Help...do I Have A Chance

[ndn diva]

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I have a 3.463 GPA and everything that could go wrong on mcat day...did for me. On all of the aamc practice tests, I scored 30 and above, but on the actual test, I only scored a 21P. Do I have a shot at ANY medical schools? I worked so hard on my application and essay that I don't want that all to go to waste.

 

[Kazema]

I think that if you scored 30 on practice tests nervousness may have been a big part. I would register for the August test and just review everything, taking the test then having gone through it already should calm those nerves and result in a better score.

 

[shock827]

Sorry to say, but it will be incredibly hard to make it with that MCAT score. 21 is below even the national average and your GPA isn't really helping that. I don't know your EC's though. You still have a remote chance with KILLER ECs LORs and essays. There's no shame in retaking or delaying a year to get into med school!

 

[captbadass]

most likely you dont have much of a shot with a 21. im sure people can give you examples of it being done, but honestly it would be best to re take. DO schools typically have lower mcat avg's for matriculants. somebody more familiar with DO schools can give you the exact avgs. try to stay positive. you have shown on the practice tests that you are capable of doing better. i wish you the best of luck.

capt

 

[gls5377]

You never know. It is better to fail than to wonder what if. I say send in your applications and let your passion drive you to becoming a doctor.

 

[dhoonlee]

.

 

[MeowMix]

If you have the money, time, and energy, I would recommend registering for and taking the August MCAT. Get a really good instructor or tutor, figure out what went wrong, and fix it. If you consistently scored above 30 on AAMC 3-7, you are certainly capable of improving your MCAT score from a 21.

Send in the application anyway (unless you decide not to bother with the August MCAT).

Good luck.

 

[Doc Martins]

I have a 3.463 GPA and everything that could go wrong on mcat day...did for me. On all of the aamc practice tests, I scored 30 and above, but on the actual test, I only scored a 21P. Do I have a shot at ANY medical schools? I worked so hard on my application and essay that I don't want that all to go to waste.

You should definitely retake the test, especially if your practice exams were so much higher. You won't get in with that mcat, bc medical schools use 24 as an absolute minimum bc people who score below that statistically do not pass the boards. Even if you had a 4.0, you'd still need at least a 24 to have a decent shot at the most forgiving schools (state schools tend to be more forgiving). Don't be discouraged though! You know you can do better when you retake the exam!! and your effort won't go to waste if you wait until you have a better score. Good luck!

 

[efex101]

With a 21 the odds are against you, unless you are independantly wealthy and can afford to apply to upteen hundred schools I would NOT apply with a 21.

 

[kimberly]

I'm with you on the score (got a 21O 🙁 ). After contemplation, I've decided that I'll just wait to take the April 2005 exam, rather than trying to cram all the studying in in two months. I've worked on my application materials for the past month, but I think an extra year of work experience might help my application as well. Good luck with what you decide!

 

[KNightInBlue]

You never know. It is better to fail than to wonder what if. I say send in your applications and let your passion drive you to becoming a doctor.

I would ONLY agree with this if you retake in August, otherwise it'd be a waste of money. Obviously you can do better since you scores around 30s on the practice exams, so get crammin for august. And by crammin, I mean 6 hrs a day, everyday, PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE, then review and then PRACTICE SOME MORE!!

If you feel that you dont have adequate time, then I guess april 2005 is your next best bet.

But overall, I wouldn't recommend applying as is.

Good Luck

P.S. What materials did you use to study? Consider investing the money you would use to apply towards enrolling in a prep course. Doesn't matter which - Kaplan, EK......main purpose is to foster discipline in study habits and obtain acess to s***load of practice materials.

 

[thewzdoc]

I have a 3.463 GPA and everything that could go wrong on mcat day...did for me. On all of the aamc practice tests, I scored 30 and above, but on the actual test, I only scored a 21P. Do I have a shot at ANY medical schools? I worked so hard on my application and essay that I don't want that all to go to waste.

What was the split on your score? 7 7 7 or 5 9 7??if you want to apply this round and you have great EC?s, LOR?s, and your PS is awesome then you should go ahead and apply but you should still retake it in August. If your split is wild then you probably shouldn?t apply and just take a year off to study.

 

[adamj61]

How about hypnosis to rid test anxiety? Or getting high...I think some people need that if they had practice tests that high with actual scores that low

 

[Medikit]

You don't really have a realistic shot at any of the allopathic medical schools located in the United States. Without knowing your score I can't really recommend to you how to study. But my advice is to start studying to the point where you can score above 30 on a practice test and then take the next MCAT available to you. When you say you scored 30 were you timing yourself to get that score?

 

[ndn diva]

Thanks all for the advice. My breakdown was 8,5,8...I lost control during the first section when the proctor called 40 mintues remaining. I had never been that behind in the PS section and started shaking and tears came to my eyes. I knew that I blew the test by then...I couldn't concentrate on Verbal (as seen with the 5) and I totally screwed up on Bio too. I know it was an anxiety/nerves thing b/c I took aamc 7R two days b4 the test, timed and all, and got 11,12,10. And I got similar scores on all of the other aamc tests (3R-6R). I was hoping that I would not have to take the test again since I put 6 months into preparing for it...but I guess once you loose control, you forget everything you learned 🙁

 

[Medikit]

Thanks all for the advice. My breakdown was 8,5,8...I lost control during the first section when the proctor called 40 mintues remaining. I had never been that behind in the PS section and started shaking and tears came to my eyes. I knew that I blew the test by then...I couldn't concentrate on Verbal (as seen with the 5) and I totally screwed up on Bio too. I know it was an anxiety/nerves thing b/c I took aamc 7R two days b4 the test, timed and all, and got 11,12,10. And I got similar scores on all of the other aamc tests (3R-6R). I was hoping that I would not have to take the test again since I put 6 months into preparing for it...but I guess once you loose control, you forget everything you learned 🙁

I'm sorry that that happened to you 🙁. I was really stressed out too and I'm pretty sure in your situation I would have cried too. That must have been really painful. It seems to me based on your practice tests that you should prepare for taking the August MCAT, placing emphasis on timed mcats. I would make an agreement with your friends that you will do something embarrassing for each section if your score doesn't meet a certain number, this should make the test a little bit more stressful.

 

[medic170]

You need to retake that MCAT. 21 is low even for DO schools

 

[The COOLER]

I am kind of in the same boat. I took the MCAT and got a 24N and retook in april and got 24Q. I was averaging in 30+ before the actual exam. Since this is my 3rd time to be taking it, I decided I was not emotionally ready to take it in August. I contemplated long and hard and decided that April 2005 would be best for me emotionally so that I could regain the confidence I need to do my best because this will be my last shot. I am there with you, I already applied, just didn't send in my application and it looks like I won't hit send till next year.

But look on the bright side of things. You could have been me 😉 This would be your third time taking it, if you were me, but now it is only your second. I already graduated last month but got a hospital job. It seems like I will be waiting an extra 2 years because of the cycle. I am not a bad candidate either, my GPA is pretty high, just a bad test taker. So, don't give up.

I really don't think you have a chance with a 21 cuz I don't even have a chance with 24. Your best bet is to recooperate from your loss and try your hardest and best next time. Make sure that you have a lot of emotional support from your friends. My boy friend drove me to the MCAT and stayed so he could eat lunch with me during my break. It helped to cool my nerves. Then he drove me home. Good luck next time, I know how hard it really can be. 😳