What to do?

[blazercon]

Hello everyone,

So after having taken the MCAT and failed each time after 3 attempts (<500 each attempt), I figured that my chances of getting into a DO here in the US are pretty much slim to none. My parents have suggested I try going to the University of Medicine and Health Sciences in the Caribbean but am not so sure about it, having read the bad experiences of going to med school down there. I have also considered switching to PA and just going from there.



What would you say I should do in this situation? Any advice/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

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[gyngyn]

I cannot recommend the Caribbean for applicants with multiple unfortunate MCAT results.
The odds that this school will be able to bring you up to speed is apparently quite small. They will will not supply verifiable outcomes for their matriculants. That should tell you something.

 

[blazercon]

I cannot recommend the Caribbean for applicants with multiple unfortunate MCAT results.
The odds that this school will be able to bring you up to speed is apparently quite small. They will will not supply verifiable outcomes for their matriculants. That should tell you something.

Yeah I've heard nothing but bad experiences going there and know it's a big gamble especially with the USMLE and residency. Would it be wise to just switch to PA instead and work hard into getting in there or studying for a 4th MCAT attempt?

 

[Gurby]

 

[gyngyn]

Yeah I've heard nothing but bad experiences going there and know it's a big gamble especially with the USMLE and residency. Would it be wise to just switch to PA instead and work hard into getting in there or studying for a 4th MCAT attempt?

Get a consult from a Learning Specialist and identify a way to address your issue. Another MCAT attempt would be in order if you can hit a good score on a pre-test eval.
Even if you didn't, you would have done everything possible before switching gears.

 

[mcat_taker]

Hello everyone,

So after having taken the MCAT and failed each time after 3 attempts (<500 each attempt), I figured that my chances of getting into a DO here in the US are pretty much slim to none. My parents have suggested I try going to the University of Medicine and Health Sciences in the Caribbean but am not so sure about it, having read the bad experiences of going to med school down there. I have also considered switching to PA and just going from there.



What would you say I should do in this situation? Any advice/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

The tests only get harder. If you really want to still do medicine focus on figuring out why you are doing poorly on the MCAT. It may take a few dedicated months of doing nothing but studying for it no job or anything else. Maybe get a tutor. Sub 500 scores don't bode well for future success at the next level due to the large volume of information coming your way with complex board exams required for advancement. Standardized tests are part of life in med school. Gotta show you can handle the MCAT first.

 

[Splenda88]

I would try a 4th time...

 

[Goro]

Hello everyone,

So after having taken the MCAT and failed each time after 3 attempts (<500 each attempt), I figured that my chances of getting into a DO here in the US are pretty much slim to none. My parents have suggested I try going to the University of Medicine and Health Sciences in the Caribbean but am not so sure about it, having read the bad experiences of going to med school down there. I have also considered switching to PA and just going from there.



What would you say I should do in this situation? Any advice/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

This is a good way never to be a doctor. Your're the high risk student that carib schools base their business models on.

Multiple score < 500 tell me two things.

1) You're hit your plateau and are unlikely to improve
(UNLESS you have test taking anxiety issues. Those are fixable).
2) Even if you get into med school, you're are higher risk for failing out and/or failing Boards.

As such, it's time for Plan B.

 

[Raney Schauer]

Hello everyone,

So after having taken the MCAT and failed each time after 3 attempts (<500 each attempt), I figured that my chances of getting into a DO here in the US are pretty much slim to none. My parents have suggested I try going to the University of Medicine and Health Sciences in the Caribbean but am not so sure about it, having read the bad experiences of going to med school down there. I have also considered switching to PA and just going from there.

What would you say I should do in this situation? Any advice/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Hold up. What do your parents know about going to a Caribbean medical school? If they knew anything then why IN THE WORLD are they suggesting you go anywhere than at least one of the Top 4 (SGU, Ross, AUC, Saba)? Run the F away from any school that isn't one of these four schools. Secondly, if you're

If you're doing this just t make mommy and daddy happy you're going to be miserable for far longer than they'll be alive so you had better start to think for yourself, the time to start doing that is right now.

Unless they're paying for it in cash and you don't care. Otherwise the debt is an anchor that will be around your neck for the better part of your life.

And oh by the way It's just as hard to get into PA school as it is to get into med school, and some have clinical experience requirements design to freeze out anyone who hasn't been an RN/BSN for a few years (or equivalent). So, the "I'll just go to PA school" is the wrong attitude. You probably won't get in there either just on your MCAT score.

 

[Medic741]

Yeah I've heard nothing but bad experiences going there and know it's a big gamble especially with the USMLE and residency. Would it be wise to just switch to PA instead and work hard into getting in there or studying for a 4th MCAT attempt?

Yes! PA’s and NP’s seriously have the best deal. Salaries >100k, 3 years training, no residency, ability to choose specialties at whim and all that without setting your 20’s on fire.

A realistic alternative is BSN > NP with a low MCAT.
-M2

 

[mmag]

Agree with above. Do a Direct Entry MSN or DNP program takes about 2-3 years. Lots more MSN programs to chose for and then you get an get a DNP online while you are working full time as a NP. Once you have a DNP, you can call yourself Doctor Blazercon. Don't have to worry about matching for residency and you can practice unsupervised in most states. It's the biggest loophole around.

Direct Entry DNP - Doctor of Nursing Practice - Pathways to Entry - Connell School of Nursing - Boston College

 

[GypsyHummus]

Could always look into Podiatry.