MD & DO URM Low MCAT any chances?

[scaryTerry]

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Hi Everyone

Im new here so forgive me if I'm not posting in the right place.
I am AA male 25 yrs old. 3.56 GPA, 3.53 sGPA. I have decent EC including, volunteering, ER scribe, 1 year of research, TA, science tutor for middle school and high school students. I also have a strong letter or rec from my university's pre-med committee. Just your overall generic applicant with these stats; but my biggest hurdle is the MCAT. 489 the first time, 492 the second time and 498 on the third :/. I have been studying again for it but I don't feel confident this time around either. For some reason CARS just gets the better of me. So I am unsure if I will actually take it again. What do you guys think? With my current stats and if I apply early and broadly will I have a shot at any MD or DO schools? Thanks! any advice is appreciated!!

 

[thegrind33]

You might have a good chance at DO, but keep in mind that some schools might average your mcat attempts.

 

[scaryTerry]

You might have a good chance at DO, but keep in mind that some schools might average your mcat attempts.

Both MD and DO schools average them?

 

[thegrind33]

Both MD and DO schools average them?

It depends on the school. Some schools will average, some will superscore (less often), some will look at the two scores as independent events, and some will just look at your highest attempt. I would look into the schools you are interested in and see what kind of methodology they use.

 

[Deus Ex Medicine]

If you apply early and broadly, as URM with solid ECs, but 3.5 GPA and 498 MCAT, you should get in somewhere for sure. Your GPA and MCAT are way below matriculation averages for MD but are okay (not great) for DO.

Whether you get in or not this cycle (or next) will depend mostly on your school list. If you apply on the first day and put in enough safety schools, you should at least be able to start at some DO school in the country and with luck possibly a low tier MD.

I’m sorry that the MCAT hasn’t gone well for you, but you showed steady improvement. I don’t know what your financial situation is, but if you can take some time off to do dedicated study for the MCAT (this is assuming you can figure out what you were doing wrong before, or that you were studying while you had too many responsibilities) you will greatly increase your chances of getting in somewhere you want to go.

Another option is to do a 1-year SMP at a DO or MD school. Some of these linkages may overlook a lower GPA and MCAT if you perform very well during your SMP year. But, you’re going to have to do your research for these and they’re not cheap.

Hope this helps!

 

[Faha]

You could receive interviews at these DO schools with your MCAT of 498:
ACOM
ARCOM
BCOM
CUSOM
WCU-COM
LMU-DCOM
UP-KYCOM
WVSOM
VCOM (all 3 schools)
LUCOM
UIWSOM
ICOM
NYIT-Arkansas
LECOM
PCOM South Georgia
Most of these schools have MCAT medians in the 498 to 502 range.
For MD schools you could try these schools:
Howard
Meharry
Morehouse
Seton Hall
NOVA MD
Quinnipiac
New York Medical College
Oakland Beaumont
Rosalind Franklin
Where is your state of residence?

 

[scaryTerry]

You could receive interviews at these DO schools with your MCAT of 498:
ACOM
ARCOM
BCOM
CUSOM
WCU-COM
LMU-DCOM
UP-KYCOM
WVSOM
VCOM (all 3 schools)
LUCOM
UIWSOM
ICOM
NYIT-Arkansas
LECOM
PCOM South Georgia
Most of these schools have MCAT medians in the 498 to 502 range.
For MD schools you could try these schools:
Howard
Meharry
Morehouse
Seton Hall
NOVA MD
Quinnipiac
New York Medical College
Oakland Beaumont
Rosalind Franklin
Where is your state of residence?

Hi, Thank you for the feedback!!
I am a New York State resident. Also socioeconomically disadvantaged. I was awarded the Fee Assistance Program which waives the application fee for 16 schools.

 

[scaryTerry]

If you apply early and broadly, as URM with solid ECs, but 3.5 GPA and 498 MCAT, you should get in somewhere for sure. Your GPA and MCAT are way below matriculation averages for MD but are okay (not great) for DO.

Whether you get in or not this cycle (or next) will depend mostly on your school list. If you apply on the first day and put in enough safety schools, you should at least be able to start at some DO school in the country and with luck possibly a low tier MD.

I’m sorry that the MCAT hasn’t gone well for you, but you showed steady improvement. I don’t know what your financial situation is, but if you can take some time off to do dedicated study for the MCAT (this is assuming you can figure out what you were doing wrong before, or that you were studying while you had too many responsibilities) you will greatly increase your chances of getting in somewhere you want to go.

Another option is to do a 1-year SMP at a DO or MD school. Some of these linkages may overlook a lower GPA and MCAT if you perform very well during your SMP year. But, you’re going to have to do your research for these and they’re not cheap.

Hope this helps!

Hey! yes this does help a lot. it gives me hope for DO schools. I did look into SMP, but I was against it because of the expenses. It seems like it'll cost as much as an extra year of medical school. At this point though, I think I should take every option I have. Are the DO schools linkage programs similar to MD ones? Similar as in having to retake the MCAT during the program?

 

[Faha]

Since you are a New York resident apply to the 4 SUNY's and Albany.

 

[scaryTerry]

Since you are a New York resident apply to the 4 SUNY's and Albany.

I know nothing can be predicted, but as a URM with a low MCAT, do I stand a decent chance? I am hesitant on retaking because my work schedule takes up most of my time. Also, since the 2018-2019 cycle is just about to start, I feel that I maybe too late if i do retake.

 

[Faha]

I know nothing can be predicted, but as a URM with a low MCAT, do I stand a decent chance? I am hesitant on retaking because my work schedule takes up most of my time. Also, since the 2018-2019 cycle is just about to start, I feel that I maybe too late if i do retake.

The GPA-MCAT grid show that an AA applicant with your GPA and a MCAT of 498 (equivalent to old MCAT of 24) has a greater than 50% chance for a MD acceptance. Apply to all the schools I suggested in June and submit all your secondaries by July and you should receive interviews from some DO schools and MD schools.

 

[scaryTerry]

The GPA-MCAT grid show that an AA applicant with your GPA and a MCAT of 498 (equivalent to old MCAT of 24) has a greater than 50% chance for a MD acceptance. Apply to all the schools I suggested in June and submit all your secondaries by July and you should receive interviews from some DO schools and MD schools.

Thank you so much!! I really appreciate it. Is Rowan a good choice to put on this list? With the list you suggested, I can add 2 more schools because FAP gives me 16 free primary applications.

 

[LebronManning]

Since you are a New York resident apply to the 4 SUNY's and Albany.

I don't think any MD school in this country would touch a 489-498 MCAT no matter what. Save the application fees.

 

[CyrusHabs7695]

I don't think any MD school in this country would touch a 489-498 MCAT no matter what. Save the application fees.

You would be wrong then. Ive witnessed URMs get into multiple MDs with 497-499

 

[scaryTerry]

You would be wrong then. Ive witnessed URMs get into multiple MDs with 497-499

I sure hope he is wrong.

 

[LebronManning]

OP's MCAT consideration will probs be about a 495 given the two earlier worse scores. I just don't see why any US MD school would accept that when that would mean denying 510s and denying URMs at 500. Unless you have some absolutely extravagant extra curriculars you haven't mentioned (olympic medal type), I would not count on MD school. In fact, I would bet against it. I hope you don't take this otherwise; I'm just a realist.

I think you should try your luck with DO schools or retake MCAT after really identifying what's holding you back. Truth is...I would be hesitant going to a DO school if 498 is the highest I could get. DO schools are already progressively doing worse in the match (some schools are almost at the caribbean match stats for their senior classes) and this will only get worse with the MD/DO merger.

With that said, you already made a huge improvement once on the MCAT. Build on that. Hire test prep or reach out to those who have done well. I know you can do better and it will mean the world to Adcoms but also for your own confidence going into medical school.

 

[Faha]

The GPA-MCAT grid show that an AA applicant with your GPA and a MCAT of 498 (equivalent to old MCAT of 24) has a greater than 50% chance for a MD acceptance. Apply to all the schools I suggested in June and submit all your secondaries by July and you should receive interviews from some DO schools and MD schools.

Thank you so much!! I really appreciate it. Is Rowan a good choice to put on this list? With the list you suggested, I can add 2 more schools because FAP gives me 16 free primary applications.

Rowan gives preference to NJ residents. 2 schools you could add are UCLA-Drew and California University (new school)

 

[Deus Ex Medicine]

Hey! yes this does help a lot. it gives me hope for DO schools. I did look into SMP, but I was against it because of the expenses. It seems like it'll cost as much as an extra year of medical school. At this point though, I think I should take every option I have. Are the DO schools linkage programs similar to MD ones? Similar as in having to retake the MCAT during the program?

Yes, absolutely it will cost as much as an extra year of medical school. DO schools do in fact have similar linkages. Anecdotally, they are better linked (higher chance of getting into the schools). As for MCAT, it depends program to program. It seems that you’re leaning against this option and to be honest with you, you can save a lot of time and money by just re-taking the MCAT and doing better. You’re number one option is to re-take the MCAT.

I don't think any MD school in this country would touch a 489-498 MCAT no matter what. Save the application fees.

Again, this is anecdotal, but I know URMs receiving interviews from low-tier MD schools with similar stats to this (plus a Masters degree and several years of scribing experience). I think DO schools is very doable and low-tier MDs are still possible but reach schools.

However, @scaryTerry it depends very much on which schools you apply to, how many (you need to max out), and when you apply (Day 1 submit your apps and pre-write your secondaries). Please know that things are already getting late for this 2018-2019 cycle because the DO app is already open.

You would be wrong then. Ive witnessed URMs get into multiple MDs with 497-499

+1

As @CyrusHabs7695 said, it can be done, but it’s rough.

I sure hope he is wrong.

@LebronManning is simply being a realist. There are certainly examples of URMs with similar stats getting interviews at MD schools (low tier ones). But, it’s going to be tough and you’re really going to have to make sure that you strategize properly to give yourself the best shot. But, again, the chances aren’t great for MD schools.

OP's MCAT consideration will probs be about a 495 given the two earlier worse scores. I just don't see why any US MD school would accept that when that would mean denying 510s and denying URMs at 500. Unless you have some absolutely extravagant extra curriculars you haven't mentioned (olympic medal type), I would not count on MD school. In fact, I would bet against it. I hope you don't take this otherwise; I'm just a realist.

It’s a reach for low-tier MD schools that’s for sure. I wouldn’t count on a MD acceptance either hence the dual application to DO schools as well. At this point, I think that @scaryTerry should wait until the 2018-2019 cycle to apply.

Edit: 2019-2020

I think you should try your luck with DO schools or retake MCAT after really identifying what's holding you back. Truth is...I would be hesitant going to a DO school if 498 is the highest I could get. DO schools are already progressively doing worse in the match (some schools are almost at the caribbean match stats for their senior classes) and this will only get worse with the MD/DO merger.

For the present time, I would not recommend that @scaryTerry apply this cycle given that the DO app is already open. Certainly, with the MD/DO merger, things will be tougher for DO students to match.

Rowan gives preference to NJ residents. 2 schools you could add are UCLA-Drew and California University (new school)

I assume you are referring to CalMed (California University of Science and Medicine)? They just opened and may be giving preferences to local residents (Southern California area). Depending on @scaryTerry’s state or residence, may not be worth it.

 

[frosted2]

Yes, absolutely it will cost as much as an extra year of medical school. DO schools do in fact have similar linkages. Anecdotally, they are better linked (higher chance of getting into the schools). As for MCAT, it depends program to program. It seems that you’re leaning against this option and to be honest with you, you can save a lot of time and money by just re-taking the MCAT and doing better. You’re number one option is to re-take the MCAT.



Again, this is anecdotal, but I know URMs receiving interviews from low-tier MD schools with similar stats to this (plus a Masters degree and several years of scribing experience). I think DO schools is very doable and low-tier MDs are still possible but reach schools.

However, @scaryTerry it depends very much on which schools you apply to, how many (you need to max out), and when you apply (Day 1 submit your apps and pre-write your secondaries). Please know that things are already getting late for this 2018-2019 cycle because the DO app is already open.



+1

As @CyrusHabs7695 said, it can be done, but it’s rough.



@LebronManning is simply being a realist. There are certainly examples of URMs with similar stats getting interviews at MD schools (low tier ones). But, it’s going to be tough and you’re really going to have to make sure that you strategize properly to give yourself the best shot. But, again, the chances aren’t great for MD schools.



It’s a reach for low-tier MD schools that’s for sure. I wouldn’t count on a MD acceptance either hence the dual application to DO schools as well. At this point, I think that @scaryTerry should wait until the 2018-2019 cycle to apply.



For the present time, I would not recommend that @scaryTerry apply this cycle given that the DO app is already open. Certainly, with the MD/DO merger, things will be tougher for DO students to match.



I assume you are referring to CalMed (California University of Science and Medicine)? They just opened and may be giving preferences to local residents (Southern California area). Depending on @scaryTerry’s state or residence, may not be worth it.

It is already the 2018-2019 cycle...

 

[Deus Ex Medicine]

Yeah, sorry I meant the next cycle, because the DO app is already open for the 2018-2019 cycle.

 

[scaryTerry]

Yeah, sorry I meant the next cycle, because the DO app is already open for the 2018-2019 cycle.

Isn't it still early in the cycle? We can't eve submit until 5/31

 

[Deus Ex Medicine]

Isn't it still early in the cycle? We can't eve submit until 5/31

It’s still early in the cycle, but I really think that submitting your app on the first possible day will maximize your chances. I think you can still get in, but you might end up at a low-tier DO school rather than a high-tier or mid-tier school.

According to this website, the application is open for submission on May 3rd. I assume that means that you can in fact submit your application on May 3rd? What follows is a verification process which takes about a month. Only after verification will DO schools receive your application. Furthermore, if there’s something wrong with your application that needs correcting, then it will be sent back to you and you have to re-submit and re-verify which will set you back a ton more. I apologize if I misunderstood. Maybe someone who applied through AACOMAS can comment?

 

[Walter Raleigh]

You've got a fighting chance at HBCUs and low tier MD schools. The three MCATs and the fact that two were so low starts to raise questions about your academic competence - schools would be taking a risk on a candidate like you. Of course, you're Black, and socioeconomically disadvantaged...so if they think you can do the work, you have a good shot. Good luck.

 

[scaryTerry]

You've got a fighting chance at HBCUs and low tier MD schools. The three MCATs and the fact that two were so low starts to raise questions about your academic competence - schools would be taking a risk on a candidate like you. Of course, you're Black, and socioeconomically disadvantaged...so if they think you can do the work, you have a good shot. Good luck.

Hey, thanks for the feed back! I know that my scores weigh heavily against me. It's just that I couldn't adequately devote proper study and preparation time. I had some difficult times at home after graduation. That with the combination of working full time really took time away from studying. I wish there was someway for them to see that. Im not looking for a handout or anything. It was just bad timing and circumstances I guess.

 

[scaryTerry]

You've got a fighting chance at HBCUs and low tier MD schools. The three MCATs and the fact that two were so low starts to raise questions about your academic competence - schools would be taking a risk on a candidate like you. Of course, you're Black, and socioeconomically disadvantaged...so if they think you can do the work, you have a good shot. Good luck.

With that being said, I'd love a shot at low tier MD schools!! so this keeps more hopeful!