3.96 cGPA 3.90 sGPA but 26R, URM and disadvantaged...could use help

[tpoc3]

hey everyone--

this is one of my first posts, but i really need the advice. i have a really low mcat, i know (retaking aug. 18). it worries me that i may not be able to improve significantly in 3 weeks time, now studying after taking it 6/16.

do i have any chances at MD now? What sort of an mcat should i shoot for? and does anyone know what's the most effective strategy to master verbal?

i'd really appreciate your feedback. thank you so much in advance

 

[technopoly]

hey everyone--

this is one of my first posts, but i really need the advice. i have a really low mcat, i know (retaking aug. 18). it worries me that i may not be able to improve significantly in 3 weeks time, now studying after taking it 6/16.

do i have any chances at MD now? What sort of an mcat should i shoot for? and does anyone know what's the most effective strategy to master verbal?

i'd really appreciate your feedback. thank you so much in advance

Your MCAT is low, but I don't think it's unheard of for people in that range to get in. Cracking 30 would be to your advantage. And honestly for verbal, practice. Passages every day. And read newspapers, magazines, anything you can get your hands on.

 

[sha15]

With your GPA and being an URM, your MCAT is competitive. If you get it up around 29+ you are signed, sealed, and delivered.

 

[tpoc3]

thanks guys. are you sure about the 26 being competitive? i feel as though it's a long shot...should i be seeking out certain schools? if so, any suggestions?

thank you

 

[sector9]

thanks guys. are you sure about the 26 being competitive? i feel as though it's a long shot...should i be seeking out certain schools? if so, any suggestions?

thank you

Chances are above 80% due to your URM status
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=838625

 

[Catalystik]

thanks guys. are you sure about the 26 being competitive? i feel as though it's a long shot...should i be seeking out certain schools? if so, any suggestions?

If you have the usual and customary ECs, I agree that it's reasonable for you to apply with your current stats if your VS is at least a 7 (6 if yoou're ESL). SDN's MCAT Discussions forum has posts you can Search out on raising VS.

Do you have an in-state med school? Have you looked into Meharry, Howard, and Morehouse (which will consider you if you have a strong pattern of service to the poor) or any Puerto Rican schools (if you are fluent in Spanish)? Also, take a look at these, which have a decent OOS matriculation rate, except as noted:
Toledo, Wake, Creighton (no CC credit for prereqs), Nebraska, LSU-NO, NYMC, Vermont, Hofstra (new)
Wright, Drexel, FAU, Tulane, MSU (high OOS tuition), Oakland (new in MI), Penn State (requires a research thesis), Commonwealth in Pa (seeks to train rural NE PA docs), Arizona X 2,
VCU, Louisville, UIllinois (high OOS tuition, but good scholarships), Buffalo, ETennessee (vet preference, 13%OOS)

 

[TriagePreMed]

any Puerto Rican schools

Remember that U of PR doesn't take OOS applicants.

 

[tpoc3]

If you have the usual and customary ECs, I agree that it's reasonable for you to apply with your current stats if your VS is at least a 7 (6 if yoou're ESL). SDN's MCAT Discussions forum has posts you can Search out on raising VS.

Do you have an in-state med school? Have you looked into Meharry, Howard, and Morehouse (which will consider you if you have a strong pattern of service to the poor) or any Puerto Rican schools (if you are fluent in Spanish)? Also, take a look at these, which have a decent OOS matriculation rate, except as noted:
Toledo, Wake, Creighton (no CC credit for prereqs), Nebraska, LSU-NO, NYMC, Vermont, Hofstra (new)
Wright, Drexel, FAU, Tulane, MSU (high OOS tuition), Oakland (new in MI), Penn State (requires a research thesis), Commonwealth in Pa (seeks to train rural NE PA docs), Arizona X 2,
VCU, Louisville, UIllinois (high OOS tuition, but good scholarships), Buffalo, ETennessee (vet preference, 13%OOS)

thank you for all of your feedback.

 

[tpoc3]

also, do you all know if applying to texas schools now (oos) with my stats would be a long shot?

 

[tpoc3]

.

 

[TriagePreMed]

also, do you all know if applying to texas schools now (oos) with my stats would be a long shot?

Yes, 26 doesn't cut it. Retake the MCAT if you want to be seen as a serious candidate.

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

Get your MCAT to around a 29 at least. Then you are pretty much set since you are URM+Disadvantaged,

 

[tpoc3]

so here's another problem. i didn't get my scores back until 7/19, and was out of town for a week--scheduled from before. now, i have about 10 days left (i've studied verbal, only) before the next exam. I can't take it any later than 8/18 because i'll be out of the country from 8/19 until 9/6.

10 days is a risk right? i really don't want to get a worse score...

 

[tpoc3]

is it possible to get a better score in a matter of only 2 weeks?

 

[flodhi1]

by the way, here's my breakdown: 9 PS, 7 VR, 10 BS

is it possible to get a better score in a matter of only 2 weeks?

VR score is a crap shoot depends on what passage you get that day and how you feel. I was scoring 9s on the AAMC practice exams in VR but come exam day I bombed the VR section (mostly because passages were longer and ran out of time). Since you have extremely limited time don't think you'll be able to champ through the VR. Right now I would say focus a lot on the Physical Sciences. It is very possible to bring that 9 on the PS to at least an 11 in just 2 weeks. I went from scoring 10s to 12s in literally a couple weeks. The key is Berkley review for PS section. If you devote a lot of time you could bring the PS up. Ironically I scored the same as you except for the PS. I got 12 PS, 7 VR and 10 BS lol

 

[Catalystik]

my state does have an instate school--mn. but as you probably know, its mcat average is much higher than mine.

What about the Duluth campus? Isn't it somewhat less selective?

 

[tpoc3]

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