Reapply this cycle or the next? (Retaking MCAT late in summer)

[lollerskates]

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Hey everyone,

This is my first post on these forums, though I’ve been a reader for a long time. I thank you in advance for your help and advice.

I’ll start by admitting that I was very surprised at my failure to get into a medical school. I applied to 18 schools and only got one interview (at VCU). Instead of considering the possibility of not being accepted, I just waited around until I found out I was on the waitlist at VCU in the middle of March. By this point I’ve finally realized that I’ll need to reapply and make some changes to my application. Before I ask you all my few burning questions, here are my stats:

• About to graduate from top tier state university
• MCAT: 30P (11V, 10P, 09B)
• GPA: 3.52 BCPM, 3.58 Total
• Extracurriculars: Good (research, volunteering, RA, etc..)
• Clinical Experience: Good

Application Weaknesses:

• Organic Chem II and Organic Chem II Lab grades (C+ & C, respectively)
• Took Physics I over the summer at a community college (got an A
• Applied late (It was the 2nd week in August before AMCAS verified everything)
• My MCAT score is below my potential

Right now I’m signed up to retake the MCAT on August 5th. The reason for it being so late is due to my hubris. Thinking I’d get in cost me valuable time to prepare for an earlier MCAT. I know I can do significantly better than a 30, and my MCAT is the only real part of my application I can modify.

When I reapply I will definitely do it as early as possible and much more broadly. That being said, here are my questions for you knowledgeable folks:

1. Knowing I won’t have my new (and hopefully better) MCAT score into AMCAS until it’s released on September 9th, should I wait a year and apply next summer instead of this one?

• If I wait a year, I plan on becoming an EMT and can submit a completed application right away. If I reapply this year, I don’t have to wait a year, but my application won’t be complete until my MCAT is in. I want to get in sooner rather than later.

2. Are there any other considerations I’m missing? Any pros and cons I forgot about? My problem last application cycle was being blind to my weaknesses and not preparing for failure. This time I want to apply with the best chances and with the most realistic expectations and it’d be great if you all could provide your opinions on my situation. Sometimes it’s too easy to lose the forest for the trees…

Thanks again reapplicant buddies

 

[Blade28]

Please make sure if you're going to retake the MCAT that you really study hard and ensure that you improve. It's tough to improve on a 30 (unless you're killing the practice tests or have a reason for scoring that in the first place - though of course it's a good score!) but it's certainly easy to do worse.

The average GPA for matriculants hovers around a 3.65, so if you're going to take a year off I'd recommend considering taking some post-bac classes to improve your GPA. A 3.52 is nothing to sniff at, but it's still below average. Just something to think about.

How were your letters of recommendation?

I would also make sure to apply widely and early next time. I had an "average" GPA and MCAT score when I was pre-med and still applied to around 30 schools. I'd certainly cast a wider net next time, making sure to check the MSAR for appropriate schools to apply to (you want to apply to a wide variety of "tiers").

Best of luck.

 

[hippiedoc13]

2. Are there any other considerations I’m missing? Any pros and cons I forgot about? My problem last application cycle was being blind to my weaknesses and not preparing for failure. This time I want to apply with the best chances and with the most realistic expectations and it’d be great if you all could provide your opinions on my situation. Sometimes it’s too easy to lose the forest for the trees…

How is your personal statement? I'd strongly consider writing a new one, and have lots of experienced, trusted people give you feedback on it--including a good pre-med advisor, and an MD who knows you well, if possible. Even better if one of your editors is someone with AdCom experience.

 

[RxnMan]

...That being said, here are my questions for you knowledgeable folks:

1. Knowing I won’t have my new (and hopefully better) MCAT score into AMCAS until it’s released on September 9th, should I wait a year and apply next summer instead of this one?

• If I wait a year, I plan on becoming an EMT and can submit a completed application right away. If I reapply this year, I don’t have to wait a year, but my application won’t be complete until my MCAT is in. I want to get in sooner rather than later.

2. Are there any other considerations I’m missing? Any pros and cons I forgot about? My problem last application cycle was being blind to my weaknesses and not preparing for failure. This time I want to apply with the best chances and with the most realistic expectations and it’d be great if you all could provide your opinions on my situation. Sometimes it’s too easy to lose the forest for the trees…

Thanks again reapplicant buddies

Your MCAT is fine as it is. I would just reapply and reapply more broadly. 18 is a lower number, and you already have lower stats (not saying they're bad, but lower than the average matriculant). Apply early, maybe do research (didn't see if you did any,) maybe do more clinical-type work.