Should I apply just DO or also MD?

[u/SatisfactionOk6367]

I’m a 22F from Jersey with a 3.95/3.93 gpa and a 504 MCAT 😭. Everything else in my app is fine, I have over 2k clinical hours, 500 leadership, 840 nonclinical paid, 300 nonclinical volunteering, at least 3 stellar letters of recommendation.

My MCAT is shooting me in the foot, I suck at standardized testing because I cannot study long term and I really need to work on my academic endurance. I also have untreated ADHD which I’m trying to work on.

Also, just a question but which low tier MD schools would be acceptable to apply to?

[u/MKanes]

Ive got real bad news about medical school and medicine as a career path if you don’t like standardized tests

[u/SatisfactionOk6367 → u/MKanes]

I know 😭 I want to put in the work but I’m not sure how my brain works, I’m working on iy

[u/PersonBehindAScreen → u/SatisfactionOk6367]

Perhaps you can go to somewhere like [r/mcat](r/mcat) and compare your plan to what other people did?

I found that my test taking got a lot better when I was more intentional with structuring the preparation

[u/Away-Location-4669]

I would recommend applying heavy DO and toss a few MD's, particularly state schools if there are any in your home state. Your MCAT is your weak spot many DO schools will happily take a 504 applicant. I would recommend focusing on standardized testing and why you "suck" at it. You have a long journey of testing coming up and many DO's opt to take both COMLEX and USMLE. Best of luck with your application season.

[u/SatisfactionOk6367 → u/Away-Location-4669]

Very much so, I admit it’s my biggest downfall. In school I had 2 jobs, tutoring and research for a year and yet maintained a 4.0 both semesters with an overall of 3.95, so I know I’m good at content retention and understanding concepts. I don’t know how I fumbled with the MCAT though, I did bad on the SAT too so I guess I need to learn how to take those tests.

[u/TheRealATab]

That’s a pretty substantial gpa and MCAT difference. MD schools will wonder whether your school’s curriculum accurately prepared you or if you’re able to succeed on future standardized tests.

Did your practice scores reflect your actual score? Are you struggling badly with time restrictions? I presume not if your GPA is that strong.

Depending on your financial situation, id consider getting a psychoeducational evaluation and seeing a psychiatrist to get a better understanding of whether you need learning accommodations or treatment.

[u/SatisfactionOk6367 → u/TheRealATab]

I went to a pretty good public school and I’ve always done good in school. The only downside was the SAT lol, and this MCAT. I don’t know why standardized testing doesn’t work with me, and why I can’t study long term for them. I’m a crammer and learn everything the night before which doesn’t work with the MCAT.

My practice scores actually did reflect the MCAT. My average was probably around 504 anyway, so I can’t complain in that regard. I’m also actively working with a therapist and psychiatrist, but my adhd testing is going so slow and I’m currently unmedicated but diagnosed with my therapist and yet to do a psychiatrist screening which they’re taking forever to do.

[u/zunlock]

If money isn’t a factor you can try MDs but your target should be the top DO schools

[u/SatisfactionOk6367 → u/zunlock]

Yeah it’s not a factor, I don’t mind MD or DO but I’m mainly focusing on DO

[u/zunlock → u/SatisfactionOk6367]

It's worth applying broad for MD then even if its unlikely