Any success stories for those with low MCAT scores?

[Khenon]

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I've got your back Khenon. 🙂

Thanks eva!! 🙂 I knew I could depend on you!! 😀

 

[YzIa]

A 28 is not a low score.

- 28 is below the national average of matriculants, and you are going to have to look hard to find many allopathic (US) that have an average of 28 or below. So it really depends on what you consider low. Low being below average, than yes 28 is low. Low being little chance of an acceptance, then no, 28 is not low.

 

[jiy76]

Khenon don't give up we're pulling for ya. If schools are dumb enough to pass you up now they'll look even dumber when you retake the mcat do great and reject their asses when you get accepted to a better school. 🙂

 

[YzIa]

Khenon don't give up we're pulling for ya. If schools are dumb enough to pass you up now they'll look even dumber when you retake the mcat do great and reject their asses when you get accepted to a better school. 🙂

I apologize in advance, but this is my biggest pet peave. When people comfort others by saying the school will be sorry they passed you over. This is utter BS, unless you win a nobel prize, score a 40+, the school won't ever notice you. There is no way a school is going to regret rejecting a certain individual 99.9% of the time.

And I wish Khenon all the best in retaking and getting in to med school, but jiy76 cannot call a school dumb or foolish in passing up an applicant if the stats are not there. We all know that stats are more than 1/2 of an acceptance.

I guess I am just a realist as well, and get disturbed by others who burst my bubble or realism.

End rant. Begin flame.

 

[acl3623]

Third, some people do have trouble with the language, I admit that. Unfortunately for them, they will have a tougher time. Point? I should sacrifice standards for their inability to cope? (We're living in America, after all, not Russia -- it's important someone have proper communication skills without which they're going to truly be a crappy doctor here in the states.) Without the mcat, GPA reveals nothing. Sorry, but schools are not standardized.

umm...lets see, these people with bad communication skills..having trouble with english...they speak, what? at least TWO languages! please, i want to see you try to take a test as hard as the mcat in a language other than english. then we'll see how you cope with your apparently awesome communication skills. if you were a realist, you would realize that these people that know more than one language are going to be invaluable to healthcare in america, not only because they can speak more than one language but because they can relate to more than one culture. i agree that the mcat is a valuable piece of info in the application process but i dont think that if you score a 30+ then you'll be a better doctor who scores a 23.

 

[YzIa]

umm...lets see, these people with bad communication skills..having trouble with english...they speak, what? at least TWO languages! please, i want to see you try to take a test as hard as the mcat in a language other than english. then we'll see how you cope with your apparently awesome communication skills. if you were a realist, you would realize that these people that know more than one language are going to be invaluable to healthcare in america, not only because they can speak more than one language but because they can relate to more than one culture. i agree that the mcat is a valuable piece of info in the application process but i dont think that if you score a 30+ then you'll be a better doctor who scores a 23.

While english is not the official language of the US. Everything revolves around it. Scientific publications and medical school are all in English. Having command of a 2nd or 3rd language is a huge plus, but in my opinion you need to have superior English skills which ideally would be shown in a high VR score and solid WS (what a joke)

 

[evajaclynn]

I apologize in advance, but this is my biggest pet peave. When people comfort others by saying the school will be sorry they passed you over. This is utter BS, unless you win a nobel prize, score a 40+, the school won't ever notice you. There is no way a school is going to regret rejecting a certain individual 99.9% of the time.

I'm guessing that jiy76 didn't literally mean that schools were going to be really upset about the applicants that they did not accept. I mean, we all know that they aren't going to go home and cry at night about passing a few of us over.

Rather, it sounded to me that it was just a quick post of support. I mean, it is a nice fantasy to picture the ADCOM's losing sleep over the fact that they 'screwed up' and didn't select you one year.

 

[Khenon]

Khenon don't give up we're pulling for ya. If schools are dumb enough to pass you up now they'll look even dumber when you retake the mcat do great and reject their asses when you get accepted to a better school. 🙂

Thanks for the encouragement jiy76! That was sweet. And ignore YzIa . . . he/she PM'd me to ask why I thought I could get in next year, if I don't get in this year. I'm not sure why that's anyone's concern, but whatever.

For all you "realists" out there, here's a reality . . . THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE GET INTO MEDICAL SCHOOL WITH SCORES LOWER THAN 30!!!!!

Just because you're a realist (I am too) doesn't mean you need to be rude. Rude is rude . . . it's not "being real." And you realists have made your point perfectly clear to all us idiots. Your high scores should get you into medical school, and my low scores should eliminate me from medical school. We all get it, so you can now get off your soap box.

 

[monopolova]

😕 I still don't think you understood my original post. Your response to my original post was completely inappropiate. I wasn't looking affirmation about my score, nor do I need a reality check . . . especially from you. I wasn't asking for your advice, nor do I care if you wouldn't accept me into your medical program. My statement was quite clear and simple . . .

A 28 is not a low score.

A 23 is a low score.

That's it. You were called an ass because you made ridiculous assumptions, insulted me, were rude, inconsiderate, arrogant, and completely out of line.

I was trying to clear up the misunderstanding, but it's now clear to me that you have no other goal than to make sure I know how horrible/insufficient/useless/non-competitive my score is. I'm not sure why you think you need to do that. I know exactly where a 23 puts me in the eyes of admissions committees. How my original post made you think otherwise is beyond my comprehension.

Again, I admitted how I misinterpreted your first post (I scanned it over with a less than critical eye -- my bad, ok?). I agreed with your second post. What the heck do you want from me? This is getting tiring.

Edit: I'm not being rude, I'm being realistic. This thread is about someone who wants to know, "yes, you can get in with a bad score". I'm here to say not only, "don't look too hard for stories like that", but also "I hope there aren't too many stories like that". Sue me; I'm not as touchy feely let's-give-each-other-a-huge-internet-hug like the rest of you. I'm not looking down on anyONE, I'm looking down at scores. I wish everyone the best of luck -- no malice here. But I have a right to think a certain way about what is "good" and what is "bad" with respect to who should, in my not so humble opinion, be accepted.

I regret only that I inappropriately read your first post; I would've never responded the way I did, and we wouldn't be in this.

 

[monopolova]

umm...lets see, these people with bad communication skills..having trouble with english...they speak, what? at least TWO languages! please, i want to see you try to take a test as hard as the mcat in a language other than english. then we'll see how you cope with your apparently awesome communication skills. if you were a realist, you would realize that these people that know more than one language are going to be invaluable to healthcare in america, not only because they can speak more than one language but because they can relate to more than one culture. i agree that the mcat is a valuable piece of info in the application process but i dont think that if you score a 30+ then you'll be a better doctor who scores a 23.

You don't get it. We're talking about people who can't speak English to begin with, not bilingual people.

 

[YzIa]

Thanks for the encouragement jiy76! That was sweet. And ignore YzIa . . . he/she PM'd me to ask why I thought I could get in next year, if I don't get in this year. I'm not sure why that's anyone's concern, but whatever.

I was not rude im my PM. Your mdapplicant profile states with what sounds like absolute confidence that you WILL get in next year, if not this year. Optimistic - YES, Humble - NO. I was intrigued by the confidence that you had, being that you had already taken the MCAT two times, scoring very similar both times. I asked about it, and you answered. This was a private and carried out with respect. No need to get defensive about the situation or my PM because I was just asking about a statement you have made, and advertise to everyone who views your profile.

Additionally, why it is anyone's concern? This is a forum, dedicated to this, applying to medical school. You have brought your situation to light in this forum where discussions about THIS take place. If this truly should not be anyone's concern, then you should keep it to yourself.

 

[ucla09]

In most schools the average mcat is around 30. Does everyone agree?

However, that is only an average. There will be scores higher than 30 and scores lower than 30. Do you agree?

There are people in this forum who have 30+ mcat and there are those who have lower than 30. Does everyone agree?

I received a 24 on the MCAT and I am part of that lower tier. Does everyone concur with me that my mcat is low?

I had two interviews thus far and still working on my secondaries. I really don't think a low mcat will keep from getting into medical school. I agree it is more difficult but not impossible. Everyone keep hoping! Love you all.... 🙂

 

[Khenon]

In most schools the average mcat is around 30. Does everyone agree?

However, that is only an average. There will be scores higher than 30 and scores lower than 30. Do you agree?

There are people in this forum who have 30+ mcat and there are those who have lower than 30. Does everyone agree?

I received a 24 on the MCAT and I am part of that lower tier. Does everyone concur with me that my mcat is low?

I had two interviews thus far and still working on my secondaries. I really don't think a low mcat will keep from getting into medical school. I agree it is more difficult but not impossible. Everyone keep hoping! Love you all.... 🙂

Yeah, your post was supposed to be the point, but it got completely misconstrued. I think some people want to be negative, regardless of how it makes others feel.

I don't think there's anything wrong with encouragement and support. Nobody on this site thinks that everyone with low-20's scores are getting into med school. Not everyone with 40's get in either, so I think the moral of the story is that no one really knows why certain people get in. Sure, if your MCAT score is lower, you're less likely to get in, and if you're score is higher you're opening more doors, but ultimately none of us know what adcoms are thinking. So some people (like us low scorers) get into med school. Not many, but yes it's possible. Is it wrong to hope? No. Am I (or others like me) going to be crushed if they don't get into med school this year? No. I have a frickin' 23! How could I possible "expect" to get into med school? But do we (I think I'm including the OP here) like to hear about people who DO get into med school with these low scores? Hell yah!!

I think we should stay positive and support each other. This is hard for everyone and there's no reason to make it any harder. So for those of you with low scores who have the balls to post . . . keep the stories comin'! We all need a little inspiration now and then!

 

[evajaclynn]

I think we should stay positive and support each other. This is hard for everyone and there's no reason to make it any harder.

👍 👍 👍 👍

 

[KiKat37]

I think that it's pretty arronagnt of you to assume that it would be INSULTING for someone with low MCAT score to be an Excellent physician!!

As many posters mentioned, the MCAT is just a one day tests and there are many variables that determine your score which are more than about inteligence and endurance! Some people study for months because they have the time for it, but others maybe are raising families, working full time or doing other things, and they can't sit for hours studying for such a test and guarantee getting a good score the first time. Don't forget that some of us have english as their second language, and our GPA is an enough relflection of our ability to handle academics! Imagine yourself studying Organic Chemistry or Biology in Arabic?Japanese? Russian? even French or Spanish.. Can you even imagine doing the MCAT in these languages????

You are forgetting that the MCAT is just a small part of the evaluation process and there are other factors to admissions process and thank god adcoms take everything into consideration!

I second that. 👍

 

[KiKat37]

😕 I still don't think you understood my original post. Your response to my original post was completely inappropiate. I wasn't looking affirmation about my score, nor do I need a reality check . . . especially from you. I wasn't asking for your advice, nor do I care if you wouldn't accept me into your medical program. My statement was quite clear and simple . . .

A 28 is not a low score.

A 23 is a low score.

That's it. You were called an ass because you made ridiculous assumptions, insulted me, were rude, inconsiderate, arrogant, and completely out of line.

I was trying to clear up the misunderstanding, but it's now clear to me that you have no other goal than to make sure I know how horrible/insufficient/useless/non-competitive my score is. I'm not sure why you think you need to do that. I know exactly where a 23 puts me in the eyes of admissions committees. How my original post made you think otherwise is beyond my comprehension.

Khenon,

I just wanted to throw in my two cents and give you the 👍 . I admire the calm with which you are dealing with those ****ty posts. Monopolova is just an ass who is trying to make herself feel better by putting you down. She is rude and arrogant. She doesn't understand that med school is not all about the MCAT. But, anyway, I'm at work, so I don't have time to get into that argument... Let's just say that she makes me physically sick. Her comments about having a family/raising a kid and people whose first language is not english just make me wanna scream. ARRGGHH... Makes me sooooo mad to see people that stupid and immature!!!!

 

[uh-hu]

As a patient, I will not see anyone imcompetent. He/she may have a MD or DO degree by the gracious yet misplaced generosity or sociology of certain med schools, but that doesn't mean he/she is qualified. To insist on becoming a doc despite the evident disqualification is a selfish obssession and an injustice to all patients. If your gpa and mcat scores are so low, for the good of all, you should find fulfilment elsewhere. Not everyone who wants to be a doc should become one.

Some people argue that it is the "bottom of the class" people that become the most loving and caring docs. Bad logic. The business of physician is to be proficient in healing first and foremost. If he/she is additionally caring and kind, so much better. But simply kind without the needed skill and knowledge? No thanks.

 

[jiy76]

I was writing to support khenon, I don't care what med schools think or regret about it was a figure of speech. I meant when she gets a better mcat score she can reject them instead of vice versa. Its hard enough getting in, if people don't have something nice to say don't say anything-you can be realistic and say it will be difficult for khenon to get in but you don't have to be rude about it. Good luck to all those applying!!

 

[vimal98]

Its hard enough getting in, if people don't have something nice to say don't say anything-you can be realistic and say it will be difficult for khenon to get in but you don't have to be rude about it.

Couldn't agree more 👍

 

[MedicineBird]

Where the hell do some of you get off with your self righteous attitutdes? Because you were trained somewhere along the way to think like a circus monkey and regurgitate answers while jumping through the hoop called the MCAT, somehow that makes you eligible for Godhood? I think not. Neither does it make you the judge of your peers' competence. I suspect you take pleasure in sabotaging the hopes of others to make yourselves feel better than deep down you know you are. It is a mask for the inferiority complex nagging at you. Do a little reading, compadres, and you will find that study after study has shown that the MCAT is no predictor of ones ability to be a good physician. It merely predicts success in the first year of medical school. Great news for all of the book smart automatons out there. Being a good physician does take some scientific knowledge, yes, but more and more it takes someone able to relate and understand the mitigating factors that brought this patient to your door. That can not be learned in classrooms or from books. It comes only with life experience. The arrogance found in this thread is the same type that looks to place blame when the infallable physician makes a deadly mistake. If you are willing to rob a stranger strugglng along the same path you have chosen of their hope, who is to say you wouldn't also rob hope from your patients? No one is saing you should lie to them but for God's sake be a physician, not the grim reaper and recognize the power of mind and spirit not only to heal but also to drive people to accomplish their goals, no matter what the score is against them.

 

[Khenon]

As a patient, I will not see anyone imcompetent. He/she may have a MD or DO degree by the gracious yet misplaced generosity or sociology of certain med schools, but that doesn't mean he/she is qualified. To insist on becoming a doc despite the evident disqualification is a selfish obssession and an injustice to all patients. If your gpa and mcat scores are so low, for the good of all, you should find fulfilment elsewhere. Not everyone who wants to be a doc should become one.

Some people argue that it is the "bottom of the class" people that become the most loving and caring docs. Bad logic. The business of physician is to be proficient in healing first and foremost. If he/she is additionally caring and kind, so much better. But simply kind without the needed skill and knowledge? No thanks.

This is the same person posting the "sex" threads . . . so I have a 23 MCAT which will automatically make me a bad doctor (because I'm so stupid, of course), but uh-hu talks about his boner . . . ? 😕 I'm sorry, but I'm feeling much more competent right now.

 

[monopolova]

ARRGGHH... Makes me sooooo mad to see people that stupid and immature!!!!

As opposed to the temper tantrum you're having right now? Let me point out, that I've made an effort to substantiate my comments. You "mature" folks have responded with personal attacks. Way to show me.

Oh, and it's "he". Appreciate it.

 

[vimal98]

As opposed to the temper tantrum you're having right now? Let me point out, that I've made an effort to substantiate my comments. You "mature" folks have responded with personal attacks. Way to show me.

Oh, and it's "he". Appreciate it.

Well its you who is having temper tantrum right now. Moreover it looks like you were the one who responded with personal attacks.

 

[evajaclynn]

Whew - Its gettin' hot in Herreee!

 

[YzIa]

Because you were trained somewhere along the way to think like a circus monkey and regurgitate answers while jumping through the hoop called the MCAT

Now its a bad thing to score well on the MCAT? A sign of unoriginal thinking?
That is a joke.

 

[MedDreamer]

You don't get it. We're talking about people who can't speak English to begin with, not bilingual people.

In my post I wasn't refering to people who don't speak english, I was refereing to those of us who speak very english Fluently and have studied in English for few years (new immigrants) but whose English level still will be hindering our ability to get a good score on the MCAT the first time (because of course we won't read as fast as native english speakers, especially with a test like the MCAT in which even native speakers find hard anyways). Get my point??? Maybe you should read posts better before you post something you might regret later...

And I do believe that the MCAT is not a good test to use for Med. school admission. The MCAT itself is changing continuoiusly to better accomodate broader range of people because people are different and not all of them have this one way of thinking.

 

[YzIa]

And I do believe that the MCAT is not a good test to use for Med. school admission. The MCAT itself is changing continuoiusly to better accomodate broader range of people because people are different and not all of them have this one way of thinking.

Maybe you have some ideas for the AAMC that could better the MCAT?

 

[MedDreamer]

Maybe you have some ideas for the AAMC that could better the MCAT?

In fact, I do 🙄

 

[evajaclynn]

Maybe you have some ideas for the AAMC that could better the MCAT?

She is simply saying that they are continuously modifying the test to accomodate people with varying backgrounds. Why do you feel that you must attack everyone who posts here?

Enough of the animosity.

🙁

 

[Denn]

In my post I wasn't refering to people who don't speak english, I was refereing to those of us who speak very english Fluently and have studied in English for few years (new immigrants) but whose English level still will be hindering our ability to get a good score on the MCAT the first time (because of course we won't read as fast as native english speakers, especially with a test like the MCAT in which even native speakers find hard anyways). Get my point??? Maybe you should read posts better before you post something you might regret later...

And I do believe that the MCAT is not a good test to use for Med. school admission. The MCAT itself is changing continuoiusly to better accomodate broader range of people because people are different and not all of them have this one way of thinking.

Great points 👍 👍 👍

 

[monopolova]

Enough of the animosity.

🙁

Well, I am done. This all started because I didn't read over a post as closely as I should've, I responded negatively, and it got overblown. I still maintain that I wish no one any bad luck despite my opinions regarding the importance of numbers in this process. That's all from me. Peace. 😎

 

[JelicMD]

I think more emphasis should be placed on the MCAT rather then on GPA. With that said...I know of a few individuals who have recieved accpetance into MD schools with MCAT's below 27 and GPA's below 3.6/4. If you can get an interview....you're set in my books. Its all about showing the real you once you're there.
Tell me....will a patient be able to tell the diffrence between a doctor who scored a 40+ and someone who scored a 28??? I don't think so.

 

[Jack_Adam]

Wow, what was the original purpose of this thread again?

 

[Eiko]

Chuckle... You know what is scary... I've seen people with 37's on their MCATs get turned away from certain schools, but people with 22's on their MCATS get into those very same schools for the same entering class.

So, I think it is subjective to the school.

 

[MedicineBird]

Now its a bad thing to score well on the MCAT? A sign of unoriginal thinking?
That is a joke.

Of course not. Gettinng a top notch score is fabulous! But much of the time testing well is merely a learned behavior - not a predictor that someone will succeed as a physician. My best friend, for example, has an amazing mind and can score perfectly on nearly any test she takes. But she has a miserable time actually applying that knowledge laterally let alone synthesizing new concepts based on prior knowledge. I think the point was well made when someone here mentioned that a patient will not be able to tell a 40 from a 27 MCAT.

Note: I do agree that there needs to be some sort of limit. Some of the MDapp profiles are frightening (i.e. teens and 2.something who seem to walk right in.)

 

[Friendly]

While the MCAT may be the 'best' predictor of board scores, the MCAT does not correlate with being a good/bad doctor. This is sommon sense. It is a single test on a single day. GPA, however, is a better indicator of a person's understanding and dedication (assuming, of course, that they actually applied themselves and reached their full potential as undergraduates).

You can be an average working physician with an MCAT of 18 and a GPA of 2.5 as far as I am concerned (many people go overseas for their M.D. with such scores and return with Step 1 board scores of > 90th percentile; they are extremely committed). This is a fact. U.S. school just need an additional tool to sift through the large applicant pool and the MCAT is that tool.

 

[Dr Hope]

What are chances of getting in to Mich State MD ( not DO ) program with GPA of 3.85 and MCAT of 24 (9/8/7) ? My friend has these stats and he is resident of Michgan . Can any from last year's MSU class give any feedback ?. Thanks.

 

[wander]

Once again people just because you have high MCAT scores and GPA does not mean you'll be a good doctor.....takes more than that.....and apparently med schools do a good a job at determining that, but sometimes they don't. I have met many doctors that are bright as hell but are the worst doctors and shouldn't be allowed to treat patients but should be doing research in a lab instead. STOP HATING ON THOSE THAT GET IN WITH LOWER STATS.......IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THEY HAVE MORE TO OFFER TO THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY THAN SOMEONE WITH A 3.9 AND A 35MCAT.

 

[Khenon]

Once again people just because you have high MCAT scores and GPA does not mean you'll be a good doctor.....takes more than that.....and apparently med schools do a good a job at determining that, but sometimes they don't. I have met many doctors that are bright as hell but are the worst doctors and shouldn't be allowed to treat patients but should be doing research in a lab instead. STOP HATING ON THOSE THAT GET IN WITH LOWER STATS.......IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THEY HAVE MORE TO OFFER TO THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY THAN SOMEONE WITH A 3.9 AND A 35MCAT.

I think I speak for all low MCAT scorers when I say thank you for that post wander. 🙂 There's an implication that low MCAT scores correlate with incompetence, inability to do well acedemically, or just plain stupidity. But for me and several other nontrads, it has nothing to do with intellegence or ability, and everything to do with not having taken chemistry, physics and biology for several years. Every med student I've talked to says the MCAT material is almost completely irrelevant in med school. Not to mention that so many people with high scores have taken one of those test courses. I have a friend who took the Kaplan review course and improved her score from a 21 to a 31. Did she become smarter than me during those 4 months of the course? No. Will she make a better doctor than me because she took that course? No. She was able to shell out $1500 to play the application game. I just can't afford it, but that's okay. I'll take it again after several months of studying, and I'll do fine next time (yes, I will play the application game too). But it is disturbing to hear so many people talk as if people with low MCAT scores should "do everyone a favor" and pursue something else. It frightens me to think such narrow minded people may become doctors and have other peoples' lives in their hands.

I'm glad some people get into med school with their low scores. An earlier post mentioned these low scorers "walking" into med school . . . Trust me guys, no one with low scores is "walking" into anything. We've made ourselves a difficult road, and we have to do alot of convincing to prove that our scores are not representative of what kind of medical students we'll be and/or what kind of doctors we'll be. And for most of us, that won't even work, and we'll have to retake the MCAT, get a more appropriate score and apply again. Such is life. There's just no reason to hate us because we're trying.

 

[KiKat37]

As opposed to the temper tantrum you're having right now? Let me point out, that I've made an effort to substantiate my comments. You "mature" folks have responded with personal attacks. Way to show me.

Oh, and it's "he". Appreciate it.

LOL, that's all I have to say... 😀

 

[KiKat37]

Well its you who is having temper tantrum right now. Moreover it looks like you were the one who responded with personal attacks.

Thanks, Vimal98. 👍

 

[MedicineBird]

An earlier post mentioned these low scorers "walking" into med school . . . Trust me guys, no one with low scores is "walking" into anything.

Hey now -- I'm on your side. And I said "SEEM". They seem to walk... When you are waiting with the cards stacked against you everyone but you seems to walk right in. It is a perception.

 

[jiy76]

just got the "on hold" kiss of death at SUNY upstate. my mcat is not good nor is it bad (27) well thats 1 down 20 something left to go. wish me luck guys and good luck to the rest of you.

 

[whuds]

I have several thoughts, first if you realy want to be a doc don't give up. It worries me to read advice to take the MCAT and then just retake it if the scores are low. The problem with that kind of advice is that ADCOM committees will see both scores as well as all of your grades you have ever had in college. I always tell people to do thier best the first time, don't take the MCAT to see how you do, take it becuase your ready. Another thought there are several other options to going to US med schools. Med schools in the Carib, Mexico, Ireland and England have good programs. Some do not even care about the MCAT score. I don't think most patients care what Medical school their doctor went to. We all have to take the USMLE. 😎

 

[Khenon]

Hey now -- I'm on your side. And I said "SEEM". They seem to walk... When you are waiting with the cards stacked against you everyone but you seems to walk right in. It is a perception.

No offense intended MedicineBird . . . I saw you're other posts! 🙂 It just cracked me up when I saw that one statement. I'm getting rejections out my ass right now, and my stats (other than the MCAT) are pretty impressive. I didn't want anyone getting the impression that those with low MCAT scores are "magically" getting into med school. If they got in with their low scores, there must have been something about them that really impressed the adcoms. I apparently do not have that "something." Oh well. Maybe next week will be good news? 😳 Good luck everyone!

 

[45408]

I think everybody should just relax regarding this. Most of the time, good candidates will get into school(s) and bad candidates will get rejected. Not getting into med school doesn't mean that someone is a bad person, it just means that the the adcoms thought that someone else was better qualified. If someone gets in with low numbers, then there's probably something strong in their background that redeems them, and there are people with 40+ MCAT scores who are social *****s who don't get in either.

Are these generalizations? Yes. Should I list all the exceptions? That's aight. I'm sure you're all imaginative.

 

[Friendly]

I was blessed to receive two interviews at allopathic schools (one a private school and one a state school where I am not a resident). I was granted admission to the first one without waitlist and I'm waiting on the second one.

My GPA was fine and I had other extremely compelling parts of my application that demonstrate my ability and suggest my MCAT score was an aberration. I think that helped. I am a regular, white applicant who has never had problems getting good grades in the sciences.

I appreciate that this post may anger some people who were rejected with higher scores than me, yet it will simultaneously give hope to those with scores like mine, and this is the major reason I am posting this. The point is this: the MCAT is a single test on a single day and should not have your heart or define you as a person - I see this happening FAR too often. Was I prepared to take it again? Absolutely, and I told my interviewers that. Will I be a different (better?) person? Absolutely not and I told my interviewers that. I'll have the same abilities.

The MCAT is important and medical schools take it very seriously but please know that there are exceptions and I was lucky to be one of them. The best advice I can give people who have a low MCAT score and make it to the interview stage is this: be completely genuine and humble; hide nothing. If you show nothing but honesty, the MCAT will be read in the correct context and it will not rule your life for another year or two. Good luck to all reading this and BE ENCOURAGED. You’re as bright as I am or brighter. If I can do it, you can too! 👍

 

[1Path]

I think I speak for all low MCAT scorers when I say thank you for that post wander. 🙂 There's an implication that low MCAT scores correlate with incompetence, inability to do well acedemically, or just plain stupidity. But for me and several other nontrads, it has nothing to do with intellegence or ability, and everything to do with not having taken chemistry, physics and biology for several years. Every med student I've talked to says the MCAT material is almost completely irrelevant in med school. Not to mention that so many people with high scores have taken one of those test courses. I have a friend who took the Kaplan review course and improved her score from a 21 to a 31. Did she become smarter than me during those 4 months of the course? No. Will she make a better doctor than me because she took that course? No. She was able to shell out $1500 to play the application game. I just can't afford it, but that's okay. I'll take it again after several months of studying, and I'll do fine next time (yes, I will play the application game too). But it is disturbing to hear so many people talk as if people with low MCAT scores should "do everyone a favor" and pursue something else. It frightens me to think such narrow minded people may become doctors and have other peoples' lives in their hands.

I'm glad some people get into med school with their low scores. An earlier post mentioned these low scorers "walking" into med school . . . Trust me guys, no one with low scores is "walking" into anything. We've made ourselves a difficult road, and we have to do alot of convincing to prove that our scores are not representative of what kind of medical students we'll be and/or what kind of doctors we'll be. And for most of us, that won't even work, and we'll have to retake the MCAT, get a more appropriate score and apply again. Such is life. There's just no reason to hate us because we're trying.

Graet post! I'm REALLY pulling for you this year!!!

 

[Ypo.]

What are chances of getting in to Mich State MD ( not DO ) program with GPA of 3.85 and MCAT of 24 (9/8/7) ? My friend has these stats and he is resident of Michgan . Can any from last year's MSU class give any feedback ?. Thanks.

Well, its not hopeless. The average is a 9, so your friend's MCAT isn't that great, however, his GPA is above the average.

My advice would be to apply as early as possible, and also hopefully your friend has something on his app that makes him stand out from other applicants.

I got accepted into MSU this year with a 3.5 and a 28. I interviewed in October, because I applied in June.

 

[DrDarwin]

A friend of mine, who is an MSI at my state's main public medical school, received Honors in two of his four classes during his first semester. Some would argue that his success is an obvious fluke given that his MCAT score (27) is 3.5+ points below the class average. (Interestingly, another friend of mine in the same class had a 33 MCAT and received Honors in no classes.) I would argue, however, that it speaks for the value of determination. Success in medical school is obviously influenced by more than a test score, and we would all do well to remember that.

P.S. I am not trying to belittle anyone with a <27 MCAT, but am merely trying to argue, anecdotally, against the seemingly common assumption that the MCAT is some infallible predictor of med school success.