Question about applying to TX schools

[Sparkles]

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Okay, I need some honest opinions and I'm sure you have heard things like this before, but...

My MCAT score was 9PS, 6VR, 9BS, N
GPA and sci GPA around right around 3.6

Should I apply or is it even worth it? I'm applying to all TX schools. Do people ever get in with a 6 on an MCAT section, especially verbal?

Thanks in advance.

 

[lakeaustin]

GPA is good, mcat isn't that great.
What about your other things besides numbers?
Are you a URM?
ECs?

 

[Sparkles]

I'm not a URM. I'm a white female. I have pretty good ECs and LORs. I have also had lots of research experience (2 full summers worth, 40hrs/week with presentations at the end).

 

[amelie]

you have good credentials...that verbal mcat score is killing you, though. i would suggest studying my tail off to improve that score, retaking the mcat, then reapplying. some of the schools in texas use a mathematical formula to decide who they'll interview. (something like gpa x 10) plus (science gpa x 10), plus mcat. other factors (like lor's etc) are very important, but a formula like this helps decide who'll make it to the next level. if you don't meet the cutoff number (whatever that is for each school), then i think your chances are much slimmer. hope this helps & good luck!

 

[texasgal1112]

Hi Sparkles,
It's a hard decision to make, but honestly it never hurts to apply. Yes, your MCAT isn't the greatest but there are many factors that they consider other than that. You can just try and apply and see what happens. The worst that can happen is that you don't get in and have to apply again, which you were going to do anyways. I think there are many people on these forums that can say, including myself, you never know what may happen. 🙂 GOOD LUCK!

 

[jsmd]

The good thing about the Texas system is that if you are a Texas resident, interviews are rolling. So, the sooner you submit you're application, the more likely you are to get an interview. In Texas, if you can get at least 2 or 3 interviews, then you have roughly a 50% chance of getting into one of those schools. So, my reccomendation would be to go ahead and apply. It can't hurt. Even if you only get interviews and no acceptance, then at least you will have that experience under your belt for next year. GOOD LUCK!!

BTW, I got into Medical school at San Antonio with a 25 MCAT and a 3.4 GPA. So I know that San Antonio does use a formula. However, I had to apply 3 times. So, persistance pays off.

 

[vikvaz]

jsmd, do you know what the formula is? thanks

 

[Megalofyia]

btw I don't believe that grad school GPA is used in San Antonio's formula. Although I do not know the exact formula.

They can be flexible on their formula though.

 

[jsmd]

I'm sorry, there was a mistake in my previous post. I meant to say that San Antonio does NOT use a formula. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[Sparkles]

Thanks for the insight. How early is considered "early" to apply? I'm working on my TMDSAS (or whatever it is) right now and about halfway through. Would getting everything in by Aug. 1st better my chances? Also, when would I expect an interview (if any)? I really think the MCAT is killing me.... I still don't know.

 

[jsmd]

I would honestly have to say that Aug. 1 is getting late. When you submit your TMDSAS, you still have to mail off that certification page that you sign. I would reccomend that you send it via certified mail. So, by the time TMDSAS recieves your certification page and processes your application and sends it to the schools you selected, about 5-6 weeks has gone by. If you get everything in by Aug. 1, then the schools won't even see your application until mid-September. By then, most of the schools will be about 2 - 3 weeks into thier interview season. However, I still think that you should apply. I think your numbers are good enough to get at least one or two interviews.

It is hard to say when you should expect interviews. I submitted my TMDSAS in mid-June, and had my first interview (UTMB) in September, my second (TCOM) a week later. My third was San Antonio in October, and fourth was Houston in December. So, they can be scattered.

Oh, and don't forget about the secondary apps. While TMDSAS is processing your primary app. would be a good time to work on those. The schools won't consider your file complete until they are in. If you are taking the Aug. MCAT, the schools may not review your file until the score comes in. GOOD LUCK!!!

 

[Megalofyia]

San Antonio has a formula when deciding which applicants to interview. I was told it last semester I just don't remember what it was exactly. I do remember that it only involved MCAT and GPA.

There are people that they occationally interview that do'nt make their cut off but there are other things that catch the adcoms eyes that cause them to chose those applicants for interview.

 

[Megalofyia]

Oh Sparkles I wanted to add that I didn't get my application finished till September last year because I took the August MCAT. I still ended up getting interviewed.

Remember that if you get your application in by August 1st you are still ahead of all the August MCATers.

 

[Sparkles]

Hey JSMD. I'm not taking the aug. mcat. I already took the april mcat and I am doing research this summer (at Texas A&M, go Aggies!) I decided If I don't get in this year I will take the mcat again in April 2004.

I'm almost done w/ my app, the transcripts and letters of rec will be sent rather quickly. I'm just going to cross my fingers and try!!!

 

[Aptamer]

Acutally, regarding the formula system, since November 2001, no professional school in Texas, state-supported that is, can use a formula to determine admissions to a school. This is Texas House Bill 588. (Side note: can there be rammifications regarding med school admissions in light of the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling? Could be. However, for the time being, the House Bill still stands.)

Dat

 

[Columbia22]

what are the chances for an out of stater (New York) to be accepted to a TX med school, ie Houston or Galveston???

 

[UTH2003]

Originally posted by Columbia22
what are the chances for an out of stater (New York) to be accepted to a TX med school, ie Houston or Galveston???

I would say you would have to be a pretty appealing student in the eyes of the adcoms. As you most likely know, by law 90% of the students must be Texas Residents. That leaves only 10% (unless my calculator messed up) to be out of staters. If your numbers are really good and you have the experience, then I wouldn't think it would be impossible by any means. By the way, why are you so interested in Houston or UTMB over the other schools in Texas?

 

[Columbia22]

because Houston has dope bars, and the girls are pretty hot too

 

[thackl]

Maybe this info will brighten your day........

Last semester I volunteered at the Austin Children's Hospital PICU. I worked with a bunch of UT Houston residents and three shared thier stats.

1. 3.6/25. Did not get in the first year, worked in a mental hospital for the off year, then got in.

2. 3.5/26 and a pHd. Got in first try.

3. 3.9/19,24,29. Took MCAT 3 times, but actualy got in on the 2nd score (acepted before last score arrived). The 3.9 was from some BFE east TX school that basically gets no one into med school. She was super hot (bad attitude though) and had a chance meeting with the dean while in the hall waiting for an interview (did not know it was him til after). He must have been impressed.

 

[UTH2003]

Originally posted by thackl
Maybe this info will brighten your day........

Last semester I volunteered at the Austin Children's Hospital PICU. I worked with a bunch of UT Houston residents and three shared thier stats.

1. 3.6/25. Did not get in the first year, worked in a mental hospital for the off year, then got in.

2. 3.5/26 and a pHd. Got in first try.

3. 3.9/19,24,29. Took MCAT 3 times, but actualy got in on the 2nd score (acepted before last score arrived). The 3.9 was from some BFE east TX school that basically gets no one into med school. She was super hot (bad attitude though) and had a chance meeting with the dean while in the hall waiting for an interview (did not know it was him til after). He must have been impressed.

I am thinking that all of those people listed were Texas residents. For someone from New York (or any other state) I think those numbers might be a little low to get into a Texas School.

 

[Sparkles]

Well I am a TX resident so at least I have that going for me. I would be happy at any of the schools in TX. Also, I tend to think I have a good personality, good heart, easy to get along with. I think I could nail an interview. I wouldn't say I'm "hot" but I don't think I'm completely lacking in the looks dept. either LOL. Short skirt for the interview... hmmmm... j/k🙂

 

[Columbia22]

the hotter you are, the better your chances. simple.

 

[thackl]

Yes, they were TX residents. Your scores are right on got UTSA and UTMB averages. But, I'm told there stuff is bimodal (URM's vs. non-URM's). My brother went to UTSA and he thought the average white dude was getting in with about 3.7/29 even though the averages listed are 3.5/26. You should still try 😉

 

[Sparkles]

Originally posted by thackl
Yes, they were TX residents. Your scores are right on got UTSA and UTMB averages. But, I'm told there stuff is bimodal (URM's vs. non-URM's). My brother went to UTSA and he thought the average white dude was getting in with about 3.7/29 even though the averages listed are 3.5/26. You should still try 😉

Well crap!! Mine is 3.6/24. But like Columbia22 said, I guess I need to rely on my "hotness" LOL😀