Apply in August and you should be set. I wouldn't bother retaking the MCAT. Your stats should get you interviews; spend some time preparing them and writing your personal statement and you should have your pick of schools.
You're good for admissions. You could probably apply to one of the larger schools and have a shot at admissions this cycle. Good luck to you!
Thank you both! I appreciate it!
What is wrong then with my application that would prevent me from getting into these schools? Based on other peoples posts mine seem generally similar. As for taking a year off, I have yet to study for the new mcat and that is why I will be taking it in September.
I don't think there is anything wrong with taking a year off, in fact for some I actually encourage it. And regardless of what some might say, it is entirely too late to apply for the current cycle. Enjoy your year off and soak up your free time.
So you take the MCAT in September and will wait an entire year before applying? Maybe I am confused with the cycle you are applying to.
Tough to say, although I think your chances are very ow this cycle as most schools have filled spots and are only interviewing for wait-list spots. Your GPA is below average for most, if not all schools. A high MCAT could help draw attention away from that fact. I would recommend applying early in the next cycle (before December) and retaking the MCAT.
I would apply after taking my MCAT in September. My Year off will be from this May 2015 to May 2016
Thank you
Any other comments?
Okay. It all makes sense now. I was thinking you were waiting until after the 2015/2016 cycle.
I was not rushing to get accepted this year, I have been working on this application since October, and was misinformed about needing letters of recommendation with your transcript and MCAT. I held off on submitting the application due to the letters, which is a big regret. Thank you
Yep
Your stats are decent. You have a shot for 2016 admissions without the post baccalaureate program. You may even be able to squeeze in this cycle if you apply to a larger program. Good luck to you.
If you retake a class it does not replace a grade but it can give your GPA a boost. I know many students who have done that. They got a C and retook the class and got an A. That's a B average. I personally think it would be harder to take a new class and get an A rather than take the same class and get an A.
Though you have a lower sGPA you have a decent shot at schools with a larger class size. Do as best as you can on your MCAT. Don't prepare for it trying to get the score to just get past but rather prepare for it wanting the highest score you can get.
MCAT is more important than a .5 increase in GPA.
Thanks ashton, I just hope admissions feels the same way, especially when the .5 difference is enough to knock you up to a 3.0 from a 2.95. But I will take your advice and not bother taking a summer course to boost sgpa instead will put all the time into MCAT.
Your time is better spent there. It is really hard to raise your GPA once you have completed so many credits. Your MCAT should be your primary concern at this point. Remember, people get in with less than a 2.9. You will be fine
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Earliest would be August. December isn't considered early, it's more so right before some of the smaller schools start to fill up. Smaller schools are usually full earlier in the application cycle, some as early as February. If you want a fair shot at every school, especially the smaller schools, you want to get your application in between December and January.
Any medical exposure will look good on your application.
If you have no prior work experience, then you most definitely should take that position.
I am a biomedical engineering student with a 2.5 overall gpa and 2.6 science gpa. I got a 36 on my mcat and I've shadowed a podiatrist for 4 months as well as volunteered over 100 hours.
Hmm, you have a very interesting case. I think the larger schools will overlook your bad gpa in favor of your baller mcat. The main concern though, is not to get autoscreened out by the computer during the initial stages. If you're shooting for the more competitive schools, I would suggest applying early and contacting each school individually to show your interest and explain your situation. Adcoms are a little more understanding of lower gpa's for engineers but only to an extent. If you can take a course or two over the summer before the application opens to raise your gpa to even a 2.8, you would be in much better shape imo.
