Should I Reapply?

[azngirlie321]

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My application cycle this past year was pretty stressful. After getting a 29 on my MCAT, I decided to retake it a year later and got a 24 in May, 2014. I was also in the process of starting my AMCAS at that time, and the 24 hit me hard. I was depressed for a while. I finally decided to study my butt off for 2 weeks to show that the 24 was a fluke. I got another 29 on July 24, 2014. Clearly looking at that timeline, I did not get my scores back until late August and therefore my application was not complete until then. This cycle I got an acceptance at a top DO school located 3 hours away from my hometown. I only had one MD interview (at my state school) which I got rejected from. Overall I applied to about 30 schools. My overall GPA is about 3.6 and my science GPA is a 3.5 from a top midwestern university (top 12). This year I have been working as a medical scribe which was a good experience. I also took two additional courses: Biochemistry and Cell Biology, at my undergraduate institution. At this point do you guys think I should take my DO acceptance and run with it? Or, do you think I should reapply (early this time) for a chance at MD school? I do not want to risk anything but I also do not want to have any regrets in my life. Any suggestions would be helpful.

I should probably add that I am a Missouri resident.

 

[Nysor_bttw]

If you don't take that acceptance you'll likely regret it. Schools don't take kindly to those who pass up opportunities to be a doctor. Plus, the 29 on a third retake isn't doing you any favors.

Take the acceptance. Become a doctor. Don't apply again--it's not worth it.

 

[JackyLin]

I would take the acceptance if you are ok with DO which you sound open to. Your GPA is slightly below average, and 29-24-29 is below competitive for MD also. Given your track record this cycle, I would imagine your reapp chances for an MD program would not be sufficiently favorable to forgo a top DO program near hometown for. The timing of application matters but it won't save an overall weaker app. Unless you have some significant goal that can only reached from an MD school, I wouldn't lose any sleep on taking the DO.

 

[John Snowstorm]

Hi, I actually just posted a very similar thread- accepted at a DO, better app now, considering reapplying for my higher prospect MD schools. For me, I have some research interests and am unsure about the barriers to entry into the more competitive specialties and into research where old timers might care about that prestigious named school. For any of the less competitive specialties it seems that it really won't matter and the balance heavily favors going now to DO. Especially if you don't intend on research. Everyone has told me to just do it and that the overall application to residencies (LORs, Board scores, personality at interview, etc) is more important than the specific school you went to, which matters only modestly. Hope that helps. I'm still undecided, but am 99% leaning towards going to the DO now.

 

[Goro]

With your MCAT history, I'm actually amazed that you got any MD interviews. Living in a "lucky" state like MO can do that.

Be that as it may, your MCAT scores tell me that you've plateaued, and a retake is just going to be magic thinking in action in hoping for a much better improvement.

So, take the accept if you want to be a doctor in four years. If you're still boning for that MD degree, by all means, give up the accept so someone who really wants to be a doctor can have your seat.

My application cycle this past year was pretty stressful. After getting a 29 on my MCAT, I decided to retake it a year later and got a 24 in May, 2014. I was also in the process of starting my AMCAS at that time, and the 24 hit me hard. I was depressed for a while. I finally decided to study my butt off for 2 weeks to show that the 24 was a fluke. I got another 29 on July 24, 2014. Clearly looking at that timeline, I did not get my scores back until late August and therefore my application was not complete until then. This cycle I got an acceptance at a top DO school located 3 hours away from my hometown. I only had one MD interview (at my state school) which I got rejected from. Overall I applied to about 30 schools. My overall GPA is about 3.6 and my science GPA is a 3.5 from a top midwestern university (top 12). This year I have been working as a medical scribe which was a good experience. I also took two additional courses: Biochemistry and Cell Biology, at my undergraduate institution. At this point do you guys think I should take my DO acceptance and run with it? Or, do you think I should reapply (early this time) for a chance at MD school? I do not want to risk anything but I also do not want to have any regrets in my life. Any suggestions would be helpful.

I should probably add that I am a Missouri resident.