Another Need Advice Thread

[hotlikebutter]

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Ok, so here's my situation. I just took the MCAT yesterday and I feel pretty good and for once i am optimistic about my score, hope i didnt jinx myself. I applied last cycle with my other two MCAT scores and did not get any interviews but got about 5 holds from Penn State, GWU, UCI, UCSD, and Drexel. This year I have not started my AMCAS since I dont have the money or the emotions to apply without having a clue of what the MCAT was going to be like. My question is should i give these schools a try this late in the game? or just wait til next cycle?

FYI Vital Stats

3.75 Science/3.76 NonScience UCLA
Lots of Volunteer
Lots of Research
MCAT 2001: 24Q
MCAT 2002: 26R
MCAT 2004: na til October 2004 🙁

Thanks in advance!

 

[Tellorn]

WOW your GPA is awsome. I wish mine was like that.
If I were you and I could apply now I would. Waiting will only delay things.

 

[Dr Turninkoff]

if i'm not mistaken, you can only take it 3 times right? so what the hell, you're either going to apply or not apply. only reason to wait would be to try to match your stats to more upper tier schools. make sure you apply to your state schools, and hit up some of the middle tier privates. also, i think the fee waiver thing is computerized and instant, so put your info in and see if it gives you one on the spot. that might be further impetus to apply.

 

[Tellorn]

You can take it more than 3 times but after the third time you need to get specific permission to take it.

 

[hotlikebutter]

I understand what youre trying to say, but my concern is being competitive late in the process requires more impressive stats that early right? Lets say I break 30 would I still be in good standing in Oct or Nov cuz thats when my app would be complete? I know the better my MCAT score like if i was blessed yesterday and got a 45 the better, in that case being late wouldnt matter all that much. but Realistically, around 30 for me. Thanks everyone.

 

[Tellorn]

This is soley my opinion, but with that GPA if you break 30 then you will be fine provided everything else is in check and you apply to a good variety of schools.

 

[hotlikebutter]

i decided the best thing was to send the primary and transcripts asap and give it a shot. Applied to 8 schools, hopefully it works out. keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[Darko]

Why only 8 schools?

 

[Iamajew]

If it's any consolation, I am in kind of the same dilemma (low mcat, high gpa; 29S, 3.95) due to a very low verbal score because my contact lens fell out during that section of the test. Anyway, i was told by the premed office at my school that, all things considered, a low score on the mcat is not looked nearly as seriously as a low gpa, no extracurriculars, bad LORs etc. In other words, it's much easier to explain a bad day than it is to explain a bad 4 years. I applied to all the top schools in new york, harvard, yale, some states as well and have been told i have a pretty good shot...and i already got an interview. Keep your head up, the MCAT is just one test or your ability. Try to get your premed advisor or somebody who you are getting a LOR from to explain what's going on with the MCAT...someone to tell the adcom about who you are as a person and how you have more to bring to the table than a two-digit number. Good luck.

 

[hotlikebutter]

thanks alot. your words are encouraging. i think ill add some more schools.

 

[Fermata]

I'd also look up the MCAT policies at some schools.

While some schools take your latest score......others average them.