SHOULD I APPLY OR WAIT

[WhimsyPREMED]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Hey, Premeds!

I hope everyone's application cycle is going fantastic and producing the results you want! I need some advice. I know it's too late to apply to MD schools for the 2026-2027 cycle, but I was wondering: do you all think it's worth applying to DO schools, or should I wait for the next cycle? I just got my MCAT score back, and it's competitive for some DO schools, but my GPA isn't the strongest.

Stats / APP Overview

Undergrad cGPA 3.2,sGPA 2.8 ( according to AMCAS but I know AACOMAS includes public health classes so it maybe higher)
MS in Biomedical Science: cGPA 3.45,
MCAT 507
Research: 376 hours ( medical research) & 480 hours (public health - healthy initiative research)
Clinical Volunteering: 332 hours ( hospital + Free clinic)
Other Volunteering: 30 hours (Food drive & Habitat for Humanity)
Biology 101 TA for a semester at the end of my Masters program
Employment: I usually have a job ( Most recent administrative assistant for non-emergency transportation company)

Do you think I should take the risk and apply, or wait until next cycle to improve my chances of getting in by applying early, and work on strengthening my app?

P.S. I do not have a LOR from a doctor pertaining to shadowing. They only pertain to class room work & research.. ( YIKES!)

 

[Goro]

Hey, Premeds!

I hope everyone's application cycle is going fantastic and producing the results you want! I need some advice. I know it's too late to apply to MD schools for the 2026-2027 cycle, but I was wondering: do you all think it's worth applying to DO schools, or should I wait for the next cycle? I just got my MCAT score back, and it's competitive for some DO schools, but my GPA isn't the strongest.

Stats / APP Overview

Undergrad cGPA 3.2,sGPA 2.8 ( according to AMCAS but I know AACOMAS includes public health classes so it maybe higher)
MS in Biomedical Science: cGPA 3.45,
MCAT 507
Research: 376 hours ( medical research) & 480 hours (public health - healthy initiative research)
Clinical Volunteering: 332 hours ( hospital + Free clinic)
Other Volunteering: 30 hours (Food drive & Habitat for Humanity)
Biology 101 TA for a semester at the end of my Masters program
Employment: I usually have a job ( Most recent administrative assistant for non-emergency transportation company)

Do you think I should take the risk and apply, or wait until next cycle to improve my chances of getting in by applying early, and work on strengthening my app?

P.S. I do not have a LOR from a doctor pertaining to shadowing. They only pertain to class room work & research.. ( YIKES!)

Only a few DO schools require a doctor's LOR these days.

If you're going to get one, get one from a DO you've shadowed.

We need to see the AACOMAS sGPA. Can't advise otherwise.

 

[WhimsyPREMED]

Only a few DO schools require a doctor's LOR these days.

If you're going to get one, get one from a DO you've shadowed.

We need to see the AACOMAS sGPA. Can't advise otherwise.

Hey, thanks for the response! According to AACOMAS my undergrad sGPA is a 2.98 & the overall sGPA is a 3.1.

 

[Goro]

Hey, thanks for the response! According to AACOMAS my undergrad sGPA is a 2.98 & the overall sGPA is a 3.1.

The sGPA is going to hurt; as in limiting your school list. You'd be autoreject at mine.

Hence, I suggest that you can apply this cycle,as the DO cycle is longer than MD.

BUT, you're going to have to target schools where your GPAs are above their minimum.

OR, you could take some post-bac classes to raise your sGPA. Read this:
Goro's advice for pre-meds who need reinvention (updated for 2021)

 

[WhimsyPREMED]

Thank you so much for the advice! I think I will wait until the next cycle so I can take some post-bacc classes and potentially raise my MCAT score to be more competitive and offset my GPA.

 

[wysdoc]

Thank you so much for the advice! I think I will wait until the next cycle so I can take some post-bacc classes and potentially raise my MCAT score to be more competitive and offset my GPA.

During this time I suggest you also add to your community service (non-medical) activities to reach 150 hours or more before May.
I don't agree with your plan to retake the MCAT; 507 is competitive for most DO schools. I agree with @Goro that the low GPA will be your limiting factor and make MD admission unlikely. You have already completed a master's program and the GPA from your Masters will probably be looked at as a sign that your academic ability has improved since undergrad. Taking one or two more postbac classes won't have much if any effect on your GPA, and since you have already graduated those new grades will not be averaged in to your undergrad GPA to improve it.

 

[WhimsyPREMED]

Thanks for the advice. I will definitely volunteer more at Habitat for Humanity, especially since the weather is cooling down! Both of my friends said the same as you about the MCAT. I was only considering it since I'm applying next cycle and plan to apply to my in-state MD schools. ( MUSC, USC- Columbia & Greenville) . However, my mental and social life can do without the MCAT LOL