How To Spend Winter Break: MCAT for potential next app/activities for this one?

[GreatOdinsRaven]

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Alright, so I've applied to a good amount of schools (all MD) this cycle and have only interviewed at one so far, with no other invites to date. It went well, but as an OOS student, my odds aren't great. Granted I have many schools that have yet to reject me, but after not inviting me for 2-3 months, I'm starting to look at the possibility of not getting in. This cycle, I was complete at most schools in the middle of September due to late primary submission and letters of rec coming in late. My stats are a 3.8+ GPA, 34M, with an 8 in verbal.

I called one school today, and they said that although I was in the running, my 8 had stopped me from getting an interview invite to date. My question is, do I spend winter break shadowing 40-50 hours and volunteering 40+ hours to give my schools a solid update letter in January, or do I work hard over break, and retake the MCAT, so that way if I apply again, I can submit AMCAS on the first day (hopefully with better than a verbal 8)? I don't want to take a pointless MCAT, but if I don't get in, I know I'll have wished I had it done.

 

[5lippy]

My own personal opinion.

I got an 8 in verbal as well (35S), and have received over 20 interview invites and 4 acceptances thus far. It's not your verbal score.

Spend your time improving other aspects of your application.

 

[GreatOdinsRaven]

My own personal opinion.

I got an 8 in verbal as well (35S), and have received over 20 interview invites and 4 acceptances thus far. It's not your verbal score.

Spend your time improving other aspects of your application.

Yea, I guess what threw me was the fact that they said my 8 was the thing that kept me from an II. Now, they didn't say that my EC's were spectacular (like I'm sure yours are), but they really focused on that 8. Thanks for your advice.

 

[bollywoodlover]

I don't think its the 8 that's holding you back. People with 8s in verbal still get interview invites if their other scores are decent.

 

[GreatOdinsRaven]

Yea, I think part of what's hurting me is that I decided to go into this after sophomore year of college, and applied after junior year. My volunteering/shadowing/clinical exp doesn't stand a chance against people that came into college knowing that (especially if they took a year too). I think I'll take the advice and go crazy on EC over break. Worst thing that happens is I'm stronger in that category if there is a next cycle. Thanks.