497 MCAT, 3.8 GPA

[Carlslee]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I took the January 23rd MCAT and got a 497: 123, 124, 124, 126. I have a cGPA of 3.69 and sGPA of 3.87. I started working in a research lab this year in February (so 3 months as of April 13th). I have two strong rec letters from my research professor and previous medical ethics professor. I'm looking for a third now. I'm about to start working as a scribe at a local hospital. I'm applying this cycle and I've already started on my personal statement. I'm in four medical related EC clubs and 2 non-med related clubs. I really want to go to Colorado for medical school. But I'll go anywhere not in the south east area of US. I am retaking the MCAT May 14th so I'll submit my AMCAS June 14th. I know my outlook isn't too good, but any advice? Please no demotivating comments, I'm trying really hard to stay focused and not burn out 🙂

 

[gyngyn]

Do not re-take the MCAT unless you are likely to score 508 or better.
Even so, that is the 10th% for CO, so a successful application will necessarily be much broader.

 

[Goro]

Do you have test taking anxiety? If so, that's fixable.

I took the January 23rd MCAT and got a 497: 123, 124, 124, 126. I have a cGPA of 3.69 and sGPA of 3.87. I started working in a research lab this year in February (so 3 months as of April 13th). I have two strong rec letters from my research professor and previous medical ethics professor. I'm looking for a third now. I'm about to start working as a scribe at a local hospital. I'm applying this cycle and I've already started on my personal statement. I'm in four medical related EC clubs and 2 non-med related clubs. I really want to go to Colorado for medical school. But I'll go anywhere not in the south east area of US. I am retaking the MCAT May 14th so I'll submit my AMCAS June 14th. I know my outlook isn't too good, but any advice? Please no demotivating comments, I'm trying really hard to stay focused and not burn out 🙂

 

[Carlslee]

Do you have test taking anxiety? If so, that's fixable.

No, I haven't ever really had test anxiety, and I wasn't even tired during my mcat. I did jumping jacks in the bathroom to keep blood flowing and I felt pretty confident the whole time.

 

[Carlslee]

Do not re-take the MCAT unless you are likely to score 508 or better.
Even so, that is the 10th% for CO, so a successful application will necessarily be much broader.

I called Colorado and they said the lowest the accept for the new mcat is a 503 which seemed kind of high. So I'm shooting for a 503 or higher. I feel like 6 points is manageable, maybe? What would you predict would be a workable score for CO?

 

[Goro]

The 10-90th %ile on the old exam is 30-37, so you need a 509 or better. The median applicant this year had a 505.

I called Colorado and they said the lowest the accept for the new mcat is a 503 which seemed kind of high. So I'm shooting for a 503 or higher. I feel like 6 points is manageable, maybe? What would you predict would be a workable score for CO?

 

[Wjldenver]

The 10-90th %ile on the old exam is 30-37, so you need a 509 or better. The median applicant this year had a 505.

OP, Your grades are excellent and your MCAT score is a deal breaker. Colorado Med gets over 6K applications per year and admits around 300 folks. Many of the rejected but well qualified applicants then spill over to Rocky Vista, the DO school in Denver. But your MCAT scores would eliminate you from their admit pool as well. Just devote 110% effort to get your MCAT scores competitive. Even take a semester off and just study/practice every day for the MCAT if you need to.