Hey guys! I'm new to SDN, I appreciate any and all constructive advice! Thanks in advance!
I am a senior attending a top 30 undergrad school, attempting to apply for the 2016 cycle. I just got my MCAT scores this week: 33 Total (12PS, 10V, 11BS) and I am wondering if I need to retake. My science GPA is low because of family issues and my distraction with everything going on at home while I am away at school. I think I have pretty strong reasons that can explain why my GPA has dropped (I had all As freshman year in G. Chem I&II, Calc I&II, Introductory Biology courses). My lowest grade is a C+ in Physics that I got last semester. Like I said, things have been rough personally, I think I show that I am decently capable in the sciences since my two highest MCAT subscores are in the sciences. However, I'd like your opinions on this. At this point, the highest I can boost my science GPA by the end of this year is 3.5, which I think is possible to do. Bottom line: should I retake MCAT? (I've heard that improving a score from 30 or higher is an uphill battle, plus I really don't want to take the new MCAT - it looked disastrous from the trial section sneak peek).
ECs:
1) ~200 hours volunteering in a general hospital + long term care center for children with special needs over my past 3 years in college
2) summer after freshman yr: office assistant/shadowing at pediatrician office summer after freshman year
3) summer after sophomore yr: collected data and wrote clinical research paper (not yet published). I wrote the whole paper without help, but I don't know if I will be first author yet (doctor who performed procedures might)
4) summer after junior yr: worked at a doctor's office as a technician. Observed procedures, performed tests on patients, took patient histories, interacted with patients and families, reassured patients, explained procedures. Overall a wonderful experience that further confirmed my passion to be a doctor.
5) work on my school's literary/arts magazine for past 3 years. I have a leadership role that involves a lot of responsibility
I am a NJ resident and would be SO SO SO happy to go to NJMS or RWJMS!!
Thanks again for taking the time to look at this - I appreciate any and all help!
I am a senior attending a top 30 undergrad school, attempting to apply for the 2016 cycle. I just got my MCAT scores this week: 33 Total (12PS, 10V, 11BS) and I am wondering if I need to retake. My science GPA is low because of family issues and my distraction with everything going on at home while I am away at school. I think I have pretty strong reasons that can explain why my GPA has dropped (I had all As freshman year in G. Chem I&II, Calc I&II, Introductory Biology courses). My lowest grade is a C+ in Physics that I got last semester. Like I said, things have been rough personally, I think I show that I am decently capable in the sciences since my two highest MCAT subscores are in the sciences. However, I'd like your opinions on this. At this point, the highest I can boost my science GPA by the end of this year is 3.5, which I think is possible to do. Bottom line: should I retake MCAT? (I've heard that improving a score from 30 or higher is an uphill battle, plus I really don't want to take the new MCAT - it looked disastrous from the trial section sneak peek).
ECs:
1) ~200 hours volunteering in a general hospital + long term care center for children with special needs over my past 3 years in college
2) summer after freshman yr: office assistant/shadowing at pediatrician office summer after freshman year
3) summer after sophomore yr: collected data and wrote clinical research paper (not yet published). I wrote the whole paper without help, but I don't know if I will be first author yet (doctor who performed procedures might)
4) summer after junior yr: worked at a doctor's office as a technician. Observed procedures, performed tests on patients, took patient histories, interacted with patients and families, reassured patients, explained procedures. Overall a wonderful experience that further confirmed my passion to be a doctor.
5) work on my school's literary/arts magazine for past 3 years. I have a leadership role that involves a lot of responsibility
I am a NJ resident and would be SO SO SO happy to go to NJMS or RWJMS!!
Thanks again for taking the time to look at this - I appreciate any and all help!