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- Nov 26, 2012
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Hi guys, I made a thread about this a few months ago. But just wanted some fresh input as I am about to make a big decision as to whether to sign up for a MCAT prep class or not. I am graduating in May, have a 3.9 GPA and science--but I only got a 28 on the MCAT. I was averaging 30-33 on the last 6 practice tests --so I was crushed by this score. The breakdown was 9PS/10VR/9BS. In recollect I should have waited until this spring/summer to take as I didn't have orgo 2 or biochem--and rushed to avoid 2015 MCAT. Big mistake on my part I now feel, but what is done is done. And I would have been happy if I scored what I was getting on the practice tests, but that didn't happen. Yikes. I am applying in June, going through school committee now.
I am at a cross road where I must decide now if I will register for an MCAT prep class and take in late June. I would submit my app to one school on June 1st so it got verified and my scores would be released at the end of July if I retook. Is this bad, too late? I already have a gap year as I graduate in May, thus I am really off put by the idea of taking another year off to wait and apply until next year --as that will be two years of me just working part time dead end jobs (blah) and volunteering (which is cool). I guess I am asking for some serious input from you guys on what you would do if you were me. I was hoping to go MD as I have never shadowed DO's--and feel it is wrong of me to apply to DO just cause my MCAT is crap as I haven't even taken time to shadow them. Not that I wouldn't shadow them--just haven't had opportunity to shadow DO unfortunately. I have what I consider significant ec's and a good story--but realize this will only get me so far with this MCAT hanging over me.
My ec's /experiences:
-1 year biochem research
-1 year research at ivy --with strong letter from PI who is well known throughout country
-face aids treasurer
-habitat for humanity volunteer
-pre-med group treasurer
-starting exercise testing/prescription program at free clinic in impoverished urban area 2 years ago and still am active with it today. Patients come to see me for an exercise prescription from the clinic based on what I perceive their fitness level. I really love doing this. Have probably 200 hours of clinical experience at this clinic running my program and just volunteering over the past 2 years. This is relevant as I am exercise science/bio double major.
-shadowed neurologist at level 1 trauma in neurocritical care -50 hours
-shadowed EM doc at level 1 trauma center-50 hours
-so yeah to reiterate 3.9 gap's but 28 MCAT. 9ps/10VR/9BS
I am a white male as I am sure this matters. However, I have extensive volunteering in underserved areas and populations and would like to continue this somehow as a physician. I am drawn to this as I have grown up in an impoverished household. So poor I basically go to school for free, with grants and financial aid. I was raised by a single mom with bipolar type I. She has been hospitalized about 15 times over my childhood. This was tough, but I grew to actually like the hospital and going to visit her (kinda weird ik). I am a first generation college student. Anyways I would appreciate any guidance you guys can give me with my situation as to retake the MCAT or not. The first time I tried to prep on my own with no class, and realize now I probably spend too much time on content review and not enough doing passages. But what if my MCAT with the new test doesnt even change negligibly or somehow gets worse? I am scared of this as there is no real good prep for this test and AAMC is only releasing 1 test for the 2015 exam. Yikes. Table 25 of AAMC says I have 61% chance of admission with my GPA and MCAT; however, I feel that is inflated by people with state schools like texas and florida. I have no state school. Thanks guys for all input and your time!
I am at a cross road where I must decide now if I will register for an MCAT prep class and take in late June. I would submit my app to one school on June 1st so it got verified and my scores would be released at the end of July if I retook. Is this bad, too late? I already have a gap year as I graduate in May, thus I am really off put by the idea of taking another year off to wait and apply until next year --as that will be two years of me just working part time dead end jobs (blah) and volunteering (which is cool). I guess I am asking for some serious input from you guys on what you would do if you were me. I was hoping to go MD as I have never shadowed DO's--and feel it is wrong of me to apply to DO just cause my MCAT is crap as I haven't even taken time to shadow them. Not that I wouldn't shadow them--just haven't had opportunity to shadow DO unfortunately. I have what I consider significant ec's and a good story--but realize this will only get me so far with this MCAT hanging over me.
My ec's /experiences:
-1 year biochem research
-1 year research at ivy --with strong letter from PI who is well known throughout country
-face aids treasurer
-habitat for humanity volunteer
-pre-med group treasurer
-starting exercise testing/prescription program at free clinic in impoverished urban area 2 years ago and still am active with it today. Patients come to see me for an exercise prescription from the clinic based on what I perceive their fitness level. I really love doing this. Have probably 200 hours of clinical experience at this clinic running my program and just volunteering over the past 2 years. This is relevant as I am exercise science/bio double major.
-shadowed neurologist at level 1 trauma in neurocritical care -50 hours
-shadowed EM doc at level 1 trauma center-50 hours
-so yeah to reiterate 3.9 gap's but 28 MCAT. 9ps/10VR/9BS
I am a white male as I am sure this matters. However, I have extensive volunteering in underserved areas and populations and would like to continue this somehow as a physician. I am drawn to this as I have grown up in an impoverished household. So poor I basically go to school for free, with grants and financial aid. I was raised by a single mom with bipolar type I. She has been hospitalized about 15 times over my childhood. This was tough, but I grew to actually like the hospital and going to visit her (kinda weird ik). I am a first generation college student. Anyways I would appreciate any guidance you guys can give me with my situation as to retake the MCAT or not. The first time I tried to prep on my own with no class, and realize now I probably spend too much time on content review and not enough doing passages. But what if my MCAT with the new test doesnt even change negligibly or somehow gets worse? I am scared of this as there is no real good prep for this test and AAMC is only releasing 1 test for the 2015 exam. Yikes. Table 25 of AAMC says I have 61% chance of admission with my GPA and MCAT; however, I feel that is inflated by people with state schools like texas and florida. I have no state school. Thanks guys for all input and your time!
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