Need some help...

[shava9865]

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I have taken the MCAT more than once and haven't had any significant increase in score. I am 3 1/2 years out of undergrad and am ready to further my education. I have been considering Caribbean schools because I do not feel my MCAT scores are competitive. With that said I have a decent GPA, completed a non-degree (research orientated) graduate program at a prestigious university, and have several other unique experiences.

I guess my questions would be:
1. How heavily is the MCAT weighed at Caribbean schools?
2. How would you rate experience at a Caribbean school?
3. For those who have completed their studies...Do you ever regret your
decision to go to a Caribbean schoo?

I am having a difficult time deciding where to go from here. If anyone could give me any insight or have any suggestions, please do feel free to share them...I'd greatly appreciate it!

 

[futureboy]

You may want to give more info, like cumulative and science GPAs, and MCAT scores. Carib schools vary in quality and in admissions standards.

 

[RasenShuriken]

These are my opinions, not sure if they are 100% accurate:
1. MCAT weight really depends on your GPA (You'll see kids with 2.8s and 35s, or 3.8s and 26s)
2 & 3. A bit of searching here and at Valuemd.com should give you a good idea. Really depends on the school

IMO, you'll probably want to give the USMD schools (and the MCAT) a serious shot before you settle for the carribean. Taking the MCAT twice and not performing to your expectations is not the end-all. Try again, set aside some time to prepare, and give it another go. Assuming you're GPA is 'decent', your experiences are interesting, you have a good personal statement, and you can bring your MCAT up, you'll be able to land interviews at many places in the US (apply broadly).

From my research, it seems most Carib MD's say the same thing: "I enjoyed my time there, I (sometimes) got the residency I wanted, but I would have saved myself a lot of headache, blood, sweat, and tears if I had gotten accepted into a US MD school."

This is my second year applying to medschool, on a waitlist for a USMD program but not holding my breath. Im prepared to go to SGU this fall if necessary.

 

[shava9865]

You may want to give more info, like cumulative and science GPAs, and MCAT scores. Carib schools vary in quality and in admissions standards.

GPA: 3.4 Science GPA: 3.2
MCAT: High teens

I just don't know how much of an option I would have applying to medical school. I have taken the MCAT 3x already...

 

[dragonfly99]

Keep in mind that even if you go to a Caribbean school, you'll have to pass the USMLE Step 1 and USMLE Step 2 in order to get back into the US for residency. The MCAT score in the teens makes me worry that you are not academically prepared for medical school, which could cause your med school performance and USMLE scores to suffer. Running to the Caribbean might not be the best option, if in 3 years from now you end up in another bad position (didn't do well at your med school, or failed one of the USMLE tests, etc.).

Try to figure out what the problem is with the MCAT and your science grades. Is it lack of knowledge? Test anxiety? Poor test taking strategy? Are you not a math/science person? If not, then med school might not be the right route for you...I'm not as much of a math/science person as many doctors, but biology in particular was a good subject for me in school, and I did pretty well in chem+physics even though I never loved them.

 

[ChairmanMao]

GPA: 3.4 Science GPA: 3.2
MCAT: High teens

I just don't know how much of an option I would have applying to medical school. I have taken the MCAT 3x already...

Yikes, with that kind of MCAT score, it might be even be difficult to get into the reputable Carribben medical school. I've heard that the average GPA and MCAT score of SGU applicant is 3.4 and 27. Among the Big-4 Carribbean medical schools, I think all of them have an average MCAT score somewhere in the mid 20s and average GPA similar to yours.

I don't know why you're having so much difficulty with the MCAT, even after retaking it three times. Are you a native English speaker? Do you do well on two sections of the MCAT but poorly on the third (i.e. 8, 9 on Physical and Biological Science but 3 or 5 on the Verbal portion). I don't want to discourage anyone from pursuing medical school, but if you struggle with standardized tests, you'll have a difficult time at any medical school. So much of your future depends on taking standardized tests that you might have problems getting into residency and taking the boards later on. Going to a Carribbean medical school might make it worst because they do not offer remedial courses (so if you fail a semester they might ask you to leave rather than give you the option of retaking the course - as a US medical school might).

I would really look into changing how you take standardized tests or how you master the subjects before you proceed to any Carribbean school. It may be that you didn't take the required premedical courses or that you have problems with English comprehension. If you skipped out on taking physics, organic chemistry, or genetics, you'll struggle with the MCAT no matter how you prepare for it.

Finally, if you've done everything you can to improve your MCAT score, and you're just not seeing any improvements, you may want to consider other career paths such as Physician Assistant or nursing. These professions have fewer standardized exams and pay well in terms of the number of hours worked. It is possible for you to earn a six figure salary in any of these fields without going through 10 years of medical school and residency training. It's always a good idea to have the option of going into a different field in cases you're not able to improve your MCAT to the point of being accepted by a reputable Carribbean medical school.

 

[shava9865]

I know exactly what my problem is...I do get test anxiety and I am a very poor test taker, always have been. My tests scores have never been indicative of my success. I went go a great "public ivy" University and did extremely well (3.4 was graduating with honors). I don't like when people say that low MCAT dictates that one can not be successful in medical school. There is more to school, or being a doctor for that matter, than taking tests. While I do understand that testing is necessary, I don't believe that high scores are the epitome of success. If the MCAT were an oral or open-ended test, I'd probably do much better.

 

[Boges]

There is more to school, or being a doctor for that matter, than taking tests. While I do understand that testing is necessary, I don't believe that high scores are the epitome of success. If the MCAT were an oral or open-ended test, I'd probably do much better.

That may be, but to become a doctor you have to pass many standardized tests. Of which, the MCAT is just the first. Good luck trying to get around that.

Rationalize all you want, but that's not going to change anything.

Maybe you'd do fine in med school and maybe you wouldn't but you're not going to have a chance to test your theory with a "high teens" MCAT.

 

[RasenShuriken]

You could probably get into a carib school w/ those stats, not sure about the big 4, however. If you could crack the 25 mark, you'd probably get into SGU safely. However, I'd give the MCAT one more shot. Its worth at least 1/3rd of your application (i.e. GPA, MCAT, extracurriculars) and like everyone else says, will be crucial in getting into even a carribean program.

Take some time, take a course maybe, memorize the material (if you buy the examkrackers books, all the testable material is in there), and take every single practice test published by amcas, kaplan, princeton, and examkrackers. Good luck

GPA: 3.4 Science GPA: 3.2
MCAT: High teens

I just don't know how much of an option I would have applying to medical school. I have taken the MCAT 3x already...

 

[dtminhthu]

Hi Shava, I've been accepted to all the big 4 carib schools and still deciding whether I head out there or i'll be accepted to DO program in NY.

But looking at your stats, it's unlikely that you'll get into among the top 4 carib schools. You may get into other carib schools but u risk not being able to practice in a few states and having even a harder time matching for residencies later on.

Ross U has a preparatory program for those who seem pretty good but there is still something lacking about their GPA/MCAT score. So if they dont want to straight off reject you, they'll put u in this program for a few months and if u make it out w/ good grades, u're guaranteed a seat at Ross. Honestly, I would stick around the 4 top carib schools.

As for the MCAT issue, I know it's not fair that certain people do get test anxiety (i'm one of those) and the mcat may not be a good indicator of their academic abilities. HOWEVER, the MCAT is quite a good indicator for success on the USMLE steps that you'll have to take before you can practice as a physician in the US. According to the university of washington school of medicine, MCAT score below 21 may indicate that it is very unlikely that you'll succeed on the USMLE steps, that's why med school emphasize the MCAT so much. So if u do have test anxiety, this can potentially mean being less successful on the USMLE later on even if u do get into a carib school now.

So the issue to think is beyond IF you can get into any school. It's more like IF you can get in, will u successfully pass USMLE steps and become a physician or you'll waste all those years and money in education and end up w/ nothing.

I do hope your test anxiety is something you can overcome. Good luck!