PSA: Don't use the MCAT against one another!

[BeachBlondie]

Number fixating, while not necessarily exclusively an SDN trait, is perpetuated by this website. I wanted to tell everyone in this forum to not take this theoretically healthy way to stay motivated and turn it into something toxic.

Case and point:

Today, I was pulled aside by a peer in orgo II; someone I've been studying with. She said that someone in our class had approached her about starting a study group for an upcoming exam. When she mentioned to this person that she would invite me (considering I've been teaching several people the content), he said, "No. Not her. She only got a 30 on her MCAT," and then proceeded to talk a fistful of smack about me.

While I'm a 28-year old non-traditional student who 1) Doesn't care about the opinion of someone nearly a decade my junior and, 2) knows that these comments are more a reflection of the kind of person he is, rather than me, it still stings.

Yes, I scored 4 points below my average. Yes, I REALLY needed to do remarkably well. But, I'm dealing with that. People beat themselves up enough for their faulterings, don't you dare join in.

Be good people.

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[stitchattack]

Sadly wherever you go, there will always be people like that..not just on forums, even at school. I admit in my undergrad, I was not the golden pre-med and chickened out on taking the mcat and have been told I should just give up and find a different field to go into. Several years later, I'm back in the MCAT scene and I would love to even get your score of 30 and a score of 30 is a pretty good score to me. People don't realize that not everyone has had the same opportunities and background to excel in school or gpa with a 4.0 and 35+ on their mcats. Some of us have had life kick us down but still managed to get back up and blend right back in despite how hard we had to work just to get back up. I think you should be proud of your 30 and continue working hard to get your dream score. Just remember that this is an online forum so some people would say things they would normally not say to your face because it's so much easier to be blunt (even hurtful) online without being tainted as a jerk to the attached face in real life (if that makes sense). However, I have met some really wonderful people on SDN who have been helpful and encouraging despite my really low diagnostic score.

 

[Afford]

Many people have high MCAT and low GPA or vice versa. I don't know why people care. A 30 MCAT is good. I think it's around an 80th percentile. Thankfully, I have not met a person in real life who told me their MCAT score or bragged about it.

 

[Dreamstoo]

Many people have high MCAT and low GPA or vice versa. I don't know why people care. Thankfully, I have not met a person in real life who told me their MCAT score or bragged about it.

Yep, the ones I know who got a 35+ never told their scores unless asked.

 

[wuhsabee]

This is funny to me, because at my university, you would be a STAR for making a 30! (Average applicants there make a 25 or lower...) They would probably drag you into their orgo group and tie you to a seat and NEVER LET YOU GO.

You put a lot of work into defeating this beast, and in my humble opinion, you did defeat the MCAT. You have studied so hard for the test, and a lot of people quit when they haven't even reached the halfway point. Don't let that lil dbag tell you otherwise.

You do you, beachblondie!

 

[Afford]

Yep, the ones I know who got a 35+ never told their scores unless asked.

Yeah that's true. I was talking to a friend and he mentioned that his MCAT score was going to be released that day. I asked him how he felt and he said that the test was hard. I told him that he could always retake it if it was too low. The next day I asked him how it went and it turned out he got a 40+ MCAT with 2 perfect sections lol.

 

[texan2414]

I can only imagine how these "pre-meds" would turn out as future doctors... "OMG don't listen to that attending, he only got a 220 on Step 1".

Ridiculous...

 

[BeachBlondie]

I can only imagine how these "pre-meds" would turn out as future doctors... "OMG don't listen to that attending, he only got a 220 on Step 1".

Ridiculous...

This.

I hope beyond hope that admissions committees are trained to screen these kind of people out. Frankly? I don't want him as a potential future colleague. At all. Maybe it's because I'm older, but I have a no tolerance policy for douchebaggery

 

[texan2414]

Also BeachBlondie,

You are truly inspiring individual. I read how you studied under difficult circumstances and still managed to score a 30 on the MCAT. To the idiots who don't know this, a 30 puts you nearly in the top 25% scorers of people who take the MCAT.
Don't let them get you down. The universe has stuff for them coming.

 

[BeachBlondie]

Also BeachBlondie,

You are truly inspiring individual. I read how you studied under difficult circumstances and still managed to score a 30 on the MCAT. To the idiots who don't know this, a 30 puts you nearly in the top 25% scorers of people who take the MCAT.
Don't let them get you down. The universe has stuff for them coming.

Well.... top 22% But who's counting (definitely me...)! hahaha! Thanks for your kind words

If he continues to be toxic like that, he may end up being another notch in Karma's belt.

 

[stitchattack]

This.

I hope beyond hope that admissions committees are trained to screen these kind of people out. Frankly? I don't want him as a potential future colleague. At all. Maybe it's because I'm older, but I have a no tolerance policy for douchebaggery

If it'll make you feel better, med school committees are actually trying to move away from the traditional standard of accepting based on gpa and MCAT to get more compassionate doctors. I agree, I would not want a douchebag for a potential future colleague. I think pre-meds get so caught up in the "competition" and art of cut throat that they forget to be human. May sound harsh but my opinion still stands.

 

[csx]

"she only got a 30"....wow. Whoever said that sounds like they'll be a GREAT doctor.

 

[BeachBlondie]

If it'll make you feel better, med school committees are actually trying to move away from the traditional standard of accepting based on gpa and MCAT to get more compassionate doctors. I agree, I would not want a douchebag for a potential future colleague. I think pre-meds get so caught up in the "competition" and art of cut throat that they forget to be human. May sound harsh but my opinion still stands.

I want so badly to believe this, as a non-trad with a less-than-superb GPA and decent MCAT. I have truckloads of awesome EC's, a stellar personal statement, and super letters, so I'll keep you updated on how my current application cycle progresses as credence to your claim. So far? Only one rejection. But, it's still early. Fingers crossed I suppose

 

[BeachBlondie]

"she only got a 30"....wow. Whoever said that sounds like they'll be a GREAT doctor.

First day of class, kid you not, this guy says: "I'm a double major in biology and neuroscience. I'm going to be a neurosurgeon." I mean, lofty goals are certainly admirable! But, not when you try to subjugate your peers in the process, nah'm'sayin?

 

[Make Or Break]

First day of class, kid you not, this guy says: "I'm a double major in biology and neuroscience. I'm going to be a neurosurgeon." I mean, lofty goals are certainly admirable! But, not when you try to subjugate your peers in the process, nah'm'sayin?

Gunners gonna gun. Why would he let someone, who got a 30, and will hold him back from succeeding in life, study with him?

I'm just kidding by the way. This kid is ridiculous.

 

[STLMako91]

Number fixating, while not necessarily exclusively an SDN trait, is perpetuated by this website. I wanted to tell everyone in this forum to not take this theoretically healthy way to stay motivated and turn it into something toxic.

Case and point:

Today, I was pulled aside by a peer in orgo II; someone I've been studying with. She said that someone in our class had approached her about starting a study group for an upcoming exam. When she mentioned to this person that she would invite me (considering I've been teaching several people the content), he said, "No. Not her. She only got a 30 on her MCAT," and then proceeded to talk a fistful of smack about me.

While I'm a 28-year old non-traditional student who 1) Doesn't care about the opinion of someone nearly a decade my junior and, 2) knows that these comments are more a reflection of the kind of person he is, rather than me, it still stings.

Yes, I scored 4 points below my average. Yes, I REALLY needed to do remarkably well. But, I'm dealing with that. People beat themselves up enough for their faulterings, don't you dare join in.

Be good people.

In light of your avatar and overall experience, I'd like to follow it up with…

"Cause the players gonna play, play, play, play, play
And the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate
Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake
I shake it off, I shake it off"

If anyone uses their MCAT score against you, try to shake it off. Anyone who uses an MCAT score to narrowly define someone's capabilities is simply illogical since the MCAT is a test of a multitude of capabilities. I'd also like to point out that a 30 is a good score. Good job and congratulations on doing well on such a difficult test, BeachBlondie!

 

[Make Or Break]

First day of class, kid you not, this guy says: "I'm a double major in biology and neuroscience. I'm going to be a neurosurgeon." I mean, lofty goals are certainly admirable! But, not when you try to subjugate your peers in the process, nah'm'sayin?

Just as your avatar says, Haters Gonna Hate yo! A 30 is an awesome score.

 

[stitchattack]

I want so badly to believe this, as a non-trad with a less-than-superb GPA and decent MCAT. I have truckloads of awesome EC's, a stellar personal statement, and super letters, so I'll keep you updated on how my current application cycle progresses as credence to your claim. So far? Only one rejection. But, it's still early. Fingers crossed I suppose

I'm sure you will do great during the application process. Your MCAT certainly is competitive and as long as your gpa falls within their range, they will look at your ps and rec letters which is where you will shine. Everyone gets a rejection here and there so don't get discouraged.

 

[Afford]

Yeah I'm sure you'll do fine as long as you applied to your state schools and other schools around your GPA/MCAT.

 

[kewlboy88]

You can't let these people get you down. There are going to be plenty of them in Med School and beyond…..

Just trust in your intelligence and character and forget about the gunners .

 

[swivelj]

Number fixating, while not necessarily exclusively an SDN trait, is perpetuated by this website. I wanted to tell everyone in this forum to not take this theoretically healthy way to stay motivated and turn it into something toxic.

Case and point:

Today, I was pulled aside by a peer in orgo II; someone I've been studying with. She said that someone in our class had approached her about starting a study group for an upcoming exam. When she mentioned to this person that she would invite me (considering I've been teaching several people the content), he said, "No. Not her. She only got a 30 on her MCAT," and then proceeded to talk a fistful of smack about me.

While I'm a 28-year old non-traditional student who 1) Doesn't care about the opinion of someone nearly a decade my junior and, 2) knows that these comments are more a reflection of the kind of person he is, rather than me, it still stings.

Yes, I scored 4 points below my average. Yes, I REALLY needed to do remarkably well. But, I'm dealing with that. People beat themselves up enough for their faulterings, don't you dare join in.

Be good people.

The irony of his comments are the best part.... I would think anyone gunning for neurosurgery would be a little more informed about the process. Thinking a 30 MCAT score is somehow in any way bad....or even worse correlated to how well you will do in an organic class really illustrates his true intelligence...I'm going to go out on a limb, and guess that this guy wants so badly to be apart of something, really anything and it just so happens he chose medicine to validate himself. I wouldn't be shocked at all if the real reason you were left out was because he is threatened by you....after all if your talking about getting into medical school how can he also?

People like this just need to feel important, and in the end no one likes them for that very reason.... A sad cycle really.

 

[BeachBlondie]

The irony of his comments are the best part.... I would think anyone gunning for neurosurgery would be a little more informed about the process. Thinking a 30 MCAT score is somehow in any way bad....or even worse correlated to how well you will do in an organic class really illustrates his true intelligence...I'm going to go out on a limb, and guess that this guy wants so badly to be apart of something, really anything and it just so happens he chose medicine to validate himself. I wouldn't be shocked at all if the real reason you were left out was because he is threatened by you....after all if your talking about getting into medical school how can he also?

People like this just need to feel important, and in the end no one likes them for that very reason.... A sad cycle really.

Yesterday, I walked away from that news with a, "Dude....seriously?!" mentality. It's a bummer to hear, ESPECIALLY when you're already sensitive about it. I mean, what's worse is that I'm an incredibly amicable person; in fact, I've HELPED that guy out in lab! So, he doesn't have much of a reason to throw shade.

It's sad that this field attracts so many like him--brilliant but virulent. You'd think that a position in which one serves the public would demand more humility; unfortunately that this is not the case, many times.

 

[deleted439911]

This is why the new MCAT wants us to know some soc. Seriously people can be such egomaniacs sometimes. But also, why should we care what MCAT score someone got, that may not relate to good advice. People getting 40s on their MCAT might not help me as much as someone with a 30 or even 28 for that matter.

This is most likely why he should be a specialist and not a PCP, patients will HATE HIM. He should be placed upon a pedestal, worship, w/e live with all his elitist outer worldly friends BUT FAR AWAY from my future patients. I will take the patients he don't want to serve bc he's so above them thank you.

 

[Sportsdude89]

are these really the kind of people you want to surround yourself with anyways? I read your posts about your mcat and you seem like such a great person. Test scores don't equate to the type of physician you'll become. That comes from the intangibles the admissions can't see. You might not have reached your goal but you sure have a winning attitude which will take you much further in life and is a better predictor for longevity in medicine than any mcat score or grade in your class will.Stay strong and bullet proof. Stay away from those people.and I guarantee that there is at least some jealousy going on.

 

[C.S. Peirce]

Preach, @BeachBlondie!

In general, I find there's something decidedly ugly about people who feel the need to measure others (especially people who they don't know personally) by their intelligence.

This ugliness mixes with the typical pre-med misconception that the MCAT is some sort of 'intelligence test'* and a particularly noxious brew gets cooked up.

People like this tend to get what's coming to them. Usually around the time of their third divorce.

 

[BeachBlondie]

Preach, @BeachBlondie!

In general, I find there's something decidedly ugly about people who feel the need to measure others (especially people who they don't know personally) by their intelligence.

This ugliness mixes with the typical pre-med misconception that the MCAT is some sort of 'intelligence test'* and a particularly noxious brew gets cooked up.

People like this tend to get what's coming to them. Usually around the time of their third divorce.

Haha! Both of my parents have been divorced (at least) 3 times. I wonder what brand of gunnerism they peddled in a previous life?

 

[swolebrah]

This is another reason why I don't stick around after class in any of my core classes. I can guarantee with a mindset of perseverance and resilience you will be a doctor. Not if, just when . Mean while that kid can go back to getting a half chub with the thoughts of being a neurosurgeon lol.

 

[cap08017]

Number fixating, while not necessarily exclusively an SDN trait, is perpetuated by this website. I wanted to tell everyone in this forum to not take this theoretically healthy way to stay motivated and turn it into something toxic.

Case and point:

Today, I was pulled aside by a peer in orgo II; someone I've been studying with. She said that someone in our class had approached her about starting a study group for an upcoming exam. When she mentioned to this person that she would invite me (considering I've been teaching several people the content), he said, "No. Not her. She only got a 30 on her MCAT," and then proceeded to talk a fistful of smack about me.

While I'm a 28-year old non-traditional student who 1) Doesn't care about the opinion of someone nearly a decade my junior and, 2) knows that these comments are more a reflection of the kind of person he is, rather than me, it still stings.

Yes, I scored 4 points below my average. Yes, I REALLY needed to do remarkably well. But, I'm dealing with that. People beat themselves up enough for their faulterings, don't you dare join in.

Be good people.

Hi! I'm a little late on this discussion, but I just wanted to add that I really have found that the other pre-med students are far more critical of MCAT scores than med school admissions committees. For example, I have a 29 on my MCAT, and I've been negatively viewed by other pre-meds because of this lower score. And I guess for awhile I was beating myself up over it too, because other students had me believing that my score was too low to ever get into med school. However, just last week, I was interviewing at Tufts with the associate dean of admissions and when I brought up my lower score, he literally said that my score was very respectable and I should be proud of it. I don't know when pre-meds all started weighing eachothers worth based on a standardized test, but I agree that there's no need for it. Keep your head held high, it sounds like you have accomplished some great things in your life, and I bet you'll be hearing some great news soon