Depressed

[jdrake82]

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well i got my mcat scores back, and for the life of me i don't know what happened. when i saw them i did a double take and i kept thinking "maybe its a mistake." right.

well i got a hard copy in the mail a couple of days ago. so depressing. amcas has received my transcripts and i was about to submit my application for processing. now i don't think i will. there's no sense in resubmitting virtually the identical application (in regards to my mcat score, anyway). i firmly believe my mcat score (too low and embarrassing to state here) is keeping me out because i got secondaries and otherwise pretty optimistic rejection letters last app period.

i seriously don't know. i'm really downtrodden right now. i'm even considering applying to two d.o. schools, but now i'm worried that i may not even have the credentials to get into a d.o. school. i've even begun outlining backup plans: law and dental school.... 🙁

i suppose i could retake the mcat (for a 4th time!!!!!!!) in August, but I don't want to take it and screw up again. i haven't been preparing for it either b/c i was so confident that my score had improved significantly with the April MCAT.

i'm also thinking of taking a year (or two or four) away from this. i just honestly don't understand. is it that i'm too obtuse to do well on the mcat or what??? i worked pretty darn hard all last semester and i'd begun studying in october of last year only for this sorely disappointing score. my self confidence is nil.

i need some advice, guidance, support, whatever. something. all i'm getting from people around me (who have no idea what a monster in the closet this exam has been for me) is "what happened??".

 

[redstar18]

Been there, done that... The question for you now is will you be happy with one of your backup options or is your heart set on going to med school? Take it one step at a time, but don't take the Aug MCAT unless you can change up your studying strategy and prepare in time. Everyone has their own area to work on. (For me, it was studying the wrong material.) Maybe take that time off, it may help you approach the exam again more objectively. Most of all, hang in there! I know this is hard, but you've gotten this far, so I'm sure you'll get your confidence back soon 🙂

 

[dirtydawg]

Dude, you are NOT alone. How were your other scores? HOw is your GPA? LORs? PS? etc? I, too have taken the MCAT 3 times and had essentially the same score (and not a good one) each time. However, I will not let one criterion keep me out of med school. I have told those who are writing my LORs about my situation and to please in some way incorporate into the recommendation how "bright" I am. I know I am not stupid, but I suck at that test. Do NOT give up if it's what you really want. Remember, there are exceptions to every rule.

Everything is relative. HOw bad is "bad?" Below a 22?

Also, what is an "optimistic rejection letter?" Just curious.

 

[nina512]

Not to start a MD vs DO arguement...

DO's are just as legit as MDs. They practice along side MDs and are able to obtain competitive residencies in surgery and emergency medicine. I've even known students who were accepted to great MD programs but chose DO instead. If you think that your app is not competitive enough and you still want to be a physician, I'd apply to a few DO schools.

You mentioned this is your 3rd time taking the MCAT without getting a better score. Have you identified your weakness? The MCAT requires both endurance and focus, in addition to knowing how to apply a ton of material. I took the MCAT 3 times. The first two times, I "studied" and didn't do to hot. Four years later, I took the MCAT a third time, and with a more clear understanding of what studying was, I was able to get a more competitive score.

Like someone else mentioned, I'd make sure to identify the reasons you did poorly on the MCAT before taking it a fourth time. I know it's hard, but if medicine is what you want, learn the most you can from each setback. If it takes few years, then that's okay.

Hope this helps
Nina

 

[DeLaughterDO]

jdrake and nina,

Not to propagate the MD vs DO argument, but don't apply to an osteopathic school just because you can't/don't think you can get into an allopathic school. You will learn the exact same material (plus Osteopathic medical theory/philosophy/treatment), so don't think that it's any easier than an MD school. There are plenty of intelligent people that come to osteopathic schools and can't hack it here, too. The only reason that it is "easier" to get into an osteopathic school is because we are less known by the community (there are only 19 DO vs 112 MD schools - or roughly 1200 vs 10000 graduates/yr), so the "prestige" (whatever that means) is not as great for a DO compared to an MD (because we don't have the same "name-recognition". See Coke vs Tab cola). However, a physician is a physician is a physician. We all see patients, we all can do anything we want - specialty wise.

That said, if you are truly interested in osteopathic medicine as a future career, find osteopathic theory interesting, and are willing to sit through 3-5 hours/week of OMM class, come on down. But DO NOT apply "because I couldn't get into an allopathic school." That just degrades you, the medical community, and all the people that are working hard toward a career in osteopathic medicine who actually want to be here. We're not all allopathic rejects. Having students in my class (about 3-5 of them) that constantly complain about how much they hate it here and wish they had gotten into MD school (MD-wannabes) is about as annoying as it can get. If you don't want to be here in the first place, don't apply or accept the invitation to matriculate. It's that simple.

Bottom line (if you've read this far), is don't do something you don't REALLY want to do. You'll be miserable, your classmates will be miserable, your patients will be miserable, and the person that was really interested in the spot that you took will be miserable as well. Why cause all that misery when you are trying to become a physician and alleviate misery?

Just my $0.02.

Jonethan De.

PS - my girlfriend (also an osteopathic medical student) has told me to inform you that if your stats aren't that great MCAT-wise, but the rest of your stuff is good, apply early (get your apps in ASAP - like august). Don't wait until the deadline. She had a 26, twice, and a 3.75 GPA and was told by an MD institution that if she had applied earlier, she probably would have been accepted and not waitlisted.
Hope this helps - JD

 

[jdrake82]

jdrake and nina,

Not to propagate the MD vs DO argument, but don't apply to an osteopathic school just because you can't/don't think you can get into an allopathic school. You will learn the exact same material (plus Osteopathic medical theory/philosophy/treatment), so don't think that it's any easier than an MD school. There are plenty of intelligent people that come to osteopathic schools and can't hack it here, too. The only reason that it is "easier" to get into an osteopathic school is because we are less known by the community (there are only 19 DO vs 112 MD schools - or roughly 1200 vs 10000 graduates/yr), so the "prestige" (whatever that means) is not as great for a DO compared to an MD (because we don't have the same "name-recognition". See Coke vs Tab cola). However, a physician is a physician is a physician. We all see patients, we all can do anything we want - specialty wise.

That said, if you are truly interested in osteopathic medicine as a future career, find osteopathic theory interesting, and are willing to sit through 3-5 hours/week of OMM class, come on down. But DO NOT apply "because I couldn't get into an allopathic school." That just degrades you, the medical community, and all the people that are working hard toward a career in osteopathic medicine who actually want to be here. We're not all allopathic rejects. Having students in my class (about 3-5 of them) that constantly complain about how much they hate it here and wish they had gotten into MD school (MD-wannabes) is about as annoying as it can get. If you don't want to be here in the first place, don't apply or accept the invitation to matriculate. It's that simple.

Bottom line (if you've read this far), is don't do something you don't REALLY want to do. You'll be miserable, your classmates will be miserable, your patients will be miserable, and the person that was really interested in the spot that you took will be miserable as well. Why cause all that misery when you are trying to become a physician and alleviate misery?

Just my $0.02.

Jonethan De.

PS - my girlfriend (also an osteopathic medical student) has told me to inform you that if your stats aren't that great MCAT-wise, but the rest of your stuff is good, apply early (get your apps in ASAP - like august). Don't wait until the deadline. She had a 26, twice, and a 3.75 GPA and was told by an MD institution that if she had applied earlier, she probably would have been accepted and not waitlisted.
Hope this helps - JD

Ok.

I looked back at my post and I don't think I alluded to D.O. schools being an allopath reject dumping ground. 😛 My own doctor is a D.O. I know they work just as hard as M.D.s, and I know that she worked her butt off just as hard (maybe even harder) as an MD student would. I was just stating that my stats aren't exemplary by any means, and I don't expect to be accepted to an allopathic or osteopathic school.

Reading Nina's post....don't see any allusions to allopath reject dumping grounds either. 😀

In fact, I would want to apply to a D.O. school because they are equivalent to an M.D. school, but with additional education/training in osteopath methods/theory.

 

[jdrake82]

I did poorly in physics, it's what really ruined my score in addition to not getting that magic 12 I expected in verbal. Compensation? Yes. But it would have worked out much better if I'd been able to pull my verbal into the double digits. Ok, so everything fell apart....

I've been going to school nonstop since I was 4. I started undergrad when I was 15, finished when I was 20. I know I'm not an idiot. I think my main problem is I'm just not focused enough when the MCAT is before me, and I need to study physics until its oozing out of my ears. Same for everything else. The first time I was totally unprepared: no physics or orgo. The second time I was dealing with some personal issues and juggling a new job and a full load of classes. Both my own fault. Both foolish decisions.

This time I can honestly and completely say I don't know what happened. All I know is I'm gonna submit my app to the D.O. school that I'm genuinely interested in, improve my application, reevaluate everything, and breathe. It's just been a rough 2 years. I'm just not used to being unsuccessful, as snotty as that sounds. That's what's really getting me down.

As for my score: it sucks. I don't even want to get into it.

eta: optimistic rejection letters meaning not the f- off, flunky kind. or maybe that's just how i interpreted them. 😀

 

[nina512]

DeLaughterDO, regarding your statements

Not to propagate the MD vs DO argument, but don't apply to an osteopathic school just because you can't/don't think you can get into an allopathic school. You will learn the exact same material (plus Osteopathic medical theory/philosophy/treatment), so don't think that it's any easier than an MD school.

There are plenty of intelligent people that come to osteopathic schools and can't hack it here, too. The only reason that it is "easier" to get into an osteopathic school is because we are less known by the community (there are only 19 DO vs 112 MD schools - or roughly 1200 vs 10000 graduates/yr), so the "prestige" (whatever that means) is not as great for a DO compared to an MD (because we don't have the same "name-recognition". See Coke vs Tab cola). However, a physician is a physician is a physician. We all see patients, we all can do anything we want - specialty wise.

I agree. MD and DO education are equally difficult. However, it is "easier" to get into DO schools and you state valid reasons why DO schools aren't as competitive.

That said, if you are truly interested in osteopathic medicine as a future career, find osteopathic theory interesting, and are willing to sit through 3-5 hours/week of OMM class, come on down. But DO NOT apply "because I couldn't get into an allopathic school." That just degrades you, the medical community, and all the people that are working hard toward a career in osteopathic medicine who actually want to be here. We're not all allopathic rejects.

If you can refer to my post, which I quoted below...

DO's are just as legit as MDs. They practice along side MDs and are able to obtain competitive residencies in surgery and emergency medicine. I've even known students who were accepted to great MD programs but chose DO instead. If you think that your app is not competitive enough and you still want to be a physician, I'd apply to a few DO schools.

You'll see that I'm aware DO students are not MD-rejects.
If you want to be a physician, DO or MD won't matter. Which is something you said

However, a physician is a physician is a physician.

It looks like we agree on a lot of what was said...So don't flame me just because a few of your fellow classmates piss you off.

Having students in my class (about 3-5 of them) that constantly complain about how much they hate it here and wish they had gotten into MD school (MD-wannabes) is about as annoying as it can get. If you don't want to be here in the first place, don't apply or accept the invitation to matriculate. It's that simple.

Geeze...
Now that I've got that off my chest,
jdrake, you'll come around. It sounds like you have a plan (at least for this app season). It doesn't hurt to try, right?

Good luck!
Nina

 

[medtechv79]

U should try to identify what the weaknesses were when u took the MCAT. Was it b/c the test was so long, u couldn't endure it and started going delirious =)? Do they break the score down for u? Are u weaker in verbal, than the analytical part? I'd start there.
I think u should try applying if not now, next yr. U will never know if u don't try. And I think u will always be left wondering....what if?? If u don't get in after 2 or 3 times, then start thinking about a different career path. Good Luck keep optimistic!

 

[DeLaughterDO]

nina,

I wasn't flaming you or jdrake. I just don't like the idea of people thinking "well, my application isn't strong enough to get into an allopathic school, so I'll apply to some DO schools." While they are much the same, the are different. If becoming a physician is what is important to you and the letters don't matter, then by all means. It just seems that a lot of people think of osteopathic schools as what allopathic "rejects" settle for. It is not true.

sorry for the misunderstanding..

Jonethan De.

 

[mrsmac]

Hey there buddy,

Saw your post. Just wanted to tell you to 1)take a breath. I've been where you are. When I saw my first set of scores, I honestly thought the 6 was supposed to be a 9, it was just inverted! The second time I took it, I thought I was more prepared, I studied for 8 months (while working 40+ hours a week, raising two kids, had a husband who was out of town and I was recovering from a car accident). When I saw my score, I thought, "okay, the 6 is now a 7, perhaps the 7 was supposed to be a 9 too! Now, let me say that the time between test 1 and 2 was 7 years! At that point I thought I was just not smart enough to be a doc, but other people felt differently. I really had to do a "gut check". Did I really want this? Yes

Could I see myself doing something else? NO ( I was already a successful environmental scientist-but that wasn't "it")

Will I be able to look at myself in the mirror without giving it one more try? NO

Am I willing to lay my pride down and do what I need to do in order to figure out why I'm not doing well on the damned test? Yes

Now, I'm studying, not working, and the kids are in school, and the hubby knows (don't bother me until I'm done with this test!)

I can tell by your posts that you want this. IF taking a year off will give you the time to adequately prepare for ALL aspects of the MCAT (the endurance, the science & the abstract reasoning, then take a year off, and apply EARLY during that cycle. But only you can answer that question. My only advice would be to not give up. Apply to D.O. and M.D. schools, they are both excellent choices. You are not a failure, stupid, or inferior (things I called myself after my scores) in any way. Your not alone buddy, and as God is my witness, if I see another 7 on my results from the test this August, I'll roll up my sleeves and try again!

Peace,
mrsmac

 

[Bunsen Honeydew]

Please hang in there. All these posts (aside from the DO vs. MD discussion) remind me so much of how I've felt, and am feeling. The MCAT just, well, SUCKS! I'm not a super standardized test taker, but certainly good, and I just don't do well on thsi test. But, taking a breather (whatever that means for you -- or half year or year off maybe) may be a big help.

I was very disappointed with my scores last summer (26R), and I'm now planning on re-taking in August. I haven't been studying at all, and I'm doing better. Still not great, but I could get into the double digits in the sections if I'm able to fit some studying into my schedule. I honestly think that the class I took (TPR prep) did more harm to me than good last summer. I was soooo stressed out, couldn't concentrate, wasted a lot of time sitting in class rather than learning the material on my own. Plus, maybe just a year of NOT thinking about it helped.

If this is what you want (and I wouldn't recommend jumping to law school, btw! ;-)), you should just keep swimming (in the words of Dory from Nemo).

Hang in there and it will come!

 

[Ginkoba4]

Yes, it's understandable why the MCAT sucks: 1. It is the longest test of your life 2. It is something you can study for and do better unlike a test of logic skills and problem solving 3. There are test preps out there that are not available to everyone because they are expensive or time consuming, but the admissions office doesn't really care how you got a "good" score as long as it is acceptable for their school 4. It is one of the only things medical schools can judge applicants on with an equal footing. So to assess the MCAT and why you are not doing as well as you want: 1. It may be that you have trouble concentrating or focusing on the test because you are nervous or you have some attention deficit disorder (please ask a doctor concerning this). 2. You are not studying correctly, you are memorizing without understanding material. 3. You still don't know how to answer MCAT type questions. There are strategies you must learn that only apply to MCAT type questions. 4. You are studying everything indiscriminately without concentrating on your weaknesses.

Once you figure out HOW you need to study, you should do fine. Good luck!

 

[Luck]

jdrake and nina,

Not to propagate the MD vs DO argument, but don't apply to an osteopathic school just because you can't/don't think you can get into an allopathic school.

Don't listen to this guy. The reality is there are not as many gung ho DO students like you. The reality is the majority of applicants could not get into a MD school and yet are happy to attend a DO school. Who are you to say that you shouldn't apply to DO schools just because it's a back up?

They both are pathways to become a physician so it doesn't matter if it's your backup, much like Albany may be someone's backup to NYMC.

 

[LP1CW]

I know you say your score is bad, but it might still be competitive. UNE says that they'll consider any person with an 18 M or better. I'm guessing an 18 won't cut it, but they state that they'll consider you. And many DO schools have like a 24 or 25 MCAT average. You might be okay this cycle.

Good luck