MD Help! To apply, or not apply?

[mmm333]

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Hi,

I've thought and thought and thought about it, but I can't decide if I should apply to medical school this cycle or wait until next year. I recently graduated from college, and have a job doing research for the next year, with the option of staying on for a second year if I so choose. I really don't want to take two years off, but I also don't want to apply if I don't have a good chance of getting in.

I've done a lot of non-clinical volunteer work, plus some clinical volunteering at a hospital (though I know that more wouldn't hurt) and a significant amount of physician shadowing (120 hours or so). I spent last summer doing biomedical research. My undergraduate GPA was a 3.82. I haven't taken the MCAT yet (will take July 2 or 12, if I decide to delay til then). My lowest practice MCAT score was a 29.

If I ended up with a 29 on the real MCAT, would I still be a competitive applicant? I'm mostly considering middle-tier schools.

I'm really struggling with this decision. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

[gyngyn]

Don't take the MCAT until you are consistently scoring at or above your target score. A weak MCAT score is like Herpes, it's with you forever.

Take your time on this crucial step and apply early.

 

[Catalystik]

Hi,

I've thought and thought and thought about it, but I can't decide if I should apply to medical school this cycle or wait until next year. I recently graduated from college, and have a job doing research for the next year, with the option of staying on for a second year if I so choose. I really don't want to take two years off, but I also don't want to apply if I don't have a good chance of getting in.

I've done a lot of non-clinical volunteer work, plus some clinical volunteering at a hospital (though I know that more wouldn't hurt) and a significant amount of physician shadowing (120 hours or so). I spent last summer doing biomedical research. My undergraduate GPA was a 3.82. I haven't taken the MCAT yet (will take July 2 or 12, if I decide to delay til then). My lowest practice MCAT score was a 29.

If I ended up with a 29 on the real MCAT, would I still be a competitive applicant? I'm mostly considering middle-tier schools.

I'm really struggling with this decision. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

If you wait until early August to apply when you have your MCAT score in hand, it could take ~7 weeks to get your transcripts verified by AMCAS (based on last year's curve), so toward the end of September. Even if you get all your Secondaries in in the next two-three weeks, a mid-October Completion date would seriously decrease your chances.

DAPI’s AMCAS days to transcript verification graph (2010-2013): http://forums.studentdoctor.net/thr...tions-thread-2014-2015.1062247/#post-15178519

 

[mmm333]

If you wait until early August to apply when you have your MCAT score in hand, it could take ~7 weeks to get your transcripts verified by AMCAS (based on last year's curve), so toward the end of September. Even if you get all your Secondaries in in the next two-three weeks, a mid-October Completion date would seriously decrease your chances.

Thanks for your advice and the link! I recognize that the sooner I apply, the better, so I have primarily been considering submitting my primary application for verification prior to receiving my MCAT score. However, that worries me, since I don't know how well I'll do. I'm wondering what my chances would be if I received a 29 on the official MCAT so that I can decide whether or not I'm comfortable applying blind.

 

[gyngyn]

Thanks for your advice and the link! I recognize that the sooner I apply, the better, so I have primarily been considering submitting my primary application for verification prior to receiving my MCAT score. However, that worries me, since I don't know how well I'll do. I'm wondering what my chances would be if I received a 29 on the official MCAT so that I can decide whether or not I'm comfortable applying blind.

A CA applicant with a 29 MCAT stands a very good chance of becoming a re-applicant. A strong first application is priceless and once lost cannot be regained.

 

[Catalystik]

If you submit now it would still take ~ 45 days for verification, as you can see from the graph, getting you into mid-August. If you got all your Secondaries in before September you wouldn't be "late". You could consider listing only a less selective school initially (Lizzy M score of 67-ish), until you receive the score and see if you are competitive for the "middle-tier." This is a workable middle road approach that has a better chance of a good outcome, provided you feel you're on track to be ready to take the MCAT. But it puts pressure on you to take the MCAT regardless, once you've invested $160.

Have you filled out the application and collected your LORs?

What is your highest practice score?

What is your home state?

You can view historic chances for folks with your GPA and various MCAT outcomes here: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/thr...e-who-applied-with-your-cgpa-and-mcat.888650/

 

[mmm333]

Have you filled out the application and collected your LORs?

What is your highest practice score?

What is your home state?

I'm not finished with the application, but I have collected LORs and will receive a letter of evaluation from my university's pre-health advisory committee. My best practice AAMC MCAT score is a 31. My home state is Georgia. I did research at GRU/MCG (my state medical school) last summer and will be working with the same PI at UAB this year.

 

[Catalystik]

You'd be in a much better position applying from Georgia than from gyngyn's state of California, if you decide to proceed, even if you score a 29 on the MCAT. You just have to decide which way to jump, and do it quickly if applying this summer is your choice.

Also, there's hope that verification times may not take so long this year as AMCAS claims they've hired additional staff to help them.

 

[V5RED]

Don't take the MCAT until you are consistently scoring at or above your target score. A weak MCAT score is like Herpes, it's with you forever.

Take your time on this crucial step and apply early.

That is definitely quoteworthy.

 

[Catalystik]

That is definitely quoteworthy.

And has been.

 

[Goro]

Except at Western or TUCOM-CA!

A CA applicant with a 29 MCAT stands a very good chance of becoming a re-applicant.