Nontraditional from India. Took MCAT got 24L

[Carefree]

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Hello anybody out there in my situation? I have graduated in 1990 with a B Tech., in Electronics and Communications engg from REC Warangal India. I passed in first division in B Tech.

I took MCAT in APR 05.(11PS; 9 BS; 4 Verbal), ESL. I took 1 year of prerequisites (all As in prereq). Did not take Kaplan or TPR for mcat.

Planning to apply now. Planning for August '05 MCAT again.

I do not have any experience in Medicine. I am a US citizen now and did work in Software dev. for 10 years in USA. I was born and raised in India.

Any chance of me being accepted into MD here in USA?

Please guide me

Thanks
Truly

 

[Haybrant]

dude, you from india and you didt get a 15 on the PS section; that spells trouble

honestly tho, why dont you go do your mbbs in india and work to land a residency here; the education system there for medicine is pretty damn good

 

[challie2385]

Hi, Carefree. It looks like you're switching careers really suddenly there. What are your reasons for wanting to go into medicine? Whatever they are, you must be pretty motivated since you even took the MCAT! 😉 Although your score isn't great, it can get there. Since you are re-taking it in August, you should definitely work on the Verbal section more than anything else. You did pretty well in the other sections for not studying much (I assume), so the most you'd have to do with those is brush up on your weak areas. It's probably not going to be worth your money to sign up for a test prep class just to improve your verbal score. I would suggest that you go to a book store and buy some MCAT Verbal practice materials (Kaplan, Princeton Review have them, but I think ExamKrackers is better). Practice, practice, practice! If you can improve the verbal score by at least 4-5 points, then that would do WONDERS for you. 😀 If not, then the fact that English is your second language will help explain your score.

If you are planning on applying to medical school this year, you may want to rethink that decision, especially if you have no medical experience. That is, if you have not had any significant exposure to the field through jobs or volunteering, then you need to get some. You need to show the admissions committees that you know what you're getting into. Volunteer at a local hospital or clinic, and really try to understand the field that way.

Regarding Haybrant's advice, it sounds good to me. The only thing is, practicing medicine in the USA is a lot different than practicing in India (I'm Indian living in USA for 10+ years, I'm somewhat familiar with the system there). For one thing, the types of patients/illnesses are much different. Depending on where you want to live for the rest of your life, you should think about where you want to go to medical school. But, you could still apply for residency here after going to Med school there, like Haybrant said. 🙂 It's also pretty expensive here...I'm not sure if the costs are the same in India.

Anyway, I hope this advice helps you get started on the right foot. Best of luck to you!

P.S. Are you from Andhra Pradesh? I have actually been to Warangal (a LONG time ago)...my uncle used to work there. It's a small world! 😛

 

[aliendroid]

good luck!

 

[KNightInBlue]

P.S. Are you from Andhra Pradesh? I have actually been to Warangal (a LONG time ago)...my uncle used to work there. It's a small world! 😛

I was born and raised in Andhra also 🙂

OP, I'd advise spending the rest of the time you have left till the August test practicing verbal everyday.

I'd also beef up the ECs dept by maybe doing some volunteering, shadowing etc.

Good Luck!

P.S. Consider DO programs as a back-up just incase. I know, I know, telugu ppl are all about the 'prestige' factor, but try to not let that influence your decision.

 

[sgopal2]

I think your background will set yourself apart from the rest of the pre-med biology major applicants.

I would definitely try to strive to get a verbal score > 9. With a total MCAT > 29 you will be a competitive applicant.

Good luck!

 

[bigdan]

Tough one from my point of view. I'd actually suggest not applying now, and take a full year to bolster everything in your application package.

Rumor has it that the verbal section may be the most important of the sections for the MCAT score breakdown. I'd guess you'll have a tough time unless that verbal gets to 8 or 9 or better. I'd hazard a guess that the verbal section, unfortunately for you, is also the most difficult for someone to raise, and I think I'd be tough to raise a 4 to a 9 in just a few months.

Since you didn't just ask about the MCAT, but about acceptance to school, I'd also comment that you'll need some clinical experience and insight into "why medicine" and "why now" - questions that I got at every interview as a non-traditional applicant. Where have you volunteered?

Good luck with whatever you do.

 

[lakersfan]

dude, you from india and you didt get a 15 on the PS section; that spells trouble

lol

But anyways, back to the matter at hand...I think you should retake the MCAT and try to get ur verbal up to at least a 6 or 7. I honestly dont think you have any chance with a 4 in VR from looking at past threads on VR scores (I could be wrong though). Also, I would definitely try to get those science scores up if you are going to have a lower than average verbal scores. And while I trust you do have your own reasons for making such a sudden career change, you need to be able to show this to med school ad coms in the personal statement and interviews when you have them since I'm sure it will be a point of discussion. Best of luck!

Lastly, there is an India forum here where people may be more knowledgable about your current situation...I think it would be better to ask them because they could give you more advice...I'm sure there were a few who are/were in the same situation as yourself.

 

[domukin]

I am really surprised you have such a huge gap between VR and your science scores, I know you're ESL, but the science portions requiere a fair amount of language skills as well. I'd like to go out on a limb and say you can bring up the VR section to at least an 8, if you manage that you should be in much better shape. So yes, you have a shot, just bump up the VR. Oh, and don't worry too much about the essay, I did poorly on that and no one said anything, (I'm ~ESL).

edit. ok, maybe worry a little about the essay, shoot for a couple of points hire if possible.