Need advice from Nova students

[marleybfour]

I will be applying to Nova for 2003 admission. They are my first choice. I have a BA degree from 20 years ago with a 2.0 GPA. I have since earned a Master's degree and nursing degree and a 3.89 GPA (approximately 170 credits post-bac.) I have been taking practice MCAT's and have been scoring anywhere from 21 to 28. I am not sure I should take them on Saturday without some more stable scores as I concerned that I am a long shot for admission even with decent scores. I am going out of my head trying to make this decision. Any opinions are welcome.

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[PalCareGrl]

I think that if you feel that you have studied enough for the MCAT, you should go ahead and take it (you can always take it again in August and apply with the first set of scores and the second ones coming). Y

our background sounds good and your graduate GPA sounds very stable. Plus, I was scoring between 27-31 when I took Kaplan practice tests (I took their course) and their section tests, and I did much better on the MCAT itself. If you feel confident that you can do your best, I would suggest going for it and then seeing how it turns out (apply early before you get your scores and then plan to retake if you don't do as well as you hoped).

Also, I have heard stories of people with great experiences getting into schools with MCATS of only 21 or 22... so you are not out of the running at all. Best of luck to you and keep us informed on how it goes!

 

[Vash311]

Screw the number marley and stay confidant. I remember I had the same worries/mentality you did last year. It's really nerve racking...even qualified applicants, which I really do think you are, have those feelings. I would say go for it cause you can't get in unless you put pen to paper and take a chance. Damn, I just sounded like my parents. <img border="0" alt="[Wowie]" title="" src="graemlins/wowie.gif" /> Ummm...anyways, yeah go for it and best of luck!

Nema

 

[Docgeorge]

Hey just out of curroisty what makes NUCOM a good school. I've herd it be called a good school but not why

 

[barbjs]

Go for it, I think that you should definitely take the MCAT. Like Liz said, you can always take it again in August. It seems like you have lots of good experience that will be helpful in your applying to med school. My MCAT scores weren't that high, but I still got into NOVA because of a good GPA and other things that I was involved in. Good luck!

 

[DrQuinn]

Just take the test. I was scoring aroudn a 25-27 on the practice MCAT, and did better on the real one.

I'm a third year (I guess two weeks away from a fourth year) at NSU and I know severla people in my class who scored below a 20.

Take the test, and apply, no matter what your score. Otherwise you'll kick your own butt in ten years for not just going on with it.

 

[marleybfour]

Thanks everyone for the advice and encouragement. I've struggled with this decision and am not feeling very confident, but I am going to take the test tomorrow. Quinn you are right. I won't regret trying, I'll only regret NOT. Thanks again.

 

[DrQuinn]

Good luck on your test, Marley.

I remember the night of my MCAT. Well, actually, I DON'T remember that night, since I had not touched alcohol for two months prior (I was a junior in college, much differnet from your situation). I burned the MCAT application ceremoniously on my porch that evening, and proceeded to douse my liver with Miller Lite. Oh those were the days. Wow, that was four years ago. Anyways.

Good luck.

 

[Careofme]

DocGeorge...I "second" your question! I'm curious also...

 

[PalCareGrl]

DocGeorge and Careofme:

Nova rocks! It's in sunny Florida, there are tons of opportunites there (for community service, research,etc... and also to get your MPH for free concurrently with your DO degree), the people are SO friendly and seems to really like going there, the technology they have is amazing (Harvey is a cardiac simulation dummy- outstanding), the facilities are beautiful, and the professional school lets you interact with all kinds of other graduate health professional students.... and I haven't even started school there yet!!!

But seriously, I almost didn't apply to this school, but I decided, "what's one more application", and the more I learned, the more I loved it. After my interview, I knew that no other school could compare for me. Of course, this is all subjective, and everyone chooses a school for their own reasons, but I just think Nova is amazing (plus they won some kind of award that Harvard med school had won the previous year). If you have any more questions, just let us know. You can also visit us at: <a href="http://www.nsucom2006.com" target="_blank">www.nsucom2006.com</a>

Liz

 

[PalCareGrl]

Oh yeah..

Marley - I hope you did well on the MCAT (either you feel good after or not, but either way, put it out of your head cuz it's OVER for now!!!). Don't start getting anxious about scores, cuz they won't come til late June. I hope you did well and are out having a good time tonight! Let us know how it was when you get a chance!

 

[marleybfour]

It went HORRIBLE. I didn't finish a single portion nor did I know many questions. It was like taking a foreign language. Ask me how drunk and disappointed I am right now. God this blows.
And I am just too old to keep on trying.

 

[mistirvr]

I am SORRY to hear that the MCAT didn't go well for you, but it is not over!! It was worth a try and now you know your weaknesses. Plus, I knew I did terrible, but I actually did okay..wait it out.

If being a physician is what you want to do with your life, then do what you have to do. The MCAT is only one small part of your qualifications and while it can complicate your application, it doesn't have to stop you.

Good luck to you and keep the faith! :wink:

Gonna go pop open a beer now just to share this moment with you...

 

[Doctora Foxy]

Hi marley I'm sorry the mcats didn't go so well--but a lot of people have that feeling and it is curved, so maybe it's not as bad as you think!

I rarely check this forum, but I was attracted to the Nova thread b/c I'm from South Florida. I don't remember if we ever discussed this on PMs, but I volunteered at a clinic in Boynton Beach, and lots of Nova students rotate there I believe. The summer I was there, the chief resident was there too, and he was a Nova grad. Maybe if you volunteer there, the adcom at Nova will like that. Please send me a PM if interested, b/c I might forget to check back here! Btw, it's a clinic for migrant farmworkers, you probably have heard of it before.

I wish you the best of luck!

Foxy