Just got the MCAT, some questions for you experts!

[ChemNerd4]

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Hey guys! I've been creepily reading posts for a while and you all seem to really know your stuff. I was hoping you could give me some advice.

I just got my MCAT score back 2 hours again and I scored a 29R (10VR, 10PS, 9BS). I was really aiming for a 31, so it's a bit of a let down, but I'm not going to complain.

I'm planning on basically applying to a broad spectrum of SMPs on the east coast (everywhere from columbia to evms, my list runs about 15). I currently have a 3.1 gpa, due to some personal problems freshman year (I could have a 3.6 right now!).

ANYWAY... I really would love to go to Georgetown next year, and I think my GPA should be about a 3.2 by the time I apply with at least a 3.0 BCMP. Do you think I should retake in January before I apply?

Thank you so much! And yes, I know I ramble 🙂.

 

[Nasem]

You might be competitive for osteopathic schools if you're interested.

As for your question, I've read that retaking does not usually improve a score by that much. If you can get into a program and really see an improvement (i.e start scoring 34-35 instead of 31), then it might be worth taking IMO.

I was just about to say that to him....
I think he stands a pretty good shot at DO schools (ESSPECIALLY if you have some in-state DO school)
Besides, if you think you did bad on some courses, no problem, retake the class and when you submit your DO application, they calculate your GPA based on the highest mark earned for a specific class (example: say you took Orgo1 and obtained a C.... took it again and obtained a B+, they will ONLY count the B+)

You can forget the SMP all together, 1 year of informal post-bacc will do you better, it will even cost less

 

[Lshapley]

That isn't a bad MCAT, especially because it is well balanced. I just finished a quick one-year postbac with a total of 19 credit hours (you can see the details on my mdapplicants link). My MCAT is only a couple of points better than yours, to boot. I just am starting to hear back from schools and have one md interview waiting.

I would suggest you take a formal, or informal postbac. The benefit of the formal one will be some of the advising, workshops and committee letter (which is a real help when you are applying). If you have your heart set on GTown (not such a great idea, but we I have felt similarly about one school my whole postbac as well!), you might want to make sure you go to a postbac that has a linkage agreement there. You, most likely, will not qualify for that linkage because you have already taken the basic sciences. However, the linkage is evidence of a good "relationship" between that postbac and GTown.

Hope that helps. You are in a good position...good luck!