in despair: pls help

[someone2002]

hi guys,

can anyone give me some advice of what i should do? i took the MCAT twice and still got the same score: 24! I applied to all the schools in Texas but got only one interview at TCOM. Then feb 1 came and i didn't match with TCOM. Should i just take retake the MCAT in august and then re-apply in may 2003? or Should I retake the MCAT in agust but re-apply in may 2002? if i re-apply this year, do i have to rewrite my personal statement? how bout rec of letters? i just still couldn't get over the fact that I couldn't even get into TCOM.

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[dukeblue01]

Your pain might be mitigated by knowing that many of the posters here have had to apply twice even three times. I admire their drive and dedication, and I have a feeling that they will make good doctors. For more help, go to the medical student diaries and read William Trask's story. He also did poorly on the MCAT (22) but is doing well in the process, a very strong individual indeed. I suggest you look at your application and strengthen it, i.e. retake MCAT and look at grades, ECs and personal statement. Don't give up! There are too many ways to get into medicine to pass it up.

 

[bacl0007]

Hey there,

Whatever you do, don't give up. I know from personal experience. I applied this year with a 23 MCAT and have gotten into three schools (TUCOM, NYCOM and Boston U). With such low MCAT scores, I almost gave up and didn't even want to bother applying...but then I dragged myself out of that dark place in order to move forward with my life. I knew what kind of doctor I would make if given the chance and I did everything to make sure that the adcom would see that too I spent alot of time on my personal statement and sacrificed my social life to work on my apps. In the end, it was all worth it

Here is some inspiration for you:

The Human Will, that force unseen
The offspring of a deathless Soul
Can hew a way to any goal
Though walls of granite intervene

Be not impatient in delay
But wait as one who understands
When spirit rises and commands
The gods are ready to obey.

 

[Doctora Foxy]

bacl0007: congrats on your acceptances! May I ask you when you were notified of your BU acceptance? Also, what is your GPA, ECs, etc?

Thanks

 

[jase133]

dukeblue is right.

many of us have had to apply multiple times. you can do it! =)

 

[Nikki]

I would also suggest contacting the schools that you were rejected from and talk to an admissions officer about their opinions as to the weaknesses of your application. You have every right to know why you were rejected from schools. That way, you can know what needs the most work over the next year. Good luck!

 

[none]

I know nothing of the Texas schools as they are both non-AMCAS and out-of-state, but I don't understand why you would just apply to them. Where's Finch, Albany, NYMC and the host of other schools who have MCAT scores nearer to your own? Where are the DO schools? Definitely have some people check over the rest of your app, but know that it's quite possible the MCAT is the sole thing keeping you out of those particular Texas schools.

 

[EpiII]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by Nikki:
•I would also suggest contacting the schools that you were rejected from and talk to an admissions officer about their opinions as to the weaknesses of your application. You have every right to know why you were rejected from schools. That way, you can know what needs the most work over the next year. Good luck!•••••This is excellent advice. You took the words right out of my mouth.

 

[bacl0007]

Doctor Foxy,

Well, I was notified of my acceptances last year...yeah it was a great holiday gift As far as other parts of my application, I think it was pretty unique. Let's see, I worked with homeless shelters for three years, taught ESL at a local cross-cultural community center, researched with my UC professor on Autism for two years and went on an education abroad program. There, I wrote a thesis and presented it to the biology department faculty members. Still under consideration for publicaiton. :wink:
I've volunteered at hospital and hospice and now, I'm currently working for a non-profit organization while waiting to start med-school. If you have good intentions behind your decision to go to med-school and if your life experience shows that....you'll make it...and you don't give up. I grew up in a really rough neighborhood and had to work really hard to get to where I am today. I graduated with a cumulative of 3.33, but that didn't mean that I was any less capable. One of my class in undergrad was worth 16 units and I held the highest percentage in that class..yeah, higher than that 4.0 guy sitting next to me. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> How far you go depends on your drive, your life experience and your passion. Stats become secondary...now, I'm not saying that that's true in all cases. Some schools do weed people out purely by stats. You can't blame them because they get thousands of applications each year...just try hard and hope for the best. Good luck to all of us.

 

[someone2002]

thx guys for ur support!! I really appreciate it!! but should i just take one year off? and if i re-apply this year, do i have rewrite my personal statement and get new rec letters?

 

[Doctora Foxy]

Bacl0007,

wow thanks for sharing..you have awesome experiences! I also teach ESL and I have volunteered in a free clinic for migrant farmworkers...so I guess we have some types of experiences in common. I hope the ad coms at BU loook beyond my less than average stats..I hope to join you in the BU class next year! Good luck to you!

 

[BushBaby]

bacl0007,

Congrats Bac.....You are my hero!

 

[nebula7]

Someone2002, I would do what Nikki suggested and talk to the admissions offices to see what you could do over the next yr to strengthen your app (especially the school that gave you an interview). Your mcats could very well be the only thing holding you back, (some of the schools might have cut you just because of that) and your personal statement might be fine as it is (I didn't get in last yr, and the dean of my top choice school said my personal statement didn't really need any changes). good luck

 

[someone2002]

thx a lot nebula7