Withdrawing this cycle and re-apply next year?

[213965]

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So I am currently re-applying this cycle, but thinking of taking the January MCAT and seeing how I do. Reason being, it already took me 3 tries to get my current score 27R, and while the 27R coupled with my ~3.8 GPA makes me competitive for all the D.O. schools I've applied to, my preference is to stay at my in-state M.D. school.

I'm currently enrolled in an SMP, and while the first month was very rough and I had actually considered dropping out several times, I am doing much better now and am confident I can finish the program with a GPA comparable to the ~3.8 I entered with.

In addition, I've been taking lots of practice MCATs and my current range is 33-36 (used to be 27-30 before SMP). I am confident if I re-take my MCAT (for the 4th time) in January, I will at least break a 30. Biology was consistently my weakest section, and that's really all I've been learning in the SMP -- in addition to my critical reading skills improving lots over the past few months.

So my current dilemma -- should I withdraw all my applications now and re-apply next year with the higher MCAT and SMP under my belt, or not bother re-taking and see where my current application goes? I've applied to a good mix of MD/DO schools. I am fairly confident that I will be accepted to at least my SMP DO school if not more DO programs, and am afraid that if I don't withdraw now, I won't be able to refuse any acceptances I may receive later, even though my first choice has always been my state MD school (not to mention saving $100k total cost of attendance).

EC's are strong -- 2 research publications, 500+ clinical hours, professional concert violinist, former high school teacher, LORs 2 sci 1 hum 1 research 2 physician.

D.O. secondaries haven't been sent out yet, so no problems withdrawing now. Secondaries for MD schools have already been submitted, so no sense withdrawing if I get more interview invites, unless they tend to view re-applications negatively?? If so, then I have to withdraw those now as well.

Another thing to consider -- if I withdraw now and re-apply next cycle (after graduating from my SMP in June), what should I do during that (additional) year off?? And how would I go about paying back the ridiculous loans I took out for this year's SMP? (no loan deferral unless I'm currently enrolled as a full-time student; someone please correct me if I am mistaken).

Thanks for your feedback.

 

[Chocolate Bear]

You'll get a six month grace period on your loan, usually. You'll need to work, though, to pay back the $300-400 per month, depending on the total loan amount.

I've never received a negative comment as a reapplicant. I've been commended for my commitment on several occasions, though. If you are willing to wait a year for the CHANCE at your state MD school, it sounds like you have a solid plan of not turning in DO secondaries, as well as keeping the state MD application. What about the other MD schools? I guess if you'd rather have the chance at a relatively expensive MD school and reapply next year as opposed to going to a DO school this year, then it makes sense to keep all MD apps on file.

It sounds like you'll have a great shot at any school with an MCAT in the range of your practice tests.

 

[dragonfly99]

There aren't any perfect answers here.
I agree with you that you need to drop the DO applications now, not later, if you don't want to go to those schools. They probably won't look favorably upon you not accepting an interview invite, or not accepting an offer of admission.

I don't know...you've got to decide what it is you want in life.
If it were me, I would never put all my eggs in one basket in terms of banking on getting in to ANY particular school, including my state MD school. I think if you want to go for MD, then go for it, but apply to a whole bunch of schools, and just try to GET IN. No sense putting it off and putting it off.

You are gambling that you can get a higher MCAT score. If you don't, you probably won't be that competitive at a lot of the MD schools, though still would have a shot if you applied widely (I mean 20 schools or something).

It seems you are torn. But I think you have to decide what you want.
a) I just want to go to med school = take any offers you get from decent med schools, including DO. I think you can get in this year if this is your goal.
b) I want to go to med school, but only want to stay in my state = accept any offers/invitations to interview from either DO or MD schools, but only the ones in your state/region of interest.
c) I really want to go to allopathic med school = stay in your SMP, do great, and retake the MCAT and get at least a 30, and apply widely to a whole bunch of MD schools, including those not in your state.
d) I only am interested in my one state MD School

If you graduate, you'll have a 6 months grace period during which you won't be having to pay your loans. However, you have to think about what will happen if you don't get in any school this year (i.e. only try for a few MD schools and don't get in), have your big fat loans and no good job, and are trying to interview AGAIN the next year for either DO or MD schools. For this reason, I think option "d" is a bad choice, and I'm also again option "b", though not as strongly. In the med school applications process, you maximize your chances of getting in by applying widely...that's kind of what the game is. Does your state school have early decision program or anything? If so, you could try and go for that...don't know how it works b/c it didn't exist for med school admissions when I was a premed/applicant.