Any URM's out there get accepted to med school?

[douglas]

I'm applying this year and I'm wondering what's a good pool of school's to apply to with a 30 MCAT (low verbal). I figure it's better to ask people who have been successful already. Thanks.

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[jmejia1]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by douglas:
•I'm applying this year and I'm wondering what's a good pool of school's to apply to with a 30 MCAT (low verbal). I figure it's better to ask people who have been successful already. Thanks.•••••apply to a range of school, from the top to the bottom. a 30 mcat doesn't tell me squat though. what state r u a resident of? what kind of gpa do you have, and most importantly, what kind of ECs and job experiences do you have?

 

[jujack]

i agree, a 30 MCAT single-handedly just wont cut it for acceptance, even for a URM. As a fellow URM, however, i can tell you that I was accepted at UAB with a mid-20's score. I also had a 3.89 GPA and tons of experience(mostly non-medical related) but it dealt with in some way with my future patients(kids!) anyway, apply to a wide range a schools. I applied to Meharry, USA, UAB, and Duke. I received interviews to all of them. Duke rejected me in late March and I accepted UAB in January. Hopefully, you have a strong background other than MCAT score. Hope this helps. We need more URM males in medicine so i hope this helps

 

[SolidGold]

I don't think I share the same opinion. I know of a girl that recently got in that was a URM (mainland Puerto Rican) and had an 18 then a 22 on the MCAT with a 3.4 GPA, with half of her course work at a community college. She did not even do the Practice Vision essay that was on the past AMCAS. Not many EC's either, especially those that focused on patient contact. She also did research and did not take it seriously at all. I'll end it at that because I can write 20000 words more about this girl and I'm sure everyone on these boards would be frustrated.

With a 30 though you are in good shape, no matter what kind of applicant you are. Good luck!

 

[Raptor]

SolidGold, can you tell us what school she was accepted to? Tha would help out a lot with people in the same boat as her. Thanks.

 

[douglas]

Oh...That's right, all the other stuff. CA resident; attend UCLA; 3.77 OA; 3.83 BPCM; 3.69 nonscience. I have a bunch of ECs, including clinical and basic science research, as well as shadowing/volunteering. The LORs seem to be good too. I guess the reason I only mention the MCAT is because it's the only thing on my application that bothers me at the moment. A 30 is alright, but it's VERY lopsided. I think I can bring it up a couple of points this summer. Thanks for the help. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" />

 

[barb]

Apply to a wide range of schools, including top ten schools and lower tier schools. With those scores, you should have no trouble gaining an acceptance somewhere, but since this is the most arbitrary process in the world, apply to at least 15 schools. And don't underestimate the importance of the application itself. Last year I applied to a ton of schools and didn't receive any interview invitations. I had a professor go over my application and point out areas of improvement. With the same qualifications as the previous year, but the adjustments made of the app, I received 7 interview invitations this year. I am currently waitlisted at 3 schools, including UCLA.

 

[Rhiana]

I had very similar scores (31, and i got into UCLA. A lot of it is a crapshoot so apply to as many schools you can afford.

 

[Scooby Doo]

Just how lopsided is your MCAT?

Like 6, 12, 12??

If it's only 8, 10, 12 - that's nothing to worry about...any more lopsided I would think it really depends...

With your stats, experiences, URM status, and a 30 MCAT, I believe you will have your veritable pick of the schools. I am guessing you'll get into most of the UC's and most other top 20 schools.

I would apply to maybe 2 schools not on the top 50 list where you wouldn't mind going...then maybe pick 6 or so that are in the 20 to 50 range...I recommend NYU and Sinai

Then pick a bunch of the top 20 schools cuz I think you have a great SHOT at those schools!

 

[Nikki]

I honestly don't think you need to take it over in August. You can direct your time and money elsewhere . . . like toward your secondaries.

My scores were rather lopsided as well (my verbal sucked!): 7v, 9b, 11p, Q and I got into all of the schools that I applied to. If the rest of your application is competitive, which it sounds like it is, and you don't completely blow your interviews, you will be fine.

Don't sell yourself short, you will be competetive at some top schools.

 

[Mr.D]

If your score is too lopsided (eg. a verbal below 7), then I would suggest to retake it. This process is just too arbirtrary to cut yourself short, even for being a URM. The rest of your stats look good so put your emphasis on improving the subpar category. Just make sure you don't put too much emphasis on your weakness that you let your other two scores depreciate. You're in really good shape so just try to obtain a more balanced score in August and apply as early as possible. I think if things go well with your August MCAT you'll be pretty competitive when you apply this upcoming year. Good luck.

 

[reesie0726]

Douglas, I think that you are in an excellent position. Focus on getting your apps in early. I sent you a private message about the app process for urm's. Scooby doo gave some good advice. I dont think you need to retake the mcat really. It is probably better to just get your app done early.

 

[oneironaut]

From my own experience: Apply to a handfull of schools YOU DON'T THINK YOU CAN GET INTO, BUT LIKE. You might be very surprised who likes you. I was. Even if you don't think you can afford it, i think its important to aim high.

 

[md_student2b]

Douglas, imho I think you should focus on getting your app in early. Two years ago I helped a friend of mine whose a URM with her app and her scores/GPA weren't as good as your own. We realized this, but decided to focus on the personal comments. She applied to only 10 schools b/c of a fee waiver, interviewed at UCLA and UCLA/Drew and got in at Drew (and withdrew from UCLA). She could have retaken the MCAT, but in all likelihood her scored wouldn't have improved (they might have gone down)and she'd be at a competitive disadvantage going in later (or so we thought). Hope this helps .

 

[ellerose]

I'm a URM who had a 28 MCAT (but it was balanced--10VR, 9PS, 9BS, R-WS)) and got into many schools that I didn't think I had a chance at.

Echoing a few others:
Retake MCAT if VR score is below 8.

Also, apply to a few dream schools, but also apply to those that you think you have a shot at (consult trusted advisors for specific advice from your school).

I really think that it was my ECs that impressed a lot of adcoms. I can't explain it any other way. My 3.8 overall probably showed that I was intelligent, even though the MCAT was less than stellar, but last year when we could list unlimited ECs, I came away with a 40-page printout of my AMCAS! I know I'm a freak, but I think that if you have a great personal statement and great ECs, then you have more than a good shot. If it doesn't happen, make sure to up that VR score, and consider a post-bac program. Good luck!

 

[Mr.D]

even though the MCAT was less than stellar, but last year when we could list unlimited ECs, I came away with a 40-page printout of my AMCAS! I know I'm a freak, - ellerose

40 pages? <img border="0" alt="[Wowie]" title="" src="graemlins/wowie.gif" />

 

[ellerose]

Yep. I was telling a friend that I may be the reason why this year you can only list 15 post-secondary experiences. When I interviewed at one school (a top-ten), they said that my application was the longest that they had ever seen. At the time I couldn't tell if that was a good or bad thing. I got into most of the top schools I applied to, so go figure.