I was deathly ill when I took the MCAT in July, so I didn't really do the best I could have (finished fairly early so I could go throw up....you get the idea). Now it's mid-August, and I'd really like to get my applications in, but I'm not sure I'm going to get into my top schools with my scores.

My GPA is pretty high...around 3.8s for cum, sci, and non-sci. I've done a semester of volunteering at a hospital, and I'm secretary of a diversity club on campus. I also fall into the category of "underrepresented minorities". I got A+s in ochem both semesters and an A in biochem.

Do you guys think there's any chance I'll get into UCSF or UCDavis with my scores? (I'm out of state....) Should I apply and then retake the MCATs (now that I've re-forgotten physics)?

By the way, my score break down was 10 VR, 9 BS, 9 PS.

what state are you from?
i think the mcat score and out of state is a double whammy for you with the UCs
do you have to get into your top choices? i think a 27, 3.8 is extremely doable at other private schools.

I'm sorry you were so ill on such an important day. At least you were still able to pull off a 27. I agree with halekulani. A moderating factor for all schools when one of the stats is askew is the extracurricular activities you put on the Primary application. Why don't you tell us about them. What are your not-in-California choices? If your ECs are below average also, consider retaking next year and building up your ECs. If they are great, consider retaking the MCAT in September, and if you do well, you could still achieve your dream school this cycle, though your application would be considered "late".

Getting into my top schools is extremely important to me. My boyfriend of 3 years is attending UCBerkeley this fall and, of course, I'd like to stay as close to him as possible (if I end up in CA we're going to get engaged).

I'm from Illinois, so I'll also be applying to the Illinois schools.

My ECs are pretty good. Choir for 2 years (no, it's not volunteer or anything, but it IS a big time commitment and something that's also very important to me). Secretary of a diversity club for 2 years (going on three) where I've organized a lot of events including a very successful Bone Marrow Registration Event (and the Marrow Registry people are willing to write me a letter). One semester volunteering in a hospital (and continuing this year...couldn't do any volunteering before due to a funky schedule). During the summer I visit with a lot of the older people in our community, take them dinner a few times a week, and help them out with stuff around the house.

By the way, my MCAT was 28, and I must have mis-typed it last night when I was freaking out....

You have to be instate if you to be accepted to UCD or UCI.

there's a very low chance for UCSF, I've heard in the past that getting into cali schools out of state is the hardest (considering you have to offer the school more than ca residents ) which implies you'll have to either get higher than a 3.8 AND a 36+ mcat plus all the amazing ecs their students usually bring.

You'll have better luck with Stanford which isn't too far from UCSF, but Stanford is a super research school, but obviously Stanford avg numbers are around the same as UCSF.


Have you considered USC.

I know one student who got into harvard and didn't bother to apply to UCSF as she knew there was just a small chance as an OOS.

hi,

i got a 28 with my low verbal score of 7. but then i got an "R" on writing. does that somehow adjust the scale? also if you take MCAT a second time, and notch up the scores in some, can you add the best numbers to get the highest score?

since i shall have over 3 years of research experience by 2009, and 2 first authors in scientific journals, are those going to assist in my mstp pursuit? what schools do you think i should look into? as per my extracurriculars, i was on my college soccer team, and community development society.

thanks. :)