I am planning to apply to DO schools this cycle, however, I didn't do so well on my MCAT (499 123-128-124-124). That was my first time taking it. My cumulative gpa is 3.61 and my science gpa is 3.47. I have excellent extracurriculars, a DO LOR, shadowing, research, study abroad experience, and EMT experience. I will not be able to get a premedical committee letter either because of my low MCAT. Do you think it is possible for me to apply on cycle this year without retaking and get into a DO school somewhere?
What are my chances?
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Your cGPA is a little above the average for 2016 maltriculates and your MCAT and sGPA are a little below.
I think you'll be fine if you apply broadly, just make sure you apply early and have some volunteering (150 hours atleast)
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If you can retake and do well, you will be much better in the long run.
If not, yea you got a shot somewhere... and that's IF you have a stellar app and are well rounded otherwise. BUT you are shutting many many doors by not having a 500+ mcat and a section with a 123.
You have a shot at ACOM, LMU DCOM, WCU, and some new schools... maybe?
A retake would expand your options, and believe me you want options if possible.
If not, yea you got a shot somewhere... and that's IF you have a stellar app and are well rounded otherwise. BUT you are shutting many many doors by not having a 500+ mcat and a section with a 123.
You have a shot at ACOM, LMU DCOM, WCU, and some new schools... maybe?
A retake would expand your options, and believe me you want options if possible.
If I retake June 17th of this year would that put me at a disadvantage because my application wouldn't be completed until much later? Like I won't be applying as early anymore.
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Mid July is still early for DO. I think the first round of interviews goes out in August so you would need to basically get your secondaries turned around within a day or two. If you can get your MCAT above a 502 I say retake but if not, just use the time to increase your ECs (you will absolutely need some sustained volunteering). I don't think a retake really helps if your score only goes up 2-3 points.
Got it, thank you for your advice! I currently volunteer as a tutor for underprivileged children in my area so I have around 60 hours from that and I volunteer as an EMT. By volunteering do you mean volunteering at a hospital?
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Most of the adcoms here say that your clinical hours needs to be in a setting where you can smell your patients. If your emt volunteering deals with physically interacting with patients then I would say that should suffice. I think it's good to have some clinical and non-clinical volunteering. Just make sure your total hours are atleast 150.
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in general, 125 is the "passing" average for the subsections. you did great in verbal, but your MCAT score may call into question your ability to handle science course loads (which is kinda what medical school is).
how does your academic trend look, especially in the sciences? have you taken upper divs like biochemistry and anatomy and how did you do in them?
how does your academic trend look, especially in the sciences? have you taken upper divs like biochemistry and anatomy and how did you do in them?
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I would retake if you can before you apply OP... it will make schools so much more receptive to your application.
You may be able to land a couple interviews because your GPA's are good (assuming your ECs are strong like you say they are), but wouldn't you rather retake the MCAT (balanced 505+, preferably) and (potentially) land a handful of interviews? Then (hopefully) land multiple acceptances and be able to choose the school you attend?
I'm not saying you won't get accepted with a 499, I'm just saying you'd be buried in interview invitations if you had a balanced 505+.
You may be able to land a couple interviews because your GPA's are good (assuming your ECs are strong like you say they are), but wouldn't you rather retake the MCAT (balanced 505+, preferably) and (potentially) land a handful of interviews? Then (hopefully) land multiple acceptances and be able to choose the school you attend?
I'm not saying you won't get accepted with a 499, I'm just saying you'd be buried in interview invitations if you had a balanced 505+.
I have an upwards trend but not an extremely drastic one. I have taken biochemistry which I got an A in and I have also taken Genetics which I got a B+ in. Yeah, I have heard 125 in each section is passing. The issue with me and retaking is that if I do retake I think I will have to take it in August, which will make me have to take a gap year. I really only want to take a gap year if I have to, and it is starting look like I might have to unfortunately.
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AnatomyGrey12
499 is the average at multiple schools. I would still retake because the 123 in physical science and 124 in bio are fairly big red flags. Like mentioned above many adcoms will question your ability to handle the heavy science courseload of medical school
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I agree august is risky. I think you could apply this year and plan on retaking. it also depends on if you're okay with going to any osteopathic school, even the newer ones like BCOM or ARCOM.
if you do end up applying this year, I recommend submitting day one and prewriting those secondaries for quick turnaround.
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Which schools have a 499 average??
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AnatomyGrey12
LUCOM, ARCOM, mostly the newer and really rural schools have averages around there
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Can't say that for certain... especially for ARCOM.
Also LMU-DCOM is about as rural as it gets and they have an average of 502
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AnatomyGrey12
Almost every new school has an average around 24-25, almost right at a 499 I would put a good sum of money that there will be more than 3 schools this year with an average of 499.
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Dang that's a low average.... that would mean accepting students that probably have a 492 -494 as well.
