'05 app. scenario; opinions?

[JBigioOU]

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Hey all,
This isn't a "what're my chances" email, but I'm posing a scenario and would definitely like feedback.

To let you know a little about what kind of candidate I am, in brief, my "vita":

-Graduated cum laude as psych major in '02. BCPM and overall GPA's ~3.5.
-I've done a variety of research and clinical experiences and jobs over the years. One clinical experience was an internship working with ADHD children.
-Currently work at Northwestern (NU) in neuroscience research, where I'll have papers published soon as a 2nd author in scholarly journals. Our lab has presented posters at conferences.
-Shadowing a doc.
-Take postbacc class at NU.
-Member of a couple honor societies/fraternities. Was in a social fraternity in college.
-Play sports/guitar.

Now the situation. I submitted my AMCAS in early Sept., and started working on secondaries. But, as I got closer to the time I was supposed to get my Aug. MCAT score back, I decided not to turn in any secondaries yet. Then, got my score:
VR: 6, PS: 8, BS: 10
Now, I know the stats on % of acceptances with this score and with the VR score. I also know I can perform better, as I was scoring 4-5 pts. higher on Kaplan practice exams (which are harder I think) and I lost consciousness just prior to the VR...long story.

So, what would some of you do in my situation having already submitted the AMCAS?
Am I "late" in the app. cycle?
Send secondaries only to in-state schools?
Respectfully write a letter and withdraw for "personal reasons" stating that I haven't waivered in my decision to become a physician?
Would I be at any disadvantage to continue and get formally rejected, then apply again as a re-applicant; as opposed to withdraw and re-apply? (maybe EvoDevo might be able to weigh in on that one)

That's enough for now. Any additional thought/opinions, etc would be appreciated!

 

[forevalwayzz]

a letter to the school would be the polite way of explaining your siuation for withdrawing from this cycle, but don't put the waiver to be a physician because that might be on your record somehow... Study for the MCAT once more and I wish that you will do well the second time around, everything else about you are great in my opinion, so in the words of one of my interviewer, "It's all about perseverence, determination, and fighting the good fight. If your hearts there, you'll see and live your dreams."

 

[snobored18]

Well to give you hope if you look at the MSAR invariably someone gets into most schools with a 5,6 or 7 on one of the sections...i see no reason why that person can't be you so in short you've paid the money to AMCAS for their "service" you may as well follow through on a couple of secondaries...the worst that can happen is you get rejected and reapply a second time with improved MCAT scores, a couple publications and another year of experiences that those of us just coming out of school don't have. I don't think you have much to lose by giving a couple of schools a shot...just be realistic on where you choose to send those secondaries and you might be surprised.

 

[JBigioOU]

I know someone who teaches and advises at ETSU (in TN). The admissions dean there says he knows of no difference in the way they look at re-applicants who've been rejected and re-applicants who withdrew. Apparently he generalized this to other schools, which is probably accurate, though each school differs in some ways in the way they look at applicants. I definitely think I'd be a better applicant next year, but I don't really think I have anything to lose.

Must have been a boring post! >200 people read, but only 2 replies...so, thanks to you both!