I need advice!!!

[faithballer]

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i just recently got my mcat scores back 30R (12 ps, 7 vr, 11 bs). it's obviously not ideal to have an unbalanced score, especially in vr. i hear this is the most important section too.

i have a 3.9 gpa. major in cell biology
2 yrs volunteering in mattel children's hospital
2 yrs care extenders medical internship (ER, LD, PP, Nursing, etc)
3 yrs undergraduate research in hematology oncology lab
1 quarter of undergraduate research in drosophila genetics lab

should i consider retaking the mcat (probably would mean taking it in sept or taking a yr off) or apply broadly and early? i really don't want to take a year off. what are some viable schools where my scores and ec's would be competitive?

thanks for any/all advice

 

[bravofleet4]

well what's your dream school and what state do you live in?

 

[LuciusVorenus]

i just recently got my mcat scores back 30R (12 ps, 7 vr, 11 bs). it's obviously not ideal to have an unbalanced score, especially in vr. i hear this is the most important section too.

i have a 3.9 gpa. major in cell biology
2 yrs volunteering in mattel children's hospital
2 yrs care extenders medical internship (ER, LD, PP, Nursing, etc)
3 yrs undergraduate research in hematology oncology lab
1 quarter of undergraduate research in drosophila genetics lab

should i consider retaking the mcat (probably would mean taking it in sept or taking a yr off) or apply broadly and early? i really don't want to take a year off. what are some viable schools where my scores and ec's would be competitive?

thanks for any/all advice

Everything you have is pretty competitive, even your MCAT, if it wasn't for the fact that it was unbalanced. Are you a sophmore right now? If yes then by all means retake it in September. But if you mean you'll be applying this summer and won't have your new MCAT by September that might be a bit late. But then again a 30 is probably good enough to get your foot in the door so you have time to get a new balanced, higher score to your schools. What schools are you looking at specifically?

Just out of curiosity, why can't you take a year off?

Anyways, you could probably apply broadly right now and have a really good chance at getting into a mid tier school or you could wait a year, do some more ECS, get a higher MCAT and probably get into a much better school. All your other stats are on par with some of the higher end schools. Completely depends on where you want to end up.

 

[faithballer]

i am a jr and hope to apply this summer. i live in california. i hope to go to any md school that will take me, hopefully middle tier.
what do premeds normally do in the year they take off? that's why i am iffy about it

 

[J ROD]

i am a jr and hope to apply this summer. i live in california. i hope to go to any md school that will take me, hopefully middle tier.
what do premeds normally do in the year they take off? that's why i am iffy about it

build their app where they are weak....like you can take the MCAT and work on some ECs....

I dont see that MCAT working well in Cali.....

 

[Catalystik]

I think that verbal of 7 will really limit you, by probably putting mid-tiers out of your reach. I recommend you retake it.

I'd also suggest some physician shadowing, if not done already, and adding some nonmedical/noncampus community service. Teaching and leadership are not mentioned either. Do you have any of this? Your research is very strong, but to appeal in California, you want to aim for multiple strengths in your application.

Consider taking the extra year to build your application. You can get a regular job and continue with a medically-related and nonmedical volunteerism (eg, tutoring/coaching/mentoring middle school kids would get you some Teaching also) during the year off.

 

[Morsetlis]

Um you look fine for anywhere. California is tougher due to your non-competitive MCAT. You don't really need to do anymore EC's except non-medical volunteering, and even that isn't necessary. If you can stand NOT staying in California, apply broadly, plus DO schools, and apply in June. If you absolutely must stay in California, retake the MCAT and get 33+.