Exploring my options (help appreciated).

[bioJUNKIE]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi everyone,
I am a recent graduate (2009) and I have just recieved my MCAT scores which was 19N. First and foremost, I can admit that I did deserve that score. I did not do practice tests, I wasn't mentally strong enough during the test and even though my gut instinct during the MCAT told me to void, I didn't. I know deep down that I can do better. HOWEVER, acknowledging that it is pretty much too late to take the MCAT again and send in my results to enter 2010 (something I'd rather not do); I was wondering if it was ok to take the MCAT in the future, maybe next year.

I hear from a lot of people that schools don't like seeing big periods of inactivity and would like to see applicants who can balance a heavy courseload and study for the MCAT at the same time. I've also heard that they prefer students who retake the MCATs again soon after they've recieved an undesired MCAT result. But, I am currently scribing full time 40-50 hours a week and I feel like jumping right back into it again right away would kill me mentally, emotionally, and physically. A pre-med advisor said that studying for the MCAT and working full time is not that much different than taking a full course load and studying for the MCAT. She also said that the average matriculant is about 26, and I am 22.

So what I am wondering, is it ok that I am not ready for that commitment right now? It is something I know I want to do, but not now. I want to make sure that I am disciplined and ready mentally. Will it hurt my chances matriculating in 2011 if I take the MCAT around next May or June? My extracurriculars are very stellar and my GPA is around 3.55 (3.55 science also) with a steep upward trend throughout my college tenure. I would appreciate some input for I am very lost and down right now. Thank you all.

 

[littlealex]

No it won't hurt your chances.
You got a 19 man. You need at least until next May to up your chances to get in the 30+ range. At least.

Forget about what hurts your chances and what improves your chances. Getting as close to 30+ is the basic requirement of HAVING chances. Retake it in a few months and you'll still be in square 1, getting ready to start all over.

 

[BlueElmo]

you need to work your butt off to bring that MCAT up.

 

[LiveUninhibited]

Hi everyone,
I am a recent graduate (2009) and I have just recieved my MCAT scores which was 19N. First and foremost, I can admit that I did deserve that score. I did not do practice tests, I wasn't mentally strong enough during the test and even though my gut instinct during the MCAT told me to void, I didn't. I know deep down that I can do better. HOWEVER, acknowledging that it is pretty much too late to take the MCAT again and send in my results to enter 2010 (something I'd rather not do); I was wondering if it was ok to take the MCAT in the future, maybe next year.

I hear from a lot of people that schools don't like seeing big periods of inactivity and would like to see applicants who can balance a heavy courseload and study for the MCAT at the same time. I've also heard that they prefer students who retake the MCATs again soon after they've recieved an undesired MCAT result. But, I am currently scribing full time 40-50 hours a week and I feel like jumping right back into it again right away would kill me mentally, emotionally, and physically. A pre-med advisor said that studying for the MCAT and working full time is not that much different than taking a full course load and studying for the MCAT. She also said that the average matriculant is about 26, and I am 22.

Scribing full time is not inactivity, though you could probably afford 4 hours of volunteering per week in addition. If you mean working as a medical scribe, that would actually be more helpful to your ap than most jobs.

So what I am wondering, is it ok that I am not ready for that commitment right now? It is something I know I want to do, but not now. I want to make sure that I am disciplined and ready mentally. Will it hurt my chances matriculating in 2011 if I take the MCAT around next May or June? My extracurriculars are very stellar and my GPA is around 3.55 (3.55 science also) with a steep upward trend throughout my college tenure. I would appreciate some input for I am very lost and down right now. Thank you all.

The bolded sounds like your best bet. Set aside a few hours per day to study for it from here on out (or at least 6 months out), with a little extra time on days you take practice tests. If you do not have the self-discipline to do that, look into taking a Kaplan course. Medical schools do not receive anybody's AMCAS until ~June 24th anyway.

It's like Alfred said on Batman. Why do we fall? So we can learn to pick ourselves back up. If you can pick yourself back up (by scoring, say, above a 26) from this it'll reflect well on your resilience to make it through medical school. If your second score is above 24 but not above 29 I'd consider DO schools, as they emphasize extracurriculars more than MCAT it seems.