To Apply or Not to Apply...

[SGOT]

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Hi everyone,

2nd time poster, long time viewer...

Anyways, as the title of the thread implies, I am at a crossroads.
I am a Canadian hoping to apply to both American and Canadian schools.
Given my current situation...
- Strong E.Cs (~ 80 hrs. Physician Shadowing/Mentoring (OR/Clinical), 200+ Clinical (Peads & Ortho) Volunteer Hours, Coaching, Tutoring (Paid/Non-Paid), Science Fair judge, Employment throughout undergrad (Waiter/Bartender), Athletics.
-3.4c GPA 3.3sGPA (Strong Upward Trend) (3.6 year 3, & 3.9+ years 4 & 5)
- 20 MCAT (can be explained...also rewrite scheduled for Aug. 4th)

Just wanted to get some feedback on whether I should hold off applying to American schools this year as It will probably be too late in the cycle before I get my new MCAT score.

Thanks!

 

[GrapesofRath]

August 4th for an MCAT is quite late(especially for a lower stat applicant and international). With a 20 already on your record you really can't afford to rush another MCAT. A number of US schools will average multiple MCAT scores

The DO cycle( which is where your odds will be best at) lasts longer but to me it's an easy call here don't apply this cycle. Wait a year take the time to do the MCAT right because you really need to get the MCAT right this time

 

[eteshoe]

Your time, effort, and money would be better spent strengthening your application and not applying this cycle.

 

[SGOT]

August 4th for an MCAT is quite late(especially for a lower stat applicant and international). With a 20 already on your record you really can't afford to rush another MCAT. A number of US schools will average multiple MCAT scores

The DO cycle( which is where your odds will be best at) lasts longer but to me it's an easy call here don't apply this cycle. Wait a year take the time to do the MCAT right because you really need to get the MCAT right this time

As much as I did not want to hear this, I absolutely agree.
Since I last wrote the MCAT, I feel more confident and prepared to tackle the test in a methodological approach, this has been evident in my scores on passages and 1/2 length tests.

Now in regards to DO schools, I know they require a DO LoR...However the profession is not common, nor is it held to the same standard in Canada. Will MD shadowing/LoR suffice as an alternative?

 

[Fidgety]

As much as I did not want to hear this, I absolutely agree.
Since I last wrote the MCAT, I feel more confident and prepared to tackle the test in a methodological approach, this has been evident in my scores on passages and 1/2 length tests.

Now in regards to DO schools, I know they require a DO LoR...However the profession is not common, nor is it held to the same standard in Canada. Will MD shadowing/LoR suffice as an alternative?

I had to look into this as well. Check the websites for the individual DO schools you are applying to and they usually tell you whether they require or recommend a letter from a DO. In my experience, most just recommended it (although I didn't do an extensive search on all schools).

 

[Cookiess]

An August 4th MCAT test date is pretty late because you wouldn't get your score back until early September. Though you have an upward trend, your science GPA is still on the low side so I would take the year off to improve your application and apply during the next cycle.

Since you've already taken the MCAT once, make sure you are scoring above your target score based on your AAMC practice tests before you take the actual test because you don't want to retake a third time. Do a lot of practice passages and spend time to analyze the explanations for each question (both your correct and incorrect answers to double check you approached the question with the correct reasoning). With 2.5 months until your August 4th test date, I would really focus all of your energy into the MCAT to ensure you do well.

 

[Goro]

My school and many other DO schools do NOT require a DO LOR.

As much as I did not want to hear this, I absolutely agree.
Since I last wrote the MCAT, I feel more confident and prepared to tackle the test in a methodological approach, this has been evident in my scores on passages and 1/2 length tests.

Now in regards to DO schools, I know they require a DO LoR...However the profession is not common, nor is it held to the same standard in Canada. Will MD shadowing/LoR suffice as an alternative?