Applying for second time right after failure first year

[MrWheat]

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Hi guys,

I applied to med schools for 2010, and did not get in any. I am planning on retaking MCAT (I had 32Q) and getting a new LOR. I will apply to more schools, around 30, and to lower ranked schools. This year I will apply really early and get everything in by end of June.

What are some things I should consider before I apply? As in how the schools will think of me as a second time applicant?

Thanks again!

 

[Sammich117]

That's a decent MCAT score (if I say so myself...haha, that's what I got.), but when reapplying, schools like to see an improvement, not just the same application but earlier. It's not gauranteed that you'll get a higher MCAT score, so unless you have new EC's or something, I'd recommend waiting a year. Just my opinion though

 

[searun]

OP, I would not retake the MCAT if I were you. 32 is a respectable MCAT score. Many people who retake the MCAT actually get a lower score, and then you would be screwed.

I would identify and focus on the areas of your application where you are weak. Your weakness is not the MCAT.

 

[MrWheat]

Thanks for replies guys.

My GPA is pretty low (below avg to most school's acceptance GPA). Therefore, I'm thinking MCAT I can improve in. Other than that, I think I need to apply early and to lower ranked schools and then maybe new letter will help.

How much higher do I need to score on MCAT than before in order to show a good improvement?

 

[Yips]

Thanks for replies guys.

My GPA is pretty low (below avg to most school's acceptance GPA). Therefore, I'm thinking MCAT I can improve in. Other than that, I think I need to apply early and to lower ranked schools and then maybe new letter will help.

How much higher do I need to score on MCAT than before in order to show a good improvement?

How low is the GPA? Is your MCAT balanced?

 

[Practitioner]

Take a look at the stats for those who retake a 32 and improve their score. It gets increasingly harder for every point above that. Chances are you'll only redistribute your section scores.

Take a look at: http://aamc.org/data/facts/applicantmatriculant/table24-mcatgpa-grid-3yrs-app-accpt.htm for what increasing score will help.

 

[MrWheat]

Gpa: 3.3

9v, 11b, 12p

 

[Sammich117]

I really wouldn't retake the MCAT... With a high chance of scoring lower, that's a lot of stress for a risk like that.

You could maybe take some post-bacc courses to raise the gpa or do a SMP program. How do your ec's look?

 

[Yips]

Yes, I agree. Don't retake the MCAT, instead focus on taking upper division science classes to raise that GPA by getting A's. Do you have sufficient clinical experience?

 

[MrWheat]

My EC's are lots of volunteering from college, leadership on-campus activities, hospital shadowing, etc. Now working full-time for past year or so in laboratory research.

By the way, is there a site to a list of SMP programs in the country and it's effectiveness for medical school entrance?

 

[Yips]

Read the post-bacc forum: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/forumdisplay.php?f=71

There is some good information on the sticky threads about SMPs and other ways to boost your uGPA.

GL 🙂

 

[Sammich117]

My EC's are lots of volunteering from college, leadership on-campus activities, hospital shadowing, etc. Now working full-time for past year or so in laboratory research.

By the way, is there a site to a list of SMP programs in the country and it's effectiveness for medical school entrance?

This thread (along with others in that forum) may be of help to you:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=378876

 

[Sammich117]

Ah, Yips beat me

 

[MrWheat]

Thank you guys again!

 

[Yips]

Ah, Yips beat me

Eh...not really (see timestamp)

 

[Sammich117]

Oh, and also - I see these are your firsts posts, so to SDN 🙂

 

[Yips]

Oh, and also - I see these are your firsts posts, so to SDN 🙂