Just to irritate everyone with another "what are my chances?"

[labrat]

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I know you are all sick of reading "what are my chances" posts, but due to depression from this application process, I am looking for more affirmative "you can do it!" posts. Yes this is a shameless cry for advice/ encouragement, so if these posts bother you... stop reading now.

Here's my story... I had a crappy freshman and sophomore year in college and I was told by my academic advisor that there was "no way in he!!" that I would get into medical school. I changed my major and got a biology degree and finally graduated with a 3.49 cumulative and 3.3 science GPA. Then I went on to medical technology school and got a second undergrad degree, this time with a 4.0 GPA. I have been working full time for the past 3+ years in a hospital laboratory, but have never given up my dream to go into medicine. When discussing it with a pathologist I work with, he encouraged me to apply (which I was planning on anyway) but here's the catch... I was planning on applying next year, but he encouraged me to apply this year instead. As a result, I signed up for the August MCAT on the last possible (late)date, and only had 3 weeks to study, all while working 40-50 hours a week. I got an 11 on VR, but only an 8 on the physics section. I submitted my AMCAS app at the beginning of Sept, but was not verified until mid-November. I have applied to 12 schools, but have only gotten secondaries from 8, and I just got one from a school yesterday that said they just got my AMCAS application,and thatI missed their Dec 15 deadline! I have really good extracurriculars, but I know that my 8 PS is really holding me back. Should I suck it up and really study for the April MCAT or is it still too early to tell anything? I really wish I had waited til next year to apply, because I'm spending all this money, and there's a good chance I won't get in anywhere. Despite what everyone says, I still think an 8VR, 11PS would be much better than 11VR, 8PS. Oh well... sorry for the long post, and sorry for any irritation it may cause. I just wish I would hear something..

 

[jargon124]

Why the heck would you tell us about your VR and PS scores but not your BS score? <img src="confused.gif" border="0">

 

[labrat]

Sorry, my BS was 10. writing O. I just didn't think the BS score really mattered as much since it's not high or low. But reading through my post again, I realize how stupid it is. I have just become crazy and obsessed with this whole application process. It has taken over my life!!!

 

[Dr. Don]

I say your chances are pretty good....I don't know if those "science technology" courses apply to the AMCAS science GPA...but even if they don't I believe that you still have a pretty good chance to get in to med school this year...anyways just my 2 pennies worth of advice..good luck!

 

[Jalby]

I would say start studying and hope for the best. Applying late probably hurts you more than anything else. But it wouldn't hurt to already be studying. I think you possibly get in somewhere (level 50-100 school) this year, bnut no guarentees.

 

[Triangulation]

If you don't mind saying, where did you apply? I think this could dramatically affect your chances.

 

[labrat]

I applied to:

OHSU (my state school, and the one I really, really want to go to)
Northwestern (a reach, I know it)
Creighton
MCW
Loma Linda
UCSF
SLU
OSU
Loyola
Stanford (rejected immediately)
UIC
U of Washington
U of Nebraska

I had to submit my applications before I even knew what my MCAT scores were, and these were the ones I applied to.

 

[A. Caveman]

what up big dogg. these posts are NEVER irritating when they're reasonable. when they're like yours, they are very fun to read and give advice on. it's when people get one C in biochem and have otherwise very good grades and start bitching about "do you think i'm wasting my time/life?" that's when sane people lose their patience, and give people like that an earth to dorko emergency wake up call.

as for you bro, i'm impressed with what you've managed to do, and that you've stuck it out. for the amount of tiem you studied and with your other duties, you did very well on the MCAT. if you don't get in this year (applying late will hurt you), take the MCAT in April and knock it dead. then apply very early, and trust me brother, you will fair very well. if you get an interview this time around, make sure you impress them with your maturity, commitment, respectability, etc. i respect you, now get the committees to respect your work and dedication and potential and you're in. good luck

 

[Triangulation]

I am far from an authority on this, but I would say you've got a crack at OHSU, Loma Linda, and Creighton for sure (A 29 MCAT is nothing to be ashamed of.) Your residency will make it rough right off the bat at U-Dub and UCSF.

I can ask you a question: How restrictive is OHSU about taking out-of-staters? I've seen stats that 1/5 is a non-resident.

Keep stickin' it out regardless!!

 

[NebraskaAggieMD2B]

You can pretty much count Nebraska out as well sicne they are almost entirely all instate. Creighotn is a different story. OHSU you shoudl be fine at just keep up the good work and you'll be fine.

 

[amonkeybutt]

Hey Labrat, I saw your PM and just want to tell you to please not be discouraged. It is still early at Oregon for their interview process! Your scores and GPA are right around the mean, and you'll certainly impress them with your extracurriculars. Also, Oregon tends to take a lot of non-traditional applicants. At my interview, there was a man in his forties/maybe early fifties (he brought his wife along). Every year they have first years who are in their forties and fifties (of course I know you're not). They truly value motivation and drive, and the fact that you are pursuing this after years working shows that you really want this. Keep that chin up and let us know how you're doing. Good luck. 😉

 

[labrat]

Thanks everyone for your uplifting replies. I feel much better! I guess I'm really surprised how quickly I went from, "I'll just apply this year, and if I get in, GREAT, but if not, I'll just apply next year," to "I will DIE if I don't get in THIS year!" (This is a gross exaggeration of course, though not TOO gross). I was really hoping to get out of having to review physics again, but I'm biting the bullet and will double my efforts to really bring up my score. But, in the meantime, I'll remain hopeful that I will get in this go-around. Thanks again!

 

[Biffer]

Labrat,
For what little time you had to prepare-I think you did very well on the MCATs.. If for some reason you don't get in this time, you should definitley get in next time after you rip the mcat to pieces. I plan on studying my arse off this summer for the august MCAT. I am making test prep a priority since my other stats aren't flaming.

Good luck and happy new year,
Biffer

 

[Big Red Machine]

It seems like you have a pretty good chance of getting in this year. Remember that it is early in the game. I got into med school about a month before it started, so you are still early in the game. I would recommend that you continue doing things that improve your application so that these schools see that you are interested in medicine. Good luck.