When to apply dilemma

[Darkskies]

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Hi, I just finished taking the MCAT yesterday and my general feeling is that the test went well. My practice scores on AAMC tests were in the mid 30s range(36 was the highest) but my last two practice exams were 32s. However when taking the last two practice tests, I felt that I was completely bombing the sections but still obtained a 32. I am not stating that to brag but to relate that to the fact that I felt rather confident with the sections and my answers for the actual test. Of course as you know I will not know my actual score until next month.

This is the root of my dilemma because I graduated last May with a GPA of 3.42. I withdrew from my first ever college physics course in Freshman year and then obtained a C+/C- on physics I and II when I took them in Sophomore year(I had only withdrawn from an advanced version of physics I in freshman year). I also had a B and a C- on O-chem I and II respectively. That being said, I retook physics I, II, O-Chem I and II at a local college in the summer of Junior year and this past summer obtaining As in all 4 courses.

I know that even if I scored around a 32 on the MCAT I should still have a good chance of gaining admission at a D.O. school even if I still apply now for the upcoming class in September since D.O. schools have later deadlines for their primaries. However, I would prefer to be accepted at an M.D. school even though my chances are slim.

To apply M.D. the current cycle is over and I would have to apply early in July for the next cycle(assuming I get accepted I would be starting medical school at age 24). Do you guys think I should apply now for a D.O. school so I can save a year(I know it might be getting late for D.O. schools too)?

What would be my chances for an MD acceptance for the next cycle if I did score a 35 or 36 on the MCAT? I wish I didn't have to wait a whole month to find out my score. I live in NY but wouldn't mind moving anywhere across the country for school. I'm really looking for some guidance since I know that each day I waste means I'm one day closer to the D.O. application deadlines but then I wouldn't want to have applied and then apply again next year only to have to answer questions about why I had applied to medical schools before. I would really appreciate your replies. Thanks in advance!

 

[Spin]

You're like my doppelganger! I was totally in this situation last year. I decided to wait, kicked butt on the MCAT, applied early, and now I have two MD acceptances even though my GPA leaves something to be desired.

About your MCAT: I basically had the same situation. I scored really well on most of my practice MCATs, but only ok on the last two that I took. I felt pretty good about how my real test day went. When I got back my score, it was two points higher than my highest practice score. Hopefully the same thing will happen to you! Definitely don't assume that your real score will be as low as your worst/most recent practice scores.

Now, as far as DO this year vs MD next year: I think either way, you'll get a great education and be equally prepared to care for patients. However, whichever way you choose, you'll have those initials after your name for the rest of your life. In this day and age of so many other health care professionals encroaching on physicians' duties (NPs, PAs, chiropractors, NDs, etc), I personally think it's worth it to wait a year and get the degree that most patients will acknowledge as the degree "real doctors" have.

In addition, it's easier to get into MD residencies when you're coming from an MD program. I'm not saying that those residencies are necessarily better, but it is something to consider.

Finally, if you wait a year and apply early, you can probably get into some great schools. You're more likely to have multiple acceptances. If you apply now, you could get in somewhere, but probably not at as good of a school as if you had waited. Finally, if you apply now, you have a chance of not getting in anywhere, and THEN you'll be stuck applying as a reapplicant, which has a bit of a stigma. Schools generally want to know what you've done to improve your application and why you applied so late last time, etc. I don't actually remember whether applying to DO schools this late would be likely to yield an acceptance, but I'm sure that other SDNers will have plenty to say about that.

Of course, if you apply now and do get into a DO school, you'll make an extra year of a physician's salary, so that's something to consider as well. That's the main factor in favor of applying now.

Overall, I think you should wait. If your MCAT isn't as stellar as your practice scores were, you'll have time to study and retake it.

 

[Spin]

Hi, I just finished taking the MCAT yesterday and my general feeling is that the test went well. My practice scores on AAMC tests were in the mid 30s range(36 was the highest) but my last two practice exams were 32s. However when taking the last two practice tests, I felt that I was completely bombing the sections but still obtained a 32. I am not stating that to brag but to relate that to the fact that I felt rather confident with the sections and my answers for the actual test. Of course as you know I will not know my actual score until next month.

This is the root of my dilemma because I graduated last May with a GPA of 3.42. I withdrew from my first ever college physics course in Freshman year and then obtained a C+/C- on physics I and II when I took them in Sophomore year(I had only withdrawn from an advanced version of physics I in freshman year). I also had a B and a C- on O-chem I and II respectively. That being said, I retook physics I, II, O-Chem I and II at a local college in the summer of Junior year and this past summer obtaining As in all 4 courses.

I know that even if I scored around a 32 on the MCAT I should still have a good chance of gaining admission at a D.O. school even if I still apply now for the upcoming class in September since D.O. schools have later deadlines for their primaries. However, I would prefer to be accepted at an M.D. school even though my chances are slim.

To apply M.D. the current cycle is over and I would have to apply early in July for the next cycle(assuming I get accepted I would be starting medical school at age 24). Do you guys think I should apply now for a D.O. school so I can save a year(I know it might be getting late for D.O. schools too)?

What would be my chances for an MD acceptance for the next cycle if I did score a 35 or 36 on the MCAT? I wish I didn't have to wait a whole month to find out my score. I live in NY but wouldn't mind moving anywhere across the country for school. I'm really looking for some guidance since I know that each day I waste means I'm one day closer to the D.O. application deadlines but then I wouldn't want to have applied and then apply again next year only to have to answer questions about why I had applied to medical schools before. I would really appreciate your replies. Thanks in advance!

The C-'s could hurt you, but I had a few C's and W's too, and in the end as long as you demonstrate that you can handle the material and you're smart enough for med school, it should be fine.

Here are some charts showing applicants' chances based on a GPA/MCAT grid. If you're white, you have a 58% chance of getting in with your GPA even if you only got a 30 on the MCAT! I'm guessing it's about the same for the other races, but you get my drift.

https://www.aamc.org/data/facts/app...mcat-gpa-grid-by-selected-race-ethnicity.html

 

[IlaEm]

Also, if you're worried about the age thing...... I think the average age of students who begin medical school is around 24. I'll be 25 in a few days and I'll be starting medical school this fall. Waiting to apply was the perfect choice for me so I could focus on building up my application. I had a low gpa as well and a 33MCAT (sounds like you may beat that!) and I have multiple acceptances.

I definitely wouldn't go the DO route just to save a year.

 

[bucks2010]

Wait until you can put forth your best possible application... I would wait and try for some MD schools.