give it to me straight

[damntexan]

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I need some real honesty. Just mustered the courage to open my MCAT scores from april. This was my second time taking it and I went up only one point, 7V, 9P, 9B, Q. My cum GPA is around a 3.5 and my science GPA is a 3.2. My ECs are great and I have a bunch of clinical experience. I am just really confused at this poitn what to do. I didnt expect such a low score. Should I even complete my secondaries? I really have no clue what to do.

Give it to me straight, do I have a chance?

 

[aabobrov]

Hey dude,
I don't know if this will help all that much, but I'll tell you that I'm a similar situation, except your GPA is higher than mine. I've had doubts for awhile, but I decided to cast them aside and apply both MD and DO this year. Realistically, Miracles happen. Having convinced myself of that, I'm reasonably sure I'd be able to get in somewhere. So, i'm applying at a wide range of schools.
I have a friend who was a student interviewer at the admissions committee at DMU for several years with a friend of hers, and they both tell me that I'll be able to get in for sure. I guess we'll see. I've got some pretty good clinical/field experience as a paramedic and extensive history in the medical field, but my MCATs are the same as yours and my GPA is quite a bit lower. If I were you I'd definitely apply. you never know. And build up some confidence along the way--how could a medschool NOT accept you? 🙂 all the best
alex

 

[Fenrezz]

Yes, fill out your secondaries and see what happens. You have a decent chance to get interviews and who knows what happens after that.

Good luck!

 

[Megalofyia]

I'd go along with aabobrov and apply.

In my situation my GPA is lower than yours (much so) but my MCAT is slightly higher than yours. I'm applying to both DO and MD schools. I'm hoping that the upward trend in my GPA and what I think are stellar ECs catch the eye of some adcom.

 

[aabobrov]

megalofyia, which schools are you applying at DO and MD (unless the list is long, like mine)? Have you submitted both AMCAS and ACOMAS? If so, how long ago did you do that?
also, to answer your post earlier at my thread regarding AACOMAS personal statement, I was under impression that you could say just about anything you wanted in the essay, which is what's making it so hard for me. I guess I really believe in the holistic deal and everything that goes into studying osteopathy, but so does everybody else that applies to a DO school, or at least that's what a lot of their personal statements say. My friends that were on the adcom at DMU both told me that if they read another personal statement with the words holistic in it they'd scream; its kinda like the "i want to help people" statement--its true, but everybody says that. so, in order to be slightly different I didn't really want to discuss my reasons for applying to an osteopathic school. What are your thoughts?
alex

 

[Megalofyia]

aabobrov I sent you a PM

 

[jhug]

go for it....just give it everything you've got!!! You'll be able to stress the ec's and real life experiences in the secondaries. Good luck!

 

[aabobrov]

oh, yeah, what have you got to lose? except for a crapload of money! and time🙂

 

[mison]

I would agree with all the above posts. I think you have a great chance of getting into many of the osteopathic schools. As far the DO/MD state schools, it depends on which state you have legal residence. I am sure you know your app would be quite competitive in some states but less in others. Either way apply because even if you don't get in this time, you will have access to invaluable correspondence with the schools to which you apply. This way if it comes down to reapplying the schools to which you reapply will know they have a candidate that is serious about medicine and their school. Plus in your year off you can improve your app.

Good Luck!

 

[lynnier79]

if this is really what you want to do with your life, and you dont see anything else out there that would make you happy, why even question writing secondaries?

it may be tough to get your foot in the door, but if you do, and if this is really what you want for the rest of your life, you shouldnt even question applying. sure, rejection sucks, but "not knowing if" is even worse (IMHO). what have you got to lose here (besides the $, which i agree is a lot...) but if its your dream, then go for it.

i guess i see it this way.... being an MD /PhD is exactly what i want to do, and i wont let adcoms stop me. if i apply this year and dont get in anywhere, then i will apply again. i dont think i will ever take no for an answer. if you really want this for yourself then i imagine you see it the same way.

of course if you are not entirely sure that this is what you want to do, you should probably take a step back and worry more about that than your chance of getting it, right? its quite a committment.

 

[damntexan]

I appreciate everyones advice and encouragement. In response to the last post, this IS exactly what i want to do with my life. i just feel as though sometimes i am stubborn and dont really realize my limitations. i dont want to admit that i am not good enough just because i did poorly on an 8 hour test. i dont think that it says anything about me as a person or my intelligence. i am confident in my abilities, i was just hoping that adcoms could see past those numbers to realize my potential.
i am goign to go through with my application process with my head held high and hopefully things will work out....and if they dont, there is always next year!

they gotta let me in sooner or later, right?😛 😛

 

[Su4n2]

i ahd same scores and got into NYCOM- it was the only school i applied to. had a great interview, accepted 2 weeks later. DEFINATELY apply, what will u loose? just remember to go into how your EC's have contributed to u choosing osteopathic medicine.

 

[delashbri]

You need to apply. My MCAT was a point lower than yours, but my GPA was a few points higher. Anyway I had no problem with interviews or acceptances.