Should I even apply?

[JKiran]

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Hello. I just got my MCAT score back and it is a 507. I'm devastated because I got 128/126/128/125 and I haven't ever scored below 127 on P/S so IDK what happened. However, my GPA is a 3.91 so I am aware there is a discrepancy here as my score is quite low. I submitted my primary AMCAS application for verification, and now I am confused if I should even apply MD with my score. Should I apply to schools that just have a 3.8 GPA requirement and a MCAT range within my reach?

Should I apply to DO even though I have no DO shadowing experiences? I am interested in primary care, so I don't mind going the DO route, but I'm wondering if it's too late to apply? Also, I thought you would need a recommendation letter from a DO right?

If not any of these options, should I be retaking my MCAT this summer and apply next year? I have ample hours in volunteering/clinical experience except research (I don't think I can acquire any hours though as I am a still college senior this year).

 

[Flareicus]

A 507 isn't the end of the world for MD. You are absolutely competitive for pretty much any DO institution with that stat profile. You will need some shadowing experience, though it can be with a MD.

As for MD schools, your list will have to be a bit more targeted. Your score will take you out of contention for T20s assuming you have no other X-factor, but you would still have a reasonable chance at low tiers and can probably reach for mid tiers.

 

[Tsa723]

Retake your MCAT. You're right there is a discrepancy, you had a bad day. Retake it and ROCK it this time. You got this.

 

[Damson]

@Goro might say that if you're scoring consistently 507+5 on practice exams then go for a retake

consistently

otherwise you're good for many state schools and can reach for other schools anyway

 

[candbgirl]

ThevDO cycle is much longer so you have plenty of time to get your application in. I’m pretty sure most DO schools will take either a DO/MD letter. You can also apply to yourbstatevMD schools. If you want to pull your application and reapply next year I’d wait to take the MCAT until January. Try to figure out what happened. Good luck.

 

[deleted1027026]

Hello. I just got my MCAT score back and it is a 507. I'm devastated because I got 128/126/128/125 and I haven't ever scored below 127 on P/S so IDK what happened. However, my GPA is a 3.91 so I am aware there is a discrepancy here as my score is quite low. I submitted my primary AMCAS application for verification, and now I am confused if I should even apply MD with my score. Should I apply to schools that just have a 3.8 GPA requirement and a MCAT range within my reach?

Should I apply to DO even though I have no DO shadowing experiences? I am interested in primary care, so I don't mind going the DO route, but I'm wondering if it's too late to apply? Also, I thought you would need a recommendation letter from a DO right?

If not any of these options, should I be retaking my MCAT this summer and apply next year? I have ample hours in volunteering/clinical experience except research (I don't think I can acquire any hours though as I am a still college senior this year).

Apply this year (MD + DO), it gets harder and harder to get in as time goes on. Your GPA is very strong, it is disappointing to get an MCAT lower than expected but you just need the other parts of your application to make up for it

 

[JKiran]

Apply this year (MD + DO), it gets harder and harder to get in as time goes on. Your GPA is very strong, it is disappointing to get an MCAT lower than expected but you just need the other parts of your application to make up for it

Thank you. This is my plan

 

[deleted1054719]

What were your FL scores?

 

[RickyRic]

A 507 would not make your application DOA for MD (unless you live in Cali or plan to only apply top-tier). The consensus on SDN is to always apply DO anyways, so you should get on that.

To alleviate your fears, I got into 2 MD programs with a 507 and 3.7 GPA. One ranked >100 and the other in the 70s, based on US News. I am OOS for both schools and have never even been to those states. I was a traditional applicant, just like you, with no exceptional activities. I am URM though, so I'm sure that helped.

You seemed to have met most of the required experiences, so you should create a targeted list where your stats and values match schools. I don't think it's worth the stress to do an MCAT retake, just focus on writing(with people proofreading your work) and practice interviewing.

Also, you want to finish your senior year strong. So, if it looks like you'll have to reapply, don't take the MCAT until May/June.

 

[YCAGA]

You are currently in a gray area where your GPA/MCAT is “overqualified” for DO schools, but on the low end for MD schools.

Personally, if I had a 3.91 GPA (assuming sGPA is also 3.8+ because sGPA is what actually matters), I would not try to go DO before two MCAT attempts and at least once cycle with that second MCAT. Going DO is a fine option, but I am worried people instantly recommending DO are loosing sight of the bigger picture. For many speciality goals, you will be grateful you took the extra 1-2 years to get into an MD school. That will be worth it over a 30+ year career.

Again, DO is fine for some people. But should only be considered after you get rejected in 1+ MD cycle and/or are objectively uncompetitive for MD schools.

 

[Damson]

You are currently in a gray area where your GPA/MCAT is “overqualified” for DO schools, but on the low end for MD schools.

Personally, if I had a 3.91 GPA (assuming sGPA is also 3.8+ because sGPA is what actually matters), I would not try to go DO before two MCAT attempts and at least once cycle with that second MCAT. Going DO is a fine option, but I am worried people instantly recommending DO are loosing sight of the bigger picture. For many speciality goals, you will be grateful you took the extra 1-2 years to get into an MD school. That will be worth it over a 30+ year career.

Again, DO is fine for some people. But should only be considered after you get rejected in 1+ MD cycle and/or are objectively uncompetitive for MD schools.

Other considerations are
- time and money available
- how quickly do you want yourself to complete the medical journey
- do you care about prestige

 

[Obnoxious Dad]

Hello. I just got my MCAT score back and it is a 507. I'm devastated because I got 128/126/128/125 and I haven't ever scored below 127 on P/S so IDK what happened. However, my GPA is a 3.91 so I am aware there is a discrepancy here as my score is quite low. I submitted my primary AMCAS application for verification, and now I am confused if I should even apply MD with my score. Should I apply to schools that just have a 3.8 GPA requirement and a MCAT range within my reach?

Should I apply to DO even though I have no DO shadowing experiences? I am interested in primary care, so I don't mind going the DO route, but I'm wondering if it's too late to apply? Also, I thought you would need a recommendation letter from a DO right?

If not any of these options, should I be retaking my MCAT this summer and apply next year? I have ample hours in volunteering/clinical experience except research (I don't think I can acquire any hours though as I am a still college senior this year).

A lot of this will depend on your state of residence. If you're from a state with a low average matriculant MCAT score you could be OK for your state school. Look at this table:
2020_FACTS_Table_A-20.xlsx (aamc.org)

 

[Faha]

Where is your state of residence ?

 

[JKiran]

Where is your state of residence ?

Texas

 

[JKiran]

You are currently in a gray area where your GPA/MCAT is “overqualified” for DO schools, but on the low end for MD schools.

Personally, if I had a 3.91 GPA (assuming sGPA is also 3.8+ because sGPA is what actually matters), I would not try to go DO before two MCAT attempts and at least once cycle with that second MCAT. Going DO is a fine option, but I am worried people instantly recommending DO are loosing sight of the bigger picture. For many speciality goals, you will be grateful you took the extra 1-2 years to get into an MD school. That will be worth it over a 30+ year career.

Again, DO is fine for some people. But should only be considered after you get rejected in 1+ MD cycle and/or are objectively uncompetitive for MD schools.

I'm interested in family medicine which is why I'm fine with DO. I like primary care

 

[Faha]

Texas

Apply to all your Texas MD schools (include TCU-UNT) and you should receive interviews. The Texas schools like applicants with high GPAs. Also apply broadly to DO schools and I suggest these:
TCOM
SAM HOUSTON STATE
UIWSOM
OSU-COM
AZCOM
TUNCOM
KCU-COM
ATSU-KCOM
DMU-COM
MU-COM
CUSOM
ACOM
VCOM (all schools except Monroe)
PCOM (all schools)
Touro-NY
NYITCOM

 

[JKiran]

Apply to all your Texas MD schools (include TCU-UNT) and you should receive interviews. The Texas schools like applicants with high GPAs. Also apply broadly to DO schools and I suggest these:
TCOM
SAM HOUSTON STATE
UIWSOM
OSU-COM
AZCOM
TUNCOM
KCU-COM
ATSU-KCOM
DMU-COM
MU-COM
CUSOM
ACOM
VCOM (all schools except Monroe)
PCOM (all schools)
Touro-NY
NYITCOM

Thank you for specific schools!

 

[DamonteBolden]

Hello. I just got my MCAT score back and it is a 507. I'm devastated because I got 128/126/128/125 and I haven't ever scored below 127 on P/S so IDK what happened. However, my GPA is a 3.91 so I am aware there is a discrepancy here as my score is quite low. I submitted my primary AMCAS application for verification, and now I am confused if I should even apply MD with my score. Should I apply to schools that just have a 3.8 GPA requirement and a MCAT range within my reach?

Should I apply to DO even though I have no DO shadowing experiences? I am interested in primary care, so I don't mind going the DO route, but I'm wondering if it's too late to apply? Also, I thought you would need a recommendation letter from a DO right?

If not any of these options, should I be retaking my MCAT this summer and apply next year? I have ample hours in volunteering/clinical experience except research (I don't think I can acquire any hours though as I am a still college senior this year).

The goal is to become a doctor and find solutions to encounters you meet. Don’t reset your journey by a score , that will get you into a program. You make the difference in the program . Don’t let a program make a difference to you. I personally think that there is a health crisis that starts with the MCAT, GPA and schools. There are doctors right now who go to prestige university and still don’t understand the patient, just because they fill they know everything due to high scores on everything. When you become a doctor there is a journey that will define you , what you do at any school you attend will define you.

Hello. I just got my MCAT score back and it is a 507. I'm devastated because I got 128/126/128/125 and I haven't ever scored below 127 on P/S so IDK what happened. However, my GPA is a 3.91 so I am aware there is a discrepancy here as my score is quite low. I submitted my primary AMCAS application for verification, and now I am confused if I should even apply MD with my score. Should I apply to schools that just have a 3.8 GPA requirement and a MCAT range within my reach?

Should I apply to DO even though I have no DO shadowing experiences? I am interested in primary care, so I don't mind going the DO route, but I'm wondering if it's too late to apply? Also, I thought you would need a recommendation letter from a DO right?

If not any of these options, should I be retaking my MCAT this summer and apply next year? I have ample hours in volunteering/clinical experience except research (I don't think I can acquire any hours though as I am a still college senior this year).

Hello. I just got my MCAT score back and it is a 507. I'm devastated because I got 128/126/128/125 and I haven't ever scored below 127 on P/S so IDK what happened. However, my GPA is a 3.91 so I am aware there is a discrepancy here as my score is quite low. I submitted my primary AMCAS application for verification, and now I am confused if I should even apply MD with my score. Should I apply to schools that just have a 3.8 GPA requirement and a MCAT range within my reach?

Should I apply to DO even though I have no DO shadowing experiences? I am interested in primary care, so I don't mind going the DO route, but I'm wondering if it's too late to apply? Also, I thought you would need a recommendation letter from a DO right?

If not any of these options, should I be retaking my MCAT this summer and apply next year? I have ample hours in volunteering/clinical experience except research (I don't think I can acquire any hours though as I am a still college senior this year).

The goal is to become a doctor and find solutions to encounters you meet. Don’t reset your journey by a score , that’s will get you into a program. You make the difference in the program . Don’t let a program make a difference to you. I personally think that there is a health crisis that starts with the MCAT, GPA and schools. There are doctors right now who still don’t want to fully engage with there Pt due to what the protocol of the hospital or clinics are. Take pride in your score and make the best out of what you can move forward with and best of luck to you on your journey .