Another plea for help from rejectee

[old lady]

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I know you guys are awesome and love to give advice. So... I have pretty much accepted the fact that I will probably not get in this year and thus will be an even older lady by the time I start. I went to visit the Dean at USF (where I was rejected from the waitlist recently) to see what I can do to improve. He said take 2 science classes over the summer and apply again this year. He said everything else in my app. is good, but I have a 3.2 GPA (Biology/Chemistry double major from U. of Michigan) I need to figure out what to take. Should I retake prereqs like Organic Chemistry or General Biology that I got B's in? Or other classes that I actually got C's in like Calculus 3? Or should I take something like Anatomy and Physiology or Embryology that I haven't taken yet and that will actually help me in med school? Does taking a few classes even matter, since it can't affect my total GPA? I have a 32 MCAT and I am retaking in April to try to add a few more points. I really don't want to do a whole post-bac year. I am also moving back to Michigan to apply from there since the Florida schools did not like me. Anyway, please give me any advice you can on what classes I should take.

 

[mpp]

I would take the Anatomy & Physiology or Embryology. Do not re-take pre-requisistes in which you scored a B or better. I would not re-take the MCAT. A score of 32 is excellent.

Take a look at the MCAT <a href="http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/examineedata/tables.htm" target="_blank">retesters data</a>.

For retesters with an initial score of 10 or higher in verbal, more go down in score than go up.

For the physical and biological sciences it is the same for those that scored 11 or higher.

What is your science GPA? This could be more of a factor than your cumulative GPA. If your BCPM GPA is less than a 3.0, this may be what is keeping you from an acceptance.

Also, really take a look at your essays and ensure that your recommenders are writing nice, strong letters --- ask around what other people (professors, students, TA's etc.) say about how your recommenders are at writing such letters. As an example, I had one recommender that I was excited to use because we knew each so well. But then I got a chance to read a letter of recommendation she wrote for another student. It was so poorly written (although it said nothing but good things) that I was afraid of using that recommender and went elsewhere.

 

[mpp]

I almost forgot...do you know about <a href="http://www.studentdoctor.net/opm/" target="_blank">Old Pre Meds</a>?

 

[THE instiGATOR]

old lady,

Did you earn that 3.2 a while ago? If so, have you taken classes recently? Perhaps they just want to see if you are still performing at the level you did in the past (if you did earn that GPA in the past). I wouldn't be surprised if you get in after pulling As in two classes this summer. I think they might merely want to confirm what your MCAT says about you...that you know a lot. I certainly wouldn't be taking the MCAT again!

Good Luck!

Sincerely,
A Fellow USF Victim 😀

 

[old lady]

Science GPA is 3.1, non-science 3.5
Maybe you are right about the MCAT... I just feel like I should do as much as I can to improve, but you are right - I could do worse. I already paid for it though..

 

[Michelys]

First...I'm really sorry about your troubles with the whole application process. I personally think you should go ahead and take the courses you think will be beneficial to you in medical school--to not only help you but also show you are actually serious about getting in. What about doing some more research or community stuff? Just a few things to think of...but I think perhaps you should look over your application in itself. Was it an excellent portrayal of you? Why don't you explain your view on your GPA in some part of your personal statement. I myself have only a 3.24 cumulative and I basically told them the truth--I messed up just one semester and came back kicking and screaming! Oh, and BY THE WAY...ehm, I got REJECTED from USF pre secondary! And UF! But I got into Rochester...so maybe instead of next year applying to mostly notoriously stringent Florida schools--why don't you try other schools as well? I found Rochester to be a school that looks at the prospective student as a person and not just sheer digits. I think that with a strong application and a great interview any school would be lucky to have you. Best of luck 😳 ). 😀

 

[old lady]

Swampman,
Yes, I graduated five years ago. And both my interviewers at USF did ask me if I had taken any classes since then. Maybe I should focus on taking some classes instead of stressing out about studying for the MCAT again. I tend to spread myself too thin and try to do too many things- that's why my grades are not as high as they should be. I did get higher scores on practice MCAT's though, and that was before I had done a lot of reviewing. So I was disappointed with my score. (Just because I thought it needed to be really high to "outweigh" my GPA)

 

[pwrpfgrl]

I was in a similar situation. From what I was told, it's better to take higher level science classes than to re-do pre-reqs (and of course, do well!). That way, you prove that you not only have a grasp of the material that you would learn in lower level classes, but also that you can apply it in a more critical way in the upper level classes. I think your MCAT scores are great - can you get a refund if you don't actually sit for the test?
Good Luck!!

 

[mpp]

You can still get one hundred dollars back.

Another idea is to take the test and unless you feel like you did super on it, you can always void the answer documents.

Again, that 32 is a really a super score that you should be proud of. And a 3.2, 3.1 BCPM is really not that low. I like Swampman's idea. Take two upper level science classes and get A's. That should prove your abilities and show your committment.

Good luck...

 

[old lady]

So many of us at SDN on Friday night...
Thanks so much for the advice and the websites - that MCAT retesters info was interesting.
Any more suggestions anyone? I think I will study for the MCAT and then see how I do on some practice exams. If I get higher scores, I will sit for the test.
As far as taking classes, I think I will go with the more advanced ones instead of prereqs. What else would be good to take besides Anatomy/ Physiology/Embryology?

 

[UCLA2000]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by old lady:
•I know you guys are awesome and love to give advice. So... I have pretty much accepted the fact that I will probably not get in this year and thus will be an even older lady by the time I start. I went to visit the Dean at USF (where I was rejected from the waitlist recently) to see what I can do to improve. He said take 2 science classes over the summer and apply again this year. He said everything else in my app. is good, but I have a 3.2 GPA (Biology/Chemistry double major from U. of Michigan) I need to figure out what to take. Should I retake prereqs like Organic Chemistry or General Biology that I got B's in? Or other classes that I actually got C's in like Calculus 3? Or should I take something like Anatomy and Physiology or Embryology that I haven't taken yet and that will actually help me in med school? Does taking a few classes even matter, since it can't affect my total GPA? I have a 32 MCAT and I am retaking in April to try to add a few more points. I really don't want to do a whole post-bac year. I am also moving back to Michigan to apply from there since the Florida schools did not like me. Anyway, please give me any advice you can on what classes I should take.•••••1. If you do not have to retake the MCAT DON"T DO IT! Chances are that your score will drop. You have a strong score don't f*ck it up by trying to 'add a few points' unless the damn thing has expired! It's good for 2 years. If you can reapply with the same score do it!

2. Don't retake any of the courses that you got a low grade iN!!! what's the point? You might get another low grade. Don't take embryo or anatomy or any of that stuff either! You need to work SMARTER not harder.

Here's what you do. The dean said you need to raise your science gpa right? Well **** do the smart thing! Take easy courses that count towards your science GPA. It's called 'padding' your gpa. You raise your gpa by taking hard freaking courses! That's a sure fire way to drop it even further!

 

[mpp]

I disagree with UCLA2000. Padding your GPA is very obvious especially when you already have a degree. Take courses that you are really interested in but that are challenging. Dedicate yourself to excelling in these courses. Other suggestions would be a course in statistics, physcial chemistry, genetics...any advanced science course will show that you can handle advanced science.

Good luck.

 

[THE instiGATOR]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by mpp:
•Other suggestions would be a course in statistics, physcial chemistry...•••••Physical Chemistry!?! HELL NO!!! Don't take this class! It will not help you in medical school, it is hard as hell, there is little opportunity to use what is learned in ANY aspect of life, very few profs know how to teach it, I COULD GO ON AND ON!!! Don't take it! 😀

I do think I did much better on my second exam, though. I think I earned a B, but I won't know til Monday. An A would be nice. Earning a B would be possible with an A.

DON'T TAKE THE CLASS!!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" />

<img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" />

SERIOUSLY!!! DON'T TAKE IT!!! Thermo is easy...Quantum sucks a$$!!!

 

[mpp]

Swampman,

Soon after I hit the "Add Reply" button on that last post, I cringed and thought about you and your PChem troubles and was expecting a response.

I realize your experience was bad, but I think perhaps the course you took was poor. There are definitely good and interesting PChem courses around. I agree that PChem is probably not very useful in medical school but it is a good challenge to show admissions committees that you can do well in a difficult course.

 

[mango-a-go-go]

Old lady, I would go ahead with the anatomy/physiology classes. I think that not only will they show the admissions committees that you can handle the sciences, but they will also help you when you do get into medical school...don't give up! I hope this helps!

 

[girl99]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by old lady:
So I was disappointed with my score. (Just because I thought it needed to be really high to "outweigh" my GPA)[/QB]••••Old lady,
This is what I thought too about my GPA/MCAT. My GPA is really low, so I retook the MCAT thinking it would help me. I ended up getting a 35, and I am still without interviews from UF or USF, and I have little hope of getting them in the near future. I really think that in most cases, a stellar MCAT can't save a low GPA. So, like everyone else here, I'd recommend taking more classes--that's what I'm doing now! Good luck!

 

[UCLA2000]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by mpp:
•I disagree with UCLA2000. Padding your GPA is very obvious especially when you already have a degree. Take courses that you are really interested in but that are challenging. Dedicate yourself to excelling in these courses. Other suggestions would be a course in statistics, physcial chemistry, genetics...any advanced science course will show that you can handle advanced science.

Good luck.•••••In my opinion the med school application is one huge game. Once you learn the rules it's easy.

Rule 1: Schools like higher numbers. Raise your MCAT/GPA and they like you more.

Rule 2: Med Schools don't know jack **** about your particular school's courses. Take the easy science courses with the complicated names and they won't know the difference. For example there was a Cancer Research Course at UCLA which was a really easy course. I also took some environmental science courses that were filled mostly with jocks. At UCLA it's common practice to take a few easy courses to raise your science gpa. Of course it would probably be a mistake to take a course labeled Intro Biology if you hold a BS in bio...but an easy course labeled AIDS something or other would be a good choice (even if it's for non majors as long as the title doesn't say that!)

Rule 3: If you have a 30 MCAT or above you're in damn good shape. Retaking it would be a big mistake if the test is still valid. Does anyone really think that a 32 MCAT is not good enough for med school?

Rule 4: Don't take risks with your gpa by taking alot of difficult classes that aren't required. You will learn everything in med school anyways. Why take the risk of lowering your gpa and not getting accepted!

 

[tomthebomb]

I'd go with biochem over anatomy/physiology if you just want an A in an upper level science course. As a physiology master's student I can tell you that there are less factors involved in getting an A in biochem. Physiology is a black box when it comes to how you may be tested whereas biochem is more about memorization. Anyhow, if you can get them to admit you into a medical school class and you do well you should be make the cut.

 

[reesie0726]

I agree with other posters, dont retake the mcat. That is a very solid, competitive score. Take more classes. I had to do this also. I did not retake any courses. Take a mix, throw in a couple of easy courses (with hard sounding titles) and a couple of more challenging courses. Earn high grades in all of them. What about your extracurriculars? Do something interesting that you would like to do that will help you stand out.