Question for you current MSTP students-got long (sorry)

[Treg]

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Hi,

I am just starting my fourth year of a PhD in immunology in Canada, although I am American. As an undergrad in the states, I got a 3.65 in chem with honors, including 3 papers (2 second author). In all, I have 12 research-related awards, including major graduate fellowships. As a grad student, I have yet to publish, since my success as an undergrad allowed me to take a bit more of a risky graduate project making transgenic mice that has been difficult to say the least. Anyway, I have recently experienced a major breakthrough in my project and expect to be submitting a first-authored paper to Nature Med or JCI in the next 6 weeks, as well as another to Diabetes or a transplantation journal before the new year.

Anyway, after undergrad I was unsure if I wanted the MSTP route, so I went into the PhD. I have within the last year decided to go for medicine. I really want to go to my Canadian school, since I can enter the MD/PhD at this point, write and defend between my MS1 and MS2, and carry my fellowship funding with me to med. Just in case, I am applying to some American schools as a back up, in which case I would potentially defer a year to finish. This is less than ideal, since I am married, my husband has a great job here, we own our home, and we have a toddler.

I took the MCAT this past August, about 6 weeks after my candidacy examination. Needless to say, I was a little fried and didn't study as well as I should have. I got a 10-V, 9-BS, and 7-PS, R-WS (26R). I have stellar LORs from reputable scientists, and good ECs as well (D-1 sports). Also, I am an hispanic female, age 26.

Finally to my question-is my MCAT score going to kill me? And how do you think that I should approach my research experience for my applications/interviews (if I can get them with that MCAT)?

FYI, I will most likely rewrite in April, unless I get accepted at my Canadian school before then.

Thanks in advance for your comments and time.

 

[pbp4]

no- your MCAT scores will not kill you. as a minority interested in science- many schools will be interested in you and based on your background it will be clear to most places that your MCAT is a fluke.

that being said- you should still consider re-taking the MCAT and study.
good luck-p

 

[Treg]

P-

Thanks for the response-I saw that many people had viewed my post without responding, which made me a little worried.

I hope that you are right. I also feel like my MCAT was a bit of a fluke. I didn't post it above, but two days before my candidacy I came down with acute appendicitis and had emergency surgery. My exam was reschedule for a week and a half later. The delayed exam, combined with recovery, really affected my MCAT studying. I am wondering if I should include that in the "additional comments" section of my applications, but I am afraid that it will come off that I am just expressing a sob story about my MCATs. I guess that it can come up during an interview if anyone asks.

I have really enjoyed finding this forum of like-minded individuals. Those of us willing to punish ourselves by pursuing the dual degree are not too common. As my undergrad research supervisor said when I asked for another LOR- "Aren't you tired of school yet?"

I will continue to post as my application process continues. For anyone else who has any advice, please keep it coming🙂

 

[Sonic Hedgehog]

I would consider re-taking the MCATs if you're worried. I think, as was said, as a minority female in science you will be highly coveted. But should you break a 30 on your next MCAT (most people do on their 2nd shot), you will be on the very top of your applying class, for most top -rank schools in the U.S.

SHH
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MSTP Student - Johns Hopkins

 

[Treg]

Thanks to those of you that have commented on my situation. I see that many people have looked at my post, with no reply. Does that mean that the opinions expressed are more or less consensus?

I am trying to decide how much money to spend on the process this year. Any more opinions will help me out a great deal.

Cheers-🙂

 

[pathdr2b]

Hi Treg!

I don't know how I missed this thread, so from a fellow URM female(african american, latina, native american,and caucasion), welcome!

I agree with the previous posts, having a 26R MCAT is porbably okay given that you are a URM. However, I had a similar score yet plan to retake the exam in April. I'm shooting for at least a 30. I think the higher your score, the more options you'll have. Good Luck!!

 

[Treg]

Hi Pathdr2b,

I hope that my score will be good enough for my current university, since this is really where I want to be (no MD debt if I go here!).

I am applying to 4 american schools this time around, to see how it goes. I will be curious to see if I can get interviews with that MCAT.

I will probably be re-writing in April, unless I hear about an acceptance here first 🙂

Good luck!