What should I do, BU graduate with 3.71 GPA and 26O MCAT

[lulusmith]

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I just got my MCAT score back and am not quite sure what to do especially since in my practice tests I was getting at least 29/30. I know a 26O (PS:8, VR:9, BS:9) won't get me anywhere for med school but I don't think I have enough time to study and be ready to retake the MCAT in August. So here are the question I have:

-Would taking the MCAT in September be too late for the 2013 cycle?

-Am I competitive enough for DO programs? If yes, which ones should I consider?

-Would it be a waste of time to apply to Howard University College of Medicine? Since they have an average MCAT of 26 and GPA of 3.5, I feel like I might have a shot? Are there any other MD schools which would be possible at all?

My plan right now is to apply to a few DO schools (NYCOM, New England, Touro NY, and any others), and maybe just to Howard University. But I would love as much advice as possible!!!! Thank you!!!!
Also on a side note, apart from my grades I've done research in 2 different labs, shadowed a doctor for a month, and did a Health Career shadowing program at NYU Hospital.

 

[MDWannabe90]

I think you have a shot at DO schools! Because I think that your mcat is lower than what they usually go for (27-29) but your gpa is definitely higher than the average (which I think for DO is somewhere around 3.5?) so as long as you are comfortable with going the DO route I think you have a shot!

For the MD schools, the september mcat would be pushing it because then you won't be complete at most medical schools until october (which is really pushing it). Whether a september mcat would be late or not for DO is beyond me, somebody else could probly answer that for ya! If you're a urm you have a good shot at howard, if you are not urm make sure that you show how unique you are through your secondaries and PS

🙂

 

[passerine]

I've heard mixed reviews about Howard; you might try searching SDN for some threads about the school. I don't know much about it other than what I've heard second-hand. Personally, I would shoot for good DO schools rather than a questionable MD school with your scores (again, I don't know anything about Howard other than what I've heard, so maybe it is a solid school).

If you would absolutely rather go MD than DO, you can put off applying this year, and retake the MCAT after studying for as long as you want, and then apply accordingly the following year. Good luck!

 

[lulusmith]

What's urm?

 

[lulusmith]

I think you have a shot at DO schools! Because I think that your mcat is lower than what they usually go for (27-29) but your gpa is definitely higher than the average (which I think for DO is somewhere around 3.5?) so as long as you are comfortable with going the DO route I think you have a shot!

For the MD schools, the september mcat would be pushing it because then you won't be complete at most medical schools until october (which is really pushing it). Whether a september mcat would be late or not for DO is beyond me, somebody else could probly answer that for ya! If you're a urm you have a good shot at howard, if you are not urm make sure that you show how unique you are through your secondaries and PS

🙂

What's urm?

 

[passerine]

URM means you belong to a minority group that is underrepresented in medicine. Generally speaking, it refers to applicants of black, Native American, Pacific Islander, or Hispanic descent. Med schools are always looking for diversity in their classes, so URM applicants often have an advantage over applicants with similar stats.

 

[MDWannabe90]

URM means you belong to a minority group that is underrepresented in medicine. Generally speaking, it refers to applicants of black, Native American, Pacific Islander, or Hispanic descent. Med schools are always looking for diversity in their classes, so URM applicants often have an advantage over applicants with similar stats.

Yup.. basically howard is really big on recruiting urm's, I think about ~80% of their class consists of urm's or overall, people who came from a disadvantaged background whether it be because of a lower income/socioeconomic status so if you aren't a urm and are not disadvantaged then you're going to want something compelling in your application so that it doesn't get looked over.

 

[LizzyM]

Howard University's medical school, along with Meharry and Morehouse, were founded to provide medical education to African-Americans at a time when the doors of many medical school in the South were closed to them. They are part of what are called to day the "historically black colleges and universities" (HBCU). They do accept some applicants who are not black but they are most interested in students who are committed to their mission. Go to the school's website and read it's mission statement and what it says it is looking for in applicants to determine if it is a good fit for you.

 

[lulusmith]

Howard University's medical school, along with Meharry and Morehouse, were founded to provide medical education to African-Americans at a time when the doors of many medical school in the South were closed to them. They are part of what are called to day the "historically black colleges and universities" (HBCU). They do accept some applicants who are not black but they are most interested in students who are committed to their mission. Go to the school's website and read it's mission statement and what it says it is looking for in applicants to determine if it is a good fit for you.

Oh ok I just looked up the MCAT stats, it's good to know that

 

[Galatasaray]

Why not just take a year off and retake the MCAT. Don't sell yourself short, your gpa is good and you should be capable of a better score.

 

[lulusmith]

Why not just take a year off and retake the MCAT. Don't sell yourself short, your gpa is good and you should be capable of a better score.

Yeah I'm pretty sure that I'm going to apply to DO schools this year and in the meanwhile study for the MCAT again so I can apply to MD schools for 2014 if I still want to go to one instead of DO. I was thinking of trying to take the MCAT again now in August, but I don't think it's enough time to study seriously and get the score I want 🙁

 

[Chrome19]

I've heard mixed reviews about Howard; you might try searching SDN for some threads about the school. I don't know much about it other than what I've heard second-hand. Personally, I would shoot for good DO schools rather than a questionable MD school with your scores (again, I don't know anything about Howard other than what I've heard, so maybe it is a solid school).

If you would absolutely rather go MD than DO, you can put off applying this year, and retake the MCAT after studying for as long as you want, and then apply accordingly the following year. Good luck!

Howard is actually a good MD school. There are students with >30 and >3.8 GPAs at Howard and Meharry. One of the students there recently scored >240 on the USMLE Step 1. As long as a school is LCME-accredited, you'll most likely find that it's what you put into your education that counts,

 

[Galatasaray]

Yes but I think op is not urm. Also, one guy with a 240??? That's a respectable score but it's not THAT impressive...