Medical Second Attempt MCAT or SMP or both?

[TheBoneDoctah]

Deciding on how I best approach my next couple years since blowing the MCAT. Mentally, may not have been 100% there working full time and finishing pre-reqs part time.
Stats: Biomedical Engineering cGPA 3.29, sGPA 3.24, MCAT: 499

Trend: 3.40, 3.10, 3.09, 3.53 Not sure if it matters but I didnt decide on med school until senior year which does show a minor upward trend

Research:
-> 2.5 years Ortho Research Coordinator (Produced 11 pubs + I presented a podium abstract at International Conference)

Clinical:
-> 2.5 years Ortho Research Coordinator (1500hrs) Performed physical exams, presented pt history to attending before he came in, wrote note with his sign off afterwards)
-> Clinical Assistant @ Sports Chiropractor (100hrs) Got pts set up for treatment, took a history on new pts and presented to chiropractor
-> Shadowing thru a formal program (250hrs) -> mainly just observing

Nonclinical:
-> Valet attendant across 3yrs (1050hrs)
-> JDRF Volunteering (80hrs) Helping set up walk-a-thons and admin work like calling for donations
-> Tagging sharks for NOAA research (120hrs)
-> Community volunteering thru varsity athletics (100hrs) Refurbishing a teen community home, lead recycling initiatives during move in weekend, weekend camps to expand the sport within our underprivileged community
Misc: ORM, Varsity Athlete

Goal is to matriculate to an MD program, DO is still on the table too.

Scenario 1: Retake MCAT and prepare until ready to score 515+, no academic enhancement
Scenario 2: Enroll in SMP/Masters, retake MCAT after program completion
Scenario 3: Stats too far gone for MD programs, retake MCAT, apply DO only

What exactly did you do for your clinical and non-clinical work and what were the hours associated with that?

You will need grade repair for MD for sure and likely DO. Post-bac would work and yes you need to retake your MCAT.

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[GoSpursGo]

Agree, retaking the MCAT is a must no matter how you slice this.

I cannot recommend doing an SMP unless you have a significant upward trend in your GPA. A post-bacc is a much more affordable option for GPA repair, and if you were “not 100% there” prepping for the MCAT then I don’t think you’re ready for a high stakes program like an SMP.

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

Research:
-> 2.5 years Ortho Research Coordinator (2000hrs) Produced 11 pubs + I presented a podium abstract at International Conference

Clinical:
-> 2.5 years Ortho Research Coordinator (1500hrs) Performed physical exams, presented pt history to attending before he came in, wrote note with his sign off afterwards)
-> Clinical Assistant @ Sports Chiropractor (100hrs) Got pts set up for treatment, took a history on new pts and presented to chiropractor
-> Shadowing thru a formal program (250hrs) -> mainly just observing

Nonclinical:
-> Valet attendant across 3yrs (1050hrs)
-> JDRF Volunteering (80hrs) Helping set up walk-a-thons and admin work like calling for donations
-> Tagging sharks for NOAA research (120hrs)
-> Community volunteering thru varsity athletics (100hrs) Refurbishing a teen community home, lead recycling initiatives during move in weekend, weekend camps to expand the sport within our underprivileged community
Misc: ORM, Varsity Athlete

Your ECs look pretty good. If you could add a bit more non-clinical work with people less fortunate that would go a long way.

Would do post-bac, retake MCAT, and beef up non-clinical.

 

[Goro]

Your MCAT score is circling the drain for DO programs. You'd be rejected at mine.

A high MCAT will not remediate a weak GPA for MD schools.

I recommend retaking the MCAT and then going for an SMP or DIY post-bac

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

Just to clarify..avoid SMP/Masters, do Post Bacc classes in upper level bio, correct?

Thanks for the insight.

Definitely avoid Masters program. SMP or post bac. Recommend post bac as it’s cheaper and has more flexibility.