HELP!!! desperately confused :(

[bibi21]

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Hello everyone,

I am in desperate need of help, as this is an issue of time. I graduated in May with a biology degree and a chem minor, good GPA, research and teaching experience, many volunteer hours, and a very unique story to tell in my personal statement. I know I could get great rec letters from my profs.
The thing is that my MCAT score is ridiculously low: 21. I got so depressed after seeing that I got such a poor score on my MCAT that I did not perform as well in school, in my family life, friends, etc. I know I can exaggerate at times, but I thought about not going to med school anymore since I thought my scores demonstrated that I was not qualified for it.
I moved on, graduated and thought about grad school, until I got calls from the UAG in Mex, wanting me to apply and go there this fall (which is obviously not happening due to my indecision).
I really thought about it, since I grew up in Mexico and kinda wanted to go back. The one thing I'm not sure about is whether I want to practice there or in the States. My original idea of being a doctor was because I wanted to work in poor and economically undeserved communities.
I know that international schools are underestimated, so I am concerned about this too, but on the other hand, I could be attending med school in Jan, which is something I couldn't do in the US. My financial situation is not the best either, so it seems like all the odds are against me.

In short- do you, in your experience, think it would be best for me to retake the MCAT and apply to MD schools in the States, or just go to Mex and get my degree there?

Any comments would be greatly appreciated, folks. I am truly desperate.
😕

 

[Dianyla]

Ouch. If your GPA and academics are solid otherwise, then something went horribly wrong.

If I were you, I would try to figure out why you scored so poorly, re-prepare, and retake.

With an MD from the US/Canada, you'll have plenty of future options to live and practice in Mexico. The other way around, not so much.

 

[TriagePreMed]

I think you might need a little bit more growing up to do. I can't imagine how one test can bring you to the blink of oblivion. You'll face a lot bigger and more important problems in medical school. Work on yourself, worry about school later. If you're a traditional student, you're 22 or so. Therefore, you can do a lot of things instead of jumping to school directly.

 

[EdLongshanks]

I got so depressed after seeing that I got such a poor score on my MCAT that I did not perform as well in school, in my family life, friends, etc. I know I can exaggerate at times, but I thought about not going to med school anymore since I thought my scores demonstrated that I was not qualified for it.

Along with TriagePreMed, I'm a little concerned about this statement. It sounds like you are trying to excuse something.

A 21 is a very bad thing, but it can be rectified eventually. If you are determined to be a doctor, then you can be a doctor a few years from now as well as now. Since your finances are bad, a few years of working at a job and supporting yourself might not be a bad idea. Then you could come back with a fresh attitude, new studying, and a little more maturity.

 

[eablackwell]

I think you might need a little bit more growing up to do. I can't imagine how one test can bring you to the blink of oblivion. You'll face a lot bigger and more important problems in medical school. Work on yourself, worry about school later. If you're a traditional student, you're 22 or so. Therefore, you can do a lot of things instead of jumping to school directly.

I can understand being depressed. You work your butt off for years of good grades and then one test sinks all your hopes and dreams. The problem here is that the depression is obviously long lasting and you have done nothing to rectify the problem.

I got a crap MCAT score my first time too. I was carzy fatalistic for about 24 hours after receiving the score, but then I decided to pick myself up from the pavement, study, and take it again. Second round went a bit better.

You can do this. 🙂 I understand it's a big let down but it's something you can fix pretty quick. I had a 2.0 my freshman year. It's taken me a lot longer to make up for that than it'll take you to fix that MCAT.

Good luck! Don't be so down on yourself.

 

[bibi21]

Thanks everyone for you comments. They are much appreciated. Truth is, there were other things going on in my life when I took the MCAT. My grandmother died (whom I was very close to) and my father was diagnosed with cancer. I'm not trying to inspire pity or anything, I'm just being honest with how I felt back then. I'm just one of those people that cannot withstand failure, and I guess everything was just collapsing in my life at that moment.

But all of you are right, if this little thing is enough to let me down, then medical school is not for me. But I believe I was born to help and serve others, so I will pick myself up and do it, most of all because I owe it to myself.

Again, thanks for your comments and I will keep you updated with my application process.

Good luck to you all in your endeavors! 🙄