Retake MCAT or not

[berg43]

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My MCAT score is a 32M, but I am worried my 3.3c GPA (I think ~3.3s as well) would instantly get me rejected. My story is not unique but my GPA was ~3.0 my first 2.5 years but the last 2 years it has been a 3.7 (micro major). There is not a good reason for my GPA being low other than i was immature and came from a town of 900 people to Ohio State (50,000 students). Frankly i was not prepared for college level courses and didn't work hard enough.

I am told my extracurriculars are very good: 18 months of cancer research, 2 publications, senior thesis, 80+ hours of volunteering at a childrens hospital, 40+ shadowing hours (4 different doctors), and the highlight is an internship in an ER enrolling patients into research and working with patient samples.

My question is should I retake the MCAT in July or submit my MD application in June. I have heard both sides from friends but i have no idea what one is correct. I know i can do better on the MCAT and I think that i could realistically get at least a 34. However i know that with my low GPA it is important to apply early. I also have no idea how much my improved GPA is taken into consideration. Any help?

 

[ppfizenm]

My MCAT score is a 32M, but I am worried my 3.3c GPA (I think ~3.3s as well) would instantly get me rejected. My story is not unique but my GPA was ~3.0 my first 2.5 years but the last 2 years it has been a 3.7 (micro major). There is not a good reason for my GPA being low other than i was immature and came from a town of 900 people to Ohio State (50,000 students). Frankly i was not prepared for college level courses and didn't work hard enough.

I am told my extracurriculars are very good: 18 months of cancer research, 2 publications, senior thesis, 80+ hours of volunteering at a childrens hospital, 40+ shadowing hours (4 different doctors), and the highlight is an internship in an ER enrolling patients into research and working with patient samples.

My question is should I retake the MCAT in July or submit my MD application in June. I have heard both sides from friends but i have no idea what one is correct. I know i can do better on the MCAT and I think that i could realistically get at least a 34. However i know that with my low GPA it is important to apply early. I also have no idea how much my improved GPA is taken into consideration. Any help?

The 3.3 is what will hold you back, not the MCAT. I don't think retaking it will make that big of a deal. You may want to look into SMP's or cast a broad net when applying.

 

[theseeker4]

The 3.3 is what will hold you back, not the MCAT. I don't think retaking it will make that big of a deal. You may want to look into SMP's or cast a broad net when applying.

Agree with this. Apply to MD schools that have lower stats/you have in-state status at and to DO schools. A couple points more in the MCAT won't overtake your GPA. Your other option is GPA repair, or an SMP as suggested.

 

[yankeefan18]

My MCAT score is a 32M, but I am worried my 3.3c GPA (I think ~3.3s as well) would instantly get me rejected. My story is not unique but my GPA was ~3.0 my first 2.5 years but the last 2 years it has been a 3.7 (micro major). There is not a good reason for my GPA being low other than i was immature and came from a town of 900 people to Ohio State (50,000 students). Frankly i was not prepared for college level courses and didn't work hard enough.

I am told my extracurriculars are very good: 18 months of cancer research, 2 publications, senior thesis, 80+ hours of volunteering at a childrens hospital, 40+ shadowing hours (4 different doctors), and the highlight is an internship in an ER enrolling patients into research and working with patient samples.

My question is should I retake the MCAT in July or submit my MD application in June. I have heard both sides from friends but i have no idea what one is correct. I know i can do better on the MCAT and I think that i could realistically get at least a 34. However i know that with my low GPA it is important to apply early. I also have no idea how much my improved GPA is taken into consideration. Any help?

Aside from the publications, which will definitely help you, my stats and EC's are very comparable to yours. Personally, I did not get a tremendous amount of attention from allopathic schools this past cycle so I would suggest applying BROADLY and EARLY to help your chances. IMO, a 35+ MCAT will compensate a 3.3 cGPA but that's easier said than done.

But if you can do it, it's worth considering. For example, I've spoken with a member of an adcom who specifically mentioned a 14+ BS subscore will outweigh most concerns of a low GPA. Don't discount strong LORs and a stellar PS to add some color to your application as well.

If I were you, I would submit your AMCAS June 1, list that you'll be taking the MCAT again, and knock it out of the park in July.

 

[gasknight]

For example, I've spoken with a member of an adcom who specifically mentioned a 14+ BS subscore will outweigh most concerns of a low GPA.

Lol.

BRB, going to score a 40 on the MCAT

 

[ppfizenm]

Aside from the publications, which will definitely help you, my stats and EC's are very comparable to yours. Personally, I did not get a tremendous amount of attention from allopathic schools this past cycle so I would suggest applying BROADLY and EARLY to help your chances. IMO, a 35+ MCAT will compensate a 3.3 cGPA but that's easier said than done.

But if you can do it, it's worth considering. For example, I've spoken with a member of an adcom who specifically mentioned a 14+ BS subscore will outweigh most concerns of a low GPA. Don't discount strong LORs and a stellar PS to add some color to your application as well.

If I were you, I would submit your AMCAS June 1, list that you'll be taking the MCAT again, and knock it out of the park in July.

hearsay

 

[berg43]

This is exactly my point. Half of the people i talk to seem to think i would be fine with my improved GPA, MCAT score, EC and excellent LOC. Half the other people think that i can knock out the MCAT, get a 35 and then have a better chance. I, on the other hand, have no idea what to do.

 

[yankeefan18]

hearsay

I mean...take it with a grain of salt obviously...it's ONE member of ONE adcom. Admittedly you're also hearing it from a stranger on an internet forum, but for what it's worth I'd be saying the same thing to someone I know personally as well.

IF the OP thinks it's a realistic possibility to do exceptionally well on one section of the MACT (who knows, maybe their 32 already included a 13 BS score...we don't know), I'd rather pay the 260 bucks to take the MCAT again than several thousand dollars for a SMP and another year of waiting.

 

[yankeefan18]

This is exactly my point. Half of the people i talk to seem to think i would be fine with my improved GPA, MCAT score, EC and excellent LOC. Half the other people think that i can knock out the MCAT, get a 35 and then have a better chance. I, on the other hand, have no idea what to do.

Have you thought about DO at all? You've got a great shot at acceptances there so you can use that as a "backup" if the MD route doesn't pan out for you. If you'd be happy attending DO, then apply MD and DO and start Fall 2013 either way. Only additional thing you'd need to do over the next few months is shadow a DO and get a letter from them.

If you're absolutely sure MD and only MD is for you, then apply in June and, to be safe, see if you can start a SMP over the summer somewhere so you have a semester (or two's) grades to provide schools via update letters during the application cycle.

 

[berg43]

I am fairly confident that i would like to go the MD route. I have looked into DO and i think i prefer MD, but maybe i should do some more research. And yes i am taking all of this with a grain of salt, i just wish there was clearer path that would lead to 2013 med-school.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

This is exactly my point. Half of the people i talk to seem to think i would be fine with my improved GPA, MCAT score, EC and excellent LOC. Half the other people think that i can knock out the MCAT, get a 35 and then have a better chance. I, on the other hand, have no idea what to do.

sure, a 35 will give you a better chance. A 33 will give you a better chance. But the increase in MCAT will not proportionally have an effect to make it worth it. It is like putting granite counter tops in a $100,000 house. The 3.3 is still going to hold you back. Apply early and broadly, throw in some DO, and hope for the best. You have a good upward trend, so maybe that will help.

 

[yankeefan18]

I am fairly confident that i would like to go the MD route. I have looked into DO and i think i prefer MD, but maybe i should do some more research. And yes i am taking all of this with a grain of salt, i just wish there was clearer path that would lead to 2013 med-school.

I had the same hesitation early on during this past application cycle as well, but after doing research and speaking with physicians (both DO and MD), I decided to apply to both. Do some google searches, SDN searches (enjoy sifting through those arguments, btw) and see if you can talk to DOs to better educate yourself.

If you have any specific questions that you think I might be able to help with, shoot me a PM...I'd be happy to answer them to the best of my ability.

 

[ppfizenm]

This is exactly my point. Half of the people i talk to seem to think i would be fine with my improved GPA, MCAT score, EC and excellent LOC. Half the other people think that i can knock out the MCAT, get a 35 and then have a better chance. I, on the other hand, have no idea what to do.

Does a 35 look better than a 32, sure, it's higher, but it won't go about repairing a significantly damaged GPA in the least. If you were at a 3.5 which is a tad low for MD than a 35 may compensate slightly but not to some incredible degree. Either do an SMP to show you can handle the work of a med school or cast a really broad net when applying.

I mean...take it with a grain of salt obviously...it's ONE member of ONE adcom. Admittedly you're also hearing it from a stranger on an internet forum, but for what it's worth I'd be saying the same thing to someone I know personally as well.

IF the OP thinks it's a realistic possibility to do exceptionally well on one section of the MACT (who knows, maybe their 32 already included a 13 BS score...we don't know), I'd rather pay the 260 bucks to take the MCAT again than several thousand dollars for a SMP and another year of waiting.

That is the definition of hearsay, something you have no knowledge of but heard someone else say.

The MCAT isn't a viable way to fix a very low GPA.

 

[yankeefan18]

Does a 35 look better than a 32, sure, it's higher, but it won't go about repairing a significantly damaged GPA in the least. If you were at a 3.5 which is a tad low for MD than a 35 may compensate slightly but not to some incredible degree. Either do an SMP to show you can handle the work of a med school or cast a really broad net when applying.



That is the definition of hearsay, something you have no knowledge of but heard someone else say.

The MCAT isn't a viable way to fix a very low GPA.

Yes thank you Mr. Webster. My point was its not like I was playing telephone tag with a hundred people.

 

[berg43]

Well since i am in my last quarter of college i do not see my GPA going up a significant amount. I am looking into post bac schools but is that pretty much my only option? The hardest thing is not knowing what my chances are with my current stats. I'm not trying to get into top 20 schools, just one.

 

[octupus]

hearsay or not, statistically speaking, the chance of someone getting in with a 36 and 3.3 is similar to someone with a 32 and a 3.5