Needed Non-Trad Expert input. Thanks!

[UTman7777]

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[UTman7777]

Also wanted to add that I am going to be taking upper division Bio classes this summer and in the fall.

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

Not sure how TX works, I know you get a significantly better chance because you're a TX resident, but your GPA isn't great, and your MCAT is average. I would call or email the schools you're most interested in and see what their thoughts are. My 2cents are keep taking courses with the 4.0 until you have more credits and bring the GPA up more... Otherwise, get more comfy with the DO stuff because it opens lots more doors 😉 Best of luck to you 😉

For the record, I understand your situation, but its taken me double the credits at a 4.0 to get to a 3.15 (I had a similar starting point, but I'm guessing more credit hours)

 

[UTman7777]

Do you think the fact that I have a 4.0 and I am trending upwards will play a significant role. Also I plan on taking the MCAT again. What score do you think will make me a better applicant with my GPA.

Even if I took 30 more credits I will still only get a 3.25. I feel like it is almost pointless to look at my overall GPA anymore because it is not going to move that much and I have already shown a 4.0 in tough pre-req classes. What are your thoughts on this? Once again thanks for the input!

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

The upward trend is absolutely going to help. I am not a TX resident, sooo I am not sure how lenient they are about overall GPA. I contacted my home school when I started this whole process and they said "take as many as you can" I talked to the dean of admissions at a "pre-med info session" and he said my 80 credits at ~3.85-3.9 would be sufficient. Realize I was at ~2.8 before, but I have ~230 semester credits right now... I understand where you're coming from, but I don't know how long ago you finished school originally. I've been out 10+yrs. And pretty much all of my credits are UL science (I have a bio major)... So, that's why I say more can't hurt. I am good with DO stuff, so personally, I wouldn't retake the MCAT, but you aren't as cool with the DO stuff, so maybe it would benefit you, BUT you have to improve. I still say call your favored school and talk to the admin people and see what they say. They will be able to tell you better than I can... Additionally, it may benefit you to look through some of the school-specific forums and see if you can find more relevant info...

 

[UTman7777]

Thanks for the advice. I pmed you

 

[TwinsFan]

How's your science GPA? Try looking at this:

 

[UTman7777]

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[UTman7777]

I know that AMCAS and ACCOMAS have a GPA "grid" that breaks out post-bacc into a separate line item. Does TMDSAS app do the same thing? If so even though your cum will be low, you can shine on that line. But I would say that a improved MCAT may be more time/effort effective to impress an adcom, IMHO. If the texas school adcoms are similar to the rest of the country GPA and MCAT rank as the top two factors in about 75% of the allopathic schools (yearly Kaplan study that has remained pretty constant for a few years)

So are you saying that it would be more effective to not take any classes this summer and just concentrate on the MCAT and try to kill that test because the GPA is not going to move and I already showed a 4.0?

 

[jd221b]

I would retake the MCAT as you’ve suggested, then start researching all of the SMP options out there to see what fits you best. That way you have a backup plan in place that will improve your chances for the next cycle much more than additional undergrad hours. That being said, I think you have a 10-25% chance of getting in to either TTech Lubbock, TTech El Paso (Paul L Foster), or Texas A&M. This is based on my conversations with these schools. I’d be very surprised if you got interviews at any of the other schools. I think you can get your chances up to 50% if you can raise your MCAT to a 33 or better. All of this assumes that you knock the PS, interview, and LORs out of the park.

 

[UTman7777]

I would retake the MCAT as you’ve suggested, then start researching all of the SMP options out there to see what fits you best. That way you have a backup plan in place that will improve your chances for the next cycle much more than additional undergrad hours. That being said, I think you have a 10-25% chance of getting in to either TTech Lubbock, TTech El Paso (Paul L Foster), or Texas A&M. This is based on my conversations with these schools. I’d be very surprised if you got interviews at any of the other schools. I think you can get your chances up to 50% if you can raise your MCAT to a 33 or better. All of this assumes that you knock the PS, interview, and LORs out of the park.

I am taking the MCAT again in 6 weeks. Do you think this is enough time to push it over a 30? I know I need to concentrate on Ochem and Gen Chem I. I feel like these were my weakest areas and I have a lot of area to improve on there. Also I am just hoping to get a 31 at least. I feel like that score would make me competitive for the schools you listed and U of H and UT SA. What do you think?

 

[UTman7777]

Hmm... my philosophy has been since GPA and MCAT are almost seen equal by adcoms in as admissions factors, isn't worth a significant amount of time to focus on the MCAT. So yes, my advice, IMHO, is to not take an additional class now but focus on the MCAT. I would also venture to say that if you are not consistently doing well on practice exams, that you push it back even into july. Also, if you are not doing consistently well try to identify why? is it one section? is it time? is it "anxiety" and the loss of focus and concentration.

My other advice is keep being a premed into your glide year. The reasons I often suggest this to students is first of all for interviews. If the question comes up on what are you doing now, saying you are taking an advance bio, volunteering in a nursing home, and working a lab tech or a EMT is better than saying in working some out of the medical field job. Second, you may get rejected. There is a big psychological factor about stopping all premed prep, getting rejected and then trying to start up again in classes or MCAT. And if you get accepted that extra upper level class in biochem, immunology, or A&P, while not at the med school level will give you a bit of help when you start med school.

I was thinking about only taking Human A&P II this summer seeing that the class is relevant to the Bio Section of the MCAT. Do you think I should take that or should I do no classes?

 

[TwinsFan]

I would push the MCAT back to the end of the summer and study like a maniac in an attempt to get a 33+, this would be a big help. I would also take a year of 16-18 credits per semester at 3.8+ gpa in all upper level science classes to demonstrate proficiency at a higher workload. This should alleviate most doubt about your academic capabilities. Then apply the first day in 2012 with all your ducks in a row and you will have a solid chance. It sucks to wait but IMO it will give you the best chance.

 

[jd221b]

I am taking the MCAT again in 6 weeks. Do you think this is enough time to push it over a 30? I know I need to concentrate on Ochem and Gen Chem I. I feel like these were my weakest areas and I have a lot of area to improve on there. Also I am just hoping to get a 31 at least. I feel like that score would make me competitive for the schools you listed and U of H and UT SA. What do you think?

31 will not likely get enough attention IMHO. With a suffering gpa you need at least 1 other thing in your ap that is outstanding. From my discussions with the admissions departments in Texas, I don't believe post bacc GPA alone will fulfill that. That doesn’t rule you out, but your chances are low. If you feel that your story or your LORs are going to be on the extreme side of amazing, this could do it as well. If I were in your shoes I would not take any courses, and delay the MCAT till August. I think the best chance of you getting in this year is if you blow the MCAT away. I think this is much more important than taking some extra courses, and worth the application delay as well. Barring this, you will probably be reapplying next year. Even if you do ace the MCAT you may end up having to do an SMP before you get accepted.

 

[UTman7777]

I would push the MCAT back to the end of the summer and study like a maniac in an attempt to get a 33+, this would be a big help. I would also take a year of 16-18 credits per semester at 3.8+ gpa in all upper level science classes to demonstrate proficiency at a higher workload. This should alleviate most doubt about your academic capabilities. Then apply the first day in 2012 with all your ducks in a row and you will have a solid chance. It sucks to wait but IMO it will give you the best chance.

Would it be bad if I take the MCAT on June 16th and then apply with that score this application and then if I do not get in then take it again in the spring of 2012 and apply again next summer?

 

[UTman7777]

31 will not likely get enough attention IMHO. With a suffering gpa you need at least 1 other thing in your ap that is outstanding. From my discussions with the admissions departments in Texas, I don't believe post bacc GPA alone will fulfill that. That doesn’t rule you out, but your chances are low. If you feel that your story or your LORs are going to be on the extreme side of amazing, this could do it as well. If I were in your shoes I would not take any courses, and delay the MCAT till August. I think the best chance of you getting in this year is if you blow the MCAT away. I think this is much more important than taking some extra courses, and worth the application delay as well. Barring this, you will probably be reapplying next year. Even if you do ace the MCAT you may end up having to do an SMP before you get accepted.

So you do not think 6 weeks is enough time for me to score well on the MCAT? I am also applying in a week with my stats right now and then just going to update my application with the score in Late July when I get my new MCAT score which I hope is 31+. Do you think that is a good route?

 

[jd221b]

So you do not think 6 weeks is enough time for me to score well on the MCAT? I am also applying in a week with my stats right now and then just going to update my application with the score in Late July when I get my new MCAT score which I hope is 31+. Do you think that is a good route?

Only you can answer if you will be at MCAT maximus at the end of 6 weeks. I highly doubt it since it doesn't sound like you've had dedicated study time. 31 should not be your goal. The absolute maximum that your capable of this cycle should be your goal. If you need a number, shoot for 36. August is probably the best bet since 3 months of intense dedicated study should get you at your best without delaying your app too much.

 

[UTman7777]

Only you can answer if you will be at MCAT maximus at the end of 6 weeks. I highly doubt it since it doesn't sound like you've had dedicated study time. 31 should not be your goal. The absolute maximum that your capable of this cycle should be your goal. If you need a number, shoot for 36. August is probably the best bet since 3 months of intense dedicated study should get you at your best without delaying your app too much.

I am sending in my application in this week. However I will probably take the MCAT in mid July and then submit my score to the school in August. So I might get interviews before hand and then let them see my new MCAT score in August. Does that sound like a good idea. Will they be ok with getting my new MCAT score in August?

 

[jd221b]

I am sending in my application in this week. However I will probably take the MCAT in mid July and then submit my score to the school in August. So I might get interviews before hand and then let them see my new MCAT score in August. Does that sound like a good idea. Will they be ok with getting my new MCAT score in August?

No.

I'm assuming that since your quoting me your asking me. If you want an opinion other than what I've already stated, you'll have to wait for others to chime in. I wouldn't send the app in this week.

Good luck

 

[UTman7777]

No.

I'm assuming that since your quoting me your asking me. If you want an opinion other than what I've already stated, you'll have to wait for others to chime in. I wouldn't send the app in this week.

Good luck

I am sorry. I guess I am a little confused by the process. Is it not ok to send my application in for TMDSAS with the 29 MCAT score and then also put that I am retaking it later in the summer and that my score would be submitted to them in early August.

What is the benefit of sending my whole application in August instead of right now?

 

[jd221b]

I'm not the one to ask about those kind of logistics. Just make sure that your app is not processed completely by the schools based on your first mcat. I think there is a place to designate a future mcat date on the app so that could alleviate that concern. I was mainly reiterating my advice to push back to August.

 

[UTman7777]

I concur with the previous few posters and may be worthwhile to sum up (comments and corrections from the thread please)

1) push back the MCAT; you previously mentioned that you didn't feel comfortable with gen chem. A content deficiency is purely lack of lack study time.

2) skip classes this summer and focus on MCAT. Impressive MCAT is perhaps your best chance.

3) I do not how the TMDSAS processes with an existing MCAT score. Some one eluded to that if you apply on time without a new MCAT, they may based initial review on previous MCAT. If you submit late, you get the decrease odds. Your are between a rock and hard place.

4) Be prepared to continue prepping next year with strong upper level course work. If you apply this year and get rejected, that continued performance will help. Will it be enough for Texas. I don't know but it is your best path.

I will add two points:

1) in addition to focusing on content for MCAT, work on your focus, concentration, time management, and discipline. It isn't simply knowledge or even how to take the exam. It goes further as being focused like a musician performing a classical piece or a pitcher on the mound in front of 55,000 screaming fans with 2 on, 2 out, and leading by only 1 run in the bottom of the ninth. Despite all that, the only thing on your mind should be the next pitch. Not the last pitch, not the next pitch, not the score, not situation, not the 55,000 screaming fans, you should be able to have nothing but that next pitch. Only the MCAT question in front of you, not the question before that you weren't sure of, not the passages left, just that single question

2) "what are you willing to give up to be a doctor?" is a question you may want to ask yourself? are you willing to go out of state? I would consider broadening your schools to include out of state and DO elsewhere.

I am def applying to the DO school in Texas and I am applying out of state. However I was told my best chance for an MD school is in Texas because residents have a 95% acceptance rate. I am going to take my MCAT in mid July and not take any classes. I am volunteering at a Hospice for an hour a week but that will be my only distraction. I am focused and ready. I really want to go to an MD school in Texas for reasons previously mentioned but depending on my scores I will reevaluate later.

Thank you for the advice.

 

[jd221b]

I am def applying to the DO school in Texas and I am applying out of state. However I was told my best chance for an MD school is in Texas because residents have a 95% acceptance rate. I am going to take my MCAT in mid July and not take any classes. I am volunteering at a Hospice for an hour a week but that will be my only distraction. I am focused and ready. I really want to go to an MD school in Texas for reasons previously mentioned but depending on my scores I will reevaluate later.

Thank you for the advice.

There is certainly not a 95% acceptance rate. Maybe 90% of students in Texas are in state, but just look at the document attached above to see actual acceptance rates. Roughly 35% overall and 15% with your gpa. TCOM is definitely more competitive than many DO schools, especially since their participation in tmdsas precludes them from using grade replacement. Depending on your situation, your chances of getting into a DO school are probably 2-3 times higher oos.