Originally posted by Ciardeme:
•Hey, i know it is low but it is the ONLY stat that will keep me out. What can i say, i have flubbed every standardized test known to man. So, has anyone heard of getting an interview with such a low MCAT score? Please be honest, i don't want to set myself up for some major disappointment. (oh, and no i am not applying to schools like Harvard or Yale...more like UMDNJ, UCONN etc.)thanks!•••
Ciardeme - Since you asked for honesty and you don't seem like someone who wants things sugarcoated, I will try to give it to you. The truth is that you have several factors working against you. Low UGrad GPA, your age, a very low MCAT score after multiple attempts, and location. Therefore, it isn't just one thing keeping you from getting in.
You've had a diffcult life and no one disputes that. However, your grades were poor throughout UGrad and not just during your first semester. Did you have an upward trend where your last two years were stellar (>3.5)? Since you did do poorly during UGrad, the MCAT was your opportunity to prove that your grades throughout UGrad was not a true reflection of what you are capable of. Unfortuntately, your scores only serve to reinforce the message that your UGrad GPA sends.
Yes, your graduate school GPA is excellent, but many people (even on SDN) have awesome Grad school GPAs. This is not uncommon and is actually expected. The lowest grade that a majority of the students in a graduate degree program receive is a "B" and Adcomms know this. A post-bacc is viewed more favorably and might actually be an avenue you might want to investigate.
Non-traditional applicants are at a disadvantage in the application process. Whether this is fair or not does not matter because it is reality. Most NTs also have graduate degrees, completed a post-bacc, amazing research, etc. so you wouldn't be alone. The pecking order would begin with those who have stellar MCATs and UGrad GPAs.
Lastly, the part of the country you are from is also working against you. There are just too many applicants with good ECs, MCATs, Research, and UGrad GPAs from the East Coast.
The fact that you have flubbed every standardized test known to man is not a good thing. Standardized test taking does not end with the MCAT. The USMLE is much more difficult than the MCAT and medical schools want to take students who they believe will excel on the USMLE. Whether or not the MCAT is a good predictor of that does not matter because that is what they go by.
That being said, I hope you make it in this year. If you do not, you should consider a post-bacc program like the IMS program at MCPHU in which you are competing with medical students. Excelling in one of those programs would say much more than a great GPA from a Masters' degree program. You definitely need to take the MCAT again, that does without saying. I don't mean to be harsh, but if you can't perform on the MCAT or any other standardized test for that matter, what makes you think things will change when you take the three steps of the USMLE? While that may be something that you will deal with later, it might be something you want to work out now. Most schools will not let you graduate unless you pass Steps 1 & 2. Perhaps this is something you should work out now by performing on the MCAT on your next try. If you can't work this out, then you might want to consider whether or not medical school and residency (with its infinite numbers of standardized exams) is for you.
I hope you aren't offended by what I have said. The truth is that I think giving someone false hope is far worse than being brutally honest. The application process is an expensive, draining, and emotional process. I don't think one should apply for the sole reason that you never know.
FYI - Neurology is not very competitive at all. The field is open to both AMGs and FMGs. Basically, you will have no problems matching no matter what school you decide to attend. If being a Neurologist is more important than the prestige of a US school, this might be an avenue to consider as well.
