Chances of Med School with my MCAT/GPA??

[justh0ang]

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Hey everyone,
So I just found out the results of my MCAT today. I must say I am completely disappointed in the score. I studied even harder this time, and did worse.
Here's the breakdown:

January 2007 : 11 PS, 8 VS, 8 BS : 27Q
September 2007 : 8 PS, 10 VS, 8 BS : 26R

Yea this sucks. I thought I had done decent on PS but it came out to be the one that killed my score.

So with a 27Q, a GPA of 3.4 at this point in my senior year at UCLA, I am going to apply with this anyway. What do you think my chances are of getting into a decent med school? I have a somewhat strong extracurricular bg: two years of research, no publications (possibly one by the end of this year?) , brand new EMT working full-time, involved with a lot of other activities and things that I'm passionate about (working with kids, photography, graphics design) etc... but I don't know if this is enough if my MCAT and GPA sucks. I'm disappointed in myself but I would never give up on what I've wanted to do since I was a kid. Any advice or comments would be appreciated.

 

[pingouin]

moving to pre-allo

 

[drizzt3117]

Hey everyone,
So I just found out the results of my MCAT today. I must say I am completely disappointed in the score. I studied even harder this time, and did worse.
Here's the breakdown:

January 2007 : 11 PS, 8 VS, 8 BS : 27Q
September 2007 : 8 PS, 10 VS, 8 BS : 26R

Yea this sucks. I thought I had done decent on PS but it came out to be the one that killed my score.

So with a 27Q, a GPA of 3.4 at this point in my senior year at UCLA, I am going to apply with this anyway. What do you think my chances are of getting into a decent med school? I have a somewhat strong extracurricular bg: two years of research, no publications (possibly one by the end of this year?) , brand new EMT working full-time, involved with a lot of other activities and things that I'm passionate about (working with kids, photography, graphics design) etc... but I don't know if this is enough if my MCAT and GPA sucks. I'm disappointed in myself but I would never give up on what I've wanted to do since I was a kid. Any advice or comments would be appreciated.

By apply, you mean you're turning in applications now for 2008 admission?

 

[justh0ang]

By apply, you mean you're turning in applications now for 2008 admission?

no by apply I mean when I do apply in the spring, this is what my situation will be. Thanks

 

[Wylde]

Im pretty sure you can't hand in applications until june 1st. (for the next cycle, not this one)

 

[PilSeungKorea]

I am pretty sure that you need to retake the MCAT, unless you are a URM. I would also apply to DOs

 

[drizzt3117]

I'd retake before you apply and perhaps take a review course if you're having problems. Since you're in SoCal, you have access to Berkeley Review, which I would definitely take advantage of.

 

[DocOc2]

I have a 3.23 cumulative and a 30M (10,10,10)

will a med school accept me w/ such a low gpa? my EC's are very average.

 

[PilSeungKorea]

I have a 3.23 cumulative and a 30M (10,10,10)

will a med school accept me w/ such a low gpa? my EC's are very average.

you do have a shot at low-tiers such as NYMC, RFU, MCW and EVMS

 

[drizzt3117]

I have a 3.23 cumulative and a 30M (10,10,10)

will a med school accept me w/ such a low gpa? my EC's are very average.

Both of your stats are below the accepted averages so you might want to work on the MCAT and potentially the GPA if possible.

 

[riversoul]

you do have a shot at low-tiers such as NYMC, RFU, MCW and EVMS

with the ultra-competitiveness and significant increase in applicants this year (there was a thread about this earlier), I'm not sure if those schools can even be considered "low-tier."

 

[drizzt3117]

with the ultra-competitiveness and significant increase in applicants this year (there was a thread about this earlier), I'm not sure if those schools can even be considered "low-tier."

I'm not sure the term 'low-tier' is what I'd use, but they're still going to have the same relative position with stats relative to the other schools, I'm pretty sure there's more applications (or at least earlier applications) to all schools not just those with lower average stats if UM can be believed.

 

[justh0ang]

I don't know if want to take the MCAT again because I studied really hard the second time, and it didn't do any good. Would you recommend that I apply next year with these stats, and if I don't get in anywhere I should retake it one last time? I'm really hoping to avoid the MCAT in any way possible. Any chance that with a strong personal statement and strong extracurriculars I could get in?

 

[Picklesali]

It's also going to look bad because your score went DOWN. Most schools consider all scores or the most recent, not just the highest.

 

[BananaMonkey]

When you took the MCATs, were you studying full-time? I took the MCAT twice, once April 2006 (paper-test) while working full time and taking princeton review class. I made a 27Q.

I took them again August 2007 (CBT) and I quit my job July 6 and studied full-time for the exam using Kaplan review online. I made a 31S.

Vast improvement? No. But I broke a 30, and this is my first round applying. I've heard that breaking 30 is critical, but then again, I'm white, non URM, and applying everywhere I can stand to write a secondary.

Personally, I'd say talk to your school's med advisors and ask them, and if you can stand it, maybe take the exam again, but only if you are scoring above 30 consistently on practices. I was scoring 34-38 on practices, but the real exam was ridiculous (there was a thread about how crazy this test date was).

Just my 2 cents. Granted, I'm unemployed and just turned in my last secondary yesterday, so maybe you shouldn't listen to me. 🙄

 

[ryandote]

I don't know if want to take the MCAT again because I studied really hard the second time, and it didn't do any good. Would you recommend that I apply next year with these stats, and if I don't get in anywhere I should retake it one last time? I'm really hoping to avoid the MCAT in any way possible. Any chance that with a strong personal statement and strong extracurriculars I could get in?

Unfortunately, with a 3.4 GPA, you just plain need to get a higher MCAT score. I personally believe that the MCAT is weighted higher than the GPA, by the way. The Great Equalizer.

If you've got the money, go ahead and selectively throw a few applications out there. But don't bank on anything.

Your EC's sound decent (research probably better than the average, and the clinical experience of an EMT is good). However, I would honestly start preparing for the next cycle. You gotta conquer that MCAT fear. Any idea where you went wrong? My problems had nothing to do with comprehension or formula memorization or anything like that. I had a time-management problem the first time around and found that practice tests were my golden goose. What were your study methods?

 

[167649]

you do have a shot at low-tiers such as NYMC, RFU, MCW and EVMS

Yeah, I agree with the few others who have posted about this comment. "Low-tier" isn't the term I would use. I never liked the "tier" classification with medical school. I think that there are about 20 or so "upper tiers," and then everything else. "Low tier" implies crappy school or safety school. (Neither exists in medicine) And, these schools that are classified as "low-tiers" are often the most difficult to gain admission to because they recieve overwhelming numbers of applications.

 

[Nazeeh11087]

Alright so im entering my junior year, already took my mcat in the summer between sophomore and junior year, got a 32Q, have a 3.56 overall gpa and 3.51 science gpa, what kind of shot do i have a a MD school, i have average extra currics with research that im currently working on but nothing spectacular.

 

[167649]

Alright so im entering my junior year, already took my mcat in the summer between sophomore and junior year, got a 32Q, have a 3.56 overall gpa and 3.51 science gpa, what kind of shot do i have a a MD school, i have average extra currics with research that im currently working on but nothing spectacular.

your stats are fine for MD schools, your GPA is a bit low (but not far) and you have 2 years left to pull it up. Do this and beef up your resume with some good ec's and you should be fine.

 

[167649]

-

 

[diggitybop]

numbers aren't everything. but unfortunately i think in the majority of times you need certain numbers to pass that initial hurtle. the 27 will be an issue. if you feel like you could have prepared yourself better then maybe take it again. if you are absolutely finished with that crapola of an exam then do your best to present yourself well in your application. for example, the personal statement and presentation of extracurriculars are very important. that is the case if you have the best of numbers as well as if your numbers are on the lower side. for me i had average numbers but a lot of red flags and i think what got me into school was that i worked hard on the essay (had a bunch of people help), got the app in early and applied broadly, and interviewed relatively well. these things are important and are what makes it difficult to answer those "what are my chances" posts. if you do decide to apply with your numbers, apply also to osteo schools. i know that premeds knock them but they don't know any better. just today i was teamed with a fourth year DO student who knew her **** and was a pleasure to learn from.anyhow, good luck and don't lose hope if this is what you want.

 

[PilSeungKorea]

you can also apply to the military med school, whatever that is. I hear it is easier to get in there

 

[mc4435]

some people are suggesting a retake of the test, but please don't retake it until you're absolutely ready and 100% sure you have figured out what you did wrong the past two times.

plenty of applicants take it more than once, and even three times. But simply taking the test more doesn't get you a better score.

 

[ryandote]

some people are suggesting a retake of the test, but please don't retake it until you're absolutely ready and 100% sure you have figured out what you did wrong the past two times.

plenty of applicants take it more than once, and even three times. But simply taking the test more doesn't get you a better score.

👍 Believe it or not, there really are "strategies" for taking tests, and your strategy can be tailored to your strengths. I did less subject study and more practice tests the second time around and went up 7 points. (This piece of anecdotal evidence PROVES that everyone will do better the second time around...)

 

[justh0ang]

Thanks for all your honest and good advices and comments. I know the chances are low, but I feel that taking the MCAT again isn't going to do me any good because I'm generally a bad standardized test taker. I don't see myself improving to the 30s even with months of study. I think I'll give it a shot with these stats and if I don't get in anywhere, I will have to push myself to retake the test one last time....I don't care the route or how long it takes as long as I get to med school somehow..

Oh and when I say medical school, I also mean DO, because I don't care about the title MD or whatever, as long as they do the same kind of work. I'm even scared about not getting into DOs. From my emt job, I've realize how much I love doing the patient care and how great emergency medicine really is, which is my ultimate goal, working in the ER. I'll be doing more research into DO schools soon but I have plenty of time.

Thanks a lot everyone!

 

[dr midnight]

go to this sight ...only 1/2 of picture but it is a look
http://www.studentdoc.com/medfind.html

 

[ryandote]

That attitude will get you a lot further than some people's 40T on the MCAT. Good luck.

 

[justh0ang]

Hey what do you all think about foreign medical school. I'm not just talking about the Caribbean but also Europe or other countries. I wouldn't mind studying in say England or Spain etc... Anyone ever considered this or has any input on international schools. I know there's things to consider like the licensing issues and how much harder it is to compete for residency, but it might be worth looking into. What do you think?

 

[167649]

you can also apply to the military med school, whatever that is. I hear it is easier to get in there

I would not apply to this school (Uniformed Health Services Academy) simply because it is "easy" to get into. If you know you want to do military medicine, good. If you apply there just to get in somewhere, bad, because you have to serve in the military afterwards. And this is not for everybody, so do your homework or you will be kicking yourself because you have to serve as a military doctor when you don't want to.

 

[ryandote]

Hey what do you all think about foreign medical school. I'm not just talking about the Caribbean but also Europe or other countries. I wouldn't mind studying in say England or Spain etc... Anyone ever considered this or has any input on international schools. I know there's things to consider like the licensing issues and how much harder it is to compete for residency, but it might be worth looking into. What do you think?

Having no real opinion myself, I will parrot something I've "heard" from someone "important." Some of the more respected programs in the Carribean are on par with some of the more respected programs in other countries.... below DO and deinitely below US MD. (Canada excepted, unfortunately... I'd love to be able to make fun of the Canucks this way)

 

[MarySue99]

Hey what do you all think about foreign medical school. I'm not just talking about the Caribbean but also Europe or other countries. I wouldn't mind studying in say England or Spain etc... Anyone ever considered this or has any input on international schools. I know there's things to consider like the licensing issues and how much harder it is to compete for residency, but it might be worth looking into. What do you think?

The trouble with European schools is the different structure. Med School is 6 years and the first year is just sciences and afterwards, you take a test. Only about 10% (depending on the country) of the students get to stay in Med School. I guess it would be easier to take the sciences the second time, but it's a little weird and you would be wasting some time.

 

[Revenant]

Hey what do you all think about foreign medical school. I'm not just talking about the Caribbean but also Europe or other countries. I wouldn't mind studying in say England or Spain etc... Anyone ever considered this or has any input on international schools. I know there's things to consider like the licensing issues and how much harder it is to compete for residency, but it might be worth looking into. What do you think?

I would say look into DO or MD schools first. International is a last resort.

Internationals have a much harder time in general, or at least that's the prevailing belief on the issue.

 

[justh0ang]

hmm interesting. I didn't know that about foreign schools. Well I guess that leaves the Caribbeans as my last option. Hopefully DOs will give me a chance before I consider Caribbeans. Talking to you guys really helped me. I was totally bummed today. But I know its not the end of the world. Its just going to be a much tougher route, but I am 100% sure that this is what I was meant to do, what I want to do, so it's gotta work out in the end. Right?

 

[ryandote]

hmm interesting. I didn't know that about foreign schools. Well I guess that leaves the Caribbeans as my last option. Hopefully DOs will give me a chance before I consider Caribbeans. Talking to you guys really helped me. I was totally bummed today. But I know its not the end of the world. Its just going to be a much tougher route, but I am 100% sure that this is what I was meant to do, what I want to do, so it's gotta work out in the end. Right?

I think most people are putting Carribean in that "foreign" category...

 

[justh0ang]

I think most people are putting Carribean in that "foreign" category...

Yea I know its foreign, but that's why it'll be a last option thing. I'm not going to rule out anything at this point. 🙂

 

[drizzt3117]

hmm interesting. I didn't know that about foreign schools. Well I guess that leaves the Caribbeans as my last option. Hopefully DOs will give me a chance before I consider Caribbeans. Talking to you guys really helped me. I was totally bummed today. But I know its not the end of the world. Its just going to be a much tougher route, but I am 100% sure that this is what I was meant to do, what I want to do, so it's gotta work out in the end. Right?

Honestly, I would work on preparing for the MCAT further, and you might need to reevaluate the way you prepare and take standardized tests. Remember that even if you get into medical school you have another standardized test to pass that determines if you will be able to start your clinical years. Unfortunately the excuse that you are a bad standardized test taker isn't going to go very far because much of your life in medical school is going to be taking multiple choice and standardized tests. Sorry if this is unwelcome advice, but that's just my $0.02.

 

[justh0ang]

Honestly, I would work on preparing for the MCAT further, and you might need to reevaluate the way you prepare and take standardized tests. Remember that even if you get into medical school you have another standardized test to pass that determines if you will be able to start your clinical years. Unfortunately the excuse that you are a bad standardized test taker isn't going to go very far because much of your life in medical school is going to be taking multiple choice and standardized tests. Sorry if this is unwelcome advice, but that's just my $0.02.

Yea you're right. I can't let that weakness turn into a fear of taking a test. Its just the MCATs are so dam stressful to study for and take. But would taking it an third time look bad too? It'll only make a difference if I score like 30+. Well I am taking a year off after senior year anyway so while I'm applying, I guess I can study for that in case I don't get in anywhere I can be prepared for it. Thanks. If I can get into one school though, I'm going for it.

 

[drizzt3117]

Yea you're right. I can't let that weakness turn into a fear of taking a test. Its just the MCATs are so dam stressful to study for and take. But would taking it an third time look bad too? It'll only make a difference if I score like 30+. Well I am taking a year off after senior year anyway so while I'm applying, I guess I can study for that in case I don't get in anywhere I can be prepared for it. Thanks. If I can get into one school though, I'm going for it.

I'm not sure if you noticed my post about potentially signing up for the Berkeley Review MCAT course, which is offered at UCLA. I believe the average scores of students in that course from UCLA is 33. If you attend the classes and work with the instructors (they have office hours and tutoring) I think you can improve. The course isn't cheap, I think it's like $1300 or something, but if it gets you into a US DO/MD program I think it's probably worth it, no?

 

[jyw003]

dude....i feel ya...MCAT is scary...but "Do what you gotta do"

gl

 

[justh0ang]

I'm not sure if you noticed my post about potentially signing up for the Berkeley Review MCAT course, which is offered at UCLA. I believe the average scores of students in that course from UCLA is 33. If you attend the classes and work with the instructors (they have office hours and tutoring) I think you can improve. The course isn't cheap, I think it's like $1300 or something, but if it gets you into a US DO/MD program I think it's probably worth it, no?

Yea I took the Berkeley Review already. I did it the first time I took the exam. Its good and all, but I don't know if this Review is for me. Its just something I'm doing that's the cause of all this. I've got to figure that out before I think about retaking it.

 

[drizzt3117]

Yea I took the Berkeley Review already. I did it the first time I took the exam. Its good and all, but I don't know if this Review is for me. Its just something I'm doing that's the cause of all this. I've got to figure that out before I think about retaking it.

Hmm interesting, did you talk to your instructors about your problems and take a lot of full length tests? Were you scoring above 30 on your practice tests? IMO, the best way to improve on the MCAT is to do many practice tests, and use them to evaluate which areas you are weak in, then target those specific areas.

 

[justh0ang]

Hmm interesting, did you talk to your instructors about your problems and take a lot of full length tests? Were you scoring above 30 on your practice tests? IMO, the best way to improve on the MCAT is to do many practice tests, and use them to evaluate which areas you are weak in, then target those specific areas.

yea I took a lot of tests. I even bought like 10 practice tests from this company called goldstandard, and three aamcs. I took a lot of tests, scoring from 24-31, with an average of 28 I guess but the the aamcs I averaged 29.

 

[drizzt3117]

yea I took a lot of tests. I even bought like 10 practice tests from this company called goldstandard, and three aamcs. I took a lot of tests, scoring from 24-31, with an average of 28 I guess but the the aamcs I averaged 29.

Interesting. What were your breakdowns? Also, what did you feel you were weak on?

 

[justh0ang]

Interesting. What were your breakdowns? Also, what did you feel you were weak on?

breakdown, I usually averaged

BS: 8-9
PS: 9-10
VS: 8-9

for AAMC 8, 9, 10

PS VS BS
8: 9 9 9
9: 12 9 10
10: 10 10 10

so I was doing decent on the aamc, CBT. I just got pwned during the day of the test. Although I didn't think I did coming out of it. I thought I'd get something like the score I got for AAMC 10...Strange...
I felt I was weak in verbal. I thought I was ok at Physical section

 

[drizzt3117]

breakdown, I usually averaged

BS: 8-9
PS: 9-10
VS: 8-9

for AAMC 8, 9, 10

PS VS BS
8: 9 9 9
9: 12 9 10
10: 10 10 10

so I was doing decent on the aamc, CBT. I just got pwned during the day of the test. Although I didn't think I did coming out of it. I thought I'd get something like the score I got for AAMC 10...Strange...
I felt I was weak in verbal. I thought I was ok at Physical section

Interesting. You seem pretty consistent. Were there any major concepts that you had trouble with? Biochem? Genetics? Physics? When you did the Berkeley Review reading speed assessment how did you do? Increasing effective reading speed is the #1 thing that will improve your MCAT score.

 

[justh0ang]

Interesting. You seem pretty consistent. Were there any major concepts that you had trouble with? Biochem? Genetics? Physics? When you did the Berkeley Review reading speed assessment how did you do? Increasing effective reading speed is the #1 thing that will improve your MCAT score.

not any concept that was too hard, like I knew a decent amount to be able to tackle them, although I might have gotten some questions wrong, it wasn't like I'd never seen that type of problem before. I guess for bio just the way the passages are experiment based gets to me. physics, I thought was doable, but apparently there was something I was missing. I don't remember anything about speed reading tests for TBR. But that's not too important.

 

[goosegg21]

go to this sight ...only 1/2 of picture but it is a look
http://www.studentdoc.com/medfind.html

Is this site helpful at all? If you are out of state, it subtracts points at private schools that show no preference for residency. What's with that. By the way, I am a mechanical engineering major with a "3.4, 34" (rolls right off your tongue 🙂), so i'm panicking with the rest of the people on this thread.

 

[IncognitoMD]

Unfortunately you are in the lovely state of California where everything is good except for being a Pre-med. Go for the MKitty one more time and try to go out of state.

Go get a research job and study!

 

[wasvsdal]

2.7 Science GPA
3.2 Overall GPA
32O on my MCATs

I am in my last year of undergrad. I might have to stay another year to bring up that science GPA but if I was to apply with these stats, do I have a shot?

Thanks in advance!

 

[drizzt3117]

not any concept that was too hard, like I knew a decent amount to be able to tackle them, although I might have gotten some questions wrong, it wasn't like I'd never seen that type of problem before. I guess for bio just the way the passages are experiment based gets to me. physics, I thought was doable, but apparently there was something I was missing. I don't remember anything about speed reading tests for TBR. But that's not too important.

Well, it is important, because like I said, one of the most important factors on how well you'll do on the MCAT is reading speed. What I would probably recommend is to email Todd and set up a meeting with him and get his advice regarding the exam and what the best way to improve. It sounds like your problems are exam based and not necessarily not knowing the material.