Worth delaying given my stats and circumstance?

[odysseus827]

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Hi sdn, long time lurker. I find myself in a awkward spot as of recently and wanted some other opinions.

I'm scheduled to take the 5/14 exam, but I'm considering bumping it to 6/2. I've recently fractured my foot and find myself behind in classes and still have some study gaps.

I am a DIY post-bacc applicant. ~2.9uGPA BS Bio from Geneseo (both cumulative and science, STRONG upward trend 3.5s last 2 semester) 3.77 post bacc GPA having retaken both organics and both physics with their respective labs. Currently in Biochemistry.

Applying to DO programs to take advantage of grade replacement. Estimated AACOMAS gpas are ~3.2cum and ~3.3 science, perhaps a tad higher for both. (Yes, I know these numbers are low. Would really like to apply this cycle ) Current Ohio resident.

Have taken NS FLs #1-3 scoring 504,506 and 509 respectively. All sections are balanced. I feel there is a lot of room for improvement (i.e missing almost all sociology questions, enzyme kinetics, etc) but given the recent foot issue, I am behind in my Biochemistry class and my studying. I fear I'm out of time. I'd really like to hit 510+ and think I can get there with the extra time, but I don't know if its worth delaying the actual test considering my very borderline GPA. To have a chance I need to apply broadly and early, I recognize that.

If I was to move the exam, I would submit to one school to ensure everything is verified by the time 7/6 rolls around and I add on my other schools.

My ECs
*3200 paid hours working in the nations top Cardiovascular Surgery ICU as a tech (job during post-bacc)
* 1100 hours volunteer EMT-B across undergrad
* 2 years fraternity exec board from undergrad
* ~140 hours community service from undergrad(mainly Alzheimers walks, relay for life, various campus and town events)
* 1 year undergrad research inorganic chem (1 poster)
* ~50 hours habitat for humanity
* great personal statement, decent shadowing and what I'm guessing are very good LORs

Anyways, I would love some advice/opinions from people more experienced. Defiantly prefer honesty.

 

[ERDOC555]

Can't speak a whole lot to D.O. admissions as I went the MD route, but I think your extracurriculars are great, your MCAT seems to be in line with or above what D.O. schools want based on your practice exams. Obviously the GPA could use some work, but with an otherwise strong application and an upward trend I think you could have a successful cycle and get in at least somewhere.

As for moving the exam date, 2.5 weeks isn't going to be the deciding factor in admissions (at least for M.D.) Take the MCAT when you're ready and if you need the extra time because of a legitimate reason (sounds like yours is), then postpone.

 

[FourniersGreenGang]

I agree, it is better to postpone until you are ready for the MCAT. I know you would like to apply for schools this cycle, but sometimes it is better to take the extra year, I have been there before myself. It is always best to turn in your very best application, and if that means extra MCAT studying time, so be it. Given your stats and post bac performance, I believe if you get a 508 you can get in somewhere at a DO school, but get it higher by all means. Also, take solace in the knowledge that DO schools have a longer application cycle than MD schools, so your application does not absolutely need to be in on day 1 like it should be on AMCAS. If that helps your timeline at all, I would say if you get it in by mid to late July at the latest, you could possibly get some positive results. That being said, if you can get everything done by June, that would give you the best probability of success.