33 Mcat Mstp

[FSAP]

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I was set on MSTP before I took the MCAT, but I only scored 33 with a 10 on a BS section. My GPA is 3.98, solid research, great LORs. I am a biochemistry major at U of I. I was contemplating retaking the MCAT because I never scored below 12 on practice exams with 13 on average, it was my strongest section and that 10 was a fluke (heavy on genetics and I am more of a signaling pathways guy). However, I am a bit on a fence right now. Should I retake or will the adcoms look at the whole body of my work? I still want to do MSTP, but do they seriously consider people with such a relatively low MCAT score?

 

[seraph524]

A score of a 33 is on the low end of MSTP programs. I wouldn't say its impossible to get into one of these programs, just your chance will be rather low.

 

[hoya2008]

I was set on MSTP before I took the MCAT, but I only scored 33 with a 10 on a BS section. My GPA is 3.98, solid research, great LORs. I am a biochemistry major at U of I. I was contemplating retaking the MCAT because I never scored below 12 on practice exams with 13 on average, it was my strongest section and that 10 was a fluke (heavy on genetics and I am more of a signaling pathways guy). However, I am a bit on a fence right now. Should I retake or will the adcoms look at the whole body of my work? I still want to do MSTP, but do they seriously consider people with such a relatively low MCAT score?

I would say you have a reasonable chance of getting into an MSTP. I had a 32 on my MCAT also with a 10 in BS (believe me when I saw that, I was pissed at first) and my GPA when I was applying was 3.65 (cumulative). Based on my experiences (acceptance to UAB MSTP and another MD/PhD program, wait-listed at UVA for MSTP) the schools truly care about the quality of your research experience and that can make up for a "lower" MCAT score. If I could redo the process, I would have applied to more MD/PhD (non- and MSTP programs) as when speaking with an advisor who used to sit on Yale's MSTP ADCOM, I was actually more competitive then I gave myself credit for. So while you might not be every school's first choice, I feel with truly strong research (and that strong GPA), you will get into a MSTP program. Hope that helps! (oh you can check my MD applicants profile to see where I applied and such).

 

[Ariodant]

Are you applying this cycle? If not, you still have sometime, otherwise you'll have to delay a year for the retake. Different schools will look at your profile differently, and unless you can be sure to bump the score for more than 3pts, or you absolutely have to get into one of the top 10s, I don't think it's worth the trouble.

 

[Doctor&Geek]

Eh, my roommate from college and sometimes SDN poster got a lower score than you and had multiple acceptances to MSTPs.

(And no he's not a URM)

 

[FSAP]

Thanks for the pointers, guys. That's what I figure. Even if I don't get in this cycle, my PI got a grant on my project, so I have an opportunity to get my app stronger during the year off. A 1st author pub is probably gonna be more helpful than extra 2 pts on the MCAT.

 

[mercaptovizadeh]

I was set on MSTP before I took the MCAT, but I only scored 33 with a 10 on a BS section. My GPA is 3.98, solid research, great LORs. I am a biochemistry major at U of I. I was contemplating retaking the MCAT because I never scored below 12 on practice exams with 13 on average, it was my strongest section and that 10 was a fluke (heavy on genetics and I am more of a signaling pathways guy). However, I am a bit on a fence right now. Should I retake or will the adcoms look at the whole body of my work? I still want to do MSTP, but do they seriously consider people with such a relatively low MCAT score?

Given your GPA, I would not worry about it too much. First time I applied, I got a 34. My GPA was bad (3.5 both times), so I realized that I'd have to compensate on the MCAT. I retook and got a 40, which I believe was completely unrelated to my studying (I thank God for it). According to the MCAT website, my VR jump from 9 to 14 was statistically practically impossible.

If you think you can go from a 33 to a 37+, I would consider retaking. But since your GPA is nearly perfect, a solid MCAT is perfectly fine as well.

 

[Vader]

Do not retake the MCAT with a 33 and your excellent GPA. If you interview well, you'll get in somewhere.

 

[Neuronix]

I wouldn't say its impossible to get into one of these programs, just your chance will be rather low.

I disagree. Going by my own rules that's an excellent GPA and hopefully excellent research experience (4 years experience by the time you apply) that could balance out a slightly sub-par MCAT. It's only slightly off my 34 minimum. If this guy was writing with a 28 I'd be a lot more worried.

I think your chances are good. Though it hinges somewhat on what "solid research" means. You have a Huey Freeman avatar. Are you URM?

 

[FSAP]

I disagree. Going by my own rules that's an excellent GPA and hopefully excellent research experience (4 years experience by the time you apply) that could balance out a slightly sub-par MCAT. It's only slightly off my 34 minimum. If this guy was writing with a 28 I'd be a lot more worried.

I think your chances are good. Though it hinges somewhat on what "solid research" means. You have a Huey Freeman avatar. Are you URM?

No, I am not URM, but I am from Kyrgyzstan (lived there till 10th grade) and my mom is MD/PhD. I have 2 summers of research and I am signed on for another semester in the spring after I graduate since I am funded. I have a 2nd author publication submitted to JBC (great journal if you ask me and their impact factor should be way higher). My abstract was accepted at 2 conferences and 2 journals and I was a contributor on a funded ALA grant. If I don't get in this year, chances are good I will be a contributor on the RO1 by the time I am applying again. 2 summers is not much, but I got a lot of work done during that time. Like I said, solid, but not outstanding yet.

 

[Neuronix]

No, I am not URM, but I am from Kyrgyzstan (lived there till 10th grade) and my mom is MD/PhD.

Yegzamash! Wait, wrong country. 😀

I have 2 summers of research and I am signed on for another semester in the spring after I graduate since I am funded. I have a 2nd author publication submitted to JBC (great journal if you ask me and their impact factor should be way higher).

It's time served, not publications. Spend more time doing research. You're going to be a borderline applicant at this rate with the MCAT. When are you applying? How much more research experience will you have?

 

[FSAP]

Yegzamash! Wait, wrong country. 😀



It's time served, not publications. Spend more time doing research. You're going to be a borderline applicant at this rate with the MCAT. When are you applying? How much more research experience will you have?

I am about to submit my AMCAS this weekend. We will see how it goes. I wouldn't be too surprised if I don't get in this time, but I have an opportunity to beef up my app and come back stronger next year.

 

[Neuronix]

I am about to submit my AMCAS this weekend. We will see how it goes. I wouldn't be too surprised if I don't get in this time, but I have an opportunity to beef up my app and come back stronger next year.

That's a healthy attitude. Good luck!

 

[blazinfury]

NurbekIL, quick question if you do not mind? When you said, "I was a contributor on a funded ALA grant," what do you mean? Do you mean that you helped your PI write the grant proposal? If so, does that count or can be listed as a skill or talked about during interviews if an applicant has been doing it since his or her start at the lab? Thanks so much and sorry if this is a stupid question.

 

[FSAP]

NurbekIL, quick question if you do not mind? When you said, "I was a contributor on a funded ALA grant," what do you mean? Do you mean that you helped your PI write the grant proposal? If so, does that count or can be listed as a skill or talked about during interviews if an applicant has been doing it since his or her start at the lab? Thanks so much and sorry if this is a stupid question.

My mom told me to put it down. My PI OK'd it. I am sure it is worth talking about on the interviews if asked. It was based on the project I am working on, so why not.

 

[RighteousPathMD]

If a Kyrgyz applicant is not considered an URM ........then I don't know what is.😱

 

[noplacelikehome]

Don't know if this helps - I had a 33/3.98 GPA/ 3 years of research a few years ago, and got into several very good programs. It's doable. The top ones may not even give you an interview, but none that did even asked about my MCAT score. Good luck! And I don't think you need to worry about the MCAT score.

 

[JLC]

don't worry about ur mcat, I know one student with a 30 last year who got acceptance from 1 top 10 (UWash), 4-5 top 20 and 2 top 30 MSTP programs. That was almost all the schools (except 1) he even applied to!

On the other hand, UWash has the lowest numbers of any of the top 10 schools, but his application was extremely strong, especially his research.

He was a 4.0, fulbright and 1 first author pub in basic science journal.

 

[skillmatic]

don't worry about ur mcat, I know one student with a 30 last year who got acceptance from 1 top 10 (UWash), 4-5 top 20 and 2 top 30 MSTP programs. That was almost all the schools (except 1) he even applied to!

On the other hand, UWash has the lowest numbers of any of the top 10 schools, but his application was extremely strong, especially his research.

He was a 4.0, fulbright and 1 first author pub in basic science journal.

http://www.mstp.washington.edu/admissions/faq
Lowest numbers? Really? Don't mislead people...

 

[JLC]

I'm not misleading anyone, can you pull up MSTP stats for other schools to compare?

 

[JLC]

alrite I just found JHU: 3.89, 36
and UCSF: 3.85, 36


So I guess they're marginal

Although GPA is higher.


That said, I assumed that the MD/PhD numbers were lower based on the MD only numbers (so I guess that was misleading)

 

[Neuronix]

So I guess they're marginal

...

That said, I assumed that the MD/PhD numbers were lower based on the MD only numbers (so I guess that was misleading)

That's the key here. Is it possible UWash is the lowest of the top-10 programs? Possibly, I don't have all the data. But, you're really splitting hairs among even the top-20 programs. For all the data I've seen the matriculant average I think is always a 3.8x GPA and MCAT is 36.x-37.x.

MSTPs do not have a state or regional prference when selecting applicants. This means that for state schools like UWash, the MSTP is just as competitive as any other MSTP because they recruit nationally with no state preference. So the MD only numbers in this context are misleading.

 

[FSAP]

Okay, for an update the good news is I got UIC Interview on October 27th. That is pretty awesome since I like their program. Did not get any rejections yet which makes me happy.

 

[xanthines]

Congrats!

When you get your first acceptance, you'll probably do a lot better in the interviews since you won't be as nervous. Nothing to lose! I went to my last interview with a total "meh" attitude and was accepted two weeks later. The funny thing is, I actually went there!

-X

Okay, for an update the good news is I got UIC Interview on October 27th. That is pretty awesome since I like their program. Did not get any rejections yet which makes me happy.

 

[FSAP]

Delete post

 

[orrghead16]

NurbekIL, quick question if you do not mind? When you said, "I was a contributor on a funded ALA grant," what do you mean? Do you mean that you helped your PI write the grant proposal? If so, does that count or can be listed as a skill or talked about during interviews if an applicant has been doing it since his or her start at the lab? Thanks so much and sorry if this is a stupid question.

I second this question... My project is the basis for our lab's most recent RO1. Although I wasn't a contributor by any means (i.e. didn't help the PI write it; although most figures I made, etc. ) it is mostly my work. I hadn't even thought about putting this down on the AMCAS, and didn't think it would be important enough. Should I be putting this down? I was thinking it *might* be something to talk about in interviews, but already have enough to fit in the 15 spots as it is...

Thanks, sorry to bump the unwanted post.

 

[FSAP]

I put it down and I am gonna put it down again as a reapplicant. I asked my PI and he thought it was a good idea. I am a contributor on his RO1, so I will put it down too. If you are running out of spots, just add a line about it somewhere. Won't hurt.

Anyways, I might as well give another update on my situation. I did not get in anywhere, but I am wailisted at UChicago and UIC. I probably still got a shot at UIC, but I am ready to apply again. I retook the MCAT and got 13/13/10Q, so the BS original score was really a fluke. I am gonna apply again with more research experience and hopefully 2 first authored with 1 accepted by the end of the summer and the other by the time of the interviews. My total publications should be at 4 or 5 by the time of the interviews (two second authored and one I am in the middle lol). I am gonna apply to 15 mid range MD/PhD programs (nothing fancy with UChicago probably with the highest ranking) and hopefully will get in somewhere this time.

 

[dmblue]

I put it down and I am gonna put it down again as a reapplicant. I asked my PI and he thought it was a good idea. I am a contributor on his RO1, so I will put it down too. If you are running out of spots, just add a line about it somewhere. Won't hurt.

Anyways, I might as well give another update on my situation. I did not get in anywhere, but I am wailisted at UChicago and UIC. I probably still got a shot at UIC, but I am ready to apply again. I retook the MCAT and got 13/13/10Q, so the BS original score was really a fluke. I am gonna apply again with more research experience and hopefully 2 first authored with 1 accepted by the end of the summer and the other by the time of the interviews. My total publications should be at 4 or 5 by the time of the interviews (two second authored and one I am in the middle lol). I am gonna apply to 15 mid range MD/PhD programs (nothing fancy with UChicago probably with the highest ranking) and hopefully will get in somewhere this time.

Not sure if UIC has a spot open. They did last friday, but I have no idea if it was filled.

 

[FSAP]

Not sure if UIC has a spot open. They did last friday, but I have no idea if it was filled.

I called them about a month or so ago and they said to expect any movement after May 16th. Thanks for the heads up though. Maybe I won't need to reapply if enough people drop out.

 

[Ariodant]

Why only mid-tier? You MCAT retake is high enough and your other credentials are more than sufficient. If you do need to reapply, don't be afraid to add a few top 10s to your list, you may be pleasantly surprised.