Re-applying, need advice

[Shinobiz11]

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So my MCAT score killed me this cycle. I plan to start studying soon and take in early May next year and reapply. You can take a look at my MDApps page, I feel my app was pretty good, besides that awful test. Obviously plan to continue shadowing, volunteering, and trying to find a job. Also looking at one year SMP's. I am really interested in Rosalind Franklin's MS in Biomed science. I've been looking into MSU's MPH program, but idk if public health will really be that interesting or helpful for the next cycle. Can anyone recommend any other ones. I am probably going to apply mostly DO again, unless my MCAT score goes significantly up.

 

[Etyan]

With a 3.5 GPA and a 18 MCAT, do not waste money on any SMP. Instead, invest all that time and effort into studying for the MCAT. Not only will it give you a higher return (in terms of benefit to your application), it will also be significantly cheaper.

Head over to SDN's MCAT forums and try out some of the strategies they have; customize a plan that works well for you. Do not take the MCAT again until you're scoring >27 on full length practice exams.

Good luck!

So my MCAT score killed me this cycle. I plan to start studying soon and take in early May next year and reapply. You can take a look at my MDApps page, I feel my app was pretty good, besides that awful test. Obviously plan to continue shadowing, volunteering, and trying to find a job. Also looking at one year SMP's. I am really interested in Rosalind Franklin's MS in Biomed science. I've been looking into MSU's MPH program, but idk if public health will really be that interesting or helpful for the next cycle. Can anyone recommend any other ones. I am probably going to apply mostly DO again, unless my MCAT score goes significantly up.

 

[Shinobiz11]

With a 3.5 GPA and a 18 MCAT, do not waste money on any SMP. Instead, invest all that time and effort into studying for the MCAT. Not only will it give you a higher return (in terms of benefit to your application), it will also be significantly cheaper.

Head over to SDN's MCAT forums and try out some of the strategies they have; customize a plan that works well for you. Do not take the MCAT again until you're scoring >27 on full length practice exams.

Good luck!

I was thinking about this also, would it just be better to take a few post-bacc classes at my current university to stay focused, or would pursuing another degree (i.e. MPH, MPA) be more useful?

 

[Etyan]

Graduate degrees other than SMPs are generally regarded as interesting ECs.

Post-bacc classes will factor into your undergrad GPA. However your GPA is fine, so this is unnecessary.

Rather than explore other options to strengthen your application, focus solely on getting your MCAT score up.

All AdComms will be looking at three broad criteria for every applicant: GPA, MCAT, and if the first two are sufficient, ECs. An inadequate MCAT will almost always prevent your application from receiving any true consideration.

I was thinking about this also, would it just be better to take a few post-bacc classes at my current university to stay focused, or would pursuing another degree (i.e. MPH, MPA) be more useful?

 

[gyngyn]

You need to focus on the MCAT. You could be Mother Theresa and have no chance with that score. A PhD would have no influence on your outcome.

My only other advice is to take it only once more, when you are completely ready (scoring well above your your target score on practice tests).

 

[Buzz Me]

Definitely need to get that MCAT way, WAY up. The decent GPA + bad MCAT combo is killer (not in a good way). Makes the GPA seem suspect.

 

[Shinobiz11]

Definitely need to get that MCAT way, WAY up. The decent GPA + bad MCAT combo is killer (not in a good way). Makes the GPA seem suspect.

Understood. Thanks.

 

[QofQuimica]

Agree with the others. Your GPA is fine, especially for DO schools, but your MCAT is way too low for any schools, DO or MD. You want to achieve a 24 minimum on the MCAT before reapplying, with 27+ being preferred.

As for what to do this year, I suggest getting a job, preferably a service-oriented job where you are interacting with customers/clients/students/patients. Speaking as a former nontrad applicant (I was 10 years out from college when I went to med school), I don't think it's a bad thing for trad applicants to have a gap year and experience the full-time working world a bit before going to med school. Sure, take a few classes too if you'd like. But also take advantage of this opportunity to see what it's like to get up every morning and go to your standard 9-5 job. That's the reality that most of your future patients will be living.

 

[dagedajies]

good,Rather than explore other options to strengthen your application, focus solely on getting your MCAT score up.thanks

 

[Shinobiz11]

Agree with the others. Your GPA is fine, especially for DO schools, but your MCAT is way too low for any schools, DO or MD. You want to achieve a 24 minimum on the MCAT before reapplying, with 27+ being preferred.

As for what to do this year, I suggest getting a job, preferably a service-oriented job where you are interacting with customers/clients/students/patients. Speaking as a former nontrad applicant (I was 10 years out from college when I went to med school), I don't think it's a bad thing for trad applicants to have a gap year and experience the full-time working world a bit before going to med school. Sure, take a few classes too if you'd like. But also take advantage of this opportunity to see what it's like to get up every morning and go to your standard 9-5 job. That's the reality that most of your future patients will be living.

Exactly. Applied for Scribe training, still waiting for their response. Looking for work around as well just in case.

 

[Shinobiz11]

Okay, still waiting to hear from the Scribe training company. Looking at doing CNA program after i graduate. Should I go thru with it, or would a regular job be fine?

 

[QofQuimica]

Okay, still waiting to hear from the Scribe training company. Looking at doing CNA program after i graduate. Should I go thru with it, or would a regular job be fine?

Either is fine. Like I said before, any job where you're dealing with people and all the aggravation that goes along with it is good training for being a physician. If it's in a health care context like being a CNA, that's great. But I'd argue that you can learn a lot from working for a year as a salesperson on commission where you eat what you kill, too. Or as a teacher trying to motivate students, deal with cheating, etc. Or as a customer service rep fielding calls from dissatisfied consumers. Or as a waiter/waitress where your income depends in part on the whims of strangers and in part on whether they like your service. If you develop the skills to succeed in a customer service job, you will have a real advantage when it comes to dealing with patients. I really can't over-emphasize how important people skills are for physicians.

 

[Shinobiz11]

Either is fine. Like I said before, any job where you're dealing with people and all the aggravation that goes along with it is good training for being a physician. If it's in a health care context like being a CNA, that's great. But I'd argue that you can learn a lot from working for a year as a salesperson on commission where you eat what you kill, too. Or as a teacher trying to motivate students, deal with cheating, etc. Or as a customer service rep fielding calls from dissatisfied consumers. Or as a waiter/waitress where your income depends in part on the whims of strangers and in part on whether they like your service. If you develop the skills to succeed in a customer service job, you will have a real advantage when it comes to dealing with patients. I really can't over-emphasize how important people skills are for physicians.

Alright thanks so much. Just got off the phone with MSUCOM's admissions office, they gave me tips on what to do, primarily MCAT of course.

 

[Member954786]

I bombed the Mcat the first time And when I got my score back my immediate thought was to do an smp . Problem was my GPA was excellent and that wasn't the problem. My premed advisor told me it would be the biggest waste of money ever. How were u doing on your practice exams ? Cause mine were screaming do not take the test and of course I had . I think you can be granted an interview with a 24 +if you apply broadly and have a good DO letter and have a good enough verbal ( DO schools really care about the verbal) , obviously shoot for higher but if it comes down to it and you can't get above that I would apply to all atleast 10-13 DO schools with that score or slightly lower . The good thing is that you can and ( i think you will) have an incredible come back with an impressive increase ( it's a little easier to do with a low score )! But you need to retake the test , best of luck !

 

[Member954786]

Usually if you score really low the first time , it's a core thing you have to fix - once you fix that you are golden . Find out what you are doing wrong and you are going to see your score leap . For me I focused on content the first time when I needed to do practice questions( especially for the physical sciences ) and I also needed to work on time management .