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- Jul 20, 2014
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[I recently posted a similar thread, but I wanted to post another to add a little more detail about my situation]
I will just start off with my main questions, and if you wish to know the details of my situation, scroll below.
But in short, I have a very strong application EXCEPT for my MCAT score.
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1. Is it most likely too late in the cycle (for the majority of programs) to apply if I my AACOM application isn't even verified yet?
2. I know some programs accept scores in the low 20's. But what if those scores are a little unevenly distributed?
3. Is biochem now a prerequisite for the majority of DO programs?
---------------------------
Now for details....
I'll try to keep this as short as I can: I applied to MD programs (school of choice was in-state) the previous cycle and did not get accepted. I set up a phone conference with the dean of admissions of my school of choice to go over my application to see what I could improve on. As I had suspected, she said that my entire application was "extremely impressive", however my MCAT scores were too low to even be considered. A little, but not all, about my application (other than MCAT):
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-3.9 GPA, BS in Behavioral Neuroscience
-Graduated in top 10% of class with distinction and departmental honors
-Completed an honors thesis on the neural mechanisms of reward processing in smokers and non-smokers (utilized neuroimaging for methodology)
-Other than my thesis, I have a lot of research experience and knowledge (including another research project on nicotine addiction that was presented at a symposium)
-I also a lot of volunteering experience, one of which includes being a crisis counselor at the National Suicide Prevention line for over 3 years (over 1000 hours logged)
-3rd degree black belt in Taekwondo (been involved for 17 years)
-------------------------------------------
Now, the MCAT has been a struggle for me, mostly due to test anxiety (which I have never experienced on any other test). I went through Kaplan for the old MCAT, and Altius for the new. My first attempt I just completely bombed because of some unfortunate testing condition situations. I believe I've identified the problem as putting too much pressure on myself, getting off track with timing, panicing...and ya. I have practiced as many FLEs as I could simulating testing conditions. I just got my score back from my 3rd attempt, and no improvement. Now (*cringe*), for my MCAT scores.....Attempt 2 (old MCAT): 8/7/7 = 23 total......Attempt 3: 124/123/124/126 = 497 total.
Now I am not going to make any excuses for myself. Clearly there is still a missing piece (and I reached my target score on all FLE's).
Anyways, just wondering if I should even bother applying to some DO programs...
I will just start off with my main questions, and if you wish to know the details of my situation, scroll below.
But in short, I have a very strong application EXCEPT for my MCAT score.
---------------------------
1. Is it most likely too late in the cycle (for the majority of programs) to apply if I my AACOM application isn't even verified yet?
2. I know some programs accept scores in the low 20's. But what if those scores are a little unevenly distributed?
3. Is biochem now a prerequisite for the majority of DO programs?
---------------------------
Now for details....
I'll try to keep this as short as I can: I applied to MD programs (school of choice was in-state) the previous cycle and did not get accepted. I set up a phone conference with the dean of admissions of my school of choice to go over my application to see what I could improve on. As I had suspected, she said that my entire application was "extremely impressive", however my MCAT scores were too low to even be considered. A little, but not all, about my application (other than MCAT):
-------------------------------------------
-3.9 GPA, BS in Behavioral Neuroscience
-Graduated in top 10% of class with distinction and departmental honors
-Completed an honors thesis on the neural mechanisms of reward processing in smokers and non-smokers (utilized neuroimaging for methodology)
-Other than my thesis, I have a lot of research experience and knowledge (including another research project on nicotine addiction that was presented at a symposium)
-I also a lot of volunteering experience, one of which includes being a crisis counselor at the National Suicide Prevention line for over 3 years (over 1000 hours logged)
-3rd degree black belt in Taekwondo (been involved for 17 years)
-------------------------------------------
Now, the MCAT has been a struggle for me, mostly due to test anxiety (which I have never experienced on any other test). I went through Kaplan for the old MCAT, and Altius for the new. My first attempt I just completely bombed because of some unfortunate testing condition situations. I believe I've identified the problem as putting too much pressure on myself, getting off track with timing, panicing...and ya. I have practiced as many FLEs as I could simulating testing conditions. I just got my score back from my 3rd attempt, and no improvement. Now (*cringe*), for my MCAT scores.....Attempt 2 (old MCAT): 8/7/7 = 23 total......Attempt 3: 124/123/124/126 = 497 total.
Now I am not going to make any excuses for myself. Clearly there is still a missing piece (and I reached my target score on all FLE's).
Anyways, just wondering if I should even bother applying to some DO programs...
