LOW mcat, good gpa, decent ec's i think...thoughts?

[boxerlover]

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I already posted but I wanted to get more opinions!



hey all, please be honest with me about where you think i stand (but not too brutal as i am looking for positive encouragement!)

-MCAT: 1st test=28L= 12 bio, 11 phys, 5 verbal
: 2nd test=28)= 8 bio, 10 phys, 10 verbal

-sci gpa=3.6 (attended 2 universities ranked in top 6)
-overall gpa=3.7
-all other gpa=3.82

-EC: -1 summer molecular bio research assistant- paper is submitted, i am 5th author
-1 summer internal medicine office research assistant - abstract presented at conference this spring (i will be a co-author)
-1.5 years volunteering in ER as clinical research assistant (176 hours)
-shadowing experience (my father for ~20 hours, a nurse practitioner for 80 hours, the above listed ER position allowed for shadowing, and will continue shadowing ER physicians for upcoming year)
-hobby/job= nannying for 10hr/week for 6 years
-started volunteering at nurse homevisiting agency in april 2008 but will continute doing this throughout the coming year. this position also allows me to shadow the nurses on homevisits
-current job(started in may 2008 but will last for upcoming year)=clinical research assistant in neuroendriconolgy lab


THANK YOU!

 

[chessknt]

I already posted but I wanted to get more opinions!



hey all, please be honest with me about where you think i stand (but not too brutal as i am looking for positive encouragement!)

-MCAT: 1st test=28L= 12 bio, 11 phys, 5 verbal
: 2nd test=28)= 8 bio, 10 phys, 10 verbal

-sci gpa=3.6 (attended 2 universities ranked in top 6)
-overall gpa=3.7
-all other gpa=3.82

-EC: -1 summer molecular bio research assistant- paper is submitted, i am 5th author
-1 summer internal medicine office research assistant - abstract presented at conference this spring (i will be a co-author)
-1.5 years volunteering in ER as clinical research assistant (176 hours)
-shadowing experience (my father for ~20 hours, a nurse practitioner for 80 hours, the above listed ER position allowed for shadowing, and will continue shadowing ER physicians for upcoming year)
-hobby/job= nannying for 10hr/week for 6 years
-started volunteering at nurse homevisiting agency in april 2008 but will continute doing this throughout the coming year. this position also allows me to shadow the nurses on homevisits
-current job(started in may 2008 but will last for upcoming year)=clinical research assistant in neuroendriconolgy lab


THANK YOU!

Have a fighting chance at low tiers/state school, be sure to write killer PS. apply early, good secondary essays. Be prepared to explain the radical fluctuation in MCAT dist too (have a decent explanation, but dont make it a whiny excuse).

 

[abcabc1]

Which state do you live in?

I agree that you have a fighting chance, but you're definitely in the category where it could go either way (and neither would be a surprise).

Your 2nd MCAT is better than the 1st as it's much more balanced. That's likely the one they'll focus on, but it would be nice to have some thoughts as to why your Science scores dropped.

 

[boxerlover]

ugh...honestly i just have bad test anxiety! but of course i will not say that as that is a lame excuse. I plan to say something along the lines of: THe first time verbal was low simply because I was unprepared...the length and timing threw me and i was therefore not focused for the writing that followed. the second test, i worked to improve verbal and writing, and i did! unfortuantely my bio score went down, but i have proved I can excel in the bio section on the first test. i realize importance of standardized tests, usmle, and plan to seek out every resource possible in medical scchool to succeed on future standardized tests.

how is that?

the problem is, i just want to move on from this test. i have shown i can do it, i just didnt do it in the same day. is it reasonable to say, if i dont get into any medical schools, THEN i will retake it?

also, i am from missouri.

 

[chessknt]

ugh...honestly i just have bad test anxiety! but of course i will not say that as that is a lame excuse. I plan to say something along the lines of: THe first time verbal was low simply because I was unprepared...the length and timing threw me and i was therefore not focused for the writing that followed. the second test, i worked to improve verbal and writing, and i did! unfortuantely my bio score went down, but i have proved I can excel in the bio section on the first test. i realize importance of standardized tests, usmle, and plan to seek out every resource possible in medical scchool to succeed on future standardized tests.

how is that?

the problem is, i just want to move on from this test. i have shown i can do it, i just didnt do it in the same day. is it reasonable to say, if i dont get into any medical schools, THEN i will retake it?

also, i am from missouri.

No offense but saying that you can do it, then failing to do so in the second test leans more on the side of dumb luck. If I were you I would not emphasize my obvious ability to exceed on the BS section because, well, you didnt on the second one and trying to spin it off that way reeks of bull****. Just think it over and try to come up with an honest explanation that doesnt sound arrogant or whiney. It will be difficult but you have plenty of time.

 

[Diksha]

I believe some schools will actually consider your highest score in each section. This would put you at a decent 33; perhaps you should look into this.