High GPA Low MCAT

[tylerwayne]

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Hey guys, I'm in a bit of a dilemma. :/

I've wanted to be a pod for years now.. I have shadowed countless podiatrists and orthopods and I worked as a back office medical assistant for 3 years for an MD. I have three strong LORs, 2 from sciences professors and 1 from a DPM. I have a cGPA of 3.6 and a sGPA of 3.7 with an upward trend. I have some undergrad research and OK ECs/volunteer.

The problem is my MCAT. I took it last month and just received my scores. I got an 18. 5PS/8VR/5BS
This is absolutely horrible and I know it. However its due to an extreme family emergency. I had planned to study for 2 months straight and knew I could easily get a 25+ however my grandma became very ill and my parents needed me to drive home (1.5 hour drive) almost everyday to help take care of her and when I wasn't doing that I was at work as I put myself through school/pay all my own bills etc. I don't really like to make excuses but I basically took the test cold since I was lucky to get a few hours of studying in a week. I know you might say retake it but that isn't really an option. All the test dates are full in my state meaning I'd have to fly out of state to take it which I really don't have the fees to do. And in Jan as you know it will be a whole new test so my $2000 Kaplan course will be completely useless..

Anyway I applied to all 9 schools last week, will send my MCAT scores soon. Just wondering if anyone thinks I have a shot? Please don't tell me I'm going to fail my boards because I got a low MCAT blah blah. This was not ordinary for me and I believe my GPA shows I am capable of putting in work.

Thanks everyone

 

[katezilla2]

Jan 2015 test dates will still be the old MCAT. It's changing after Jan for Spring 2015. I'm taking mine Jan 8. I think there is 5 dates so look into it.

 

[tylerwayne]

Jan 2015 test dates will still be the old MCAT. It's changing after Jan for Spring 2015. I'm taking mine Jan 8. I think there is 5 dates so look into it.

Thanks I wasn't aware of this. I'll try to sign up now.


Does anyone have an ideas on my chances prior to retaking it (if I can)

 

[LittleMopeHead]

Thanks I wasn't aware of this. I'll try to sign up now.


Does anyone have an ideas on my chances prior to retaking it (if I can)

Your chances of acceptance is still possible even with an 18 MCAT score. You'll have a chance of interview with the bigger schools, while the smaller schools will be more picky on their candidates. The smaller schools usually accept student with the required minimum stats (i.e MCAT 23+, 3.2+ GPA). More likely, you will get interviews to the schools with a bigger class size, but they will probably require you to retake the MCAT to meet their minimum requirements (conditional acceptance). This will vary though. Who knows, you may be one of the lucky ones that are an exception and are accepted with the 18 MCAT. Make sure you explain it well during your interview if they ask. Tell them the truth. I too believe that MCAT does NOT correlate with how one passes the boards, and your 18 does not indicate failure or anything. It's all about your mentality, preparation, and how you mature in your studies that matters.

 

[SkipJunior]

no need for the explanation, 18 is good enough for pod school. just apply to all 9.