Being a borderline applicant sucks ass

[Cerbernator]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I am so stressed due to my mediocrity🙁 I even sent in the stuff to have my mcat rescored🙁 stupid stupid process

 

[skiz knot]

worrying about it doesn't do anygood.

 

[Just Applied]

What are ur stats that make u mediocre?

 

[Cerbernator]

What are ur stats that make u mediocre?

GPA:
Overall: 3.57
BCMB: 3.46

MCAT: 29 🙁

 

[jj08]

I am so stressed due to my mediocrity🙁 I even sent in the stuff to have my mcat rescored🙁 stupid stupid process

You'll get in.

I predict that a couple month's down the road you will post, "I am gonna be a friggin doctor" or something like that. And at that point I will then bump this thread and say, "I told you so!" 😀

 

[TTSD]

Did you remember to offer them a banana?

 

[Just Applied]

ull be fine, did u apply to a decent amount of low to middle tier schools?

 

[EvoDevo]

I'm gonna be friggin' doctor. 😀 And my stats were mediocre. You can do eet, Cerb.

 

[Cerbernator]

I'm gonna be friggin' doctor. 😀 And my stats were mediocre. You can do eet, Cerb.

Yeah, I can see it now.

Carribeanator

CerbCarribeanIMG

 

[TTSD]

Yeah, I can see it now.

Carribeanator

CerbCarribeanIMG

Well, once you learn to spell Caribbean right.

 

[EvoDevo]

Yeah, I can see it now.

Carribeanator

CerbCarribeanIMG

Nope. I'm not talking about overseas or Carib, dude. Keep your chin up. 👍

 

[liverotcod]

I am so stressed due to my mediocrity🙁 I even sent in the stuff to have my mcat rescored🙁 stupid stupid process

Once your MCAT gets rescored you'll be a lot more competitive.

But seriously, buck up! I think a lot of admissions go to those who can demonstrate they really want it. Which won't be a problem for you.

 

[Cerbernator]

Once your MCAT gets rescored you'll be a lot more competitive..

 

[RaistlinMajere]

If your goal is to get in somewhere, then that MCAT isn't the end of the world. It won't get you noticed but it shouldn't blow you up either, assuming that your competitive in each section. So your chance of getting into at least a school seems likely to me.

If your goal was to go to a top-ranked school, then you are longshot, but there is always hope.

 

[liverotcod]

Off-topic alert!

Did you know that you can post a message and then delete it and still have it count in your posting total? I'm thinking all you 5000+ posters are spending all day, every day, posting and then deleting. I mean, how can you possibly have that much to say?

OK, I'm going to delete this message now.

 

[Cerbernator]

Off-topic alert!

Did you know that you can post a message and then delete it and still have it count in your posting total? I'm thinking all you 5000+ posters are spending all day, every day, posting and then deleting. I mean, how can you possibly have that much to say?

OK, I'm going to delete this message now.

Its easy to post all day when you have my job. The difficult part is making SDN look like it somehow relates to work when the boss walks by.

 

[mdsh00]

Well if it makes you feel better, I've got a lower GPA

 

[skiz knot]

Once your MCAT gets rescored you'll be a lot more competitive.

 

[Cerbernator]

liberal bias🙁

 

[skiz knot]

liberal bias🙁

naw, the laughy guys were because the other poster thought there would definitely be a change.

I hope there is a positive change for you, but don't hold your breath.

I really think you'll be fine in the application process. Keep up your spirits.

 

[skiz knot]

Keep up your spirits.

Oh wait, I forgot, republicans don't have souls, so they can't keep their spirit up.











sorry for the cheapshot.

 

[JMC_MarineCorps]

I am so stressed due to my mediocrity🙁

Should mediocre students be admitted to med schools at all? I mean, afterall, we will be tasked with saving patients' lives and will carry the burden of such an enormous responsibility. Shouldn't only the most intellectually elite be eligible for such a high honor and privilege?

Shame on you for even applying Cerb, how dare you perpetrate such erroneousness - you are a bad banana and shall be sentenced to a lifetime of performing digital rectal stimulation on elderly men - just what you deserve for such mediocrity.

Damn you Cerb! You'll be fine as long as you have a story to tell - what's your story (rhetorical question)? If you're shaped like the rest of the Christmas tree cookies in the box, you may go unnoticed, but even then I doubt it. The story picks up where your scores left off.

 

[Fermata]

The MCAT was originally designed as a measure to see if a student could survive the med school curriculum.

It has been warped for admission standards, however.

A 29 is more than enough to be a good doctor.

 

[stressed522]

I'm not familiar with the MCAT rescoring process. Can anyone enlighten me?

 

[superdevil]

I'm not familiar with the MCAT rescoring process. Can anyone enlighten me?

you can pay a fee (like $100 or something) to have the AAMC re-score your scantron by hand if you don't think your automated score is accurate.

 

[Assembler]

lol. I think your stats are fine 🙂

Given the rest of the application is just as good, if not better, you'll get in. Just have some confidence.

 

[JMC_MarineCorps]

The MCAT was originally designed as a measure to see if a student could survive the med school curriculum.

It has been warped for admission standards, however.

A 29 is more than enough to be a good doctor.

Since you brought it up, where (what score, that is) does the disparity between "good doctor" and "poor doctor" become more evident? If you were able to identify it for me that would be great...I didn't realize such a subjective concept as good doctor vs. poor doctor could easily be quantified.

Is 25 the magic number? How about 26 or 24? Anything less than 9s across the board (27), is that the criteria?

I am not attacking, instead I am sincerely interested in identifying at what point should someone just walk away (assuming that they have the integrity to acknowledge and accept their fate as a poor doctor and hang it up early rather than causing harm to others).

 

[Assembler]

Standardized exams are BS. They don't even test your real knowledge of any material. Granted, they may test your ability to think under pressure, but these are such abstract questions to gauge that kind of reasoning/deductive ability.

What really matters, IMHO, is more in-class examination, combined with effective practicality in applying those learned skills to real world situations. A real world situation that involves pressure is NOT the same as filling in multiple choice answers for 8 hours.

If the MCAT were to be an ideal predictor, I would vote it ALL essay-based & more analytical than anything else; ie. how well you can relate different concepts together in order to provide a solid explanation/conclusion/solution/etc.

 

[Peterock]

Cerberus, you are a little *****, you will get into medical school before May 15. Please remove your tampon and be a man.

 

[Cerbernator]

Since you brought it up, where (what score, that is) does the disparity between "good doctor" and "poor doctor" become more evident? If you were able to identify it for me that would be great...I didn't realize such a subjective concept as good doctor vs. poor doctor could easily be quantified.

Is 25 the magic number? How about 26 or 24? Anything less than 9s across the board (27), is that the criteria?

I am not attacking, instead I am sincerely interested in identifying at what point should someone just walk away (assuming that they have the integrity to acknowledge and accept their fate as a poor doctor and hang it up early rather than causing harm to others).

Its a valid point. There is definite reason to question whether a abstract test such as the MCAT can gauge the success of someone as a doctor. However, even though I personally doubt the accuracy of a test like the MCAT in predicating the ability of someone to be a competent doctor, the question remains; "is there a better way to do the selecting?". Although my scores are at best mediocre, I stand firm in belief that hardwork as is evidenced through the MCAT and through GPA is probably the most to judge merit. I can explain my grades since I was involved in sports in college and picked a difficult major but I have little excuse for my MCAT score (I did work hard, I just recieved no dividends for my efforts).

As for the rescore question, rescoring the MCAT costs 50$ (an additional 50 to have the essay rescored). Although I doubt it will have any effect on my score, the fact that I did stupidly leave marks (reminders to come back to questions) on my scantrons gives my the slight hope that these marks caused the scantron to misread my score.

 

[liverotcod]

you can pay a fee (like $100 or something) to have the AAMC re-score your scantron by hand if you don't think your automated score is accurate.

Although, according the MCAT staff (who I will quote without specific permission - sorry!) on the e-mcat discussion board:

Multiple-choice section scores have never changed on rescore, as far as I know. Changes on WS rescores have been known to happen and, at least once, it was a significant difference. Changes do go down as well as up, however.

 

[Cerbernator]

Since you brought it up, where (what score, that is) does the disparity between "good doctor" and "poor doctor" become more evident? If you were able to identify it for me that would be great...I didn't realize such a subjective concept as good doctor vs. poor doctor could easily be quantified.

Is 25 the magic number? How about 26 or 24? Anything less than 9s across the board (27), is that the criteria?

I am not attacking, instead I am sincerely interested in identifying at what point should someone just walk away (assuming that they have the integrity to acknowledge and accept their fate as a poor doctor and hang it up early rather than causing harm to others).

BTW, I commend your service in the USMC 👍 👍

 

[Cerbernator]

Although, according the MCAT staff (who I will quote without specific permission - sorry!) on the e-mcat discussion board:

Ehh, I dont expect it to change but at least I get peace of mind in knowing my drop in score from the practice tests wasnt from stupidly marking my scantron.

 

[liverotcod]

Ehh, I dont expect it to change but at least I get peace of mind in knowing my drop in score from the practice tests wasnt from stupidly marking my scantron.

Cerb, I don't begrudge you your peace of mind, but you know how you marked it... Did you fill in the little ovals with a pencil? Then you marked it just fine. Hand-checking your scantron wouldn't fix, say, a misgridding problem.

 

[Cerbernator]

Cerb, I don't begrudge you your peace of mind, but you know how you marked it... Did you fill in the little ovals with a pencil? Then you marked it just fine. Hand-checking your scantron wouldn't fix, say, a misgridding problem.

As I mentioned earlier, my concern was that I made marks next to the numbers on the scantron - primarily on the PS section - to signify that I needed to return to these questions. However, I ran out of time and didnt even have a chance to erase all of these marks. I am worried then that these marks might have thrown off the scantron reader causing it to read two answers and counting the problem wrong. This is why i am having it rescored.

 

[Cerbernator]

Oh wait, I forgot, republicans don't have souls, so they can't keep their spirit up.






sorry for the cheapshot.

I am not a republican, I am a cynic. I dislike both sides equally 👍

 

[liverotcod]

As I mentioned earlier, my concern was that I made marks next to the numbers on the scantron - primarily on the PS section - to signify that I needed to return to these questions. However, I ran out of time and didnt even have a chance to erase all of these marks. I am worried then that these marks might have thrown off the scantron reader causing it to read two answers and counting the problem wrong. This is why i am having it rescored.

Sorry, I must have missed that in your earlier post. In that case, I totally agree. Good luck!

 

[RayhanS1282]

Buck up.....us mediocre applicants are all over the place....I got a 10P, 10B, 7v, I applied in 2003....lost a couple of hundred dollars and now here I am again re-applying...just have a little faith.

 

[!dr_nick!]

You arent really mediocre for an applicant. You are mediocre for a matriculant. And thats good enough! 😀

 

[Fermata]

You arent really mediocre for an applicant. You are mediocre for a matriculant. And thats good enough! 😀

He stands a very good chance of getting accepted in-state.

He just wants to go to school in NY. 😀

 

[superso]

I had a 27 which is even less but when I looked at MSAR, it shows that the most applicants to apply each year are 27's, the most to get accepted are 27's and the most rejected are 27's! THAT is mediocre. I'm already planning on reapplying, im taking my mcat this august so ill probably reapply next year.

Generally, how much does a score on aamc practice tests 5r, 6r, reflect the actual score?

 

[liverotcod]

I had a 27 which is even less but when I looked at MSAR, it shows that the most applicants to apply each year are 27's, the most to get accepted are 27's and the most rejected are 27's! THAT is mediocre. I'm already planning on reapplying, im taking my mcat this august so ill probably reapply next year.

Generally, how much does a score on aamc practice tests 5r, 6r, reflect the actual score?

That's an interesting point from the MSAR.

I think that AMCAS practice tests 5R and 6R are very good predictors of actual score. In April, I got one more point than 5R and the same as 6R. Of course, that's just one anecdotal example.

 

[Cerbernator]

I think that AMCAS practice tests 5R and 6R are very good predictors of actual score. In April, I got one more point than 5R and the same as 6R. Of course, that's just one anecdotal example.

To provide an opposite example, I was scoring around 34 on these exams (with a 36 on 6R). I didn't feel the real thing was "that" much harder though.

 

[liverotcod]

To provide an opposite example, I was scoring around 34 on these exams (with a 36 on 6R). I didn't feel the real thing was "that" much harder though.

If I remember correctly, you're retaking, right? Given your practice test results you will certainly score in the mid-30s in August. You must have just had an off day.

 

[Cerbernator]

If I remember correctly, you're retaking, right? Given your practice test results you will certainly score in the mid-30s in August. You must have just had an off day.

I am not retaking because I do not have time (i work 50+hours a week and have summer class). I will only retake if I do not get in this year.

 

[velo]

Standardized exams are BS. They don't even test your real knowledge of any material. Granted, they may test your ability to think under pressure, but these are such abstract questions to gauge that kind of reasoning/deductive ability.

What really matters, IMHO, is more in-class examination, combined with effective practicality in applying those learned skills to real world situations. A real world situation that involves pressure is NOT the same as filling in multiple choice answers for 8 hours.

If the MCAT were to be an ideal predictor, I would vote it ALL essay-based & more analytical than anything else; ie. how well you can relate different concepts together in order to provide a solid explanation/conclusion/solution/etc.

Yeah I can see the point of this argument...but i'm also good at standardized tests, so I think the MCAT is great. Its not supposed to test your ability to apply skills in the real world...its an academic test. It shouldn't be all essay based because then it wouldn't be standardized at all...that would introduce the possibility of great variation between graders, and make the test grading process so inefficient the whole behemouth would grind to a halt. Also, I think the MCAT is a test the forces you to relate different concepts (they love combined physics/gen chem or bio/orgo passages). More importantly it forces you to apply your knowlege to new situations, which is a great skill to have. And finally, many questions force you to reason your way to the answer, which does gauge your deductive/reasoning abilities.

Of course, "parallel universe Velocypedalist?" is terrible at standardized tests and would argue that the test is biased towards people who...

A) are good multiple choice test takers...not the most useful real-world skill in either velocypedalist's opinion

B) Are fast test takers. parallel universe velocypedalist thinks regular velocypedalist did so well because he's always been fast on tests, regularly finished all sections 15 min. early on practice tests, and saw a huge jump in his scores when he slowed down to what seemed like a leisurly pace...neither velocypedalist has any idea how regular velocypedalist's test taking speed could possibly help him in med school

and C) can afford a prep service...regular velocypedalist took TPR, parallel universe velocypedalist was not so lucky.


So I guess there are arguments for and against....but its the best test we've got, its ussually only considered when deciding who should get an interview or not, after which other factors come into play, and its not like its a big surprise that you have to take it...high schoolers with med school dreams know that this thing is hanging over their heads. So I guess we're all pretty much in the same boat

 

[UCmed2004]

cerbenator...wtf! ive never heard of something like that! ive heard of 2 or 1 points off the practice test but are you sure you didnt misbubble an entire section or two??

 

[willthatsall]

That sucks so bad that you can't retake. It sounds like 29 was really the absolute bottom of your scoring range and you just got unlucky on that particular day. You'd probably score higher than that 90% of the time or more, but I guess that's how the cookie crumbles sometimes. I would be tempted to retake even without the time to prepare as fully as last time.

 

[Cerbernator]

That sucks so bad that you can't retake. It sounds like 29 was really the absolute bottom of your scoring range and you just got unlucky on that particular day. You'd probably score higher than that 90% of the time or more, but I guess that's how the cookie crumbles sometimes. I would be tempted to retake even without the time to prepare as fully as last time.

I want to because I hate to think I am only capable of a 29. However, after the amount of work i put into that bitch, I am fraid to retake and get another low score🙁

 

[DieselPetrolGrl]

i want the .2 off ur gpa now cerb
i have solid snake on my side
resistance is futile
mail me the .2 off your gpa to

Ms.SolidSnake
Outer Haven
c/o:FoxHound