For the August MCAT...

[jeanie523]

Okay, I've managed to put myself between a rock and a really stinky hard place. My problem...

I took the April MCAT, scored a 28R (peaked at 35 on one of the Kaplan full-lengths 2 wks before the test; avg. was a 33). So, after I got my score, I had intentions of taking the August MCAT. Although I dabbled in my notes and books since the fiirst week of May, I started studying seriously in the first week of July. With less than a month left, I'm having second thoughts of taking the August MCAT alltogether.

I'm paying for my early "college days" now ...low gpa...and now a low mcat score=1 more year of post-bac classes. Before this tentative decision, I planned on applying to graduate school AND medical school this fall. Now, if I decide to take the April test, graduate school will be my only option (Georgetown SMP).

The only reason I'm asking is because I'm getting a lot of crap from my friends and family for putting it off another 8 months or so. Hypothetically, even if I score high (e.g. 35) next month, my chances of getting into a decent med school is still low. I figure by giving myself extra time, I can at least have a fighting chance of getting into a med school of my choice
(sacrificing 1 year).

Yes, it's my decision and I shouldn't be swayed by the opinions of those around me...they're not the one's sitting through an 8 hour test...blah blah...but I think I need a little more input (especially from peers enduring the same experiences).

Any thoughts out there??

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[bgreet]

First off, whats your gpa and your ecs? Are you solely applying to md programs or md and do? A 28 isnt a bad score, despite what you may believe after going through these boards.

 

[deepfry]

You must be confident that you will improve your score before you take it again. Take one of the AAMC exams (4-7) a week before the test and see how you do on that.

 

[jeanie523]

Hey...thanks for replying...

GPA stinks... 2.6 cumm and 2.9 sciences before post-bac. I took 12 credits so far and got A's. I figure by the time I turn in the last of my grades (until Spring of 2005), I'll bring it up to 3.0+ (taking 23 credits in the fall and planning on 20+ credits in the spring). I've taken over 20 credits at my undergrad and got 3.8's the last year. Plus, I've spoken to the director at Georgetown SMP and he told me that they take grades for up to the first session in the summer-that's 6-8 more. With a 3.0+ gpa and scoring around my averages in the past for the MCAT, I know I have a fighting chance at the SMP. As for medical schools...well...can't say...actually...I'll probably get rejected...

I've interned at RWJUH and work at a doctors office since 97. My volunteer experience is not extensive, but I do have some. As for research, I'm in the midst of working on that-a doctor I know is hooking up a position for me at NIH.

Advice?

 

[jeanie523]

You must be confident that you will improve your score before you take it again. Take one of the AAMC exams (4-7) a week before the test and see how you do on that.

Thanks deepfry. I completely agree with you. My brother took the MCAT last April and scored a 39T after studying only 3 weeks. The only advice he gave me was to be confident to the point of feeling arrogant on the day of the test...to know without a doubt that the answer you put is right...period.

I took 4R last week and scored a 28 too! I don't know what's going on with me. I have a feeling that my April score really did me in-I know I'm not as confident as I was before (i.e. when I took the practice tests). <sniff sniff> I guess that's just something that I need to build up to again...

 

[thegenius]

Thanks deepfry. I completely agree with you. My brother took the MCAT last April and scored a 39T after studying only 3 weeks. The only advice he gave me was to be confident to the point of feeling arrogant on the day of the test...to know without a doubt that the answer you put is right...period.

I took 4R last week and scored a 28 too! I don't know what's going on with me. I have a feeling that my April score really did me in-I know I'm not as confident as I was before (i.e. when I took the practice tests). <sniff sniff> I guess that's just something that I need to build up to again...

Jeanie, your bro gave you great advice.

Not.

You do need to have confidence going into the test. But based on the fact that you are consistently getting 28's (which is not a bad score) maybe you might want to re-evaluate your study patterns. What you've done, to date, is commendable but to score higher you'll probably need to completely adjust your learning habits. That is if you want to score significantly higher than 28 (like 33+).

 

[jeanie523]

Jeanie, your bro gave you great advice.

Not.

You do need to have confidence going into the test. But based on the fact that you are consistently getting 28's (which is not a bad score) maybe you might want to re-evaluate your study patterns. What you've done, to date, is commendable but to score higher you'll probably need to completely adjust your learning habits. That is if you want to score significantly higher than 28 (like 33+).

Hey genius...

Thanks for taking the time to reply...but please don't be rude. There are other ways of saying what you did.

 

[Kazema]

Jeanie, your bro gave you great advice.

Not.

Well I think the advice he gave wasn't bad, it just wasn't enough. I agree with him that the best way to take the MCAT is with the belief that you know everything that'll be on it, and that you know the answer to every question.

You probably shouldn't take it in August if you don't feel confident that you can do well. It's better to delay for 8 months than to have 2 MCAT scores you're not happy with and have to take it a third time. You could of course take it and void if you don't feel good about it, but I don't think that's a good attitude to take into test day.

 

[Psycho Doctor]

wow can you give an explanation for the low GPA? I'd wait a year, take more courses, and work on bringing that GPA up. I'd be more concerned about that than your MCAT score.

 

[jeanie523]

Well I think the advice he gave wasn't bad, it just wasn't enough. I agree with him that the best way to take the MCAT is with the belief that you know everything that'll be on it, and that you know the answer to every question.

You probably shouldn't take it in August if you don't feel confident that you can do well. It's better to delay for 8 months than to have 2 MCAT scores you're not happy with and have to take it a third time. You could of course take it and void if you don't feel good about it, but I don't think that's a good attitude to take into test day.

Thanks Kazema. I really appreciate your input. I guess I'll continue to study with the intentions of taking it...and if I still don't feel up to it...I'll put it on hold. I guess I needed to hear some words from people going through the same crap to help reinforce my suspicions. Thx again and good luck to all of you next month!!

 

[jeanie523]

wow can you give an explanation for the low GPA? I'd wait a year, take more courses, and work on bringing that GPA up. I'd be more concerned about that than your MCAT score.

yah...too many jack and cokes.

the gpa is being worked on and i'm pulling in good grades from the past year and a half (senior yr and post bac).

thx

 

[Psycho Doctor]

ah i see, hopefully the adcoms will see it a little bit differently

ok keep plugging away at good grades

 

[jeanie523]

ah i see, hopefully the adcoms will see it a little bit differently

ok keep plugging away at good grades

I hope so too...didn't want to get into details...but I do have valid reasons for the low gpa. Let's just say there were a series traumatic experiences that affected my grades, although ultimately, it was my fault for not doing well....

GL to you too, Psycho Dr.