Withdrew from Caribbean, can I re-take MCAT and apply DO?

[moe619]

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I went to a Caribbean school with a 496 MCAT, 3.0 cGPA, and a 2.7 sGPA. I ended up withdrawing after repeating the first term. I was just mentally not prepared to take on such a tough schedule.

I was thinking of re-taking the MCAT and if my score improves a lot then I will apply to DO schools or maybe DO linkage programs.

Would this be a waste of time and effort because I couldn't succeed at a Caribbean school or would I have some kind of chance if I can prove myself by improving MCAT score by a lot?

 

[Goro]

Would this be a waste of time and effort because I couldn't succeed at a Caribbean school or would I have some kind of chance if I can prove myself by improving MCAT score by a lot?

Having an improved MCAT score only tells us that you can do will on a high stakes exam with a lot of prep time.

Even with a higher MCAT, you're be DOA for DO schools. You have not demonstrated that you can handle medical school.

Do an SMP and then retake the MCAT only if you do well in the SMP.

 

[PorkChopsOG]

I have a friend who dropped out of caribbean for similar reasons as you, went to an SMP and retook the MCAT, and was accepted to the DO school. It is possible.

 

[DO2015CA]

unpatronizing question here, why did you choose the Caribbean? I don’t quite follow the thought process of those choosing the Caribbean in this day. I understand doing it in the 80s and 90s. But I don’t quite Understand the logic of those that take a Caribbean acceptance today especially when OCOM had to accept students they initially rejected last year.

 

[moe619]

Having an improved MCAT score only tells us that you can do will on a high stakes exam with a lot of prep time.

Even with a higher MCAT, you're be DOA for DO schools. You have not demonstrated that you can handle medical school.

Do an SMP and then retake the MCAT only if you do well in the SMP.

What would you say would be a good MCAT score goal to have?

 

[Goro]

What would you say would be a good MCAT score goal to have?

513+ for MD
510+ for your state school and DO

Why didn't you go to pod school, which your prior posts were about?

 

[moe619]

unpatronizing question here, why did you choose the Caribbean? I don’t quite follow the thought process of those choosing the Caribbean in this day. I understand doing it in the 80s and 90s. But I don’t quite Understand the logic of those that take a Caribbean acceptance today especially when OCOM had to accept students they initially rejected last year.

I chose it because my stats are weak and I had no confidence in myself to apply MD or DO so I applied to a handful of schools very late in the cycle. I also wanted to practice family medicine, so I thought that if I went to a Caribbean school and passed I would have a decent chance at matching somewhere.

513+ for MD
510+ for your state school and DO

Why didn't you go to pod school, which your prior posts were about?

I don't know. I have always considered podiatry even back during undergrad. I think maybe I was scared I would end up in a field I wouldn't be passionate for but I wish I would have applied and went that route. But maybe it wouldn't have made a difference in the end because from my understanding pod school is still very tough.

 

[DO2015CA]

I chose it because my stats are weak and I had no confidence in myself to apply MD or DO so I applied to a handful of schools very late in the cycle. I also wanted to practice family medicine, so I thought that if I went to a Caribbean school and passed I would have a decent chance at matching somewhere.



I don't know. I have always considered podiatry even back during undergrad. I think maybe I was scared I would end up in a field I wouldn't be passionate for but I wish I would have applied and went that route. But maybe it wouldn't have made a difference in the end because from my understanding pod school is still very tough.

Ok but Carib school is just as hard material wise but then more difficult from an academic support/living in a new country/fearful of being kicked out if you fail standpoint. So was it the worry of being rejected on the front end? Because the real fear should be the completion of the program and matching.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I chose it because my stats are weak and I had no confidence in myself to apply MD or DO so I applied to a handful of schools very late in the cycle. I also wanted to practice family medicine, so I thought that if I went to a Caribbean school and passed I would have a decent chance at matching somewhere. ...

I don't know. I have always considered podiatry even back during undergrad. I think maybe I was scared I would end up in a field I wouldn't be passionate for but I wish I would have applied and went that route. But maybe it wouldn't have made a difference in the end because from my understanding pod school is still very tough.

How much did you sign off in loans that should be paid back? How much did you spend on applications and travel?

This is a costly way to decide on a career direction, and it's getting more expensive with each detour you are now taking. Or at least if you still cannot articulate why you chose not to go down a specific path.

Do the SMP. Find faculty and career advisors who provide supportive but realistic advice to you. You're buying a team of personal trainers who need to help you get into "med school shape," unafraid to give you hard advice. If you can't do that, drop healthcare as a professional career.