Hey all. So I am posting again just to get some more input, b/c after being told I am pretty much a candidate for only a DO school, I would like a 2nd (or 3rd or 4th opinion). So My GPA was a 3.14 overall, and about the same for the sciences. I got a 30O on the MCAT (10VR, 11BS, 9PS) & plan to take it again. I also am working full time in a research lab and am tutoring a high school student in physics. I did not have many ECs in college besides volunteering in a hospital once a week (bad I know). Thanks to Phoenix's advice, I am considering taking a class at a college here, like maybe organic again, or a grad class. Do you have any advice about what sort of classes I can take (I think it will just to show my effort rather than boost my GPA since one or two classes can not make that big of a difference). & also, what my chances of getting into school are? Thanks!!
I'm assuming you already have all the prereqs done. If so, then taking a class here or there probably isn't going to help that much. I think you'd definitely benefit from doing an SMP. It's a Special Master's Program, and you'd basically be taking med school classes to show you can hack it. Many schools that have SMP programs take a decent number of their SMP students into their med school. And I certainly know people who had a low gpa like yours who didn't get in on multiple tries, but did get in the year they were doing an SMP. Alternatively, if you're in a state with very friendly state schools that have accessible stats, then you could consider just doing a couple of recent upper level science courses and just apply with that to see how things go this year. Perhaps you'll get lucky if your research, LORs, and personal statement are stellar. But I don't think that retaking the MCAT is going to do much for you, unless you hit 35+. And even then, I still think you'd have to do something to offset your low gpa to show med schools you've got what it takes in coursework (not just a one time test). I honestly think you'd be better off with an SMP, or if you're really averse to that, perhaps taking a bunch of undergrad upper level science courses to raise your gpa. Also, you need to try to get more clinical experience, but obviously you know that already.
Here are the straight, not-so-great stats:
cumGPA:3.345
science GPA: around 3.2
Took the MCAT twice, both with the exact same breakdown (except WS)
August 07 PS/VR/BS 9/10/10 WS O = 29O
January 08 9/10/10 WS R = 29R
I know I already have it tough because of my horrible GPA... I was scoring a lot higher on practice AAMC PS sections (scoring 12-13) so I do not know what happened and am very very frustrated.
😡
Should I risk taking the exam again this May? Most stuff is still fresh in my memory and I think I have a better idea as far as what I need to concentrate on. I know they say that it's bad to take the exam more than twice... but do I even stand ANY chance of getting into ANY school with my current stats???
Thank you...
Well, you took it twice already and got the same exact score. I'm assuming you tried studying hard the second time, so do you think you'll end up improving your score that much more the third time? Perhaps it's just a case of text anxiety? Who knows? Regardless, I think that your score is good, and is nicely balanced. Granted, your gpa is on the low side (the science gpa will be the problem), but it could be worse. If you're in a state with stats-accessible schools, I think you've certainly got a shot. If you're not (i.e., you're a resident of CA), you still might have a shot. You'll just have to write a great personal statement, have excellent LORs, very good ECs with lots of clinical experience, and apply EARLY and BROADLY. I've certainly seen people with your stats get in. It just depends on the total package. For instance, you'll definitely need to show a strong upward trend in your grades. if your lower grades where from a couple of years ago, and you've been getting good grades recently, you're good. If you got Cs in science courses recently, you'll definitely need to remedy that or it will hurt you.
Regardless, rather than beat your head against the wall trying to raise a pretty good score, see if the other aspects of your application will support your lower gpa. If I were you, and the rest of my app were strong (with an upward trend as well), I'd apply with that MCAT and see where things stand this cycle. If you're open to DO school, I'd add some of those to your application if you'd rather get a DO than wait another year. Regardless of whether you apply this year or not, I think you should strongly consider taking some recent upper level science courses if you don't have a strong upward trend, so that schools can see that you can handle med school science courses. And even taking those classes during your application year may help since you can update schools with your new grades - hopefully all As.
I think my stuff got lost in the mix so I'll post it again.
I got a 27O in January (10/8/9).
I took it back in July and got about the same thing...27Q (9/10/8).
I have a 4.0 from a smaller university (does the school really matter anyways?).
Chemistry major/Biology minor
Some ECs:
Eagle Scout
Shadowing a physician
Honors College
Alpha Chi Member
Assoication of Baptist Students(ABS) leader for 4 years
Chemistry club member
Organic SI for 1 year
Organic TA for 1 semester
Church mission trips
I'm from Arkansas and will be applying to UAMS and schools in neighboring states like Texas and Tennesee (Vanderbilt being my dream school!).
I really don't want to take it again, but I will if I need to. I walked out of the test feeling like I did really good (was expecting at least a 30)...much better than when I walked out the last time in July.
I'm not sure if I can study for the MCAT during the semester with school so busy. I went through a Kaplan book and took practice tests this last time but to no avail apparently, lol. If I do take it again, I'll probably just take a bunch of practice tests and hope for the best.
Please advise!
Given your state of residence, Arkansas, and that you're also interested in Tennessee schools, I think you've definitely got a shot. I could be wrong, but I think I recall those schools have more accessible stats. So if you really don't want to take it again, give it a shot and apply this cycle and see what happens. Also, you should check with those schools and see how they calculate multiple MCAT scores. Some schools will actually take the highest section from each test (Tufts and a couple of others), while some don't. Regardless, I think you should definitely try to get more clinical experience than just shadowing. I would recommend volunteering at a free health clinic or at a hospital. If you don't want to apply to DO schools as well, then just be prepared to apply again next cycle (after retaking the MCAT) if you don't get in this round. But I think that if the rest of your app is solid, and you apply EARLY, you've got a shot at your target schools.
