improved MCAT, what are my chances?

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
T

twocentnews

Resident
10+ Year Member
Joined
Mar 11, 2009
Messages
349
Reaction score
13
The first time I took the MCAT in July '10, I got a 25R (6PS 11VR 8BS). I just took it in Sept again, and this time got 28Q (10PS 10VR 8BS). A four pt. increase in PS, but one pt. drop in VR, sadly.

I applied to both MD and DO schools, but I have no real preference. I've looked into both for secondary applications. I sent my apps and was verified back in June/July, so everything is pretty much in and I sent out my MCAT scores to AACOMAS today.

Do you guys think it's getting to late to really hear from anywhere? I am a CT resident (applied to UConn, also went to undergrad there).

The DO schools I applied to: PCOM, PCOM-GA, UNECOM, NYCOM, UMDNJ, Nova, DMU, VCOM, and LECOM-E (those I remember off the top of my head).
Members don't see this ad.
 
You weren't kidding Catalystik, it is taking a really long time! I have heard from three DO schools so far; one rejection and two put me on hold. My top choice, NYCOM, hasn't said anything at all yet. The later it gets, the less I feel like I'll have a chance of getting in anywhere...

Perhaps I was too late this time around...
 
Members don't see this ad :)
Now that the winter break is coming to an end, there is likely to be another flurry of activity as admission's office staff people come back to work. I know the waiting is hard. And maybe you won't hear the news you're hoping for, but in the meantime, stay busy continuing to improve your application, for the sake of update letters (you have sent some, right?) and against the possibility you may need to reapply.
 
Catalystik said:
Now that the winter break is coming to an end, there is likely to be another flurry of activity as admission's office staff people come back to work. I know the waiting is hard. And maybe you won't hear the news you're hoping for, but in the meantime, stay busy continuing to improve your application, for the sake of update letters (you have sent some, right?) and against the possibility you may need to reapply.
Click to expand...

I sent an update email on the recent coursework I finished (along with the transcript to AACOMAS) and volunteering that I started. Should I send letters as well?
 
argh! Having to wait is awful but don't lose hope. You might still get a positive response.
 
Should I also apply to some SMP/one-year Master's as way to improve my GPA? Or should I just keep focusing on volunteering and research?

If I should consider an SMP, do you recommend any in particular that would be most helpful?
 
Last edited:
Your cGPA of 3.58 isn't a problem, so an SMP would be a waste of money (is it higher than that by now?). Your sGPA, however, is on the low side and hopefully you didn't apply with a downward grade trend. It would be less expensive to take upper-level Bio classes and Biochem, getting As of course, to raise both GPAs and show some solid consistent ability to produce great grades. You could also consider retaking any really low grade to take advantage of the AACOMAS grade replacement policy, especially if it's a prerequisite.

Your profile mentions shadowing of one specialty and clinical experience. Is the rsearch new since you applied? What about leadership, teaching, and nonmedical community service? Have you broadened the shadowing to include another specialty or two?
 
Research I began in June, so that was listed on my application when I submitted. I am about to start volunteering at a hospital again. I haven't shadowed more than one, although at my job, I have been in some clinical settings with a nephrologist, but it isn't much. I should focus more on that part of my application then, right? Look into more shadowing (though that's hard with a fulltime job unless someone would let me shadow on weekends).
 
Beefing up the ECs is always worthwhile.

Lots of docs work nights and weekends. Maybe your PM&R doc would be willing to suggest someone willing to let you shadow who is a hospitalist, ER doc, laborist, intensivist, etc, but really the best would be to find a primary care doc to shadow since you already have two specialists.

Did last semester's grades carry through an upward grade trend? Did your sGPA rise?
 
Members don't see this ad :)
Catalystik said:
Did last semester's grades carry through an upward grade trend? Did your sGPA rise?
Click to expand...


Yes, during undergrad, I had a poor sophomore year (GPA only around 2.7 and 3.0 for fall and spring) but then junior and senior year, it went 3.5 to 3.8 to 4.0 and 3.7.

This last semester, I retook organic chem 1, a course I had gotten a C+ in during sophomore year, and I got an A- on the retake, this made my sciGPA go up a bit. And it also follows through with the improvements I made in the last 2.5 years.

And thank you for those suggestions, I will contact some doctors as soon as possible!
 
twocentnews said:
The first time I took the MCAT in July '10, I got a 25R (6PS 11VR 8BS). I just took it in Sept again, and this time got 28Q (10PS 10VR 8BS). A four pt. increase in PS, but one pt. drop in VR, sadly.

I applied to both MD and DO schools, but I have no real preference. I've looked into both for secondary applications. I sent my apps and was verified back in June/July, so everything is pretty much in and I sent out my MCAT scores to AACOMAS today.

Do you guys think it's getting to late to really hear from anywhere? I am a CT resident (applied to UConn, also went to undergrad there).

The DO schools I applied to: PCOM, PCOM-GA, UNECOM, NYCOM, UMDNJ, Nova, DMU, VCOM, and LECOM-E (those I remember off the top of my head).
Click to expand...

That's really good you increased your score. Better than getting a lower one the second time.

You could possibly have a shot for D.O. schools and maybe some less competitive M.D. schools.
 
thanks for the words of encouragement. also, a quick question: if you shadow multiple doctors, how do you list that on AACOMAS? as one entry, explaining hours, or separate entries for each one?
 
Hey, I see from your MDApplicants page you went to UConn...I spent two years undergrad there, go Huskies. Who did you have for Orgo 1?
 
amateur obgyn said:
Hey, I see from your MDApplicants page you went to UConn...I spent two years undergrad there, go Huskies. Who did you have for Orgo 1?
Click to expand...


AWESOME! Orgo I, I had Sotzire, and he was awful! I ended up retaking it at BU and getting a much better grade even though the professor himself was much harder.
 
Yeah I had Hilario...also awful.

In other news, I hear you guys have had 5 snow days already this semester. I transferred to University of Florida last semester.
 
amateur obgyn said:
In other news, I hear you guys have had 5 snow days already this semester. I transferred to University of Florida last semester.
Click to expand...

Haha, good choice! You went from winter misery to the sunshine state. :) how did you like it? hope your applications turned out well!
 
You're fine for DO schools, but NOT competitive for MD schools. the latter prefer, at a minimum, 10/10/10 = 30

twocentnews said:
The first time I took the MCAT in July '10, I got a 25R (6PS 11VR 8BS). I just took it in Sept again, and this time got 28Q (10PS 10VR 8BS). A four pt. increase in PS, but one pt. drop in VR, sadly.

I applied to both MD and DO schools, but I have no real preference. I've looked into both for secondary applications. I sent my apps and was verified back in June/July, so everything is pretty much in and I sent out my MCAT scores to AACOMAS today.

Do you guys think it's getting to late to really hear from anywhere? I am a CT resident (applied to UConn, also went to undergrad there).

The DO schools I applied to: PCOM, PCOM-GA, UNECOM, NYCOM, UMDNJ, Nova, DMU, VCOM, and LECOM-E (those I remember off the top of my head).
Click to expand...
 
Goro said:
You're fine for DO schools, but NOT competitive for MD schools. the latter prefer, at a minimum, 10/10/10 = 30
Click to expand...

The post is from a year and half ago.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Next unread thread

Similar threads

D
WAMC Improved MCAT Score (+10 points)
Replies
2
Views
604
Goro
Goro
C
What can I do during my gap year to improve my app other than retaking my MCAT? ORM, low-income, 3.48 cGPA, 3.42 sGPA, 490 MCAT.
Replies
18
Views
1K
LeaveNoTrace
L
D
What can I do during my 3rd gap year to improve my application?
Replies
2
Views
379
deleted855460
D
L
MD WAMC/ Need advice on how to improve my app
Replies
4
Views
514
laptopcelsius
L
Y
WAMC/looking for advice on how to improve my app
Replies
9
Views
745
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
Top