Low MCAT but Decent GPA

[HIghbury]

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This question is probably the most redundant. But lads please help me out. I understand that this forum is well informed to give you good advice. This April '04 MCAT has made it the 4th time I am taking this MCAT. I am from Cameron originally. English is my second language. I just don't seem to excel in standardized test. These are the times I took the MCAT and scores attained.
Aug 2000 VR 4, Phy 5, Bio 6, WS M
Aug 2001 VR 4, phy 6, Bio 4 WS N
Aug 2002 VR 3, phys 8, Bio 5 WS S
April 2004 VR 5, phys 8, Bio 8 WS P.

My Gpa is ~3.55. Please what should I do. I know I might be a subject of ridicule but please whoever has any concern should please tell me if I have any chance at all or should I give up medicine entirely. I know if I do I don't see myself happy. Please I beg you guys to please give me an honest advice because I am totally perplexed. Thanks and God bless.

 

[Thearchitect]

This question is probably the most redundant. But lads please help me out. I understand that this forum is well informed to give you good advice. This April '04 MCAT has made it the 4th time I am taking this MCAT. I am from Cameron originally. English is my second language. I just don't seem to excel in standardized test. These are the times I took the MCAT and scores attained.
Aug 2000 VR 4, Phy 5, Bio 6, WS M
Aug 2001 VR 4, phy 6, Bio 4 WS N
Aug 2002 VR 3, phys 8, Bio 5 WS S
April 2004 VR 5, phys 8, Bio 8 WS P.

My Gpa is ~3.55. Please what should I do. I know I might be a subject of ridicule but please whoever has any concern should please tell me if I have any chance at all or should I give up medicine entirely. I know if I do I don't see myself happy. Please I beg you guys to please give me an honest advice because I am totally perplexed. Thanks and God bless.

Honestly, I think you should consider some "really sunny" medical schools, if you catch my drift.

 

[HIghbury]

Thanx for your opinion

 

[dhoonlee]

.

 

[Thearchitect]

Er, Cameron? So you're from a moutain in Colorado, a non-english speaking one at that? Heh. Cameroon you mean? Well, considering you have URM status, the grounds the limit for how low your stats can go to get accepted. I know of a URM that got in with 20 MCAT and a 1.93 GPA.

As a side note, you can't even get a bachelor's with that GPA at my university.

 

[HIghbury]

Again thanx for your input.

 

[gujuDoc]

If you are serious, then I'll say this either DO or Carribbean may be the route to go.

Cuz there are some Carribbean schools which don't require MCAT but if you do well on the boards you can still get back into an American school and you do your 3rd/4th yr rotations in the US.

 

[pushkin]

Hey there!

Have you tried talking to admissions people at any med schools? That might be a good place to start. Tell them about your situation, and how English isn't your first language. The good thing is your scores have gone up in every area.

 

[MediCane2006]

First of all, you are NOT an object of ridicule. There are quite a few people who are in your shoes right now - and some of them can't even claim that English is their second language! We've all had the misfortune to choose a very difficult profession to get into, and often the road to medical school is very challenging. The MCAT is just one of the many hurdles along the way.

You could probably get into some of the Caribbean schools with your numbers. However, if you're admittedly not very good at standardized tests, you should remind yourself of the fact that there are still many standardized tests looming on the horizon - all of which need to be passed before you can proceed with your medical education. Just a reminder. 😀

There's lots of good advice (as well as some substandard advice) floating around this board. I'm sure you'll get lots of constructive feedback as to your question. Best of luck!!

 

[HIghbury]

Guys,
I honestly do appreciate these feedback. You guys can't imagine clues that I have now, that I did not think of. Thanks for pointing out to me that I am not an object of ridicule. With every harsh or not harsh words, I know there is some element of concern.

 

[TexPre-Med]

There are a few (meaning 2-3) allopathic schools that allow much lower MCAT scores for URMs. Try looking into Meharry and Howard. There may be one more, but I just can't think of it right now. Good luck.

 

[HIghbury]

That is quite true. Do you think I should take the MCAT again. Something deep within me tells me not to.

 

[exmike]

I think you have a decent shot at some DO schools. You have a 21 MCAT. Several DO schools have MCAT averages around 24. You definitely have a good chance at offshore schools.

Like the other poster said though, you need to consider your difficulty with standardized tests since thats just about all you will have to take to become a dcotor.

 

[HIghbury]

That is also true

 

[daisygirl]

If you can afford it, maybe you should take some sort of intense mcat prep course that kaplan/princeton review offers. Honestly, I don't believe that you could gain acceptance into any American medical school (md or do). Your mcat scores are simply too low. You also need to keep in mind that the mcat is one of many standardized exams that you will need to take in order to become a physician. Maybe taking some sort of intense prep course will help you 'learn' how to take a standardized exam.

I wish you luck

 

[HIghbury]

Maybe that it is late for august mcat

 

[dxw]

I tend to be a lot more optimistic about these things. Your last set of MCAT scores weren't bad. 8's are not bad if you are a URM, so it looks like your verbal score is your only major problem. What have you done to improve this section? Have you tried EK? EK offers classes at a reduced rate if you have a problem with just one section. So you might want to consider doing that or hiring a tutor. Your undergrad might also have MCAT courses. Have you also considered post-bac programs through med schools that are specifically for disadvantaged students. If you've overcome hardship, I think you have a good shot at these programs. The AAMC website has compiled a list of schools with post-bac programs. Do a search for them. Good luck!

 

[Mr. Rosewater]

if you're a URM than it's worth a shot. your gpa is quite strong and if they concede you a few pts. for esl, than you might make a good applicant for them.

 

[daisygirl]

Maybe that it is late for august mcat

I wouldn't take the August mcat if I were you. You really should do some sort of intense prep course and then take the mcat again. Why bother taking the mcat for a fourth time if you have not (which I'm assuming) done anything new in terms of preparation. You may have very likely 'hit a wall' with your scores and it is possible that you may do much better on a future mcat sitting if you change your approach to studying.

Also, med school admissions committees may not view you taking the mcat repeatedly as something that is favorable. It is better that you take the mcat no more than you have to, so if you spend the the next year preparing for the mcat differently, it may really pay off.

 

[stoic]

As has been mentioned before, you should look at some DO schools or Caribbean MD schools.

You probably don't have a shot at most DO schools with your MCAT, but you *might* have better luck at some of the newly opened expansion campuses. Lecom-Brandon, PCOM-Atlanta, and the Turo-Vegas schools are basically brand new (first class graduating in 2008 or 2009) and as such have been rumored to have had some trouble filling spots. As a result there have been stories of sub 20 MCAT's being accepted.

The Caribbean is a valid path, it's just a little more rocky than most if you want to get back into the states.

Best of luck to you!
S

 

[HIghbury]

I still cannot thank you guys enough for your input.

 

[exmike]

Lets consider that DO schools have a little over a 26 average MCAT. We'll just say it is 26 for simplicity's sake. DO schools also have a avg GPA of a 3.4, give or take.

Lets take the MCAT + GPA x 10 forumla
that means to be an average MATRICULANT it would be 3.4x10+26 = 60
You have ALMOST a 3.6 and a 21, giving you a index of 3.6x10+21 = 57

I think you are really really close to being a competitive applicant for DO. After all, the 60 index is the AVERAGE so half of MATRICULANTS have a score below that. Apply to all DO schools!

 

[trauma_junky]

That is quite true. Do you think I should take the MCAT again. Something deep within me tells me not to.

At this point you would have to make like a 35 R to change admissions opinion.

 

[HIghbury]

Wow what an insight. Hopefully I will look back and laugh at this situation.

 

[kickbackdude]

Another thing I would do is apply to every med school you have the capability to apply to. I don't mean applying to 20, but more like 80. I've gone through the med school and residency application process and it's all a numbers game. If you apply to enough schools, you should be ok. I don't know if there's any rules about applying to offshore, DO and allopathic schools all at once (I don't see why there would be), but I would apply to all of them. You will invest lots of time and money, but it will hopefully get you in.

 

[dmk724]

I agree with the other poster who said to talk to an admissions officer. If there a few schools that you'd like to go to, email their admissions directors and explain the situation, and see what they say. I also think it's important to put your score in perspective. How long have you been speaking English? Have you taken other standardized tests, like the GRE or TOEFL? How did you do on those?

 

[pushkin]

No matter what happens, I think it is amazing when people move to a new country and learn to do things in a completely different language. You should be proud. Take the suggestions people have given here, and pursue ALL your options. Applying to as many schools as possible seems like very good advice. I would say maybe hold off on taking the MCAT again for awhile. If English is the problem, maybe you could work just on that intensively for about a year, and then reconsider the MCAT. Good luck!

 

[HIghbury]

Guys I will always going to appreciate the advices I got. Even those that might dampen my morale. It only shows that people do care to respond Right? If you don't care you simply peruse and do not respond. Thanks immensely everyone.

 

[gujuDoc]

Highbury,

If you want it bad enough and you work hard enough, I believe you will eventually get in somewhere. Carribbean may be a good route to go, even though it is not an american school.

There are a few schools like SABA which you don't even need MCAT scores to get into the school.....and then you come back to the states for your last two years of medical schools.

As long as you do well on the USMLE step 1 and 2 you can most likely get a residency in the states.

However, be prepared to understand that the USMLE's are harder than the MCAT, and know what you are getting yourself into.

 

[HIghbury]

Thanks gujudoc

 

[NubianPrincess]

I really wish you the best of luck, HIghbury 🙂

 

[MeMyselfI]

Highbury,
I will keep you in my prayers!!!

 

[jlee9531]

hi highbury. id listen to exmike and do apply to a good number of DO schools. DOs and MDs are medical equivalents and if you are looking to go into a primary care role then a DO is a very viable option for you.

regardless of your URM status, your MCAT score will greatly hinder you for mainland MD schools. you do have a solid gpa (did you get that here at a US university?) and even though your first 3 MCAT scores show no upward trend, your 4th attempt is a vast improvement.

You have red flags to deal with. I would call up some schools you might be interested in and trying to see how they feel about that type of situation. You need as much information as possible to make the best decisions you can about where to apply and what to do.

 

[Heal&Teach]

Ditto on contacting admissions offices at schools of interests and strong consideration of DO and/or Caribeean programs. If you're willing to sit for the MCAT once more, I'd consider a post-baccalaureate program as well.

Best of luck to you!

 

[Indebt4Life]

You're a URM. I say go for it and apply to allopathic with several DOs as backups. Don't be afraid of applying to good MD programs, you don't know what the adcoms are looking for. Good luck.

 

[IllinoisStudent]

I would say don't worry about your MCATs. English is not your first language, and I can understand that you might read it slowly than the native speakers. Most non-native speakers read English slower even though they can speak english fluently. Many US students speak spanish fluently, but you can't expect them to excel in a standardized spanish test against other native spanish test takers.

Having said that, it is your responsibility to make sure that you know ur stuff..basic sciences. If you become a doctor, you need to have knowledge to save patient's life. At that point, being a native or non-native speaker doesn't make a difference.

Good luck w/ admissions. I would recommend looking for schools that encourage diversity and are less into numbers. You don't have to settle with DO or Carribbean. Apply to more minority friendly schools. Applying to more schools definitely helps.

 

[BSChemE]

Your grades are pretty solid. I think that you should give it a shot and apply to some schools. If that does not work out, I would apply to Wake Forest Univiersity's School of Medicine Post-Bacc Development Program. It is for URMs. It requires that you have an minimum MCAT score of 21 which you have. If you successfully complete the program, you are offered admission to the medical school. The deadline for applications is in February. There may be other programs like this. You just have to find them.

Syracuse University lists the program at Wake and other Post-Bacc Programs. Once you get to the Syracuse site, search Health Professions Advisory Programs.

I hope this helps. There is still hope!

 

[gujuDoc]

BSCHemE brings up a good point about Post Bac Programs.

The WakeForest program, as well as the Georgetown GEMS program are very good, because they give you a chance to take first year med school classes, and often times you have a high probability of getting into the school the next year officially as a med student if you do well in the PostBac program.

Good luck.

 

[acl3623]

does tulane have a program?? i thought i heard somewhere that they did.

 

[HIghbury]

For everyone who has poured out info to me. I am deeply moved and I say that may God bless you all. It is unimaginable that people could care like this. I am really moved. America is a great land with great people who have great heart. Thanks again.