MCAT of 29 or late application?

[CanadianRN]

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Hello everyone:

I'm new to this forum. My question is pretty simple. I have an MCAT score of 29 from this past September (9PS/10VR/10BS). I took the exam with zero background in physics or organic chemistry and just studied with Kaplan. I should have waited... My average score with Kaplan FL exams was 34-35 with a VR 0f range of 11-13, so I definitely lucked out here. I was also running a very large study that was distracting me and I lacked some of the basic sciences. None of these obstacles will be in my way for this retake. I am just finishing first year physics and organic chemistry in the next two months, and I will be retaking the Kaplan prep course from June 5-August 20 online. I have scheduled my MCAT retake for August 27th.

Should I submit my AAMC application early with my current MCAT score, or wait for the new MCAT result? It sounds like a late submission is pretty devastating for even the most competitive applications... I'm only considering MD (easier to get back to Canada) and only solid mid-tier schools or above (same reason).

Other relevant information:

Canadian living in the U.S (California)
RN for 10 years (tons of experience)
Master's in education with research experience and publications
GPA: Somewhere between 3.6 and 3.7
Prerequisite GPA 3.7-3.8 (stats course from 10 years ago with a C)
Grad GPA 3.88
Excellent LORs from MDs and graduate committee (occupational perk)

I'm very torn. I have been rejected 5 years in a row in Canada, and this will probably be my last attempt. My wife is a pulmonologist and starting to get settled with her career. She is also pregnant. =) This dream means so much to me, but my family will need some certainty at some point. They are willing to support me, but the not knowing if or when I will ever get in is killer.

What is my best chance for this last try?

Thanks a million for reading.

 

[mishaS]

If it's your last attempt, and it's what you really want, I'd bite the bullet, study your ass off (NO DISTRACTION (aside from baby)), get a good MCAT score, prep a superb personal statement, apply early, and get secondaries in early so you ideally can not just get in, but get accepted into a school that won't force your wife to move to a place she doesn't want to go to. Seriously, STOP SHOOTING YOURSELF IN THE FOOT! I've had friends like you, who are smart, hard working, have great resumes, and cried when they half assed important things that would otherwise been easy for them. You've applied 5 times already, don't you think you should make one really count? In 10 years, when you're not having to fill the order of some incompetent intern, because despite knowing better, you can't place the correct order for your patient, you'll be happy you put in the effort.

 

[darklabel]

Fun fact, DO residencies are going to be accredited by the ACGME so you should have no problems going back to Canada.

But if you insist, then yeah, you should definitely retake that MCAT, especially if you're planning on applying in the US. Truth is, its very tough as an international to apply to medical school and usually only the mid tiers and top tiers accept a few internationals (some as few as 1 and some as many as 9). You're expected to be above your US counterparts, so you're going to have to aim for 35-36+.

tl;dr, you have to retake it and a late application is going to be a big negative, but you probably won't receive much if any attention from medical schools, especially mid+ tiers in the US (that accept internationals) with a 29.

 

[CanadianRN]

Thank you for the responses. I appreciate the feedback. It sounds like there is no ideal solution, but that waiting for my new MCAT results will be better than submitting early with my current MCAT score. I think this is what I will do.

Much appreciated.

 

[gyngyn]

Thank you for the responses. I appreciate the feedback. It sounds like there is no ideal solution, but that waiting for my new MCAT results will be better than submitting early with my current MCAT score. I think this is what I will do.

Much appreciated.

And re-consider DO.

 

[Boolean]

Quick question. I'm a Canadian (lived there for eight years) who has been largely raised in the US. Would it be beneficial for me to attain American citizenship before applying?

 

[gyngyn]

Quick question. I'm a Canadian (lived there for eight years) who has been largely raised in the US. Would it be beneficial for me to attain American citizenship before applying?

Internationals have a serious disadvantage when applying here. A green card will make all the difference in the world.

 

[Boolean]

Internationals have a serious disadvantage when applying here. A green card will make all the difference in the world.

I've had one since we moved down here. So I do not necessarily need citizenship, just maintaining my permanent residence? (Resident Alien / G-Card?)

 

[Optimus-Prime]

go late, and take the AAMC practice tests

 

[gyngyn]

I've had one since we moved down here. So I do not necessarily need citizenship, just maintaining my permanent residence? (Resident Alien / G-Card?)

Green card and you're golden.

 

[Boolean]

Green card and you're golden.

Alright, thank you very much!
@CanadianRN, sorry for the thread hijack <3