Applying without an MCAT score?

[sllpn2]

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I was wondering if applying without an MCAT score has an affect on getting accepted to a Podiatry school. I have taken the MCAT, but the score was not sent to AACPM. I am scheduled for a retake on July 16th, and realize that the score will not be back until mid August. I plan on applying as close to August 1st as possible. Any help is appreciated.

 

[xileh]

You can apply but you probably won't get invited for an interview until they have your MCAT scores.

 

[FiveOVicryl]

Depending on the content of your application (GPA, extra curricular, etc) some schools will offer you an interview but will hold off on their final decision until you submit your MCAT scores.

 

[sllpn2]

I was wondering because my first score was poor....an 18. I have a 3.6 cumulative and science gpa, fairly good ec's and around 150 volunteer/job shadow hours so far. I was hoping to score around a 22 after preparing better. Would it be better to show the first mcat score along with the retake?

 

[xileh]

If you know your first score, then AACPM will also know it when you send your scores. You can't pick and choose which score to show.

So after you retake it both scores will be shown.

 

[RATM2010]

I was wondering because my first score was poor....an 18. I have a 3.6 cumulative and science gpa, fairly good ec's and around 150 volunteer/job shadow hours so far. I was hoping to score around a 22 after preparing better. Would it be better to show the first mcat score along with the retake?

Apply! You have a mcat score, so aacpmas will too and the schools. I think the mcat average is 19-22 in general so you are off by 1 point. However, the GPA is 3.0-3.3. You are really up here, which is more important than the mcat score. Apply now for acceptance and use your retake for scholarship considerations. APply broadly, but not foolishly. For example, certain programs set a min, which is found on their websites, like OCPM which is like a 22. Save your money at schools like this. Also, TEmple wil not accept a mcat verbal score less than 6. AZPOD likes a 20 so save your money if it is tight. Good luck this late in the cycle. I like your odds pplying early next cycle better than now with that current mcat score.

 

[emericana]

You can apply but you probably won't get invited for an interview until they have your MCAT scores.

I applied to five schools, and got interviews at 4 of them without a mcat score. i got into one of them with previous gre scores and got into a second one with no score at all.

this statement is incorrect.

i would say probably half of the kids i interviewed with did not have their mcat scores yet

 

[dtrack22]

Apply everywhere you want to go. I would bet $$ you get interviews everywhere and get in to almost all. Only school who wouldn't take an 18 MCAT would be one of the smaller programs who can afford to be selective because they only take 30-50 kids. And even those few programs have their share of students with similar stats.

If you believe that any school's minimum MCAT cutoff is real, especially when their minimum is the same as their average (ie 22 minimum and 22-23 average) then you aren't as smart as you look.

 

[jotfinos]

I applied to five schools, and got interviews at 4 of them without a mcat score. i got into one of them with previous gre scores and got into a second one with no score at all.

this statement is incorrect.

i would say probably half of the kids i interviewed with did not have their mcat scores yet

This is true for Temple. They interviewed me before my test scores were in. However NYCPM would not interview me until they had the scores.

 

[sllpn2]

Thanks for all the help. I didn't really know how the process worked. I have another question that some of you might know a little about. Does job shadowing or volunteering look better to podiatry schools? I have done some research on this, but never really found a solid answer. I job shadow a podiatrist and volunteer at a veterans home. Would 150 hours of each be competitive? Thanks.

 

[RATM2010]

Thanks for all the help. I didn't really know how the process worked. I have another question that some of you might know a little about. Does job shadowing or volunteering look better to podiatry schools? I have done some research on this, but never really found a solid answer. I job shadow a podiatrist and volunteer at a veterans home. Would 150 hours of each be competitive? Thanks.

job shadow???? WTF is that. If you mean you followed a pod for a few days, then you are good as long as you get a LOR from that pod. Volunteer hrs always looks good. I do not think they look at the amount of hrs though and grade them as competitive. Getting into POD school is not that hard. GPA >3.0.+ MCAT >20. + no criminal background or obvious red flags +decent interview skills+ apply early and broad = you will get in somewhere. Good luck.

 

[plantar]

MCAT scores really don't matter for most of the schools. You just have to have a good overall package. It doesn't hurt to apply with an MCAT of 18, or 19. You don't have anything to lose by applying, and it's very well possible that you will get in. Take the stats of the number who apply to podiatry and the numbers who get in. I think it is at least 70% acceptance rate.

 

[Noble pod]

Sometimes when i read the postings i feel like other pple are here to mislead or give false hope. I only applied to 2 schools so i'm not going to act like i know about all the schools, but suggesting that an MCAT of 18 will get you in most schools is probably not accurate. The quality of students (ie GPA and MCAT score) has been rising over the years and fewer and fewer low gpa mcat students are getting in. It is my belief that no sch wants to admit a student that might fail out, its bad for business.

 

[dtrack22]

suggesting that an MCAT of 18 will get you in most schools is probably not accurate

I wish it wasn't accurate. But it is. There are individuals with low MCATs at every program. Even at programs who's average MCAT is 25...if those schools accept high-teen MCATs, then what about the programs who's average student has a 22??


I don't think I have once been anything but honest on these boards. Welcome to podiatry.

 

[RATM2010]

Rember, the mcat is a hurdle to clear. Your tests are not like the mcat, Your boards will not be like the mcat. If a 18 gets you in, count your blessings and cross that hurdle off your too do list.

 

[emericana]

I wish it wasn't accurate. But it is. There are individuals with low MCATs at every program. Even at programs who's average MCAT is 25...if those schools accept high-teen MCATs, then what about the programs who's average student has a 22??


I don't think I have once been anything but honest on these boards. Welcome to podiatry.

Agreed.

As dtrack pointed out, and other have, podiatry is MUCH easier to get into than other professional schools. yes, some people get rejected... but most do not. regardless of your scores... it seems that 3.0 is what you need to get in... if you can pull that off... get a 18 or higher and you should be fine.

Do I wish this was different? sure of course I do... but its not. would it be nice if the average score was 3.4/25? yes... but its not. just roll with it. pod is a great profession.

I got a 22 and got in everywhere.

 

[DPM2016]

I applied to five schools, and got interviews at 4 of them without a mcat score. i got into one of them with previous gre scores and got into a second one with no score at all.

this statement is incorrect.

i would say probably half of the kids i interviewed with did not have their mcat scores yet

Emericana,

Which school did you get into without an MCAT score? If you decided on this school would you ever have to take the MCAT? When did you apply?

Thanks