Apply to Carribean?

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GatorHater

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So I was wandering with my GPA (3.75 in Biochemistry) and a 21 MCAT (Best out of three, just can't get past that test) should I go ahead and go carribean? I thought about taking the MCAT again after studying for several months, but I have been told from a doctor I know that it is best to start ASAP and not take any time off of school. And taking the test again would delay me for another year, when I could just go to Carribean in Jan (If i could get in)
 
It doesn't look too good if you're taking the MCAT for a fourth time. US schools don't look at that kindly. You have a good gpa but the MCAT is what's really hurting you. I think you have a shot at Ross. You should also try applying to AUC.
 
As far as Caribbean schools go, I was looking more at SGU mostly because I know someone who is already there and I from what I read it is the best of the Caribbean schools.
 
You'll VERY likely get into all of the Carib-4 schools.
I recommend a trip south to Island hop. I don't personally think SGU is better than Ross or AUC, and Saba has some appeal. I went to AUC. Probably now would go to SABA. But, check it out, you may not like grenada or dominica, you may find saba too small, St Martin too developed. etc, etc. Good luck.
 
Anyone think I should wait another year, take the MCAT again and give it another go?
 
You've already taken the MCAT x3? If you retake it, what will you do differently to study? If you can't improve it, then the Carib may very well be ur best bet...which I don't say often...21 is still a little low for the top 4, IMHO. Despite what this board says, the Carib has become quite popular with a lot of applicants who have the midhigh 20's on their MCAT's...G'luck
 
Only thing that worries me is there is still no guarantee that I get in, or even a really good chance. It would also cost me over an entire year compared to going to the Caribbean in January (if I get in)
 
if you are only scoring around a 21 on the MCAT, you will probably not score high on the USMLE Step 1's, a requirement to get a good (or any) residency after attending a Carib school.
 
Kind of a broad generalization don't you think?
 
if you are only scoring around a 21 on the MCAT, you will probably not score high on the USMLE Step 1's, a requirement to get a good (or any) residency after attending a Carib school.

Not true, I speak from personal experience. Seen first hand on MCAT individual go from 17 on MCAT to 235 on Step 1...the reason for the low score on the MCAT should be identified and remedied...
 
Well first it was BIO, but I brought that up (Only to an 8 though) and scored an 8 in Bio, 8 in Phy, and a 2 in VR. Now that 2 is NOT an accurate depiction of my VR scores because on the other 2, I got an 8 and a 7.

The 21 consisted of 3 sevens and was the second one of the tests. The 18 was scored on my most recent test with the two 8s and the 2.
 
GatorHater...have you been taking any mock MCAT exams to gauge your potential performance? That would give you a good idea of if you're even capable of getting the type of score needed to gain admission to a U.S. med school. Keep one thing in mind...given that you've taken the MCAT three times already, most medical schools will be skeptical about your ability to successfully complete the USMLEs, specialty board exams, etc...
Although I disagree and believe that MCATs and USMLEs do not correlate well at all, the admissions committees are what matter.

Now, you have three strikes against you already. In order for you to successfully gain admission to a U.S. medical school, you would have to score WELL ABOVE the mean since most people you're competing against have the advantage that they did not take four attempts to get a good score (usually one or two attempts is the norm).

Unless you believe you're capable of getting an MCAT score in the mid30's (say 33 or higher), you may want to seriously consider the caribbean. I have no knowledge of caribbean schools but from I've heard that it can be quite difficult to adjust, so you may want to take a trip out there and see if you like them first.

Or, try an osteopathic school...if you can get your MCAT into the high 20's, you should be competitive at those places.

Another reason you may want to consider osteopathic is that you seem to have difficulty with exams...if that's the case, you'll find it difficult getting into residency after caribbean school because you usually need a higher USMLE score to compete with U.S. MD grads. Would be a shame to do all that and then get stuck without a residency spot. If you go osteopathic, you don't necessarily have to rock the USMLE since there are D.O. residencies that are excusively for osteopathic graduates. I believe this is probably your best option.

So my advice...take the MCATs, get your score up into the high-20s and apply to osteopathic schools. Good luck.
 
Actually just found out that I can still take the MCAT again late Jan and still have a shot at getting into the school I want to get into. So I guess its either
1. Go to Caribbean in January
2. Take MCAT in Jan, see how I do and if I can get accepted into my state school if my score improves. If not go to Caribbean in August
 
no. 2 first, give it one last shot and then if it doesn't work, reassess with option 1. this way at least you know you did everything you could.
G'luck. My best piece of advice to you is reassess your studying habits, it's not working for you currently. you got to put everything into it.
 
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