US-IL c3.36 MCAT 491 (retake soon) L-ATC DO?

[HollisticAppeal]

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Hi all! I've updated this section because my MCAT scores came back today. Didn't do as well as I thought. But at least my score went up? Help!

• Female, 23 (almost 24!), Asian
• Single Parent household
• Undergraduate: Athletic Training Major, biology minor
• cGPA 3.36 (although I don't believe I have a science GPA. You can PM and we can calculate that number with my unofficial transcripts)
• MCAT 491, 495 (As of today!)

• Graduated May 2015
• Licensed certified Athletic Trainer working PRN for a physical therapy company.
• Full time ATC as Physician extender (think Medical Assistant/PA) with both an MD and a DO for the past year.
• Volunteering with a homeless/fitness group (1-2hrs/wk) for the past 6 months
• Shadowed surgeons, OR, sports physicians and podiatrists (pods thru my part time)
• Global experience includes several trips to the Philippines as well as a medical missions in Nicaragua.
• Tutored, was a student leader, and played lacrosse during undergrad
• 1 poster presentation and 2 research projects (not published)

• I battled depression (still fighting) during my junior and senior years, which is why my grades slipped and i took my first MCAT for granted. I've learned a new side of compassion and empathy from the experience and it helps me with my current patients. I'm taking the steps to make sure I don't let academics or work take the brunt of the force when I do relapse. I have a counselor that I talk to weekly. So far it's been working. One of my symptoms included hypersomnia/insomnia, so I wouldn't show up to class or I would be too tired. I used to take melotonin and benadryl (more than as directed). Currently I'm 99% on time to work lately, which is a huge leap compared to how I was during undergrad.
• I want to become a DO more than anything. I am not worried about gap years upon gap years, I will take as many years necessary to accomplish this dream. I've already spent $$$$ and time for this MCAT.
• I've been told I should look into podiatry, but I've done the time shadowing and with my experience as an ATC I'm glad I don't have to look at ONLY feet.

I know DO schools take a look at the whole picture of the applicant. I've spoken with some med students and residents about my history as an ATC and I'm hoping it's just enough quirk to compensate for my poor gpa and less than competitve MCAT.

What do you think? I appreciate all that you've considered and that you go this far! I know i'll be applying broadly, but do you think this is enough?

 

[NecrotizingFasciitis]

I'm just a fellow applicant, so my opinion probably shouldn't hold as much weight as some of the others who give great advice on here, but here's what think:

If you're taking the Kaplan practice exams, from what I've heard, you can expect your score to be better on the actual exam. You should consider taking the AAMC FL exam that they have a few weeks before your test date if you can to gauge where your score will be on the real thing, then use your remaining time to study up on weaker sections.

I have a similar gpa to you, and I was told to shoot for 505+ to have a good chance at getting interviews. I think if you take the AAMC exam you may find that you end up scoring in that area, just based on how a couple of my friends have improved on Kaplan vs. AAMC FL exams.

So in summary, I think you'll have a solid shot if you get a decent MCAT.

 

[Scrubs101]

I also am just a fellow applicant so all I know is from reading this forum(probably more often than I should).

But I concur with the above poster. If you score 505+ on the aamc practice, which is possible due to how off Kaplan exams are(from what I've seen no one has done worse on the real thing from their kap scores, in fact the average increase is astonishing). You should be fine to test, and if you score 505+ on the real thing and apply broadly with a DO LOR you should get some love.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[Prilozack]

Is this your first or second time applying? If it is your first, you will probably not have much luck unless you're essays and such are stellar. I know people with 518 MCAT and 3.9 GPA who didn't even get into DO schools. It's competitive and you have to fit the mission of that particular school.

I would suggest prepare to retake MCAT definitely, but also focus on getting around good people. Depression is not a good thing to take into an exam like the MCAT much less medical school.

 

[HollisticAppeal]

Hey all: OP here - just bumping this post because I got a 495 and I don't know if that changes things or if I should still apply or if I should retake?

It'll be my third time, and I heard from a friend in med school that taking it a 3rd time is a waste of time. Please let me know!

 

[candbgirl]

So on the old scale you had a 20 and now you have a 22. Those scores are really low for any med schools. And your GPA is low too. You say you don't have a sGPA. What makes you think you don't? Did you take bio, CHEM,OChem and physics? If not that might be why you are scoring so low on the MCAT? Figure out what your sGPA is. Count all science courses and let us know. I don't know much about DO but just know you have an uphill battle. I don't think I'd retake until you figure out why you are scoring so low and I certainly wouldn't apply at this point.


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[Goro]

Your MCAT scores (and a 2x history of taking them with marginal improvement) put you square in the risk zone for failing out of med school and/or failing Boards.

As such, I do not believe that you are currently a viable candidate at any DO school. Either fix your deficits and try again (and score well over 500) or go for Plan B.

Hi all! I've updated this section because my MCAT scores came back today. Didn't do as well as I thought. But at least my score went up? Help!

• Female, 23 (almost 24!), Asian
• Single Parent household
• Undergraduate: Athletic Training Major, biology minor
• cGPA 3.36 (although I don't believe I have a science GPA. You can PM and we can calculate that number with my unofficial transcripts)
• MCAT 491, 495 (As of today!)

• Graduated May 2015
• Licensed certified Athletic Trainer working PRN for a physical therapy company.
• Full time ATC as Physician extender (think Medical Assistant/PA) with both an MD and a DO for the past year.
• Volunteering with a homeless/fitness group (1-2hrs/wk) for the past 6 months
• Shadowed surgeons, OR, sports physicians and podiatrists (pods thru my part time)
• Global experience includes several trips to the Philippines as well as a medical missions in Nicaragua.
• Tutored, was a student leader, and played lacrosse during undergrad
• 1 poster presentation and 2 research projects (not published)

• I battled depression (still fighting) during my junior and senior years, which is why my grades slipped and i took my first MCAT for granted. I've learned a new side of compassion and empathy from the experience and it helps me with my current patients. I'm taking the steps to make sure I don't let academics or work take the brunt of the force when I do relapse. I have a counselor that I talk to weekly. So far it's been working. One of my symptoms included hypersomnia/insomnia, so I wouldn't show up to class or I would be too tired. I used to take melotonin and benadryl (more than as directed). Currently I'm 99% on time to work lately, which is a huge leap compared to how I was during undergrad.
• I want to become a DO more than anything. I am not worried about gap years upon gap years, I will take as many years necessary to accomplish this dream. I've already spent $$$$ and time for this MCAT.
• I've been told I should look into podiatry, but I've done the time shadowing and with my experience as an ATC I'm glad I don't have to look at ONLY feet.

I know DO schools take a look at the whole picture of the applicant. I've spoken with some med students and residents about my history as an ATC and I'm hoping it's just enough quirk to compensate for my poor gpa and less than competitve MCAT.

What do you think? I appreciate all that you've considered and that you go this far! I know i'll be applying broadly, but do you think this is enough?