No TX interviews-nonresident MCAT 29Q, GPA 3.74

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miraclemd

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Hi all, I'm a nonresident of TX (will become a resident in a few months), MCAT 29Q and GPA 3.74, and have had no interviews at the TX schools I applied to (UT San Antonio, Texas A&M, UTMB, UTHouston, and UTSW). Since it's already almost November, do you think there might be a chance that I might get one later on this year or is it unlikely (which is what I'm thinking of now)?
 
miraclemd said:
Hi all, I'm a nonresident of TX (will become a resident in a few months), MCAT 29Q and GPA 3.74, and have had no interviews at the TX schools I applied to (UT San Antonio, Texas A&M, UTMB, UTHouston, and UTSW). Since it's already almost November, do you think there might be a chance that I might get one later on this year or is it unlikely (which is what I'm thinking of now)?
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When were you complete? I applied in May, was complete totally by mid July, and I got 2 Texas interviews in Sept... But now it has been slow going for me. I really think Texas schools usually give the interviews out a few months after being complete and then if they don't give you an interview by then your file has probably been tossed aside. Interviews go into mid Dec, but right now they are still giving early Nov interview invites. You may still get one, but being OOS puts you at a disadvantage obviously.

I was getting worried about not getting anymore interviews also, so I decided to write a letter of interest to each Texas school I have not interviewed with... I sent them out last week. Hopefully this will get me at least one more interview invite. You may want to try this with your top schools, it can't hurt at this point...
 
Chances are low. A&M would be the only likely possibility really. You should have applied to the Texas Tech schools if attending a Texas school was a really high priority. I was rejected by San Antonio and UTMB with a 34/3.75 and I'm a TX resident. Strangely, I got interviews at UTSW and Baylor--which is where I ended up. Just shows you how random stuff can be...even for TX residents.
 
Thanks for all the input, everyone. I was complete at A&M and San Antonio around 8/15, and at UTMB, UTH, and UTSW around 9/3 or so. I wrote update emails to all the schools except A&M which said that they wouldn't accept them. I am geographically constrained, so I couldn't apply to the Tech Schools. I applied to Baylor too, but of course that was even more of a long shot.

I realize that getting an interview now is very unlikely; just thought I'd confirm this with others who might know more about this process. Maybe next year I'll have a better chance--do you think I should re-take the MCAT even if I become a resident by next year? I'm not sure I can improve my score by at least 3 points (which is what most people on this forum say you should be able to do if you re-take)...

Thanks again! Best of luck to all of you 🙂
 
miraclemd said:
Thanks for all the input, everyone. I was complete at A&M and San Antonio around 8/15, and at UTMB, UTH, and UTSW around 9/3 or so. I wrote update emails to all the schools except A&M which said that they wouldn't accept them. I am geographically constrained, so I couldn't apply to the Tech Schools. I applied to Baylor too, but of course that was even more of a long shot.

I realize that getting an interview now is very unlikely; just thought I'd confirm this with others who might know more about this process. Maybe next year I'll have a better chance--do you think I should re-take the MCAT even if I become a resident by next year? I'm not sure I can improve my score by at least 3 points (which is what most people on this forum say you should be able to do if you re-take)...

Thanks again! Best of luck to all of you 🙂
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I applied to A&M, UNT, and Tech and I am in the same exact predicament... I'm holding out hope though! We have until December 🙂
 
miraclemd said:
Thanks for all the input, everyone. I was complete at A&M and San Antonio around 8/15, and at UTMB, UTH, and UTSW around 9/3 or so. I wrote update emails to all the schools except A&M which said that they wouldn't accept them. I am geographically constrained, so I couldn't apply to the Tech Schools. I applied to Baylor too, but of course that was even more of a long shot.

I realize that getting an interview now is very unlikely; just thought I'd confirm this with others who might know more about this process. Maybe next year I'll have a better chance--do you think I should re-take the MCAT even if I become a resident by next year? I'm not sure I can improve my score by at least 3 points (which is what most people on this forum say you should be able to do if you re-take)...

Thanks again! Best of luck to all of you 🙂
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The question on whether to retake is a tough one. Is your MCAT score pretty balanced? With a 29, your chances at TCOM (DO) from a stats standpoint would be quite good. Once you're a resident of TX, a 29 should also put you in decent shape for A&M. A 31 would put you in better shape for the UT schools, assuming everything else with your app is good (LOR, shadowing, etc.). Good luck!
 
thanks for the replies! yeah, my score was pretty balanced (10PS, 10VR, and 9BS). I'm just worried that if I retake, I won't necessarily improve my score--none of my practice tests were above a 29, and I know that if my score will either go down or stay the same it won't look so good...At the same time, maybe if I work super-hard, I can get above a 30? I'm confused still..I just feel like the MCAT kept dragging on and on for me, and basically took over everything for a year, and I don't know if I have that kind of time anymore.

as a backup plan, i'm thinking of applying to mph programs for the fall in the meantime to gain some more meaningful experience as well; then i could re-apply to med schools after the first year. not sure if this will help my application, but it was a thought...

any advice is welcome! thank you for reading!
 
Once you're a citizen, you'll have a much better chance of acceptance with the same stats, but be sure to make some improvements in your ECs before another application cycle. I thought I had read something about being accepted as a nonresident in Tx meaning that you have to pay nonresident tuition for all four years, however not being a Tx expert, I don't know if this is true. But if so, being ignored could be a good thing right now.
 
Catalystik said:
Once you're a citizen, you'll have a much better chance of acceptance with the same stats, but be sure to make some improvements in your ECs before another application cycle. I thought I had read something about being accepted as a nonresident in Tx meaning that you have to pay nonresident tuition for all four years, however not being a Tx expert, I don't know if this is true. But if so, being ignored could be a good thing right now.
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No, never heard that before. There is an employee at my school that helps non-residents figure out what they need to do to get in-state tuition for years 2-4. I believe it's safe to say that the majority of former out-of-staters are paying in-state from MS-2 on.

Back to the OP...you are in the solid gray area with your MCAT score. It's a really tough call. If you're not too confident about your ability to increase the score, I don't think anybody would fault you for staying with the 29. IMO, you'd be a good candidate for UNT-TCOM...so seriously consider that option.
 
canjosh said:
No, never heard that before. There is an employee at my school that helps non-residents figure out what they need to do to get in-state tuition for years 2-4. I believe it's safe to say that the majority of former out-of-staters are paying in-state from MS-2 on.

Back to the OP...you are in the solid gray area with your MCAT score. It's a really tough call. If you're not too confident about your ability to increase the score, I don't think anybody would fault you for staying with the 29. IMO, you'd be a good candidate for UNT-TCOM...so seriously consider that option.
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While I completely agree with this, I want to stress that your MCAT is barely in the "gray" area. Your GPA is good. It really comes down to EC's, residency, and the ability to impress during an interview for people with MCATs btw 28-29 at Texas schools.

I think you should improve your EC's throughout this year, and reapply as a Texas resident next cycle. You will have a much better chance. Having a higher score on the MCAT would of course be beneficial, but IMO it's not necessary. There is too much risk that you would score lower, considering you never scored above a 29 on a practice test.
 
thanks for all the replies! i'll think more about re-taking the MCAT...

i'm a nontraditional student, so i'm not in school (just working). i've been thinking about applying to an mph program for the fall because i think it might give me some meaningful experience before med school--do you think it might help my application if i re-apply after the first year of the program (if i actually got into such a program) and maybe help offset my score a little?

thanks again for all your time!
 
An MPH won't offset your score. It would be equal to another good EC. It would only help a med school application in so much as it could provide research or teaching opportunities if one didn't otherwise have them. Such a degree would however make a residency application stronger.
 
thank you for all the replies! i mostly applied to TX schools because i'm geographically constrained. i've basically almost given up on getting any interviews this cycle since most of the schools only interview through december. i'll try to improve my application for next year i guess...this process is so frustrating..
 
hey all,

because i've given up on interviews this cycle, i'm thinking of applying to master's programs for the fall so i can improve my apps before re-applying..in my case, would an MS in medical science (ie, a postbac SMP program) look a lot 'better' than an MPH program would? i'm interested in public health, but i realize that it's not a 'hard science' degree. both my undergraduate and graduate degrees are in math.

thanks!
 
Catalystik said:
Yes.

Have you considered the program affiliated with TCOM?
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Thank you for your reply! Yes, I actually heard of that program recently; my only issue with that is that I've heard that if one does not keep a high GPA in the program, it would be extremely difficult to get into any of the TX schools. Of course I would study my hardest, but because a lot of the classes are taken with medical students I assume the program would be very intense and keeping almost a perfect GPA would be pretty hard..

Are there alternate ways in which I could improve my chances for next year (other than better ECs, maybe taking more science courses, etc)?

Thank you!
 
IMO, you'd be just as well off taking upper-level Bio in a do-it-yourself postbac, because your GPA doesn't need fixing. The biggest problems for this cycle are your lack of Texas residency and a lower MCAT, and I don't think your MCAT score is that bad either if problem #1 goes away.

What are you doing to boost your ECs, in the meanwhile? We don't know anything about them.
 
Catalystik said:
IMO, you'd be just as well off taking upper-level Bio in a do-it-yourself postbac, because your GPA doesn't need fixing. The biggest problems for this cycle are your lack of Texas residency and a lower MCAT, and I don't think your MCAT score is that bad either if problem #1 goes away.

What are you doing to boost your ECs, in the meanwhile? We don't know anything about them.
Click to expand...

Thank you for letting me know. I'm not a student anymore--I've been working almost full-time in a non-health related job (my math background seems to be precluding me from those). I participated in several extracurriculars as an undergrad (leadership positions in a couple of organizations, non-health related community service), and was involved/still am involved in health-related volunteering. I also have some shadowing experience. As mentioned before, I've also been thinking of applying to an MPH program--something I can gain some meaningful experience from, as well as be able to do something health-related before med school..

In the spring, I'll take an upper-level bio course (no time to take more since I'm working). Any other suggestions on how to make my application look better the next time around? I assume that if I apply again this summer, my application will not have changed much, so maybe I should apply next summer?

Thanks so much for reading and offering advice!!
 
Catalystik said:
Research and teaching both strengthen an application, and you might get those through an MPH as suggested above.

If you apply again June2011, you'll already have more clinical experience and, from what you've said, will be a resident of Texas.
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Thanks for the advice...I actually do have some research and teaching experience from undergrad and grad school. Sorry I forgot to mention that.

I'll also need to get new letters of recommendation, I assume, the next time around..
 
Thank you again for your help!

Do you think if I took bio courses (eg, anatomy, physiology, genetics, etc.) at a community college, it might help me a little, or would it be best to take these courses at a four-year college? Community college courses are a lot more affordable, so that's why I was wondering about this. At the same time, I understand if they won't look as 'challenging' to adcoms, so I'd be willing to try and enroll in some bio courses at a four-year school...

Thanks so much again!!
 
miraclemd said:
Thank you again for your help!

Do you think if I took bio courses (eg, anatomy, physiology, genetics, etc.) at a community college, it might help me a little, or would it be best to take these courses at a four-year college? Community college courses are a lot more affordable, so that's why I was wondering about this. At the same time, I understand if they won't look as 'challenging' to adcoms, so I'd be willing to try and enroll in some bio courses at a four-year school...

Thanks so much again!!
Click to expand...

The suggestion is that you take UPPER-level science classes, which implies a 4 year school. Specifically, a real genetics class should be junior or senior level. The A&P type classes offered at CC are often of the applied type for nursing or other allied health programs. Genetics and biochem are actually helpful for the first couple weeks of med school!!😀

Again, I'd like to reiterate that if you're constrained to DFW/Houston/A&M/San Antonio, you should apply to TCOM to maximize your chances. I'm not trying to be pushy, but I hope that you're truly geographically constrained...and not just writing Lubbock/El Paso off as unlivable cities. Again, I'm not trying to be nosy, I just want to make sure you've fully vetted the geography decision!
 
canjosh said:
The suggestion is that you take UPPER-level science classes, which implies a 4 year school. Specifically, a real genetics class should be junior or senior level. The A&P type classes offered at CC are often of the applied type for nursing or other allied health programs. Genetics and biochem are actually helpful for the first couple weeks of med school!!😀

Again, I'd like to reiterate that if you're constrained to DFW/Houston/A&M/San Antonio, you should apply to TCOM to maximize your chances. I'm not trying to be pushy, but I hope that you're truly geographically constrained...and not just writing Lubbock/El Paso off as unlivable cities. Again, I'm not trying to be nosy, I just want to make sure you've fully vetted the geography decision!
Click to expand...

Thank you for the suggestion! I'll take an upper-level course next semester, than, at a four-year school (can't take more due to my work schedule)..

I actually have been truly geographically constrained this year--I'd love it if I were able to apply to Lubbock or El Paso this cycle; hopefully in the future, I can apply to those schools in addition to all the others. And I'll also look into TCOM--I guess I've just been limiting myself to MD schools thus far..

Thanks again for all the input!!
 
Hey all,

So i've been silently rejected by all the TX schools, and am now thinking again whether or not I should re-take the MCAT for the next time I apply. By that time I'll be a TX resident, but it seems like my score is still lower than the average TX matriculant's score (31). It took me a lot of time (was just studying for MCAT for several months straight) to get my 29, but if it's not going to work well for me then maybe I should re-take--especially for the MD schools... My overall TMDSAS GPA is 3.74 and undergrad science is 3.63. Graduate GPA is 3.64 (MS in math). I have research and volunteer healthcare and non-healthcare experience, along with several undergrad extracurriculars. I'm thinking of taking one or two more upper-level biology courses in the coming year, but I know that they won't really improve my GPA (if I do well) by that much.

Anyway, any input is greatly appreciated!
 
hey all,

i'm re-applying this year now as a TX resident both in-state and out of state. I have been studying to retake the mcat in mid-June, but I may not be ready so I might have to take it on July 6 (scores available August 9). If I submit my TMDSAS application by mid-May and my AMCAS in the first week of June, do you think I would no longer be considered an 'early applicant' both within TX and out of state? The TX schools told me they would initially review my application and hold it till my next score comes out (I already have a previous MCAT score of 29 (BS 9, PS 10, VR 10), cumulative undergrad GPA of 3.74, science GPA 3.63 and grad GPA 3.64). I know applying early is important, but since this will be a re-take I know I need to do better than last time if possible.

Many thanks for any input! This is a nerve-wracking time for me as a re-applicant.
 
miraclemd said:
I have been studying to retake the mcat in mid-June, but I may not be ready so I might have to take it on July 6 (scores available August 9). If I submit my TMDSAS application by mid-May and my AMCAS in the first week of June, do you think I would no longer be considered an 'early applicant' both within TX and out of state?
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In regards to AMCAS schools, if you submit in early June, and the final MCAT is not available until early August, and Secondaries arrive promptly, then on my personal, highly-subjective scale, so long as you are "Complete" at schools by 9/1 (meaning all Secondaries and LORs submitted), you will be "Average." You will not be "Early."

I have no idea of how TMDSAS would consider your planned timing.
 
miraclemd said:
hey all,

i'm re-applying this year now as a TX resident both in-state and out of state. I have been studying to retake the mcat in mid-June, but I may not be ready so I might have to take it on July 6 (scores available August 9). If I submit my TMDSAS application by mid-May and my AMCAS in the first week of June, do you think I would no longer be considered an 'early applicant' both within TX and out of state? The TX schools told me they would initially review my application and hold it till my next score comes out (I already have a previous MCAT score of 29 (BS 9, PS 10, VR 10), cumulative undergrad GPA of 3.74, science GPA 3.63 and grad GPA 3.64). I know applying early is important, but since this will be a re-take I know I need to do better than last time if possible.

Many thanks for any input! This is a nerve-wracking time for me as a re-applicant.
Click to expand...

As an August MCAT taker, I can definitely tell you that applying a little later in the cycle, especially as an average applicant, does have somewhat of a negative impact on your application. But just remember that the benefits of raising your MCAT score outweighs the negatives of being a late applicant. Even if it is only a few points it is going to have a pretty significant impact on your application. In your proposed instance you are in a little better situation than I was. You will be able to complete your applications in August instead of September. Just stay on top of your secondaries. Pre-write the ones that you know you are going to submit so you can minimize the turn around time.

My experience was only with AMCAS schools. So, like Cat, I don't know what the TMDSAS time line is like.
 
thanks everyone...i just wasn't sure if it's worth maybe not re-taking and just applying early with the 29 that i have. i haven't gotten to even this score yet on my practice tests, so that's why i was thinking of testing the first week of july; then again, i know that sometimes applying early can be more beneficial than even just a couple more points on the mcat...

any thoughts?

thanks!
 
Thank you very much for the input! I'm also trying to apply out of state, but I'm not sure where I might stand a chance...I know I should apply to schools that I'm competitive for as well as a few 'reaches' -- any suggestions? From the MSAR, it seems like I'm below average for most all schools (mostly because of my MCAT), which is disheartening..
 
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