Any advice is helpful!

[TennisWalk]

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Hello everyone,
My GPA is around 3.55 cumulative and a 3.4 science. (yes i know its low)

I've decided to take a gap year (technically its one and a half gap years because i graduate a semester early in December which gives me a few months to study for my MCAT between December and April).

So I have a few questions for everyone:

1) What do you guys recommend I do in my gap year? Considering my GPA is relatively low and assuming my MCAT will be above a 510. What could possibly help take an eye off my low GPA so to say.

2) In terms of MCAT score, my CARS is my highest and it's been so on all other FLs I've take (just Kap FL1 and NS FL1 lol). I know this is the opposite trend people usually see. So how should I approach this next period of studying? Has anyone else seen a similar trend, and how have you overcome it?

3) Also what MCAT score should I aim for to be competitive for some of the top tier schools considering my GPA?

Some more info: I have a few publications (that are case reports) and I will get a paper publication by December hopefully (2nd author). I have 1000+ hours of research (clinical and basic science). About 50 hours of shadowing. And 1000+ hours of volunteering at a community center.


Thanks in advance to everyone! I really need some advice at about now.

 

[TennisWalk]

Also my MCAT is scheduled for a week from now, I plan on taking it and just voiding it.

 

[LoveBeingHuman:)]

How much did you study for the practice FL? What was the year by year and science/cumulative breakdown of your GPA?

 

[TennisWalk]

How much did you study for the practice FL? What was the year by year and science/cumulative breakdown of your GPA?

I did content review over winter break (about a month) then I didn't really study for this entire past semester because of being busy with classes and what not (maybe studyied one day a week). And I've been studying for the past 2 weeks since school ended.

There is no real GPA trend if that's what you're asking. I had one bad semester (3.2) and the rest around 3.5-3.7 no upward or downward trend just random lol

 

[LoveBeingHuman:)]

I did content review over winter break (about a month) then I didn't really study for this entire past semester because of being busy with classes and what not (maybe studyied one day a week). And I've been studying for the past 2 weeks since school ended.

There is no real GPA trend if that's what you're asking. I had one bad semester (3.2) and the rest around 3.5-3.7 no upward or downward trend just random lol

It was not a good idea to take the AAMC FL. Those are meant to be taken after completing a fair amount of intensive studying. Oh well, lesson learned. I suggest you dedicate the summer this year to studying for the MCAT. Lots of people do that and it works really well for them.

 

[TennisWalk]

It was not a good idea to take the AAMC FL. Those are meant to be taken after completing a fair amount of intensive studying. Oh well, lesson learned. I suggest you dedicate the summer this year to studying for the MCAT. Lots of people do that and it works really well for them.

Thanks! Any advice on the specific questions I had?

 

[LoveBeingHuman:)]

Thanks! Any advice on the specific questions I had?

The MCAT is like a personal journey. I highly recommend you learn more about how it works and what it's like (you've taken a FL already, so you have a good start by now). After that, speak one-on-one with a tutor to learn more about your MCAT needs.

As far as your GPA goes, nothing non-academic can make up for it. The MCAT might make up for it, but it would be extremely risky to think that way because 1) You would have to get a very high MCAT score 2) you'll still be asked about the poor semesters and 3) It varies HIGHLY from school to school with-respect to how they balance the MCAT-GPA dynamic.

So the way to safely "make up" for the GPA is just to increase it. Maybe try to maybe take some CC courses or maybe extension courses at a nearby university. Don't be discouraged if your GPA only rises a smidge (this will probably happen even if you get 4.0's since your current GPA is composed of several semesters, so it's more resistant to upward change). The upwards trend will make all the difference if you hit the 4.0's.


But keep in mind that if you do that you'll have to take an extra gap year because it wouldn't be until the end of the year that you take CC and extension science courses that those courses will be able to be calculated into your AMCAS. But make sure to still retain meaningful EC's during the year that you take all these classes.

 

[bananafish94]

So in light of this horrible FL result, I've decided to take a gap year so I can ensure a score of 510+ (technically its one and a half gap years because i graduate a semester early in December which gives me a few months to study for my MCAT between December and April).

I think that's an extremely mature decision - lots of people (e.g., me) "wing it" to a certain extent when they're not fully prepared yet.

1) What do you guys recommend I do in my gap year? Considering my GPA is relatively low and assuming my MCAT will be above a 510. What could possibly help take an eye off my low GPA so to say.

A good MCAT will likely allay any concerns about your GPA, which is fine to begin with (it's not like you have a 2.5 or something).

2) In terms of MCAT score, my CARS is my highest and it's been so on all other FLs I've take (just Kap FL1 and NS FL1 lol). I know this is the opposite trend people usually see. So how should I approach this next period of studying? Has anyone else seen a similar trend, and how have you overcome it?

I can't address this because I took my MCAT in the dark ages when it was a two-digit score.

3) Also what MCAT score should I aim for to be competitive for some of the top tier schools considering my GPA?

Just do as well as you can! Try to hit your personal limit if at all possible.

Some more info: I have a few publications (that are case reports) and I will get a paper publication by December hopefully (2nd author). I have 1000+ hours of research (clinical and basic science). I worked as a pharm technician for a summer. About 50 hours of shadowing. And 1000+ hours of volunteering at a community center.

Nice.

 

[freedoctor17]

I recommend you take at least 8 full lengths before the real thing. If I understood your post correctly you've only taken 3. Don't worry about applying to top tier schools. Kill the MCAT first then worry about where you'll apply.

 

[TennisWalk]

@bananafish94 THANKS, i really appreciate it!
@freedoctor17 yes i've only take 3. And also THANKS! I will definitely do more practice b4 the real deal.