3.75 gpa/497 MCAT, URM

[Hopeful7419]

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[Faha]

It is your low MCAT that is preventing you from receiving more interviews. Have you thought about retaking the MCAT? Where is your state of residence? Where did you apply last year?

 

[Hopeful7419]

It is your low MCAT that is preventing you from receiving more interviews. Have you thought about retaking the MCAT? Where is your state of residence? Where did you apply last year?

Oklahoma. I applied to state schools, some mid/low tiers and HBCUs. I was considering taking the mcat again in January.

 

[Faha]

You would be much more competitive if you increased your MCAT to 500 or higher. Retake when your practice scores are consistently over 500. Then if you score over 500 (post your score here when available) you could apply next June, which is the ideal time to apply. You will also need to explain in your application the family illness reasons that were responsible for your poor senior grades.

 

[Hopeful7419]

You would be much more competitive if you increased your MCAT to 500 or higher. Retake when your practice scores are consistently over 500. Then if you score over 500 (post your score here when available) you could apply next June, which is the ideal time to apply. You will also need to explain in your application the family illness reasons that were responsible for your poor senior grades.

Thank you for your advice. So would it be a bad decision if I decide to apply broadly this cycle?

 

[Hopeful7419]

I'd love to advice from @Goro @LizzyM or @gyngyn as well

 

[Faha]

Thank you for your advice. So would it be a bad decision if I decide to apply broadly this cycle?

Yes, you want to apply early with the best application possible so that would be next June.

 

[Goro]

I'd love to advice from @Goro @LizzyM or @gyngyn as well

I can't recommend applying this year, if you're aiming for MD schools. There are some DO schools for whom your MCAT is above their floor, but I think that you can do better if you do as Faha advises and retake the MCAT.

 

[Hopeful7419]

I can't recommend applying this year, if you're aiming for MD schools. There are some DO schools for whom your MCAT is above their floor, but I think that you can do better if you do as Faha advises and retake the MCAT.

Thank you, I really appreciate your response. Aside from re-taking the MCAT, what do you think I should do to improve my application over the next 1-2 years? I may have a chance at doing an MPH, do you think that would be helpful? Or maybe doing the MPH + other things?

 

[Hopeful7419]

Yes, you want to apply early with the best application possible so that would be next June.

Thank you. Do you suggest anything further to improve my application? In addition to re-taking?

 

[Goro]

Thank you, I really appreciate your response. Aside from re-taking the MCAT, what do you think I should do to improve my application over the next 1-2 years? I may have a chance at doing an MPH, do you think that would be helpful? Or maybe doing the MPH + other things?

I'm not a fan of mph programs. I prefer service to others less fortunate than yourself.

 

[Hopeful7419]

I'm not a fan of mph programs. I prefer service to others less fortunate than yourself.

So volunteering would be sufficient?

 

[Faha]

Thank you, I really appreciate your response. Aside from re-taking the MCAT, what do you think I should do to improve my application over the next 1-2 years? I may have a chance at doing an MPH, do you think that would be helpful? Or maybe doing the MPH + other things?

The rest of your application is good. You just need to study hard and do well on the MCAT.

 

[Hopeful7419]

The rest of your application is good. You just need to study hard and do well on the MCAT.

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[Faha]

Thank you. Should I not retake the classes that I got a C in during my senior year?

No, your GPA is fine. It is the low MCAT that is keeping you out of medical school. You could take some science courses in the coming year that you have not taken before and get A's to prove that your senior year grades were not typical for you.

 

[Goro]

So volunteering would be sufficient?

And, as Faha points out, study hard for the MCAT!!!

 

[Hopeful7419]

No, your GPA is fine. It is the low MCAT that is keeping you out of medical school. You could take some science courses in the coming year that you have not taken before and get A's to prove that your senior year grades were not typical for you.

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[Faha]

Thank you. What would you say a good MCAT score would be for someone in my situation?

If you receive a 505 your chances for a MD acceptance are almost 90%. If you receive a 500 they are 75%. This data is from the GPA -MCAT grid. Post your new score here when available.

 

[Walter Raleigh]

Shoot for a 510 or better; many schools average retakes, although URMs get considerable leeway. Take practice tests and study what you got wrong after every test. Do this five or six times, using official AAMC materials, and you'll do fairly well.