Low First MCAT a big stain on my application?

[emileyatestx]

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Hey guys,

This is my first SDN post, longtime lurker. I will be applying next cycle and retaking my MCAT in the Spring. I had strong momentum leading up to my MCAT that I took in February of 2014. I scored a 27, which really demoralized me. I'm confident that I can do much better, and will take a second shot at it. However, I'm worried that it will blemish my application and undermine me as an applicant. I am a Texas resident, and I was wondering if I had a very strong second showing of my MCAT (which I'm confident I can get), coupled with my ECs, are my shots for multiple schools still strong? I have no plan on moving out of state, and will probably apply sparingly to OOS schools. I am very biased on staying in TX. and practicing in TX.

ECs and other statistical content:

Not disadvantaged or underrpresented
Physics B.S. Candidate, GPA: 3.89

Department of Energy Scholarship for the study of Physics, Department of Physics Scholarship at my University, scholarships from volunteering organizations for commitment and service, and State of Texas Scholarship covering my full tuition, books, etc.

2 years of research in cellular motility under a biophysicist
2 years of research (ongoing) in the biophysical mechanisms of endocytic pathways under another biophysicist
1 summer research at Baylor College of Medicine researching gradients and cell motility
1 summer research at MD Anderson Cancer Center simulating cell polarity and cellular thermodynamics


All of my research has been active participation, presented 5 oral talks/poster presentations at various national conferences or meetings with 1 more talk pending

300 hours volunteering at a small 100 bed hospital (long term)
50 hours shadowing primary care physician

45 hours of ESL English tutoring voluntary primary for Hispanic and Latino individuals (I am proficient, not fluent, in Spanish as my dad worked at an embassy in Spain and I lived there as a kid)

3 years membership in health professions society

1 year membership in religious organization (I am very pious, but am not really open/flashy/showy about it, so I can suppress this on my application if it is the politically correct thing to do)

Paid STEM Tutor for a program my city offers for youth for 3 years
Paid Physics Lab TA/Physics Tutoring Center 1 year

Leadership includes training new employees at the tutoring program and being in charge for undergraduates in my ongiong research lab while my PI focuses more of his time on graduate students. I train new students how to use hardware, etc.

 

[emileyatestx]

Rule 1: Take a Breath

Whether blemish or not, it is part of your record. Unless you intend to not apply based on the info offered here, this question serves no purpose as it will not change you actions. Move forward, prep and retake .

Thank you for your feedback. My rationale for asking the question was wanting insight on what to expect in the prospective cycle. I am going to take my second MCAT guaranteed, and I will apply guaranteed.

 

[Lawpy]

Rule 1: Take a Breath

Whether blemish or not, it is part of your record. Unless you intend to not apply based on the info offered here, this question serves no purpose as it will not change you actions. Move forward, prep and retake .

I agree. And a 27 isn't a bad stain (it's great for DO and subpar for MD). Even by increasing your score by 6-8 points (a very strong improvement) to 33-35 equivalent, you will have success for MD schools.

Thank you for your feedback. My rationale for asking the question was wanting insight on what to expect in the prospective cycle. I am going to take my second MCAT guaranteed, and I will apply guaranteed.

The best metric is to avoid schools that average the two MCATs and to pursue schools that take the highest/most recent score, or even superscore (taking the highest subsection and adding them up). Of course, your old MCAT is permanent, but a new and improved MCAT will be successful for MD schools. And even retakers get into Top 20.

 

[NeuResurgens]

Make sure to have studying for the retake as a priority. I think a first score on the lower end generally bodes more poorly if your second score only deviates by 1-3 points. As Lawper said, if you can get into the 33+ range it shouldn't hurt you much.

 

[gyngyn]

Apparently, TX is one of the more lenient states when it comes to a retake (for IS applicants).

 

[emileyatestx]

I agree. And a 27 isn't a bad stain (it's great for DO and subpar for MD). Even by increasing your score by 6-8 points (a very strong improvement) to 33-35 equivalent, you will have success for MD schools.



The best metric is to avoid schools that average the two MCATs and to pursue schools that take the highest/most recent score, or even superscore (taking the highest subsection and adding them up). Of course, your old MCAT is permanent, but a new and improved MCAT will be successful for MD schools. And even retakers get into Top 20.

Thank you very much for your insight.

Apparently, TX is one of the more lenient states when it comes to a retake (for IS applicants).

Thank you. Your insight given your role in administration is appreciated. I've noticed in Texas (at least with local peers), a lot of people get by with minimal ECs and good academic stats. I was hoping I could use my ECs as leverage before my MCAT. After my MCAT I was worrying if they would play the role as "partial equalizer" instead.

 

[gyngyn]

Thank you very much for your insight.


Thank you. Your insight given your role in administration is appreciated. I've noticed in Texas (at least with local peers), a lot of people get by with minimal ECs and good academic stats. I was hoping I could use my ECs as leverage before my MCAT. After my MCAT I was worrying if they would play the role as "partial equalizer" instead.

They will look at everything.

 

[sliceofbread136]

Texas is easy mood, get a 32ish and you are set (not Baylor or utsw, but still a good school)

 

[emileyatestx]

Texas is easy mood, get a 32ish and you are set (not Baylor or utsw, but still a good school)

When you say not at BCM or UTSW, is it because of the first score being a blemish, the fact that 32 might be high enough for good schools but not high enough for BCM or UTSW, or that those schools are generally somewhat of a crapshoot even amongst competitive in state applicants?

 

[emraldragon]

Hey guys,

This is my first SDN post, longtime lurker. I will be applying next cycle and retaking my MCAT in the Spring. I had strong momentum leading up to my MCAT that I took in February of 2014. I scored a 27, which really demoralized me. I'm confident that I can do much better, and will take a second shot at it. However, I'm worried that it will blemish my application and undermine me as an applicant. I am a Texas resident, and I was wondering if I had a very strong second showing of my MCAT (which I'm confident I can get), coupled with my ECs, are my shots for multiple schools still strong? I have no plan on moving out of state, and will probably apply sparingly to OOS schools. I am very biased on staying in TX. and practicing in TX.

ECs and other statistical content:

Not disadvantaged or underrpresented
Physics B.S. Candidate, GPA: 3.89

Department of Energy Scholarship for the study of Physics, Department of Physics Scholarship at my University, scholarships from volunteering organizations for commitment and service, and State of Texas Scholarship covering my full tuition, books, etc.

2 years of research in cellular motility under a biophysicist
2 years of research (ongoing) in the biophysical mechanisms of endocytic pathways under another biophysicist
1 summer research at Baylor College of Medicine researching gradients and cell motility
1 summer research at MD Anderson Cancer Center simulating cell polarity and cellular thermodynamics


All of my research has been active participation, presented 5 oral talks/poster presentations at various national conferences or meetings with 1 more talk pending

300 hours volunteering at a small 100 bed hospital (long term)
50 hours shadowing primary care physician

45 hours of ESL English tutoring voluntary primary for Hispanic and Latino individuals (I am proficient, not fluent, in Spanish as my dad worked at an embassy in Spain and I lived there as a kid)

3 years membership in health professions society

1 year membership in religious organization (I am very pious, but am not really open/flashy/showy about it, so I can suppress this on my application if it is the politically correct thing to do)

Paid STEM Tutor for a program my city offers for youth for 3 years
Paid Physics Lab TA/Physics Tutoring Center 1 year

Leadership includes training new employees at the tutoring program and being in charge for undergraduates in my ongiong research lab while my PI focuses more of his time on graduate students. I train new students how to use hardware, etc.

OP. I got a 27 on my first MCAT. Studied and bumped it up 5 points and got a few acceptances. I will also tell you to relax, but I will also know from personal experience that it's not easy to. The rest of your app looks strong. Retake, do better, you shouldn't have too many problems (though getting into Harvard is probably not going to happen [which doesn't matter to you since you want to stay in TX anyway!])

 

[Lawpy]

When you say not at BCM or UTSW, is it because of the first score being a blemish, the fact that 32 might be high enough for good schools but not high enough for BCM or UTSW, or that those schools are generally somewhat of a crapshoot even amongst competitive in state applicants?

32 is low for Baylor/UTSW (it should be around 35-37). I'm not sure about their retake policies however.

Also, just realized you're a physics major! Major respect

 

[emileyatestx]

32 is low for Baylor/UTSW (it should be around 35-37). I'm not sure about their retake policies however.

Also, just realized you're a physics major! Major respect

Thanks! It's fun, I love it

 

[Goro]

The gestalt I hear is that most schools favor the most recent or best score, or even superscore. However, AMCAS recommends that schools average, and so you can't figure out what an individual screener or interviewer will do.

That sad, aim for the best on your next MCAT and apply.

I think a low first score is less of an issue that the reasons WHY one got a low first score, like taking it while sick or unprepared, which shows poor choice making.