I think he meant the 2015-2016 cycle, which is what the last MSAR was based on, where a lot of schools had lower median MCATs than expected.
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LoveBeingHuman:)
Yes. In fact, I'm one of them. Because my family is somewhat well off, I do not have access to FAP or need-based medical scholarships. So despite having graduated last year, I have had to take a year off (despite having a 3.9+GPA and 512+ MCAT and over 400 volunteer hours) so that I could save up some money for medical school because my parents won't be able to pay for it. My family income is in the low 100's. While this is enough to help pay for AMCAS and pay for the MCAT (in addition to my own money), it is definitely not enough to help pay for medical school. Which is why I have to take time off to pay for it.
They have loans there. While it helps to have some extra money saved up, it is a poor financial decision in the end to delay applying for extra spending money with loans available.
I'm sorry to hear that, but most people typically don't pay for med school in advance. Instead, they take on debt with the understanding that working as an attending will allow them to pay it off in time.
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LoveBeingHuman:)
I can't take those loans for personal reasons outside of my control.
My overall point is that things are determined by a variety of circumstances. And it's pretty unfair to invalidate the difficulties and hardships of students coming from higher income families. There are a whole variety of reasons why someone would delay applying for a year, and some of them don't have anything to do with family income.
Okay, I'm sorry to hear about those circumstances, but I was speaking about trends. Yes, wealthy students can have their own outside problems with applying as well, but generalities can also be broadly accurate. On average, wealthier students likely face fewer financial obstacles that significantly hinder their ability to complete school, tackle the MCAT, and apply.
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Newsflash: if you’re dirt poor working for one year doesn’t all of the sudden make you rich or with no financial worries. For those that have to help their families and/or are solely supporting themselves, bills don’t stop for a year while you’re working to save for the MCAT. By the way, many students on the lower end of the socioeconomic status have BEEN working. Like since high school.
What you know about a few people doesn’t dictate what other poor students should or shouldn’t be doing with their time. How can you be so matter of fact regarding these multiple people you know to determine exactly hindered their scores? You scored well P/S so you should know that their scores were influenced by much more than simply not taking a year off. Maybe try not to judge.
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LoveBeingHuman:)
It's funny that you tell me not to judge and yet you claim that being poor means it's harder to apply to and complete school all across the board. Maybe you should try not to judge.
Not to mention the fact that you have been making generic claims all this time.
EDIT: You liked atlblue's post, which made a huge generic claim against wealthy students. You really should stop being a hypocrite.
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The question wasn’t do well off students neeed to take off time to pay for medical school, it was regarding the MCAT and application process. Poor students have many more hurdles to cross to even get TO medical school. Yet, you’re saying poor students shouldn’t even worry about the MCAT until they are financial stable. It’s ridiculous to assert that poor students can’t reach for their goals like everyone else. Every year you delay you miss a year of your salary as an attending. (That isn’t to say someone should apply when their application isn’t ready.) You shouldn’t even begin to try to explain how we should go about the process especially since you don’t come from a low socioeconomic status. Let us be the experts in our own reality.
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LoveBeingHuman:)
This, right here. You're doing it again. Just because you come from a low socioeconomic background doesn't mean that you are an "expert" on all matters regarding students coming from low income backgrounds.
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I never said “all across the board”. There is research that backs up what I’m saying. Google it.
Generic claims? Speaking in general? Yeah, that’s true and directly contridicts your first sentence.
My stance hasn’t waviered in this thread. I think you’re making it personal against you. Maybe take a break and come back in a bit.
Is it such a strong leap in logic to say that those with more financial resources, also typically struggle less with finding the money (and time) to complete college, paying for the MCAT, and paying to apply to med school? Do you really need someone to spell this out for you? I've also expressed my sympathies for your situation a couple times already, and it's unfortunate when anyone struggles with paying for the process, no matter the income bracket.
I'll note that not all undergrad colleges are that supportive of the working class, not everyone can get FAP, and not everyone has the time to dedicate to school without having to delicately balance it with family and friends.
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I never said I was any expert on all students within a certain group, but I’m definitely an expert regarding my reality. I’m certainly better equipped than you based not only on your background, but also your outrageous comments.
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LoveBeingHuman:)
I just get upset when someone uses "family income" as a way to determine how difficult it is to apply for someone. As someone who comes from upper middle class but has many non-income related struggles, I just get really frustrated when people invalidate my achievements and struggles. And that's why I may have taken it out harshly on this thread. I apologize.
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LoveBeingHuman:)
Ok. I hope you feel better about yourself now.
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Are you ok? What’s really going on?
Trends can't pinpoint where you are - there's still variation at every level of income, which is what I'm really trying to tell you.
If people are explicitly invalidating your achievements and struggles because of your income bracket, you ought to ignore them or cut them out of your life. Affluent applicants can still have achievements to be proud of, and I have friends wealthier than I am who have similar or better applications, and you know what, I'm happy for them! At the same time, it's important to be mindful of the cultural and financial benefits of being UMC, and how those might have helped, though not invalidated, the achievements of your professional life.
No worries, best of luck with everything.
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LoveBeingHuman:)
A little over a year ago I had to deal with the death of a close relative After that my life just got crushed to pieces. This has seriously impacted my application and I had to take a gap year to deal with it emotionally and to help pay for med school because of funeral expenses. Two friends of mine helped me get through it but I made a comment about how waiting a year to apply has been difficult and they started scoffing at me about how low-income students always have to wait to apply (these were the guys I mentioned earlier in my post) and how I should be "lucky" to have money to apply. I just got super triggered when they said that because they said it in a way that completely invalidated my own struggles. So when someone mentions or implies that higher income students have it easier simply because of coming from higher income families, I get triggered because there are so many things other than finances that can hold someone back. Sure, everything else controlled I can understand that its true. But I wish people who say things like that in a way as to not invalidate the struggles and accomplishments of others.
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My sorry to hear that and it sucks that you were triggered. Nobody here implied that so I hope you don’t feel like we are attempting to invalidate your struggles. I wasn’t being facetious when I suggested that taking a break from a thread and coming back later can help.
I think the take away here is socioeconomic status greatly influences the education and medical school process in this country, and of course things other than finances can create obstacles or opportunities. Those that can easily afford this process ARE lucky in that respect. That does NOT mean that they don’t face other obstacles. It also doesn’t mean that finances are a poor students only obstacles either. The application leaves room for all students to discuss such things on their app, if they make it that far that is.
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LoveBeingHuman:)
Thank you.
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I can virtually afford whatever prep material if I want to. But I just did AAMC stuff and watched Khan videos and got a 520. srsly internet is the savior for the commoners, at least with regards to knowledge, which is not as monopolized as it used to be but still connected to power and status
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Back in my day if you had a 3.5 and a balanced 30 you were in the game.
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Il Destriero
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Il Destriero
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You may want to check that out, McDonalds now only look at applications with a minimum 520. It just keeps getting harder. 🙂
