Another "what to do" question

[SarahBelle]

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I've been reading all of the threads... it's amazing how many people are in the same boat as me, and how helpful everyone is! So... here's my question:

I didn't do as well on my MCAT as I had hoped:
23P: 10 BS, 7 PS, 6 V
My GPA is 3.53 overall, about 3.25 BCPM.

I work 4 part time jobs and pay for everything on my own, have no loans, do a lot of volunteer work, have done a primary care internship, am in 3 national honor societies, and am currently doing research... so my "padding" should be ok.

I really don't know if I can financially swing taking it again, especially after taking so much time off to study the first time. My advisor said that "no school will even look at me" with a 6V and that I have no choice but to retake the MCAT. Is this true... do I have absolutely no chance?

Thanks for your help! Have a wonderful day! 😳

 

[DD214_DOC]

No native speaker of English should score a 6VR. From my experiences, VR is weighed heavily (depending on school of course) as it indicates your ability to comprehend written text -- a very important attribute for medical students and physicians.

My advice would be to retake it, although VR is probably the most difficult section to improve in.

 

[crys20]

I think if you applied to a ton of DO schools you would probably get in someplace...But I'm not so familiar with DO cut offs, so don't take my word for it. But I think this will be what a lot of people say.

Having no loans is great, but I wonder if maybe you cut back on your work and did take some out you would have more time to prepare for the verbal section if you retook in August. You have to think you will be from 100,000 to 200,000+ in debt following medical school so even with max undergrad loans each year you're probably only taking on a quarter of that.

 

[kalix]

No native speaker of English should score a 6VR. From my experiences, VR is weighed heavily (depending on school of course) as it indicates your ability to comprehend written text -- a very important attribute for medical students and physicians.

My advice would be to retake it, although VR is probably the most difficult section to improve in.

Improving in VR can be done. I took the MCAT for the third time in April, and ended up improving in VR from a 4( 😱 ) up to a 10.
So, it can be done. Read a TON, and practice. In addition, go over your wrong answers in order to develop a "feel" for MCAT logic. Good luck

 

[lealf-ye]

never give up. you can make it. 🙂

 

[Fenrezz]

I've been reading all of the threads... it's amazing how many people are in the same boat as me, and how helpful everyone is! So... here's my question:

I didn't do as well on my MCAT as I had hoped:
23P: 10 BS, 7 PS, 6 V
My GPA is 3.53 overall, about 3.25 BCPM.

I work 4 part time jobs and pay for everything on my own, have no loans, do a lot of volunteer work, have done a primary care internship, am in 3 national honor societies, and am currently doing research... so my "padding" should be ok.

I really don't know if I can financially swing taking it again, especially after taking so much time off to study the first time. My advisor said that "no school will even look at me" with a 6V and that I have no choice but to retake the MCAT. Is this true... do I have absolutely no chance?

Thanks for your help! Have a wonderful day! 😳

Apply and see what happens. People get in with all kinds of random weaknesses on their applications. Believe one thing, though: the fact that your advisor said you have no choice but to take it again is your best argument for not taking it again.

DO schools tend to bend a little when it comes to people with a perceived weakness in their applications. It's what they get bashed for the most by pre-meds who have less weaknessess in their apps than others.

My advice would be to apply to a bunch of DO schools and hope the medical gods are smiling on you.

Good luck.

 

[pmpndaflip]

just apply and see it out...I had similar stats last year...3.3 ish Sci GPA, 3.7ish nonsci. total 3.56 i think. MCAT taken twice 10B, 9P, 5V. 2nd time 11 B, 8 P, 5 V...I was worried with my first MCAT so I took it agian and wasted a year thinking that I was not competitive with my MCAT score so I retook it only to have the same score. HOwever, when I applied, I was surprised that most school that I sent a secondary to, gave me an interview invite (AZCOM, NYCOM, CCOM, COMP, TUCOM, TUNV). I got accepted to my first choice TUNV so I declined the others. Only OUCOM and NJ rejected me post secondary..so don't apply to those for they are not friendly to out of staters from what i hear 😉 . *edit* btw don't listen to those who discourage you or say they know for a fact, etc...cuz the application process is like a crap shoot. It really is.. oh and if you're hot, give me a call .

 

[SarahBelle]

Thank you to everyone! I think I'm going to go for it! If it doesn't work out, I'm graduating early, so I'll have TONS of time to prepare for next April's MCAT if that's what holds me back.

My top picks are PCOM, NYCOM, and OUCOM... hopefully my being from PA will give me a little advantage.

Again, thanks for all the support. Have a fabulous day!!! 😉