3.9 GPA, 3.8+ Science, 29R MCAT

[jsj9p]

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I currently have a near-perfect transcript from the University of Virginia with A's in all of my pre-medical courses. I'm double majoring in Psychology and Chemistry, have worked in three different Physical Therapy Clinics, am working to shadow several orthopedic surgeons, have held multiple leadership positions in several organizations and do community service.

My application was very competitive until I received my MCAT scores and now I don't know what to do. I became very nervous during the PS section scoring an 8 which brought down my overall score significantly. The latter three portions are what I would call acceptable (11, R, 10). I was very "dead-set" on applying this cycle and didn't want to take a year off of medical school. I know that I won't be prepared to take the August 5th MCAT (should I choose to retake it) so my options now are to apply this cycle and hope for the best or to retake the MCAT in December or January and wait a year.

I'm of the "this has been my greatest hope and dream" classification and I really want to go straight into medical school. I'm wondering whether my grades and experience are enough to offset my less than stellar MCATs.

My school list is Georgetown, UVA, UNC, Wake, Emory, LSU, and possibly VCU.

I just really need some advice. My pre-health advisor recommended me retake the MCAT but I don't want to feel like I sacrificed so much during the school year to study for the MCAT's and to have it be worth nothing.

 

[tom sdcal]

I'm sitting in the same position right now with a 29Q (9-9-11). I'm awaiting scores back from 6/17 and praying that they are better. If not, I may (gasp) take it a third time at the end of August. I would recommend you submit your app immediately and add some more lower tier schools while you aim for a retake in mid-late August which should give you at least a month and a half to address weaknesses.

 

[Catalystik]

A PS of 8 is below the bottom tenth percentile for some of your schools listed. If you won't be happy without a decent shot at some of the more selective schools, then you'll need to retake. If you could be happy with VCU, Virginia Tech, LSU, and other schools closer to your stat range, then I'd suggest you apply as you are and see how the cycle goes.

With appropriate school choices and a longer list (15-20), you have at least a 68% chance of an acceptance. Some others you might consider are:
MSU, Oakland (new), Hofstra (new), Commonwealth in Pa,
EVMS, Drexel, NYMC, Tulane, UIllinois, Rush, GWU, Temple, Toledo, Buffalo, Loyola,
MCW, UVermont, Jefferson, SUNY Upstate, UCentral Florida, Albany, Creighton, Wayne, Rosalind Franklin, Georgetown.

 

[jsj9p]

How disadvantaged am I (honestly) if I submit the application now, indicate I'm taking it in August and retake on the August 12th date?

 

[Catalystik]

If schools begin to consider your file in mid-September when the new score is available, assuming its about a 32, you'll possibly have a 7% disadadvantage at target range schools and more at more-selective schools (per my subjective impression. This varies by school selectivity, number of applications a school gets, and your competitiveness). If the new score is another 29, but a higher PS, your disadvantage maybe more like 15% decrease. If it's 35, your disadvantage may be only 3%.

Do not consider this on par with authoritative published data. This guesstimate is provided for illustrative purposes only. Disadvantage varies based on multiple factors.