ADVICE PLEASE!!!

[Bull1212]

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Hello,

I just need some advice.

I graduated undergrad spring 2022 with a 3.381 undergrad GPA as a molecular bio major. I'm URM (Mexican - Spanish is primary language), 25 y/o, and first-gen.

I applied this cycle to 18 MD schools with FAP, however, due to my MCAT score, I got screened out of the majority of my schools. I've currently only applied to Tulane, FSU, and working on UM secondary (got extension due to technical difficulties).

I'm also applying to at least 10 DO and that's also a work in progress since I'm currently working and saving up to submit my apps (primary, secondaries),

Below are my stats/activities:

9/2023 MCAT - 488 (C/P 122, CARS 122, B/B 121, P/S 123)

Graduated B.S. Cell and Molecular Bio, 3.381
Did 15 hours DIY Post-Bacc - all As (4 courses), 1 B+

Patient Transporter - 2100+ hours
Medical Scribe - +1000 hours, and currently working as one now
Shadowing - ~160 hours
Homeless Shelter Volunteer - 60 hours
Fruit Harvester - about 20 years of my life since parents did it for a living
Research Assistant - 60 hours (no pubs)
Medical Assistant - 750 hours
Lowe's - 1630 hours
Lead Scribe - 100 hours (out of those 1000 previously mentioned)
Student Tutor - 30 hours
Running (hobby)


I applied this cycle thinking I'd do well on the MCAT but since that was not the case, I decided to just keep going and hope for the best. I've heard stories of acceptances with similar stats and that gave me hope. Moreover, given the environment I was raised in, I felt the schools I applied to would have an understanding of my stats. These schools would be more focused on helping the underserved, which is what I am interested in.

Based off my own bias evaluation, I think my MCAT is the biggest major red flag. I am retaking it in 5 days and I am nowhere near prepared for it. The MD schools and DO schools I applied to or plan on applying to will accept my January score. However, I need brutal and honest advice from more experienced individuals about what my next steps should be?

 

[wysdoc]

Hello,

I just need some advice.

I graduated undergrad spring 2022 with a 3.381 undergrad GPA as a molecular bio major. I'm URM (Mexican - Spanish is primary language), 25 y/o, and first-gen.

I applied this cycle to 18 MD schools with FAP, however, due to my MCAT score, I got screened out of the majority of my schools. I've currently only applied to Tulane, FSU, and working on UM secondary (got extension due to technical difficulties).

I'm also applying to at least 10 DO and that's also a work in progress since I'm currently working and saving up to submit my apps (primary, secondaries),

Below are my stats/activities:

9/2023 MCAT - 488 (C/P 122, CARS 122, B/B 121, P/S 123)

Graduated B.S. Cell and Molecular Bio, 3.381
Did 15 hours DIY Post-Bacc - all As (4 courses), 1 B+

Patient Transporter - 2100+ hours
Medical Scribe - +1000 hours, and currently working as one now
Shadowing - ~160 hours
Homeless Shelter Volunteer - 60 hours
Fruit Harvester - about 20 years of my life since parents did it for a living
Research Assistant - 60 hours (no pubs)
Medical Assistant - 750 hours
Lowe's - 1630 hours
Lead Scribe - 100 hours (out of those 1000 previously mentioned)
Student Tutor - 30 hours
Running (hobby)


I applied this cycle thinking I'd do well on the MCAT but since that was not the case, I decided to just keep going and hope for the best. I've heard stories of acceptances with similar stats and that gave me hope. Moreover, given the environment I was raised in, I felt the schools I applied to would have an understanding of my stats. These schools would be more focused on helping the underserved, which is what I am interested in.

Based off my own bias evaluation, I think my MCAT is the biggest major red flag. I am retaking it in 5 days and I am nowhere near prepared for it. The MD schools and DO schools I applied to or plan on applying to will accept my January score. However, I need brutal and honest advice from more experienced individuals about what my next steps should be?

Postpone the MCAT if you feel unready. If you can get close to 500 you will have a chance

 

[Bull1212]

Postpone the MCAT if you feel unready. If you can get close to 500 you will have a chance

If I were to do this, I’d have to email the MD schools about not testing because they wanted to know when my score would be released so they could review my app. Do you think I’d still have a chance with my 488 if I were to postpone the MCAT?

 

[wysdoc]

If I were to do this, I’d have to email the MD schools about not testing because they wanted to know when my score would be released so they could review my app. Do you think I’d still have a chance with my 488 if I were to postpone the MCAT?

I don’t think you will be accepted this year with the 488 and if you get a very low score again this week because you are not ready, it will hurt future chances

 

[Bull1212]

I don’t think you will be accepted this year with the 488 and if you get a very low score agin this week because you are not ready it will hurt future chances

Thanks for the advice, I really appreciate the honesty!

PS: this is completely unrelated but I’m watching Young Sheldon right now whose a Texan, so weirdly coincidental to see you’re a Texan as well🤣

 

[Dr. Anonymouss]

You will not get into any schools with that mcat, maybe Caribbean but that’s as predatory as it comes. Study for the mcat again and don’t take it until your scores are good. Having multiple attempts with poor scores is a red flag. You did poorly the first time, that’s water under the bridge. If you do poorly again because you don’t feel prepared that’s on you. Take your time and study to improve your weaknesses.

 

[Moko]

If I were to do this, I’d have to email the MD schools about not testing because they wanted to know when my score would be released so they could review my app. Do you think I’d still have a chance with my 488 if I were to postpone the MCAT?

As others have said, do not take the MCAT again until you are fully prepared and doing well on practice tests in a mock test setting. A 488 represents a poor foundation in your knowledge base and likely also poor test-taking skills.

The only thing worse than one bad MCAT score is two bad ones, as it shows that the first was not a fluke and you were impatient (taking it twice within one application cycle) and exercised poor judgment about when to retake. Just my thoughts.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Did you ever connect with mentors associated with LMSA or NHMA?

 

[Goro]

Hello,

I just need some advice.

I graduated undergrad spring 2022 with a 3.381 undergrad GPA as a molecular bio major. I'm URM (Mexican - Spanish is primary language), 25 y/o, and first-gen.

I applied this cycle to 18 MD schools with FAP, however, due to my MCAT score, I got screened out of the majority of my schools. I've currently only applied to Tulane, FSU, and working on UM secondary (got extension due to technical difficulties).

I'm also applying to at least 10 DO and that's also a work in progress since I'm currently working and saving up to submit my apps (primary, secondaries),

Below are my stats/activities:

9/2023 MCAT - 488 (C/P 122, CARS 122, B/B 121, P/S 123)

Graduated B.S. Cell and Molecular Bio, 3.381
Did 15 hours DIY Post-Bacc - all As (4 courses), 1 B+

Patient Transporter - 2100+ hours
Medical Scribe - +1000 hours, and currently working as one now
Shadowing - ~160 hours
Homeless Shelter Volunteer - 60 hours
Fruit Harvester - about 20 years of my life since parents did it for a living
Research Assistant - 60 hours (no pubs)
Medical Assistant - 750 hours
Lowe's - 1630 hours
Lead Scribe - 100 hours (out of those 1000 previously mentioned)
Student Tutor - 30 hours
Running (hobby)


I applied this cycle thinking I'd do well on the MCAT but since that was not the case, I decided to just keep going and hope for the best. I've heard stories of acceptances with similar stats and that gave me hope. Moreover, given the environment I was raised in, I felt the schools I applied to would have an understanding of my stats. These schools would be more focused on helping the underserved, which is what I am interested in.

Based off my own bias evaluation, I think my MCAT is the biggest major red flag. I am retaking it in 5 days and I am nowhere near prepared for it. The MD schools and DO schools I applied to or plan on applying to will accept my January score. However, I need brutal and honest advice from more experienced individuals about what my next steps should be?

A 488 on the MCAT is indeed a big red flag that you are at high risk to fail out of med school and/or fail Boards.

Retake the MCAT, but only when you are 100% ready for it.

The MCAT is as much an assessment of judgement as it is of of competency. Why would you retake a high stakes, career-deciding exam when you're not ready? This isn't the SAT.

Also get in another 15ish hours of post-bac.

 

[Goro]

If I were to do this, I’d have to email the MD schools about not testing because they wanted to know when my score would be released so they could review my app. Do you think I’d still have a chance with my 488 if I were to postpone the MCAT?

No, and no med school is doing you any favors by accepting you when you're in such a high risk zone.

 

[GoSpursGo]

Sorry OP, you need to accept that this year's application is a sunk cost. You are not getting in with a 488, and if you sit for the test this week and get anything other than a much better score then you're just sabotaging your future applications as well.

Reschedule for May and prepare for reapplication

 

[Bull1212]

I really appreciate all your advice. I took some time to think it over and discussed it with close friends and my partner and this feels like the way to go, to apply next cycle and learn from the countless mistakes I made during this cycle.

In addition to studying for the MCAT, what else do you recommend I do to bolster my app for this upcoming reapplication?

 

[GoSpursGo]

In addition to studying for the MCAT, what else do you recommend I do to bolster my app for this upcoming reapplication?

Honestly, nothing. Keep your eye on the prize--as much as it may make you feel good to keep up your clinical work and other ECs, none of it will matter without raising your MCAT. The MCAT needs to be the top and only priority over the next few months.

 

[LindaAccepted]

As the others have said and you have concluded: do not take the MCAT again until you are getting competitive scores on practice exams. Plan for reapplication. Unless your MCAT really soars, focus on DO programs next time around. If you haven't shadowed a DO, try to do so for your next application.

 

[Dr. Anonymouss]

Focus on the mcat, that is your biggest hindrance. Devote every second you can to your study schedule. After you have a competitive mcat we can talk more about what else you may need but without getting a good mcat score there is no point improving anything else