MD Slowly increasing MCAT score

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My friend just got a 28(9/9/10) on his 3rd attempt at the MCAT. His other 2 attempts yielded him a 22 and 24 with low verbal subscores in particular. To make a long story short, his GPA and EC's are more than acceptable. The MCAT is his weak link. Does he have a realistic chance at an acceptance at an allopathic school? Would his chances increase if he took the MCAT still a 4th time, or is he "beating a dead horse" in the allopathic world?

Originally Posted by cgk

My friend just got a 28(9/9/10) on his 3rd attempt at the MCAT. His other 2 attempts yielded him a 22 and 24 with low verbal subscores in particular. To make a long story short, his GPA and EC's are more than acceptable. The MCAT is his weak link. Does he have a realistic chance at an acceptance at an allopathic school? Would his chances increase if he took the MCAT still a 4th time, or is he "beating a dead horse" in the allopathic world?

I would say very limited. The 22 and 24 won't magically disappear from his application, especially considering the fact that even his 28 is still not up to snuff for most US MD schools.

Originally Posted by darkjedi

I would say very limited. The 22 and 24 won't magically disappear from his application, especially considering the fact that even his 28 is still not up to snuff for most US MD schools.

I am a NJ resident. Are there any schools in specific that you suggest I should include in my list, in the hopes that I might be considered for at least an interview?

Originally Posted by darkjedi

I would say very limited. The 22 and 24 won't magically disappear from his application, especially considering the fact that even his 28 is still not up to snuff for most US MD schools.

Disagree. SDN has the habit of making people think they're without hope when a 28 mcat, while definitely not the most respectable, also won't keep you out of all AO schools. Some of the higher tier ones, yeah you've got no chance, so don't bother, just apply early and cast a wide net and see what happens.

Originally Posted by Sandstorm

Disagree. SDN has the habit of making people think they're without hope when a 28 mcat, while definitely not the most respectable, also won't keep you out of all AO schools. Some of the higher tier ones, yeah you've got no chance, so don't bother, just apply early and cast a wide net and see what happens.

any specific allopathic schools that should be included in the list?

Originally Posted by cgk

any specific allopathic schools that should be included in the list?

State schools for sure. Like your state. Then research the rest :-x

Originally Posted by Sandstorm

Disagree. SDN has the habit of making people think they're without hope when a 28 mcat, while definitely not the most respectable, also won't keep you out of all AO schools. Some of the higher tier ones, yeah you've got no chance, so don't bother, just apply early and cast a wide net and see what happens.

You are right, I have seen quite a number of people with 28's get into medical school. I was only talking about the context of his first two exams.

Originally Posted by cgk

I am a NJ resident. Are there any schools in specific that you suggest I should include in my list, in the hopes that I might be considered for at least an interview?

Unfortunately the UMDNJ's are very competitive for an in-state school, their medians are around 31-33.

If you are open to DO, I do believe UMDNJ has a DO school as well however.

Originally Posted by darkjedi

You are right, I have seen quite a number of people with 28's get into medical school. I was only talking about the context of his first two exams.




Unfortunately the UMDNJ's are very competitive for an in-state school, their medians are around 31-33.

If you are open to DO, I do believe UMDNJ has a DO school as well however.

Definitely agree with you regarding the DO schools. At the very minimum apply as a fall back.

Disclaimer: there have been tons of threads regarding the advantages of DO vs AO, so research those, in no way am I endorsing one over the other...simply saying the grades necessary to get DO are less than that for AO.

Originally Posted by cgk

My friend just got a 28(9/9/10) on his 3rd attempt at the MCAT. His other 2 attempts yielded him a 22 and 24 with low verbal subscores in particular. To make a long story short, his GPA and EC's are more than acceptable. The MCAT is his weak link. Does he have a realistic chance at an acceptance at an allopathic school? Would his chances increase if he took the MCAT still a 4th time, or is he "beating a dead horse" in the allopathic world?

would my friend be better off applying to allopathic schools this cycle with his MCAT history as is, or to retake the MCAT still a 4th time, in the hopes of getting a 30, and apply next year?

okay cut the crap. this isn't about your "friend." in your second post you specifically said 'so that i may be considered for an interview.'



you need to make your decision quickly because verification is taking forever and if you keep waiting your primary won't be verified until September. apply to your state schools and DO.

Does your friend have the same home state that you do? Can you give the EC details?

Originally Posted by 1289

okay cut the crap. this isn't about your "friend." in your second post you specifically said 'so that i may be considered for an interview.'



you need to make your decision quickly because verification is taking forever and if you keep waiting your primary won't be verified until September. apply to your state schools and DO.

Just to clarify, it really is for a friend. It was "just a force of habit" when writing quickly. As mentioned by someone above, his state schools(NJ) have MCAT medians of 31-33. He really doesn't want to apply DO. So the question stands, whether he should retake next year and apply or just go with the scores, as is, and apply this year?

a median is just that: the middle. half of all matriculants had an mcat below that. assuming the ECs are strong, yes apply to the state schools and DO, and DO IT QUICKLY.

Originally Posted by cgk

My friend just got a 28(9/9/10) on his 3rd attempt at the MCAT. His other 2 attempts yielded him a 22 and 24 with low verbal subscores in particular. To make a long story short, his GPA and EC's are more than acceptable. The MCAT is his weak link. Does he have a realistic chance at an acceptance at an allopathic school? Would his chances increase if he took the MCAT still a 4th time, or is he "beating a dead horse" in the allopathic world?

ehhhh, the MCAT is only one piece of the picture. Tell him to consider DO. A 28 will more likely than not yield a disappointing cycle if he only goes for MD. If he wants to go MD, telll "him" (or you) to become a MD caliber applicant.

So the question stands, whether he should retake next year and apply or just go with the scores, as is, and apply this year?

I agree with 1289. He should go ahead and apply.

Schools within range for stats of 4.0/28 to give consideration:

UKentucky, UWisc, Rush, Virginia Tech (newer, research focus), Temple, Albany, GWU,
Toledo, Wake, Creighton (unfriendly to CC credit?), Nebraska, LSU-NO, NYMC, Vermont, Hofstra (newer)
Wayne, Wright, Drexel, FAU (new), Tulane, MSU (high OOS tuition), Oakland (newer in MI), Penn State (requires a research thesis), Commonwealth in Pa (seeks to train rural NE PA docs), Arizona X 2,
VCU, Louisville, UIllinois (high OOS tuition), Buffalo,
EVMS, RFU, Cooper (new)

Originally Posted by Catalystik

Schools within range for stats of 4.0/28 to give consideration:

UKentucky, UWisc, Rush, Virginia Tech (newer, research focus), Temple, Albany, GWU,
Toledo, Wake, Creighton (unfriendly to CC credit?), Nebraska, LSU-NO, NYMC, Vermont, Hofstra (newer)
Wayne, Wright, Drexel, FAU (new), Tulane, MSU (high OOS tuition), Oakland (newer in MI), Penn State (requires a research thesis), Commonwealth in Pa (seeks to train rural NE PA docs), Arizona X 2,
VCU, Louisville, UIllinois (high OOS tuition), Buffalo,
EVMS, RFU, Cooper (new)

Just a heads up for future ref. Kentucky rejected me pre-secondary for not having ties to the state and being under a 32

Originally Posted by Holy FranZ

Just a heads up for future ref. Kentucky rejected me pre-secondary for not having ties to the state and being under a 32

Thanks. I made a note of it.