its like american idol...

DrMattOglesby · Jul 3, 2008

i averaged a 27 on practices.
i scored a 27 on the real thing 👍
it was my second time taking it
i scored a 6 in PS BOTH TIMES 👎
I am scheduled to retake it July 18th. I have two weeks before that date to reschedule or cancel my MCAT altogether.

what would you do if you had this on your app:

applying as URM (chamorro/guamanian and cherokee indian)
3.6 overall GPA (aacomas 3.64)
3.5 science GPA (aacomas 3.81)
22-R and 27-S MCATs
premed at city colleges (except Ochem & biochem)
5 LORs (teachers, lifeguard supervisor, physician)
no research EDIT: i just realized i did research for a class as part of my graduate req.!
ECs all over the place (lots of teaching and athletics)
CA resident (ie no state schools)

I also feel that retaking the MCAT might make schools delay on reviewing my application.
thanks for any help guys, i have till July 4th @ 11:59PM to decide what to do :scared:

love,
matt

I feel like William Hung...I have no professional training, in the MCAT.

TexasTriathlete · Jul 3, 2008

If you want to have a prayer at allopathic schools, the 6 in PS, most likely, isn't going to cut it. 9's across the board would have been infinitely better.

But 3.8/27 is about the average at a lot of DO schools too. KCUMB sent me a letter that said exactly that. I think Western COMP and TCOM are around that neighborhood too.

For most DO schools, you've got a chance. If you're okay with that, which you seem to be, then don't waste your time with the MCAT again. Taking that thing sucked ass once. I couldn't imagine trying to take it twice more. And there's no guarantee that you're going to get better.

If you are going to take the MCAT again, do it right. Sign up for Princeton Review, go to every lecture, do all the homework, and give yourself the best chance you can.

In my opinion, your chances of helping yourself by taking it again so soon are slim.

sshashid87 · Jul 3, 2008

I'm new, but I'll offer my opinion...not a troll...I think you should cancel and be complete as soon as possible...Your MCAT is right around average for DO schools, I think, and your GPA is good (and you're URM, which should help)...Being complete in early July is going to give you a head start and you should definitely get a few DO interviews, and maybe an MD interview as well...you have only 15 days to study, I would really stay away from taking it any more, not now at least...just do well on whatever secondary essays they throw at you and use those two weeks to sort of prepare for your interviews...I decided to skip this application process because I had few extracurriculars, exactly the opposite of you, and you are a well rounded applicant...To sum up, I would cancel the July 18 test because chances are your score won't go up and you'll be at the same place you are today (only 1.5 months later in the application cycle when a bunch of the other students have submitted)...I think you can get a few interviews, just prepare for them now...good luck with this cycle...there's my $0.02

DrMattOglesby · Jul 3, 2008

TexasTriathlete said:
If you are going to take the MCAT again, do it right. Sign up for Princeton Review, go to every lecture, do all the homework, and give yourself the best chance you can.

You are slowly becoming my guru. You keep hitting me upside the head with good advice. And yes, you're right, I'm perfectly HAPPY with DO. I just wanted to try a few MD schools that I might stand a shot with.

sshashid87 said:
Being complete in early July is going to give you a head start
...you have only 15 days to study
...just do well on whatever secondary essays they throw at you and use those two weeks to sort of prepare for your interviews.
...chances are your score won't go up and you'll be at the same place you are today (only 1.5 months later in the application cycle when a bunch of the other students have submitted).

thats hard logic to argue against. its....convincing, even.

based on just what you two have replied with, this seems to be an open and shut case. Thanks for the quick replies!

TexasTriathlete · Jul 3, 2008

Is there a princeton review class that you can start now, and finish up in time for the august test?

Right now, I'd say that your MCAT is not bad enough to get you screened out at the MD schools you're talking about, or any DO school, particularly if you indicate that you are re-taking. So take it in September if you have to. You'll be on hold at a lot of places, and when your new score comes in, you'll get reviewed again, and if you can bump that PS up a few points, you'll start getting some MD love. Particularly at your in-state schools. So take your time with it, and make sure you're doing everything right. Don't just take it again in a couple weeks and hope it gets better. Take the class to find out exactly what you're struggling with, and do what you can to correct it.

That is my official position on the matter.

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Phoenix. · Jul 3, 2008

Absolutely. Throw out option 2. You definitely should not rush to retake the MCAT so soon if it's likely you'll end up with the same score (or worse) in VR. While applying early (and becoming complete) is great, I think your best bet would be to take the August MCAT if you think you can prepare properly for that one. Your URM status will help your application stand out even as a later applicant, so I would think you'll still get interviews then, especially if you bring the VR score up. It doesn't sound like the July test will give you enough time - unless your practice scores are currently higher than they were before and/or you really feel prepared and have been practicing consistently for it.

Alternatively, you could go forward with your application now and become complete ASAP. I think you would still get some interviews, but to be honest, I think you'd probably have the most options if you brought your MCAT up.

LauraDO · Jul 3, 2008

Cancel it and come to LECOM-B! I say you are not going to have an issue at any of the osteopathic schools, I'm not even sure why you had an issue this year.

You are golden Matt, save your money to be able to travel to all of those interviews you are going to get

BCLumas · Jul 3, 2008

LauraDO said:
Cancel it and come to LECOM-B! I say you are not going to have an issue at any of the osteopathic schools, I'm not even sure why you had an issue this year.

You are golden Matt, save your money to be able to travel to all of those interviews you are going to get

👍 👍 👍 👍 👍 👍 👍 👍

LauraDO does not give bad advice. I really like the first sentence, too!

ChubbyChaser · Jul 3, 2008

I say, if you really wanna go to an allopathic school, postpone a year and take the MCAT next spring, but if you are 100% happy with a DO school, go ahead and apply right now and write the best secondary essays you can, asap.

Depakote · Jul 3, 2008

I'd still retake it either way, go with the test date that you feel 100% comfortable with.

If you're not feeling ready, I think you could manage a retake in Aug and still be competitive (scores come back a lot faster now than they did when it was pencil and paper).

Go ahead and apply DO. It's a good option, there are a lot of good DO schools out there and I think you're a competitive candidate.

You'll probably be a decently competitive MD candidate. Pulling up the MCAT will help a lot, but your GPA is solid and Native Americans are a very under-served population.

Look for programs where you think you'll fit (DO and MD), apply all around. See what comes back in your favor.

BTW, there are states with state schools that do take a higher population of CA residents (and general OOS students) than others. I know the Ohio schools are good for this, certain SUNY schools (not all), some of the Virginia schools. You don't have to look at just private schools when making your list.

DrMidlife · Jul 3, 2008

TexasTriathlete said:
Right now, I'd say that your MCAT is not bad enough to get you screened out at the MD schools you're talking about, or any DO school, particularly if you indicate that you are re-taking. So take it in September if you have to. You'll be on hold at a lot of places, and when your new score comes in, you'll get reviewed again, and if you can bump that PS up a few points, you'll start getting some MD love. Particularly at your in-state schools. So take your time with it, and make sure you're doing everything right. Don't just take it again in a couple weeks and hope it gets better. Take the class to find out exactly what you're struggling with, and do what you can to correct it.

I totally agree with TT. Finish your app with what you have, and don't retake until you can kill it. A couple of thoughts:
- Having retake doubt hanging over your head is going to psych you out. Can you go hellbent for a TPR/Kaplan class this summer? Can you blow some money to make sure this is in the can by September? I'm recommending that you prioritize to get it off your plate and off your mind forever.
- Showing up at interviews in October/November with a better MCAT score would be big money. I think that URM plus your GPA will get you interviews, and an MCAT fix will close the deal. And get a red tie.
- Secondary essays can suck the life out of you, so don't add any doomed-by-my-MCAT juju in there. Write them as if you have a great score in hand. (Find a way to include the straw story if you can.)
- In my view you're sketchy at the UCs. Those odds just suck.

Keep in mind that the state you list as your residence on your app (today?) is the state for which you pay tuition. So if you're still thinking FL, put down FL. And then you can skip the UC madness, maybe get in at UCF, get free tuition, buy a Felt bike with actual bolts on its chainrings.

Go git 'er done.

TexasTriathlete · Jul 3, 2008

For this situation, I think that TPR will be a better choice than Kaplan. They hold your hand more, and its less independent study.

If he could do Kaplan for BS and TPR for PS, it would be ideal. But I think he needs a step-by-step approach to PS, and a general review of all concepts.

I think that if you're already doing well, and just need to work on a few specific things, then Kaplan is better for you, because you have a little more freedom to pick and choose what you're working on. If you need to start from scratch, as Oglesby seems to need on PS, then I think that TPR is the way to go.

DrMattOglesby · Jul 3, 2008

so I just called about 5 schools and asked the following question:
"Would an otherwise competitive applicant potentially be granted an interview if a score is pending from a retake of the MCAT? More simply, will their application be put on hold simply because they are retaking?"

Every school so far has said something to the effect of:
"If current score is competitive, will not be put on hold, otherwise you might get a delay."

-personally i welcome that delay just cause i think i would otherwise be outright rejected if i didnt have a pending MCAT.
Additionally, I was told that an MCAT taken in August is not late at all because they don't start interviews till September anyways.
So it seems that I have nothing to lose (unless i score lower).
I feel pretty secure in my reasoning for scheduling a retake in August now...unless someone can spot a flaw in the plan??

TexasTriathlete · Jul 3, 2008

Take the class. Do they have one thats like 6 weeks, that will prep you for the August date? If not, wait.

If you're taking this bastard for the 3rd time, you're in it to win it. Your first ironman, you just want to finish. Now, you want to qualify for Kona.

Vihsadas · Jul 3, 2008

MrMattOglesby said:
so I just called about 5 schools and asked the following question:
"Would an otherwise competitive applicant potentially be granted an interview if a score is pending from a retake of the MCAT? More simply, will their application be put on hold simply because they are retaking?"

Every school so far has said something to the effect of:
"If current score is competitive, will not be put on hold, otherwise you might get a delay."

-personally i welcome that delay just cause i think i would otherwise be outright rejected if i didnt have a pending MCAT.
Additionally, I was told that an MCAT taken in August is not late at all because they don't start interviews till September anyways.
So it seems that I have nothing to lose (unless i score lower).
I feel pretty secure in my reasoning for scheduling a retake in August now...unless someone can spot a flaw in the plan??

If this is true, then I don't know that there will be any problem retaking the MCAT. Now, you say that you are completely happy with DO schools (which is great), then I don't think that you'll have too much of a problem at the DO schools. So I guess you just have to decide what you want? Why not apply to the DO schools full force (don't delay app), and then delay the MD app till August?

I voted for 'take it july 18th', but I really only mean that for the MD schools. For the DO ones, just go for it!

DrMattOglesby · Jul 5, 2008

b..u..m..p..!

i totally went against the majority vote and rescheduled for aug. 22nd.
i may have shot myself in the foot...or i may have saved myself from a disappointing application cycle.
only time will tell. well, time--or past statistics.

nothing to do now but study up and fill out secondaries.
hope you guys have a good summer

ChubbyChaser · Jul 5, 2008

MrMattOglesby said:
b..u..m..p..!

i totally went against the majority vote and rescheduled for aug. 22nd.
i may have shot myself in the foot...or i may have saved myself from a disappointing application cycle.
only time will tell. well, time--or past statistics.

nothing to do now but study up and fill out secondaries.
hope you guys have a good summer

good luck

Vihsadas · Jul 5, 2008

MrMattOglesby said:
b..u..m..p..!

i totally went against the majority vote and rescheduled for aug. 22nd.
i may have shot myself in the foot...or i may have saved myself from a disappointing application cycle.
only time will tell. well, time--or past statistics.

nothing to do now but study up and fill out secondaries.
hope you guys have a good summer

yeah man. No matter what you choose, we'll always be here wishing that you do the best that you absolutely can. Just do whatever you have to do to succeed. If you need help, come and ask us!
Good luck man! Let us know if you need anything.

NTF · Jul 6, 2008

I'd say retake the MCAT and hope for the best. If you can get that PS up to an 8 it drastically improves your chances.

I don't know exactly how much Cherokee you have in you, but if it's really significant don't underestimate it. Native Americans are absolutely the most underrepresented minority out there. If you show the MINIMUM competence required to tackle an MD or DO curricula almost any public school will at least give you an interview. But the 6 PS really hurts.

I'm almost tempted to suggest delaying applying until next year and spend the entire next year studying for the MCAT. Bombing the MCAT three times in a row, does not look good.

DrMattOglesby · Jul 6, 2008

nontradfogie said:
I'd say retake the MCAT and hope for the best. If you can get that PS up to an 8 it drastically improves your chances.

I don't know exactly how much Cherokee you have in you, but if it's really significant don't underestimate it. Native Americans are absolutely the most underrepresented minority out there. If you show the MINIMUM competence required to tackle an MD or DO curricula almost any public school will at least give you an interview. But the 6 PS really hurts.

I'm almost tempted to suggest delaying applying until next year and spend the entire next year studying for the MCAT. Bombing the MCAT three times in a row, does not look good.

im NOT gonna delay my app another year. im bound to find my way into a school somewhere on this planet come Fall of '09.
I really wouldnt be devastated if I got the same score on the retake--as long as it was more balanced. Of course, im going to shoot for a 3pt increase...I just took the TPR free mcat diagnostic online and got an 8.
and i know my MDapps says Native American URM and so i expect that to be the heritage most make comment of...but where is the chamorro love?!

NTF · Jul 6, 2008

MrMattOglesby said:
im NOT gonna delay my app another year. im bound to find my way into a school somewhere on this planet come Fall of '09.
I really wouldnt be devastated if I got the same score on the retake--as long as it was more balanced. Of course, im going to shoot for a 3pt increase...I just took the TPR free mcat diagnostic online and got an 8.
and i know my MDapps says Native American URM and so i expect that to be the heritage most make comment of...but where is the chamorro love?!

Sorry, lol. I am really just ignorant. Had no idea what chamorro was. Since you're intent on applying this year all I can say is I wish you the best. I'll keep my fingers crossed for that 9 in PS. I'll be rooting for you.

Raryn · Jul 7, 2008

Your best bet would be to tell AMCAS you're retaking and (ahem) "forget" to tell AACOMAS about it. That way you're on time for DO schools and while you may be late for MD, you would still be in the running.

If you do better you can always update the DO schools and tell them your new score.

its like american idol...

What should Matt do?

Cancel and just be "complete" ASAP

Take it July 18th and wait for score report in August but risk having a slightly delayed application

reschedule test for August 15th.

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