32M, 3.6 cGPA, 3.43 BCPM

[stolen_biscuit]

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I was wondering in particular whether or not to retake my MCAT. The M is atrocious, but the rest is fine 11p/11v/10b.
I do NOT at all want to retake as it's been about 15 years since most of my pre-reqs; it took me many hours to re-learn the info while studying for the MCAT. I have young kids as well as a part-time job and several volunteer gigs, so I could not put in the hours I could have 10 years ago. What I could manage took away a lot of time from my family for several weeks (I studied longer than that, of course, but it was only taking up all my spare time at the end.) Considering I am about to sign my life away to this career, I'd rather have a reprieve now. 🙂

People have told me I should have no problem with a TX school, but I'd like to be a little choosy if I can. My husband and I are not huge fans of the state in general, so staying in Houston would be top choice. I think I could do Dallas for a few years, but we've never traveled any place else here that seems any better than where we are. I will apply broadly, but we will have to consider whether we'd rather just move out of state (maybe near family) than to another city in TX.

I would like to apply (next summer) to Baylor (I know it's a long shot), UT Houston, UTMB, and UTSW. Would my stats keep me out of interview realm? It's hard to budge a GPA, but the MCAT could probably go up if I put a lot of effort into it.

I am aware that these schools might not all be dying to have me, for various reasons, but I would be disappointed if the MCAT was one of the big ones since it's fixable.

Other info:
Bio major. Upward trend at the end: f 3.3, s 3.2, j 3.0 (only took organic 1 and 2 that year in a National Student Exchange program, and I worked many hours), s 3.7 (but I took 3 senior semesters due to a state summer requirement - last 2 sems were 4.0)
A few post-bacc classes: 4.0
2 semesters research in ug
200 ug volunteer hours (clinical/non-clinical together), many more non-clinical post-graduation (PTA VP, etc), hospital volunteering beginning this school year (avg about 6 hours/week)
12 hours shadowing (OB and ENT), but planning more
Former high school Bio teacher for a few years. One additional year of Phys/Chem teaching.
Stayed home with kids, but active in organizations and part-time work (currently teaching Kaplan pre-college, formerly tutoring English).

I am also curious as to whether some OOS schools are non-trad friendly. Do you know if some are/aren't? A few mention that in their mission statements, but I am not sure how to find out otherwise. Don't want to waste $. 😀

And a final Q about the LizzyM pdf (which is fabulous). In terms of that 80/20 split that is recommended for applying so as to get an interview, I am assuming "hopeful" and "go for it" are the 80% since my stats are smack in the middle of those. However, is it wise to split those about half or even weight toward the upper end, or are you better off in the "go for it" section?

Thank you for sticking with me thus far! I posted here once before and got some good info on narrowing choices.

 

[stolen_biscuit]

Does anyone know if these stats are in interview range for Baylor, UT Houston, UTMB, and UTSW?

If so, I'm freecycling all my MCAT materials! 😀

Thanks!

 

[latony]

I was wondering in particular whether or not to retake my MCAT. The M is atrocious, but the rest is fine 11p/11v/10b.
I do NOT at all want to retake as it's been about 15 years since most of my pre-reqs; it took me many hours to re-learn the info while studying for the MCAT. I have young kids as well as a part-time job and several volunteer gigs, so I could not put in the hours I could have 10 years ago. What I could manage took away a lot of time from my family for several weeks (I studied longer than that, of course, but it was only taking up all my spare time at the end.) Considering I am about to sign my life away to this career, I'd rather have a reprieve now. 🙂

People have told me I should have no problem with a TX school, but I'd like to be a little choosy if I can. My husband and I are not huge fans of the state in general, so staying in Houston would be top choice. I think I could do Dallas for a few years, but we've never traveled any place else here that seems any better than where we are. I will apply broadly, but we will have to consider whether we'd rather just move out of state (maybe near family) than to another city in TX.

I would like to apply (next summer) to Baylor (I know it's a long shot), UT Houston, UTMB, and UTSW. Would my stats keep me out of interview realm? It's hard to budge a GPA, but the MCAT could probably go up if I put a lot of effort into it.

I am aware that these schools might not all be dying to have me, for various reasons, but I would be disappointed if the MCAT was one of the big ones since it's fixable.

Other info:
Bio major. Upward trend at the end: f 3.3, s 3.2, j 3.0 (only took organic 1 and 2 that year in a National Student Exchange program, and I worked many hours), s 3.7 (but I took 3 senior semesters due to a state summer requirement - last 2 sems were 4.0)
A few post-bacc classes: 4.0
2 semesters research in ug
200 ug volunteer hours (clinical/non-clinical together), many more non-clinical post-graduation (PTA VP, etc), hospital volunteering beginning this school year (avg about 6 hours/week)
12 hours shadowing (OB and ENT), but planning more
Former high school Bio teacher for a few years. One additional year of Phys/Chem teaching.
Stayed home with kids, but active in organizations and part-time work (currently teaching Kaplan pre-college, formerly tutoring English).

I am also curious as to whether some OOS schools are non-trad friendly. Do you know if some are/aren't? A few mention that in their mission statements, but I am not sure how to find out otherwise. Don't want to waste $. 😀

And a final Q about the LizzyM pdf (which is fabulous). In terms of that 80/20 split that is recommended for applying so as to get an interview, I am assuming "hopeful" and "go for it" are the 80% since my stats are smack in the middle of those. However, is it wise to split those about half or even weight toward the upper end, or are you better off in the "go for it" section?

Thank you for sticking with me thus far! I posted here once before and got some good info on narrowing choices.

In my unprofessional opinion I would advise against re-taking the MCAT. A 32 is definitely a good score and the consensus is that writing really doesn't matter all that much. When did you take the MCAT? If it was in 2010/11, you should be okay for all the schools if you apply in 2012.

I am having a hard time understanding your GPA... is it 3.3c 3.2s? If so, your weakness is your GPA, not your MCAT. A strong upward trend is great, but a 3.3/3.2 is significantly lower than the average of every MD school (I'm in the same boat as you - look at my MDApps). Can you take more upper level biology/chemistry classes?

EDIT: I re-read the title of your post. If you have a 3.6 cGPA, 3.43 BCPM, you have a fairly good chance of getting in somewhere. The strong upward trend adds to this.

Off the top of my head, I would say Baylor is out of range, but it can't hurt (except in terms of $$) to apply. UTMB's matriculant stats according to the MSAR (which I would HIGHLY recommend you buy - it has average stats for all these schools) 3.84c/3.84s/31 MCAT. UT Houston is 3.83/3.8/32. UTSW is 3.86/3.86/35. Looking at those numbers, you should be competitive at the schools, but by no means a shoo-in.

As far as out of state schools are concerned, I (a non-trad with slightly worse stats than you) have been successful at schools like Wake Forest, Rush, Vermont, MCW - private schools that do not have a heavy in-state bias. Off the top of my head, you might also try Creighton, Drexel, VCU, Jefferson, Albany. If you apply broadly, and early (verified in July), you should be good.

I would spend this time working on extracurriculars - shadowing, volunteering (both clinical and non-clinical) etc. - and making your personal statement really strong. I think these two things are what have given me a surprisingly good cycle so far. You seem to have an interesting story to tell, so I would focus on that.

(Take this with a grain of salt, I am a current applicant)

Best of luck!

 

[stolen_biscuit]

I really appreciate the info, especially about the schools with which you have had luck. I will be sure to include those in my list! There are obviously more factors than stats when you are non-trad, so it's good to know who's interested in those things. I will also definitely continue the shadowing and volunteering.

I do have the MSAR; I'm just unsure as to how that translates into what they are looking for when choosing who to interview.
Even if I am not ideal material for the school, I would rather that be because they weren't interested in me as a whole rather than they ditched my app for stats. That's the only reason I would want to retake that beast!

Thanks again, and best of luck to you!

 

[sector9]

I was wondering in particular whether or not to retake my MCAT. The M is atrocious, but the rest is fine 11p/11v/10b.

I would definitely NOT retake. I'll try to respond to the rest of your post tomorrow

 

[stolen_biscuit]

I would definitely NOT retake. I'll try to respond to the rest of your post tomorrow

I would appreciate that!

It was within my practice range, so I would really have to put in a lot of work reviewing (relearning) to get past that.

However, I am afraid there is nothing that stands out to get interviews (esp in my area). With grades at/below avg, I can't decide if I'll need the MCAT above avg to garner any interest; it's exactly the mean as it stands. I don't want to jeopardize my chances.

Lost sleep trying to figure this one out last night....

 

[stolen_biscuit]

Could anyone help with the following questions?

I would like to apply (next summer) to Baylor (I know it's a long shot), UT Houston, UTMB, and UTSW. Would my stats keep me out of interview realm? It's hard to budge a GPA, but the MCAT could probably go up if I put a lot of effort into it.

I am aware that these schools might not all be dying to have me, for various reasons, but I would be disappointed if the MCAT was one of the big ones since it's fixable.

Retake? I am really torn on this one. I was thinking I would retake 30 or below but definitely not 34+. Here I am in the grey area.

And a final Q about the LizzyM pdf (which is fabulous). In terms of that 80/20 split that is recommended for applying so as to get an interview, I am assuming "hopeful" and "go for it" are the 80% since my stats are smack in the middle of those. However, is it wise to split those about half or even weight toward the upper end, or are you better off in the "go for it" section?

?

Thanks!

 

[Stumpyman]

Definitely don't retake. Baylor and UTSW would be a push, but I'd say you have decent chances at UT houston, Texas tech (both campuses), and A&M.

 

[stolen_biscuit]

Definitely don't retake. Baylor and UTSW would be a push, but I'd say you have decent chances at UT houston, Texas tech (both campuses), and A&M.

Why not retake though (besides the fact that I don't want to)? Sector9 said the same, but no explanation.

When I look at the graphs in the stickies, a 2 pt increase shows a 5% higher chance while 4 pts shows 10%.

How do you know when it's holding you back or not?

 

[sector9]

Why not retake though (besides the fact that I don't want to)? Sector9 said the same, but no explanation.

When I look at the graphs in the stickies, a 2 pt increase shows a 5% higher chance while 4 pts shows 10%.

How do you know when it's holding you back or not?

To be honest, you're in a tough situation. I wouldn't retake because you already have a 32, which is a great score and is the average for applicants who get accepted. Therefore, I don't think that's going to hold you back.

Your GPA is what's going to hold you back, especially at Baylor (your BCPM is below their 10th %ile, and your cGPA is just above the 10th %ile. Your MCAT is above their 10th %ile by 1 point). With your sGPA, cGPA, and MCAT all hovering around the 10th %ile, I predict that you wouldn't have much chance at Baylor, unfortunately.

I agree with stumpyman that you would be very likely to be accepted somewhere in TX if you apply to all the schools. But the schools with the top stats might not give you a lot of love

If you said that all your practice tests were 35+ and you were really sick on test day, then I'd say retake. But since your score is in your practice range, it would take a huge effort to improve. The general rule is that you should only retake once your practice scores are consistently 3 points higher than your last test. Do you think you can do that? If you can, then retake if you really want to.

 

[stolen_biscuit]

To be honest, you're in a tough situation. I wouldn't retake because you already have a 32, which is a great score and is the average for applicants who get accepted. Therefore, I don't think that's going to hold you back.

Your GPA is what's going to hold you back, especially at Baylor (your BCPM is below their 10th %ile, and your cGPA is just above the 10th %ile. Your MCAT is above their 10th %ile by 1 point). With your sGPA, cGPA, and MCAT all hovering around the 10th %ile, I predict that you wouldn't have much chance at Baylor, unfortunately.

I agree with stumpyman that you would be very likely to be accepted somewhere in TX if you apply to all the schools. But the schools with the top stats might not give you a lot of love

If you said that all your practice tests were 35+ and you were really sick on test day, then I'd say retake. But since your score is in your practice range, it would take a huge effort to improve. The general rule is that you should only retake once your practice scores are consistently 3 points higher than your last test. Do you think you can do that? If you can, then retake if you really want to.

Thanks so much for the clear explanation (and for the graphs that get a bit more specific than the MSAR). 👍

I do think I could jump on the score with much more effort...but given the explanation, it doesn't sound worth my time. Now I see that it seems to be a separate consideration, so if my MCAT would be okay for the school, I need not go higher. An amazing score won't make up for the GPA.

Good to know, but that kind of sucks considering I can't do a ton about the GPA. If only I could go back and kick my 18-y/o self and tell her it was all going to matter someday....

Anyway, off to burn (oops, I mean freecycle - we're on a burn ban ) my plethora of MCAT books!