WAMC at DO school? 502 MCAT

[Dr.Dan?]

So I am looking for some feedback regarding how to handle the 2021 application cycle. Below is my info:

White Male, 27 years old

GPA: 3.78 (undergraduate, nutritional sciences), 3.92 (graduate, medical genetics)

MCAT: 502 (126 C/P) (122 CARS) (128 B/B) (126 P/S) - planning retake in June to improve CARS score

Basic Research: 100 hours

Clinical Research: 1000+ hours (3+ years working in a clinical genomics lab, splitting time between oncology testing and research projects)

Publication/Presentations: 1 co-first authorship, 5 contributing authorship, 3 posters presented

Volunteer work: 150+ hours at two community hospitals, 150 hours as an EMT, numerous other non-clinical activities totaling about 100 hours

I am unsure of how to approach applying this summer, I am thinking of 15 DO and 15 MD programs... all feedback is welcome!

Shadowing: 6 MDs (100 hours), 1 DO (8 hours)

Jobs: have worked a job since graduating high school, currently supervisor of molecular oncology specialty

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[NecrotizingFasciitis]

If you retake & hit a balanced 505+ I think you'll have a solid shot at most any DO school & some MD schools (maybe your state school & smaller/newer MD programs.) The rest of your application is really solid.

 

[Dr.Dan?]

Thanks for the feedback!

Is 502 too low to be competitive for DO schools in the northeast/East Coast? I only ask because I am working 60-70 hours a week - doing COVID-19 testing on top of my normal duties and want to make sure I am ready before retaking my exam (as I have learned that minimal improvement looks bad?).

 

[deleted994889]

For the 2018 entering DO class, the average was 503.84 (SD 5.21, median 504) so your score is only slightly below average. However, your GPA is well above average (3.54, SD .29) and your ECs are solid. I'd say you could apply confidently this DO cycle if you don't mind being a DO. If you really want to boost your chances, you could snag a letter from your shadowed DO.

If your hoping for an MD acceptance though, you'll definitely need a better MCAT score. I wouldn't apply this cycle if that's your aim. Only take the test if you are feeling over-prepared because you have less room for error as a 2nd taker (schools might average your scores). Study hard and aim for the highest score possible.

 

[Goro]

So I am looking for some feedback regarding how to handle the 2021 application cycle. Below is my info:

White Male, 27 years old

GPA: 3.78 (undergraduate, nutritional sciences), 3.92 (graduate, medical genetics)

MCAT: 502 (126 C/P) (122 CARS) (128 B/B) (126 P/S) - planning retake in June to improve CARS score

Basic Research: 100 hours

Clinical Research: 1000+ hours (3+ years working in a clinical genomics lab, splitting time between oncology testing and research projects)

Publication/Presentations: 1 co-first authorship, 5 contributing authorship, 3 posters presented

Volunteer work: 150+ hours at two community hospitals, 150 hours as an EMT, numerous other non-clinical activities totaling about 100 hours

I am unsure of how to approach applying this summer, I am thinking of 15 DO and 15 MD programs... all feedback is welcome!

Shadowing: 6 MDs (100 hours), 1 DO (8 hours)

Jobs: have worked a job since graduating high school, currently supervisor of molecular oncology specialty

For DO schools, unless they specifically say they have an MCAT category minimum, I don't think that a retake is needed. You're fine for nearly all DO schools.

 

[Angus Avagadro]

Your 502 with 122 CARS is a little concerning, but your3.98 graduate in medical genetics isnt clear to me. Is it a masters? One course, a grad degree? If not a single course, I agree with Goro and you should be ok for DO schools.

 

[Dr.Dan?]

Your 502 with 122 CARS is a little concerning, but your3.98 graduate in medical genetics isnt clear to me. Is it a masters? One course, a grad degree? If not a single course, I agree with Goro and you should be ok for DO schools.

It was a masters degree - sorry for the confusion!

 

[Angus Avagadro]

It was a masters degree - sorry for the confusion!

No worries. I think you are ok. We always are concerned about whether the candidate can handle the academic load. Excelling in your masters program should relieve doubts by most adcoms imo. Good luck and best wishes.

 

[Dr.Dan?]

For DO schools, unless they specifically say they have an MCAT category minimum, I don't think that a retake is needed. You're fine for nearly all DO schools.

Thank you for the feedback! I was wondering if you had any recommendations on a school list?

So far, I am considering: UNECOM, NYITCOM, PCOM, LECOM, TUORO COM NY, Rowan University COM, Ohio University Heritage COM

 

[Goro]

Thank you for the feedback! I was wondering if you had any recommendations on a school list?

So far, I am considering: UNECOM, NYITCOM, PCOM, LECOM, TUORO COM NY, Rowan University COM, Ohio University Heritage COM

OH COM has a requirement that you stick around in state after graduation, or something like that. Rowan seems to have an IS bias.
Rest of list is good. Also consider MUCOM, LECOM-B, all VCOMs except LA, KYCOM, ACOM, KCU, KCOM

 

[dial1010usa]

When did you take your MCAT before masters or after?

 

[Mr.Smile12]

You're in good shape for DO schools, but if you can improve your composite score by 10+ on a retake, the MD opportunities will open up.

 

[Dr.Dan?]

When did you take your MCAT before masters or after?

After, I was working full time though.

 

[Dr.Dan?]

You're in good shape for DO schools, but if you can improve your composite score by 10+ on a retake, the MD opportunities will open up.

Thanks for the feedback! Yes, my current plan (due to the crazy schedule I currently have d/t supervising a molecular oncology NGS lab and conducting COVID testing) is to post-pone my retake until the winter of 2021 (studying all fall) and apply DO this summer.

I want to be a physician more than anything and having schadowed a DO and learned a lot from him...I would be more than happy to attend an osteopathic medical school!

If I don’t get in this cycle (likely from my low MCAT) I will be retaking anyhow, so I will hopefully improve greatly and be ready to apply broadly to DO and MD programs next year.

 

[dial1010usa]

Apply broadly and you will get multiple acceptance. If you improve your MCAT you can get into MD as well. Due to COVID this year will be different compared to previous years. All the best. You should still apply to both DO and MD.