MCAT HELP PLEASE!!!

[sailo1994]

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[mc_bio19]

There are quite a few red flags to me as I this over. First of all, you were obviously not prepared for the MCAT and that reflects. You know that already. You need to reflect and fix your study habits, take the test again and rock it. I'm not exactly sure how this score will be factored in when you apply next cycle to be 100% honest.

Another concern of mine is your lack of volunteer hours. Contact the local hospital, clinic, or even retirement home and get some clinical hours under your belt. If you can, get some non-clinical hours too because this will also help your app. Right now, your experience/extracurriculars seem to be lacking.

Your GPA is a little on the low side for MD programs, but you could still be competitive for DO programs if you get your MCAT up.

 

[ChymeofPassion]

So I just got my MCAT scores back and they are horrible. My total score was a 495. The individual scores are as follows:

Chemical and Physical Foundations - 124
Critical Analysis and Reasoning - 128
Biological and Biochemical Foundations - 125
Physiological, Social, and Behavioral Foundations of Behavior - 118

This was my first time taking the exam and I felt very unprepared and nervous, and I had not taken a single practice test. The reason I rushed it was because I had not realized that there was no way I would have a competitive application this cycle and believed I would apply. Upon realizing this, having already paid for the MCAT, I still decided to go through with the exam. As you can tell, I knew next to nothing in regards to the physiological, social, and behavioral section. My question is exactly how bad have I screwed up my prospect of getting accepted to an MD program next cycle, even if I do significantly approve my score? I understand that schools have their own method when dealing with multiple MCAT scores.

Furthermore, I will be graduating next spring and I will be a 5th year undergrad. As a biology major, my current statistics are:
BCMP GPA - 3.38
Overall GPA - 3.42
Shadowing - 25 hours
Volunteer - 0 hours
Undergraduate Research - 2 years (will have to estimate hours)

I will be shadowing throughout the summer and up until the fall, and I will get approximately 5 hours per week. I am aiming to get 100 hours or so. I am still searching for a clinical volunteer opportunity for the fall and spring semester. With one full year left, I'm anticipating my GPA will increase at least .8 points. I am also anticipating having my name on a lab publication upon graduating and applying.

What I would like to know is how bad has the low MCAT score in combination with my low GPA hurt my chances of getting accepted? I am also a URM if that matters. Any advice/tips would be greatly appreciated.

Responding to above. Your GPA is fine for URM, especially if you raise it by .08***** (not .8). However your MCAT score is abysmal. I would argue that a 495 with balanced sections would be recoverable; it shows some obvious gaps in knowledge. A 118 (the lowest possible score) in arguably the easiest section shows a complete lack of caring for what is a career deciding exam. You also lack the hundreds of hours of clinical/non-clinical volunteering/commitment to others. Why not apply Phd if all you've done is research? If you truly want MD/DO, I would graduate, put a couple years between you and that MCAT score, work on the other parts of your app., and reapply with a much stronger MCAT (since URM, 507+)

 

[efle]

Take it again. Study this time. Because you are URM the GPA shouldn't hold you back if you do much better on your retake.

 

[Blanky]

Take a gap year, work as a scribe and study for the MCAT. Clinical hours with research is fine if your volunteering is low.