advice needed for reapplicant

[cubguy83]

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It looks like I'm going to be a reapplicant. I only got two interviews, one rejection and one waitlist. I have taken the MCAT twice. The first time I got a V9, P8, B10 and then in August 2005 I got a V10 P10 B9. My AMCAS GPA is 3.6 and science is 3.45. I worked this year doing clinical research studies in cardiology. My applications were complete extremely late - December. I know if I can be fully complete by August I would have had a much better shot. I want to retake the MCAT this August to bolster my application. I know some schools will interview me with my present MCAT, so do they evaluate me with my present score and then if I do better on the August MCAt it may help schools that were looking for a boost in my app? Do you guys understand my dillema (I'm sure tons of people have the exact same question)? Thanks much.

 

[musiclink213]

It looks like I'm going to be a reapplicant. I only got two interviews, one rejection and one waitlist. I have taken the MCAT twice. The first time I got a V9, P8, B10 and then in August 2005 I got a V10 P10 B9. My AMCAS GPA is 3.6 and science is 3.45. I worked this year doing clinical research studies in cardiology. My applications were complete extremely late - December. I know if I can be fully complete by August I would have had a much better shot. I want to retake the MCAT this August to bolster my application. I know some schools will interview me with my present MCAT, so do they evaluate me with my present score and then if I do better on the August MCAt it may help schools that were looking for a boost in my app? Do you guys understand my dillema (I'm sure tons of people have the exact same question)? Thanks much.

If you retake the MCAT in August, your apps won't be complete until October because a lot of schools won't look at you until after the scores come out if you say you're retaking it. From what I've gathered (and I haven't reapplied yet, but I will this coming cycle) the schools want to see how you've improved on your app. Your MCAT doesn't seem like such a problem, with a 29 and even breakdown like you have, you should be able to get some interviews at some pretty decent schools. So you've already improved your app by doing clinical research this year. For some people, the numbers aren't always the problem, but the EC's are what could do it in for you, especially if your numbers aren't stellar. Personally, if I were you, Id apply as early as possible and have everything done early. Earlier in the season, the schools are looking for people to interview. So you would be in an advantage that way.

 

[zenhiking]

If you plan on applying this cycle, my advice is to do so in June. I do not see any benefit in waiting until your August MCAT scores for schools with rolling admissions.

 

[Junkster]

Applying early might be a boost. Take the MCAT if you belive you can improve the score.

What are your EC's? If you are in research, have you been included in publications?

 

[cubguy83]

Applying early might be a boost. Take the MCAT if you belive you can improve the score.

What are your EC's? If you are in research, have you been included in publications?

I know I can improve my score - I'm just a bit of procrastinator and it has bitten me hard in the a** now and I have been quite humbled. I agree with Musiclink - I think the year doing clinical research serves as my "improvement" on my app and coupled with being complete EVERYWHERE by August 1st (definately doable) should score at least one acceptance somewhere.

Explanation of the research: Worked for a cardiologist in private practice doing multicenter clinical trials (aka - Drug A vs. Drug B for people with A-fib, etc.). I saw patients in the clinic all alone (took blood and processed it, EKG's, histories, dispensed and counseled on use of meds, explained study and consented patients, filled out reg docs, and other related activites). We are doing one study currently that is all my PI's and he said when its done and published i'll be on it (I do the study but he designed/oversees the protocol).

But still - if I do NOT check the box "taking August MCAT" does that mean schools will evaluate me with the 29 and then after OCT 15th I can let them know what I got on the August MCAT? Do you see what I'm saying!? Thanks for your help everyone!

 

[GujuMD]

But still - if I do NOT check the box "taking August MCAT" does that mean schools will evaluate me with the 29 and then after OCT 15th I can let them know what I got on the August MCAT? Do you see what I'm saying!? Thanks for your help everyone!

I think you could submit your application without checking the box. Schools will start evaluating your app with the 29 and when you get your score, let the schools know about your score. This is assuming you submit your score before the august test. when and if they ask why you didn't check the box, just say at the time of application you had not planned.

 

[NapeSpikes]

I wouldn't even bother retaking the mcat. 29 with an even split is a decent score, and your gpa is fine. Your summer will be better spent doing something else. If you apply early this time around to a wide range of schools, you should be in good shape.

 

[MediMama23]

I agree with NapeSikes. If you could get your app in June 1 this year, and apply to a good range of schools that have MCAT averages near yours, I think you would have a good shot. And you could put that $210 toward interviews.

To answer your question yes, if you didn't check the box they would evaluate you with your current scores. If you took the August MCAT, then your score would be sent to them as a little surprise in October (seeing as scores are released to all schools you apply to; adcoms just wouldn't have known beforehand that you had new scores coming out). They may automatically cut you out with your previous scores if you don't make their cut off, but I could see you getting quite a few secondaries with your current score and GPA, provided that you applied to some of the lower tier schools.

 

[cubguy83]

should i consider doing a program like the biomedical sciences at RFU - my BCPM GPA is 3.45 but that includes 2 A's in Physics from a communitty college. or is it just a waste of money?

 

[Junkster]

A biomedical program wouldn't hurt, but I think your CV looks pretty good as far as you've told us.

And we're no admissions peeps or counselors by any means, so I would also talk to your advisor.

 

[MediMama23]

should i consider doing a program like the biomedical sciences at RFU - my BCPM GPA is 3.45 but that includes 2 A's in Physics from a communitty college. or is it just a waste of money?

Waste of money, waste of time, IMO. June 1st.

I agree that you should talk to your advisors. At the end of the day, we're lab rats in this crazy experiment just like you. Your advisors, and the deans at the schools that you applied to, can offer you much more insight and tell you exactly what you need to do if you want to go to their school. Good luck!

 

[ambaduchi]

hey there. not knowing what types of schools you went to or how many science classes were included in your 3.45 science gpa, i'm gonna go ahead and say that if you truly think you can break your procrastination cycle and get a meaningfully better score on the mcat, you should take it in august. but in your situation, applying early is even more important. so you're biting off a pretty serious committment from now til august -- you have to start working on your primary amcas, esp your PS, pretty much now...have to turn that in during the first couple weeks of june...be studying for the mcat at the same time...you'll start getting secondaries back in late june and so all of july you'll be hitting the books hard and turning around your secondaries as fast as possible. if you can handle all that, i say go for it. i'm not sure about checking the "taking the mcat" box. on one hand it indicates that you're doing something to further improve your app and you're not stopping at a 29. on the other hand maaaaybe it holds up review of your file at a few schools. with a recent 29 however my thought is that you'll get evaluated w/o committees waiting for october scores. that would be a good question to ask schools directly, when you're getting feedback. are your letters good?
beware premed advisors. if you've got a good one, that's terrific. i've never met one that knew anything. i found over the course of 2 years of applying that sdn and common sense and feedback from the schools i didn't get interviews at but desparately wanted to go to were my best sources of advice.