What are my options? Low MCAT score.

[bonoz]

Hi,

I took my MCAT last year and got a 27 on it (11PS 06VR 10BS).

My June 18 MCAT however, I got a 25 on it (07PS 10VR 08BS).

I do not think I have it within me to take the MCAT again, nor can I take the MCAT until late August/September. By that time my application might be a little too late? I was wondering what my options are. I want to apply to MD. I would consider DO but I have not shadowed a DO doctor. So I was wondering what my options are? Is there no hope for me? I know two people who got in with a 25.

I am an IT major, with a 3.84 GPA, and a similar science GPA. I have volunteer experience in the ER and PACU. Experience shadowing a doctor. A couple of teaching experiences. A couple of leadership positions in school organizations. Experience for several months in brain research. Dean's list, and dean's scholarship. That's the jist of it.

I am encouraged by the fact that my verbal went up by 4 points, but horrified that my other two (supposedly strong) sections went down. I was averaging 9-11 on the practice tests on those sections. I don't know what happened on the real test. I don't want to take it again, and then get another low score.

What are my options?
-Should I apply to schools which take a look at scores from both tests? if so, which schools are they?
-Are there any graduate school options where you can transfer into the MD program after the first year?
-Caribbean?
-If Caribbean, why not other countries? like England, France, Scotland, etc.?

Please help. Thanks.

 

[camaras2480]

Hi,

I took my MCAT last year and got a 27 on it (11PS 06VR 10BS).

My June 18 MCAT however, I got a 25 on it (07PS 10VR 08BS).

I do not think I have it within me to take the MCAT again, nor can I take the MCAT until late August/September. By that time my application might be a little too late? I was wondering what my options are. I want to apply to MD. I would consider DO but I have not shadowed a DO doctor. So I was wondering what my options are? Is there no hope for me? I know two people who got in with a 25.

I am an IT major, with a 3.84 GPA, and a similar science GPA. I have volunteer experience in the ER and PACU. Experience shadowing a doctor. A couple of teaching experiences. A couple of leadership positions in school organizations. Experience for several months in brain research. Dean's list, and dean's scholarship. That's the jist of it.

I am encouraged by the fact that my verbal went up by 4 points, but horrified that my other two (supposedly strong) sections went down. I was averaging 9-11 on the practice tests on those sections. I don't know what happened on the real test. I don't want to take it again, and then get another low score.

If you were averaging a 30-32 on your practice tests, the chances of getting another 25 on the 3rd try are actually really low. But hey, this is totally up to you.

What are my options?
-Should I apply to schools which take a look at scores from both tests? if so, which schools are they?
-Are there any graduate school options where you can transfer into the MD program after the first year?
-Caribbean?
-If Caribbean, why not other countries? like England, France, Scotland, etc.?

Please help. Thanks.

I actually don't know off hand which schools look at composite MCAT (which gives you a 31), but there are quite a few from what I hear. You may have to search carefully here on SDN, or call schools you are interested in. The adcoms you call may be able to point you to the 'composite' schools too.

Grad school options that transfer into MD - no. I don't think any graduate option is the way to go, because those are usually designed to help candidates with inadequate prereqs, or low GPA in general - and it sounds like you are not either case.

Before you go Caribbean or International...

Go DO. I think you have an excellent shot at DO. You are right that you would need to have shadowed a DO for some of the DO schools, but not all. In fact, from what I understand, a majority of osteopathic schools do NOT require that letter. Again, I don't know which ones - you may want to check the pre-osteo forums, or start calling schools again.

Also, in case you do apply DO, at some point during the cycle, make sure you shadow a DO, get their letter, and supplement your application. It will also give you an extra something to talk about at interviews.

So between DO schools and the handful of MD schools that take composite MCAT, I think you actually have a decent shot at admission. If you haven't started the application process yet, I'd get on the ball.

 

[Stratego]

Here is a summary of DO school requirements for physician letters:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=10677&d=1217108730

 

[camaras2480]

Here is a summary of DO school requirements for physician letters:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=10677&d=1217108730

nice thanks! good to know

 

[bonoz]

Is there a thread like that of schools that do look at the composite scores?

 

[bonoz]

If you were averaging a 30-32 on your practice tests, the chances of getting another 25 on the 3rd try are actually really low. But hey, this is totally up to you.



I actually don't know off hand which schools look at composite MCAT (which gives you a 31), but there are quite a few from what I hear. You may have to search carefully here on SDN, or call schools you are interested in. The adcoms you call may be able to point you to the 'composite' schools too.

Grad school options that transfer into MD - no. I don't think any graduate option is the way to go, because those are usually designed to help candidates with inadequate prereqs, or low GPA in general - and it sounds like you are not either case.

Before you go Caribbean or International...

Go DO. I think you have an excellent shot at DO. You are right that you would need to have shadowed a DO for some of the DO schools, but not all. In fact, from what I understand, a majority of osteopathic schools do NOT require that letter. Again, I don't know which ones - you may want to check the pre-osteo forums, or start calling schools again.

Also, in case you do apply DO, at some point during the cycle, make sure you shadow a DO, get their letter, and supplement your application. It will also give you an extra something to talk about at interviews.

So between DO schools and the handful of MD schools that take composite MCAT, I think you actually have a decent shot at admission. If you haven't started the application process yet, I'd get on the ball.

I think there are a few grad schools that do do that. Does anyone else know anything about this?

Also, why is DO > Caribbean as an option?

 

[camaras2480]

I think there are a few grad schools that do do that. Does anyone else know anything about this?

There are grad programs (generally SMPs) that greatly enhance your chances at a given school (examples: Temple, Tulane). However, you don't literally transfer into the MD program. You still have to apply, interview, and get in.

I think Temple is the only one that, if you join the program and maintain a certain GPA, and have a certain MCAT, they guarantee admission. I could be wrong, but this is what I heard rather recently. Many other programs guarantee interviews, but not acceptances, and certainly not transfers (that I know of).

Also, why is DO > Caribbean as an option?

The attrition rate is really high in the Caribbean - I've heard numbers up around 50% (DO is no where near this). Also, getting into a competitive residency becomes extremely difficult (more difficult than a DO). And, you will often hear about island school graduates who are having issues with licensing (not going to be an issue as a DO). So, IMO, all in all, DO > Caribbean.

 

[muhali3]

I think there are a few grad schools that do do that. Does anyone else know anything about this?

Also, why is DO > Caribbean as an option?

I think a few schools have Bridge programs that allow you to get into their med school if you maintain a certain GPA. These programs usually don't give any degree though. I know FSU has one, but acceptance to these programs is almost as hard as normal MD admissions.