advice from u older and wiser sdners

[rugirlie]

---

Members do not see this ad.

hi all.... i was just wonderin something from all u pre-meds currently in the app process or who have just recently gone through it... i'm a juinor now and i took the mcats this past aug... i got 10, 10, 10 P and now i don't know if i should retake them in april or not.. i want to b/c i was scoring like 33's on my practice tests and i want to give myself the best advantage i can.... i have a 3.9 and some limited med experience.... should i retake, and if so how should i go bout restudying?

i don't want to only be confined to my state school, etc....

 

[Megalofyia]

30 is a good score for the MCAT.

If it were me I would not retake the MCAT. It would be risky that you could end up making lower in a section. Instead I would work on increasing my clinical experience.

 

[calebho501]

I think you should retake if you feel that you can do significantly better the second time (Say a 3-5 point increase).

I'm not sure which practice tests you did. You should base your performance on the AAMC tests, not the Kaplan, Princeton, or Berkeley review ones.

Also consider if you have the time and motivation to study for this test again.

 

[Street Philosopher]

if you have time and think you can do 3+ points better, then retake.

 

[rugirlie]

yea i don't kno.. i feel like its all a big crap shoot.... to answer your question... i got 33s on AAMC 5 and 6.... those are the only AAMCs i took cuz i heard they're the only ones that are really all that relevant.... how should i study to retake...?

 

[Bones2008]

A 30 should be fine. You have to consider the possibility that your score could possibly go <i>down</i> in any of the subsections if you retake it. This would certainly not look good. As I recall, AMCAS publishes a chart that shows what percentage of retakers improved their score based on how they scored originally. I'd check that out. A 30 is a fine score, and you shouldn't have to feel like you should retake it just to get a couple extra points. Good luck.

 

[jlee9531]

a goal should be to get doubles across and you did that.

i guess i know how you feel since 30 is at a certain mental line...30 is a good score but not good enough is the thought that is running thru your head im sure.

i got a 31 and decided not to take it again because i got my doubles across and i would probably not improve all that much because i prolly would not have studied as hard for it the next time.

so yeah. your gpa is high. and if you get more clinical exp. i think you will be ok.

 

[Amy B]

Originally posted by rugirlie
hi all.... i was just wonderin something from all u pre-meds currently in the app process or who have just recently gone through it... i'm a juinor now and i took the mcats this past aug... i got 10, 10, 10 P and now i don't know if i should retake them in april or not.. i want to b/c i was scoring like 33's on my practice tests and i want to give myself the best advantage i can.... i have a 3.9 and some limited med experience.... should i retake, and if so how should i go bout restudying?

i don't want to only be confined to my state school, etc....

I wouldn't recommend you take it again. What if you score below 30 the next time. It is a risk.

I would concentrate more on your limited med experience. You really need as much clinical volunteer time as you can get. You would have almost a whole year to gain some experiences.

Check out local free health clinics, hospitals, small doctor's offices,
Also how about things like habitat for humanity and homeless shelters for volunteer time. All worthy places to gain experiances.
Just my opinion🙂

 

[Tezzie]

Which schools are you going to apply to? I think your score is fine. Just try to boost up your ECs and definately work on your clinical experience. With nice LORs you shouldn't have any problem.

Good luck!

 

[NontradICUdoc]

Judging from your icon I believe this question to be relevant. Are you in New Brunswick? If so, go to the health professions office or speak to the PRe-Med Dean. I know that Cook had one I am not sure of the other schools did.

A 30P is a respectable score and I know from an inside source that this is what the schools are looking for.

I think that with your score and your GPA you are competative enough. If you feel you want some clinical experience or want to volunteer, let me know ASAP and I can hook you up.

If you are from New Brunswick then you will understand what I mean when I say that I am CC'97.

 

[rugirlie]

thanks all.... yea i did a pre-med internship (program at a hospital where we volunteered in the or, shadowed family practice residents and observed in the or, radiology and cardiology) over the summer and i'm shadowin a vascular surgeon right now and i'm joining the first aid squad as we speak....cpr course is sat lol.... should i be doing more? I don't have so many ECs... i'm in a sorority and was philanthropy chair, did a readin program with kids fresh and soph year, i did new student orientation... but thats bout it.... how else should i get involved?

emt2er-doc: cook college 97 grad lol.... are u currently a resident or in med school or?

 

[Amy B]

First aid squad is a great EC. If you do that over the next year, that should be fine. Good luck

 

[NontradICUdoc]

I am currently in Grad School at FDU due to several things and am planning to apply in a couple of years.

Which FAS are you joining? VERY important question.

 

[rugirlie]

edison.... which one were u an emt on?

 

[NontradICUdoc]

Edison #1?

 

[rugirlie]

edison on lakeview blvd.... i'm not sure which one it is.... i have an interview there tonight

 

[NontradICUdoc]

I am a 12 year veteran on that Squad. I was call person on Sunday night for 3 years and trained many people there. I am currently an active life member and am part of the Saturday night duty crew. When they ask you what crew you want to join, this is a good one.

The call person was trained by me and is a graduate of Cook. on Thursday nights, there are 2 Cook graduates and if you look on roster you will actually see an MD. This is Jeff Lubin, he graduated from RWJ and is now doing a fellowship in Pittsburg.

When you speak to them, tell them that you spoke to me (Gabriel) about the squad and that I am recommending you join.

Besides, if you join Sat. night, when I do go (I live an hour away now and have a toddler and one due in about 1-2 weeks) I will train you.

Any questions?

 

[rugirlie]

woah thats crazy.... my friend manish is on the squad and gave me the application... i'm being interviewed by justin tonight.... how formal is the interview... i mean i can just go casually dressed right?

 

[quideam]

Hey RUGirlie!

I'm a Rutgers chick too 🙂... glad to see more of us on SDN!!! Anyway, to answer your question, it really all depends on which schools you want to go to. Assuming that you're not a URM, your scores at totally fine for RWJ, NJMS, probably Jefferson and a few of the other local philly/ny schools. However, if you have your sights set on top-10 or top-20 schools, I don't think that you realistically have a shot will less than a 32. When I did my committee interview with Dr.B, he told me that with my stats (excellent grades, tons of ECs, research, etc.), a 32+ would get top schools interested at least in looking further at my application.

So, decide if it's important for you to go to a top school or not. If you'd be happy going to RWJ or a similar school, don't bother - assuming your grades are good, you should be fine. If you want a "top" school, though, you should probably re-take.

Good luck, and feel free to PM me if you have any other questions; I can give you the "rutgers" perspective on things 🙂

- Quid

 

[souljah1]

i know quite a few people in my class who scored a 30 (and for all who immediately assume 'oh they must be a urn or whatever, some are some aren't). i would absolutely apply to any school that you would consider going to. a 30 is a very good score, a 3.9 is a great gpa, and it seems like you are putting together a nice set of ECs. just make sure that you have an amazing personal statement and some great letters of rec.

i grew up in jersey by the way...woodbridge to be exact.

best of luck.

 

[NontradICUdoc]

The interview is just to meet you. No need to get dressed up. They will explain to you what is expected of you both in duty and in fund raising.

Unlike other volunteer organizations, this is like a job. If you cannot be there, you MUST let your crew chief know and you MUST get a cover.

If you have any questions, let me know.