Low MCAT above average GPA. Good enough for MD school?

[nlmacbu]

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I just got my 2016 April MCAT scores back and I scored 506 (CARS section killed me. If I were to get any close to what I got on other sections, i.e - 80%, I would've gotten a 510). I graduated with a BS in Molecular and Cellular Biology with a cGPA of 3.64 and an sGPA of 3.55, which I think are above average.

For EC I have done a year and a half worth of undergrad research in animal sciences, was a CPR certified member of UIUC's Emergency Medical Service, a member of American Red Cross, member of 3 different international and national honor societies + Alpha Epsilon Delta pre-health honor society. Was active in a transfer adversary group to help new transfer students. Have also worked in my previous community college's "community services" department helping special kids with school work.

I do lack some major volunteer experiences which I am planning to work on starting very soon full-time (planning to hit 100+ hours of clinical and close to 100 hours of non clinical) . If I do get enough volunteer experience, will I have a shot at a US MD school? Any suggestions on schools I should apply to? I don't honestly care that I can't get into a top school. I just want to get into a US MD school, period!

 

[nlmacbu]

Oh and I was a full time student and worked part time all though college, if that matters in any way. And was a pharm tech for over a year, which isn't really clinical experience but I did get to interact with patients, doctors and drugs.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Your state of residence will play a large factor here

 

[nlmacbu]

Your state of residence will play a large factor here

How so? I live in Illinois, and graduated from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

 

[neekzg]

I think the OP is from IL?

Continue working on your ECs. The GPA is not above average, it is right around average. (sGPA hovering below) Having a good shot at an MD school would require an MCAT re-take.

 

[bananafish94]

Sure, you have a shot. Assuming you're white, people with your stats have about a 43% chance of getting accepted, according to the AAMC grid. That number will decrease if you are Asian and increase if you are a URM. Your ECs are fairly lackluster and you could probably stand to benefit from a year or two of dedicated clinical experience, research, etc. Also you're right in the wheelhouse for DO. Oskee Wow-Wow!

 

[nlmacbu]

I think the OP is from IL?

Continue working on your ECs. The GPA is not above average, it is right around average. (sGPA hovering below) Having a good shot at an MD school would require an MCAT re-take.

Yeah I was hoping for a better GPA. I started out at a community college as an immigrant who moved to US 2 months before starting college, where I pretty much bombed the first semester completely with failing two classes. After that I was pretty much a straight A student other than for like 3 classes in my whole college career. My GPA at UIUC is 3.91, but it never made up for that first semester 🙁

 

[bananafish94]

Yeah I was hoping for a better GPA. I started out at a community college as an immigrant who moved to US 2 months before starting college, where I pretty much bombed the first semester completely with failing two classes. After that I was pretty much a straight A student other than for like 3 classes in my whole college career. My GPA at UIUC is 3.91, but it never made up for that first semester 🙁

Your GPA isn't a huge problem, it's right around the average for people who get into medical school. Your MCAT is a bigger problem.

 

[nlmacbu]

Sure, you have a shot. Assuming you're white, people with your stats have about a 43% chance of getting accepted, according to the AAMC grid. That number will decrease if you are Asian and increase if you are a URM. Your ECs are fairly lackluster and you could probably stand to benefit from a year or two of dedicated clinical experience, research, etc. Also you're right in the wheelhouse for DO. Oskee Wow-Wow!

Definitely not white. Asian! And definitely URM. I don't know if I wanna consider DO. I'm so confused and depressed right now. I think I'm gonna take the MCAT again in July 8th and hope for at least a 510. 🙁

 

[Goro]

I suggest:


Temple

Jefferson

Drexel

Quinnipiac

WVU

Rosy Franklin

MCW

SLU

Creighton

Loma Linda (but read their list of don'ts)

Albany

NYMC

VCU

U VM

EVMS

Oakland-B

Rush (note: very service/experience oriented with a 150hr service requirement. Avg student has 800 hours of community service, and >1800 hours of health care exposure.)

Netter

Your state school(s).

Any DO school.

I just got my 2016 April MCAT scores back and I scored 506 (CARS section killed me. If I were to get any close to what I got on other sections, i.e - 80%, I would've gotten a 510). I graduated with a BS in Molecular and Cellular Biology with a cGPA of 3.64 and an sGPA of 3.55, which I think are above average.

For EC I have done a year and a half worth of undergrad research in animal sciences, was a CPR certified member of UIUC's Emergency Medical Service, a member of American Red Cross, member of 3 different international and national honor societies + Alpha Epsilon Delta pre-health honor society. Was active in a transfer adversary group to help new transfer students. Have also worked in my previous community college's "community services" department helping special kids with school work.

I do lack some major volunteer experiences which I am planning to work on starting very soon full-time (planning to hit 100+ hours of clinical and close to 100 hours of non clinical) . If I do get enough volunteer experience, will I have a shot at a US MD school? Any suggestions on schools I should apply to? I don't honestly care that I can't get into a top school. I just want to get into a US MD school, period!

 

[Terror Billy]

I think if you're DO adverse your best bet is to apply early with that relatively low score and submit all your applications the earliest as possible. That will maximize your chances rather than waiting until mid August to be complete

 

[nlmacbu]

Your GPA isn't a huge problem, it's right around the average for people who get into medical school. Your MCAT is a bigger problem.

I think I'm gonna have to re-do it. Being a non-native, I always get kicked in the butt by CARS. I think I'm gonna have to go for higher scores on science sections. I already have an 87% on Bio/Biochem. I need to improve my other sections.

 

[nlmacbu]

I think if you're DO adverse your best bet is to apply early with that relatively low score and submit all your applications the earliest as possible. That will maximize your chances rather than waiting until mid August to be complete

You're suggesting that I apply to schools with relatively low MCAT requirements as early as possible, right? If I apply to those schools and then take the MCAT again while that is being reviewed, would that make a difference in the applications I had already submitted. If I take the July 8th test I won't get scores back until at least August 8th. Would the schools consider the new scores by that time or would they go with the old one. I'm only asking because I guess I'm worried that I could end up with an even lower score.

 

[Terror Billy]

You're suggesting that I apply to schools with relatively low MCAT requirements as early as possible, right? If I apply to those schools and then take the MCAT again while that is being reviewed, would that make a difference in the applications I had already submitted. If I take the July 8th test I won't get scores back until at least August 8th. Would the schools consider the new scores by that time or would they go with the old one. I'm only asking because I guess I'm worried that I could end up with an even lower score.

might need an ADCOM to give you factual advice on this...a re-take might make you want to wait to apply, but I know people who got into MD schools w/that score and non-super GPAs, thing is they applied EARLY

 

[nlmacbu]

might need an ADCOM to give you factual advice on this...a re-take might make you want to wait to apply, but I know people who got into MD schools w/that score and non-super GPAs, thing is they applied EARLY

I guess that's that then. I am going to apply early to MD schools with low MCAT requirements. All I need is one acceptance. I'm regretting a lot of my decisions right now. And maybe if I get a better score I'll apply to more schools. Thanks!

 

[BZG64]

I think I'm gonna take the MCAT again in July 8th and hope for at least a 510. 🙁

Make sure you are ready for it! Don't rush into taking the MCAT again if you are not getting the scores you want. I rushed and it did not work out very well for me. Had to take it again after that haha

 

[nlmacbu]

Make sure you are ready for it! Don't rush into taking the MCAT again if you are not getting the scores you want. I rushed and it did not work out very well for me. Had to take it again after that haha

I'm gonna do a whole lot of questions I think. I feel like I didn't do enough questions going into my first attempt. Although, I did all the questions on all sections of AAMC Q banks, and 2 FL, and then 3 other FL test from commercial test prep companies. I guess I need to look into more FL. I need to find at least 10 more FL tests and do a couple every week until I increase my baseline score to at least a 510.

 

[neekzg]

Yeah I was hoping for a better GPA. I started out at a community college as an immigrant who moved to US 2 months before starting college, where I pretty much bombed the first semester completely with failing two classes. After that I was pretty much a straight A student other than for like 3 classes in my whole college career. My GPA at UIUC is 3.91, but it never made up for that first semester 🙁

That is some really great improvement and an achievement that will not be overlooked by adcoms. You should be proud of the work you've accomplished. Your MCAT is unfortunately on the low side for MD, but if you apply mostly to schools with low medians then you may stand a chance.

I am not entirely sure how it works when you apply and send in a new MCAT score mid-cycle. I would imagine that the schools that have not yet screened you would take that score into consideration. In any case, it is not worth rushing. If you decide to re-take the MCAT to improve your chances, you should do so at a pace/timing that is conducive to your success. It is ideal to apply only once, with the strongest possible application that you can present.

 

[candbgirl]

Definitely not white. Asian! And definitely URM. I don't know if I wanna consider DO. I'm so confused and depressed right now. I think I'm gonna take the MCAT again in July 8th and hope for at least a 510. 🙁

So what community do you represent? Asian isn't always considered UIM.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app

 

[nlmacbu]

So what community do you represent? Asian isn't always considered UIM.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app

By Asian I don't mean large communities like Chinese/Japanese/Korean etc. I'm Sri Lankan, which most people probably aren't even aware of as a country 🙂

 

[ProspectiveKidd]

By Asian I don't mean large communities like Chinese/Japanese/Korean etc. I'm Sri Lankan, which most people probably aren't even aware of as a country 🙂

Just because there probably aren't many doctors from Sri Lanka in the U.S. doesn't necessarily mean they are URM. I don't know that there is a big need for Sri-Lankans to be further represented in medicine. However, it would add diversity to schools which may help you out a little.

AAMC says African americans, Native americans, Mexicans and Puerto ricans are URM.

 

[ZPakEffect]

Your current numbers are unlikely to result in an MD acceptance. Either apply to DO or retake the MCAT and score 515+, preferably 520+.

 

[nlmacbu]

Your current numbers are unlikely to result in an MD acceptance. Either apply to DO or retake the MCAT and score 515+, preferably 520+.

I'm not sure I'd be able to make that big of a difference! From 506 to 515 is a big jump. I am going to do my best to improve. But I think 520 is an unrealistic goal for me.

 

[ZPakEffect]

I'm not sure I'd be able to make that big of a difference! From 506 to 515 is a big jump. I am going to do my best to improve. But I think 520 is an unrealistic goal for me.

I advised someone who scored a 29 (equivalent to exactly 506) on his first MCAT and then scored 517 on his retake. You just need the proper materials and methods. Read this thread:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/koalats-all-in-one-mcat-guide.1195923/

If you do everything discussed there, including exhaustively using all the mentioned resources, you might be able to have the same improvement.

 

[JustAPhD]

Your current numbers are unlikely to result in an MD acceptance. Either apply to DO or retake the MCAT and score 515+, preferably 520+.

"Preferably in the 98th percentile" 🙄

 

[ZPakEffect]

"Preferably in the 98th percentile" 🙄

Well, to make up for a GPA that's below the median at the majority of MD schools, you're going to need a stratospheric MCAT. Plus, he's Asian.

 

[Lawpy]

Have to agree with ZPak here. A somewhat above average GPA (though average sGPA) with a 29ish MCAT means it's better to apply to DO and perhaps state MD schools.

 

[nlmacbu]

Have to agree with ZPak here. A somewhat above average GPA (though average sGPA) with a 29ish MCAT means it's better to apply to DO and perhaps state MD schools.

Would a 510+ score give me a slightly better chance or would it make a huge difference? By 510+ I mean between 510-515.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Definitely not white. Asian! And definitely URM. I don't know if I wanna consider DO. I'm so confused and depressed right now. I think I'm gonna take the MCAT again in July 8th and hope for at least a 510. 🙁

You're not URM. And if you don't want to consider DO I suggest a broad app to your state MD schools and some of the newer ones. Start with the list Goro gave you. Only retake the MCAT of you can significantly improve, honestly a 506-509/10 probably won't cut it as a lot of schools will average your scores, you need like a 512+ IMO. Preferably 515. Although I have no idea why people are telling you your GPAs warrant a "stratospheric MCAT".... That's just ridiculous.

Don't rush into retaking the MCAT in a month. Apply early and broadly this cycle and see how it goes. If you don't get any interviews or acceptances then retake. This would be the course of action I would take.

 

[nlmacbu]

You're not URM. And if you don't want to consider DO I suggest a broad app to your state MD schools and some of the newer ones. Start with the list Goro gave you. Only retake the MCAT of you can significantly improve, honestly a 506-509/10 probably won't cut it as a lot of schools will average your scores, you need like a 512+ IMO. Preferably 515. Although I have no idea why people are telling you your GPAs warrant a "stratospheric MCAT".... That's just ridiculous.

Don't rush into retaking the MCAT in a month. Apply early and broadly this cycle and see how it goes. If you don't get any interviews or acceptances then retake. This would be the course of action I would take.

Thanks for your input. I am going to apply this cycle for sure. I am in the process of applying currently and making the list of schools to apply to. I hear different things from different people. Some say my GPA is in the ballpark of what usual medical school students apply with. If that is the case, I,too, don't get why I would need some ridiculous MCAT score because the average applicant applies with mediocre MCAT scores and GPAs.

 

[gyngyn]

Your stats put you into a pool of applicants with about a 45% chance of MD acceptance.
http://edge.studentdoctor.net/wamc/Asian_applicants.png

 

[nlmacbu]

Your stats put you into a pool of applicants with about a 45% chance of MD acceptance.
http://edge.studentdoctor.net/wamc/Asian_applicants.png

Isn't 45% for cGPA in the graph? Mine is very close to 3.69 (although my sGPA is a little lower) , which seems to be a little over 60%. I don't know if this means anything, but given my circumstances, that gives me some hope. Of course GPA and MCAT aren't the only things considered, and I know that :|

 

[gyngyn]

Isn't 45% for cGPA in the graph? Mine is very close to 3.69 (although my sGPA is a little lower) , which seems to be a little over 60%. I don't know if this means anything, but given my circumstances, that gives me some hope. Of course GPA and MCAT aren't the only things considered, and I know that :|

These graphs use historic norms that are elevated by factors that lead me to choose at the lower end of the graph.