your application, there's no reason why you can't send it off on June 1st. Your research won't be a focal point in your app/interviews unless you were published in Cell or something.

 

[shaggybill]

I have similar stats as you, and if you are ok with applying only to DO schools, I'd say forget retaking the MCAT. Like ManBroDude mentioned, if you start the research, it's not going to be a significant focal point of your application, but it will be something to pad your resume. That's something you need more than raising your MCAT. I've worked in the ED for about 5 years now as a tech, and I firmly believe that it played a significant role in my acceptance. If you are doing this full time and have been for a while, then this will definitely help persuade adcoms that your lower gpa is the result of having to work so much, so don't worry about your numbers at this point.

How does the rest of your app look?

 

[Planets]

That's a perfectly fine score. Unless there are red flags in your app, you'll be just fine

 

[COMedic2Doc]

I have similar stats as you, and if you are ok with applying only to DO schools, I'd say forget retaking the MCAT. Like ManBroDude mentioned, if you start the research, it's not going to be a significant focal point of your application, but it will be something to pad your resume. That's something you need more than raising your MCAT. I've worked in the ED for about 5 years now as a tech, and I firmly believe that it played a significant role in my acceptance. If you are doing this full time and have been for a while, then this will definitely help persuade adcoms that your lower gpa is the result of having to work so much, so don't worry about your numbers at this point.

How does the rest of your app look?

+1. Shaggy, I completely agree with my discussions with admissions departments so far with five different DO programs. OP, if you are gunning for a specific school then it's totally up to you. Otherwise, apply early and broadly and you'll find yourself in a pretty good situation imho. Good luck.