This time last year I graduated from the first class of a Master’s of Science in Biomedical Science program. My goal was to attend the medical school where I earned my degree, despite my best effort that did not happen. I have taken the MCAT five times and even though I use the traditional methods of preparation I have not been able to score above a 490. My GPA is 3.2. I have been trying to get into medical school now for about 4 years and I have not been successful. I’m working on a clinical trial and I am grateful for the experience I just know that it’s not my career. If anyone could shine a light on what they have done in similar situations or if someone can give me practicle advice on next steps or other potential career fields that would be greatly appreciated. I want to ensure I am doing everything in power to be successful.
MSBS, grad low GPA and low MCAT
- Thread starter Drhpful
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Suggest:
Teaching
Clinical lab tech
Research tech or lab mgr
Allied health professions
Clinical trials mgt
Teaching
Clinical lab tech
Research tech or lab mgr
Allied health professions
Clinical trials mgt
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Have you considered being a PA or NP? You’d be a valued and trained clinician with lower barrier of entry programs.
I’m sorry you can overcome a low GPA or a low MCAT, heck sometimes even both can be less than stellar and still net you an admission particularly from schools that look at the two as a “safety gauge”. A 490 suggests a lack of content knowledge and taking it five times is not a good look. I wouldn’t take it again unless you had an AAMC FL taken under timed conditions that was >505. It also may be that an MD/DO just isn’t in the cards.
How have you reviewed? I was very passive in my initial review and the material didn’t stick. I found flash cards and integrating UWorld practice questions helped a great deal.
How have you reviewed? I was very passive in my initial review and the material didn’t stick. I found flash cards and integrating UWorld practice questions helped a great deal.
Thanks for answering my question. I have created a schedule where I was covering material a subject area from a review book then practicing that material each day. Each week I would take a full length exam. This last time I focused on the verbal section with more intensity. I reviewed the other sections as well but I focused on becoming a better test taker.
With that many low MCATs and unsuccessful applications I think it might be best to take a few years off. Even if you get a good MCAT now as soon as they see the rest of them it's going to look like a fluke.
Stop taking the MCAT and reapplying for now. Make a 5 year plan. Take 2-3 years and focus on the career that you have. Look into project management or clinical trials management if you are ok with continuing in that field, consider other health fields (NP/PA/CRNA etc) if something more clinical and consider if an accelerated BSN would be beneficial if you go that route. In the mean time take a couple classes to boost the GPA, some volunteer work that you can do consistently long term (even 4hrs/month adds up and looks great over years), and keep studying 30min-1hr a day (might be beneficial to go back to the basics and review stuff via Khan academy etc).
Stop taking the MCAT and reapplying for now. Make a 5 year plan. Take 2-3 years and focus on the career that you have. Look into project management or clinical trials management if you are ok with continuing in that field, consider other health fields (NP/PA/CRNA etc) if something more clinical and consider if an accelerated BSN would be beneficial if you go that route. In the mean time take a couple classes to boost the GPA, some volunteer work that you can do consistently long term (even 4hrs/month adds up and looks great over years), and keep studying 30min-1hr a day (might be beneficial to go back to the basics and review stuff via Khan academy etc).
Thank you for your advice. I appreciate it.
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I'm curious are you URM and disadvantaged and what state do you reside in? On a positive note you still have 2 more times to take the MCAT so you have 2 shots.
Hi I am a URM and I live in Virginia
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Have you applied to osteopathic schools as Well?
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Five official attempts at the MCAT and you've not scored above a 490? I'm never one to throw in the towel, but ... it may be time to consider an alternative route (career path).
Best of luck to you.
Best of luck to you.
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You say that you'e been trying to get in med school for four years. Do not feel bad. I know several people who have been at this 7, 8, 9, 10 years. If medicine is what you want to do, do not give up. A 3.2 grad GPA isn't horrible. It could be better, but it could be way worse. What you need to do at this point is seek help from a few different med school advisors and see what they say. They will probably tell you to retake the mcat. However, you are going to need to change your approach this time around and not take it until you are scoring well on the practice exams. Don't listen to people when they tell you to give up, seek help to find out how you can strengthen your credentials (and not from negative people on sdn telling you to give up who aren't even medical school advisors). If medicine is what you want to do, don't give up. Fight for it.
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There is no pretty way to see this, but the truth is that going to medical school is not in your cards. Unfortunately, it's both the MCAT and GPA that hold you back. I would strongly advise against pursuing this further and see if there is a way to do RN-to-NP
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