Hello all!
I am looking for some feedback on what I should do. I have already started applying this cycle, and I was planning on adding more schools upon getting my MCAT scores.
Well I got them back today and got a 30...10/10/10 for PS/VR/BS. Last summer I got a 31 (14/8/9). I retook the exam because I was averaging 33-34 on AAMC exams, and I really underperformed on BS. So I studied again this summer, admittedly focusing more on improving VR and ended up getting that 10/10/10...Really have no idea where the 10 in PS came from because I never got lower than a 12 on the AAMC practices (honestly thinking about a re-score, although I am skeptical that it will change anything).
I have a cGPA of 3.61, sGPA of 3.73...I went to a top 25 undergraduate institution. Biochemistry major, math minor.
Extra-curricular wise, I have 1000+ of hours working as an EMT from high school to sophomore year in college. I have done research at Columbia for two summers and done some on-campus research but no honors thesis (change my major to biochemistry middle of my junior year and these invitations were closed by then). I volunteered as a peer-advisor on campus, tutored college and high school students, was fairly involved in club sports, and am currently doing a research fellowship at the NIH for my gap year. Shortcomings of my EC's are no shadowing, and no leadership. I have relatives who are doctors though so I know what it's like.
Personal statement is very good according to my school's pre-med committee and recs are fairly strong. English professor I took two classes with who enthusiastically wrote one for me. Lab professor who I took several classes with although nothing else besides that (probably weakest). Biochem professor who was my advisor and supervised some of the part-time research I did in his lab. I would often just talk to him during his office hours about life, science, etc....got along with him well. And the PI of the lab I worked in at Columbia over the summers (very very very well known and famous in his field).
So yea, my main concern is the MCAT score decrease. My composite looks good but only a handful of schools look at that. It's a small decrease but does it really matter considering my improvements in two subsections?
I am applying to some lower tier med schools already. NJ resident, so NJMS, RWJ, Philly schools and schools in New York. I will probably apply to Columbia and my undergrad school as big big reaches. Do I have a chance getting in anywhere? especially with that MCAT?
Sorry for the long post y'all. Thanks for reading.
I am looking for some feedback on what I should do. I have already started applying this cycle, and I was planning on adding more schools upon getting my MCAT scores.
Well I got them back today and got a 30...10/10/10 for PS/VR/BS. Last summer I got a 31 (14/8/9). I retook the exam because I was averaging 33-34 on AAMC exams, and I really underperformed on BS. So I studied again this summer, admittedly focusing more on improving VR and ended up getting that 10/10/10...Really have no idea where the 10 in PS came from because I never got lower than a 12 on the AAMC practices (honestly thinking about a re-score, although I am skeptical that it will change anything).
I have a cGPA of 3.61, sGPA of 3.73...I went to a top 25 undergraduate institution. Biochemistry major, math minor.
Extra-curricular wise, I have 1000+ of hours working as an EMT from high school to sophomore year in college. I have done research at Columbia for two summers and done some on-campus research but no honors thesis (change my major to biochemistry middle of my junior year and these invitations were closed by then). I volunteered as a peer-advisor on campus, tutored college and high school students, was fairly involved in club sports, and am currently doing a research fellowship at the NIH for my gap year. Shortcomings of my EC's are no shadowing, and no leadership. I have relatives who are doctors though so I know what it's like.
Personal statement is very good according to my school's pre-med committee and recs are fairly strong. English professor I took two classes with who enthusiastically wrote one for me. Lab professor who I took several classes with although nothing else besides that (probably weakest). Biochem professor who was my advisor and supervised some of the part-time research I did in his lab. I would often just talk to him during his office hours about life, science, etc....got along with him well. And the PI of the lab I worked in at Columbia over the summers (very very very well known and famous in his field).
So yea, my main concern is the MCAT score decrease. My composite looks good but only a handful of schools look at that. It's a small decrease but does it really matter considering my improvements in two subsections?
I am applying to some lower tier med schools already. NJ resident, so NJMS, RWJ, Philly schools and schools in New York. I will probably apply to Columbia and my undergrad school as big big reaches. Do I have a chance getting in anywhere? especially with that MCAT?
Sorry for the long post y'all. Thanks for reading.
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