Help with Re-Applying

[catnip7]

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Hey everyone,

I just completed an MA in Forensic Psychology and my final GPA was a 3.7. However, I didn't do so well in undergrad and graduated with a 2.7. I also failed two classes, one of them being Physics II and the other being Molecular and Cell Biology. During my last semester of my MA program, however, I retook Physics II and got an A (well, duh, but still, it was 3 years after I originally took it so it was kind of a big deal for me 🙂). I'm also starting Microbiology tomorrow.

However, on top of that, it's my MCAT score that bothers me the most. I took it first a year ago and got a 27. I took it again 2 months ago and got a 26 (and yes, I was hella pissed). I'm taking it again in 2 weeks and Lord knows how I'm going to do...

That being said, I've recently got a new job at a clinic, am starting volunteering at a hospital and am previously published from an undergraduate internship...am I doing everything that needs to be done? Is there anything else I can do? PLEASE HELP. ANY ADVICE IS GREAT.

P.S. I guess I should have mentioned that I haven't recalculated my undergraduate GPA with my Physics II do-over because I'm not entirely sure how that works...

 

[scowdeva]

I figured I would answer you here rather than continuing to hijack the other thread =) It should be pretty easy to calculate your new gpa if you just add in the new coursework...while the physics retake will def help it wont make a drastic change in your overall gpa, you would at least have a basic number to work with. I don't know how much is gonna count towards BCPM with a degree in forensic psychology, but it sounds interesting!

Keep in mind that a 27 IS NOT a horrible MCAT score! In your retake, did you even out the scores...for example I had 7, 12, 9 the first time I took it but evened it out to an 8, 10, 8 the second time. Having a score that is more equal is often preferred. I have also heard that having high verbal scores is smiled upon by adcoms, as they tend to be reasonably accurate predictors of Step I scores. I know you mentioned earlier that you had a high verbal, so that could be helpful.

If you have a science GPA of around a 3.25 and a 26 on the MCAT, as it sounds like you have some decent EC's, it seems like you would have an excellent shot at DO schools without retaking the MCAT a third time. DO's like a cumulative GPA of around 3.5 most of the time, but keep in mind that is the average.

If you arent interested in the DO route, some of the mid to lower tier allo schools would at least be worth a try if you have the funds. Have you submitted your primary yet, either through AMCAS or AACOMAS?? If you could get secondaries turned in within the next few weeks you would be in good shape time-wise.

The only other thing it seems like maybe you could pursue that you didnt mention was some non-medically related EC's. Is there anything that you would want to do, just for you? The kids with lower stats that get accepted to great schools tend to stick out because they are different, dont necessarily just work in hospitals and study their butts off. If you have any more questions, please post them. I dont have all the answers but I'm more than happy to share what I've picked up by this point!

I almost forgot....did you get any feedback as to why you didnt get accepted the first time? Other than just lower grades? That may be a section of your application that could use a bit of polishing, aka not so stellar letters or something of that sort.

 

[catnip7]

Thank you, scrowdeva.

I see what you mean...let's see.

My MCAT scores were pretty much all evened out...a 9, 8, and a 10 in all three categories.

And I have considered the DO route but the primary reason I wanted to go to an allopathic route is because I am absolutely sure that the field I want to pursue is psychiatry, and especially Forensic Psychiatry. So the DO route is kind of out of the question.

And actually, I technically didn't get rejected the first time around. I had to go to my undergrad advisor to get some letters of recommendations and he was basically the one who told me not to waste money on my secondaries. Needless to say, I plan on not taking his advice this time, and I think it's heinous the way that they treat people like me, people who have graduated but they refuse to see because I've been out of that particular school for awhile.

 

[scowdeva]

Hmmm, I have considered psychiatry pretty seriously myself, and I was unaware that it was a difficult path for a DO to follow. If you take the USMLE in addition to the COMPLEX, it is my understanding that you can apply to both MD and DO residencies...if you have some other info please share! Another thing to keep in mind...it seems that you are a non-traditional applicant (you stated you'd been out of undergrad for a while) and DO schools are very understanding of that, more so than MD schools. Haha can you tell that I am becoming a bit biased towards DO?? 🙂

You didnt mention if you had submitted your primary apps yet. Do you have your letters in order? All these things take HUGE amounts of time (it took me almost 6 months to get all of my letters in, and I pestered at least once a week).

If you want to start researching some lower tier MD schools, my MDApps in my signature is a pretty comprehensive list =) I am eternally optimistic, and I think everyone has a chance if you play your cards right.

 

[catnip7]

You are totally awesome and thank you for your advice.

I'm wondering why it took me so long to get on this website when one of my really good friends (who is currently in her 3rd year) went on and on about it.

Let's see...recommendation letters. Yes, I've given these people a "heads-up" but I should really get them up to speed on that.

I mean, yes, I guess I am a non-traditional applicant and I know that the distinction between the DO and the MD is practically moot, but I like the MD approach better...and I'm pretty sure you can't pursue psych if you do a DO...correct me if this is wrong.

 

[scowdeva]

I copied this from the medschoolready web site:

DO graduates can apply for both osteopathic (DO) residencies (from which MD applicants are precluded) and allopathic (MD) residencies in all specialties but may find it slightly harder to compete with MDs for allopathic (MD) residencies. Some very competitive MD residency programs are virtually impossible for osteopathic graduates to get into.

I am applying to both allo and osteo, and would be very pleased with either, but I think I am leaning more towards osteo. My main interests are to go into primary care or psychiatry, and it is my understanding that as a DO you can compete for any MD residency placement (but you'd better be extra exceptional if you want a highly competitive one). I have never heard of exceptions to this. I plan on looking at some specific match lists when I have a lil more free time. If I find some that match to psychiatry I'll edit this post and add them on. Where did you see that you cant pursue psych as a DO?

Add on: ok, that took waaaay less time than I thought it would. I checked the match results for MSUCOM (just because its my state school) and in 2003 they matched 6 of their 150 students in psychiatry residencies =) That makes me feel better!

 

[Blade28]

What's your undergrad BCPM GPA? What was the breakdown of your MCAT scores?

 

[DreamLover]

You are totally awesome and thank you for your advice.

I'm wondering why it took me so long to get on this website when one of my really good friends (who is currently in her 3rd year) went on and on about it.

Let's see...recommendation letters. Yes, I've given these people a "heads-up" but I should really get them up to speed on that.

I mean, yes, I guess I am a non-traditional applicant and I know that the distinction between the DO and the MD is practically moot, but I like the MD approach better...and I'm pretty sure you can't pursue psych if you do a DO...correct me if this is wrong.

Sure you can go the DO route and apply for allopathic psych! In fact (although from what I hear it is more difficult for DOs to match in competitive MD residencies) right now...in general, psych is not considered all that competitive with below avg Step 1 scores needed for the 2007 match.

https://services.aamc.org/Publicati...version95.pdf&prd_id=197&prv_id=238&pdf_id=95

or if that won't work you can dl it here
https://services.aamc.org/Publicati...ion=Product.displayForm&prd_id=197&prv_id=238

Of course the top tiered programs may be more difficult, but even your good solid, university based programs are open to you as a DO...without a doubt. Don't overlook that route.

 

[bowser brown]

am I doing everything that needs to be done? Is there anything else I can do? PLEASE HELP. ANY ADVICE IS GREAT.

You sound like a solid candidate to me! Keep your head up I'm sure you'll do fine! 🙂

 

[catnip7]

Thank you all for your solid, supportive advice.

I guess my undergraduate GPA might be around a 2.8 right now with the Physics added in (I mean, we can't expect miracles here) and my MCATs were a 10 in verbal, an 8 in Physics and a 9 in Biology (this is the two scores averaged out).

It's just so frustrating because I know I'm not stupid and I just am not good at taking these tests. ARGH!!!

But yes, I am positive I want to go into psychiatry. I left psychology because I wanted to have more science behind what I was talking about and mental illness, particularly mental illness among the elderly and mental illness among immigrant communities is truly my niche.

And not to go on and on about me, but I started Microbiology today and will do my damndest to get that A. And I'm planning on taking either Human Bio or Biochem next semester.

 

[Blade28]

It's just so frustrating because I know I'm not stupid and I just am not good at taking these tests. ARGH!!!

Unfortunately, there will be quite a few more standardized tests to take - it seemingly never ends in this field. 🙁

I feel your pain - I hate tests (especially multiple-choice) as well. But you might as well get a handle on them now.