Help with timing of application

[DrDhooSumday]

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I feel silly asking this question but I figured better to ask..

I'm a non-traditional, FL resident, graduated spring of 2013 with roughly 3.0 science and cumulative, will take the mcat Nov.7th

I was working as a nutritional counselor at a weight loss/wellness clinic since graduating (pretty much doing the job of an MA when not counseling), and the medical director there will give me a solid LOR...

My question is, if my mcat is good enough (28+?) should I wait and apply next round or try to submit my application asap after my mcat?

I ask this because I was laid off (main reason for reviving my medical school hopes) and have been unemployed for a couple months, money is TIGHT. If I could sneak in to LECOM-B, which would be my prefered school (price, location), that would cut a lot of financial troubles out by not paying for post-bac tuition and all that comes a long with going back to school for the next year. The app deadline is 4/15 I believe, luckily my preferred school has the latest deadline... Thoughts?

I know the obvious answer is wait, retake classes, make my application more competitive (I can retake some math classes from HS, like stats that I got a C in) will roughly get me to a 3.2-3.3...

 

[DoctorSynthesis]

I feel silly asking this question but I figured better to ask..

I'm a non-traditional, FL resident, graduated spring of 2013 with roughly 3.0 science and cumulative, will take the mcat Nov.7th

I was working as a nutritional counselor at a weight loss/wellness clinic since graduating (pretty much doing the job of an MA when not counseling), and the medical director there will give me a solid LOR...

My question is, if my mcat is good enough (28+?) should I wait and apply next round or try to submit my application asap after my mcat?

I ask this because I was laid off (main reason for reviving my medical school hopes) and have been unemployed for a couple months, money is TIGHT. If I could sneak in to LECOM-B, which would be my prefered school (price, location), that would cut a lot of financial troubles out by not paying for post-bac tuition and all that comes a long with going back to school for the next year. The app deadline is 4/15 I believe, luckily my preferred school has the latest deadline... Thoughts?

I know the obvious answer is wait, retake classes, make my application more competitive (I can retake some math classes from HS, like stats that I got a C in) will roughly get me to a 3.2-3.3...

With a 3.0 you can't really be picky about schools even with a 28. A 3.0 and a November application is a killer. You should wait a year to make your app stronger and get that app in early. If you don't want to do that and need to apply this cycle I would start verification now and really try and hit a 30. With that 3.0 and late app an OK MCAT score doesn't seem to be enough imo

 

[baxt1412]

i would suggest waiting until the cycle that opens in 2015 and retaking any science classes that are below a B-

i would hate for you to apply so late just to not get in.



why are you talking about retaking HS courses?

 

[DrDhooSumday]

i would suggest waiting until the cycle that opens in 2015 and retaking any science classes that are below a B-

i would hate for you to apply so late just to not get in.



why are you talking about retaking HS courses?

Sorry for not being clear, I was talking about some dual enrollment classes I took while in HS.

 

[adriano710]

With a 3.0 you can't really be picky about schools even with a 28. A 3.0 and a November application is a killer. You should wait a year to make your app stronger and get that app in early. If you don't want to do that and need to apply this cycle I would start verification now and really try and hit a 30. With that 3.0 and late app an OK MCAT score doesn't seem to be enough imo

How will retaking one class move you from a 3.

I feel silly asking this question but I figured better to ask..

I'm a non-traditional, FL resident, graduated spring of 2013 with roughly 3.0 science and cumulative, will take the mcat Nov.7th

I was working as a nutritional counselor at a weight loss/wellness clinic since graduating (pretty much doing the job of an MA when not counseling), and the medical director there will give me a solid LOR...

My question is, if my mcat is good enough (28+?) should I wait and apply next round or try to submit my application asap after my mcat?

I ask this because I was laid off (main reason for reviving my medical school hopes) and have been unemployed for a couple months, money is TIGHT. If I could sneak in to LECOM-B, which would be my prefered school (price, location), that would cut a lot of financial troubles out by not paying for post-bac tuition and all that comes a long with going back to school for the next year. The app deadline is 4/15 I believe, luckily my preferred school has the latest deadline... Thoughts?

I know the obvious answer is wait, retake classes, make my application more competitive (I can retake some math classes from HS, like stats that I got a C in) will roughly get me to a 3.2-3.3...

How will retaking one class bump you .2 on the GPA scale with all those credits making up a 3.0?

 

[DrDhooSumday]

How will retaking one class move you from a 3.

How will retaking one class bump you .2 on the GPA scale with all those credits making up a 3.0?

It won't... From my original post: "I can retake some math classes from HS, like stats that I got a C in"... The stats class was just an example... I have about 3-4 classes I could retake that would get me to a 3.2

But really, I just wanted some thoughts on my situation if I were to do really well on the mcats.. The thought of applying this cycle would not even be crossing my mind if it wasn't for LECOM-B's really late app deadline and my current financial situation. My thinking is if I can get in this cycle, then thats 1 year earlier I can start my career along with avoiding all the costs of taking 12-18 postbac credits.. Am I wrong to think even if I don't get in, I'm in the same spot and have only lost out on the app fee and any money spent on going to a possible interview?

 

[baxt1412]

i would not suggest applying this semester. you're betting on a GREAT MCAT score and you haven't even taken it yet... you're going to be severely late and it certainly won't help anything being that late.

 

[adriano710]

It won't... From my original post: "I can retake some math classes from HS, like stats that I got a C in"... The stats class was just an example... I have about 3-4 classes I could retake that would get me to a 3.2

But really, I just wanted some thoughts on my situation if I were to do really well on the mcats.. The thought of applying this cycle would not even be crossing my mind if it wasn't for LECOM-B's really late app deadline and my current financial situation. My thinking is if I can get in this cycle, then thats 1 year earlier I can start my career along with avoiding all the costs of taking 12-18 postbac credits.. Am I wrong to think even if I don't get in, I'm in the same spot and have only lost out on the app fee and any money spent on going to a possible interview?

You'll need a 30 MCAT

 

[kalat]

When you say roughly you need to check to see if it is over a 3.0 or if it is under a 3.0. If it is over a 3.0 you'd have to make a 30-32+ on the MCAT for it to be worth it in November, and your choices would be limited (e.g. some schools have cutoffs around 3.2 or 3.3). If it is under 3.0, don't bother applying even with a good MCAT as most schools will screen under a 3.0. Your best bet is to take the MCAT if you think you will do well and then repeat your courses. That will also allow you time to retake the MCAT if you are not happy with it. A reasonable place to be in would be a 3.2 with a 28+ (with at least an 8 in each section). That will probably not get you in broadly, but it will most likely net you a few interviews depending on how you apply.

 

[DrDhooSumday]

i would not suggest applying this semester. you're betting on a GREAT MCAT score and you haven't even taken it yet... you're going to be severely late and it certainly won't help anything being that late.

When you say roughly you need to check to see if it is over a 3.0 or if it is under a 3.0. If it is over a 3.0 you'd have to make a 30-32+ on the MCAT for it to be worth it in November, and your choices would be limited (e.g. some schools have cutoffs around 3.2 or 3.3). If it is under 3.0, don't bother applying even with a good MCAT as most schools will screen under a 3.0. Your best bet is to take the MCAT if you think you will do well and then repeat your courses. That will also allow you time to retake the MCAT if you are not happy with it. A reasonable place to be in would be a 3.2 with a 28+ (with at least an 8 in each section). That will probably not get you in broadly, but it will most likely net you a few interviews depending on how you apply.

I said roughly because my cGPA will be 3.0x, and my sGPA could be between 3.0 and 3.15, but not below a 3.0

You'll need a 30 MCAT

Thanks for the response.

i would not suggest applying this semester. you're betting on a GREAT MCAT score and you haven't even taken it yet... you're going to be severely late and it certainly won't help anything being that late.

Yes, this is highly hypothetical (hence the "I feel silly asking"). In your opinion, there is not a score that would make applying this year worth it? The reason I'm asking is to be prepared for all possibilities. I realize getting a sub 20 score is probably more likely than a 35+, but the again, I'm unemployed and have nothing to do other than study and get on SDN and think of crazy hypothetical situations.

 

[baxt1412]

A crazy score could help.... but it's so risky to try and bet on it. Have you even started studying for the MCAT yet? Miracles don't happen.

I suggest getting a job and getting in on a January MCAT2014 test date unless you have already taken psychology sociology and biochem. That gives you plenty of months to study, but I still suggest getting a job... even if it's not clinical, and continuing to shadow and volunteer both clinically and non-clinically or whatever helps your app the most.

You want to make your application as strong as possible... which means submitting in June next year.