reality check

Hi palindrome, I mean, askksa ,
I am a third time applicant and I'll share my story with you. First of all, I just want to say that you have a competitive post-bacc(?) gpa and overall competitive MCAT score. I know many will think that the 7 is the problem but I have talked with some schools (one top ten comes to mind) who say that when the science scores are so great they pretty much ignore an "average" verbal score. Have you taken the MCAT more than once? Were you planning on taking it again?
As for me, I took the MCAT three times (I don't know what I was thinking the first two times). My scores went from 23T, to 25R, to 34S <img border="0" alt="[Clappy]" title="" src="graemlins/clappy.gif" /> I graduated from University of Miami in 1999 and my first two applications were consecutive with the first two MCAT scores. Then I took a year off to work on stuff and retake the MCAT and now this is my third application. With my first and second applications, I only had one interview each time. This year, I have had nine interview invites and three acceptances. Sooo...a third application does not hurt. I'm not sure what to make of the 3.0 gpa (not very competitive) but I would think that the 3.7 gpa (what exactly is this from?) would compensate, especially if it is from science courses. Anyone else have advice about this? Hope I at least helped a bit! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />
dlc

 

askksa, what schools are you applying to?

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by askksa:
<strong>Hi everyone, this is my first time here and quite an informative site =)

Wonder if someone can help me out here about my concern. This year is my 2nd time applying to medical schools and at this moment, I haven't heard any interview at all. As each day goes by, my self-confidence is getting lower and dimmer...

Is there a hope for acceptance with a third shot? Here is a very unimpressive score:
GPA: 3.0/3.1 (undergrad)
GPA: 3.7 (full time job & 6-8 classes)
MCAT: 30 (v7, p12, b11)

And if someone did get accept after 3 attempts, mind to share your stories? Thanks!

Sincerely,
Askksa</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">

 

do you have significant life experiences?
research, volunteer work, travel, etc.?

 

Askksa,
Have you considered a DO program? They tend to have a slightly lower acceptance average for GPA and MCAT's then the allopathic program. They also like the person with some life and medical experience. Does that fit you?

 

I admire your dedication. I know many people would get discouraged after one round of applications. I think the main thing admissions committees look at with reapplicants is what that person has done to improve themselves since their last time applying. It seems like you definitely have done that, so I think you should be fine. If you're worried about it, apply to a wide range of schools. Your stats with your good ECs would definitely get you in somewhere.

 

contact the schools and ask them how you can be more competitive next year.

 

Hi askksa - Is your 3.0/3.1 gpa including the postbac work? If not, then what is your total undergrad GPA including the postbac grades?

You are doing the right thing by taking courses on postbac basis. I know that markedly raising your undergrad GPA is a slow process. But I don't see why you can't raise it by .15-.2 with about ten class grades of A- or better. If you could get your undergrad science GPA to about 3.2-3.3, then your window of opportunities will widen a lot. Your MCAT scores are very competitive. There're some schools that take the verbal score very seriously (some regard it as the most important), but there're others like NYU that seem to care mainly about the science scores only. Your science scores are excellent. If you don't get in this year, wait till you can get your science GPA to about 3.3 and have more clinical/research EC's under your belt, then reapply. I've no doubt that you'll fare much better then.