Really need some advice!!

[JohnH]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hey guys. I'm new here. Its pretty awesome that there's a forum like this. Hopefully you guys can help me. I applied (only MD schools) this past year after graduating with a 3.5(overall and science) and a 27 on the mcats (took it twice) and sadly didn't get any interviews. I applied late because i took the mcats last august. My app was not very strong in the med field related activities, less than a of volunteering in an OR and shadowing with a dentist. I was planning on retaking the mcats this april and reapplying in june to both MD and DO schools, but i'm starting to feel the pressure of the mcats especially since this is the last time i can take it (3 times max?). I feel like i can get at least a 30 this time around but i'm not sure if that’s going to be good enough. Should i try to study more and take it in april and then reapply next year (2006)? This would mean that i would be out of school for 3 years. Or should i go for an MA? Does anyone know how chances are in DO school? Ah man, i feel like these next couple of weeks is going to make or break my chances of med school. Any advice will help guys,

Thanks,

John

 

[boobah16]

Hey guys. I'm new here. Its pretty awesome that there's a forum like this. Hopefully you guys can help me. I applied (only MD schools) this past year after graduating with a 3.5(overall and science) and a 27 on the mcats (took it twice) and sadly didn't get any interviews. I applied late because i took the mcats last august. My app was not very strong in the med field related activities, less than a of volunteering in an OR and shadowing with a dentist. I was planning on retaking the mcats this april and reapplying in june to both MD and DO schools, but i'm starting to feel the pressure of the mcats especially since this is the last time i can take it (3 times max?). I feel like i can get at least a 30 this time around but i'm not sure if that’s going to be good enough. Should i try to study more and take it in april and then reapply next year (2006)? This would mean that i would be out of school for 3 years. Or should i go for an MA? Does anyone know how chances are in DO school? Ah man, i feel like these next couple of weeks is going to make or break my chances of med school. Any advice will help guys,

Thanks,

John

You definitely have the stats for DO school, and even some MD schools depending on your ECs and which schools are in-state for you. If you are sure you could increase your MCAT score by a couple points you might want to retake it b/c a 3.5/30 would make you competitive at a number of schools. Another point you brought up that might be the reason you were unsuccessful this time around was the fact that you applied late. I, unfortunatly, made that same mistake and will most likely be applying for the next application cycle as well. I hear applying early makes all the difference when you are on the boarder. So, my advice, for whatever it is worth, is to take the MCAT again ONLY if you know you can do better by at least a couple of points, start volunteering/getting experience in a medically related field and APPLY EARLY. But all in all you should be ok for this years application cycle.

GOOD LUCK

 

[ZAZA67401]

First, you can always re-take the MCAT, as long as you send in a rejection letter each time you take it after the third time. So that means in order to keep taking the MCAT you have to keep applying to medical school. The people at AAMC are not trying to prevent you from taking the MCAT, they are trying to keep KAplan and other non-applicant types out, they only want people who truly are applying to medical school to keep taking the test. Your scores aren't that bad, seriously, there is but a slight difference between scores ( only a couple of questions more ansewered right and you would have a 10). So just practice more problems and work hard. The MCAT is not smartness hard, its just a lot of time hardwork, but everyone should be able to do well if you devote enough time. And don't worry about how many times you take the MCAT. I know you might think it looks bad to med schools, but really most only care about the most recent score and whether or not you have improved. Plus it beats not going to med school at all. But most importantly, it is always possible to get into medical school---no MCAT score or GPA can prevent you you from getting in if you continue to improve in the future, so be positive and move foward

 

[ZAZA67401]

Also, definetly apply in June and take the summer to study hard and take it in August. Med schools won't make a decision on your application until they get your August scores, but your application and secondaries (since you will have filled them all out already) will be ready to go as soon as scores post in OCtober. And most schools are first come first serve based on when you submit your application. In short---you have every advantage to apply early, and no disadvantage to apply latter. But you do need to improve your MCAT score, so if you can't devote the time and do better than think about a working or a SMP for a year and study and take the MCAT next year, if you have the patience

 

[jscarpachio]

Also, definetly apply in June and take the summer to study hard and take it in August. Med schools won't make a decision on your application until they get your August scores, but your application and secondaries (since you will have filled them all out already) will be ready to go as soon as scores post in OCtober. And most schools are first come first serve based on when you submit your application. In short---you have every advantage to apply early, and no disadvantage to apply latter. But you do need to improve your MCAT score, so if you can't devote the time and do better than think about a working or a SMP for a year and study and take the MCAT next year, if you have the patience

What's a SMP?

 

[Law2Doc]

What's a SMP?

SMP = "special masters program". Like postbac programs, they are another tool used by people to improve their stats for med school.

 

[JohnH]

Hey guys. Thanks for the great advice. So i think i'm taking it in august. But besides the mcats i think my app doesn't show that i have experience. Does anyone know where i can go about finding a research or hospital related job to better my app in that area? i'm having a really hard time looking through local hospitals and job search engines like monster.

 

[DrMom]

You'd probably be best off with some medically-related volunteering and physician shadowing under your belt. You can get a med tech type job or something like phlebotomy. I wouldn't bother trying to cram in some research. Good luck. 🙂