What are my chances

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Darth_Savage

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Hello SDN, I've always just been a lurker but since I've decided it was time to start trying to get into medical school again, I figured I'd look for some insight here. I posted in the MD section but honestly I keep feeling like theres no hope to get into those, so I'll see how DO schools are. My dream still stands of being a physician.

Here is basically where I stand:

I have a 3.529 cGPA with a 3.208 sGPA.
I took the MCAT over 2 years ago and got a 496.
I have over 200 hours of clinical volunteering
I have over 200 hours of non-clinical volunteering
I have over 1,000 hours of research experience
I've got over 300 clinical shadowing experiences (including multiple specialties).
I was a leader in 1 of my organizations, I was involved in 3 total (Pre-med, a leadership organization, and a volunteering organization)

My GPA has had an interesting journey. I started with a 3.2 and climbed all the way to a 3.7ish. Unfortunately, I had some stuff going back home (Mexico) that really set my family and I back. This took a toll on my grades, and I plummeted down to a 3.529.

My MCAT is disgraceful. I'm ashamed of it, but it is what it is. My junior year I tried to squeeze it in to be able to apply that year, and obviously back fired on me pretty harshly. Then, the whole family stuff occurred and I haven't retaken it. I plan to get much better prepared for it and hopefully achieve a 510+ (I've been scoring around 510 in FL's.

So what are my chances?
 
I think you’d be fine if you made up for your low MCAT score. Unless you score quite a bit better though, it may continue to hold you back. Otherwise your app looks fine.
 
510+ MCAT or bust, sir or ma'am. Everything else is window dressing.
 
Would I be able to get into the older DO schools (Im a Texas Resident) or would I have to apply to the newer DO schools?
 
Definitely not a 510 MCAT or bust. Don't let people discourage you. Your GPA is fine and honestly above average for most DO schools. There have been a very select few to get acceptances at schools with an MCAT score below 496, but don't chance that. I got a 499 and had 5 interviews with 1 acceptance. Just make sure that everything else on your application is great, kill the MCAT and practice interviewing.
 
I would say MD depends on your MCAT. Just remember to get your TMDAS in early
 
I don't think you need 510+ to get into a DO school. 505 should do it. If you score 510 or higher, definitely apply to your Texas MD schools too (and maybe a couple of low tier OOS MDs).
 
You can do it this time on the MCAT, don't knock yourself over the head over the 1st attempt given your circumstances. Like Pumbaa says, you got to put your behind in your past!
 
Are you a URM? If so with a 505 MCAT you'd have a chance at several low tier MD schools.
 
Honestly, I don’t know if I’m considered URM. I am from Mexico, born and raised. Became a citizen, moved to Texas some years ago while I was in college.

What worries me is my downward trend in my senior year. I know it’s not much of an excuse but we had very strong problems with the violence back in Mexico. I could have done better but I just had too many things going on.
 
As long as you are of Mexican decent you are a URM. You have a very interesting background and have overcome many challenges to reach the success you have - now you just need to show that in your app.

If you have already been studying for the MCAT you can still apply this cycle. Take the MCAT latest in June so you can have all your applications complete by July latest. Applying early is key!.

If you have not started studying to retake the MCAT I would not try and rush to take it. If this is your situation, I would take an additional year and apply next cycle. If you are able to increase your MCAT to around a 505 it will open many doors, if you can get your score around 510-512 or higher you will have a decent chance at Top 20 schools. Take time and study for the MCAT while working in a medically related field for a year (Medical Scribe).

@Goro @LizzyM and @Faha would be able to give the best advice.
 
Even with a downward trend, I’ll have a chance at a MD in Texas because of being URM?

I’ve studied, but I’m only half way through the content review. I could definitely review it all by the end april and just do practice tests and such all May and half of June for the 16th of June exam
 
Darth_Savage said:
Even with a downward trend, I’ll have a chance at a MD in Texas because of being URM?

I’ve studied, but I’m only half way through the content review. I could definitely review it all by the end april and just do practice tests and such all May and half of June for the 16th of June exam
Click to expand...

How much of a downward trend are we talking about?
 
In my last classes, I made 3 C’s (only ones in my college career). I dropped from a 3.6-3.7ish to a 3.529. So a pretty hefty one I would say.
 
It might hurt, but you could always explain it in your application there is always a section either in the primary or when you fill out secondaries that ask if there is anything else you would like the admissions committee to know if you can explain the situation and show what you've learned from it, it might mitigate some of the negative impact.
 
Well shoot, thanks! That makes me feel like I actually stand a chance... hopefully the others could chime in. Everywhere I turn it just seems like my case is hopeless and I’ll have to spend 50k on a masters program...
 
You could receive interviews at these DO schools with your current MCAT of 496:
UIWSOM
ACOM
ARCOM
BCOM
WCU-COM
LMU-DCOM
UP-KYCOM
WVSOM
LUCOM
VCOM (all 3 schools)
NYIT-Arkansas
ICOM
PCOM-South Georgia (new school)
Most of these schools have MCAT medians in the 498 to 502 range.
If you score 505 or higher on your new MCAT then apply to all your Texas MD schools also.
 
Dang really? So if I got a 510+, would I have a very good chance at MD schools in Texas?
 
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