Do I start studying/reg for Spring MCAT??

[Re3iRtH]

Hello folks,
I will try to make this as short as possible.

I make the mistake of not researching the schools I would be
applying to due to deciding I wanted to be a physician during the
start of my junior year in college. With no EC's in hand, I had to
start doing research, shadowing, keeping up with grades,
study for the MCAT, and apply THAT SAME YEAR.

Anyway, I ended up to applying to every school in new york state other
than colum/corn, usuhs, and njms. Don't ask about why I choose
to apply in this ludicrous and seemlingly random fashion. I also applied
pretty late (I'm a NJ resident btw).

Ive been to three interviews.

1st: USUHS -- accepted.
2nd: NJMS -- waitlisted.
3rd: SUNY downstate -- most recent and will get decision in late april and
probably my top choice if I think about it.

I must admit that USU impressed me quite strongly but I will admit I dont feel mature enough at this point to make a good and imformed decision on
attending.

ok... MCAT: 30O

So do I start studying NOW, reg for say june mcat, and retake??

My biggest weakness other than applying late is that I have only one
clinical experience, due my fast onset of deciding on medicine.

Or do I use the intervening time to get a couple more clinical ECs and
apply for the next cycle?

Thanks for reading and I apprecieate any comments/suggestions.

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[Droopy Snoopy]

You have an acceptance, so if you want to be a doctor go to it. You can defer your acceptance a year if you have a good reason, but unfortunately a lack of maturity probably isn't one of them. If you don't want to be a doctor then don't. I just don't see what's the point of applying, getting an acceptance, turning it down, and then doing it all over again.

I can, however, completely understand if this whole second-guessing thing is due to military medicine. You'll be signing a 10 year contract, followed by lifetime registry on the inactive reserve list. It is quite a committment and not one to be entered into lightly. Have you checked out the Milmed forum here? Those are some very unhappy physicians.

 

[Re3iRtH]

There is no question that I want to be a doctor. I just want to know
if it is worth the hassle to reapply, even though I applied in a bit
rushed and uninformed fashion.

The biggest issue here is that if I do decide to reapply, then I will have
to choose between studying for the MCAT and working/volunteering in
a clinical setting. I just do not envision them happening together.

Here is more detailed info.

GPA ~ 3.73
Sci GPA ~ 3.92
BCPM ~ 3.76
research ca. 1 year
shadowing in ER ca. 2/3 year
a few ECs in theatre
random jobs
MCAT: 30O

Should I rewrite or is it better to get some solid clinical stuff done
in the next few months?

Thanks for the advice.

 

[diggitybop]

are you serious????????

the only reason you gave so far for wanting to reapply is that you weren't really ready to apply, and yet you still got in, and will interview at your top choice.

so why do you want to reapply?

 

[aspiring med]

don't go to USU if you don't want to serve. if you do, just take that acceptance and don't reapply

get ready to reapply if you don't get another acceptance by end of April...you want to get your new AMCAS early as possible in June. So if you get off waitlist in April, do not reapply, take that acceptance.

I don't think you should retake the MCAT unless you've taken practice MCATs and have routinely scored 32 and over...because you need to get at least a 30O again this second time to not hurt your app, and a 33 or more to make it worth all the effort. If you want to take in june you would want to start studying now.

in the intervening time,for reapplication possibility, i would recommend doing the clinical stuff instead of studying for MCATs. unless as I said above, you are sure your MCAT will be significantly stronger.
just my opinion, I am by no means a successful applicant (yet??). good luck!

 

[Re3iRtH]

Thanks for the replies.

If I do decide to reapply how will it look if i had As coming in to senior year,
but a small decline in the last 2 senior semesters?? Because I have noticed
some major senioritis and ADD kicking in on my part.

The point is with the one acceptance and pending, if I decide to do
some volunteering and such, although my gpa wont move their may be
a slight decline in grades for the senior year. Will adcoms look badly
upon that?