Reapplicant/MCAT advice

[musicDocwannabe]

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Hi all,

I applied to med school this last year and received no interviews. I had a relatively low MCAT score (26) both times I took the MCAT. I have a 3.0 Science GPA and a 3.4 all-round GPA from an Ivy. I was involved in lots of activities (on the executive committee of 3 clubs).

I wanted to apply to allopathic/osteopathic again this year, but was wondering if you all think I should re-take my MCAT given that August 2006 will be the last time the paper MCAT will be administered. If you think I should re-take the MCAT, how do you think I should study? I took Kaplan before, and apparently it didn't help me. 🙁

I would really appreciate any advice you might be able to give me.

 

[FloridaRL]

What's the breakdown of your MCAT score?

 

[musicDocwannabe]

What's the breakdown of your MCAT score?

VR= 8, Bio=10, P=8

 

[RxnMan]

Hi all,

I applied to med school this last year and received no interviews. I had a relatively low MCAT score (26) both times I took the MCAT. I have a 3.0 Science GPA and a 3.4 all-round GPA from an Ivy. I was involved in lots of activities (on the executive committee of 3 clubs).

I wanted to apply to allopathic/osteopathic again this year, but was wondering if you all think I should re-take my MCAT given that August 2006 will be the last time the paper MCAT will be administered. If you think I should re-take the MCAT, how do you think I should study? I took Kaplan before, and apparently it didn't help me. 🙁

I would really appreciate any advice you might be able to give me.

Your MCAT isn't terrible, but with your GPA it'll be much more difficult. I don't know what you did last time, but however you studied with Kaplan (independent study of texts, tutor, classes, etc) didn't work well enough. You have to change it up, be serious, and dedicate yourself and a lot of time to it. Breaking 30 is the easiest thing (and the one you have the most control over) you can do to make schools take notice.

Applying to DO/MD programs is good, but be sure to apply to many of them, and not all 'top-tier' programs.

Do you have any research or clinical experience? I didn't see any mentioned in your post. Clinical experience needs to be there to show that you know what you're getting into, and research shows your ability to be a problem-solver.

 

[musicDocwannabe]

Your MCAT isn't terrible, but with your GPA it'll be much more difficult. I don't know what you did last time, but however you studied with Kaplan (independent study of texts, tutor, classes, etc) didn't work well enough. You have to change it up, be serious, and dedicate yourself and a lot of time to it. Breaking 30 is the easiest thing (and the one you have the most control over) you can do to make schools take notice.

Applying to DO/MD programs is good, but be sure to apply to many of them, and not all 'top-tier' programs.

Do you have any research or clinical experience? I didn't see any mentioned in your post. Clinical experience needs to be there to show that you know what you're getting into, and research shows your ability to be a problem-solver.

Yea, I have clinical experience. I volunteered for two summers at a hospital and currently work at the NIH. I also was involved in a summer research project in Microbiology/Biochemistry.

 

[RxnMan]

Then you've got pretty much all you need. Like I said, the MCAT is the easiest thing to improve, so that's what I would do. After that, apply to many different schools.

If that doesn't work this year, then go to the premed advisor at your local college and see what they say. They'll probably advise you do a post-bacc. That's not something to consider now (it's too late to help you this year,) but to keep in the back of your head.

 

[ShyRem]

You may have good luck at DO schools. MD schools would probably be a stretch. (sorry - but that's been my experience)

 

[CatsandCradles]

Hi all,

I applied to med school this last year and received no interviews. I had a relatively low MCAT score (26) both times I took the MCAT. I have a 3.0 Science GPA and a 3.4 all-round GPA from an Ivy. I was involved in lots of activities (on the executive committee of 3 clubs).

I wanted to apply to allopathic/osteopathic again this year, but was wondering if you all think I should re-take my MCAT given that August 2006 will be the last time the paper MCAT will be administered. If you think I should re-take the MCAT, how do you think I should study? I took Kaplan before, and apparently it didn't help me. 🙁

I would really appreciate any advice you might be able to give me.

Hi musicDocwannabe!

You seem to have good ECs. And your from an Ivy leauge school.

And a 26 MCAT is a little bit low for allopathic schools, but about the average for osteopathic schools. You said that you applied to osteopathic schools, did any DO schools grant an interview?

And how many schools did you apply to?

And when did you complete amcas and accomas?

 

[musicDocwannabe]

Hi musicDocwannabe!

You seem to have good ECs. And your from an Ivy leauge school.

And a 26 MCAT is a little bit low for allopathic schools, but about the average for osteopathic schools. You said that you applied to osteopathic schools, did any DO schools grant an interview?

And how many schools did you apply to?

And when did you complete amcas and accomas?

Hi all,

I appreciate your help. I actually didn't apply to osteopathic schools. I was planning to this time. I turned in my amcas on June 20th and had all my secondaries in by October. When do you think I should turn in my accomas? Do you think it would be a good idea to take the mcat again given this is the last time the written test will be given?

Thanks for your help!

 

[brcleats12]

Hi all,

I appreciate your help. I actually didn't apply to osteopathic schools. I was planning to this time. I turned in my amcas on June 20th and had all my secondaries in by October. When do you think I should turn in my accomas? Do you think it would be a good idea to take the mcat again given this is the last time the written test will be given?

Thanks for your help!

Make sure your applications are complete and thorough, then submit them as soon as possible unless you're going for 'early acceptance.' Taking the August MCAT would be ill-advised because you'd be late in the process.

From what I have learned on this forum, many individuals submit their applications early on in the process. Personally, computer-based tests are not my forte, but if you think you'll benefit by taking it on the computer, so be it.

I would apply to a great range of schools (osteopathic included). Make sure you look at schools that are within your range and don't apply to schools that you're not eligible for due to in-state residency requirements. Weigh your options.

Best of luck! 🙂

 

[RxnMan]

...I turned in my amcas on June 20th and had all my secondaries in by October. When do you think I should turn in my accomas?...

I turned my AMCAS on June 1st, which was the earliest possible time. I generally returned my secondaries within 2 weeks, so I had most done by the end of July. Granted, that made it seem like the month of July didn't happen...The sooner you are complete, the sooner schools can look at you. I'd try to keep to the same schedule with ACCOMAS.

Try to get an interfolio account to keep track of your letters. That way your reccomenders will only have to write one letter each, even though you'll be spreading them between different schools and application programs.

 

[EndSong]

Seems like you have everything for DO schools. I might suggest you get some more clinical experience though, since I assume you want to be a clinician and not academic doctor or researcher. Research is useful but the majority of med school matriculants do not have any. Also more clinical work would be a great way to get a letter of rec from a doctor and would give you more things to talk about in interview.