2013-2014 Panic Thread

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T3ckFr3s said:
That's the thing though, I have yet to be rejected post-interview. I've been wait listed (top 1/3) with <3.5 cGPA. That tells me that the adcom can look past my GPA.

I agree with you though, I believe that if you have less than a 3.2 GPA, I would totally recommend a SMP.

For me it's a matter of determining if my GPA is really that big of a deal and if its worth the risk of an SMP for next cycle. I'm also considering just reapplying and redoing all my essays + apply earlier. The good news about going through this cycle is I know exactly how I should be writing for my applications.
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I graduated from a solid university with a 3.5 cGPA and sad 3.3 sGPA, with a 27R the first time I took the MCAT. During my gap year, I took two semesters (about 12 units) of more advanced science courses and started shadowing and doing volunteer clinical research. I managed to get a 4.0 in my post bacc classes (I was technically in a program but didn't complete it for a certificate, just used the advising, seminars, and GPA boosters) and got ~90 hrs of shadowing in. Took the MCAT again in May for a score of 32.

So far I've had 2 MD acceptances, 2 MD waitlists at my top choices, and one more interview coming up. I also applied to DOs and got into 2, canceling all my other ii's.

The point is, sometimes we all slack off in undergrad but I think taking more classes with a strong upward trend is so worth it. And also do things you enjoy and will learn from - I started coaching and working as a beer garden hostess, in addition to my full time job as a PT aide. Super random but I gained more life experience and had some fun stuff to talk about during my interviews!

After I graduated I went to see my school's premed advisor and she told me I'd mayyyybe be competitive for DO schools. But I said f*** that and went for it!

Hope this helps... Good luck everyone!! 🙂

Edit: by "slack off" I really just mean we sometimes don't do as well as we'd like to, for various reasons (priorities, motivations, life events, etc). I wanna stress how important the path to medicine was in my app, I think it helped me a lot to think of everything as a huge learning process! 🙂
 
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Anyone else on the thread thinking of retaking the MCAT? I wasn't going to but definitely started thinking about it now...the horror.
 
Sumtingwong said:
Anyone else on the thread thinking of retaking the MCAT? I wasn't going to but definitely started thinking about it now...the horror.
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I've certainly thought about it, but haven't decided it its really worth it. I hated preparing for it, don't really have time to study anymore, and I don't think I could improve it by much. My score is okay (low 30s), so for now I think I'm sticking with it....:/

From what I've read/heard, whether its worth it really depends on your score, and how much you can raise it by.
For instance, if you start somewhere below 30 (which would hurt your application) and can raise it to 31+, that may significantly help.
On the other hand if you start anywhere in the low-mid 30s and go up 1-2 points, it would hardly make a difference.
Of course, if you think you can get it up to 38 to 40-something, go for it! A score like that would really get their attention.
 
Sumtingwong said:
Anyone else on the thread thinking of retaking the MCAT? I wasn't going to but definitely started thinking about it now...the horror.
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Given my lack of acceptances so far I was actually considering retaking a 37 (15-14-8).

Fml. Really hope this cycle pans out. Plan to write a LOI soon.
 
masaraksh said:
Given my lack of acceptances so far I was actually considering retaking a 37 (15-14-8).

Fml. Really hope this cycle pans out. Plan to write a LOI soon.
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Good luck this cycle! And great job with that 37! That's a great overall score. If you do end up having to reapply though, given you have an 8 in one of the sections, it may actually be worth to retake it; Many schools really don't like you to have a section score below a 10.
 
masaraksh said:
Given my lack of acceptances so far I was actually considering retaking a 37 (15-14-8).

Fml. Really hope this cycle pans out. Plan to write a LOI soon.
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Please don't waste time retaking your MCAT. The risk of doing worse is too high. 37 is a fantastic score even with a sub-score of 8 and there have been plenty of people who have gotten admitted with lopsided scores. Spend time boosting your ECs and rewriting your personal statement and secondaries.
 
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vfom said:
Good luck this cycle! And great job with that 37! That's a great overall score. If you do end up having to reapply though, given you have an 8 in one of the sections, it may actually be worth to retake it; Many schools really don't like you to have a section score below a 10.
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This is not true. Schools that do have a sub-score cut off usually have it at 8.
 
masaraksh said:
Given my lack of acceptances so far I was actually considering retaking a 37 (15-14-8).

Fml. Really hope this cycle pans out. Plan to write a LOI soon.
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Please don't retake that 37! I can't even fathom the thought of retaking a 37...
 
sunkist206 said:
This is not true. Schools that do have a sub-score cut off usually have it at 8.
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I have heard otherwise... but maybe it's a matter of pre-secondary cut offs versus actual likelihood of interview/acceptance.

And I'm not telling you to retake it, but to bring in a little bit of a different perspective: I had a friend who retook a 38 (which I did not support), and to all of our surprises, ended up with a 42... and a very successful application cycle.
 
vfom said:
Good luck this cycle! And great job with that 37! That's a great overall score. If you do end up having to reapply though, given you have an 8 in one of the sections, it may actually be worth to retake it; Many schools really don't like you to have a section score below a 10.
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Yeah that's my thinking too... And I'd think that a bs:13+, ps:13+, vr:>=10 would be awesome and maybe doable.

It's just tough cuz I work full time + take evening comp sci course + volunteer EC teaching kids so I'm not sure I'd have the time to properly dedicate to MCAT.
 
masaraksh said:
Yeah that's my thinking too... And I'd think that a bs:13+, ps:13+, vr:>=10 would be awesome and maybe doable.

It's just tough cuz I work full time + take evening comp sci course + volunteer EC teaching kids so I'm not sure I'd have the time to properly dedicate to MCAT.
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What is your cycle looking like this year?
 
3.5 IIs, 1 WL (UVA which doesn't seem to move) and 1 deferred.
1.5 pending.

I guess I am grateful to get the opportunities but just so frustrated I can't 'seal the deal' anywhere.
 
Schools are still giving II's.

Just got one today from a mid- tier, but will be turning it down.
 
juliuspepperwood said:
I feel ya, I'm planning on retaking a 36 if this cycle doesn't work out.
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Haha, putting me to shame for thinking I might just sit on my 31.

Blergh, another day, nothing. I keep stalking the one school I had an II with and praying that I hear something soon (good) so I can start making plans..

I interviewed in mid-Jan... is it crazy I expect to hear things now? BLAH!

Slash random, but anyone watch House of Cards? I just started it the other day and Kevin Spacey kind of gives me a small sense of joy. That and his anger/big FU to the world is how I feel these days.
 
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thisnight said:
Haha, putting me to shame for thinking I might just sit on my 31.

Blergh, another day, nothing. I keep stalking the one school I had an II with and praying that I hear something soon (good) so I can start making plans..

I interviewed in mid-Jan... is it crazy I expect to hear things now? BLAH!

Slash random, but anyone watch House of Cards? I just started it the other day and Kevin Spacey kind of gives me a small sense of joy. That and his anger/big FU to the world is how I feel these days.
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Hey a 31 can be fine if your app is great in other areas. I have some bad grades from a long time ago that live forever in my transcript and weight down my gpa.
 
juliuspepperwood said:
I feel ya, I'm planning on retaking a 36 if this cycle doesn't work out.
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This may not be the best choice. I remember reading that re-taking a 35+ may be somewhat detrimental, even if you improve your score. I think LizzyM (or another adcom member) mentioned something to that effect.

Besides, I can't imagine a balanced 36 is holding you back in any way. It is likely that there are other aspects of your application that you might want to improve upon before even considering a retake (perhaps apply more broadly or to lower-tier schools).

Good luck with whatever you decide!

-Bill
 
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I wanted to stop by and wish everyone luck who's still waiting. While this is only my impression from browsing school-specific threads, it seems like schools with non-rolling admissions are the ones finished interviewing this early.

BillrothI said:
This may not be the best choice. I remember reading that re-taking a 35+ may be somewhat detrimental, even if you improve your score. I think LizzyM (or another adcom member) mentioned something to that effect.

Besides, I can't imagine a balanced 36 is holding you back in any way. It is likely that there are other aspects of your application that you might want to improve upon before even considering a retake (perhaps apply more broadly or to lower-tier schools).

Good luck with whatever you decide!

-Bill
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Completely agree, sound advice.

So long as the rest of your application is solid, there's nothing a 38-39 MCAT will get you that a 36 won't. The only conceivable disadvantage is that WashU might reject you for being in their 30th percentile.
 
vfom said:
I am sitting on a pile of rejections and waiting for the last 6 to do the deed. I applied late and I'm sure it played a large part, but now I am worried that if I reapply in June, there wont be anything vastly different about my application....and admissions committees will not think I put in enough effort?

If I reapplied in June, I would be able to add more volunteer experience and maybe a publication (we're working on it now). What do you guys think?
It just feels like if I reapply I have to add something extraordinary...:/ Should I maybe take another year off?
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snowwhat said:
Actually, I've heard of many people who applied late and got very few interviews, then reapplied and changed literally nothing about their application (except, I assume, maybe their personal statement and the wording of some secondaries) and got lots of interviews! Applying late has more of an effect than people think.
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@vfom If you're confident that's what held you back then I don't see why improving a strong application is needed. @snowwhat is correct! My GPA is actually lower this cycle compared to last cycle. Last year I applied super late and ended up on 2 wait lists (2 interviews late season). This year I've gotten 10 interviews because I applied early knowing that timing was an issue last year. So waiting around just to have more stuff on your application is a waste of time if your app is strong already
 
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sunkist206 said:
Please don't waste time retaking your MCAT. The risk of doing worse is too high. 37 is a fantastic score even with a sub-score of 8 and there have been plenty of people who have gotten admitted with lopsided scores. Spend time boosting your ECs and rewriting your personal statement and secondaries.
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Seconding this. I had an 8 in PS (28 overall) and was admitted after applying early. One of my friends has a 36 overall with 7 in VR and was accepted to an in state school (CA) and offered a full ride to another! An 8 is not the "absolute" kill factor in your app 😀. Your time is better spent strengthening ecs etc. than studying for months and risking a lower score overall
 
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SLM914 said:
Same here. I have no idea what to make of it. I have good scores and everything... makes no sense
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Me too
Though only thing I can think of is I was late, put in app in August but aamc took 8 weeks to verify didn't know they would take that long.
 
BillrothI said:
This may not be the best choice. I remember reading that re-taking a 35+ may be somewhat detrimental, even if you improve your score. I think LizzyM (or another adcom member) mentioned something to that effect.

Besides, I can't imagine a balanced 36 is holding you back in any way. It is likely that there are other aspects of your application that you might want to improve upon before even considering a retake (perhaps apply more broadly or to lower-tier schools).

Good luck with whatever you decide!

-Bill
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Endure said:
Completely agree, sound advice.

So long as the rest of your application is solid, there's nothing a 38-39 MCAT will get you that a 36 won't. The only conceivable disadvantage is that WashU might reject you for being in their 30th percentile.
Click to expand...

I definitely agree with you guys in most cases. A 36 is absolutely enough for a solid application.

Unfortunately the downsides of my application aren't things I can go out and correct, for example I have an institutional action from ~5 years ago. I also spent 4 years taking classes part time at a JC, not caring about my grades at all, which resulted in 77 units with a 2.89 GPA when I transferred to a 4 year university. I did okay (B's) in the rest of my pre-major work there then got a 3.8 in my major, leaving me with something like a 3.3 overall. When I decided I wanted to pursue medicine I went back to school and spent ~2.5 years finishing my prereqs and taking upper division Bio with a 4.0 to show an upward trend and add a Biology major. By that time I had so many units already I was only able to get my cGPA up to a 3.4.

I have plenty of clinical and research experience, though I'm going to look in to shadowing Family Practice if possible since I currently only have time in the ED and Orthopedics. This cycle I was complete early August at most schools, but I would definitely shoot for earlier if I have to reapply. I applied fairly broadly within areas where my fiancee would still have plenty of employment opportunities as you can see by my MDApps. It is kind of confusing that 2 of my 3 interviews came from reach schools while I was rejected from lower tier ones; I'm definitely not complaining at all, just makes me unsure of any schools to add or remove if I applied again.

So again, while I am hoping for good things from the interviews I have had it seems like the MCAT is one of the few things I could change if I needed to put in another app and my practice test average was enough above what I got to make it seem feasible. If I'm not scoring similarly prior to testing this time around I definitely wouldn't take it again though.
 
juliuspepperwood said:
I definitely agree with you guys in most cases. A 36 is absolutely enough for a solid application.

Unfortunately the downsides of my application aren't things I can go out and correct, for example I have an institutional action from ~5 years ago. I also spent 4 years taking classes part time at a JC, not caring about my grades at all, which resulted in 77 units with a 2.89 GPA when I transferred to a 4 year university. I did okay (B's) in the rest of my pre-major work there then got a 3.8 in my major, leaving me with something like a 3.3 overall. When I decided I wanted to pursue medicine I went back to school and spent ~2.5 years finishing my prereqs and taking upper division Bio with a 4.0 to show an upward trend and add a Biology major. By that time I had so many units already I was only able to get my cGPA up to a 3.4.

I have plenty of clinical and research experience, though I'm going to look in to shadowing Family Practice if possible since I currently only have time in the ED and Orthopedics. This cycle I was complete early August at most schools, but I would definitely shoot for earlier if I have to reapply. I applied fairly broadly within areas where my fiancee would still have plenty of employment opportunities as you can see by my MDApps. It is kind of confusing that 2 of my 3 interviews came from reach schools while I was rejected from lower tier ones; I'm definitely not complaining at all, just makes me unsure of any schools to add or remove if I applied again.

So again, while I am hoping for good things from the interviews I have had it seems like the MCAT is one of the few things I could change if I needed to put in another app and my practice test average was enough above what I got to make it seem feasible. If I'm not scoring similarly prior to testing this time around I definitely wouldn't take it again though.
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Retaking an excellent MCAT makes you look foolish. There is no improvement that you can make on a 36 MCAT! It doesn't pay to focus on the strongest part of your application even if is appears to be the only part you have control over. Look for more substantive ways to inprove your outcome (as you have above).
 
juliuspepperwood said:
I definitely agree with you guys in most cases. A 36 is absolutely enough for a solid application.

Unfortunately the downsides of my application aren't things I can go out and correct, for example I have an institutional action from ~5 years ago. I also spent 4 years taking classes part time at a JC, not caring about my grades at all, which resulted in 77 units with a 2.89 GPA when I transferred to a 4 year university. I did okay (B's) in the rest of my pre-major work there then got a 3.8 in my major, leaving me with something like a 3.3 overall. When I decided I wanted to pursue medicine I went back to school and spent ~2.5 years finishing my prereqs and taking upper division Bio with a 4.0 to show an upward trend and add a Biology major. By that time I had so many units already I was only able to get my cGPA up to a 3.4.

I have plenty of clinical and research experience, though I'm going to look in to shadowing Family Practice if possible since I currently only have time in the ED and Orthopedics. This cycle I was complete early August at most schools, but I would definitely shoot for earlier if I have to reapply. I applied fairly broadly within areas where my fiancee would still have plenty of employment opportunities as you can see by my MDApps. It is kind of confusing that 2 of my 3 interviews came from reach schools while I was rejected from lower tier ones; I'm definitely not complaining at all, just makes me unsure of any schools to add or remove if I applied again.

So again, while I am hoping for good things from the interviews I have had it seems like the MCAT is one of the few things I could change if I needed to put in another app and my practice test average was enough above what I got to make it seem feasible. If I'm not scoring similarly prior to testing this time around I definitely wouldn't take it again though.
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A 36 is the 97-98th percentile. Even if you did get a higher score, that barely raises your profile at all and can make you look foolish for trying to use that to raise your profile in that way.
If my car has a new and high end transmission, but it won't start because the alternator crapped out and the battery died, it would be a waste of time and money to replace the transmission with an even better and more expensive one.

You might be better served by starting a thread asking how to really improve your app because the MCAT is not the way to do it. Fwiw, I got accepted with a misdemeanor and 2 IAs, so the fact of an IA is not a death sentence though it really depends on what the IA is for. My IAS were relatively benign compared to something like cheating.
 
V5RED said:
A 36 is the 97-98th percentile. Even if you did get a higher score, that barely raises your profile at all and can make you look foolish for trying to use that to raise your profile in that way.
If my car has a new and high end transmission, but it won't start because the alternator crapped out and the battery died, it would be a waste of time and money to replace the transmission with an even better and more expensive one.

You might be better served by starting a thread asking how to really improve your app because the MCAT is not the way to do it. Fwiw, I got accepted with a misdemeanor and 2 IAs, so the fact of an IA is not a death sentence though it really depends on what the IA is for. My IAS were relatively benign compared to something like cheating.
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hah
 
I just bombed an interview at my top choice

Instead of exploring the city, I'm going to cry and take a nap
 
hopefloatsss said:
Don't worry, I've heard about a ton of people who thought they bombed but actually got offers.

And now you get to be pleasantly surprised!
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This! Many of my friends felt terrible after an interview, but ended up getting accepted still. You never know what they're seeing and thinking. Hang in there. Sending good thoughts your way!
 
My top choice school (interview in September) has meetings Thursdays and sends out acceptances on Fridays. This has ruined Fridays for me for the past four months...
 
chillaxbro said:
I just bombed an interview at my top choice

Instead of exploring the city, I'm going to cry and take a nap
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I second @hopefloatsss comment - read on here that someone felt like they bombed a ton of the interviewer's questions and they were actually accepted.

If it's just because you think you acted nervous, don't worry! I think most interviewers will give you some leeway on that - they know how much this means to us!
 
Finally got my grades from last semester. Drafting pre-interview update letters/LOIs now to few silent schools that still offering IIs this weekend. Wondering if I should send out pre-decision updates to my three interviewed places as well. Suggestions?
 
gobigorgohome22 said:
My top choice school (interview in September) has meetings Thursdays and sends out acceptances on Fridays. This has ruined Fridays for me for the past four months...
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My top choice does too! I feel you, slightly ruins the weekend, but something to look forward to!...i guess haha
 
sourdoughllama said:
@vfom If you're confident that's what held you back then I don't see why improving a strong application is needed. @snowwhat is correct! My GPA is actually lower this cycle compared to last cycle. Last year I applied super late and ended up on 2 wait lists (2 interviews late season). This year I've gotten 10 interviews because I applied early knowing that timing was an issue last year. So waiting around just to have more stuff on your application is a waste of time if your app is strong already
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What were the time frames that you applied last year vs this year? I'm wondering how much of an effect my application date had on my results this cycle. I've gotten 4 MD interview invites this season, but all later than December.
 
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