3.98 GPA but MCAT Problems

[EarthtoneJon]

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3.98 cGPA, 3.97 sGPA, 4.0 non-science GPA, 25 MCAT (9/8/8)

Clinical experience: 2 years employment as nurse aide, medical director of non-profit organization.

Volunteer / extracurricular experience: summer camps, tons of tutoring, leadership, basketball player / coach, church service, musician.

Awards: Dean's list, Barnard Award (top 12 student in Connecticut State University System), top graduating chemistry student in my department, cited by Governor of CT and general assembly, College Academic Day honoree, 2nd place in university writing contest.

So I know, the MCAT is problematic. I am applying this cycle, but could not schedule the MCAT before August 3rd. My plan is to submit the application June 1st (everything is ready to go) and indicate that another set of scores are coming. Given that my application is relatively strong otherwise (so I've been told,) will the lateness of the new MCAT scores kill my chances?

PS: I am by no means applying to top-tier schools, with the exception of Yale, because it is 15 minutes from my house. I am applying to middle of the road schools like New York College of Medicine, UCONN, and a DO school in West Virginia.

Thanks!

 

[Hotshy]

3.98 cGPA, 3.97 sGPA, 4.0 non-science GPA, 25 MCAT (9/8/8)

Clinical experience: 2 years employment as nurse aide, medical director of non-profit organization.

Volunteer / extracurricular experience: summer camps, tons of tutoring, leadership, basketball player / coach, church service, musician.

Awards: Dean's list, Barnard Award (top 12 student in Connecticut State University System), top graduating chemistry student in my department, cited by Governor of CT and general assembly, College Academic Day honoree, 2nd place in university writing contest.

So I know, the MCAT is problematic. I am applying this cycle, but could not schedule the MCAT before August 3rd. My plan is to submit the application June 1st (everything is ready to go) and indicate that another set of scores are coming. Given that my application is relatively strong otherwise (so I've been told,) will the lateness of the new MCAT scores kill my chances?

PS: I am by no means applying to top-tier schools, with the exception of Yale, because it is 15 minutes from my house. I am applying to middle of the road schools like New York College of Medicine, UCONN, and a DO school in West Virginia.

Thanks!

I was accepted to UConn Med this year and am completing my undergraduate degree right now at UConn (commencement is this weekend). I'm going to be perfectly honest with you, you have no chance at UConn Med with that MCAT score. I don't know anyone who scored below a 29 that received an interview (most of the 29/30s were waitlisted or rejected), and I don't know anyone that scored below a 32 and was accepted. I'm sure people with scores below 32 will be admitted as they committee dips into the waitlist, but with a 25 you don't stand a chance. Your new MCAT score coming late will not kill your chances. I think if you can put down a 31+ you're in good shape.

Also have you done any research?

Edited after re-reading your post***

 

[EarthtoneJon]

Thanks Hotshy,

No research for me. Considering I was scoring 30s on my practice tests (after studying for 40 days) I am pretty confident I can score a 30+ after studying all summer. Congrats on your acceptance! If you don't mind me asking, are you a traditional applicant?

 

[yellowfish]

3.98 cGPA, 3.97 sGPA, 4.0 non-science GPA, 25 MCAT (9/8/8)

Clinical experience: 2 years employment as nurse aide, medical director of non-profit organization.

Volunteer / extracurricular experience: summer camps, tons of tutoring, leadership, basketball player / coach, church service, musician.

Awards: Dean's list, Barnard Award (top 12 student in Connecticut State University System), top graduating chemistry student in my department, cited by Governor of CT and general assembly, College Academic Day honoree, 2nd place in university writing contest.

So I know, the MCAT is problematic. I am applying this cycle, but could not schedule the MCAT before August 3rd. My plan is to submit the application June 1st (everything is ready to go) and indicate that another set of scores are coming. Given that my application is relatively strong otherwise (so I've been told,) will the lateness of the new MCAT scores kill my chances?

PS: I am by no means applying to top-tier schools, with the exception of Yale, because it is 15 minutes from my house. I am applying to middle of the road schools like New York College of Medicine, UCONN, and a DO school in West Virginia.

Thanks!

Your ECs are fantastic as is your GPA. If you can land an interview you have a great shot at being accepted; however, choosing schools that won't screen you initially for your MCAT will be the challenge. I don't know much about specific schools that do/don't screen for low MCATs, but if I were you, I would research that more.

 

[Hotshy]

Thanks Hotshy,

No research for me. Considering I was scoring 30s on my practice tests (after studying for 40 days) I am pretty confident I can score a 30+ after studying all summer. Congrats on your acceptance! If you don't mind me asking, are you a traditional applicant?

Traditional applicant, straight out of college, non-traditional by graduating from undergrad in 3 years starting med school at age 21, which caused me to run into a lot of resistance, despite good ECs across the board. I had strong numbers to back me up though, 4.0 cGPA and 34 MCAT. UConn Med certainly values non-traditional applicants more so than traditional, if you score a 30+ on the MCAT I would expect you to be accepted early on in the cycle. By the way I am not just blabbing, I talked with the admissions folks during second look, was able to gain some insight into how things are done at UConn.

The only reason I seemed to have such a strong insistence on a good MCAT score is that I know UConn has recently become much more rigorous in regards to the MCAT scores of students they accept.

 

[EarthtoneJon]

OK, gotcha. Very impressive, graduating early and starting medical school at 21. I can certainly appreciate how difficult that is. I worked hard to get an interview at age 21, but got wait-listed, and never moved up. If all goes well, I'll get in at age 22.

So you think a good MCAT score will do the trick? I hope you're right!

 

[Hotshy]

OK, gotcha. Very impressive, graduating early and starting medical school at 21. I can certainly appreciate how difficult that is. I worked hard to get an interview at age 21, but got wait-listed, and never moved up. If all goes well, I'll get in at age 22.

So you think a good MCAT score will do the trick? I hope you're right!

From what you're telling us, your application is very strong other than the MCAT. If you hit 31+ and interview well, I foresee an acceptance in your future! Feel free to private message me throughout the cycle and I will try to update you as much as I can about admissions happenings at UConn.

 

[MedBound1]

Your stats look great besides your MCAT. Obviously 31+ would be great and you should surely be able to land an acceptance with that, however, I think you have a legitimate shot at MD with 28+ so don't be totally bummed if you score falls into that range.

 

[hmania]

Apply D.O. as well? It's worth a shot

 

[K31]

Apply D.O. as well? It's worth a shot

With an app like that, I'd wait a year and try to kick ass on the MCAT rather than settling for DO the first time around.

 

[EarthtoneJon]

Interesting point ^ this is my second time around, but last time I applied super late (October!) I got a lot of attention from DO schools. In fact, I talked to the head of admissions at WVSOM, who essentially guaranteed me a spot for the 2013 entering class, since the class of 2012 had already filled up by the time my primaries were submitted last time.

So, It's nice to have a guaranteed back-up, but I've not given up on trying to stay in CT.