I am a third-year biochemistry major at the University of Florida. I currently have a 3.8 cumulative GPA and a very similar science GPA (~3.65). I am currently registered to take the MCAT on June 1st. I was supposed to start studying in January – but the spring semester was much more difficult than expected. I also had a major death in my family that set me off track for some time. I’ve been realistically studying for the MCAT since May 1st, but honestly, I don’t feel prepared.
I’ve got a very strong science background – primarily in chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and basic neuroscience. I took the NextStep diagnostic exam and got a 498. I took the 1st Next Step Full-length yesterday (essentially without studying) and got a 502. I’m currently reviewing the exam and I missed a lot of questions (I’m going through the C/P section and I’m currently on number 42 out of 59) because I misread the questions or the problem. I knew the material, analyzed it the way NS has in the answers, but simply misread it.
I am considering taking the MCAT on July 21st instead of June 1st, giving me more an additional month and a half to prepare for the exam – which would be beyond helpful. I planned on applying this cycle and I feel as though this exam date is pretty late. Now I figure that I’m a relatively strong applicant – I’m an African-American (which I found does play a slight factor), with TA experience, internships experience, close to 200 hours of clinical experience, more than 60 hours shadowing a doctor, leadership roles on campus and within my scholarship, and a first-generation student. I have several strong letters of recommendation and with the exception of my MCAT score – feel as though I’m a very competitive applicant. I know that the MCAT is a large portion of my application – but not the only one (I’ve heard figures around 13%).
What would the people of SDN recommend??
I’ve got a very strong science background – primarily in chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and basic neuroscience. I took the NextStep diagnostic exam and got a 498. I took the 1st Next Step Full-length yesterday (essentially without studying) and got a 502. I’m currently reviewing the exam and I missed a lot of questions (I’m going through the C/P section and I’m currently on number 42 out of 59) because I misread the questions or the problem. I knew the material, analyzed it the way NS has in the answers, but simply misread it.
I am considering taking the MCAT on July 21st instead of June 1st, giving me more an additional month and a half to prepare for the exam – which would be beyond helpful. I planned on applying this cycle and I feel as though this exam date is pretty late. Now I figure that I’m a relatively strong applicant – I’m an African-American (which I found does play a slight factor), with TA experience, internships experience, close to 200 hours of clinical experience, more than 60 hours shadowing a doctor, leadership roles on campus and within my scholarship, and a first-generation student. I have several strong letters of recommendation and with the exception of my MCAT score – feel as though I’m a very competitive applicant. I know that the MCAT is a large portion of my application – but not the only one (I’ve heard figures around 13%).
What would the people of SDN recommend??
