Should I retake my MCAT?

[ponies2015]

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So the last time I took my MCAT I got a 509, 74 percentile (Chem/phys: 126, BS: 126, CARS: 126, Psych: 131)
My cGPA is a 3.45.

I'm applying this cycle aiming for DO schools but so far I haven't heard anything back so now it has me wondering if I should retake my MCAT and try and see if I can score higher so I can be a stronger applicant for the next cycle.
I'm already applying to a couple of masters programs for next year just in case I don't get in,

What do y'all think? Do you think I should retake? What score do you think will increase my chances?


Thanks!

 

[LuluLovesMe]

Your stats should be good for this cycle. When did you apply and to which schools?

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Don't retake that score

 

[OrdinaryDO]

Your stats are excellent for the DO application cycle, if improvements need to be made then I would bet the improvements would be in your ECs or somewhere elsewhere from your statistical part of your application.

 

[ponies2015]

Your stats should be good for this cycle. When did you apply and to which schools?

I submitted my primary late july but all my materials weren't in until late august.
I applied to TCOM, WVSOM, Midwestern, ATSU, LECOM-B, Nova southeastern, RVCOM, and Western-Pomona.

I got rejected from RVCOM and western pre-interview.
I am on "hold" pre-interview at Midwestern, LECOM, and WVSOM
I have not heard anything from the remaining schools.

I'm just a little discouraged since I thought I would at least be getting some interviews by now...but I guess I haven't been rejected from the rest of the schools so I guess there still might be hope?

 

[ponies2015]

Your stats are excellent for the DO application cycle, if improvements need to be made then I would bet the improvements would be in your ECs or somewhere elsewhere from your statistical part of your application.

I personally think my ECs are excellent...I have lots of volunteer hours both clinical and not, I've done research (but no publications), LOTS of clinical hours from my job, I've volunteered on a few medical brigades abroad, and I was a TA my last year in college for an A&P class...so maybe I do need to do more or I'm doing something wrong? I just feel so confused right now

 

[sharpstickie]

No you should not retake your MCAT. I got a 500 unfortunately but I'm interviewing at RVUCOM and PNWU.

 

[ponies2015]

No you should not retake your MCAT. I got a 500 unfortunately but I'm interviewing at RVUCOM and PNWU.

If you don't mind me asking, what's your gpa?

 

[sharpstickie]

If you don't mind me asking, what's your gpa?

cGPA 3.87 sGPA 3.93

 

[ponies2015]

cGPA 3.87 sGPA 3.93

Wow! I wish I had your stats! Good luck with your interviews! I wish you the best 👍

 

[sharpstickie]

Wow! I wish I had your stats! Good luck with your interviews! I wish you the best 👍

You too!! Happy holidays!

 

[OrdinaryDO]

Wow! I wish I had your stats! Good luck with your interviews! I wish you the best 👍

Hmm, well what is your sGPA, then?

 

[ponies2015]

Hmm, well what is your sGPA, then?

Not so great..I can't remember exactly but I think it's a 3.3

I'm sure that's what's holding me back. I'm in a gap year right now and a took a few upper level bio courses and aced all of them so hopefully that'll help

 

[OrdinaryDO]

Not so great..I can't remember exactly but I think it's a 3.3

I'm sure that's what's holding me back. I'm in a gap year right now and a took a few upper level bio courses and aced all of them so hopefully that'll help

Hmm, I doubt that is what is holding you back since I have had a few acceptances and several interviews with a 3.556 cGPA, 3.29 sGPA, and 502 unbalanced MCAT. That is why I said I thought your ECs might be of some blame, that or you just overreached for schools above your competitive margin.

 

[ponies2015]

Hmm, I doubt that is what is holding you back since I have had a few acceptances and several interviews with a 3.556 cGPA, 3.29 sGPA, and 502 unbalanced MCAT. That is why I said I thought your ECs might be of some blame, that or you just overreached for schools above your competitive margin.

What schools did you get accepted at if you don't mind my asking? Do you think the schools I'm applying to are reaches for me?

Also what kind of ECs do you think schools look at? I thought I was doing well in that area but maybe I'm not doing something they want to see

 

[OrdinaryDO]

What schools did you get accepted at if you don't mind my asking? Do you think the schools I'm applying to are reaches for me?

Also what kind of ECs do you think schools look at? I thought I was doing well in that area but maybe I'm not doing something they want to see

Can you name all the schools you applied to?

 

[ponies2015]

Can you name all the schools you applied to?

I submitted my primary late july but all my materials weren't in until late august.
I applied to TCOM, WVSOM, Midwestern, ATSU, LECOM-B, Nova southeastern, RVCOM, and Western-Pomona.

I got rejected from RVCOM and western pre-interview.
I am on "hold" pre-interview at Midwestern, LECOM, and WVSOM
I have not heard anything from the remaining schools.

 

[OrdinaryDO]

I submitted my primary late july but all my materials weren't in until late august.
I applied to TCOM, WVSOM, Midwestern, ATSU, LECOM-B, Nova southeastern, RVCOM, and Western-Pomona.

I got rejected from RVCOM and western pre-interview.
I am on "hold" pre-interview at Midwestern, LECOM, and WVSOM
I have not heard anything from the remaining schools.

Oh I see, I thought you applied to many more schools than that. This could be your problem with here, too few schools. You only applied to a grand total of 8 schools? With your stats I would have at least applied to around 14-16+ schools.

 

[ponies2015]

Oh I see, I thought you applied to many more schools than that. This could be your problem with here, too few schools. You only applied to a grand total of 8 schools? With your stats I would have at least applied to around 14-16+ schools.

Well I also applied to all the MD schools in TX but those were definitely reaches. So are you saying that I should've applied to 14-16 DO schools?

Are there any specific schools you think would be within reach for me?

 

[OrdinaryDO]

Well I also applied to all the MD schools in TX but those were definitely reaches. So are you saying that I should've applied to 14-16 DO schools?

Are there any specific schools you think would be within reach for me?

I think you are more in range for mid-level DO than any MD school. There are many schools out there that you are competitive for as far as stats go, but your ECs are going to be what sets you apart from everyone else so you better have good ECs. I think ATSUCOM, BCOM, ACOM, Marian, Rowan, LECOMs, Touros', and there is a new medical school in Jonesboro, Arkansas it is a branch campus from NYIT-COM that JUST opened for enrollment, just apply to NYIT-COM and email them about your interest in NYIT-Arkansas Tech. There are many more osteopathic schools to that you could try, but it is getting really late in the cycle so no matter what you do you need to hurry up with it.

 

[ponies2015]

I think you are more in range for mid-level DO than any MD school. There are many schools out there that you are competitive for as far as stats go, but your ECs are going to be what sets you apart from everyone else so you better have good ECs. I think ATSUCOM, BCOM, ACOM, Marian, Rowan, LECOMs, Touros', and there is a new medical school in Jonesboro, Arkansas it is a branch campus from NYIT-COM that JUST opened for enrollment, just apply to NYIT-COM and email them about your interest in NYIT-Arkansas Tech. There are many more osteopathic schools to that you could try, but it is getting really late in the cycle so no matter what you do you need to hurry up with it.

thank you so much! You've been very helpful! 🙂

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

IF you have to reapply listen to @OrdinaryDO and apply to some of those schools he listed in addition to the ones you have already applied to. Your stats are totally fine for all DO schools, just the ones you applied to are all mostly considered some of the more competative DO programs. Keep bulking up your ECs in the meantime. Apply to 14-16 schools, hopefully you just get in this cycle but always have a plan just in case. Goodluck!

Ps. It might be a little late to waste an app on more DO schools, so maybe just ride this cycle out so you aren't a reapplicant at more schools.

 

[ponies2015]

IF you have to reapply listen to @OrdinaryDO and apply to some of those schools he listed in addition to the ones you have already applied to. Your stats are totally fine for all DO schools, just the ones you applied to are all mostly considered some of the more competative DO programs. Keep bulking up your ECs in the meantime. Apply to 14-16 schools, hopefully you just get in this cycle but always have a plan just in case. Goodluck!

Ps. It might be a little late to waste an app on more DO schools, so maybe just ride this cycle out so you aren't a reapplicant at more schools.

Thank you! Yeah I think I'm gonna ride this cycle out and if I don't get in somewhere this year I'll apply to more schools!

 

[ZT_530]

Applying more broadly with your stats should land you a bunch of interviews. one thing you might want to consider is making sure that you can convince adcoms that you are applying to osteopathic schools because you want to be an osteopathic physician, not just as a back up the md schools. Make sure that you have spent time with osteopathic physicians and can answer the "why do" question in secondaries and interviews. Good luck!

 

[xstetsonx]

Do you have a DO recommendation letter????

 

[Goro]

see how the app cycle goes, before considering a retake.

So the last time I took my MCAT I got a 509, 74 percentile (Chem/phys: 126, BS: 126, CARS: 126, Psych: 131)
My cGPA is a 3.45.

I'm applying this cycle aiming for DO schools but so far I haven't heard anything back so now it has me wondering if I should retake my MCAT and try and see if I can score higher so I can be a stronger applicant for the next cycle.
I'm already applying to a couple of masters programs for next year just in case I don't get in,

What do y'all think? Do you think I should retake? What score do you think will increase my chances?


Thanks!

 

[adrian710]

So the last time I took my MCAT I got a 509, 74 percentile (Chem/phys: 126, BS: 126, CARS: 126, Psych: 131)
My cGPA is a 3.45.

I'm applying this cycle aiming for DO schools but so far I haven't heard anything back so now it has me wondering if I should retake my MCAT and try and see if I can score higher so I can be a stronger applicant for the next cycle.
I'm already applying to a couple of masters programs for next year just in case I don't get in,

What do y'all think? Do you think I should retake? What score do you think will increase my chances?


Thanks!

Your GPA is very solid for DO schools and ur MCAT is higher than average. Apply early this cycle and semi-broadly (12 schools at least but I would do closer to 16) and you will get some love. I'm surprised you didn't get accepted this cycle though. How are your EC's? Do you have a DO LoR? Did you shadow a DO?