MCAT went down, need help!

[tsro]

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I got two 27S's and I just got my score today, a 24R. Needless to say, I'm devastated.

I'm currently in the SMP Program at Georgetown and I'm doing well so far; I expect to leave with at least a 3.7+ GPA from there.

What are my chances?

 

[gmcguitar4]

Very poor. I am not sure how taking the MCAT 4 times looks but if you want MD you probably have no other choice.

 

[tsro]

Very poor. I am not sure how taking the MCAT 4 times looks but if you want MD you probably have no other choice.

Would you think my chances of applying this year are completely shot?

 

[flodhi1]

Would you think my chances of applying this year are completely shot?

Yes they are definitely completely shot. Applying in the end of October to MD schools with a third failed attempt on the MCAT will definitely halt your dreams this year. You need to seriously re-evaluate you're study skills and bring your score back up to a 30+ even then I feel like a lot of admissions officers will look at your 4 MCAT attempts with a little bit of pessimism.

 

[JoshuaGuit]

Did you just not study for the mcat's or something? From what I've seen if you follow some sort of study schedule and stick to it, a 30 isn't that much to ask for.

 

[flatearth22]

OP what were your breakdowns each time?

 

[ilubse7en]

i think chance for this year is difficult, i recommend you start from scratch, after receiving 24 on my first try, i studied ap chem, bio and physics then studied college level science and then went on to mcat studying.

24--> 29--> 33
it was very difficult and its very time consuming..

 

[tsro]

Did you just not study for the mcat's or something? From what I've seen if you follow some sort of study schedule and stick to it, a 30 isn't that much to ask for.

I was studying for the SMP while studying for the MCAT - I really only had a month to study (from my 2nd attempt) and I had a lot on my plate simultaneously.

OP what were your breakdowns each time?

11 Verbal, 6 PS, 10 Bio
10 Verbal, 7 PS, 10 Bio
8 Verbal, 6 PS, 10 Bio

 

[flatearth22]

I was studying for the SMP while studying for the MCAT - I really only had a month to study (from my 2nd attempt) and I had a lot on my plate simultaneously.



11 Verbal, 6 PS, 10 Bio
10 Verbal, 7 PS, 10 Bio
8 Verbal, 6 PS, 10 Bio

Maybe your verbal that day was a fluke seeing as you you were scoring in double digits the 2 previous times? The 10's in bio are good but it's obvious you have problems in the PS section. What book are you using? Berkeley Review is great for the PS section....I used it and was scoring 13's-15's on AAMC practice tests and got a 12 on the real deal (dumb mental math mistakes prevented me from hitting my AAMC average).

If you want MD you're going to have to retake. You can try rolling the dice this year but I wouldn't recommend it.

 

[shinbeats]

I was studying for the SMP while studying for the MCAT - I really only had a month to study (from my 2nd attempt) and I had a lot on my plate simultaneously.



11 Verbal, 6 PS, 10 Bio
10 Verbal, 7 PS, 10 Bio
8 Verbal, 6 PS, 10 Bio

This year your chances are pretty much dead with the 3rd MCAT score even if you applied in June. I think if you had the 2nd MCAT score you could have possibly had a shot this cycle but it's not going to happen with the 24 score playa playa.

 

[tsro]

Maybe your verbal that day was a fluke seeing as you you were scoring in double digits the 2 previous times? The 10's in bio are good but it's obvious you have problems in the PS section. What book are you using? Berkeley Review is great for the PS section....I used it and was scoring 13's-15's on AAMC practice tests and got a 12 on the real deal (dumb mental math mistakes prevented me from hitting my AAMC average).

If you want MD you're going to have to retake. You can try rolling the dice this year but I wouldn't recommend it.

Thanks. I'm going to try this year anyway. Hopefully a good grad school GPA will help me a little. I also have very good extracurriculars, if it's worth anything.

 

[Brachyury]

Thanks. I'm going to try this year anyway. Hopefully a good grad school GPA will help me a little. I also have very good extracurriculars, if it's worth anything.

You'll probably be gold at DO schools. Good luck

 

[hiyaman]

I was studying for the SMP while studying for the MCAT - I really only had a month to study (from my 2nd attempt) and I had a lot on my plate simultaneously.



11 Verbal, 6 PS, 10 Bio
10 Verbal, 7 PS, 10 Bio
8 Verbal, 6 PS, 10 Bio

You need to up the PS score. What's giving you troubles in that section? Physics or G-chem? Maybe you should thoroughly review those topics.

 

[tsro]

You need to up the PS score. What's giving you troubles in that section? Physics or G-chem? Maybe you should thoroughly review those topics.

Probably G-chem. For me, it was mostly a matter of not being able to study enough. I had about one month to study, and in the middle of said month, I began my SMP program, which requires a lot of studying. I'm not stupid, and I'm confident that if I can actually sit down and study decently for a couple of months, I'll do well enough.

I'm just pissed that my score went down so much. VR is my best section usually too.

 

[Velour Fog]

Probably G-chem. For me, it was mostly a matter of not being able to study enough. I had about one month to study, and in the middle of said month, I began my SMP program, which requires a lot of studying. I'm not stupid, and I'm confident that if I can actually sit down and study decently for a couple of months, I'll do well enough.

I'm just pissed that my score went down so much. VR is my best section usually too.

Seems like you need to fully commit to studying for the MCAT.

 

[CodeBlu]

Very poor. I am not sure how taking the MCAT 4 times looks but if you want MD you probably have no other choice.

I know of people that took the test 4-5 times and are at top 20 schools.

So... in short it doesn't matter at all.

It's becoming more common for people to take the test at least twice, some people write the test 3 times before they get the score they need.

Back in the day, it used to matter, since you could only take the test three times before you would need special permission.

 

[Status Sciaticus]

I know of people that took the test 4-5 times and are at top 20 schools.

So... in short it doesn't matter at all.

It's becoming more common for people to take the test at least twice, some people write the test 3 times before they get the score they need.

Back in the day, it used to matter, since you could only take the test three times before you would need special permission.

i agree with Blu. otherwise, there is no way to distinguish if you really got your **** together this time as opposed to last time.

someone who wasnt completely motivated and took the MCAT three times but grew up and buckled down and got a higher score is an indication of maturation which the adcoms look at. Mind you, you have to do better than your previous scores.

 

[Knocked Up]

I got two 27S's and I just got my score today, a 24R. Needless to say, I'm devastated.

I'm currently in the SMP Program at Georgetown and I'm doing well so far; I expect to leave with at least a 3.7+ GPA from there.

What are my chances?

Why in the world did you retake the test after your second exam? Contrary to popular belief on this website people do become MDs with 27s and 3.8+...actually to tell you the truth I know plenty at several state schools...even better I know several Hispanic friends who have lower MCATs than a 27 at a couple of my state's schools

If you can find my older post, I jumped like 9 points in a year after finally buckling down and studying for the test, and I started much lower than you did.

The only thing you did wrong, in my opinion, is listen to all these kids on here (most of whom are lying) tell you about their great 40s scores and feel that your second score was inadequate. This ended up costing you dearly in the end. If you learned anything from this incident it's that you need to be confident and comfortable in YOUR own skin, and not strive to like others (say) they are.

Lastly, the MCAT is a BS test, we all know that. In all likelihood, you just got a monster of a test. It happens. Practice, practice, practice for a year and go in and take it again. If it is a monster again, void. If not FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH YOUR OWN ABILITIES and submit the damn thing and hope you do as well as you would like. No one here is going to tell you to stop following your dreams, if it's meant to happen it will. No one here is an adcom, and so no one can tell you what an adcom will think.

 

[alexandertg6]

Why in the world did you retake the test after your second exam? Contrary to popular belief on this website people do become MDs with 27s and 3.8+...actually to tell you the truth I know plenty at several state schools...even better I know several Hispanic friends who have lower MCATs than a 27 at a couple of my state's schools

If you can find my older post, I jumped like 9 points in a year after finally buckling down and studying for the test, and I started much lower than you did.

The only thing you did wrong, in my opinion, is listen to all these kids on here (most of whom are lying) tell you about their great 40s scores and feel that your second score was inadequate. This ended up costing you dearly in the end. If you learned anything from this incident it's that you need to be confident and comfortable in YOUR own skin, and not strive to like others (say) they are.

Lastly, the MCAT is a BS test, we all know that. In all likelihood, you just got a monster of a test. It happens. Practice, practice, practice for a year and go in and take it again. If it is a monster again, void. If not FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH YOUR OWN ABILITIES and submit the damn thing and hope you do as well as you would like. No one here is going to tell you to stop following your dreams, if it's meant to happen it will. No one here is an adcom, and so no one can tell you what an adcom will think.

an exception maketh not the rule: https://www.aamc.org/download/157958/data/table25-w-mcatgpa-grid-white-0810.pdf.pdf

On top of that, OP has a 3.7 in a SMP, something I am assuming was probably done to boost a low undergrad GPA making it that much more important that he ace the MCAT. Making the OP regret a decision I would have made too is not useful. That being said, if I were in your shoes, I would retake next cycle when I have had a few months to literally do nothing but study for the MCAT. Otherwise, I would just apply DO. They are both doctors.

 

[Knocked Up]

an exception maketh not the rule: https://www.aamc.org/download/157958/data/table25-w-mcatgpa-grid-white-0810.pdf.pdf

On top of that, OP has a 3.7 in a SMP, something I am assuming was probably done to boost a low undergrad GPA making it that much more important that he ace the MCAT. Making the OP regret a decision I would have made too is not useful. That being said, if I were in your shoes, I would retake next cycle when I have had a few months to literally do nothing but study for the MCAT. Otherwise, I would just apply DO. They are both doctors.

3.8+ and a 27-29 gives you 70% chance at MD...and like a 90% ?? chance at DO...and better yet like a 110% at Carribean!!!

And guess what: Ryan Howard only hit the ball 25% of the time this year, and got an 125 million dollar extension!!! So in conclusion, I liked the OPs odds pre 3rd attempt.

 

[PianoMajor]

3.8+ and a 27-29 gives you 70% chance at MD...and like a 90% ?? chance at DO...and better yet like a 110% at Carribean!!!

And guess what: Ryan Howard only hit the ball 25% of the time this year, and got an 125 million dollar extension!!! So in conclusion, I liked the OPs odds pre 3rd attempt.

Yeah, and with a section less than 8, OP would need to be 1/3 black, 1/3 native american, and 1/3 eskimo.

 

[mdhopeful65]

OP, you should do some serious soul-searching to see if medicine is right for you. I would apply strictly DO and Carribean at this point if you decide yes.

 

[coyotelime]

Try Nova physics, I found using NOVA for content and TBR for problems(after doing the NOVA problems) helped significantly. I got an 11 in PS on the real deal if that helps, which isn't great but acceptable.

 

[BurntFlower]

I got two 27S's and I just got my score today, a 24R. Needless to say, I'm devastated.

I'm currently in the SMP Program at Georgetown and I'm doing well so far; I expect to leave with at least a 3.7+ GPA from there.

What are my chances?

What type of prep books are you using? What was your study schedule like?

 

[CodeBlu]

What type of prep books are you using? What was your study schedule like?

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=503250


Read through this thread.

 

[mightymoose02]

i agree with Blu. otherwise, there is no way to distinguish if you really got your **** together this time as opposed to last time.

someone who wasnt completely motivated and took the MCAT three times but grew up and buckled down and got a higher score is an indication of maturation which the adcoms look at. Mind you, you have to do better than your previous scores.

I hope you are right.

Because that's exactly what happened with me.

 

[ucsfstudents]

I don't know your exact chances but do not let anyone dissuade you from pursuing medicine if that is what you want to do. To improve your MCAT score after several attempts is relatively rare, however. I think it is a bit late too apply this cycle. A reevaluation of your approach to studying for the MCAT is in order, as you already know. Also, there is no point in taking the MCAT many times only to receive the same score. If you choose to take the MCAT again, fine, but know that you should apply right away when the next cycle opens. The fact is you score around the mid to high 20's on your MCATs that is just where you stand. It does not determine whether you will be a good doctor (though it does correlate somewhat to your USMLE score) There are schools out there that will look past the MCAT score if other parts of your application are compelling.

 

[ksmajmudar]

You'll probably be gold at DO schools. Good luck

I don't know about this. Chances are definitely better for DO, but he's not a shoo in. If he hasn't started his application at all, I'd say he doesn't have a real shot. No DO shadowing, no transcript release to aacomas, no verification plus a sub-average MCAT score does not spell "gold"!

Good luck though. Like people have said before - don't be dissuaded by other people. Only you know yourself and what you're really capable of.

 

[BurntFlower]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=503250


Read through this thread.

👍 I love to read through that thread. Very helpful.

 

[searun]

Yeah, and with a section less than 8, OP would need to be 1/3 black, 1/3 native american, and 1/3 eskimo.

Technically Eskimos are native americans. So your hypothetical applicant would be 1/3 black and 2/3 native american - but, yeah, that would probably do the trick, assuming that the rest of the application is in proper order.

 

[isoquin]

You should probably start analyzing your study habits, get yourself linked into some other variety (different books, getting in ExamKrackers program, etc), and then retake the MCAT. No one likes to hear that, but it's probably your best move at this point, and getting a higher score is within your reach.

Best of luck.

 

[nycsoul87]

It seems that the people in this thread have no understanding of what an SMP is...

In Georgetown's SMP, you take the exact same classes as a 1st yr Med Student...
To those who are telling him/her to pursue something else, lol what?! Dude got a 3.8 in the MS1 coursework- of course he belongs in medical school.

OP, listen to this. Screw the MCAT for now, beast out your classes. Remember the MCAT is a predictive tool for performance in Med School. You know what's a better indicator than the MCAT for that? MS1 coursework (your Georgetown SMP courses).

Ignore all the previous comments, they seem unaware. Priority #1 for you should be to focus on your coursework. If you continue to get a 3.7+ you will get into med school. 24, 27- **** doesn't matter as much as your 3.7+ in the MS1 course load.

If you can't get in anywhere this cycle, wait until after the SMP ends next semester and take a MCAT prep course/ self study for 3 months. You will be able to easily jump up to at least 32+ will all the skills you pick up during the SMP.

TL;DR

Step 1: Do well in SMP, you might be able to get in just based on your performance in your classes
Step 2: If not, retake MCAT after SMP is over and apply next cycle. (Take a prep course and/or self prep 3 months)
Step 3: Wait 1 month for scores.
Step 4: Get back your 32+ score, apply to med school, get in easily.

 

[isoquin]

Ignore all the previous comments, they seem unaware.

Dude got a 3.8 in the MS1 coursework- of course he belongs in medical school.

If you think this is the only thing needed to indicate someone belongs in med school, then you don't understand why we interview.

 

[Morsetlis]

If you think this is the only thing needed to indicate someone belongs in med school, then you don't understand why we interview.

I suppose the statement should have been amended to, "of course he can handle the medical coursework".

That gets rid of at least one hurdle pre-interview...