Need advice on MCAT/applications/timing

[futuredoc3292]

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Hey everyone.
I am graduating from college in May with a BA in Biological Sciences and a BA in Sociology (dual degrees in 4 years). I have a 3.2 GPA, and I took my MCAT this past semester and got a 21 (8PS, 8VR, 5BS). I did better on my first practice tests while taking the Kaplan course.. I was very disappointed in my score. Since then, I keep putting off taking it again because I don't want to do poorly and I know it looks bad.

Should I take the MCAT again this summer? I would rather focus on my classes this semester and just focus on getting my degrees in May.
Does anyone think I can get into any Post-bacc programs? I would definitely consider this, even if it means I have to retake the MCAT during the post-bacc. That way I know I have a good chance of getting to med school at least for the 2015 or 2016 entering class.

I have extra-curriculars, volunteering and shadowing experience (ER, cardiology, family medicine). I was an RA during my sophomore year and even did a study abroad program in Singapore.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Awesome Sauceome]

Yup, with the marginally lower GPA, you might be best off either retaking some courses, doing a masters, or doing a formal post-bacc. I think all of those would be good options in combination with retaking your MCAT (retaking the MCAT is your most important thing since your GPA isnt terrible). I have a friend who graduated undergrad with a lower GPA than you, went for his masters in biomedical science at my undergrad (a pretty no name small school) and during that time studied hard for the MCAT. He ended up killing the masters program, busted out a 36 on his MCAT and is now at UNC (a very very good medical school).

If your GPA was even a tiny bit better I would say nah, just take a gap year and find work, and during that time retake the MCAT. But I think if you want a really solid chance of being able to have a more "guarantee" of being able to get in somewhere, then the combination of boosting your gpa with a better MCAT would likely give you the most opportunities.

Several other nuggets of advice:
1) Dont take the MCAT until you are 100% ready, confident, and getting 2+ points higher on your practice tests, than the score that you want (like if you want to get a 30, make sure your practice tests are sitting at 32ish to be safe)
2) Dont study for the MCAT until you are 100% ready. Seriously, a good break where you dont think about it might do wonders. Play hard, then work hard - if you get what I mean... Take a really solid break and then come back refreshed and ready to study hard for a good couple of months straight.
3) Dont apply until your application is really ready. You will waste a lot of time and money otherwise. While there is a certain amount of "luck" involved in the process, you do definitely need to hit some thresholds too feel comfortable with your application. Both your gpa and MCAT are barely at those thresholds, so personally if I was you, I would definitely hold off a year.
4) Maybe consider DPM. I know its probably heresy round these parts, but I think that podiatry is a respectable profession. I worked with podiatrists in the past and the ones coming out of school these days are excellent. The training both in outpatient and surgery during residency is very cool. A 21 MCAT is reasonable for a DPM program. Maybe shadow some DPMs if this interests you. Food for thought.

Good luck

 

[Chillywilly]

With a major in sociology, you might benefit from taking the new MCAT. The 8's in PS and VR are reasonable if you're applying to DO schools, but the 5 in BS is alarming...especially since you are a bio major, and it's the #1 predictor of step 1 scores.

Don't give up...a 21 can easily turn into a 27-29 range with some hard work. The Princeton Review for Biology is really good (it helped me go from a 9 to 11). And try the Berkeley Review for Physics & Chem (it helped me go from a 7 to a 10).

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

Your problem is bio. That's not that bad of a problem to have. You can make 5 more points in that section alone with hard work. Take the exam when you feel ready.