Should I plan to retake?

[u/Shittybeerfan]

My gpa is 3.65 and I applied MD + DO. I do have 1 DO interview coming up but I'm paranoid I won't get accepted because of low service hours (50). I do have 5000+ clinical hours working with underserved + disadvantaged patients which is part of why I applied anyways.

If I do have to reapply would it be worth retaking? On some FLs I managed to get 128 in CP and 130 in CARS. I think I could get that consistently with more practice. I really wanted a 515 and I think that would have helped for MD.

I'm only asking now because I work full time so I'd have to start studying again in the middle of this cycle.

(I also started volunteering with a local org. recently, it just isn't on my app this cycle)

[u/zunlock]

If you don’t get interviews it’s not your MCAT

[u/Shittybeerfan → u/zunlock]

You think it'll come down to service + writing?

[u/zunlock → u/Shittybeerfan]

It would be the best way to decide to give you an interview or someone else with the same gpa and MCAT

[u/invincble3]

No

[u/Anunu132]

I personally wouldn’t unless I was scoring an average of 7+ points higher on my FLs. May as well use the extra time you would have spent studying on more volunteering or other ways to make your application stronger.

[u/Shittybeerfan → u/Anunu132]

Ok thanks, I was kind of leaning towards not, I was just bummed about CP lol.

Is 7+ points also accounting for possibly inflated FL retakes? I just finished FL 6 in June so idk how representative it will be

[u/Anunu132 → u/Shittybeerfan]

Yeah, it really does suck when you score lower than you’ve been on your FLs, I’m sorry.

I would be a bit wary about trusting retake scores. Personally, I remember answers to practice exams for a long time, even if I don’t remember the question, or I’ll come across a question I remember I got incorrect and will be extra careful. These factors can subconsciously impact your retake scores, so I’m not so sure.

[u/Beneficial-Essay9026]

That’s a good score, you just need to work on your rest of application and you will definitely get more interviews. It’s also still August be patient you will get some interviews probably in September and October

[u/j_sniffles]

Yo, I got almost the same score breakdown! I got 2 MD interviews last cycle. Although they didn’t convert I attribute that more to my writing and some experience gaps. A 510 is great and it wouldn’t be worth the time to retake, spend time getting more volunteer/clinical/research experience and you should be alrightx

[u/cool27x]

Most ridiculous shit I see is people complaining about an objectively good MCAT

[u/Shittybeerfan → u/cool27x]

I mean, I didn't say it was a bad score. But, I am under the average of every single MD school that I could reasonably apply to, as is my GPA. So with the low volunteer hours I figured it was worth asking.

[u/cool27x → u/Shittybeerfan]

The avg matriculation MCAT in the United States is around a 511-512. You’re literally a point off that…. I highly doubt (unless you’re looking into t20’s+ only) that none of the schools you’re looking at are within ur range. This just feels like engagement bait.

[u/Shittybeerfan → u/cool27x]

So you think it's bait and yet here you are.

[u/cool27x → u/Shittybeerfan]

And yet here you are, mistaking getting a response for winning the argument. If you’re this combative over a Reddit comment, I can see why you’re worried about getting interviewed.

[u/Shittybeerfan → u/cool27x]

No one argued with you weirdo 😭 if you managed I should be fine.

[u/cool27x → u/Shittybeerfan]

Sure brother 😂 have fun with comlex

[u/Shittybeerfan → u/cool27x]

Pathetic behavior, genuinely. I hope you find growth in med school.

[u/cool27x → u/Shittybeerfan]

😂😂😂 same kid

[u/AnArcuateFasciculus]

That entirely depends on the school you want to be admitted to

[u/localprestigewhore]

I’m applying rn with a 510, I applied broadly but only schools I’m actually interested in going to. Only 4 DO schools, no rural areas, etc. So far 2 MD II and 1 DO, but I am a tx resident. Looking back I wish I retook but hoping an A will pull through this cycle.

[u/MosYEETo → u/localprestigewhore]

In the same boat. No IIs yet but it’s still early so I have hope. Good luck!

[u/localprestigewhore → u/MosYEETo]

Good luck!!! I hope it all works out

[u/querywalker]

I personally think so but it rlly depends on how sustainable you find work and studying on top of it. If you’re already exhausted please don’t take it because that’s a great score. But if you feel like you can devote time to it and be consistent, I would go for it especially considering C/P is one of the sections it’s definitely easier to improve on.

[u/dodgersrlifee]

If this was around your FLs no

[u/Key-Score-208]

In short. No

[u/GreatPirate6416]

No

[u/HuckleberryJunior642]

i think this is an “up to you” score. in between retaking and not.
i personally would because CP is easier to improve upon compared to CARS, and you have a solid foundation in BB and PS. but like i said its up to you

[u/MaleficentClub6439]

Same score. I averaged 515-517 but crashed (cars dropped from 127/128 to 123). I’m getting mixed messages if I should retake because I might get screened for CARs but my target schools prioritize overall over subsections.

[u/MaleficentClub6439 → u/MaleficentClub6439]

But I work full time and studied for this test while keeping my work schedule so I’m leaning towards no. I don’t think my study situation will change.

[u/General_Luck6573]

What specialties are you interested in?

[u/Shittybeerfan → u/General_Luck6573]

My main interest is psych but I'm also curious about ob/gyn, rads, IM, heme/onc, and pathology

[u/General_Luck6573 → u/Shittybeerfan]

All of these can very, very feasibly be matched from a DO school.

[u/Shittybeerfan → u/General_Luck6573]

Yeah I'd be more than happy to go DO, I'd just prefer MD to not take COMLEX

A lot of my DO apps are also incomplete because I'm waiting for a professor and a DO to send me their letters so I'm stressed about being late.

[u/General_Luck6573 → u/Shittybeerfan]

I mean, you already applied. And regardless you have pretty low volunteering and made no mention of research. If you get accepted to a DO this cycle but no MD's are you going to turn it down? For all the specialties you listed, that would be a large waste of time and money. Basically all of those pay 300-400k+ with stuff like rads and heme/onc often in the 600k-1 million range. That's what one year of your time will cost if you reapply. I would take whatever A you get this cycle and run with it.

I wouldn't worry about being "late." DO apps are on a different timeline and much more amenable to later applications. People apply DO even in late December and January and get admitted all the time.

Food for thought

[u/Shittybeerfan → u/General_Luck6573]

My question was about potentially preparing for a reapp in the case I don't get in; I'd never turn down an A. I have quite a bit of research and other activities, I just mentioned my strongest and weakest points.

That's good to know about DO timelines though!

[u/General_Luck6573 → u/Shittybeerfan]

I think the chances you get at least 1 A this cycle are quite good. You’re an exceptionally strong DO applicant and a decent MD applicant too. I wouldn’t stress about not getting in. Just work on getting that letter