Should I retake the MCAT for DO schools?

[3.1415927]

Hello!

I just graduated and I am having trouble deciding whether I should retake the MCAT. It seems that my MCAT is about average for most DO schools but I have a 3.31 sGPA and I am also an ORM Asian, and I'm not sure if those factors mean I should get a considerably above average score (like a 510+) to be good for DO schools. Here are my stats:

-cGPA of 3.51
-sGPA of 3.31 with much better grades junior year and first semester senior year. If you only count my junior year and first sem senior year, my science/math GPA is a 3.73 (3 A's, 2 A-'s, 1 B)
-504 MCAT (126/125/125/128), June 2019
-PA resident
-ORM (Asian)
-Top 25 LAC
-Bio research junior and senior year, 200ish hours
-leadership position in a science magazine club, 2 campus jobs
-150 hrs clinical volunteering
-Will be starting nonclinical volunteering in the summer and have already contacted an organization for volunteering. If I decide to retake MCAT, I will probably start as soon as I have taken the MCAT. If I decide not to take the MCAT, then I will start as soon as possible. I plan on doing it for my entire gap year and going over 100 hours
-I don't have that many shadowing hours (only 16) but I have contacted a DO who has allowed me to shadow them. I will be shadowing for a little as soon as I can (maybe 2-3 hrs/wk) and increase hours per week once I have taken the MCAT. If I decide to not retake the MCAT then I will probably do like 10 hrs a week until I reach 100ish hours.
-I got a medical scribe job but am not able to start until late July/early August due to covid delaying the hiring process in the area. I'm assuming I won't be able to list that on my application at the time that I submit it since I'm trying to apply early (by July) and I'll probably have to work there for a couple of weeks after training in order to be able to write a description about it on my application. I will definitely add it to my activities section when I have worked there for a long enough time though.

Is it worth the risk retaking the MCAT? I definitely have more content knowledge in my head now than I did when I first took it, but I still feel not so confident when it comes to timing and CARS despite having studied and practiced a lot since I first took it. Is it worth the risk or should I just apply as soon as I have some nonclinical volunteering and more shadowing and not retake it?

Thanks so much the help!

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[Damson]

You are good for DO schools - I'm sure @Goro can attest.

Unless you are scoring 510+ on practice tests, consistently, don't retake it. You will get interviews. Nail those interviews.

 

[Faha]

You do not need to retake the MCAT for a DO school application. Your current 504 is competitive for most schools. You should apply broadly and I suggest these schools:
PCOM (all schools)
LECOM (all schools)
MU-COM
DMU-COM
KCU-COM
ATSU-KCOM
UNECOM
AZCOM
TUNCOM
ACOM
CUSOM
VCOM (all schools)

 

[Goro]

You do not need to retake the MCAT for a DO school application. Your current 504 is competitive for most schools. You should apply broadly and I suggest these schools:
PCOM (all schools)
LECOM (all schools)
MU-COM
DMU-COM
KCU-COM
ATSU-KCOM
UNECOM
AZCOM
TUNCOM
ACOM
CUSOM
VCOM (all schools)

Agree 100% with my wise colleague! But suggest skipping VCOM-LA. Add KCU

 

[3.1415927]

Agree 100% with my wise colleague! But suggest skipping VCOM-LA. Add KCU

Thank you! Do you think NYITCOM and CCOM are worth applying to as long as I apply early (mid-late June)?

 

[Goro]

Thank you! Do you think NYITCOM and CCOM are worth applying to as long as I apply early (mid-late June)?

Yes. Keep in mind CCOM's tuition though.

 

[Californiacation]

TBH I would consider a retake if you want a selection of DO schools. You could probably get into a (singular) DO school but if you are picky and interested in a school with a good tuition rate, state where you want to live, good match prospects etc. I would retake. Usually they look for either a high MCAT or high GPA but they can be forgiving.

 

[Dochopeful13]

TBH I would consider a retake if you want a selection of DO schools. You could probably get into a (singular) DO school but if you are picky and interested in a school with a good tuition rate, state where you want to live, good match prospects etc. I would retake. Usually they look for either a high MCAT or high GPA but they can be forgiving.

I totally disagree. A 3.5 and a 504 is super competitive for most DO schools.

 

[dial1010usa]

TBH I would consider a retake if you want a selection of DO schools. You could probably get into a (singular) DO school but if you are picky and interested in a school with a good tuition rate, state where you want to live, good match prospects etc. I would retake. Usually they look for either a high MCAT or high GPA but they can be forgiving.

Disagree 100% Your MCAT and GPA area great for majority of DO schools.

 

[hungrydoc710]

You do not need to retake the MCAT for a DO school application. Your current 504 is competitive for most schools. You should apply broadly and I suggest these schools:
PCOM (all schools)
LECOM (all schools)
MU-COM
DMU-COM
KCU-COM
ATSU-KCOM
UNECOM
AZCOM
TUNCOM
ACOM
CUSOM
VCOM (all schools)

PCOM is a no go. That MCAT is low for them, and GPA. Along with MSUCOM (unless from MI). and CCOM (unless from IN).
Keep in mind regional biases of schools all over the place.
Apart from those you have a good shot.

 

[DoctorDoomMD]

PCOM is a no go. That MCAT is low for them, and GPA. Along with MSUCOM (unless from MI). and CCOM (unless from IN).
Keep in mind regional biases of schools all over the place.
Apart from those you have a good shot.

False. PCOM's average MCAT from last year's class profile shows that it was 504, which is exactly what this guy has. How is PCOM a no go for him ? I'd say 3.5/504 puts him in a decent spot for PCOM. I agree though 504 might be kind of low for CCOM.

 

[3.1415927]

False. PCOM's average MCAT from last year's class profile shows that it was 504, which is exactly what this guy has. How is PCOM a no go for him ? I'd say 3.5/504 puts him in a decent spot for PCOM. I agree though 504 might be kind of low for CCOM.

Yeah I feel like my chances for CCOM aren't that great. Although I would prefer PCOM over CCOM anyway since CCOM's tuition is insane

 

[Ki-100]

I have similar grade and got accepted. I just realize sdn just exaggerate the difficulty for getting into a med school. Your are good to go.

 

[3.1415927]

I have similar grade and got accepted. I just realize sdn just exaggerate the difficulty for getting into a med school. Your are good to go.

Congrats!

 

[Ki-100]

Congrats!

Thanks.

 

[ParaMagic1]

PCOM is a no go. That MCAT is low for them, and GPA. Along with MSUCOM (unless from MI). and CCOM (unless from IN).
Keep in mind regional biases of schools all over the place.
Apart from those you have a good shot.

lol, you're going to contradict 2 members of ADCOM's?

 

[hungrydoc710]

lol, you're going to contradict 2 members of ADCOM's?

I believe PCOM is arguably the best DO school in the country, so I don't think a 504, with a science GPA of 3.3 cuts it.
N= 1, but I didn't get accepted with a 508.

At the end of the day, apply to as many as you can afford. It's a crap shoot.

 

[3.1415927]

I believe PCOM is arguably the best DO school in the country, so I don't think a 504, with a science GPA of 3.3 cuts it.
N= 1, but I didn't get accepted with a 508.

At the end of the day, apply to as many as you can afford. It's a crap shoot.

Were you able to get an interview?

 

[Isoval]

I believe PCOM is arguably the best DO school in the country, so I don't think a 504, with a science GPA of 3.3 cuts it.
N= 1, but I didn't get accepted with a 508.

At the end of the day, apply to as many as you can afford. It's a crap shoot.

Let me just fling my good ol’ TCOM banner to the wind over here...

 

[Dochopeful13]

I have similar grade and got accepted. I just realize sdn just exaggerate the difficulty for getting into a med school. Your are good to go.

I remember your other thread. It’s good to see you got in! Where are you going?

 

[Ki-100]

I remember your other thread. It’s good to see you got in! Where are you going?

ACOM

 

[Surgical Spoon]

I would say your stats are good, but also keep in mind stats alone won't be enough. Complete your app early, spend time on your PS and secondaries, and nail those interviews. FWIW, I had 3.6 and 508 previous cycle, but I completed late (October), did soso for interviews, and PS and 2' are average at best if not boring to read. Ended up with 4WL and no As at the end.

 

[3.1415927]

I would say your stats are good, but also keep in mind stats alone won't be enough. Complete your app early, spend time on your PS and secondaries, and nail those interviews. FWIW, I had 3.6 and 508 previous cycle, but I completed late (October), did soso for interviews, and PS and 2' are average at best if not boring to read. Ended up with 4WL and no As at the end.

Sorry to hear that. Your stats are pretty good so I think applying late hurt you there. But unless their classes are full I think your WL schools might still accept you

 

[Hydride Shift]

I would say your stats are good, but also keep in mind stats alone won't be enough. Complete your app early, spend time on your PS and secondaries, and nail those interviews. FWIW, I had 3.6 and 508 previous cycle, but I completed late (October), did soso for interviews, and PS and 2' are average at best if not boring to read. Ended up with 4WL and no As at the end.

How many schools did you apply to?

 

[Surgical Spoon]

Sorry to hear that. Your stats are pretty good so I think applying late hurt you there. But unless their classes are full I think your WL schools might still accept you

That was two cycle ago, didn't end up in any schools, so I took the time to retake my mcat again.

 

[Surgical Spoon]

How many schools did you apply to?

About 10 DO schools and 15 MD

 

[3.1415927]

That was two cycle ago, didn't end up in any schools, so I took the time to retake my mcat again.

Oh gotcha. Would you consider late July/early August a good time to apply?

 

[Surgical Spoon]

Oh gotcha. Would you consider late July/early August a good time to apply?

Probably? But keep it ASAP if you can

 

[3.1415927]

Probably? But keep it ASAP if you can

Ya I was just told that I should wait until I have more shadowing hours (I have 30ish now and currently shadowing for more) before submitting primaries because apparently they screen for secondaries on ECs also and not just GPA and MCAT

 

[hungrydoc710]

I would say your stats are good, but also keep in mind stats alone won't be enough. Complete your app early, spend time on your PS and secondaries, and nail those interviews. FWIW, I had 3.6 and 508 previous cycle, but I completed late (October), did soso for interviews, and PS and 2' are average at best if not boring to read. Ended up with 4WL and no As at the end.

This.
Stats won't mean anything if you interview poorly and aren't liked by someone on the admissions board.