retaking MCAT and reapplying? Advice please!

[Queen_B]

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Just want your advice on this internal struggle I am having. I have 3 acceptances what people perceive as "low tier schools" and was wait listed to 2 mid tier schools. My concern is that by going to a "low tier" school, I will have a harder time getting accepted into competitive residencies. On the other hand, I have already spent so much time, money and energy applying this year. Would it be worth it to retake the MCAT and reapply next year with the hope of being accepted by one of the mid/high tier schools or should I just pick one of the schools I have been accepted to and start med school next year?

Thanks in advance for your guidance

 

[hw2h]

I am unqualified to give any advice at all. So feel free to completely ignore this.

But think about a few things, and hopefully they will help you guide your decision.
1) What happens if you retake the MCAT, get a lower score/minimal improvement, reapply next year, and don't get in anywhere? I don't know how likely that is, but I'd guess that there is at least a tiny chance. Which is a huge risk.
2) Did you know beforehand that you wouldn't go to these schools if you got in? Or is this something that recently crept into your mind? If so, why? Maybe do research on residency match lists for the schools that you got into?

 

[tai9588]

Mind to disclose what schools you got into? MD or DO?

Any idea on what kinda residency you want to do? I will said schools vary in term of resources and support, but bottom line is it is up to you to get into a competitive residency mainly. You just have to weight the risks and benefits of retaking MCAT and reapplying.

 

[Rekt]

Since you're posting in pre-osteo, I'm assuming none of those acceptances are to MD schools. Otherwise it won't matter which DO school you go to beyond a slight regional advantage. Being a reapplicant further reduces your chances. You'd be a complete idiot to decline an acceptance.

If you're really gunning for derm, optho, ENT, uro, ortho, then prepare to take an extra year off, ace all your classes, and you'll need to do extremely well on your steps. It's not like MDs magically walk into these residencies either. They do the same stuff, but do have an initial advantage.

 

[Dr. Death]

Since you're posting in pre-osteo, I'm assuming none of those acceptances are to MD schools. Otherwise it won't matter which DO school you go to beyond a slight regional advantage. Being a reapplicant further reduces your chances. You'd be a complete idiot to decline an acceptance.

If you're really gunning for derm, optho, ENT, uro, ortho, then prepare to take an extra year off, ace all your classes, and you'll need to do extremely well on your steps. It's not like MDs magically walk into these residencies either. They do the same stuff, but do have an initial advantage.

Completely agree.

 

[mathnerd88]

Just want your advice on this internal struggle I am having. I have 3 acceptances what people perceive as "low tier schools" and was wait listed to 2 mid tier schools. My concern is that by going to a "low tier" school, I will have a harder time getting accepted into competitive residencies. On the other hand, I have already spent so much time, money and energy applying this year. Would it be worth it to retake the MCAT and reapply next year with the hope of being accepted by one of the mid/high tier schools or should I just pick one of the schools I have been accepted to and start med school next year?

Thanks in advance for your guidance

Which schools accepted you?

 

[OrdinaryDO]

Lol...please don't mock those who struggle to get just one acceptance and count your blessings. In the DO world there are no such thing as "tiers." You have pros and cons to each and every school. You look at match lists and geographic regions favorable and you go to that school. You would be ignorant to retake the MCAT and reapply unless you are gunning for an MD acceptance.

 

[123456123456]

If you have an acceptance, go to one of those schools that you like best. I would never reapply if I got accepted, even if it was schools I disliked. Too costly and stressful and who knows if you would ever get acceptances next year

 

[Cinclus]

Take one of those acceptances and run. Super fast.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

I as well am going to assume you got into all DO programs. If you turn down these acceptances know that you will never be able to go to a DO program again. Those "high tier" schools will see you turned down a DO acceptance and automatically reject you. I am also going to assume that because you got into "lower tier" DO that you aren't competative for MD. Unless you miraculously get your app competative for MD then you can kiss your medical career goodbye if you turn down these acceptances...

This is a good example of why you should not apply to schools that you really don't want to attend.

 

[mathnerd88]

This is a good example of why you should not apply to schools that you really don't want to attend.

More like the OP thinks that he can do better but isn't realistic with himself. He sets too high standards for himself but doesn't realize the risks he is taking.

OP, realize that even if you become a DO at a "top tier" school, your chances of getting into a competitive residency are extremely low. If your stats are 'below average' for those top tier schools, how are you going to be the top student of those schools to get that miniscule chance to get into a competitive residency?

Set realistic goals for yourself, and try your best. Don't worry about residencies now. Worry about getting into medical school and any one should suffice. Beggars can't be choosers. Once you get accepted to multiple schools, then you can start figuring out which is better for you.

 

[Humble500]

Retake MCAT as soon as possible if you are ready. With the new score before June, first of all you can get off the waitlist from the dream schools that you are now on the waitlist then you will decide to re-apply or not later.

 

[DrMikeP]

Sounds like you don't want to be at a DO program (maybe im wrong) as one vs the other isn't that significant in better opportunities if you work hard, so turn them down and next cycle don't apply to any. It's a risk but you'll free up a DO slot that will hopefully be filled by someone who would LOVE to be there. I hate being in class with someone who doesn't want to be there or even worse looks down on those who think WOW I got into my top choice.

Study like everything and retake the MCAT and go for just MD programs next cycle. If you don't get in then maybe you shouldn't be in med school and that's ok.