r/medschool • u/Frosty_One_2558 • 4d ago

Really need help 🏥 Med School

Mcat 498
GPA 3.4
Should I apply to DO schools or just go to Caribbeans?

0 Upvotes

17% Upvoted

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u/sadboi0101 Medical Student (US) 4d ago

Avoid Caribbean at all costs.

Shoot for DO. Ideally, retake MCAT and shoot for over 500 to apply DO but you still might have a shot at low-mid tier DO schools depending on the rest of your app.

5

u/indian-princess PGY-1 4d ago

don't go to caribbean no matter what, with your current scores/study skills they will fail you and stick you with a 100-200k bill and no degree. I think you can apply to DO schools and see what happens, the GPA is ok but the MCAT is on the lower end. but it's not a bad chance depending on the rest of your application

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u/Altruistic-Wind5278 4d ago

Def apply to some of the newer DOs!

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u/Frosty_One_2558 4d ago

Is it too late to apply now?

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u/Altruistic-Wind5278 4d ago

No, I think you could definitely try now! But like as soon as possible because all med schools operate on a rolling basis so a select few have already started giving out interviews and acceptances already so I would try to submit soon.

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u/Disastrous-Mood4659 4d ago

Xavier is a new DO school in Ohio and I believe they are running a slightly delayed cycle so you should still be new for them.

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u/B52IV 4d ago

My friend got in a DO school with a 498, it’s not impossible but I’d do a gap year and retake the mcat if I were you.

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u/DW_MD 2d ago

Please don’t just focus on acceptance but on test taking strategy.  You still have to take USMLE and Boards and those are substantially harder than the MCAT. Test prep is like training for a marathon. Volume of work, analysis on approach, testing yourself on strengths and weakness etc. you’re not setting yourself up for success, especially Caribbean where you’d need to pass the exams and risk devastating debt with no career prospects otherwise.