How to make my MCAT failures into a strength?

[Alakazam123]

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I can sense the laughter from the other side of the computer screen...but here goes:

I took the MCAT three times...that's right fellas you heard me...three times. The first time, I didn't finish the exam, but I voided the score.

The second time, I got a 505.

Now...the third time...I hate to blame on other people, but my parents pressured me into taking it just about a month after the first exam. I initially thought it might be a good idea, but upon reconsideration, thought it wasn't a good idea. I begged my parents practically, to let me take it later, but they wouldn't have it. Another gap year in their mind was just unimaginable (neither of my parents were educated in the US and are very unfamiliar with the medical school application process).

So, I relented, and took it a third time...what was the score?? 496. That's right folks, my score dropped by about 9 points. I don't usually cry, but man, I really was crying that day. I was mad at my parents for forcing me to take the darn exam, and ticked off that my dreams would perhaps crumble.

However, I've decided to give myself one last chance. I've worked way to hard to just drop the ball right now!!

Yes, I know I sound insane, and perhaps a little stupid, but I really, really, really, really, really want to be a doctor. I am doing a Masters Program currently, in my 2 gap years.

How can I bounce back from this, and how can I deal with this in my application?

 

[ChymeofPassion]

First take: responsible
2nd take: not a horrible score
3rd take: your parents aren't in control of you, no one forced you to take it, and do NOT bring up this fact if people mention it unless you want to shoot yourself in your already shot foot.

You cannot make this a strength, try to avoid talking about it to avoid your weaknesses.

Apply to only DO, maybe your instate M.D. Roll with a 501 average and the wisdom that you were stupid to take it again on such short notice (which should be elucidated in better terms if asked) . Excel in every other aspect of your application. Apply early.

 

[ciestar]

First take: responsible
2nd take: not a horrible score
3rd take: your parents aren't in control of you, no one forced you to take it, and do NOT bring up this fact if people mention it unless you want to shoot yourself in your already shot foot.

You cannot make this a strength, try to avoid talking about it to avoid your weaknesses.

Apply to only DO, maybe your instate M.D. Roll with a 501 average and the wisdom that you were stupid to take it again on such short notice (which should be elucidated in better terms if asked) . Excel in every other aspect of your application. Apply early.

Second this.

OP, do NOT even for a second think to blame your parents. This is a high stakes exam and you are an adult. The excuse my parents made me will never fly and will do more harm than good.

 

[LizzyM]

Until you can make decisions independently and behave as an adult who acts in his/her own best interest, you have no business going to medical school. Apply to a handful of DO schools, if you must.

Alternately, finish your masters, get a job and ride this out until the scores expire. Then prep and don't take unless your practice tests are in the range you want to be in. Show that you have matured and mastered the material. At this point, your scores indicate that you are barely average among test takers and your score is indicative of someone who might struggle in medical school when compared to the population that scores somewhat higher.

 

[Alakazam123]

Second this.

OP, do NOT even for a second think to blame your parents. This is a high stakes exam and you are an adult. The excuse my parents made me will never fly and will do more harm than good.

I would never bring this up in an interview, I am just explaining the conditions.

 

[Alakazam123]

Until you can make decisions independently and behave as an adult who acts in his/her own best interest, you have no business going to medical school. Apply to a handful of DO schools, if you must.

Alternately, finish your masters, get a job and ride this out until the scores expire. Then prep and don't take unless your practice tests are in the range you want to be in. Show that you have matured and mastered the material. At this point, your scores indicate that you are barely average among test takers and your score is indicative of someone who might struggle in medical school when compared to the population that scores somewhat higher.

All true. I would never bring up my parents in the interview. I am simply mentioning what the conditions were like in my personal life.

 

[Alakazam123]

First take: responsible
2nd take: not a horrible score
3rd take: your parents aren't in control of you, no one forced you to take it, and do NOT bring up this fact if people mention it unless you want to shoot yourself in your already shot foot.

You cannot make this a strength, try to avoid talking about it to avoid your weaknesses.

Apply to only DO, maybe your instate M.D. Roll with a 501 average and the wisdom that you were stupid to take it again on such short notice (which should be elucidated in better terms if asked) . Excel in every other aspect of your application. Apply early.

If I send in my application (good GPA, ECs, LOR's, take my MCAT a little bit later, and do really well (513+), will that help me out?

 

[Goro]

OP, you simply CAN'T turn this into a strength. Look, you're old enough to vote, drink, drive, smoke, work, pay taxes, run for office and fight and die for your country. You're old enough to grow a spine and stand up to your parents, whose ignorance of this process is also working to destroy your medical career.

You have displayed too much poor judgement, and LizzyM's critique is spot on. I can't recommend med school, and you'd be DOA at mine and a good number of others. Even LUCOM has standards.

 

[Alakazam123]

OP, you simply CAN'T turn this into a strength. Look, you're old enough to vote, drink, drive, smoke, work, pay taxes, run for office and fight and die for your country. You're old enough to grow a spine and stand up to your parents, whose ignorance of this process is also working to destroy your medical career.

You have displayed too much poor judgement, and LizzyM's critique is spot on. I can't recommend med school, and you'd be DOA at mine and a good number of others. Even LUCOM has standards.

Like, never again? Or just, hold out, take the MCAT again and then apply to schools?

 

[Goro]

If I send in my application (good GPA, ECs, LOR's, take my MCAT a little bit later, and do really well (513+), will that help me out?

Why do you think that your score will magically increase that high? Most people stay the same, go down or only go up a point or two.

And you might not bring up your parents at an interview, but interviewers can certainly ask about the multiple poor MCAT attempts.

Quoting the wise Homeskool: Taking the MCAT is like getting married: ideally you only do it once, and the more times you do it the worse you start looking to suitors with good judgment.


Like, never again? Or just, hold out, take the MCAT again and then apply to schools?

Did you read what LizzyM wrote????

 

[princeafrica]

They are simply stating that you have no right blaming your parents if you want to be an independent medical student. My parents told me to take the PCAT and DAT at the same time when I switched from pharmacy to dentistry because they were so against it, I said hell nahhh

 

[Alakazam123]

They are simply stating that you have no right blaming your parents if you want to be an independent medical student. My parents told me to take the PCAT and DAT at the same time when I switched from pharmacy to dentistry because they were so against it, I said hell nahhh

I agree, perhaps I should've stood up more. But man, my dad yells and my mom whines. *sigh* I explained it a thousand times, but they didn't listen. I should've just cancelled the exam date.

 

[bananafish94]

My friend, this does not look good at all. You would've been in a decent position to apply to DO schools with the 505 but the 3rd MCAT changes things a lot. I think that for the time being you should think about doing something else and then maybe think about applying as a non-trad in a few years. In my opinion your best bet would be to finish the masters program really strong, work in a healthcare-related field for a few years while simultaneously beefing up your application in other ways (e.g., volunteering and such), take the MCAT after properly studying, and then applying broadly to DO schools.

 

[Alakazam123]

Thank you all for your advice.

 

[Esotsm7]

Okay OP, take responsibility for your own actions, don't blame other people for your predicament. Instead, learn from your mistakes and this way you will be a better doctor (or whatever you choose to do) in the future.

In addition to DO schools, have you considered the Caribbean schools? If you are not planning to go into super competitive specialties e.g. ortho/derm, you should look into these programs. From what I heard a lot of these programs allow their students to do clerkships in the US. In the end you will be a physician and if this is what you want, work hard and go for it because good things in life don't come easy. Good luck.

 

[ciestar]

Okay OP, take responsibility for your own actions, don't blame other people for your predicament. Instead, learn from your mistakes and this way you will be a better doctor (or whatever you choose to do) in the future.

In addition to DO schools, have you considered the Caribbean schools? If you are not planning to go into super competitive specialties e.g. ortho/derm, you should look into these programs. From what I heard a lot of these programs allow their students to do clerkships in the US. In the end you will be a physician and if this is what you want, work hard and go for it because good things in life don't come easy. Good luck.

No, OP. Do NOT go Carib.

 

[candbgirl]

OP you have gotten great advice right up til post #15. DO NOT EVEN THINK SBOUT CARIBBEAN. You are already in a really tough spot. Why make it worse?

 

[Alakazam123]

Thank you everyone for your advice. I have my hopes and dreams solidly cemented in my mind, and will take the appropriate steps to achieve them. Some of you may believe that I should give up on the field of medicine, and that is fine. It is a free society, and you are all allowed your opinions on where I stand, and what I'm capable of.

I have struggled for everything that I've achieved to this day, and will not drop the ball after coming this far. Regardless, thank you for your opinions. I appreciate you all taking the time to respond to my question. I will keep you all updated on my future endeavors or achievements.

 

[Alakazam123]

Okay OP, take responsibility for your own actions, don't blame other people for your predicament. Instead, learn from your mistakes and this way you will be a better doctor (or whatever you choose to do) in the future.

In addition to DO schools, have you considered the Caribbean schools? If you are not planning to go into super competitive specialties e.g. ortho/derm, you should look into these programs. From what I heard a lot of these programs allow their students to do clerkships in the US. In the end you will be a physician and if this is what you want, work hard and go for it because good things in life don't come easy. Good luck.

Thank you for your advice. I don't plan on applying to Caribbean schools, but all of your other statements ring true. Undergrad was an uphill climb, so I am not unaware of what struggle feels like, which I feel is a great advantage. Hopefully, I can make use of this advantage and propel myself forward in the coming months and years. Thank you again!!