App before MCAT

[DPTinthemaking15]

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To start off here are my stats: uGPA: 3.6, BCPM: 3.33, great EC's and LOR's, and I'm a URM.

I know this is a post, but I am in a bit of a predicament. I'm scheduled for a June 30th MCAT, and I have most of my application finished (making minor tweaks to my PS). Other than that, I should be able to submit my primary application on June 6th.

At first, I wanted to submit my app to one school in order to verify it. But the more I look at my GPA, the more I realize I need a miracle lol. Anyways, I received the FAP (praise God), and I can apply to 16 med schools at no cost. So here goes my question... Should I apply to more than one school on June 6th? I know it isn't ideal to be considered a re-applicant if I bomb the MCAT, but I also want schools to see my application early.

Should I just wait until I receive my MCAT?

I have looked through the MSAR and I know which schools I will be applying to, and one of of my reach schools is Duke. My BCPM GPA doesn't even meet their 10%, but a guy can dream, right? So if I am applying to a competitive school like Duke, what should I do? Sorry for the long post, but I am just a little lost at this point during the app season.

 

[Med Ed]

To start off here are my stats: uGPA: 3.6, BCPM: 3.33, great EC's and LOR's, and I'm a URM.

I know this is a post, but I am in a bit of a predicament. I'm scheduled for a June 30th MCAT, and I have most of my application finished (making minor tweaks to my PS). Other than that, I should be able to submit my primary application on June 6th.

At first, I wanted to submit my app to one school in order to verify it. But the more I look at my GPA, the more I realize I need a miracle lol. Anyways, I received the FAP (praise God), and I can apply to 16 med schools at no cost. So here goes my question... Should I apply to more than one school on June 6th? I know it isn't ideal to be considered a re-applicant if I bomb the MCAT, but I also want schools to see my application early.

Should I just wait until I receive my MCAT?

I have looked through the MSAR and I know which schools I will be applying to, and one of of my reach schools is Duke. My BCPM GPA doesn't even meet their 10%, but a guy can dream, right? So if I am applying to a competitive school like Duke, what should I do? Sorry for the long post, but I am just a little lost at this point during the app season.

A URM with FAP, 3.6 GPA, "great" EC's and LOR's doesn't need a miracle. You just need a decent MCAT score and you'll land somewhere. The approach of submitting on June 6 and applying to one school (pending your score) is fine.

 

[Iz_FtB]

Base it on your official full length practice exam scores.

If they're in range, go for it.

If not, don't.

 

[begoood95]

A URM with FAP, 3.6 GPA, "great" EC's and LOR's doesn't need a miracle. You just need a decent MCAT score and you'll land somewhere. The approach of submitting on June 6 and applying to one school (pending your score) is fine.

Is that the first day to submit this cycle? I must've missed that; I assumed it was June 1st.

 

[DPTinthemaking15]

A URM with FAP, 3.6 GPA, "great" EC's and LOR's doesn't need a miracle. You just need a decent MCAT score and you'll land somewhere. The approach of submitting on June 6 and applying to one school (pending your score) is fine.

Base it on your official full length practice exam scores.

If they're in range, go for it.

If not, don't.

Thank you guys!!! If you don't mind me asking, what is a good MCAT score to shoot for? I know each applicant is different, but idk what I should be aiming for.

 

[Med Ed]

Is that the first day to submit this cycle? I must've missed that; I assumed it was June 1st.

I just double checked and apparently it is June 6 this year (for some reason).

 

[Iz_FtB]

Thank you guys!!! If you don't mind me asking, what is a good MCAT score to shoot for? I know each applicant is different, but idk what I should be aiming for.

Depends on your school list as compiled using MSAR.

 

[DPTinthemaking15]

Is that the first day to submit this cycle? I must've missed that; I assumed it was June 1st.

I believe so! If not, I may be in trouble lol.

 

[Med Ed]

Thank you guys!!! If you don't mind me asking, what is a good MCAT score to shoot for? I know each applicant is different, but idk what I should be aiming for.

Don't aim for anything in particular. Focus on (re)learning the content and taking practice questions/exams. Make a schedule and stick to it.

 

[begoood95]

I just double checked and apparently it is June 6 this year (for some reason).

I believe so! If not, I may be in trouble lol.

Huh, that's weird. I'm not complaining though, as that gives us a bit more time to work on primaries (or neurotically stress...idk). Looks like you're in luck @DPTinthemaking15!

 

[begoood95]

Thank you guys!!! If you don't mind me asking, what is a good MCAT score to shoot for? I know each applicant is different, but idk what I should be aiming for.

Why aim for anything other than a 528? 😉

 

[DPTinthemaking15]

Here is my list so far:

Central Michigan
Duke
Michigan State U
Texas A&M
University of Arizona
University of Minnesota
University of Missouri
UNC
University of Oklahoma
University of Wisconsin
Virginia Tech

I know a lot of these are mid-tier/reaches, but my wife is applying to Vet schools this cycle as well. So we are applying to schools that neighbor one another, and that is the main reason I am doing my best to receive an acceptance this cycle. Because I'm 99% sure she will get in wherever she applies lol.

Edit: Thank you all! I am scheduled for my first practice test tomorrow. So hopefully I can gauge where I stand.

 

[Med Ed]

Here is my list so far:

Central Michigan
Duke
Michigan State U
Texas A&M
University of Arizona
University of Minnesota
University of Missouri
UNC
University of Oklahoma
University of Wisconsin
Virginia Tech

I know a lot of these are mid-tier/reaches, but my wife is applying to Vet schools this cycle as well. So we are applying to schools that neighbor one another, and that is the main reason I am doing my best to receive an acceptance this cycle. Because I'm 99% sure she will get in wherever she applies lol.

What is your state of legal residence?

 

[DPTinthemaking15]

What is your state of legal residence?

Alabama. So I am applying to my state school and the two DO programs.

 

[begoood95]

Alabama. So I am applying to my state school and the two DO programs.

While you are an URM, I would still make absolutely sure you do well on the MCAT -- it really will be your ticket for at least an II at X medical school. Your cGPA is fine, though your sGPA is a bit low, so make sure you study up on the bio/biochem/phys/chem section such that you receive a score that "redeems" the lower sGPA.

I would also take into consideration @gonnif's advice as well. If you don't, however, you need to do well on the MCAT to assure at the very least a number of II's.

Hint: you should already be well into content review.

 

[DPTinthemaking15]

While you are an URM, I would still make absolutely sure you do well on the MCAT -- it really will be your ticket for at least an II at X medical school. Your cGPA is fine, though your sGPA is a bit low, so make sure you study up on the bio/biochem/phys/chem section such that you receive a score that "redeems" the lower sGPA.

I would also take into consideration @gonnif's advice as well. If you don't, however, you need to do well on the MCAT to assure at the very least a number of II's.

Hint: you should already be well into content review.

Definitely! So far I am half way through my content review. So I should finish up by the end of the month.

 

[Iz_FtB]

Definitely! So far I am half way through my content review. So I should finish up by the end of the month.

Save the official tests for closer to your exam date. They are good indicators of your performance on the real deal. Don't waste their utility by taking the test too early in your prep. Stick with section bank q's for the time being.

Make sure you check out the MCAT forums here.

 

[DPTinthemaking15]

Save the official tests for closer to your exam date. They are good indicators of your performance on the real deal. Don't waste their utility by taking the test too early in your prep. Stick with section bank q's for the time being.

Make sure you check out the MCAT forums here.

If you don't mind me asking. How do I effectively use the section bank q's? I've read SO many threads talking about them, but I have no clue how to utilize them haha.

 

[Catahecassa]

I just double checked and apparently it is June 6 this year (for some reason).

Where'd you see this?
June 1 per AMCAS calendar and AMCAS twitter account

Pre-Med Calendar
AMCAS (@amcasinfo) | Twitter

 

[begoood95]

If you don't mind me asking. How do I effectively use the section bank q's? I've read SO many threads talking about them, but I have no clue how to utilize them haha.

Here's what I did:

I went through half the questions from each section, then reviewed every quesiton I got right and wrong in depth. I did that for every section, and it worked out pretty well for me.

Source: 525.

 

[DPTinthemaking15]

Where'd you see this?
June 1 per AMCAS calendar and AAMC twitter account

Pre-Med Calendar
AMCAS (@amcasinfo) | Twitter

My apologies everyone. I learned a valuable lesson... Always investigate everything online. It is June 1st.

 

[Iz_FtB]

If you don't mind me asking. How do I effectively use the section bank q's? I've read SO many threads talking about them, but I have no clue how to utilize them haha.

I did the entirety of my content review first before doing any practice questions. After my first pass through everything, I began a second pass and started to work through the section banks in tandem with my reading. The section bank is a great resource, as is all the official material.

 

[DPTinthemaking15]

Here's what I did:

I went through half the questions from each section, then reviewed every quesiton I got right and wrong in depth. I did that for every section, and it worked out pretty well for me.

Source: 525.

Holy mess... So is the section bank similar to a "study guide" for the MCAT. I know that sounds stupid, but I feel like most people that use the section bank normally do well on the MCAT.

 

[Med Ed]

Where'd you see this?

The good people at Miami. Looks like they are mistaken (and so am I!).

 

[Med Ed]

Alabama. So I am applying to my state school and the two DO programs.

Good. Some of the schools on your list are not very friendly to OOS applicants. It is advisable to include your wife's vet school application in your own story, either in AMCAS or in some other communication with your target schools. That will give your strategy some credence that otherwise might not be apparent.

 

[DPTinthemaking15]

The good people at Miami. Looks like they are mistaken (and so am I!).

Haha there is no telling what is going on down in Miami. Looks like I better get a wrap up on my app.

Good. Some of the schools on your list are not very friendly to OOS applicants. It is advisable to include your wife's vet school application in your own story, either in AMCAS or in some other communication with your target schools. That will give your strategy some credence that otherwise might not be apparent.

I just spent the past hour looking at them in detail. It looks like I better knock this MCAT out of the park and hope for NC. Because I really don't want to move too far up North or out West. Nothing against anyone who lives in these areas, but I enjoy the south too much lol. Wow... I never though about including that in my apps. Should I just wait until secondaries and squeeze that info in somewhere? Yet again, thank you for all of the help.

 

[begoood95]

Holy mess... So is the section bank similar to a "study guide" for the MCAT. I know that sounds stupid, but I feel like most people that use the section bank normally do well on the MCAT.

Ehh I wouldn't call it so much of a study guide as it is a very, very good way to practice. A study guide would be the subject matter list on AAMC's website, but you are right -- in general, those who do well on the section banks (>75% correct) tend to perform better on the actual exam.

I'd say that's because the section bank most closely mimics the hardest questions/passages you'll get on the MCAT. Most people miss these questions, but getting *these* right is what separates the top percentiles from the middle to bottom scorers. If you're doing well on the section bank, you'll most likely do well on the actual exam.

 

[begoood95]

Save the official tests for closer to your exam date. They are good indicators of your performance on the real deal. Don't waste their utility by taking the test too early in your prep. Stick with section bank q's for the time being.

Make sure you check out the MCAT forums here.

I disagree slightly. I took the first scored AAMC FL right after I finished content review to know where I stood. Then, I did 3 EK's FLs, and in the final two weeks took the unscored and scored AAMC FL, in that order.

So I agree in that you shouldn't use *all* the AAMC material right off the bat, but I do think it's useful to get a feel as to where you are when you begin taking full lengths.

 

[DPTinthemaking15]

Ehh I wouldn't call it so much of a study guide as it is a very, very good way to practice. A study guide would be the subject matter list on AAMC's website, but you are right -- in general, those who do well on the section banks (>75% correct) tend to perform better on the actual exam.

I'd say that's because the section bank most closely mimics the hardest questions/passages you'll get on the MCAT. Most people miss these questions, but getting *these* right is what separates the top percentiles from the middle to bottom scorers. If you're doing well on the section bank, you'll most likely do well on the actual exam.

Awesome! I am using BR for content review right now, and I have been scoring anywhere between 40-60% on their passages. Some of their passages are just ridiculous, but I am hoping it will prepare me well for this beast they call the MCAT lol. Honestly, if I score a 508+ I will probably go crazy.

 

[begoood95]

Awesome! I am using BR for content review right now, and I have been scoring anywhere between 40-60% on their passages. Some of their passages are just ridiculous, but I am hoping it will prepare me well for this beast they call the MCAT lol. Honestly, if I score a 508+ I will probably go crazy.

BR is awesome. That's what I used, and I agree, some of their passages are very meticulous and specific -- but keep on chugging along!

 

[ADSigMel]

Hi! Just wanted to pop in and say that I'm in Alabama, too, with similar stats to yours (URM, uGPA 3.62, sGPA 3.59). I'm taking the MCAT this Saturday.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app

 

[DameJulie]

I disagree slightly. I took the first scored AAMC FL right after I finished content review to know where I stood.

Interesting opinion. Was your 1st AAMC test a sample test? Or one of the 2 FLs? During what stage of studying would you recommend using the other AAMC materials (Qbank, section bank, official guide Q), etc.

 

[begoood95]

Interesting opinion. Was your 1st AAMC test a sample test? Or one of the 2 FLs? During what stage of studying would you recommend using the other AAMC materials (Qbank, section bank, official guide Q), etc.

Nope, it was one of the scored FLs! I wanted to know where I was, and figure out which section I needed to study for most. I got a 131 on the CARS section on that, so you can be sure I toned down studying for that; my lowest section score was in C/P... so I studied the most for that. I think it was helpful to take the scored AAMC FL before beginning my other FLs, because it gave me a sense of direction. Now I did save the sample test and second scored FL until the last two weeks.

As for timing the other AAMC materials, here's what I did, and what I would recommend:

• Start the section bank immediately after you're finished with all your content review. The SB is not content review -- it is practice. You can see my post above to see how I used it.
• I used like, maybe 10% of the QBank. I went through a couple of passages and felt like it was way too easy (I had worked through some of the SB by this time, and the contrast in difficulty is laughable). Now, I wouldn't go so far as to say that you shouldn't use the QBank, and in fact the more practice the better. But I do think that the SB much better prepares you for the actual exam.
• I cheated and used the official guide questions like a month in my content review... But likewise, I'd use those sometime after content review.

Don't stress too much about it. Space the AAMC materials such that you're getting an even amount of practice everyday. I rank usefulness of materials as AAMC [Scored FLs > SB > Sample Test > QBanks] > EK FLs > Everything else.

For some context, I did content review for ~60 days doing content review, and another 50-60 doing practice exams once a week, mixing in SB practice as I progressed. And as always, make absolutely sure you're reviewing each and every question in-depth.

Never miss the same type of question more than once.