NY resident, late MCAT scores...

[plsaxepme]

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So what are realistic schools? My April score was a 26, I'm retaking in August and hoping to do much better (this time I am taking TPR). My undergrad GPA was ~3.6, science about a 3.3, my ECs are about average, I've got the requisite clinical and lab volunteer work, but I haven't won any peace prizes or anything. My list is:

Albany Medical College
Albert Einstein/ Yeshiva University
Mt. Sinai
NY Medical College
NYU School of Medicine
SUNY Downstate
SUNY Upstate
SUNY Stony Brook
SUNY Buffalo
Univeristy of Rochester
Drexel University
Temple University
Rush Medical College of Rush University
Brown School of Medicine

Problems: my advisor says that Downstate, Sinai, Brown and NYU are all long shots, that I should consider the UMDNJs and Jefferson in PA. BUT I'm not a NJ resident, so can I get in the NJ state schools?? I looked up the stats on Jefferson and it seems comparable to MT Sinai in terms of MCAT scores...is that right? Brown I can understand scratching off if they mostly accept non-regular applicants. I also heard from someone here that Rush is hard to get into for non-residents.
Does anyone have advice? Suggestions? Help! Thanks!

 

[TRUE]

With your so-far questionable MCAT score (and even with a good one), I would highly suggest applying to more "safety" schools. We all know no school is really a safety, but aside from Drexel on your list, you don't have any lower tier schools. It might also matter where you went to undergrad...

 

[plsaxepme]

What are some lower-tier schools? I tried looking for schools with lower MCAT scores, but they were all osteopathic, which I don't think I'm interested in...

My undergrad was Amherst College, I did my post-bacc at Columbia University.

 

[geldrop]

I'd say you are pretty much screwed, look to studying harder and doing better on the mcat exam.

 

[Domitian]

I'd say you are pretty much screwed, look to studying harder and doing better on the mcat exam.

Wow. Aren't we the picture of optimism?

It's agreed that 26 is a slightly sketchy MCAT. Bump it up to a 29 and you should be fine. I'm going to assume you won't do WORSE of the Aug MCAT, so even if you do the same, I think you've got a shot. 14 schools is on the low side for someone of your numbers. There is a high random element to the admissions process. Sometimes good schools will still be interested (waitlist?) but "safety" schools won't even give you the time of day. Hit a range of schools, but get a bunch of less competitve ones in there. (And don't forget that less competitive doesn't equal worse academically. Drexel has a cool looking PBL curric, if you like that sort of thing.)

Your advisor must be smoking some serious hashish to tell you drop Downstate but says nothing about U of Roch. I'd add Penn State (in Hershey... you can smell the chocolate!), Finch (did that place get a new name?), SLU. Drop Brown, maybe NYU. Also, is there any particular reason you're avoiding osteo schools? Maybe the DO folks will tear me a new one for this, but I think there ARE legit reasons for wanting to go MD. But, most people avoid DO schools for the wrong reasons.

Good Luck.

 

[callalily]

i think you have a good chance at suny buffalo or upstate, if you bump your mcat score to 28. I would drop brown and nyu as well.

 

[gujuDoc]

if your MCAT don't improve I wouldn't apply to Brown or NYU. I believe NYU's averages are 32 on the MCAT or above.

However, if you get at least a 28 or 29 when you retake it I don't think it would be a problem applying to those schools.

What was the break down of your MCAT in terms of subsections if you don't mind my asking???

 

[Ames980]

if im not mistaken Brown only accepts Brown students... and their relation with Dartmouth....? so i'd take that off. but look to the PA schools, and Finch [Rosalind something or other], and have you considered EVMC? or Vermont?

 

[Rugger81]

i think you should add some safer schools, but i think NYMC, Albany, Drexel, and Downstate are fairly safe for a NY resident. Brown doesn't take anyone they're not affiliated with like Ames980 said. NYU and Mt. Sinai might be stretching it a bit.

 

[Psycho Doctor]

So let me get this straight...you need to be a state resident to ge tinto some of these schools? if i go to a NY state school and have had an apartment for a year+ do i qualify as a NY state resident. Also what's the deal with Hopkins (yea i know it's a long shot but just curious)...do you need to be a resident?

 

[TRUE]

So let me get this straight...you need to be a state resident to ge tinto some of these schools? if i go to a NY state school and have had an apartment for a year+ do i qualify as a NY state resident. Also what's the deal with Hopkins (yea i know it's a long shot but just curious)...do you need to be a resident?

some (though very few) schools require you to be a state resident to get in. The most extreme example is Umass which actually does not accept applications from anyone out of state (they won't read it, so don't send it).

There are other schools where residency in the state can certainly help you, but it is not required. That tends to the be the case for state schools mostly, though there are exceptions. I believe the mention of Brown earlier isn't related to this, but the fact they have a lot of students getting in via their 8 year med program and arrangements with other universities.

As for NY state residency, I believe you have to file taxes in the state, though I am not 100% sure about that one. Someone can surely clear that up on here.

 

[bigdan]

Yo.

NYS has one year residency statute, I think. Hopkins does not have "in-state" preferences that I know of.

OP-
Maybe do more schools? I did 20. I have EVMS and MCV, Penn State and Jefferson, as well as many on your list. You aren't the numeric picture of a U of R or NYU or Mt. Sinai successful applicant, but apply where you wanna go and let them decide.

dc

 

[BklynWill]

My advice to you is the same as to all people who have the drive to become a great physician, but just don't have the scores to prove it. Explore osteopathic medicine. If your initial reaction to this suggestion is filled with disgust (like many premeds), you are not a fully informed medical school applicant, and you owe it to yourself to discover your own best path to medical school. It would not hurt to learn more about it, and with your grades you would most likely start medical school in 2005, instead of having to reapply next year. If you are well informed about osteopathic medicine and still don't like the idea, more power to you, at least you know exactly what you are looking for.

 

[ForensicPath]

From experience and as a NYS resident, I can tell you that you are going to have a hard time getting an interview at the SUNYs with those numbers. I'm not sure what your ethnic status is, but I think even an URM would have a tough time getting in with those numbers. I applied to every school in New York State, except for Columbia and Cornell, and was only offered an interview at NYMC. If you do well on the upcoming MCAT then you will have a better shot, but the SUNY schools are not as forgiving to their residents as they used to be.

Also, don't write off osteopathic medicine yet. NYCOM, PCOM, and UMDNJ-SOM (the DO schools in the area) are all good schools. I know a couple of DOs who are great doctors. They are family doctors, but believe me, they aren't hurting for cash. Unless you want to go into a highly specialized field or one of the more competitive residencies, being a DO is not going to adversely affect your career aspirations.