Need help... confused about two different options

[nextinteraction]

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Hi SDN, I’m pretty new to this forum so I wanted to ask for some help on a situation I am currently in.

For background, my cGPA is a 3.6 and my sGPA is a 3.3. Because of my sGPA, I applied to several SMPs and I was planning on taking my MCAT bc each SMP requires the MCAT or GRE. While studying for the MCAT, my practice tests were not where I wanted them to be (scoring below 500) and so I decided to postpone my MCAT.

My question is this:
1. Should I take the GRE and try to get into an SMP and somehow manage to take the MCAT while I am in the SMP
2. Take the year off and study for the MCAT for 4-5 months, take the MCAT in January all while increasing my ECs and then apply to medical school and SMPs again.
Either way, I cannot apply this cycle. Any advice would be great!! Thank you.

 

[deleted889094]

I had similar stats (slightly lower actually) and I got 3 MD II's and an A this cycle. But I had a 516 MCAT. I took 4ish months to study and went from a 499 on my first practice to getting the 516. If you feel good about your ability to study and get a high score, I would say no SMP. But if you don't think you can get above the 90th%-ile I think the SMP would be a better option.

Or you can do DO if you get a good but not great MCAT. That's a good option too

 

[nextinteraction]

I had similar stats (slightly lower actually) and I got 3 MD II's and an A this cycle. But I had a 516 MCAT. I took 4ish months to study and went from a 499 on my first practice to getting the 516. If you feel good about your ability to study and get a high score, I would say no SMP. But if you don't think you can get above the 90th%-ile I think the SMP would be a better option.

Or you can do DO if you get a good but not great MCAT. That's a good option too

Thank you so much for replying!!! I’ve felt pretty on my own for the past couple of weeks so it means a lot that you replied and shared your story.

I think I really want to just go with studying for the MCAT and scoring 90th percentile and above. My practice started at 493 and I took another practice which resulted in the same score. I have to redo my content and move from there.

Thank you again! Really appreciate it. Congrats on getting into an MD program 🙂

 

[RNthenDoc]

I think you were wise to postpone your MCAT. I would set a very serious study plan and try for a better-than-average score.

 

[nextinteraction]

I think you were wise to postpone your MCAT. I would set a very serious study plan and try for a better-than-average score.

Yes I agree with you. Once the semester comes to a close this week, I am going to sit down and make a plan that is reasonable and I can execute properly. Thank you for your insight!

 

[deleted889094]

Thank you so much for replying!!! I’ve felt pretty on my own for the past couple of weeks so it means a lot that you replied and shared your story.

I think I really want to just go with studying for the MCAT and scoring 90th percentile and above. My practice started at 493 and I took another practice which resulted in the same score. I have to redo my content and move from there.

Thank you again! Really appreciate it. Congrats on getting into an MD program 🙂

My roommate and I studied and took the test together. He went from I think a 495 to a 515. It's doable. But we studied hard - and him harder than me. He was doing like 5+ hours a day. It was probably overkill, but definitely don't underestimate how much you should study.

I think part of the reason we were successful is because we HAD to get a good score and felt the pressure to do so. He had slightly worse stats than me and we knew the only way to be good applicants was to kill the MCAT. If you're serious about scoring 90th+ percentile, you need to study like a fiend unless you're just brilliant. So if you go with that plan, don't slack

 

[nextinteraction]

Some SMPs do not require either the GRE or MCAT- i.e. BU MAMS, Duke MBS. Have you considered those?

So I didn't actually know that BU MAMS didn't need MCAT or GRE; however, I did look at Duke MBS last week but it was too late to apply for it. I'm going to look if BU is still taking applicants for their MAMS program.

 

[nextinteraction]

My roommate and I studied and took the test together. He went from I think a 495 to a 515. It's doable. But we studied hard - and him harder than me. He was doing like 5+ hours a day. It was probably overkill, but definitely don't underestimate how much you should study.

I think part of the reason we were successful is because we HAD to get a good score and felt the pressure to do so. He had slightly worse stats than me and we knew the only way to be good applicants was to kill the MCAT. If you're serious about scoring 90th+ percentile, you need to study like a fiend unless you're just brilliant. So if you go with that plan, don't slack

Agreed. I think a part of where I fell with my MCAT studying was that while I had a plan, it was unable to be consistent due to school. I have a tutor so I am going to make an MCAT plan with him to tailor my day to day plan. Did you have all 4 months off from any outside commitment when you and your friend studied? Off topic, but how were you able to consistently retain content you studied in the beginning? Anki?

 

[Woe_is_me23]

Hey, if you have the ability to not rush then I think it’s a great idea to take an additional year to build up your application via ECs and have a 4-month focus period for the MCAT.

The MCAT is a super daunting exam, but it’s also within your control. You CAN improve that score. It takes an avg of 300+ hours of consistent studying, but you can slay that exam if you keep at it and give yourself the time you need to succeed.

 

[deleted889094]

Agreed. I think a part of where I fell with my MCAT studying was that while I had a plan, it was unable to be consistent due to school. I have a tutor so I am going to make an MCAT plan with him to tailor my day to day plan. Did you have all 4 months off from any outside commitment when you and your friend studied? Off topic, but how were you able to consistently retain content you studied in the beginning? Anki?

No, I was doing classes, research, working part time and volunteering a couple places. Probably the busiest semester I ever had, but I did better in everything because it forced me to be efficient.

I think it was probably because I started simple and worked my way up. I started by reviewing things I had already learned and progressed to stuff I barely knew. I also think I had learned how to study finally. Only dabbled in Anki for psych. Just see what works for you

 

[nextinteraction]

Hey, if you have the ability to not rush then I think it’s a great idea to take an additional year to build up your application via ECs and have a 4-month focus period for the MCAT.

The MCAT is a super daunting exam, but it’s also within your control. You CAN improve that score. It takes an avg of 300+ hours of consistent studying, but you can slay that exam if you keep at it and give yourself the time you need to succeed.

Thanks for the reply, really appreciate it! You’re right, with the right amount of time and dedication I can get there. I guess the thing I am stressed about is time and having to push everything back by a year. It’s reallf frustrating bc I constantly feel like I can’t enjoy life either.

Did you give yourself this amount of time when studying for your MCAT/was it with distractions (classes, ECs, etc)?

 

[nextinteraction]

No, I was doing classes, research, working part time and volunteering a couple places. Probably the busiest semester I ever had, but I did better in everything because it forced me to be efficient.

I think it was probably because I started simple and worked my way up. I started by reviewing things I had already learned and progressed to stuff I barely knew. I also think I had learned how to study finally. Only dabbled in Anki for psych. Just see what works for you

I liked that you said that you started simple and then worked up. I started with my weakest subject rather than my strength. Thank you, again, for all the advice you’ve given

 

[Woe_is_me23]

For me, I’m a tunnel vision kind of human— I really like to focus. So I waited until I was done with classes, took time off of work, and studied full time for about 3 months over the summer. It worked for me, especially because since I was taking a break from everything but MCAT my schedule was very reliable and I never had an excuse to dip out of studying.

I took the exam a year before I applied so I was sure I’d be ready and that I liked my score.

Certainly not the only way to do it, but I found my approach minimized stress for me.

ALSO, I should add that I’ve enjoyed each of my gap years. Applying to med school one year later doesn’t mean another year of drudgery; it means another year of liberated young adult life!

 

[nextinteraction]

For me, I’m a tunnel vision kind of human— I really like to focus. So I waited until I was done with classes, took time off of work, and studied full time for about 3 months over the summer. It worked for me, especially because since I was taking a break from everything but MCAT my schedule was very reliable and I never had an excuse to dip out of studying.

I took the exam a year before I applied so I was sure I’d be ready and that I liked my score.

Certainly not the only way to do it, but I found my approach minimized stress for me.

ALSO, I should add that I’ve enjoyed each of my gap years. Applying to med school one year later doesn’t mean another year of drudgery; it means another year of liberated young adult life!

Just like how you’re describing yourself to be a tunnel vision kind of person, I am the same. I have to be focused on it and it’s hard for me to manage multiple other things on top of it. The MCAT, as you already know, is a time commitment and required dedication.

Yeah I like how you took it in September and didn’t have to worry about it for the rest of the year. Hahaha thanks for the positivity, that is true! I know I am pressuring myself bc i wanna get to medical school while I’m still young. It’s the pre med idea ingrained in me.

 

[deleted889094]

I liked that you said that you started simple and then worked up. I started with my weakest subject rather than my strength. Thank you, again, for all the advice you’ve given

One last piece of advice: memorize the amino acids before you do anything else. You'd be amazed how much they come up

 

[MedApplicant.com]

I am not a fan of SMP's unless you are passionate about the program that you are considering.. I believe your time is better spent studying for MCAT and improving your experiences. If you have not done so, I would find a DO to shadow and apply to several DO schools when the time comes. Even if you take the MCAT in the fall, you will still have a shot for the next cycle at some DO schools and any new MD schools that come online mid cycle.

 

[Woe_is_me23]

If you have not done so, I would find a DO to shadow and apply to several DO schools when the time comes. Even if you take the MCAT in the fall, you will still have a shot for the next cycle at some DO schools and any new MD schools that come online mid cycle.

Agreed that it’d probably be wise to shadow at DO. That said, please don’t rush your application!

Also, re: applying to medical school while your still young. I hear that. But medical school and residency aren’t simply a means to an end. They’re part of the epic journey that is medicine. What’s the difference between becoming an attending at 30, 31, 32, 33, or 34? Sure, family planning is a conundrum for a lot of us. But that’s workable.
The key is to take each step when you’re ready, and don’t underestimate the importance of having a little fun along the way.

 

[nextinteraction]

One last piece of advice: memorize the amino acids before you do anything else. You'd be amazed how much they come up

Yeah I keep hearing that! I have memorized them in the past for my biochem class so it’s ingrained. I get confused about the side chains though so will need to review that. Do you suggest even memorizing the structures?

 

[nextinteraction]

I am not a fan of SMP's unless you are passionate about the program that you are considering.. I believe your time is better spent studying for MCAT and improving your experiences. If you have not done so, I would find a DO to shadow and apply to several DO schools when the time comes. Even if you take the MCAT in the fall, you will still have a shot for the next cycle at some DO schools and any new MD schools that come online mid cycle.

Thank you for this! As you have already read, I have been stressed about this decision so I am happy that you’re saying it’s better to study for the MCAT and work on ECs because I feared that it wasn’t a good idea.

Agreed! I am working on trying to get DO shadowing but I only have MD rn.

 

[nextinteraction]

Agreed that it’d probably be wise to shadow at DO. That said, please don’t rush your application!

Also, re: applying to medical school while your still young. I hear that. But medical school and residency aren’t simply a means to an end. They’re part of the epic journey that is medicine. What’s the difference between becoming an attending at 30, 31, 32, 33, or 34? Sure, family planning is a conundrum for a lot of us. But that’s workable.
The key is to take each step when you’re ready, and don’t underestimate the importance of having a little fun along the way.

Yeah I am slowly coming to accept and be happy with my decision to not rush.

That’s actually a really valid point bc medical school and residency is long journey and just being in medicine is as well. Thank you for saying to have a little fun, it always feels like I never do. I am trying to get better at that haha

 

[Woe_is_me23]

Thank you for saying to have a little fun, it always feels like I never do. I am trying to get better at that haha

It’s something I’m working on too!

There’s a lot of pressure to be the right kind of pre med. You feel like you need to check a lot of boxes. If you’re not studying or researching or volunteering you’re lazy and a failure. I’ve had to work really hard on figuring out what I want to do versus what medical schools want me to do. It’s not an easy task.

The key is: if you don’t give yourself permission to have fun and enjoy the journey, no one ever will.

 

[deleted889094]

Yeah I keep hearing that! I have memorized them in the past for my biochem class so it’s ingrained. I get confused about the side chains though so will need to review that. Do you suggest even memorizing the structures?

Yeah you should know that. They're much the same aside from the side chains anyway

 

[nextinteraction]

It’s something I’m working on too!

There’s a lot of pressure to be the right kind of pre med. You feel like you need to check a lot of boxes. If you’re not studying or researching or volunteering you’re lazy and a failure. I’ve had to work really hard on figuring out what I want to do versus what medical schools want me to do. It’s not an easy task.

The key is: if you don’t give yourself permission to have fun and enjoy the journey, no one ever will.

This. You said it perfectly. Going to have to keep reading this to remind me about the difference. Thank you for pointing this out and being so relatable to my situation and to anyone else who reads this thread!!