Do I have a chance? Low MCAT high GPA

[wannabedoc1231]

I was not able to prepare enough for the MCAT and ended up scoring 492. I am 23 yo international student who completed all premedical coursework in the US. My GPA is 3.84, and I have done my best with the extracurriculars: mentored; volunteered; ran a health professionals club; done research and presented a poster at a conference by Genetics Society of America; have a publication in a medical journal; and a couple of awards.

I have applied for the 2018 cycle just today, and since I may not have a good chance, I have only applied to two MD schools. Any idea as to how my chances are? Anyone been in my shoes? Any suggestions?

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[mydogmolly]

You should probably pull out your applications now and apply again next year after you've had the time to spend on the MCAT to get a good score. And I mean a really good score. Schools that average probably won't be your friend either way, but aim for a 512+ (really aim for a 528, but you know what I'm saying) to at least kind of make up for the 492.

Get all your stuff together and apply on day 1 next cycle with a new MCAT.

 

[candbgirl]

You should probably pull out your applications now and apply again next year after you've had the time to spend on the MCAT to get a good score. And I mean a really good score. Schools that average probably won't be your friend either way, but aim for a 512+ (really aim for a 528, but you know what I'm saying) to at least kind of make up for the 492.

Get all your stuff together and apply on day 1 next cycle with a new MCAT.

This. You are too late for this year to have a realistic chance of even an interview. Your MCAT is too low for MD and not much better for DO. You are an international applicant and frankly your stats need to be exceptionally high to be considered by the schools that accept international students. You would be doing yourself a big favor if you immediately withdraw your application for this cycle. You don’t want to add being a reapplicant onto your pile of issues next cycle. Get everything all organized, study for the MCAT and kill it and be ready to apply day next June.

 

[Cardboard101]

I'm sorry but a 492 is far too low to make up with a good GPA, it puts you at risk of failing boards. You may have a very slim shot at the newest DO school (plus Idaho) but that's still a long shot.
I would withdraw your apps, focus on the MCAT and retake when you know you can score well.

There is no reason to be a re applicant when your chances are almost 0. Especially when your only deficiency is a one time test that you'd have a whole year to study for.

 

[workaholic181]

You absolutely need a much higher MCAT to be accepted to either MD or DO.

 

[wannabedoc1231]

@mydogmolly @candbgirl @Cardboard101 @workaholic181 Thank you all for your advice. I am hanging between the two decisions; one part of me says to withdraw, and the other says to take the risk as I have about 10% chance. I have gone to my application to withdraw several times, but just couldn't do it. The 10% chance gives me hope. My application hasn't got into the process of verification yet, and looks like I have a couple of days to make a final decision.

 

[mydogmolly]

Make the decision now, just wait out the year and crush the MCAT with ample preparation. You are just willingly hamstringing your future chances by applying this cycle. Seriously it's a massive blunder to push this.

 

[krukshanks]

@mydogmolly @candbgirl @Cardboard101 @workaholic181 Thank you all for your advice. I am hanging between the two decisions; one part of me says to withdraw, and the other says to take the risk as I have about 10% chance. I have gone to my application to withdraw several times, but just couldn't do it. The 10% chance gives me hope. My application hasn't got into the process of verification yet, and looks like I have a couple of days to make a final decision.

Not sure where you got the idea of 10% chance... if you check the matriculant stats you should know that you essentially have no chance with a 492 MCAT plus an international status at an MD school. Also in case you didn’t realize, the other 90% chance (i.e. applying to two throwaway institutions with a bad MCAT score and having to reapply) will screw you over next cycle. I don’t see why you need to debate what to do.

 

[altblue]

@mydogmolly @candbgirl @Cardboard101 @workaholic181 Thank you all for your advice. I am hanging between the two decisions; one part of me says to withdraw, and the other says to take the risk as I have about 10% chance. I have gone to my application to withdraw several times, but just couldn't do it. The 10% chance gives me hope. My application hasn't got into the process of verification yet, and looks like I have a couple of days to make a final decision.

You don't have a 10% chance ... the people who make up that 10% are URMs, veterans, strongly connected legacies etc., not people who are just international students

 

[krukshanks]

Also it really really doesn’t hurt to wait a year to apply (I can almost assure you that you’d have to wait a year anyway given your MCAT score). You said you’re 23, and that is ok: there are so many nontrad applicants or med students out there and they do fine. Just pointing this out in case this is what’s holding your decision.

After all, what’s the difference between starting practice at the age of ~35 and ~36?

 

[summergirl]

I'm an international student too and trust me when I say that you absolutely need to withdraw now. Your chance of getting accepted as an international student with 492 MCAT is essentially zero. Literally every accepted international student I've met have at least 512, most with 515+. You need to retake the MCAT and do extremely well.

 

[Goro]

I was not able to prepare enough for the MCAT and ended up scoring 492. I am 23 yo international student who completed all premedical coursework in the US. My GPA is 3.84, and I have done my best with the extracurriculars: mentored; volunteered; ran a health professionals club; done research and presented a poster at a conference by Genetics Society of America; have a publication in a medical journal; and a couple of awards.

I have applied for the 2018 cycle just today, and since I may not have a good chance, I have only applied to two MD schools. Any idea as to how my chances are? Anyone been in my shoes? Any suggestions?

That MCAT score is lethal. International applicants need to be of Harvard/Stanford caliber.

 

[wannabedoc1231]

@Goro @summergirl @krukshanks @altblue @mydogmolly @workaholic181 @Cardboard101 @candbgirl
Again, thank you all for opening my eyes. I had false hopes as I misunderstood the information on web and submitted the application in the first place. And as I have been planning on applying for this cycle from past 4 years, it was hard for me to accept this change. If only I used my summer break wisely and prepared for the MCAT seriously Anyways, I have withdrawn the application and will start prep for MCAT after fall. Wish me luck!!

 

[mydogmolly]

@Goro @summergirl @krukshanks @altblue @mydogmolly @workaholic181 @Cardboard101 @candbgirl
Again, thank you all for opening my eyes. I had false hopes as I misunderstood the information on web and submitted the application in the first place. And as I have been planning on applying for this cycle from past 4 years, it was hard for me to accept this change. If only I used my summer break wisely and prepared for the MCAT seriously Anyways, I have withdrawn the application and will start prep for MCAT after fall. Wish me luck!!

wise choice! I know it must be tough, but good luck with the MCAT. Only take it when you're absolutely ready, and get back here when you have an awesome score.