Reapplicant MD Chances - 6 in verbal

[PsychoPass987]

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Hello all.

I previously applied last year for fall 2014 admission, but I did not receive any interviews probably because I sent the primaries in late August, had a low MCAT score, and did not apply broadly enough. Therefore, I am planning on applying this cycle for fall 2015 admission. I was wondering what would be my chances at getting into a MD school with my stats and activities.

cGPA: 3.89 sGPA: 3.91 (ORM Massachusetts Resident from a Massachusetts College)

MCAT: (PS: 10/V: 7/BS: 9) = 26
took the MCAT a second time on 7/24 and received this set of scores (PS: 12/V: 6/BS: 11) = 29

ECs:

4 years in chess club (was chess club president for 1 year)
1 semester of chemistry research (~60 hours)
2 years of biochemistry research (1000+ hours, no publications, a few posters and presentations, and culminated with an honors thesis)
1 summer of biology research as part of an REU program (~400-500 hours, a poster and presentation)
TA for 1 semester in a biochemistry course (~75 hours)

Clinical Experience
~150 hours volunteering (combination of work in the ER and patient escort from 2 different hospitals)
~20 hours shadowing in the ER

I will also have 3 strong LORs from my biochemistry research professor, a biochemistry laboratory professor, and the professor whom I did my TA for in a biochemistry class.



List of Schools I will be Applying:
I will be considered a first time applicant in some of these schools (marked by an asterisk).

Tufts
Boston University
University of Massachusetts
Quinnipiac
Brown
Albany
Albert Einstein*
NY Medical College
University of Rochester
University of Vermont*
Drexel
Penn State*
Temple*
George Washington*
Dartmouth*

I already have my primary verified, and my secondary completed. (Secondaries have not been submitted to the schools yet.) I am planning on re-taking the MCAT for a 3rd time on 9/18, and will be working diligently for the next 3 weeks on practicing the verbal.

 

[Saxappeal1]

The 6 in VR is probably going to be lethal at a lot of those schools OP.

 

[PsychoPass987]

The 6 in VR is probably going to be lethal at a lot of those schools OP.

I have a feeling that would be the case, but I will be taking the exam again on 9/18. I was averaging 9-10s on verbal from full lengths, so this 6 was really surprising. If I pull up the scores to 33 with a 10 in verbal, will my chances for IIs improve? Already submitted the primary, and worked on the secondaries, so I want to salvage what I can.

 

[Faha]

Consider adding a few more MD schools such as Jefferson, Commonwealth (PA), Oakland Beaumont, Western Michigan, Rosalind Franklin, St. Louis, Creighton, Loyola. Have you considered applying to DO schools? You would be competitive at any DO school and it is not too late to apply.

 

[PsychoPass987]

Consider adding a few more MD schools such as Jefferson, Commonwealth (PA), Oakland Beaumont, Western Michigan, Rosalind Franklin, St. Louis, Creighton, Loyola. Have you considered applying to DO schools? You would be competitive at any DO school and it is not too late to apply.

Wouldn't the 6 screen me out of all MD schools listed? If I retake the MCAT exam on 9/18, and score in the 30s with 9-10 on the verbal section, would it be feasible to get MD IIs and go from there?

I have a preference for MD, but I have thought about applying to some DO schools. Would I need to have any extra things for that application? For instance, I heard that DO schools had a preference for people who have shadowed DOs or gotten letters of recommendation from them.

 

[PsychoPass987]

bump...

 

[Afford]

I would say that it's tough because even if you score really high on your 3rd MCAT, you are really late for this cycle.

 

[Goro]

Concur.

The 6 in VR is probably going to be lethal at a lot of those schools OP.

 

[PsychoPass987]

Concur.

What if I retake the MCAT and get 33+ on the MCAT with a 9-10 on verbal? I feel that I have everything else going for me except that 6 on verbal, and I would hate to just give up the MD cycle because of verbal.

 

[Goro]

That would be an excellent outcome. Just make sure you're fully prepared.

What if I retake the MCAT and get 33+ on the MCAT with a 9-10 on verbal? I feel that I have everything else going for me except that 6 on verbal, and I would hate to just give up the MD cycle because of verbal.