Am I Making the right decision?! Awesome opportunity.

[BigD311]

---

Members do not see this ad.

So I have been shadowing a group of radiologists for 2 years. These guys love me, they get me in on the dept. photo, introduce me to visiting physicians, invite me conferences, the works.

I asked the head of the dept to write me a rec to the university med center and he was very excited to do so. Today, we spoke about applications and such and he told me that if I didn't get an interview by october to call him....hoping that's exactly how it sounds!

Heres the catch, I am not sure how I did on my MCAT yet and my university is a difficult med school to get into. My EC's are top notch and so are all my LOR's. My GPA is decent with a really good trend up--only hurt by my first year. The MCAT would be the only weak point, assuming it isn't at my goal. So basically, i decided I didn't want him to be put in a tough decision over me so if my MCAT isn't where it needs to be I am going to wait a year and concentrate on getting a high score. He doesn't like me waiting, but again, I don't want to make it a tough situation for the school/him.

What do you think?

 

[drizzt3117]

Don't worry about it until you get your score, then evaluate where you stand.

 

[custard]

Unless your MCAT score is really really bad I would use this opportunity to help the med schools look past an average MCAT score at your experiences and LoR. Use your connections to your advantage!

 

[BigD311]

define really bad

 

[Mattabet]

Awesome opportunity is right. Don't let is pass you by. There's no such thing as a perfect application; flawless shouldn't be the goal. If you've assessed yourself correctly (and I have no reason to believe you haven't) then this application is already more than solid.

Strengths: Extracurriculars, LoRs, connections to your program, etc...

Weaknesses: None, except maybe an MCAT that hasn't been scored yet

Worst case scenario, if your MCAT comes back 20, you may have to apply again next year. Then again, if your radiologist is cozy with the admissions people, you may not even have to do that. Push your advantage, apply!

 

[boggle]

Take any help in this process you can get. He obviously thinks you will be a great doctor, don't worry about your score.

 

[STXGregor]

I agree with the others. He's a professional, I doubt he would do something to help you out if it was going to hurt him or his institution. Which means if he offers, take him up on it. Let him be the one to decide whether or not to go out on a limb for you (though if I'm reading you right, I'm thinking a "really bad" MCAT by your standards is probably still pretty good by most standards, which means it probably won't be a very long limb at all). Use your connections, it seems like you've worked hard for this one!

 

[atomi]

-

 

[richse]

define really bad

If your MCAT is a 27 or lower then I would say you should wait to take it again because that might put him in a tough situation. You probably prepared well and will score way above that so don't start worrying. Don't pass this opportunity up, I know first hand that having someone recommend you can help the adcom see that you are worth interviewing and maybe accepting.

 

[Stratego]

Don't stess out before you have solid data. When do you get your score?

 

[LizzyM]

Don't count on it making much of a difference unless you have stats that are average or better for that school. I've had the tough job of telling a Dean (med school deans are as ubiquitous as bank vice presidents) that the applicant he recommended most glowingly was "not a good fit" which was code for gpa and MCAT well below what it needed to be to get an interview.

 

[richse]

Don't count on it making much of a difference unless you have stats that are average or better for that school. I've had the tough job of telling a Dean (med school deans are as ubiquitous as bank vice presidents) that the applicant he recommended most glowingly was "not a good fit" which was code for gpa and MCAT well below what it needed to be to get an interview.

But if he does have decent stats would you agree that it can make a big difference?

 

[LizzyM]

But if he does have decent stats would you agree that it can make a big difference?

It can help -- or maybe it will not. Sometimes it depends on the personalities involved (the the dean of admissions thinks that the chief of radiology is an ass then a LOR from him might not be a big plus) and whether the rest of the application is strong (not just the stats).

 

[STXGregor]

It can help -- or maybe it will not. Sometimes it depends on the personalities involved (the the dean of admissions thinks that the chief of radiology is an ass then a LOR from him might not be a big plus) and whether the rest of the application is strong (not just the stats).

lol, so could this actually become a negative?

 

[LizzyM]

lol, so could this actually become a negative?

not a negative (that hurts you) but a neutral (doesn't help or hurt).

 

[sushichopstickz]

I think it would best if you apply and get into medical school based on your own merits, as oppose to relying on an empty promise. Doctors say a lot things, and make promises that they forget to keep. Doctors are busy people and us applicants are the lowest of their worries. I am not saying that your doctor won't pull through for you. However, you would be safer if you assess your own success, that be getting into medical school, based on what you're bringing to the table (i.e., academics, ec, and uniques) when it comes time apply.

 

[drizzt3117]

I think it would best if you apply and get into medical school based on your own merits, as oppose to relying on an empty promise. Doctors say a lot things, and make promises that they forget to keep. Doctors are busy people and us applicants are the lowest of their worries. I am not saying that your doctor won't pull through for you. However, you would be safer if you assess your own success, that be getting into medical school, based on what you're bringing to the table (i.e., academics, ec, and uniques) when it comes time apply.

While that's good advice, ultimately later in your career, personal recommendations are going to make a really big difference, so it's good to cultivate these types of relationships now.