Hope with Low MCAT?

[what2do]

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Do you know anyone or did you get into an MD school with a low MCAT score? What was the score and what do you think helped you get in? ..😕 which school?

 

[DarkChild]

www.mdapplicants.com ?

 

[Columbia22]

of course there's hope dude, people get in with 35, 36's all the time...keep ur chin up😉

 

[quideam]

Originally posted by Columbia22
of course there's hope dude, people get in with 35, 36's all the time...keep ur chin up😉

Columbia, don't be such an dingus... 😡

What2do,

Definetly check out the "applicant profiles'' part of this site; there are some people who get in with sub-zero scores. I know of several people personally who got in with 28s and 27s and sub 3.5 gpas. Obviously, there are many things that are taken into account by the adcoms, so even if your MCAT is low but your GPA is solid, and you have lots of activities and medical experience, you stand a decent chance.

Also, make sure that you apply to a wide range of schools - as many as you can afford. I'm still waiting on my MCATs, but if they're below 30, i'm definetly going to apply to at least 15 schools.

Best wishes, and don't worry! It will all work out in the end, even if you have to re-take them and wait a year (Which hopefully won't be the case).

- Quid 🙂

 

[quideam]

Originally posted by quideam
sub-zero scores.

Ooops... i mean to write sub-thirty scores... sorry 🙂

 

[Ernham]

Low is a relative term. Why did you not offer your score(s)?? Or maybe "your friend's" scores...

 

[Megalofyia]

I know of people who have gotten in with sub-twenty scores. An adcom at one school told me that this year their lowest score was a 19. Granted I don't know what that person's other stats were though.

 

[exmike]

there is a thread on this, do a search.

 

[JM.]

Doctora Foxa and Lola have threads on this -

one is acceptances and one is interviews

give it a search

 

[birdie]

From seeing a lot of ppl I know applying this year, I can say that if you are a URM, you're chances of getting despite a low MCAT are HIGHLY magnified.

 

[Lpgovard]

I know of someone who got into Dartmouth with a 25 (she's a NH resident) last year! She had minimal extracirriculars and a 3.5ish GPA. Sometimes its all about where you live and lots of luck!
I'm a little bitter!

 

[Kammel Jacque']

Originally posted by what2do
Do you know anyone or did you get into an MD school with a low MCAT score?

No.

Might I suggest alternate careers:
Do you have a problem with bedpans?

Does the phrase " hold the mayo" get you excited?

Can you "wax on, wax off"?

Can you get me a pizza in 30 minutes or less?


If so, there are many career options that may appeal to you

 

[Rudy1223]

Originally posted by Kammel Jacque'
No.

Might I suggest alternate careers:
Do you have a problem with bedpans?

Does the phrase " hold the mayo" get you excited?

Can you "wax on, wax off"?

Can you get me a pizza in 30 minutes or less?


If so, there are many career options that may appeal to you

🙄 what is the point to your post? 🙄

 

[Albah]

what2do,
I don't personally know of someone who has a low MCAT and has been accepted to MD school. However, anything is possible. In my case, I had a very low MCAT score (think less than 23) and was given two MD interviews but decided to decline both to attend DO school. A low MCAT can be balanced out by the rest of your application, but it can be very difficult depending on how low your score is. Some luck is involved in the process so there is always hope. Good luck!

 

[lattimer13]

Originally posted by Kammel Jacque'
No.

Might I suggest alternate careers:
Do you have a problem with bedpans?

Does the phrase " hold the mayo" get you excited?

Can you "wax on, wax off"?

Can you get me a pizza in 30 minutes or less?


If so, there are many career options that may appeal to you

a$$hole

 

[TexasGuy41]

So as not to give the OP bad information, everyone should please specify if the "person you know that got in with a less than 25 MCAT" was a URM or not. I know this has been beaten to death, but if you say "Yah my buddy got in with a 21!" and you leave out the fact that he was black or hispanic, then you aren't telling the whole story. Bottom line, its way easier for URMs to be accepted, hence many of them have very low MCATs and still get in. A white with lower than 25 faces VERY difficult odds.

 

[green plastic]

Originally posted by Albah
what2do,
I don't personally know of someone who has a low MCAT and has been accepted to MD school. However, anything is possible. In my case, I had a very low MCAT score (think less than 23) and was given two MD interviews but decided to decline both to attend DO school. A low MCAT can be balanced out by the rest of your application, but it can be very difficult depending on how low your score is. Some luck is involved in the process so there is always hope. Good luck!

Albah, did you have a very high gpa? Also, are you a URM?

 

[bts4202]

Originally posted by Kammel Jacque'
No.

Might I suggest alternate careers:
Do you have a problem with bedpans?

Does the phrase " hold the mayo" get you excited?

Can you "wax on, wax off"?

Can you get me a pizza in 30 minutes or less?


If so, there are many career options that may appeal to you

Its lucky Kammel Jacque (very inconspicous... ha ha... way of saying camel jockey) isn't around inperson to say these things... however, I have the feeling he is the type of person who would hide from Calista flockheart if she threatened him... ha ha!!

 

[Albah]

green plastic,

Sorry, I should have clarified. My GPA was a 3.7 and I am a URM.

 

[fun8stuff]

because you are a URM, you should have no problem getting in... just go through the motions and have some patience... as for the numbers, they dont mattter so much to you... lucky SOB! 😉

 

[vixenell]

Originally posted by fun8stuff
because you are a URM, you should have no problem getting in... just go through the motions and have some patience... as for the numbers, they dont mattter so much to you... lucky SOB! 😉

Regardless of your stats and race, med school admissions isn't a cakewalk for ANYONE!! Make absolutely certain that the rest of your application (volunteer experience, hobbies, personal statement, recs) is good. Numbers aren't everything, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

(Unless, of course, you have a 43-5/4.0)

 

[doc05]

as a URM with a 3.7 you're likely to get multiple offers so long as you TAKE the mcat.

 

[pathdr2b]

Originally posted by doc05
as a URM with a 3.7 you're likely to get multiple offers so long as you TAKE the mcat.

Really, I'm feeling better already !🙄

 

[what2do]

thanx for all your responses.... except for a couple of people🙄


But with low scores, what do you think made you stand out to get in? You always here about people with good scores and good ECs who don't even get an interview...why?

Also, is being economically disadvantaged given as much credit as being a URM?

 

[birdie]

Originally posted by what2do
Also, is being economically disadvantaged given as much credit as being a URM?

No it isn't, I looked into that already. If you've overcome extreme circumstances, they'll consider that, but its not like they're sweating to get you like they'll be sweating for URMs.

 

[md2banthony]

I think the key word is persistence. I applied in the mid 1990's when there were a record number of applicants. I had a less than stellar MCAT (25) and 3.0 GPA. I had good E.C.'s and I worked full-time to put myself through school. I got a couple of interviews, but no acceptances. I worked for a few years while my wife finished school and got her career going, then decided to try again. BUT, I knew I had to better myself. So, I got a Masters degree in psychology and took more science coursework. I did more ECs and kept a 4.0 GPA in grad school. I also retook the MCAT and got a 29R (10,10,9). I applied again and got accepted.
I really believe that persistence is the key for some people. If you have weaknesses, even if there is a good reason for them, show the schools that you are serious and willing to do whatever is necessary to achieve your goals.
And no, I am not a URM. However, I would be considered a "non-traditional" applicant.

Best of luck.

Anthony


Texas A&M University
College of Medicine
Class of 2007

 

[Neuronix]

How low? If you don't want to post your stats, PM or e-mail me ([email protected]) and I would be happy to discuss it with you.

Good luck!

 

[Koala_Me]

Hi,

If you have a low mcat and a high gpa and ur not a under represented minority (meaning african american or hispanic) then ur chances of getting into medical school would be like winning the lotto. I mean by a low mcat i dont mean 28 i mean anything below a 25-26 range. This is just an opinion . . . . but if your in this situation I wish you best of luck and hope this doesn't turn out to be the case for you.

 

[CANES2006]

Originally posted by Albah
what2do,
I don't personally know of someone who has a low MCAT and has been accepted to MD school. However, anything is possible. In my case, I had a very low MCAT score (think less than 23) and was given two MD interviews but decided to decline both to attend DO school. A low MCAT can be balanced out by the rest of your application, but it can be very difficult depending on how low your score is. Some luck is involved in the process so there is always hope. Good luck!

Were these two MD interviews in the U.S. or at a foreign institute, such as the Carribean or Mexico? I just can't believe that a U.S. allopathic medical school would extend an interview to someone with less than a 23 MCAT. That's just a bit too far-fetched.

 

[Megalofyia]

U.S. allopathic med schools give interviews to people with MCATs less than 23. I personally know of an allopathic med school that not only interviewed people with less than 23 but also accepted people with less than 23 MCAT.

 

[birdie]

Originally posted by CANES2006
Were these two MD interviews in the U.S. or at a foreign institute, such as the Carribean or Mexico? I just can't believe that a U.S. allopathic medical school would extend an interview to someone with less than a 23 MCAT. That's just a bit too far-fetched.

Canes, I know an african-american guy who is a M3 at Miami with a 23 mcat (on full scholarship!) But he had a 3.9 undergrad gpa and some distinguishing extracurriculars too.

 

[Albah]

Originally posted by CANES2006
Were these two MD interviews in the U.S. or at a foreign institute, such as the Carribean or Mexico? I just can't believe that a U.S. allopathic medical school would extend an interview to someone with less than a 23 MCAT. That's just a bit too far-fetched.

Nope, these 2 schools that gave me interviews weren't foreign.
It's not common for people with very low MCATs to get interviews or be accepted, but like other posters have mentioned, it does happen.

 

[CANES2006]

Originally posted by birdie
Canes, I know an african-american guy who is a M3 at Miami with a 23 mcat (on full scholarship!) But he had a 3.9 undergrad gpa and some distinguishing extracurriculars too.

Ah, being a URM does change things.

 

[mute360_CO]

URM might help a little but means jack **** if you don't have everything in order. There are plenty of URMs who don't get in even with great #'s and EC, LOR, etc...

A low MCAT won't be your downfall if you have good GPA, LOR, and EC's. I got in with a 3.5 undergrad, 3.5 grad, 26 (6V, 11B, 9P, Q), great EC's and LOR's. Basically I was an average applicant but I wrote a great PS and absolutely killed the interview.

Don't fret with a low MCAT... Soooo much more goes into your qualifications to succeed in med school. Not only that you can always retake the damn thing🙁 .

Good luck! 🙂

 

[longshot]

If I had your grades I wouldn't hesitate to apply. If you don't get any interviews then maybe you should strengthen your app by retaking the test and doing some more meaningful ECs. This is coming from a bonafide screw-up but I think maybe you should really consider taking it over again and maybe enrolling in a prep course if you haven't already done so.

 

[siempre595]

I agree with longshot. If this is REALLY want you want to do, and if you REALLY want a shot at a school you feel you will do well at and will fit well at, then slow down and re-take the test. I went through one really awful mcat (literally fire alarms going off throughout the verbal) and did admittedly terrible on the verbal section. Granted this was due to outside circumstances, but it was still a score I had to present. What made me stand out frequently was that I sucked it up, re-took the test, and raised my score seven points. I think this worked rather effectively to show my committment to medicine and to being at a seriously good school. Looking back, I really did not want to re-take the test at first, and seriously considered just applying with my lower score. That would have been a HUGE mistake. There is no doubt in my mind, had I made that decision, I would not be where I am now. I strongly suggest, no matter whether you are URM or not, no matter whether you have a 2.3 or 4.0, re-take the test and up your score. It is possible and it is worth it.