How bad did the 8 VR hurt me?

[I Love Cats]

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4.0 and 30 mcat (11/11/8) - Failed cycle this round with 9 MD apps. I'm contemplating reapplying with the same score. Seriously, how much did the 8 tank my app, assuming my EC's are nothing to write home about but are sufficient. Thank you for any kind, real and objective input that is available.

 

[mcloaf]

Where and when did you apply?

 

[I Love Cats]

I applied to schools around my average mcat that were in state and out of states that did accept oos applicants. Primaries submitted August 17, complete late September.

 

[JBOB]

Not sure about the 8VR, but I'd bet the problem was more that you only applied to 9 schools and applied somewhat late. Those two things can make a really big difference, in my experience.

 

[I Love Cats]

I've been triaging my mistakes and disadvantages from the last cycle, and I definitely have realized that. I'm just trying to be as realistic as possible and not assuming that applying earlier will change everything. It makes sense that it would help, but I need to make sure that even with a June 1st submission that I wouldn't be a total turn off.

 

[JBOB]

I've been triaging my mistakes and disadvantages from the last cycle, and I definitely have realized that. I'm just trying to be as realistic as possible and not assuming that applying earlier will change everything. It makes sense that it would help, but I need to make sure that even with a June 1st submission that I wouldn't be a total turn off.

That's understandable. Did you get a few interviews this cycle at least?

 

[I Love Cats]

Only 2 in state, and even then, I'm afraid they won't throw them to me again next cycle. I did get 21/22 secondaries for whatever that is worth.

 

[syoung]

If you can, retake the MCAT. Apply early. STUDY YOUR ASS OFF.

Improve your app in other areas (research, volunteering, clinical, work)

 

[JBOB]

Only 2 in state, and even then, I'm afraid they won't throw them to me again next cycle. I did get 21/22 secondaries for whatever that is worth.

Wait, I'm a little confused here, did you apply to 23 MD schools or just 9?

 

[I Love Cats]

Secondary completed at 9.

 

[JBOB]

Secondary completed at 9.

Ah I see, I'm guessing it was too expensive to pay for all the secondary fees? But either way, 2 interviews out of 9 apps completed really isn't too bad (especially since you applies a little late), so I doubt the 8VR was enough to really tank your app. Hopefully you've been working on other ways to improve your application this year, that is definitely something you'll need to be able to discuss on secondaries/interviews if you apply again this cycle.

 

[I Love Cats]

I have stayed involved and in school finishing up another degree that I hadn't planned for, so hopefully that will be enough "new" to bring to the table.

 

[JBOB]

I have stayed involved and in school finishing up another degree that I hadn't planned for, so hopefully that will be enough "new" to bring to the table.

If I were you I'd think a lot about how continuing your activities and finishing a second degree has made you more prepared for medical school than you were last cycle, you will very likely be asked that. It also might not be a bad idea to start something new which you can add to your app, you've still got a few months.

 

[I Love Cats]

Good point. I'll get in some volunteering at a new place. Thank you.

 

[dextor2003]

Besides what's already been mentioned (applying late and to too few schools), I think your overall mcat score may have hurt you more than the 8 VR itself. I'd retake and try to get at least a 33 to show good improvement and work ethic.

Good luck

 

[Lollygag]

Agreed with what was said. I doubt it was necessarily the 8 in VR that killed you although, it obviously didn't help. You applied very late and to very few schools. If $ is an issue then take out a loan or max out your credit cards and get a summer job to start paying it off. Med school puts people in 200k of debt, may as well get used to it. It's possible that if you had applied to more schools the first time around, you would have been accepted somewhere and would not have had to spend even more money applying a second cycle.

I would apply to a bare minimum of 20 schools, especially since you have an 8 in VR and your extracurricular's are merely "sufficient" and nothing special. And also continue working on your extracurricular's until you apply.

 

[I Love Cats]

Bump. Help me understand the pain of an 8.

 

[I Love Cats]

Agreed with what was said. I doubt it was necessarily the 8 in VR that killed you although, it obviously didn't help. You applied very late and to very few schools. If $ is an issue then take out a loan or max out your credit cards and get a summer job to start paying it off. Med school puts people in 200k of debt, may as well get used to it. It's possible that if you had applied to more schools the first time around, you would have been accepted somewhere and would not have had to spend even more money applying a second cycle.

I would apply to a bare minimum of 20 schools, especially since you have an 8 in VR and your extracurricular's are merely "sufficient" and nothing special. And also continue working on your extracurricular's until you apply.

Honestly I was just flat overbooked and exhausted during the fall, so I called it quits after 9 secondaries hoping that I'd at least get in to my state school. I'll be graduating this May, so I'll have plenty of time as well as being during the summer, not a fall semester.

 

[bananapancake33]

I applied with a 29 MCAT and 8V. Completed 21/22 secondaries and received 5 ii, attended 4 with 3 acceptances and 1 post-interview hold. The big difference is that I applied early. Primary submitted June 3rd and all secondaries were in within two weeks of receiving them (last secondary submitted first week of August).

Although I don't know what your ECs are, I think how you write about your ECs influences how "good" they are. I would say that I'm a relatively average candidate, but I played up the few strengths I have and made sure that the "mediocre" ECs still meant something to me. I also spent a lot of time trying to figure out my personal statement. You may want to re-evaluate your PS to see if you can stand out in any way.

Good luck!

 

[I Love Cats]

I applied with a 29 MCAT and 8V. Completed 21/22 secondaries and received 5 ii, attended 4 with 3 acceptances and 1 post-interview hold. The big difference is that I applied early. Primary submitted June 3rd and all secondaries were in within two weeks of receiving them (last secondary submitted first week of August).

Although I don't know what your ECs are, I think how you write about your ECs influences how "good" they are. I would say that I'm a relatively average candidate, but I played up the few strengths I have and made sure that the "mediocre" ECs still meant something to me. I also spent a lot of time trying to figure out my personal statement. You may want to re-evaluate your PS to see if you can stand out in any way.

Good luck!

May I ask if you're from Texas or Ohio? I hope not. This is a great reply that allows me to cross-compare my stats at least. What was your gpa if you don't mind me asking? How much research and clinical too? Are you trad or non-trad? Oh and how many of those interviews and acceptances were in state? I hope I'm not crossing boundaries by asking. Thanks for whatever you are willing to say.

 

[Lucky Louie]

Bump. Help me understand the pain of an 8.

Since you're going to try again, why not work on improving your MCAT score? The thing is, timing hasn't been great for you because, by now, starting to study, take the MCAT, then wait for the scores, and apply again will just be crazy if you're trying to do that this year. I suggest you figure you should be applying again, but in 2014. For now, finish courses and graduate, then study "like crazy". Take the MCAT again in January and apply again in 2014. Accept the fact that you'll be taking a 2-year gap, but use the time wisely and you'll be successful. Trying to rush and hope you'll get accepted hasn't worked for you so far, so this time, use your time wisely and strategically and you'll get there.

 

[I Love Cats]

Since you're going to try again, why not work on improving your MCAT score? The thing is, timing hasn't been great for you because, by now, starting to study, take the MCAT, then wait for the scores, and apply again will just be crazy if you're trying to do that this year. I suggest you figure you should be applying again, but in 2014. For now, finish courses and graduate, then study "like crazy". Take the MCAT again in January and apply again in 2014. Accept the fact that you'll be taking a 2-year gap, but use the time wisely and you'll be successful. Trying to rush and hope you'll get accepted hasn't worked for you so far, so this time, use your time wisely and strategically and you'll get there.

I've thought about this, but the anxieties of not moving on in life seem overwhelming at the moment. Do you think it isn't even worth throwing out applications? I will qualify for the FAP again I'm sure, so it wouldn't be throwing away thousands to apply.

 

[Lollygag]

Honestly I was just flat overbooked and exhausted during the fall, so I called it quits after 9 secondaries hoping that I'd at least get in to my state school. I'll be graduating this May, so I'll have plenty of time as well as being during the summer, not a fall semester.

You got burned out after 9 secondaries?? Mann lol so not looking forward to that, I was planning on applying to 25+ schools.

Maybe try giving yourself time in between each so you're not getting burned. I would think that since you applied late you were probably busting your but to finish them so you would be complete as soon as possible. That may be why you got burned out so fast. Try pre writing the secondaries this time around! That should help

 

[zeppelinpage4]

My overall MCAT was a little bit higher but I also had an 8VR and was really worried about it. However things worked out and I got a a couple acceptances and some waitlists this cycle.

I applied really early, I think submitted within the first or second week of June and tried to get the secondaries in by mid August. I honestly forgot how many schools I applied to but I think it was around 20. Applying broadly and early probably helped a lot.

The 8VR certainly doesn't help, and if you believe you can raise that MCAT significantly, that will probably benefit a lot. However, I don't think an 8VR will keep you out if you apply really early and broadly. Boosting up the ECs may help too. Just my two cents though, this app game is a crapshoot so it's hard to tell what was holding your app back or not. You could perhaps call some of the schools you interviewed at and ask them where you should improve. Best of luck.

 

[syoung]

I've thought about this, but the anxieties of not moving on in life seem overwhelming at the moment. Do you think it isn't even worth throwing out applications? I will qualify for the FAP again I'm sure, so it wouldn't be throwing away thousands to apply.

Did you talk with adcoms about what was lacking in your app? Especially if you mention you want to re-apply there, they may be more forthcoming with talking to you...

What were your EC's like? Maybe you need to BOOST that. a 4.0 and 30 is not that that terrible (yes its an 8 VR, while average is 9-10).

IF it is your MCAT, then take the time to study for it 3-4 months. Apply next year. Don't waste time this next cycle, because while you MAY (just MAY) get a few interviews, will you get acceptances?

It gets more and more difficult to apply as your re-applicant # goes up, as well... and you cannot show significant improvement.

 

[bananapancake33]

I'll PM you!