Iffy MCAT score, little time for re-take, but high aspirations

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[Catalystik]

Your MCAT score is below the median for acceptees for the the most selective med schools and below the bottom tenth percentile for many of them (though not BU). For the best chance at more of the highly-selective US med schools, an MCAT retake is appropriate.

A copy of the MSAR will tell you where you stand with US med schools relative to their past acceptance practices. Your premed advising office should have one.

 

[Goshua]

Your premed advising office should have one.

No such thing at ol' beloved University of Toronto.

OP, Catalystik gives excellent advice. Definitely retake that MCAT if you mid to top tier schools are what you're looking for. Cheers!

 

[Catalystik]

No such thing at ol' beloved University of Toronto.

Also try looking for the MSAR in the reference library area. Or a med school library. Or ask where it is. Hard to believe they'd leave you Canadians hanging.

 

[Naquadria]

I would only retake if you are confident you can score better. Wait until your practice test scores are at least mid to high 30s. It it very typical to score a point or two lower than the average of your practice. If you can do that by May then I say go for it (and good luck). If you can't then you might want to adjust your school list.

 

[Topo]

Thanks for the advice guys.
I'm really reluctant to start studying the MCAT again with only a one month break, and only two months for big improvement. But I guess I have no choice.

Does anyone have an idea which schools I have a good shot at, with my current stats though? Preferably ones on the east and west coasts. I'm a resident of Massachusetts, but would rather go to school in some other state. I have my share of volunteers, shadowing hours, research (just summer and 4th year project positions though, no publications), so it's more of the numbers I'm worried about at the moment. Thanks in advance!

 

[Catalystik]

With a 3.7/31, schools to consider for "fit" that matriculate a decent number of OOS applicants:
Loyola, RFU, UKentucky, Creighton, Albany, SUNY Downstate, Hofstra (new), Jefferson, MCW,
UIllinois, Wayne, Buffalo, Toledo, UNebraska, Drexel, Temple, Vermont, VCU, Virginia Tech Carilion (new),
GWU, FIU, Louisville, Tulane, NYMC, MUSC, SCarolina, EVMS,
Rush, Michigan State, Oakland (new),
Commonwealth MC in Pa

Schools that would be a slight reach:
Colorado, UConn, Georgetown, Miami, Iowa, Maryland, UMinn, Stony Brook, Wake, Cincinnati, Penn State, UWisconsin

 

[Brachyury]

Here are the average MCAT scores for the 'less-competitive' private allopathic school. With a 31, you're at or below the average for most of the schools. Good luck

Creighton 30 (class of 2013) http://medschool.creighton.edu/filea...C_Viewbook.pdf
Loma Linda 31 http://www.llu.edu/medicine/admissions/faqs.page??
New York Medical College 31 (no year given) http://www.nymc.edu/Academics/School...Questions.html
Rush 31.3 http://www.rushu.rush.edu/servlet/Sa...entBlockDetail
Wake Forest 31.5 http://www.wfubmc.edu/School/Class-Profile.htm
Jefferson 31.6 http://www.jefferson.edu/jmc/admissions/faq.cfm
Medical College of Wisconsin 31.8 http://www.mcw.edu/FileLibrary/User/...assProfile.pdf
Georgetown 31.9 http://som.georgetown.edu/about/pros...oninformation/
Albert Einstein 32 http://www.einstein.yu.edu/admission...6_1116_btnlink
Tulane 32 http://tulane.edu/som/dean/upload/De...10-FINAL-2.pdf
USC 32 http://keck.usc.edu/About/Administra...uirements.aspx
Loyola 32.1 http://www.stritch.luc.edu/node/55
Tufts 32.2 http://www.tufts.edu/med/admissions/...ssprofile.html
Saint Louis University 32.56 (class of 2012) http://medschool.slu.edu/admissions/...e=how-to-apply
Boston University 33 http://www.bumc.bu.edu/admissions/welcome/classprofile/

 

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