Is it smart for me to apply?

[tranzformer]

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I know there have been a lot of threads about this, but I am in a unique position. I hadn't given much thought to apply this year for 2007, until a good friend recommended that I think about it since he is. The one thing holding me back from applying is my MCAT score. The first time I got a 18 and when I retook it I got a 24R. My GPA is fairly good at 3.72 overall and 3.65 for science. I also had a double major in neuroscience and history during undergrad. During college I had a lot of research experience (3 years for my senior research thesis) and a summer internship at well respected medical school. Currently I am a Research Assistant and have noticed how badly I really want to become a physician. I almost have my AACOMAS complete, and had my university send my transcript yesterday. So that means at best I will be able to send my AACOMAS sometime at the end of Oct. I am not sure if it is worth sending the app if my chances are slim, or if I should just wait, take the MCAT again in 2007 and then apply? What are your opinions?

 

[noshie]

You will never know until you try. You dont want to look back and wish you had given it a shot. I think your stats are fairly good. Just do it!

 

[tranzformer]

You will never know until you try. You dont want to look back and wish you had given it a shot. I think your stats are fairly good. Just do it!

I just would hate to spend the $400 and then finally admit that I need to take the MCAT again.

 

[Kuba]

a 24 and 3.7 is competitive, good luck

 

[noshie]

It is all a gamble, but just like the lottery, if you dont pay $1 you are never going to win the million. (I never buy lottery tickets, waste of money) The odds that you will get in is always going to be uncertain, even if you retake the MCAT and make a 30. Money should mean nothing to you in this process, I mean I have spent at least $2500 so far on fees, and sometimes when I think that I wont get in and I have lost so much money, I have to remember that at least I am trying. I really do think your scores are competitive, honestly. Just spend the $400 and get over it.

 

[hsmooth]

good gpa...24 mcat is pretty decent and close to the averages for matriculating students.

try it!

 

[tranzformer]

Thanks for the encouragement guys!! How am I with the time issue? I plan on being done with the primary by this weekend, but I will need to wait 4-6 weeks to get my transcript verified since I just sent in the request yesterday. When do most schools fill 80-90% of their classes by? Maybe I should just chill out and give it a try? I forgot to add that my MCAT was 11VR, 7BS, 6PS, R. Do schools tend to look at the overall score or will my two low scores be a red flag? I can find info about the average accepted scores, but never a break down of the different areas.

 

[Krazykritter]

I know that anything below a 7 or 8 on a section can be a Yellow flag at least. I do not know for sure if it is the end all Red Flag that you are thinking it might be. However, your best bet to find out is to make a couple of phone calls to the admissions office of a couple of your top choices. It doesn't take long & usually they are very helpful. Good luck

 

[dr.z]

I think you should go for it.

 

[scpod]

When do most schools fill 80-90% of their classes by...I forgot to add that my MCAT was 11VR, 7BS, 6PS, R. Do schools tend to look at the overall score or will my two low scores be a red flag?

It's a rolling process, which means that most schools don't fill their classes until next year. They save spots for people who interview in January, February, and March. They don't want to miss out on really good applicants who might apply late. They know that some people tend to procrastinate, or that they may have problems getting their LOR's in on time. They start a waiting list of people who they might accept if they don't get somebody better. Few schools will actually "fill" up early. They want you to think that they are full because they don't want to be scrambling around to find people in the last couple of weeks before school starts.

As for your low scores, I know people who are in med school today with 6's in something. Your 11 on VR is good because it shows that you can understand tough material. A whole lot of people have good PS and BS scores but 3's, 4's and 5's on VR. You can teach physical and biological sciences to anybody, but those verbal skills are tough to convey.

 

[MikeyLu2010]

if u apply broadly im confident u will get in somewhere gluck

 

[cyclohexanol]

It wouldn't be dumb for you to apply.

 

[Sarikate]

I also got a 24R - 11 VR, 8 BS, 5 PS. I just got three interview invites yesterday!

 

[HemaOncoDoc]

I know there have been a lot of threads about this, but I am in a unique position. I hadn't given much thought to apply this year for 2007, until a good friend recommended that I think about it since he is. The one thing holding me back from applying is my MCAT score. The first time I got a 18 and when I retook it I got a 24R. My GPA is fairly good at 3.72 overall and 3.65 for science. I also had a double major in neuroscience and history during undergrad. During college I had a lot of research experience (3 years for my senior research thesis) and a summer internship at well respected medical school. Currently I am a Research Assistant and have noticed how badly I really want to become a physician. I almost have my AACOMAS complete, and had my university send my transcript yesterday. So that means at best I will be able to send my AACOMAS sometime at the end of Oct. I am not sure if it is worth sending the app if my chances are slim, or if I should just wait, take the MCAT again in 2007 and then apply? What are your opinions?

Go for it. If you apply smart and get things in ASAP, you'll have good news at the end of this process.

 

[tranzformer]

if u apply broadly im confident u will get in somewhere gluck

Thanks for all the posts people. Just curious if this list would be considered a "broad list":

ATSU/KCOM
CCOM
DMU-COM
KCUMB-COM
LECOM
PCOM
UNECOM
VCOM
LMU-DCOM

 

[HemaOncoDoc]

Thanks for all the posts people. Just curious if this list would be considered a "broad list":

ATSU/KCOM
CCOM
DMU-COM
KCUMB-COM
LECOM
PCOM
UNECOM
VCOM
LMU-DCOM

It is difficult to assess what is broad based on the limited information that you have provided. You may want to give us a mini profile: where you live, your age, are you a URM. If you want, you can consolidate that information into an mdapplicants profile. One thing I noticed about your list though was that it didn't have any west coast schools, COMP, Touro-MI, AZCOM. Good list of schools though. There are at least 21 DO schools that are accredited. Scope them out.

 

[tranzformer]

It is difficult to assess what is broad based on the limited information that you have provided. You may want to give us a mini profile: where you live, your age, are you a URM. If you want, you can consolidate that information into an mdapplicants profile. One thing I noticed about your list though was that it didn't have any west coast schools, COMP, Touro-MI, AZCOM. Good list of schools though. There are at least 21 DO schools that are accredited. Scope them out.

Well for some more info:
-23
-male
-born and live in IL
-caucasian
-3 years as research assistant in undergraduate (got one paper out of it)
-1 summer as a research intern
-currently working as a full time research assistant I at a MD medical school in Chicago
-have shadowed multiple physicians in many different specialties (family practice, neurosurgery, radiology, interventional radiology, pathology, ER, as well as residents)
-Member of many clubs in college
-Served as a leader for 3 clubs on campus my Junior and senior year
-Received several scholarships
-Deans list
-Community service while in college
-Went on a mission trip to areas affected by Hurricane Katrina 3 days after it hit to help clean up and distribute supplies
-Was featured in an article for my Universities magazine
-Been to Europe to visit family every summer from when I was born to 21
-Graduated with a degree in behavioral neuroscience and history with a minor in chemistry
-Worked as a Chemistry lab TA for my Junior and Senior year
-Worked as a tutor for math and science my senior year
-Graduated Cum Laude and Honors scholar with a Senior honors thesis
-Presented research at two conventions

That is basically it from the top of my head.

 

[Testy McAterson]

you have my vote.

 

[HemaOncoDoc]

Well for some more info:
-23
-male
-born and live in IL
-caucasian
-3 years as research assistant in undergraduate (got one paper out of it)
-1 summer as a research intern
-currently working as a full time research assistant I at a MD medical school in Chicago
-have shadowed multiple physicians in many different specialties (family practice, neurosurgery, radiology, interventional radiology, pathology, ER, as well as residents)
-Member of many clubs in college
-Served as a leader for 3 clubs on campus my Junior and senior year
-Received several scholarships
-Deans list
-Community service while in college
-Went on a mission trip to areas affected by Hurricane Katrina 3 days after it hit to help clean up and distribute supplies
-Was featured in an article for my Universities magazine
-Been to Europe to visit family every summer from when I was born to 21
-Graduated with a degree in behavioral neuroscience and history with a minor in chemistry
-Worked as a Chemistry lab TA for my Junior and Senior year
-Worked as a tutor for math and science my senior year
-Graduated Cum Laude and Honors scholar with a Senior honors thesis
-Presented research at two conventions

That is basically it from the top of my head.

Very nice! If you apply to CCOM, apply to AZCOM, comparable applications.

 

[Kuba]

tranzformer, i think you know you have a good shot, so get on the apps and crank em out

 

[tranzformer]

Very nice! If you apply to CCOM, apply to AZCOM, comparable applications.

I just have some hesitation about living out in AZ. I am more of a midwest/eastcoast boy. Maybe I will have to look into it some more, but I am not a huge fan of the location.

 

[FizbanZymogen]

Go go go!!! get those apps out ASAP. You are good to go. Many people I have interviewed with have had similar MCAT's with lower GPA's. I have recieved 7 interview invites with a 26S and 3.72 so you should be fine.

 

[mshheaddoc]

just a small note that someone that was once on an adcom committee once said.

If you have a strong verbal, they can teach you the science. But they can't teach you comprehension and reading 😉 I wouldn't dwell on your scores but if you don't get in this cycle, I would strongly suggest you retake the MCAT.