Low MCAT

[PatriciaNg]

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I am starting to get worry since it is late in the application process. I only got one interview offer so far. I got one rejection and still haven't heard from the other schools I applied to. The major thing I'm worried about is my MCAT score (VR-7, PS-9, BS-11) I have a 3.7 GPA and several research experience. What are my chances of getting accepted?

 

[lola]

what state are you from? is english your first language? i'm not saying a 7 is terrible in verbal, but your app might get more consideration if english is not your first language.

to tell you the truth, your chances are probably not *great* (hard to know without knowing other aspects of your application), but that doesn't mean you won't get in somewhere. the 11 in biological sciences is good, and if i were on an admissions committe i would weigh that section most heavily -- but maybe that's just me.

did you apply early and to your state schools and private schools with low mcat averages? i have the same mcat score (different distribution) and have had some luck getting interviews but still no acceptances. plenty of people get in with that score, but other parts of your app will need to make up for the score.

 

[PatriciaNg]

English is not my first language. That is also the reason why I didn't take the MCAT over because I know that a 7 is the best I can do.

 

[UCLAMAN]

Originally posted by PatriciaNg
English is not my first language. That is also the reason why I didn't take the MCAT over because I know that a 7 is the best I can do.

Of course thats the best you can do...if you think that way theres no way you can score higher. Now I realize English is not your first language but perhaps if you tried harder and believed in yourself you could do better.

 

[xaelia]

I wouldn't say your MCAT scores are helping your application, but they shouldn't be a death knell.

http://mdapplicants.com/searchresults.php?disposition=2&maxmcat=27

There's about 16 profiles on MDapplicants.com of folks with MCAT 27 and below with acceptances to medical school.

 

[tBw]

I'd agree with lola in the other thread you created - for a 27 MCAT with a 7 in verbal 8 schools is simply not enough schools, especially as I think you may be below Stanfords numerical cutoff and I would have described both Sinai and Einstein (not to mention Cornell) all as reaches with that verbal score...(sorry 🙁 ) - which means you essentially applied to 4 'realistic' schools...

If your verbal is a 7 (and you don't mention your writing score) the other thing that might be holding you back is your PS - did you get anyone to proof read it? Many people on here are more than willing to help with such tasks if you have to go through this process again.

 

[PatriciaNg]

I only applied to 8 schools because (I am sure everyone in here knows) it is beyond my financial ability to apply to more. I let several people proof-read my PS, including writing consultants, professors, doctors and peers. I know that my credentials are not competitive, but ultimately I want to practice medicine in Hong Kong (my home country). People have been telling me that if I do not get into the top medical schools in the U.S. There is no chance that I can make it in Hong Kong. That's the main reason why I applied to all the out-of-reach schools. Any good advices on what I should do now??🙁

 

[lola]

some schools to consider if you need to reapply. (hopefully things will work out this year and you won't need to 🙂!)

drexel
new york medical college
university of vermont
penn state
finch chicago medical school
saint louis university
loyola
jefferson
boston university
tufts

someone else can probably add more...

i would suggest applying to at least 8 or 10 schools that are in your range, especially if you're from a state with difficult to get into state schools. it looks like you may be a ny resident, so your state schools aren't particularly easy to get into. then you can add some other schools you'd really like to go to but don't have a great chance of getting in.

hmm... read your last post after submitting this one. i don't know about not being able to practice in hong kong. would you be getting your residency in the u.s. first? if so, i don't know why it would make that big of a difference b/c all u.s. medical schools have decent reputations, but then i do not know anything about medicine in hong kong.

 

[BobbyDylanFan]

Originally posted by PatriciaNg
I only applied to 8 schools because (I am sure everyone in here knows) it is beyond my financial ability to apply to more. I let several people proof-read my PS, including writing consultants, professors, doctors and peers. I know that my credentials are not competitive, but ultimately I want to practice medicine in Hong Kong (my home country). People have been telling me that if I do not get into the top medical schools in the U.S. There is no chance that I can make it in Hong Kong. That's the main reason why I applied to all the out-of-reach schools. Any good advices on what I should do now??🙁

i agree with lola, I do not see any reason why the medical school you go to would make a huge difference for your future in Hong Kong. It seems that many foreigners think that if they don't get into one of the top twenty schools (or in that range) that their life is over. You and the people you have gotten your information from must realize that an MD from an accredited school in the US does not have to be from a top twenty to be highly sucessful. Many, many people with 40 + MCATs 4.0 GPAs and the best ECs who could probably go anywhere STILL choose to go to a lesser ranked school AND they can still be mega-successful. I think you have a great shot if you apply to a broader range of schools. If you lliterally can't afford it, try to get the AMCAS waiver or borrow money (you'll probably need to for med school anyways). If you are still obsessive about getting into the top schools, then yes, you may have to take the MCAT again.

Habere sperare 🙂