ANY advice would be helpful!!!!

[docstar22]

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Hello all:

I decided to take a gap year after I graduated from college. I took the MCAT with KAPLAN and scored very low (19). I decided to do a post-bacc program but I only applied to one and did not get in! I am discouraged right now and was wondering what I should do....I graduated cum laude, 3.2 science gpa..psychology pre-med major w/ a low MCAT score...should I take the test again? and apply for medical school this year? If anyone could offer some advice I would REALLy appreciate it!I am getting very impatient and I am ready to start school again🙁 Thanks if anyone is reading this!

 

[flip26]

Hello all:

I decided to take a gap year after I graduated from college. I took the MCAT with KAPLAN and scored very low (19). I decided to do a post-bacc program but I only applied to one and did not get in! I am discouraged right now and was wondering what I should do....I graduated cum laude, 3.2 science gpa..psychology pre-med major w/ a low MCAT score...should I take the test again? and apply for medical school this year? If anyone could offer some advice I would REALLy appreciate it!I am getting very impatient and I am ready to start school again🙁 Thanks if anyone is reading this!

When you say you took the MCAT with Kaplan, do you mean the diagnostic test, or you took a review course and scored 19?

If the latter, of course you will need to retake, but you really need a whole new approach to the test - probably need to dedicate at least 6 months to prepping for it. Peruse the MCAT forum for ideas.

I would not simply rush out and take the MCAT so that you can apply this cycle - you really need to give this some time.

 

[Luxian]

Patience!
Don't apply until you know that you are pretty competitive. This is a tough business and it hurts a lot more to apply multiple times than to take the time to do it right the first time.

First of all you really need to pull up that MCAT score, at least into the high 20s and preferably across 30. Don't just sign up for it now though. I know you did Kaplan. This time try another set of prep books. Study on your own and buy some practice exams so you can guage where you are. Keep studying until your score for each section comes up. Then do a practice run, and try to make it as much like the test as possible (short breaks, all in one day, etc).

This may take a while. Since your GPA isn't your strong point, this would be a good time to get a research job and do more volunteering. Make sure the rest of your application is stellar, and bring up that MCAT!

Med school will still be there when your 24, and 28, and 35!

 

[nu2004]

one thing you should know is that you don't HAVE to take the pre-reqs through a formal post-bacc. as long as you take them at an accredited 4-year university (say, through their Continuing Education department), they will look just fine.

the MCAT needs to come way up - but you know this!

 

[docstar22]

I took the official Kaplan course but it was a rush course like 6 wks...Yea I am aware of the MCAT score. I just need to focus and spend more time studying for the exam. Independent studying isn't my strongsuit but I'll work on it. I guess not getting into my post bacc was a blessing in disguise bc i can save more $ now..would u suggest i take more science classes with my science gpa?...and I already have research experience with an OBGYN..i didn't really care for bench lab work bt i could do more clinical...did any of you study for the MCAT by yourself? If so, how did you do it and make a competitive score?

 

[gman33]

Science GPA is pretty low as well.
I would take another year of upper level science courses.

I used the Examkrackers books and studied on my own.
I don't get much out of listening to someone else reciting material.
If you need the structure of a formal program, try Examkrackers or PR this time. I've heard good things about both.

You can improve, but it's going to take a serious amount of time and practice. Search the MCAT forum for more tips.

Don't try to rush this process. Spend a year or two improving your app before you apply. You can take classes at any 4 year schools as a CE student. No need for a formal postbacc.

 

[njbmd]

Hello all:

I decided to take a gap year after I graduated from college. I took the MCAT with KAPLAN and scored very low (19). I decided to do a post-bacc program but I only applied to one and did not get in! I am discouraged right now and was wondering what I should do....I graduated cum laude, 3.2 science gpa..psychology pre-med major w/ a low MCAT score...should I take the test again? and apply for medical school this year? If anyone could offer some advice I would REALLy appreciate it!I am getting very impatient and I am ready to start school again🙁 Thanks if anyone is reading this!

You have a few things that are not in your favor right now. First, that MCAT is way to low for anything (post bacc or SMP). It does not matter what your uGPA, that is a very low MCAT score.

You are a non-science major which means that your science GPA needs to be much higher. Since you are out of school, you might take an upper-level science course or two and attempt to get that science GPA higher.

You are definitely going to need a retake on the MCAT. When you decide to retake, you need to be sure that your next grade is significantly higher. High 20s is not going to cut it for you since you have one previous score that is very, very low.

Getting a very high score means solid and thorough preparation. If you did the Kaplan course, you may be able to redo the course at little or no charge. If so, then utilize this function. Be sure to pay very close attention to what you did wrong on the first try and correct it.

If you can't get re-use of the Kaplan facilities, then do plenty of diagnostic work and find out why you scored so low on the MCAT. Did you have a knowledge gap? If so, you need to get this corrected. Did you have a problem with the way the MCAT tests? If this is the case, then you need more practice tests. You can purchase retired MCAT exams and work them under test conditions so that you are thoroughly familiar with the type of questioning that the MCAT demands.

You cannot afford to make any grade in science that is below B+ and you cannot afford a poor showing on a retake of the MCAT. Right now, you have boxed yourself into a bit of a corner where you need to prove that you can get the job done when it comes to preparation and execution.

 

[nu2004]

yeah, doesn't Kaplan have a score guarantee? i guess it's based on your diagnostic score, right?

see if someone there (like the center manager) is willing to throw you a bone in terms of using their materials/facilities.

on the other hand, you have all of their materials... you could focus on using those. i rarely went to class and never opened the lesson book. instead i used the subject books pretty heavily and tried to go through most of the material.

 

[MSmentor018]

did you take all your pre reqs? retake the mcat, getting a little medical experience wouldn't help. strong LOR's and personal statement should take you through the rest. don't get discouraged, many, many people have low scores, retake the exam, do better, and get into school. just concentrate on that mcat. good luck!

 

[docstar22]

did you take all your pre reqs? retake the mcat, getting a little medical experience wouldn't help. strong LOR's and personal statement should take you through the rest. don't get discouraged, many, many people have low scores, retake the exam, do better, and get into school. just concentrate on that mcat. good luck!

Yes I took all of my pre reqs + physio(B) and biochemistry(A-)...my cum. gpa is 3.5 bt my science is 3.2.. I have strong LORs and a very unique background....i know i can do better but i was heavily involved in the community and have research and hospital experiences both volunteer and internships i thought that would be an advantage...I guess I will begin studying for the MCAT now and take it in January 2009 so I can be in med school by 2010..that seems so far away🙁any tips for independent studying??? i need to improve my standardized test skills significantly!! Also, how did you guys get started with clinical research...

 

[flip26]

Yes I took all of my pre reqs + physio(B) and biochemistry(A-)...my cum. gpa is 3.5 bt my science is 3.2.. I have strong LORs and a very unique background....i know i can do better but i was heavily involved in the community and have research and hospital experiences both volunteer and internships i thought that would be an advantage...I guess I will begin studying for the MCAT now and take it in January 2009 so I can be in med school by 2010..that seems so far away🙁any tips for independent studying??? i need to improve my standardized test skills significantly!! Also, how did you guys get started with clinical research...im back home now in st. louis, so i know internships are limited since i'm a college graduate

You really can't look at it that way...I think you will frankly be lucky to do all the prep you need to do to be ready for the 2009/10 app cycle...need to develop a plan ASAP and devote at least 6 months to it...this next MCAT must be above 30, and closer to the mid 30s, to remove any doubt about your abilities from your first score...good luck.

And don't be worried about clinical research for the time being. You need to devote all of your time for the next 6 to 8 months to this MCAT project...unless you get that mid 30s MCAT, you don't need to worry about the clinical research (you do otherwise have clinical volunteer experiences, right?)...