29R MCAT, Good ECs, My chances?

[AppleBeater]

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Hey guys, what are my chances of getting into med school this cycle? Or if I should bother re-taking the MCATs?

29R

9 PS
11 VR
9 BS

I have stellar ECs that I've been with for years and have gradually moved up to leadership roles. I'm president of most of them or vice-president at "lowest". I have a ton of volunteer work (literally I think over 2000 hours) and I have two semesters of research.

I don't think I can get in this cycle, only because my MCAT doesn't reflect my cumulative GPA (3.8). If, however, I apply this June for the next cycle, should I retake the MCATs?

 

[postbacpremed87]

Hey guys, what are my chances of getting into med school this cycle? Or if I should bother re-taking the MCATs?

29R

9 PS
11 VR
9 BS

I have stellar ECs that I've been with for years and have gradually moved up to leadership roles. I'm president of most of them or vice-president at "lowest". I have a ton of volunteer work (literally I think over 2000 hours) and I have two semesters of research.

I don't think I can get in this cycle, only because my MCAT doesn't reflect my cumulative GPA (3.8). If, however, I apply this June for the next cycle, should I retake the MCATs?

A 3.8/29R would be competitive at less selective schools if you applied in June.

 

[AppleBeater]

A 3.8/29R would be competitive at less selective schools if you applied in June.

I live in NJ, though, and would love to get in in-state. I heard NY/NJ/PA required higher scores than a 29R. Should I retake?

Btw, I LOVE Christina Hendricks!

 

[AppleBeater]

Sorry to bump this, but I would love more input! I really would love to know if I should retake the MCAT, since now I'll have to start restudying. 🙂

 

[Stumpyman]

You're pretty well rounded and if you want to just get in to a less competitive state school, then I'd say you might not even need a retake. Also, you're really late for this cycle, that could be pretty bad. If you decide to apply for next cycle I would suggest a retake (because of the extra one year of time).

 

[AppleBeater]

I think I will retake in January 2012. I know I can do better.

 

[Catalystik]

The chance for applicants applying with a 3.8/29 was 66%. With a higher score, chances went up as follows: MCAT 30=73%, MCAT 31=78%, and MCAT 32= 80%.

Just be sure the score won't drop.

 

[gmcguitar4]

I was scared about my retake as well..I did not schedule another MCAT until my test average was a 35. I originally got a 30 then raised to 33. I was absolutely sure/convinced that I would go up.

If you really want instate maybe just try to apply and submit to the two NJ schools and see what happens. It would only be a couple hundred dollars

 

[AppleBeater]

The chance for applicants applying with a 3.8/29 was 66%. With a higher score, chances went up as follows: MCAT 30=73%, MCAT 31=78%, and MCAT 32= 80%.

Just be sure the score won't drop.

I'll do my best. I think I'll follow the SDN schedule of studying.

I was scared about my retake as well..I did not schedule another MCAT until my test average was a 35. I originally got a 30 then raised to 33. I was absolutely sure/convinced that I would go up.

If you really want instate maybe just try to apply and submit to the two NJ schools and see what happens. It would only be a couple hundred dollars

The problem is, I spoke to my my health professsions advisor yesterday and he told me it's too late. He really didn't recommend me applying and told me he'd hesitate in releasing my LORs (kind of a mean thing to say, but what can I do?). Basically, he sort of "forbade" me from applying...well, kind of...He's the one that would write my committee letter, and it doesn't sound like he'd write me a phenomenal one based on how he kept repeating it's too late. I should've applied earlier but I was afraid of my score being way too low to even submit my primaries.

 

[Morsetlis]

Advice: Interfolio.com... even if you don't want to seriously apply this year, get your LOR's sent to Interfolio so you can release it when you want to without this ******* blocking your way.

 

[gmcguitar4]

I'll do my best. I think I'll follow the SDN schedule of studying.

The problem is, I spoke to my my health professsions advisor yesterday and he to Basically, he sort of "forbade" me from applying...well, kind of...He's the one that would write my committee letter, and it doesn't sound like he'd write me a phenomenal one based on how he kept repeating it's too late. I should've applied earlier but I was afraid of my score being way too low to even submit my primaries.

I agree with him because you don't know how long it will take for him to write this letter. Since the academic year has started he is probably really busy and that will limit his time to write you a letter. I suggest waiting until next cycle and crush the MCAT. You will increase your chances substantially for better programs. GL

 

[msc2423]

I submitted my AMCAS back in June with a 29Q and a 3.8 cGPA and great EC's. With those stats I received three interviews and was rejected by nobody. And since I got my new test scores (33Q) I have received no interviews. If you know that you can do better than go for a retake, but having a 29 on your MCAT is certainly not the end of the world

 

[HL60chic]

I'm in the same boat kind of....
Have a 3.85 GPA and work as a Lab Administrator in a Stem Cell Research Center on campus. Have had numerous community service and volunteer experiences, great LORs and I have a previous BA in English.

I was counting on a 30+ to offset the fact that I'm older and that pre-med was my second choice of education.....I'd really like to get into GW or Pitt.

Wondering if I should retake in January.

My scores... 9PS 10VR 10BS, WS-R

 

[AppleBeater]

I submitted my AMCAS back in June with a 29Q and a 3.8 cGPA and great EC's. With those stats I received three interviews and was rejected by nobody. And since I got my new test scores (33Q) I have received no interviews. If you know that you can do better than go for a retake, but having a 29 on your MCAT is certainly not the end of the world

Do you mind if I ask which schools? And congratulations 😀

Advice: Interfolio.com... even if you don't want to seriously apply this year, get your LOR's sent to Interfolio so you can release it when you want to without this ******* blocking your way.

This is interesting...but, if I don't go through my school's health careers office, won't medical schools kind of look down on me? My university's HCO is pretty well-known...

 

[msc2423]

Do you mind if I ask which schools? And congratulations 😀

Thanks 🙂 I submitted my application to Creighton, Ohio St., UofCincinnati, Rochester, Wright St, SLU, Penn St, Case Western, Indiana, Toledo, and Michigan. So far Creighton, Penn St, and Indiana have offered me interviews.

 

[The Mayor]

Testing

 

[AppleBeater]

Do you mind if I ask which schools? And congratulations 😀

Thanks 🙂 I submitted my application to Creighton, Ohio St., UofCincinnati, Rochester, Wright St, SLU, Penn St, Case Western, Indiana, Toledo, and Michigan. So far Creighton, Penn St, and Indiana have offered me interviews.

Wow...Well, like I said, congratulations 🙂

But I am worried if I'll get into my state schools (NJ)--Robert Wood Johnson and NJMS. Apparently their average is 32, and I'm concerned that even if I apply the first day in June, I won't get in unless I retake the MCAT.

 

[Catalystik]

But I am worried if I'll get into my state schools (NJ)--Robert Wood Johnson and NJMS. Apparently their average is 32, and I'm concerned that even if I apply the first day in June, I won't get in unless I retake the MCAT.

I believe you are citing the acceptee median. Average matriculant stats for these two schools are 3.64/3.58 sGPA/31.8 and 3.69/3.64 sGPA/30.9 (RWJ), and your 3.8 cGPA will compensate for the lower MCAT score. Try to dwell on the positives more. You are not in a terrible position.

 

[AppleBeater]

I believe you are citing the acceptee median. Average matriculant stats for these two schools are 3.64/3.58 sGPA/31.8 and 3.69/3.64 sGPA/30.9 (RWJ), and your 3.8 cGPA will compensate for the lower MCAT score. Try to dwell on the positives more. You are not in a terrible position.

Thank you! I appreciate the pep talk 🙂 I just wish my pre-health advisor (who's the one who told me those were the stats for the NJ schools) was this encouraging.

 

[AppleBeater]

Ok, last time I bump this, I swear!

I really, really want to get into Tufts med school. It's my dream school. Since I'm waiting a year and assuming I get straight A's from now on, I'll graduate with around a ~3.9, which is higher than the listed Tufts GPA I believe. But my MCAT is lower than their average. Should I retake?

 

[Juicec]

Ok, last time I bump this, I swear!

I really, really want to get into Tufts med school. It's my dream school. Since I'm waiting a year and assuming I get straight A's from now on, I'll graduate with around a ~3.9, which is higher than the listed Tufts GPA I believe. But my MCAT is lower than their average. Should I retake?

Catalysk's advice is nothing but gold, take it to the heart. If it was me I would have applied this cycle as a 29 is really not that bad at all...

Since you are planning on putting in another year anyways, why not spend some of that time studying for the MCAT. If you are confident it will improve, retake it... simple as that.

 

[Catalystik]

I really, really want to get into Tufts med school.

Should I retake?

See: http://www.tufts.edu/med/admissions/md/classprofile.html

From this page, you can see that average matriculant stats are cGPA 3.6, BCPM GPA 3.54, and MCAT 32.2 with the Lizzy M score being 68.2. Your Lizzy M score is 68. Their acceptee Lizzy M is I believe about 71. Why the big difference? I would wonder if the stats of those accepted through their Early Assurance program are diluting down the numbers. (Just a guess.) I'm not sure if their special program numbers changed when the class size increased to 200 (you could check this if you have a current MSAR).

Anyway, the upshot may be that while it appears you're safe with your current numbers, considering that their median acceptee MCAT is 35, for a better chance at Tufts, I think you maybe should think about a retake, as your 29 is 6 points below that.

 

[badgerpride]

I'm in the same boat-almost. I have a 28M though (8b 12v 8p). If I apply early in June, do you think I'd get interviews? Good ECs. And I'm from Minnesota- where the med school is so hard to get into.

I am contemplating a retake but I know I cannot do worse! I am SO confused...