"How was the mcat?" what do you say?

[geldrop]

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I get that junk a lot, either my parents like to blab that i am applyin to medical school even if i tell them not to say anything, or someone asks me and eventually comes out that i am applying. Then if they know anything about the process they will ask you "so what did you think of the mcat?" Usually I will just say "it was ok" being as vague as possible in every respect even though my score was pretty good. Just feel like its none of their business...


What are your approaches to dealing with inquisitive / nosey individuals trying to gauge if your an idiot or intelligent or are one of those people.

 

[Allygator89]

I do the same thing. It drove me nuts as an undergrad how people would ask what your scores were. It isn't necessarily out of pure interest, but more to compare you to someone they know, their kid, or themselves.

I am completely vague.

 

[geldrop]

I'm thinking the next time someoen asks or it comes up, I'll either just say i scored a 40, or maybe i'll say i got a 14. See what happens. Or perhaps the next time someone says "how is the medical application process going?" I'll ask them what they are talking about and say they must be mistaken because i am applying for McDonalds Management, or maybe the police academy

 

[bridgie]

No one knows anything about this process unless they did it themselves...within the past 10 years. I try and change the subject.

 

[lady bug]

I cannot STAND being around ppl that constantly ask how the application process is going or how the mcat was. I try to stay as far as possible from ppl like that. Even in social conversations some ppl bring up things like this!🙄 Its like they have nothing else to talk about than school. But yeah, sometimes I just say twisted info. like i got a 45 or something rather to get them confused. Inquisitive ppl who intrude in other's business are a major turnoff. 😡

 

[lil pook]

I'm a freak about family members blabbing about that sort of crap. It's like I feel like they're gonna jinx me or something. Put's me in the worse mood. Especially when they tell people that I'm gonna be a doctor. I'm like "Dude, I haven't even taken the MCAT yet. Knock it off!"

 

[geldrop]

Yeah there should be a law against people talking about one another unless that person is ok with it and aware of the talking that is going on.

Sucks telling everyone after your parents or someone says that you'll be a doctor when no place has accepted you yet.

 

[Samus Aran]

I can honestly say I HATE telling people I'm pre-med, and after the first couple of months I have refused to do it any longer. I have told 2 family members and asked both to remain quiet about it, but both have told family members and friends about my career choice. It's also really aggravating to me when other pre-meds come up and ask my grade or GPA just so they can compare it to their own (the worst is if they outright tell you their grade/GPA is higher than yours)!

I have family members who are doctors and I'm trying especially hard to keep them from finding out because they're the type to keep telling me that a B in this or that class will keep me from being admitted and that I better quit now. One of my doctor cousins found out my plans last year and came up to me saying "Please don't tell me you're pre-med. If I could turn back time I would never have applied to med school, it's not worth it," which is really funny to me because I think that so far my stats outweigh his stats when he applied!

To avoid it, I've just been telling everyone I'm interested in doing research, which isn't a lie, it's just not the whole truth...I don't think they believe me though but at least it shuts them up until the next family gathering... 🙄

I know this was long but I never speak up on this issue and it's been bugging me for years!

 

[Samus Aran]

Originally posted by geldrop
I'm thinking the next time someoen asks or it comes up, I'll either just say i scored a 40, or maybe i'll say i got a 14. See what happens. Or perhaps the next time someone says "how is the medical application process going?" I'll ask them what they are talking about and say they must be mistaken because i am applying for McDonalds Management, or maybe the police academy

Too funny! I might have to try that myself!!!!

 

[lil pook]

When people ask me what I'm studying in school I say engineering, cuz that IS what I am studying. When I get to med school I will be studying medicine. My boyfriend goes around telling people I am studying medicine!! I love him, but DAMN!! When he does this I just wanna choke him. Makes me wonder if he is saying this just to brag. WTF!

 

[exmike]

actually what i find annoying is people asking me what my MCAT is, and then I tell them, and they they ask me "so is that good or bad?" I mean why ask if you have no idea?? And then I have to go on and explain how the MCAT is scored, and how it is (was) impossible to get a 45, how a 30 is a decent score..blab blah blah. UHG! can I just get IN already so people wont ASK ME? !

 

[altoid]

I usually just respond that I did fine and most people don't hassle me. However I had a relative who kept pestering me and I eventually told her that I didn't care to share the numerical score. She may have been upset but oh well that is my business not hers. Moral of the story: don't ask me scores if I don't volunteer them when you ask how I did.

 

[BobbyDylanFan]

Originally posted by exmike
actually what i find annoying is people asking me what my MCAT is, and then I tell them, and they they ask me "so is that good or bad?" I mean why ask if you have no idea?? And then I have to go on and explain how the MCAT is scored, and how it is (was) impossible to get a 45, how a 30 is a decent score..blab blah blah. UHG! can I just get IN already so people wont ASK ME? !

Yeah, I totally know what you mean man...you get some people who ask, "So do you think you passed the MCAT?" Its like, jees you have absolutely no idea about this test at all. And then I swear some people are looking for you to return a percentage score to them and then when you say something like "yeah, I'm thinking I got a high 20 or a low 30" they look at you dumbfounded...I just want to have the leave my A** alone t-shirt on!!


BDF

 

[tedstriker]

Geldrop, looking at your avatar almost gave me a seizure!

 

[chewawa]

I agree with all of your comments. But, what really makes me tick is when someone trys to act like they know what they are saying. I had a friend's parents ask me all kinds of questions about MCAT and Medical School. And, Do you know what they said to me?!!!!!! "No I am sure you will get sick of it, sooner or Later." What complete jackasses!!!! They even stated that females should not be allowed to be doctors, boy someone's got some serious female issues.

 

[pyra]

I don't see what the big deal is. Maybe some people ask because they care and are concerned about you and your future plans. When someone asks you about the MCAT but don't know how it is scored maybe they just want to learn more about applying to med school and about the admissions test. The only damage done in replying honestly about how you did is to your ego (that is if you did not do too well). Be glad that you have family and friends that care about you and your future.
On the other hand, perhaps it really just depends on the situation and the person asking. Everyone who has asked me about applying and the MCAT were just showing that they were interested in my career plans.

 

[pihkal]

I have to agree with Pyra because seriously whats the big deal? Some of thses people who ask are probably in just starting premed or are thinking of going back to do it so why not tell them? They are just curious as to what to expect and any info that might help should be shared. Seriously everybody doesnt just wake up one day and know what the mcat is or what its like. All you who say you hate people that ask you about the mcat where once like that too, didnt know anything about the mcat but had to do research and ask people about it. Share whatever info is just a courteous thing to do as you where in their position before. As for family members asking you, that should never be a big deal. Most family members ask because they are curious but mostly because they care and might be able to give any advice or help. With all due respect, I think you guys are a little uptight and need to not let your egos take control of you. A sub 30 score is not the end of the world and a 40 plus doesnt mean your a genius.

 

[chewawa]

Originally posted by pihkal
I have to agree with Pyra because seriously whats the big deal? Some of thses people who ask are probably in just starting premed or are thinking of going back to do it so why not tell them? They are just curious as to what to expect and any info that might help should be shared. Seriously everybody doesnt just wake up one day and know what the mcat is or what its like. All you who say you hate people that ask you about the mcat where once like that too, didnt know anything about the mcat but had to do research and ask people about it. Share whatever info is just a courteous thing to do as you where in their position before. As for family members asking you, that should never be a big deal. Most family members ask because they are curious but mostly because they care and might be able to give any advice or help. With all due respect, I think you guys are a little uptight and need to not let your egos take control of you. A sub 30 score is not the end of the world and a 40 plus doesnt mean your a genius.

Well, not in my family. The only reason they bring it up is b/c their kid couldn't cut it, so they like to try to play it down. Like getting into medschool is no big deal. And, they also like to say that a monkey with his eyes closed can pass the MCAT. Now, I do not know about you but getting into medschool is real hard, and the MCAT was unbelievably stressing. And, I definately do not like it when I know that I worked my a$$ off on getting in to get comments like these. Pyra, you are lucky to have such great people concerned for your future. Unfortunatley, in my family it sucks. B/c they are a bunch of jealous jackasses . Well, Not all of them😛

 

[woolie]

Geldrop, this is a great thread!! I have been constantly bummed by people asking me these nosy questions and I have definitely noticed that my family and good friends never ask invasive questions and are supportive and respectful, but that the people who do ask me these things are peole I hardly even know - then usually the response is some kind of critical comment. 🙄

So that leads me to believe they don't really give a yonk about me, and are just trying to well, I don't know. Give me a hard time I geuss.

So this is what I have done: I say I am getting a Chemistry degree and leave it at that. If they're still pushing I just change the subject or get very vague.

Chewawa reminds me of a 'friend' who said to me recently: yea she had been thinking of going to medical school, and she acted like it was something like going to the grocery store for milk!

 

[chewawa]

Originally posted by Street Philosopher
I just tell them I fooking rocked it. If they press further, I say 43T, and I'm sure to let them know that it is the 99th percentile.

That's a fooking great response!!!! Hell, the day I got my score in I rubbed in their faces till they quit asking me!!

 

[LoneCoyote]

I just say "it's over." And I smile and they look at me with surprise since they don't know what to say. They don't know if "it's over" means "I rocked it," or "I bombed it and will cry if you push this topic any further." So that usually ends the conversation right there. Sometimes I get a hesitant "umm.. that's good, I guess?" response.

 

[sflynn]

My standard answer to this is "It was the most miserable test of my life"......and leave it at that.

I frequently have to get into it a bit further though.....I have been a college chemistry prof the last 5 years and have done a lot of pre-med advising. So I felt someone obligated to share my experiences with my students.

Now let's consider weird. I'm going to medical school with stdents that I taught......EEEEEEEEK. Man I hoe I get off that ot of state wait list.

Stephanie

 

[Samus Aran]

Originally posted by chewawa
Well, not in my family. The only reason they bring it up is b/c their kid couldn't cut it, so they like to try to play it down. Like getting into medschool is no big deal. And, they also like to say that a monkey with his eyes closed can pass the MCAT. Now, I do not know about you but getting into medschool is real hard, and the MCAT was unbelievably stressing. And, I definately do not like it when I know that I worked my a$$ off on getting in to get comments like these. Pyra, you are lucky to have such great people concerned for your future. Unfortunatley, in my family it sucks. B/c they are a bunch of jealous jackasses . Well, Not all of them😛

Ugh I agree! I think your family should support you and give you encouragement, but the family members that keep bugging me about it keep trying to bring me down and it hurts...I don't see how that makes me seem uptight!

Originally posted by chewawa
That's a fooking great response!!!! Hell, the day I got my score in I rubbed in their faces till they quit asking me!!

I hope I get to do that some day too!!! Well actually I wish they'd just give me more encouragement... 🙁

 

[DarkChild]

the one thing I have always tried to avoid is being labelled as one of those competitive, insecure, obsessive-compulsive, passive-aggressive pre-meds. if someone asks me how the MCAT went, I say pretty well. I'll give them as much info as I think they want.. i.e. it was a little harder than i expected... whatever. if they flat out ask my score. I'll tell them. No big deal. GPA? same thing. I really dont mind sharing my info. Whats the big secret? More importantly - I dont want to get sucked into that little competition game that pre-meds like to play (some - not all). So, if anyone asks. I'm up front. *shrug.
Plus as prya alluded to, I just think most people are just a little curious as to what it takes to get into medical school. It doesnt really bother me. 🙂

 

[Soccrtrela]

You know what gets me??? When there's some sort of medical question that comes up in converstaion and people turn to me and say, "hey, you're premed, tell me what [enter rare medical condition here] is all about"

Does that ever happen to you guys? I mean I can tell them all about bio or ochem or what I'm studying in the lab/at work, but I'm not anywhere near being a doctor yet!!! And it's like people think that I am or somethin, and it's just a reminder of how far away that dream still is!!!

So yeah, I learned my lesson. I don't call myself a pre-med anymore. 😛

 

[Desdemona]

When they ask you how the MCAT was, I always said "been there, done that, never doing it again. I never gave my scores or GPA. I'm really drunk right now, I have to stay awake until I know I won't choke on my puke, so ask me again tomorrow.

 

[BOOURNS]

I tell them it was an easy test and I kicked ass, but it doesn't matter because med schools don't care about the MCAT anyways.

(38, 2 application cycles, no acceptances, and I'm not an dingus, I promise! just bitter now...)

 

[IrishOarsman]

Originally posted by DarkChild
if someone asks me how the MCAT went, I say pretty well. I'll give them as much info as I think they want.. i.e. it was a little harder than i expected... whatever. if they flat out ask my score. I'll tell them. No big deal. GPA? same thing.

I always wanted to know how people did before I took it, if nothing else than to formulate my own goals better. I'm a big addict to information- the more stuff you have access to (hence my internet addiction since age 12... yes it was around then because I ran up a $380 AOL + phone bill) the better. So if someone asks me, that's fine. If I think they're asking for some skewed or malicious reason, I won't.

Does it bother me when my dad brags to his friends about me? It used to, that first semester I did well in college etc I was apoleptic when he said I got straight As at some family+friend party while my lil brother was basically failing out of my alma mater HS. Now, it doesn't bother me very much because I'm not doing it and it makes him happy. He might be slightly petty doing it, but we all do a lot worse things and his friends understand and are happy for him.

 

[IrishOarsman]

Whooho. I had to add one more post to make it an even 100!

 

[lotrfan81]

I don't know, I would have to say that I agree with IrishOarsmen and DarkChild. I try to gauge the situation. If the person is asking me the stats to be an a$$ or if I sense they have "malicious" intent then I won't say the stats, otherwise I don't mind sharing them. There are thousands of people that have good GPA's and hundreds who have good MCAT scores. If someone is looking for information about where they stand with regards to pursuing medicine themselves then I like to share.

My favorite question about the MCAT is the following week someone will ask,"So what did you score on the MCAT?" I have to reply that I have another 8 agonizing weeks before I find out. I completely understand that there is no reason for any of them to know anything about the MCAT, so I don't hold it against them but it is funny.

There are all sorts of different people out there. There are the type who ask you about the MCAT to genuinely learn more about the MCAT. There are others who are just trying to be idiots and be annoying. Just gotta gauge the situation. I don't think you guys are uptight. We are just all pre-meds 😀

 

[JlazyMD]

Originally posted by DarkChild
the one thing I have always tried to avoid is being labelled as one of those competitive, insecure, obsessive-compulsive, passive-aggressive pre-meds. if someone asks me how the MCAT went, I say pretty well. I'll give them as much info as I think they want.. i.e. it was a little harder than i expected... whatever. if they flat out ask my score. I'll tell them. No big deal. GPA? same thing. I really dont mind sharing my info. Whats the big secret? More importantly - I dont want to get sucked into that little competition game that pre-meds like to play (some - not all). So, if anyone asks. I'm up front. *shrug.
Plus as prya alluded to, I just think most people are just a little curious as to what it takes to get into medical school. It doesnt really bother me. 🙂

I was gonna post, but you said it all for me. I respond exactly the same way when someone asks. I don't volunteer this kinda info, but if someone asks, I tell them the truth.

 

[Ramoray]

I kinda liked to tell people i was applying and what not or talking about the mcat, people always seemed to think you were bad ass for taking the mcat or going med, then i realized i might not be getting in and i was prepping for a 3rd mcat.. then it was just plain embarrasing to bring up anything about my applicatoin process.. oh well