Going crazy

[ksp2276]

I JUST finished all of my secondaries. I applied to 13 schools and am a little worried. I have a 3.61 gpa 3.45 science and 3.87 non science. I have outstanding rec, and a lot of clinical experience.I however only have a 23M mcat Is there any chance ill even be considered for an interview let alone an acceptance?

[Dr Oops]

Originally Posted by ksp2276

I JUST finished all of my secondaries. I applied to 13 schools and am a little worried. I have a 3.61 gpa 3.45 science and 3.87 non science. I have outstanding rec, and a lot of clinical experience.I however only have a 23M mcat Is there any chance ill even be considered for an interview let alone an acceptance?

Its possible, but not very likely, the rest of your stats are good, you should seriously reconsider taking the MCAT again.

Are there people with 23's who have gotten in? yes, but its rare.

Dont let one test hold you back.

[trauma12]

It really just depends on how strong the other components of your application are. Some schools have an average MCAT of 24, others are higher. Just work hard and hope for the best!

[VCU07]

Originally Posted by ksp2276

I JUST finished all of my secondaries. I applied to 13 schools and am a little worried. I have a 3.61 gpa 3.45 science and 3.87 non science. I have outstanding rec, and a lot of clinical experience.I however only have a 23M mcat Is there any chance ill even be considered for an interview let alone an acceptance?

I am actually in the exact same situation as you...same MCAT and basically everything else is identical, except I have a PharmD. I have yet to receive an interview invite....got a preinterview hold, rejection, and haven't heard from any of the other schools. It's really sad, but it really is all about the numbers. We, unfortunately, will not make the cutoff for many schools for MCAT and will get automatically rejected. I am a nontrad and the last thing I want to do is have to reapply, which is looking like the most obvious thing at this point. Sill, never lose hope b/c you never know. I wish schools would look at an applicants whole profile w/o automatically rejecting them, but with so many applicants we just won't make the cut.

[scummie]

Don't give up all hope just yet. There is a January MCAT and if you want, you can study for it and retake it in January. That seems to be the only lacking part of your application, but then again there are outliers. YMMV.

[nikon]

What has nontrad to do with avoiding reapply?

Consider retaking MCAT. Some schools will accept January score.

Originally Posted by VCU07

I am a nontrad and the last thing I want to do is have to reapply, which is looking like the most obvious thing at this point. Sill, never lose hope b/c you never know. I wish schools would look at an applicants whole profile w/o automatically rejecting them, but with so many applicants we just won't make the cut.

[Emerald84]

I was in the same boat. I had a 23 and was advised by several schools to retake. Got a 28 on my retake and got interview invites right away. It's really worth the investment. Hooray for Exam Krackers!!

[missDO]

I don't think it's necessarily rare for people with a 23 MCAT to get into osteopathic medical school. Of course, I am biased because I am one of those accepted with a 23P However, from what I've read on SDN and from those accepted who I have spoken to--it is definitely not unheard of, nor do I personally think it can be categorized as a rare occurrence. Differentiate yourself some more from other applicants. Do some research on your top schools. Send in sincere "letters of interest" expressing your connection to the state/school/mission statement and why you think you would make an excellent addition to their student body. Going the extra mile is what makes the difference, not necessarily, for example, a 26-28 over a 22-24 MCAT. It's only a few points and from my experience, DO adcoms tend to give more weight to the well-roundedness of an applicant and will often "overlook" or "forgive" lower numerical properties of an application.

Hope that helps...good luck!

[ddiaz4]

Man dont worry about it you'll be fine! Most schools have about a 24 avg MCAT, for them to have that avg there has to be people accepted with scores lower as well as above and being 1 or 2 points below the average with your good GPA i dont think it will be a problem

GOOD LUCK!! C-Ya in medical school

[orchid07]

Originally Posted by ddiaz4

Man dont worry about it you'll be fine! Most schools have about a 24 avg MCAT, for them to have that avg there has to be people accepted with scores lower as well as above and being 1 or 2 points below the average with your good GPA i dont think it will be a problem

GOOD LUCK!! C-Ya in medical school

The average mcat is not 24.. its more like 27-28. So ya, 23 isnt very impressive. Retake

[scummie]

Originally Posted by orchid07

The average mcat is not 24.. its more like 27-28. So ya, 23 isnt very impressive. Retake

Retaking your MCAT is one of the easiest components to fix about an application. It's definitely not as time consuming as several semesters of post-bacc work. Shoot for an above average MCAT score. If you choose not to retake this cycle, you'll need to have a "hook" that'll compensate for this area.

[gomango]

Don't give up!!!!!

I have a 22R MCAT and my GPA is less than yours. I'm a non-trad. I have a MS in psychology, lots of work, volunteer and research experience (psychology-related though). I received 4 interview invites(PNWU, DMU, LMU, VCOM), have attended 1 so far and just received my first acceptance to PNWU today. I am from the PNW area now (grew up in Midwest), so getting the "east coast" schools to give me a look has been difficult! haha Excited to attend the other 3 interviews now! Sure I have received rejections, deference's and whatnot, but luckily my top schools gave me a shot! I have written two letters of intent, to WVSOM and PCSOM, but neither school has responded.

Keep that chin up! Thankfully DO schools look at the WHOLE person and not just a score. At my first interview there were people who scored ridiculously high on the MCAT (and have scheduled 10+ interviews), but after talking to them for 5 minutes, I would be terrified to have them as my doctor. As I'm sure you know the MCAT is just a score. It doesn't tell the whole picture!! As long as you are well-rounded then I think you will have a shot!!! Don't give up, I was really depressed after receiving my score and then reading everything here on SDN about how I had no shot in hell of even getting an interview(I didn't have the option to retake the MCAT, things just didn't work out so I could take it again)!! Thankfully I didn't listen and went ahead with my applications, just made sure my essays were outstanding and that I believed in my ability! Good luck and don't give up!! Even if you don't get in this year, just think of everything that you have learned from this application cycle.....it will be invaluable if you apply again.

[millepora]

You should have a pretty good shot, that is like someone with a 27 applying to an MD school.

[VCU07]

Originally Posted by millepora

You should have a pretty good shot, that is like someone with a 27 applying to an MD school.

You guys think I have a good shot? I will be applying late....still awaiting verification (prob. won't be verified until dec. sometime). Same MCAT as above 23N, 3.75 PharmD GPA, 3.72 undergrad GPA, shadowing, research with publication, volunteering, tons of clinical experience. I am applying to PCOM-GA as I am restricted to GA d/t financial/personal reasons. If they have rolling admissions I may be screwed

[scummie]

Originally Posted by VCU07

You guys think I have a good shot? I will be applying late....still awaiting verification (prob. won't be verified until dec. sometime). Same MCAT as above 23N, 3.75 PharmD GPA, 3.72 undergrad GPA, shadowing, research with publication, volunteering, tons of clinical experience. I am applying to PCOM-GA as I am restricted to GA d/t financial/personal reasons. If they have rolling admissions I may be screwed

I would never, ever put all my eggs in one basket. Seriously consider applying to more than one school. You never know what could happen. True, there are stories about people who applied to one school and got in, but there are countless others who didn't. It's all about numbers.

[VCU07]

Originally Posted by scummie

I would never, ever put all my eggs in one basket. Seriously consider applying to more than one school. You never know what could happen. True, there are stories about people who applied to one school and got in, but there are countless others who didn't. It's all about numbers.

I understand, but I do not have an option. I am a nontrad and my wife and I need help watching our kids for me to go back. With all our family here, we don't have much of an option, not to mention the fact that we would probably have to live with my parents for a while since my wife can't find a job in this economy. I have applied to MD schools, but my MCAT just isn't competitive enough. I think I am looking at retaking and reapplying, but I did want to give it a shot anyway.

[antapolar]

Originally Posted by VCU07

You guys think I have a good shot? I will be applying late....still awaiting verification (prob. won't be verified until dec. sometime). Same MCAT as above 23N, 3.75 PharmD GPA, 3.72 undergrad GPA, shadowing, research with publication, volunteering, tons of clinical experience. I am applying to PCOM-GA as I am restricted to GA d/t financial/personal reasons. If they have rolling admissions I may be screwed

Well, with a less desirable stats, its very dangerous to limit the amt of schools applied. And i think all the schools have rolling admissions, but its not too late yet. Many cases shown to have applied around same time as you and manage to get in. Definitely try to apply to some other schools around GA geographical region too.

[PunkmedGirl]

Originally Posted by VCU07

I understand, but I do not have an option. I am a nontrad and my wife and I need help watching our kids for me to go back. With all our family here, we don't have much of an option, not to mention the fact that we would probably have to live with my parents for a while since my wife can't find a job in this economy. I have applied to MD schools, but my MCAT just isn't competitive enough. I think I am looking at retaking and reapplying, but I did want to give it a shot anyway.

If you don't get in this time around, then definitely retake and score better on the MCAT so it will add at least two more schools on your list. And most importantly, apply early....as in the first day applications open.

Good Luck

[lawyerdoc2b]

Originally Posted by gomango

Don't give up!!!!!

I have a 22R MCAT and my GPA is less than yours. I'm a non-trad. I have a MS in psychology, lots of work, volunteer and research experience (psychology-related though). I received 4 interview invites(PNWU, DMU, LMU, VCOM), have attended 1 so far and just received my first acceptance to PNWU today. I am from the PNW area now (grew up in Midwest), so getting the "east coast" schools to give me a look has been difficult! haha Excited to attend the other 3 interviews now! Sure I have received rejections, deference's and whatnot, but luckily my top schools gave me a shot! I have written two letters of intent, to WVSOM and PCSOM, but neither school has responded.

Keep that chin up! Thankfully DO schools look at the WHOLE person and not just a score. At my first interview there were people who scored ridiculously high on the MCAT (and have scheduled 10+ interviews), but after talking to them for 5 minutes, I would be terrified to have them as my doctor. As I'm sure you know the MCAT is just a score. It doesn't tell the whole picture!! As long as you are well-rounded then I think you will have a shot!!! Don't give up, I was really depressed after receiving my score and then reading everything here on SDN about how I had no shot in hell of even getting an interview(I didn't have the option to retake the MCAT, things just didn't work out so I could take it again)!! Thankfully I didn't listen and went ahead with my applications, just made sure my essays were outstanding and that I believed in my ability! Good luck and don't give up!! Even if you don't get in this year, just think of everything that you have learned from this application cycle.....it will be invaluable if you apply again.

gomango,

I am so proud of you. Congratulations! You kept the faith and you are in. It makes the next interviews easier with an acceptance in your pocket.

[lawyerdoc2b]

Originally Posted by VCU07

I understand, but I do not have an option. I am a nontrad and my wife and I need help watching our kids for me to go back. With all our family here, we don't have much of an option, not to mention the fact that we would probably have to live with my parents for a while since my wife can't find a job in this economy. I have applied to MD schools, but my MCAT just isn't competitive enough. I think I am looking at retaking and reapplying, but I did want to give it a shot anyway.

GA PCOM has rolling admission but so far not that many applicants have been accepted. Interviews have started and I understand the pace will pick up in November and December.

I went the extra mile in making my application get noticed with a few more letters than the minimum. Send me a PM if I can help you. You have to stand out from the herd. Applications will exceed last year's 2,600 for 86 seats.

My stats were not stellar with a 21R MCAT and a 3.3 GPA. PCOM GA looked at the entire application. It is, to a point, about the numbers. But, like getting hired for a job, you must sell yourself on paper to get an interview and then sell yourself in the interview to get accepted.