@Crossroads and Afraid

[liliane]

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I apologize if I'm in the wrong subforum. If so, I thank the moderator moving this topic to its appropriate location.

Problem:
I'm applying for medical school after graduation but there will be at least a 1 year gap between graduation and possible acceptance. However.. I fear it will not be so easy: my stats and experience are still lacking. Any advice (technical or pep/motivational) would be helpful.

Weaknesses:
I'm retaking the MCAT this friday but my diagnostic test scores have not improved dramatically. My first score was 22 (P:6 B:8 V:8 W:J) but if I cannot surpass it, what can I do w/o further hurting my chances into medical school?

I have a 3.3 overall undergrad GPA:a BS in Neuroscience with a minor in Chemistry. My science GPA is around 3.0. Junior year crushed me due to loss of confidence and I've had a string of C's and C+ since (one D for which I retook the class for a B). During my last semester, I hope to finish strong but the grades will not likely affect my science GPA.

My family is economically disadvantaged so I lack transportation to volunteer or shadow doctors w/o asking my friends for carpool (equally rare since they need their vehicles just as much; it is Texas after all). The public transit system in my area is fractured and undeveloped.

Strengths
I am active in Alpha Epsilon Delta (pre-med honor society), Fencing Club, Eta Sigma Phi (pre-classics honor society), Habitat for Humanity, and the Honors Program. Through these organizations, I have managed some volunteer experience especially among troubled homes and those struck with poverty. I have limited research experience but I would rather not go on to Graduate school since I prefer to interact with people. I frequently help my parents with our salon small business, often relaying advice or tips to our customers about hygiene or treatment.

Concerns:
I do not want to accumulate unnecessary debt for graduate, SMP, or Post-bacc programs. Additionally, I heard that if I do poorly my chances to medical school are severely limited. At the same time, I need to strengthen my application either now, the period after graduation, or the year after should I receive rejection letters. I'm looking into Internships or Summer programs but it seems that as a college graduate (and in this economic climate), it may be more difficult. Yet I do not wish to financially burden my family further. I'm not sure what to do so I ask..what what steps would you strongly suggest I take?

 

[mdofn14]

I used to live in a small city in the south without a car. I overcame that by volunteering once a week (saturday) for the Rec Cross at the local hopistal. I would start there. As far as the other stuff, I improved my GPA by going to graduate school and retaking the classes I did poorly on. Now that I am 34, I realise this :
1. Don't live in the past. Forgive yourself for the poor choices you made
2. Be aggressive and resilient in following your dreams

Confidence comes with accomplishments. Be positive and things will work out for you.

 

[flip26]

Do NOT take this upcoming MCAT unless you are consistently scoring 30+ on full length AAMC tests. You already have a big strike against you with that 22. Anything less than 30 will really hurt you. Cancel this test, get your stuff together, and aim for an April to June testing...

What have you done for test prep? Did you do Kaplan? Kaplan online is pretty great stuff...

 

[zebalong]

I agree, don't take the MCAT unless your scoring low 30's on the practice AAMC tests. You can overcome your gpa but you want the MCAT to work for you to help you overcome a slightly lower gpa rather then hurt you by having a slightly lower gpa and a low MCAT. You definitely CAN improve your practice scores (my first two FL practice tests were both 22's) it took me 2 months of cranking out passages and questions and drills and all of a sudden my scores started increasing exponentially. I remember during those two months i thought it was impossible to get a 30+ MCAT but everyone gave me this advice which i think is golden. Focus on PS and BS those scores go up the quickest, do some VR while you do the PS and BS but save most of your VR analysis and focus to the end because it is mainly a skill. I like to think of VR as the passages are teaching me something.. it helps me... other people like to think of the passages like they are grading them... shrug everyone finds their own way to cope with the VR- but in the end anyone CAN get 30+ practice scores with enough time and effort, i think in your situation a 30+ will be something you could use to overcome other parts of your app that you are worried about.... i know everyone wants to just wants to get the MCAT out of the way.. im the same way (mine's on sat) but please don't rush through it if you don't feel you will succeed.

 

[dragonfly99]

Do not take the MCAT now. Your practice test scores show that you are not ready, and a low score will hurt you. You will not get into med school with a low 20's MCAT score and the GPA you have.

You need to focus on academics now. If still and undergrad, concentrate on getting A's in all your classes, A-/B+ at the lowest. You need to be able to do this if you are going to handle med school level work. First I would graduate, then worry about the MCAT.

I'd talk to your school's career advice office about what jobs you can get with your current degree, if you are a senior now. It's cool to look for internships too, but as you mentioned there might not be a lot out there. You'll need a job for after you graduate. I'd talk to your school's premed or health professions advisor also, to get input about various aspects of your application.

 

[atomi]

I apologize if I'm in the wrong subforum. If so, I thank the moderator moving this topic to its appropriate location.

Problem:
I'm applying for medical school after graduation but there will be at least a 1 year gap between graduation and possible acceptance. However.. I fear it will not be so easy: my stats and experience are still lacking. Any advice (technical or pep/motivational) would be helpful.

Weaknesses:
I'm retaking the MCAT this friday but my diagnostic test scores have not improved dramatically. My first score was 22 (P:6 B:8 V:8 W:J) but if I cannot surpass it, what can I do w/o further hurting my chances into medical school?

I have a 3.3 overall undergrad GPA:a BS in Neuroscience with a minor in Chemistry. My science GPA is around 3.0. Junior year crushed me due to loss of confidence and I've had a string of C's and C+ since (one D for which I retook the class for a B). During my last semester, I hope to finish strong but the grades will not likely affect my science GPA.

My family is economically disadvantaged so I lack transportation to volunteer or shadow doctors w/o asking my friends for carpool (equally rare since they need their vehicles just as much; it is Texas after all). The public transit system in my area is fractured and undeveloped.

Strengths
I am active in Alpha Epsilon Delta (pre-med honor society), Fencing Club, Eta Sigma Phi (pre-classics honor society), Habitat for Humanity, and the Honors Program. Through these organizations, I have managed some volunteer experience especially among troubled homes and those struck with poverty. I have limited research experience but I would rather not go on to Graduate school since I prefer to interact with people. I frequently help my parents with our salon small business, often relaying advice or tips to our customers about hygiene or treatment.

Concerns:
I do not want to accumulate unnecessary debt for graduate, SMP, or Post-bacc programs. Additionally, I heard that if I do poorly my chances to medical school are severely limited. At the same time, I need to strengthen my application either now, the period after graduation, or the year after should I receive rejection letters. I'm looking into Internships or Summer programs but it seems that as a college graduate (and in this economic climate), it may be more difficult. Yet I do not wish to financially burden my family further. I'm not sure what to do so I ask..what what steps would you strongly suggest I take?

Liliane, I highly suggest you apply only to DO schools. Keep taking the MCAT until you reach the high 20s. Don't give up. Buy all the EK books and Audio Osmosis and listen to it until your ears bleed. Take practice tests every day (since you will be out of school and looking for work). Dedicate yourself and the score will come. Once you get the score, you will surely get into a DO school.