cGPA 3.85, sGPA 3.82, 28Q MCAT, CA resident

[mmikeee]

Cali resident
MCAT Score: 11 PS, 6 VS, 11 BS = 28Q
2nd Time around: 10 PS, 8 VS, 12 BS = 30

ECs:
- UCSF Emergency Department Volunteer (150-200 Hours)
- 1 year of Honors Research (12hrs/week for the whole year so 360 hours)
- 1 year of Regular Research before going to honors (~360 hours)
- Leadership position in pre-health/pre-med club
- Organic Chemistry TA (1 semester)
- 1 year of Americorps service (Coaching kids) (450 hours)
- Computer Resource Specialist Work-study job (1.5 years, ~10hrs/week)
- Sports Medicine Intern/Student Athletic Trainer, includes clinic hours with the sports physician (2 years, ~30hrs/week)
- Teaching middle school kids about nutrition (1 semester, 3 hrs/week)
- 1 year resident hall association

Gap year:
- Tutoring
- Arthritis exercise class for elders

Applying this cycle to these schools:
Case Western
UCLA
UCSF
Stanford
UC Irvine
UC Riverside
UCSD
Loma Linda
UC Davis
Emory
Georgetown
Mayo
Tufts
U of Arizona
U of Minnesota (Twin Cities)
U of Washington
U of Michigan
Virginia Commonwealth
Western Virginia
U of Toledo
SUNY Buffalo
Drexel
Oakland
U of Nebraska
Michigan State

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[mmikeee]

anyone wanna jump in please?

 

[Temperature101]

Hi guys so I just got my MCAT score back and it's lower than I wanted it to be but I really don't want to retake it again so I'm trying to gauge my chances at getting into a MD school.

I live in California and go to Top 10 UC school
MCAT Score: 11 PS, 6 VS, 11 BS
That VS score really killed me :/

ECs:
- UCSF Emergency Department Volunteer (150-200 Hours)
- 1 year of Honors Research (12hrs/week for the whole year so 360 hours)
- 1 year of Regular Research before going to honors (~360 hours)
- Leadership position in pre-health/pre-med club
- Organic Chemistry TA (1 semester)
- 1 year of Americorps service (Coaching kids) (450 hours)
- Computer Resource Specialist Work-study job (1.5 years, ~10hrs/week)
- Sports Medicine Intern/Student Athletic Trainer, includes clinic hours with the sports physician (2 years, ~30hrs/week)
- Teaching middle school kids about nutrition (1 semester, 3 hrs/week)
- 1 year resident hall association

Not sure if this will help at all but I'm a Phi Beta Kappa member. Will be getting LOR from sports medicine, stats class, anatomy class, and research.

Also planning on applying this coming June so I'll be taking a year off and I want to do another year of Americorps service (Teaching nutrition).

I ideally want to stay in CA (was hoping to go to UCSF or Stanford) but with my MCAT score, that's pretty much gone...I'll still be applying just cause. I just want to get into any MD school and correct me if I'm wrong, but I honestly feel like it doesn't matter what MD school you go to but rather how well you score on boards and what type of residency you get.

If it comes down to it, I'll just retake the MCAT (was scoring 30s on my practice AAMCs) but I would like to know my chances just based off of the 28Q that I got on my first test. Thanks!

No chances at MD because of the 6 in VR...You should be a shoo-in for DO.

 

[JCstiggy]

Looks like we're in the same boat mike. I also got a 28Q on my MCAT, with a 6 on verbal.
Oddly enough, I'm in my first year of Americorps right now and did two years of research. Also was an organic TA.
So we may be twins.
Anyway, I wouldn't listen to this Temp101 guy. It really sounds like he doesn't know what he's talking about, unless of course he is on an admissions committee, which I doubt.
I have had to come to terms with my low verbal score, yes it sucks, but there is still a lot of hope, especially with our extracurriculars.
I applied to nine schools this cycle and so far I have one interview invite, one pre-interview hold, and one rejection. My first interview is on 10/3 at Buffalo, which is pretty early.

I hope you still decided to apply. Good luck.

 

[hopeful22213]

Look at the MSAR (your premed adviser should have a copy if you dont want to buy one online) and look at the 10th percentile for schools. I'd be very hesitant to apply to many schools where both your total score (28) and an individual section score (6) fall below that 10th%- especially if it is substantially below as will likely be the case at UCSF and Stanford.

You have a great gpa and good ECs. If you can retake the MCAT and boost that verbal score you'd be in great shape for a lot of schools.

 

[cheechootrain]

If it was a 10-9-9 kind of break down, I'd say you have a good chance. The thing is the Verbal score is a 6. And even the Texas schools, who have been shown to accept students with a 26 on the MCAT, screen out applicants with scores of 6 and lower. They require at least a 7.
But you never know. If you already sent in your app, I would just pray and hope to God something happens. If not, then retake the MCAT and try next year. But I believe you can do it! Never give up! And plenty of people with an MCAT score of 27-29 get into medical school !!

 

[mmikeee]

Looks like we're in the same boat mike. I also got a 28Q on my MCAT, with a 6 on verbal.
Oddly enough, I'm in my first year of Americorps right now and did two years of research. Also was an organic TA.
So we may be twins.
Anyway, I wouldn't listen to this Temp101 guy. It really sounds like he doesn't know what he's talking about, unless of course he is on an admissions committee, which I doubt.
I have had to come to terms with my low verbal score, yes it sucks, but there is still a lot of hope, especially with our extracurriculars.
I applied to nine schools this cycle and so far I have one interview invite, one pre-interview hold, and one rejection. My first interview is on 10/3 at Buffalo, which is pretty early.

I hope you still decided to apply. Good luck.

haha wow we are twins!! Please keep me updated on your progress!

Look at the MSAR (your premed adviser should have a copy if you dont want to buy one online) and look at the 10th percentile for schools. I'd be very hesitant to apply to many schools where both your total score (28) and an individual section score (6) fall below that 10th%- especially if it is substantially below as will likely be the case at UCSF and Stanford.

You have a great gpa and good ECs. If you can retake the MCAT and boost that verbal score you'd be in great shape for a lot of schools.

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to see my pre-med adviser next friday to see what she thinks/use the MSAR

If it was a 10-9-9 kind of break down, I'd say you have a good chance. The thing is the Verbal score is a 6. And even the Texas schools, who have been shown to accept students with a 26 on the MCAT, screen out applicants with scores of 6 and lower. They require at least a 7.
But you never know. If you already sent in your app, I would just pray and hope to God something happens. If not, then retake the MCAT and try next year. But I believe you can do it! Never give up! And plenty of people with an MCAT score of 27-29 get into medical school !!

yeah that 6 is a killer. I was really hoping for a 7 or 8 since that's what i usually scored on the practice aamcs. I'm not applying until next June. Just took the MCATs this summer since I didn't want to worry about it during the school year so I have like 8 months before June. At least if I do retake I know what to really work on! Any advice on getting that verbal score up?? I did the EK Verbal book and 101 verbal passages for this MCAT and it obviously didn't help at all (I was scoring 10-11 on the EK 101 verbal...). Since I have months, I plan on reading some books first and I have a subscription to the economist. Do you think that will help? If so, what books do you guys recommend?

Again thanks for the advice everyone!!

 

[cheechootrain]

It just takes practice. Check the MCAT forum. Some people study for 5 months for the test. Cray cray

 

[rikibamboo]

I would also recommend taking practice VR tests in a computer-based format. The EK books were helpful but I really believe it was having kaplan's online library of verbal tests that really got me used to pacing myself and using the highlighting tool to map out important parts of the passage. Got an 11 on VR the first time I took the MCAT (got an 8 on my 2nd one though but I had barely 4 hours of sleep the night before so I believe that affected my over-all comprehension).

 

[mmikeee]

I would also recommend taking practice VR tests in a computer-based format. The EK books were helpful but I really believe it was having kaplan's online library of verbal tests that really got me used to pacing myself and using the highlighting tool to map out important parts of the passage. Got an 11 on VR the first time I took the MCAT (got an 8 on my 2nd one though but I had barely 4 hours of sleep the night before so I believe that affected my over-all comprehension).

yup thanks for the advice. taking it from the book is not the same as taking the computerized version.

 

[theseeker4]

haha wow we are twins!! Please keep me updated on your progress!

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to see my pre-med adviser next friday to see what she thinks/use the MSAR

yeah that 6 is a killer. I was really hoping for a 7 or 8 since that's what i usually scored on the practice aamcs. I'm not applying until next June. Just took the MCATs this summer since I didn't want to worry about it during the school year so I have like 8 months before June. At least if I do retake I know what to really work on! Any advice on getting that verbal score up?? I did the EK Verbal book and 101 verbal passages for this MCAT and it obviously didn't help at all (I was scoring 10-11 on the EK 101 verbal...). Since I have months, I plan on reading some books first and I have a subscription to the economist. Do you think that will help? If so, what books do you guys recommend?

Again thanks for the advice everyone!!

Read. Read fiction, nonfiction, magazines, newspapers, journals, etc. Read anything and everything that can capture your interest at all, and force yourself to read some things that don't capture your interest. At the end of each article/chapter, stop and outline a review of what you just read, main points, main ideas, points you agree with, disagree with, etc. Go back and reread it later, and see if on the second reading, your interpretation of the ideas, points, etc. changed. If so, write down why and identify what you missed the first time.

Verbal is a section that you just have to be used to reading to do well. There is no real way to quickly get better at it, at least with any certainty that you are actually improving. Work on your reading skills for several months, then start prepping for the actual exam

 

[JCstiggy]

Tonight, I looked at my application status for Buffalo. It read "ACCEPTED." (28Q mcat, 12 PS, 6 VR, 10 BS)

So, to anyone with a low MCAT score in one section, even with a 6 on verbal, it IS possible to get accepted to an allopathic medical school. Do not give up if that is your dream. Show an admissions committee that you aren't defined just by numbers, get out in the world and show your commitment.

 

[cheechootrain]

Tonight, I looked at my application status for Buffalo. It read "ACCEPTED." (28Q mcat, 12 PS, 6 VR, 10 BS)

So, to anyone with a low MCAT score in one section, even with a 6 on verbal, it IS possible to get accepted to an allopathic medical school. Do not give up if that is your dream. Show an admissions committee that you aren't defined just by numbers, get out in the world and show your commitment.

Congrats!!!

 

[mmikeee]

Well I retook my MCATs and scored lower than I would've liked I think my score still puts me at a competitive range though, coupled with my GPA. Any new suggestions please?

 

[Goro]

Strongly concur; you're also aiming way too high with a below avg MCAT, espoecially for OOS public schools and the highly competitive UC system.

If you wish to stay in CA, Western/COMP and TUCOM-CA will take you in a heartbeat.

No chances at MD because of the 6 in VR...You should be a shoo-in for DO.

 

[mmikeee]

Strongly concur; you're also aiming way too high with a below avg MCAT, espoecially for OOS public schools and the highly competitive UC system.

If you wish to stay in CA, Western/COMP and TUCOM-CA will take you in a heartbeat.

I didn't apply to any DO schools this cycle. I really want to just get into a MD since I'm already applying. Any suggestions on OOS schools I should apply to with my new score? U of Arizona sounds convincing to me since their range is like 27-35 or something

 

[TriagePreMed]

I live in California and go to Top 10 UC school

Aren't all UC campuses top 10 UC campuses considering there are 10 UC campuses?

 

[mmikeee]

Aren't all UC campuses top 10 UC campuses considering there are 10 UC campuses?

top 10 in the US? hahhahah

 

[TriagePreMed]

top 10 in the US? hahhahah

LOL If the kids at UC Merced read this, I bet they'd start saying "top 10 UC" to fool their out of state buddies.

 

[mmikeee]

Final list of schools I'm applying to:

Case Western
UCLA
UCSF
Stanford
UC Irvine
UC Riverside
UCSD
Loma Linda
UC Davis
Emory
Georgetown
Mayo
Tufts
U of Arizona
U of Minnesota (Twin Cities)
U of Washington
U of Michigan
Virginia Commonwealth
Western Virginia
U of Toledo
SUNY Buffalo
Drexel
Oakland
U of Nebraska
Michigan State

How are my chances looking now? Thanks!

 

[AbitConfusedATM]

Final list of schools I'm applying to:

Case Western
UCLA
UCSF
Stanford
UC Irvine
UC Riverside
UCSD
Loma Linda
UC Davis
Emory
Georgetown
Mayo
Tufts
U of Arizona
U of Minnesota (Twin Cities)
U of Washington
U of Michigan
Virginia Commonwealth
Western Virginia
U of Toledo
SUNY Buffalo
Drexel
Oakland
U of Nebraska
Michigan State

How are my chances looking now? Thanks!

Unless money is no issue, I'd take out your very reach schools (UCSF, Stanford, etc). I think you're a good all around applicant but as someone who wants very much to stay in California myself I think with at least these schools you're being quite unrealistic.

 

[mmikeee]

Unless money is no issue, I'd take out your very reach schools (UCSF, Stanford, etc). I think you're a good all around applicant but as someone who wants very much to stay in California myself I think with at least these schools you're being quite unrealistic.

Yeah I would but unfortunately I already applied to those before I got my new score back. I was thinking I would be prime for those schools since I was scoring 32-37 on my practice tests. Oh well, at least they screen for secondaries

 

[gyngyn]

I count 6 (7 if you are devout) schools where you have a fair chance at an interview. This is usually not enough for CA applicants. If this is your first application add 7 more OOS schools where you have a good chance at an interview.

 

[mmikeee]

I count 6 (7 if you are devout) schools where you have a fair chance at an interview. This is usually not enough for CA applicants. If this is your first application add 7 more OOS schools where you have a good chance at an interview.

thanks for your reply! I plan on adding 5 more OOS schools:
Arizona Phoenix
Wayne State Michigan
Howard Washington
Florida State Uni
Morehouse Georgia (maybe)

My AMCAS app finally got processed a couple of days ago and I'm getting a bunch of secondaries rolling in now. I also prematurely applied to some very high tier schools since I thought I wouldve done a lot better on my MCAT (emory, mayo, case western, etc) for these schools, if I fall below or right at the 10th percentile (mayo's 10th is 30) should I even try submitting secondary? I'm thinking of saving that money for the new OOS schools I just applied to lol. Like Mayo's 10th is 30 (I fall below their 10th in verbal) and their secondary costs $120.

 

[mmikeee]

opps double post

 

[candbgirl]

I'd save the money but you never know. Are you URM? I skimmed the thread and couldn't determine if you are. If not rethink Morehouse and Howard.

 

[mmikeee]

I'd save the money but you never know. Are you URM? I skimmed the thread and couldn't determine if you are. If not rethink Morehouse and Howard.

hi thanks for the reply! No I'm not URM I'm asian and my parents went to community college and got their AAs. I'll rethink morehouse and howard then. Thanks for the advice! it sucks since a lot of schools give preference to in state residents especially the schools with lower MCAT scores. Any advice on other schools to apply to? Should I also apply to schools that have a MCAT average of 32? Like University of Florida (Miller)?

 

[Goro]

You really need to do your research; invest in the MSAR as it's worth it. FSU accepted only 1 OOS person last year. Your MCAT is 3 points < avg for WSU...I doubt that the taxpayers of MI would be willing to supplement your tuition, compared to residents of the Great Lake states.

Instead, try Rosy F, Albany, NYMC, and all new MD programs.

thanks for your reply! I plan on adding 5 more OOS schools:
Arizona Phoenix
Wayne State Michigan
Howard Washington
Florida State Uni
Morehouse Georgia (maybe)

My AMCAS app finally got processed a couple of days ago and I'm getting a bunch of secondaries rolling in now. I also prematurely applied to some very high tier schools since I thought I wouldve done a lot better on my MCAT (emory, mayo, case western, etc) for these schools, if I fall below or right at the 10th percentile (mayo's 10th is 30) should I even try submitting secondary? I'm thinking of saving that money for the new OOS schools I just applied to lol. Like Mayo's 10th is 30 (I fall below their 10th in verbal) and their secondary costs $120.

 

[mmikeee]

You really need to do your research; invest in the MSAR as it's worth it. FSU accepted only 1 OOS person last year. Your MCAT is 3 points < avg for WSU...I doubt that the taxpayers of MI would be willing to supplement your tuition, compared to residents of the Great Lake states.

Instead, try Rosy F, Albany, NYMC, and all new MD programs.

thanks, I do have the MSAR. FSU doesn't need a secondary so I figured it wouldn't hurt my chances to apply there lol. I'll be applying to albany, rush, and indiana university as well; thanks for the advice!

According to the MSAR, Wayne State University let in 45 OOS last year and their median MCAT was 31? Or am I looking at the wrong school