Chances for next year?

[sshashid87]

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Alright, I just got back my first MCAT scores...not too happy...I'm definitely going to retake, but I wanted to see how bad of a position I've put myself in if I have to apply with this score.

MCAT- 28R: 9 PS, 10 VR, 9 BS, R WS
GPA- BCPM-3.55, Cum.-3.70

Awards/Societies-Golden Key, NSCS, Magna Cum Laude, Pre-Med AMSA, Tradition of Excellence (from high school), National Merit (also high school), President's List (4.0) some semesters, Honors College, and some other unimportant clubs, honors thesis in nanotechnology and nanocapsule drug delivery systems in oncological diagnosis and treatment...

ECs:
-2 yrs IM tennis, 1 year hockey, 1 yr cricket
-Volunteer 12-15 hrs/month summers 05-08 (175 total?)
-United Way volunteering ~50 hrs over 1 year
-Nanotechnology research 1 yr 10 hrs/week
-Volunteering religious organization 2 summers (~50 hrs total)
-Shadowed cardiologist, GI, oncologist, IM physicians-total of about 150 hrs

In other words, I really didn't do too much outside college besides study, debate whether or not to study, or not study...so based on these very average stats, what do you all think of my chances to get into low-mid level med. schools, and these DO schools?

MD: USF, UF, U Miami, FSU, UCF, FIU, GWU, Georgetown, Tufts, BU, Rosalind Franklin, Rush, Wayne St., NYMC, U. Kansas, Kentucky, Louisville, Cincinatti, Connecticut, Penn St., Jefferson, Temple, Buffalo, SUNY Upstate/Downstate/Stony Brook, St. Louis U, Wake Forest, Rochester, UMass, UNC, Mayo, Einstein

D.O.: Philadelphia COM, GA-PCOM, Chicago COM, Texas COM, MSU COM

Also, if I was able to raise my MCAT to around a 32(I got the 28 w/o putting in much effort, which was really stupid on my part), would I have a decent shot to get in somewhere? I don't really care where I go to medical school, I just want to get into 1 school...thanks for all the replies, I'm just really worried that the 28, if not improved, will pretty much kill my chances for a stateside MD school...

 

[johnmay]

I am sort of similar. I have a 10/9/10 T essay, I got on about 3 weeks of studying. The MCAT isn't easy for those who can't spend 2k on test prep and a year of studying--you're pretty much buying a score and a lot of the answers are bs in my opinion.

but anyways, i have a 3.92 science gpa, 3.48 overall and have gotten zero interviews and recieved my first rejection letter today. I suppose that gives you an idea of where you stand, or maybe I just have bad luck.

 

[Catalystik]

Because you have a well balanced application, other than the slightly low MCAT score, it wouldn't surprise me if you got some attention from the less-selective MD med schools on your list. I'd expect all that all the DO schools will consider you a strong applicant. If you raise your MCAT to 32, obviously you'd increase the number of MD schools willing to consider you.

 

[Mobius1985]

if I was able to raise my MCAT to around a 32(I got the 28 w/o putting in much effort, which was really stupid on my part), would I have a decent shot to get in somewhere?

If you retake the MCAT and get a 32, you'd have a better than decent shot, you'd have an excellent shot at an MD school. You have a good amount of research, broad clinical experience, and humanitarian service. You have other unrelated ECs that show outside interests. I don't see leadership listed, but maybe you forgot that.

Your application as it is, looks strong in a lot of ways that matter. I wouldn't be surprised if you got interviews at a few MD schools (assuming you apply early next season). I'd expect you to get a lot of interviews at DO schools.

 

[sshashid87]

Thanks for all the replies, I appreciate it...

Mobius, unfortunately I didn't forget any leadership experience...the volunteering for the religious organization was leadership, in that I was in charge of publicity for the event and served as treasurer/secretary at the events, but those aren't really recognized groups...I don't have a written record of those hours because it was just a help if you can sort of deal, so I don't even know if I should list those on there...I was going to tutor this year, and I still may, but I don't really know if I have any experience other than that which may be considered as leadership...I know med schools really want leadership, so will this hurt me badly? i'm paranoid/neurotic when it comes to applications, etc. so sorry if I seem frustrated or angry, or any form of the above, I don't mean to be....thanks again for the advice...

 

[Mobius1985]

I think tutoring is leadership, but the other experience is much more so, because you were leading more than one person and taking charge of a substantive event (not just regurgitating knowledge). Taking the responsibility that you did was surely noticed by someone who you could list as a contact, and who would vouch for you. I don't think you need an exact number of hours, just kind of estimate them. I'd group all the events together, describe what you did in the narrative, and list the contact person at the end.

 

[pianola]

Assuming you are a Florida resident, with a 32 MCAT, you'll have a pretty decent shot. I would work on the BCPM GPA if at all reasonably possible, though.

 

[sshashid87]

Yeah, I know the BCPM is on the low side, but I've exhausted so many of the science credits that the only way to raise the BCPM by a substantial amount would be by doing 30+ hours of "A" work in a Post-Bac, and that would basically involve me taking over a bunch of sciences which I got B's in...I think I'm pretty much stuck with the BCPM, and I'm trying to raise my MCAT to make up for both GPAs...thanks for the encouragement pianola and everyone who replied

And Mobius, I definitely have people who could act as a contact, but they are all people from the community...if they don't require any formal documentation (association doesn't keep volunteer hours), then I would be okay...thanks for your replies, they've been really helpful...