Can I get in?

[Hoping2makeit]

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3.97 sGPA, 3.88 cGPA, MCAT 24(6P, 10V, 8B) LORs from committee, DO, and MD. ECs include international medical missions, ER volunteer, and work experience as a Lab Tech. I have more ECs, but those are the highlights.

Can I get in anywhere with my low MCAT score? What schools will give me the best shot?

 

[deleted407021]

This may be moved to "What Are My Chances", in short order. That's where these threads belong.

The MCAT will hold you back. You will probably be told that some DO schools will give you some attention. Good GPA. you will also be asked to provide some more information about your application, especially ECs. I can't give specifics, but expect this. Best of luck!

EDIT: Fixed! 😀

 

[BestDoctorEver]

3.97 sGPA, 3.88 cGPA, MCAT 24(6P, 10V, 8B) LORs from committee, DO, and MD. ECs include international medical missions, ER volunteer, and work experience as a Lab Tech. I have more ECs, but those are the highlights.

Can I get in anywhere with my low MCAT score? What schools will give me the best shot?

Apply to ACOM, PCOM-GA, LUCOM, LMU-DCOM, KYCOM, VCOM, SOMA, WVSOM, WCUCOM, CUSOM, MU-COM. If you apply to these schools, you probably will get 2+ acceptances.

 

[wjs010]

Apply early next cycle and you'll get interviews. Act right in those and you'll probably snag an acceptance or two. Very nice gpa. Good luck!

 

[sonofva]

DO schools are notorious for second chances. I crushed my MCAT and post-bacc, but had an abysmal undergraduate GPA. Just keep after it, find a DO to shadow/get a letter from, and you should be solid.

 

[user3]

even 28 MCAT schools might give you a look with that GPA. I think you will have interviews out the wazoo, including to some established schools.

I would not apply to CCOM, AZCOM, LECOM-B or any of the Touros though.

 

[GC1000]

This will be moved to "What Are My Chances", in short order.

The MCAT will hold you back. You will probably be told that some DO schools will give you some attention. Good GPA. you will also be asked to provide some more information about your application, especially ECs. I can't give specifics, but expect this. Best of luck!

"Short order"

Keep your snarky comments to yourself. No one asked you to be boss. Answer the question or ignore.

 

[deleted407021]

"Short order"

Keep your snarky comments to yourself. No one asked you to be boss. Answer the question or ignore.

Just saying it will probably be moved. Just a heads up. What did you contribute to OP's thread?

 

[GC1000]

Just saying it will probably be moved. Just a heads up. What did you contribute to OP's thread?

We don't need people to be " just saying."

I didn't add anything because there were several excellent replies. I'm irritated at all the ridiculous snarky comments people make. Most people on here wasn't help and the comments aren'tnecessary.

 

[GC1000]

Just saying it will probably be moved. Just a heads up. What did you contribute to OP's thread?

And you didn't write probably. You said it will be moved in short order.

 

[deleted407021]

We don't need people to be " just saying."

I didn't add anything because there were several excellent replies. I'm irritated at all the ridiculous snarky comments people make. Most people on here wasn't help and the comments aren'tnecessary.

And you derailed a bloody thread. How's that for being helpful?

@Hoping2makeit I'm sorry about this person's behavior. They didn't like a thread in pre allo and they're upset is all.
As others have said, you will interview and most likely get accepted. That GPA is enviable.

I thought the thread would be moved. My mistake.

 

[GC1000]

And you derailed a bloody thread. How's that for being helpful?

@Hoping2makeit I'm sorry about this person's behavior. They didn't like a thread in pre allo and they're upset is all.
As others have said, you will interview and most likely get accepted. That GPA is enviable.

I thought the thread would be moved. My mistake.

My point exactly, you didn't know if the thread would be moved AND the question is completely 100% appropriate for pre osteo.

Also, i don't get upset over anything on this forum. Some of you are far to desperate for power to actually believe anyone would get upset over this stuff.

 

[deleted407021]

My point exactly, you didn't know if the thread would be moved AND the question is completely 100% appropriate for pre osteo.

Also, i don't get upset over anything on this forum. Some of you are far to desperate for power to actually believe anyone would get upset over this stuff.

Fixed. Just for you. You may go in peace.

 

[GC1000]

Fixed. Just for you. You may go in peace.

Just for me, you're too kind.

One more idea for the OP, my stats were similar. I think there is a good chance you'll get multiple acceptances. Improving by a few more points on the mcat would give you more selectively in which school you attend.

 

[WesternRedCedar]

GC1000, whats got you cranky on a friday night?

This thread does obviously belong in WAMC, but i imagine the mods are actually out having a life or working etc 😛

 

[embracepeace]

OP, don't give up hope! I had the same MCAT score, but lower GPA and had 1 MD and 10 DO iis, even though I applied pretty late (complete around Nov/Dec). I wish you the best of luck this upcoming season and PM me if you have any questions or just want some support. This process can be very soul draining, but know that I'm totally cheering for you! If you want help on specific schools and where to apply, let me know! Even with my not so stellar MCAT score, I had a pretty successful cycle (and your GPA is WAYYYYY better than mine) so you DEFINITELY have a chance! GOOD LUCK!

 

[WesternRedCedar]

What is your PhD in? Congrats!

 

[GC1000]

GC1000, whats got you cranky on a friday night?

This thread does obviously belong in WAMC, but i imagine the mods are actually out having a life or working etc 😛

Haha

Chillaxin while my kids sleep on a Friday night is great for me. Once my kids are grown i can be a kid again.

 

[embracepeace]

What is your PhD in? Congrats!

Thank you! My degree is in Biomedical Neuroscience. I can map out the entire nervous system from synapse to cortex, but ask me to calculate the speed of a car or find the valence number of an atom....Nope. Ain't happening. Hence, crappy MCAT score (I hate you, Physical Sciences! Stupid gravity and magnetic fields and orbital thingies!).

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

For a little while I was rooting for the brony, but he kept going with that clown gc and lost me. It's funny when this becomes pre-allo.

 

[happypremed1]

even 28 MCAT schools might give you a look with that GPA. I think you will have interviews out the wazoo, including to some established schools.

I would not apply to CCOM, AZCOM, LECOM-B or any of the Touros though.

YES! totally agree with this. These schools are obsessed with the MCAT.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

YES! totally agree with this. These schools are obsessed with the MCAT.

For many top tier schools there is little to look at except Mcat score when everyone in your application pool has more than a satisfactory gpa.
And as I've said before a 28 is not outside the reach of most and is the average app score on the MD side because it is reasonably within reach of anyone who fixes their problematic subject zones.

 

[Goro]

Some schools but not all. Best chances will be with newest schools (CUCOM, VCOM-SC, PCOM-GA, ACOM)

3.97 sGPA, 3.88 cGPA, MCAT 24(6P, 10V, 8B) LORs from committee, DO, and MD. ECs include international medical missions, ER volunteer, and work experience as a Lab Tech. I have more ECs, but those are the highlights.

Can I get in anywhere with my low MCAT score? What schools will give me the best shot?

 

[Hoping2makeit]

Thanks for the information! Actually, some of the schools listed would be in my top choices anyway because they are in smaller towns. I am from a rural area and plan on pursuing FM or IM. Should I take the MCAT again or enter the cycle super early with my fingers crossed?

 

[happypremed1]

Thanks for the information! Actually, some of the schools listed would be in my top choices anyway because they are in smaller towns. I am from a rural area and plan on pursuing FM or IM. Should I take the MCAT again or enter the cycle super early with my fingers crossed?

What did you study in college? Are you a recent graduate? How long ago did you take the MCAT?

It looks like you have much room to improve on your science. If you have a solid science foundation, then improving that MCAT score will be very doable. If not, just apply really broadly and apply really early in the cycle, have everything ready including personal statement, LORs, all transcripts sent in, all the secondaries prewritten. You will benefit from an early application.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Thank you! My degree is in Biomedical Neuroscience. I can map out the entire nervous system from synapse to cortex, but ask me to calculate the speed of a car or find the valence number of an atom....Nope. Ain't happening. Hence, crappy MCAT score (I hate you, Physical Sciences! Stupid gravity and magnetic fields and orbital thingies!).

Looks like we neuro ppl can't do physical science lol. But yah, physics is kinda just a tad bit boring..

 

[Hoping2makeit]

What did you study in college? Are you a recent graduate? How long ago did you take the MCAT?

It looks like you have much room to improve on your science. If you have a solid science foundation, then improving that MCAT score will be very doable. If not, just apply really broadly and apply really early in the cycle, have everything ready including personal statement, LORs, all transcripts sent in, all the secondaries prewritten. You will benefit from an early application.

I am a Medical Lab Science major. I am pretty knowledgeable when it comes to molecular diagnostics, hematology, clinical chemistry, microbiology, immunology, and transfusion medicine, but physics wasn't part of my major. I graduated a year ago, I am finishing up physics II this semester, and took the Jan 2014 MCAT. I didn't get to put as much time into the MCAT as I would have liked. I had to take it before starting physics II and while I was studying for my board exam for the American Society of Clinical Pathology. I am now ASCP certified in medical lab science and molecular biology. I currently teach molecular diagnostics at the university I graduated from and it has been a great opportunity. I would love to put tons of time into studying for the MCAT, but it just isn't in the cards right now.

 

[bowjangles]

3.97 sGPA, 3.88 cGPA, MCAT 24(6P, 10V, 8B) LORs from committee, DO, and MD. ECs include international medical missions, ER volunteer, and work experience as a Lab Tech. I have more ECs, but those are the highlights.

Can I get in anywhere with my low MCAT score? What schools will give me the best shot?

You'll be fine. Apply early.

 

[premed1001]

-

 

[Hoping2makeit]

that is a great gpa, why not retake?

I would love to retake, but I don't think I will have enough study time to make much of a difference. Right now I am working full time, going to school part time, teaching, volunteering, and doing the family thing. My spouse is about to finish school and will be a full time RN. That would let me work less and study, but that won't happen until June. At that point, the cycle has started and I will no longer be an early applicant.

Does an adcom take any of this stuff into account?

 

[orangeman25]

Retake your MCAT! With a good score you could be a very strong applicant.

 

[user3]

Retake your MCAT! With a good score you could be a very strong applicant.

why go through the stress of retaking when they could get into a number of schools already?

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

why go through the stress of retaking when they could get into a number of schools already?

Because being picky and going to a top choice is better than going to "X"COM where you're 1 step away from a drug overdose.

All I can say and I say this from personal experience. Do well on the thing so you can be in a position of favorable outcomes.

 

[embracepeace]

Looks like we neuro ppl can't do physical science lol. But yah, physics is kinda just a tad bit boring..

Haha, you are 100% on the nose! Physics and I are broken up and I hope to never see him again. He was too controlling, wanted all my attention, and caused me too many sleepless, worrisome nights. 🙂

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Haha, you are 100% on the nose! Physics and I are broken up and I hope to never see him again. He was too controlling, wanted all my attention, and caused me too many sleepless, worrisome nights. 🙂

Honestly, I just feel it's bothersome. Like people seem to grasp it despite being given a simple example and I'm sitting there thinking well is it always cos theta or something.

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

I actually work in Neuroscience and want to be a Neurologist, but I also LOVE physics.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

I actually work in Neuroscience and want to be a Neurologist, but I also LOVE physics.

I will openly admit my issue with physics probably comes from a poor background in it and math. If I had taken more calculus and taken maybe a solid physics for physics major course then I'd probably be in a better place. But I took algebra based and it genuinely involved very little conceptual understanding of physics and more memorization of how to solve specific problems.

 

[Hoping2makeit]

Bump
I need some more opinions. Retake the MCAT and apply later or skip the retake and apply early?

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Bump
I need some more opinions. Retake the MCAT and apply later or skip the retake and apply early?

I think you should, your main problems are content. Spend a month or two reviewing material and apply by July. As long as you're in before Aug you'll most likely be fine and chances are if you score higher it will open up many doors to you.

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

Bump
I need some more opinions. Retake the MCAT and apply later or skip the retake and apply early?

Apply early. You can beat any cut off with the 24.

 

[orangeman25]

Bump
I need some more opinions. Retake the MCAT and apply later or skip the retake and apply early?

Retake. You have a phenomenal GPA. You will open so many better doors with a higher mcat score.

 

[kinzav]

If you're sure you'll get a higher score, make another run at it. If your practice tests were right around that though, you should be acceptable for a number of schools (and doing worse will definitely place you out of almost all school's criteria).

I had a 3.4 and 26 MCAT for 2012 cycle, applied in March 2013, and got interviews at 4 of the 6 schools, but rejected/waitlisted post interview (I think March+ interviews are looking for really exceptional candidates). Knocked my MCAT to a 28, applied in November 2013, got 3 interviews of 7, and got accepted to 2 schools. You're GPA is great, so as long as you can explain why you didn't do better (time constraints on preparation?) or why you're not retaking it (time constraints for preparation? and confident in my application profile as it stands?), you should be good for a good amount of ii's.

I'd say an early application (between June and July) would give you a great shot at getting into a couple schools (CUSOM, SOMA, Liberty, etc.), with an outside shot at the tougher programs (KCUMB, PCOM, CCOM, etc.).

 

[CaptainDO]

Bump
I need some more opinions. Retake the MCAT and apply later or skip the retake and apply early?

Ahhhh, the antiquated MCAT... the testing equivalent of water boarding. Unfortunately, a decent MCAT score is required for every school. Mid 20's will get you looked at by some schools, but your CV, GPA stats, and extra stuff should be impressive. I think the DO world likes the extra stuff more than the actual numbers. To be honest, to be competitive, high 20's and 30+ will make you competitive. Also, since most schools are rolling admissions, you should always aim to apply early in the cycle. Be realistic about places you are applying to and make sure you have what they require. Good luck and hope this helps.

 

[Dreamstoo]

Honestly, I just feel it's bothersome. Like people seem to grasp it despite being given a simple example and I'm sitting there thinking well is it always cos theta or something.

On my last physics final, I wrote 5 different ways I thought were right and got different answers each time. I did ini mini myni mo and chose the right one and circled it. Got an A- in the class barely because of my dumb luck. Oh quantum mechanics, I will not miss you.

 

[Hoping2makeit]

Here is an update if anyone is interested. So far I have contacted about half of the schools and discussed my situation. 8 schools said to apply early without the retake. 3 said you can apply without a retake, but your chances are small. 3 said NO WAY!

 

[user3]

Here is an update if anyone is interested. So far I have contacted about half of the schools and discussed my situation. 8 schools said to apply early without the retake. 3 said you can apply without a retake, but your chances are small. 3 said NO WAY!

I am curious to know which schools those were. Regardless, your results might be a little hit-and-miss with the low-ish MCAT, but I still think you will end up with plenty of options!