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[Bmr5126]

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I had it all planned out rushed through graduating college in 3 1/2 years because I just wanted to get into medical school. Looking back it was a mistake I did not get to be involved and my grades suffered a bit. I ended up graduating in December 2011 with a 3.46 GPA BA in Biology with a minor in history. I took my MCATs, but I didn't do to well on them only receiving a 26 (8VR,8PS,9BS, and a Q). I applied to a wide variety of schools, but ended up getting a lot done later than I should have. After not even getting an interview I was a bit distraught, but it was not fully unexpected. Right now I'm just trying to figure out where to go from here. I am looking for a job in the science field, but I still want to reapply. I can't seem to find the 2013 test dates, but i assume they will be around the same time as last year so I was thinking about taking them in May. I'm just looking on some advice as to what I could be doing right now to help me prepare better, and how the reapplication process works. I assume I need to find new recommendation letters? When should I start to apply? Should I be worried ? Should I just give up and start looking for a full time research position? Any advice will be greatly appreciated! -Ben.

 

[abenguyen]

I had it all planned out rushed through graduating college in 3 1/2 years because I just wanted to get into medical school. Looking back it was a mistake I did not get to be involved and my grades suffered a bit. I ended up graduating in December 2011 with a 3.46 GPA BA in Biology with a minor in history. I took my MCATs, but I didn't do to well on them only receiving a 26 (8VR,8PS,9BS, and a Q). I applied to a wide variety of schools, but ended up getting a lot done later than I should have. After not even getting an interview I was a bit distraught, but it was not fully unexpected. Right now I'm just trying to figure out where to go from here. I am looking for a job in the science field, but I still want to reapply. I can't seem to find the 2013 test dates, but i assume they will be around the same time as last year so I was thinking about taking them in May. I'm just looking on some advice as to what I could be doing right now to help me prepare better, and how the reapplication process works. I assume I need to find new recommendation letters? When should I start to apply? Should I be worried ? Should I just give up and start looking for a full time research position? Any advice will be greatly appreciated! -Ben.

Sounds similar to me. I also graduated in December 2011 with my BS in bio/minor in chem. It was a semester early and I didn't get to participate in as many extracurriculars as I wanted. Your MCAT is good for DO schools, I actually did terrible on mine and I took it 3 times. Because I didn't hear anything, I applied for a master's program and I'm currently in a specialized master's program now (UNTHSC GSBS if you want to know). It gives me graduate courses, at somewhat medical school pace, gave me time to study MCAT, though with another course during the summer, I couldn't improve much at all (last score was a 22, pesky verbal section)

If you feel like you can improve your MCAT, try taking it again. Take a prep course, and make sure you have time to dedicate. Time was what hindered me every time I took the dang test. Find more ways to participate in health care. I also began scribing in the ER in April and work PRN now.

Application wise, prep it early. This is the mistake I made 2 years in a row, and I don't know why I haven't changed my habits. Have it in my May/early June for increases chances. Make sure everything is in asap. Do your secondaries. New rec letters if possible. Your GPA and MCAT are good enough for DO schools I believe. Don't give up just yet, it's still early. This is all info from what I've heard and read. Try reapplying next year, apply early, improve your MCAT, do more health care activities. If you want, you can look into master's programs like the one I'm currently in. I know there are tons of students from out of state here.