Please Help !!!!!

[oybello]

I am in need of advice. First off, here are my stats. In terms of what's on paper, its not that great. sGPA of 3.2, cGPA of 3.3. MCAT was 24Q. My bachelors was in Forensic Chemistry, a tough major that i'm sure helped me out despite the bad stats. My grade trend ended on an incline, in which i averaged a 3.7 GPA in my final 3 semesters. Why the drastic change? well, i did not take school seriously up until mid junior year, and I also worked full time... a recipe for 2.something GPA's. My E.C's are good and I have worked as a medical technician for almost 2 years. Here is my conundrum.

I have gained acceptance into the American University of the Caribbean. I originally got accepted for the August 2011 class, but I deferred to January 2012 so I can apply to school here in the US and I deferred again to may 2012 when I started getting interviews at U.S medical schools. I have paid the $1600 tuition deposit and the $500 deferment fee. I like AUC and I am happy to get my M.D from there, but.........

I am on the waiting list on two schools in the US. One, a D.O school and the other an M.D school. One of the schools has it's classes starting late June and the other in August. There is a chance that I get pulled of the list before classes begin at AUC on may 7th, but there is also a chance that I don't hear back from the schools till after that date because some med schools are notorious for pulling people off days before class starts. Neither of these schools has a ranked waiting list i believe. Even though i like AUC, i still would rather stay in America, but, im not sure if i want to take the risk of not going to AUC in may and then finding out that i didnt get pulled off either waitlist and delaying myself further. Im 25. My question is, if I do begin at AUC and then I get pulled of the waitlist at the U.S schools, can I accept that offer and move back to America. Or am I not allowed to do this. I figure, they will refund me 75 to 90% tuition, depending on when or if i get the call. Also, any alternative advice is appreciated. AUC will not agree to another deferment to August 2012 because that is an entirely different class and i would have to reapply.

P.S No offense to any other Caribbean schools, but i think I am only interested in AUC at this point. And I am also a black male, if that makes a difference. The D.O school is Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, NY and the M.D school is Meharry Medical College.

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[makauzi]

Remeber there is the May 15th deadline for students holding multiple acceptances, so I would think there would be a lot of waitlist movement between May 15th and probably 30th, and hopefully some in early May as some students give up seats in the schools you are waitlisted in. I would say just wait until May , see if you get in at any of the two schools, if so attend US school, if you are not accepted by May just fly to AUC. I would think the probability of getting accepted after May is lower than the probability of getting accepted before May, you could still be accepted in June but why risk it. Anyway, as far as I know AUC is a nice school and you can still practice in the USA. Just work extra extra hard for step 1.

 

[oybello]

Remeber there is the May 15th deadline for students holding multiple acceptances, so I would think there would be a lot of waitlist movement between May 15th and probably 30th, and hopefully some in early May as some students give up seats in the schools you are waitlisted in. I would say just wait until May , see if you get in at any of the two schools, if so attend US school, if you are not accepted by May just fly to AUC. I would think the probability of getting accepted after May is lower than the probability of getting accepted before May, you could still be accepted in June but why risk it. Anyway, as far as I know AUC is a nice school and you can still practice in the USA. Just work extra extra hard for step 1.

These were my thoughts exactly. Thank you so much. Do you know if there were any logistical problems of accepting and offer from the U.S schools after I have already started class at AUC? Other than losing tuition money

 

[makauzi]

I know for a US school once you step into class at one school you become ineligible for any other acceptances from other schools, I would think this type of system would not apply to a Caribbean school as their applications are not monitored by AAMC, so theoretically if you get an acceptance in June you can pack your bags and move back to US.

 

[oybello]

I know for a US school once you step into class at one school you become ineligible for any other acceptances from other schools, I would think this type of system would not apply to a Caribbean school as their applications are not monitored by AAMC, so theoretically if you get an acceptance in June you can pack your bags and move back to US.

Ok, great. Thank you for your advice. I appreciate it

 

[Johnson282]

Honestly, if you're getting waitlisted in the US, don't even bother applying or attending the Caribbean. The Caribbean is for those of us who have exhausted all other options. Spend an extra year, upgrade some marks, re-write the MCAT and apply again to the US in my opinion. Even considering the Caribbean while being waitlisted at two schools is a sin in my eyes, and I am sure most people here would agree with me.

The Caribbean should be your absolute last resort. Either way you decide, best of luck to you.

 

[PteFabulous]

If you are on wait lists, don't go to the Caribbean now. See what happens this year, and try again next if things don't work out now. You are better off taking the extra year then going to the Caribbean. And absolutely don't start at AUC while you wait to hear back. I know people who have been in a similar situation and when the US school they were waiting to hear from found out they had started at Ross they became ineligible for acceptance.

 

[oybello]

Honestly, if you're getting waitlisted in the US, don't even bother applying or attending the Caribbean. The Caribbean is for those of us who have exhausted all other options. Spend an extra year, upgrade some marks, re-write the MCAT and apply again to the US in my opinion. Even considering the Caribbean while being waitlisted at two schools is a sin in my eyes, and I am sure most people here would agree with me.

The Caribbean should be your absolute last resort. Either way you decide, best of luck to you.

You do make a great point. I thought I had didn't have much of a chance, and that is why I decided to apply to AUC, and then I got some interviews and decided to wait. Now i have some options and so i needed help putting things in perspective. Thank you for your input

 

[oybello]

I know people who have been in a similar situation and when the US school they were waiting to hear from found out they had started at Ross they became ineligible for acceptance.

This is my fear Pte. I just wanted to know if somebody was in a similar situation or knew of someone in this position, but thank you for sharing your friends situation with me. I think I would rather wait to see what happens and then reapply to Carib if i need to for the January class or decide to strengthen my file.

 

[PteFabulous]

This is my fear Pte. I just wanted to know if somebody was in a similar situation or knew of someone in this position, but thank you for sharing your friends situation with me. I think I would rather wait to see what happens and then reapply to Carib if i need to for the January class or decide to strengthen my file.

That's smart. See whats happens this year, and if anything the fact that you have been wait listed this year means that you have a good chance to be accepted with reapplying, just upgrade a few things on your application and I'm sure you'll make it just fine.

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

Your MCAT is holding you back. Have you considered retaking it? Also, have the PS readers look over your statement. Did you apply June 1st? How are your LORs, ECs, shadowing? As a URM, you should get into a US school, as you have a higher GPA than I do...

 

[oybello]

Your MCAT is holding you back. Have you considered retaking it? Also, have the PS readers look over your statement. Did you apply June 1st? How are your LORs, ECs, shadowing? As a URM, you should get into a US school, as you have a higher GPA than I do...

I have great 5 great letters of recs and one luke-warm one, which happens to be one of the doctors I work for. He usually doesnt write letters and is a bit of a hardass, so it was actually a good thing he wrote one for me (MAYBE), im not sure if the schools will know that though. I have reconsidered retaking the MCAT, i actually did and got a worse score of 22, which i heard was suicide, but i miraculously still got interviews. The breakdown was 9B, 8P and 5V, versus 11B 8P and 5V the first time. I have never been good at standardized test, but I was averaging a 29 both times during my diags and hit over a 30 twice, not sure why that didnt translate. I have a lot of shadowing hours. probably about ~120 hours ranging from D.O's to M.D's, primary care and specialties. I also have over 1000 hours as a tech/scribe for an ophthalmologist. My personal statement is excellent, and I had multimple MD's look over it and make corrections, so that is one of my strengths.

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

Okay, here's what my thought is... if the people who looked at your statement know you, it doesn't mean it's good, you need to have people read it who are like adcoms, they don't know you, and they've read 100 others before yours. Have the PS readers in the non-trad forum read yours, if they say it's good, it's good (seriously, I had dozens of people read mine, they said it was great, it wasn't).

If the mediocre LOR is your only physician, try for a different one, or don't include it, the admissions people don't know this guy from Sam, and they only care what the letter says.

The MCAT, if your practice scores weren't on official AAMC tests on their website, the practice scores are not accurate. Take the AAMC ones, as many as you can. Your verbal score is killing you, it's below most of the cutoffs. That is likely the real issue. Either way, if you can get your verbal score up to a 7, you'll at least be above the DO cutoffs. Consider paying the $2500 to do an MCAT prep course, or pay less and do something specifically to help your verbal score.
Do NOT under any circumstances give up the chance to stay in the US unless it is the dead last resort.

 

[Johnson282]

Okay, here's what my thought is... if the people who looked at your statement know you, it doesn't mean it's good, you need to have people read it who are like adcoms, they don't know you, and they've read 100 others before yours. Have the PS readers in the non-trad forum read yours, if they say it's good, it's good (seriously, I had dozens of people read mine, they said it was great, it wasn't).

If the mediocre LOR is your only physician, try for a different one, or don't include it, the admissions people don't know this guy from Sam, and they only care what the letter says.

The MCAT, if your practice scores weren't on official AAMC tests on their website, the practice scores are not accurate. Take the AAMC ones, as many as you can. Your verbal score is killing you, it's below most of the cutoffs. That is likely the real issue. Either way, if you can get your verbal score up to a 7, you'll at least be above the DO cutoffs. Consider paying the $2500 to do an MCAT prep course, or pay less and do something specifically to help your verbal score.
Do NOT under any circumstances give up the chance to stay in the US unless it is the dead last resort.

Just for a second opinion, I agree with this gentleman 100%, about the reading of personal statements, not including mediocre statements unless it's from a world reknown person, retaking the MCAT to boost your VR and don't go to the Caribbean. I'm applying because my first two years of my UG were <2.0 GPA, so instead of spending 4 years and getting a new degree, I am applying to the Caribbean.

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

My statement was okay at best, and the PS readers tore me to shreds, BUT now I'm in, and their help was invaluable.

I almost went that route, but was talked out of it by people in the NT forum. They said my PB work would see me through, and it did. I totally understand your perspective though, and I would have done it had I not been accepted this cycle. I'm not getting any younger! Either way, if you can avoid going to the Carib, you are better off, at least in terms of residencies etc...

 

[oybello]

Ok, you guys are great and I am grateful for the tips you've given me. You are right in that my VR is my Achilles. The diags i took were all AAMC and so i know i could theoretically do better but i didnt, and failing another time scares me, but i might have to. I had a professor at my college who never taught me, and a brand new doc who started at our practice look at the statement and they thought it was good, but if i end up re-applying i will for sure try to tweak it still. I also have 3 LOR's from physicians, 2 MD and one DO, so thats why i wasn't sooo worried about the other one. Again, thank you for taking the time out to help me out.

 

[LondonBridge]

I am in need of advice. First off, here are my stats. In terms of what's on paper, its not that great. sGPA of 3.2, cGPA of 3.3. MCAT was 24Q. My bachelors was in Forensic Chemistry, a tough major that i'm sure helped me out despite the bad stats. My grade trend ended on an incline, in which i averaged a 3.7 GPA in my final 3 semesters. Why the drastic change? well, i did not take school seriously up until mid junior year, and I also worked full time... a recipe for 2.something GPA's. My E.C's are good and I have worked as a medical technician for almost 2 years. Here is my conundrum.

I have gained acceptance into the American University of the Caribbean. I originally got accepted for the August 2011 class, but I deferred to January 2012 so I can apply to school here in the US and I deferred again to may 2012 when I started getting interviews at U.S medical schools. I have paid the $1600 tuition deposit and the $500 deferment fee. I like AUC and I am happy to get my M.D from there, but.........

I am on the waiting list on two schools in the US. One, a D.O school and the other an M.D school. One of the schools has it's classes starting late June and the other in August. There is a chance that I get pulled of the list before classes begin at AUC on may 7th, but there is also a chance that I don't hear back from the schools till after that date because some med schools are notorious for pulling people off days before class starts. Neither of these schools has a ranked waiting list i believe. Even though i like AUC, i still would rather stay in America, but, im not sure if i want to take the risk of not going to AUC in may and then finding out that i didnt get pulled off either waitlist and delaying myself further. Im 25. My question is, if I do begin at AUC and then I get pulled of the waitlist at the U.S schools, can I accept that offer and move back to America. Or am I not allowed to do this. I figure, they will refund me 75 to 90% tuition, depending on when or if i get the call. Also, any alternative advice is appreciated. AUC will not agree to another deferment to August 2012 because that is an entirely different class and i would have to reapply.

P.S No offense to any other Caribbean schools, but i think I am only interested in AUC at this point. And I am also a black male, if that makes a difference. The D.O school is Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, NY and the M.D school is Meharry Medical College.

I honestly don't think you need to go to the carribean. I'm also a URM, and although my GPA was higher than yours, my MCAT was around the same and I got 3 MD interviews and one acceptance so far. It definitely can be done. If you are getting interviews to schools in the US, that means that you are capable of staying here. Hope for the best for this cycle. If it doens't work out, either do a post-bacc program or SMP and try again.

 

[oybello]

I honestly don't think you need to go to the carribean. I'm also a URM, and although my GPA was higher than yours, my MCAT was around the same and I got 3 MD interviews and one acceptance so far. It definitely can be done. If you are getting interviews to schools in the US, that means that you are capable of staying here. Hope for the best for this cycle. If it doens't work out, either do a post-bacc program or SMP and try again.

Thank You london bridge. I have got my fingers crossed. You guys have definitely got my head straight

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

IF?? Why IF?? You should be reapplying after fixing some things... Work on getting 2 science professor LORs. Most schools require 2 science, 1 physician, some are flexible, most are not. Have the people on here read the PS, 2 people reviewing it is not enough. Please don't take this wrong, but if your verbal is that low, I suspect your letter isn't as well written as people have told you. You need to get your VR score up, I would start working on some of the books like exam krackers, princeton review, etc and working on all of their verbal sections until you can routinely get a higher score. Then retake the MCAT. I am starting school at almost 36, you have time... don't jump ship and go Carib until you're my age and everything else has failed

 

[oybello]

IF?? Why IF?? You should be reapplying after fixing some things... Work on getting 2 science professor LORs. Most schools require 2 science, 1 physician, some are flexible, most are not. Have the people on here read the PS, 2 people reviewing it is not enough. Please don't take this wrong, but if your verbal is that low, I suspect your letter isn't as well written as people have told you. You need to get your VR score up, I would start working on some of the books like exam krackers, princeton review, etc and working on all of their verbal sections until you can routinely get a higher score. Then retake the MCAT. I am starting school at almost 36, you have time... don't jump ship and go Carib until you're my age and everything else has failed

You would think that my writing is horrible, looking at the verbal score, lol. But i was actually nominated for senior thesis of the year, go figure. I think it was the timing of the test that threw me off. Either way, I just got my acceptance letter today to TOUROCOM-NY. I will be going to new york after all. Thank you soo much for all the advice

 

[PteFabulous]

You would think that my writing is horrible, looking at the verbal score, lol. But i was actually nominated for senior thesis of the year, go figure. I think it was the timing of the test that threw me off. Either way, I just got my acceptance letter today to TOUROCOM-NY. I will be going to new york after all. Thank you soo much for all the advice

Congrats!

 

[oybello]

Congrats!

Thank you

 

[Aquaman55]

Congrats. You made a wise choice. I think you will be happier at Touro than AUC. Visit the Caribbean during spring break!

 

[fhayes]

Just wanted to say that this forum has been very helpful!! I am in almost an identical situation, and it seems that no one can offer me sound advice on the issue :/

I too got a 5 on the VR, but I got a 7 the time before. My undergrad GPA sucks (2.68), and I wrote about why on my AMCAS. There was a lot of personal family issues that happened at the time... anyway, I have been working my butt off since to "fix" it. I have a 3.9 GPA from a Post Bacc in Biochem, and a 3.87 in an SMP program. I've taken the MCAT more than I care to admit, but I got a 22R this year (with the 5 in VR...). I have 3 years of neurosurgery work as an END tech, I've ran a lab, done research in undergrad and Post Bacc, Placed on the Dean's list and Honor's program in post-bacc, and I have awesome LORs and ECs. I applied to nearly 20 US MD schools, and to Ross as a back up. I was accepted to ross in November, and I interviewed at FSU in April and have been put on hold (similar-ish to a wailist?)

I tried to defer my Ross acceptance for September, but they said that my MCAT wasn't high enough for their Sept cut off. My admissions counselor says that they don't generally accept deferment for two semesters, so I would have to re-apply. I've been calling FSU, sending updates, and restating my intent to attend their school. I am scared to just go to Ross in literally 9 days just in case FSU accepts me to the MD or even their Bridge program (SMP that guarantees med school acceptance). But I am also afraid to defer to January and be left with nothing.

I'm 27 y/o female, economically disadvantaged (on welfare but still working), first generation college student in my family (so no one is offering me sound advice and they don't understand why I want US over Carib education), and I am ready to be settled already!! I'm ready to be in my career, married, and starting a family. I have spent so much money on the MCAT, which I know is nothing compared to tuition, but I don't want to throw it away on the dream getting into the US. I feel like interviewing in April isn't that great, even though I was placed on hold. Am I just down on myself, or are my chances pretty slim to none?

Thanks for any advice!

 

[Pattycake25]

I would say your chances at FSU this cycle are likely pretty low, yes. I'm sorry. However, I am just as concerned about your fate in the Caribbean. While Ross is one of the best Carib schools, and does offer its students a fair shot at American medical practice (although nothing like American schools), in the Carib it ALL comes down to board scores. I am worried that your MCAT history indicates you will have difficulty just passing the boards, let alone getting the above-average strong score required for a Caribbean student to secure a residency spot (and it's only going to start getting exponentially harder over the next few years). Then again, your decent BS/PS scores give me hope. I am going to suggest you find out what kind of correlation exists, if any, between VR scores and USMLE scores. You need to be VERY careful before setting foot in Ross. Good luck. =)

Just wanted to say that this forum has been very helpful!! I am in almost an identical situation, and it seems that no one can offer me sound advice on the issue :/

I too got a 5 on the VR, but I got a 7 the time before. My undergrad GPA sucks (2.68), and I wrote about why on my AMCAS. There was a lot of personal family issues that happened at the time... anyway, I have been working my butt off since to "fix" it. I have a 3.9 GPA from a Post Bacc in Biochem, and a 3.87 in an SMP program. I've taken the MCAT more than I care to admit, but I got a 22R this year (with the 5 in VR...). I have 3 years of neurosurgery work as an END tech, I've ran a lab, done research in undergrad and Post Bacc, Placed on the Dean's list and Honor's program in post-bacc, and I have awesome LORs and ECs. I applied to nearly 20 US MD schools, and to Ross as a back up. I was accepted to ross in November, and I interviewed at FSU in April and have been put on hold (similar-ish to a wailist?)

I tried to defer my Ross acceptance for September, but they said that my MCAT wasn't high enough for their Sept cut off. My admissions counselor says that they don't generally accept deferment for two semesters, so I would have to re-apply. I've been calling FSU, sending updates, and restating my intent to attend their school. I am scared to just go to Ross in literally 9 days just in case FSU accepts me to the MD or even their Bridge program (SMP that guarantees med school acceptance). But I am also afraid to defer to January and be left with nothing.

I'm 27 y/o female, economically disadvantaged (on welfare but still working), first generation college student in my family (so no one is offering me sound advice and they don't understand why I want US over Carib education), and I am ready to be settled already!! I'm ready to be in my career, married, and starting a family. I have spent so much money on the MCAT, which I know is nothing compared to tuition, but I don't want to throw it away on the dream getting into the US. I feel like interviewing in April isn't that great, even though I was placed on hold. Am I just down on myself, or are my chances pretty slim to none?

Thanks for any advice!

 

[fhayes]

I would say your chances at FSU this cycle are likely pretty low, yes. I'm sorry. However, I am just as concerned about your fate in the Caribbean. While Ross is one of the best Carib schools, and does offer its students a fair shot at American medical practice (although nothing like American schools), in the Carib it ALL comes down to board scores. I am worried that your MCAT history indicates you will have difficulty just passing the boards, let alone getting the above-average strong score required for a Caribbean student to secure a residency spot (and it's only going to start getting exponentially harder over the next few years). Then again, your decent BS/PS scores give me hope. I am going to suggest you find out what kind of correlation exists, if any, between VR scores and USMLE scores. You need to be VERY careful before setting foot in Ross. Good luck. =)

Thanks for the advice! Ross went ahead and accepted my deferral to the September class, so I am able to wait for FSU in the mean time.

Concerning the boards, my SMP program was tested in USMLE format, and I got straight A's during the program. I do really well with that type of format, it's just that the MCAT VR section has been difficult for me; I either infer too much or too little or fall into a trap. I've scored higher on the VR section before, but it's like a mental road block for me... and I love reading in my free time! I got an R on the writing, and I'm a certified tutor to college students in Physics, Orgo, Biology, and English. I know the boards will be hard, but I am entirely confident that I will be able to pass. The interviewer at FSU asked how I felt about the boards, and I told him this information too.

Here's to hoping that a lot of students turn down FSU