Should I move?

Started by ZainZ
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ZainZ

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7+ Year Member
15+ Year Member
Hey Everyone,

I'm currently a CT resident, and I've taken the MCAT twice with almost the same score each time (27Q in 04, vs. 27R in 03). My verbal score went up and the PS went down, ect.
I can't help feeling frustrated and rethinking my situation (I guess I'd better plan for MCAT #3).

Would it be to drastic to consider moving to another state (for residency-status) and if so, are there ones that have less-competitive state med-schools?

Thanks a lot,
Z
 
i doubt it would help much since they give you residency status if only if you have been there for a full year before applying, and some states only do it on 2 or more yrs. additionally they would look at how long you have been there and see you took the mcat when a resident at another state, so your motives will become obvious, and they many times allow in residents because they believe they are more likely to go back to underserved areas in that state, instead of another state.

maybe talk to specific schools, but its not normally a good choice... maybe if you could transfer credits and get a degree at a school in that state, and THEN apply to med sko in that state... maybe that would look better... dunno..
 
What if you move back to the state you did your undergrad degree in?
Could you claim and interest/residency status of some kind there?

Thanks,
Z



cooldreams said:
i doubt it would help much since they give you residency status if only if you have been there for a full year before applying, and some states only do it on 2 or more yrs. additionally they would look at how long you have been there and see you took the mcat when a resident at another state, so your motives will become obvious, and they many times allow in residents because they believe they are more likely to go back to underserved areas in that state, instead of another state.

maybe talk to specific schools, but its not normally a good choice... maybe if you could transfer credits and get a degree at a school in that state, and THEN apply to med sko in that state... maybe that would look better... dunno..
Click to expand...
 
I'm sure every state is different, but in TX, you have to be here a year WITHOUT being a student and working full time.
 
Study hard and smarter for MCAT #3. Take many tests and do questions thoroughly, slowly. Master test-taking techniques. Once you consistenly score well on full length tests, then retake the MCAT.
That would be the first thing.

Then, if you do not get a satisfactory score, consider moving. There ARE states, if I remember correctly that accept their own state residents who may have less MCAT scores. Nevada, Vermont, e.g. Contact the med schools in such states and ASK THEM directly about your question. YOU need to do your part.







ZainZ said:
Hey Everyone,

I'm currently a CT resident, and I've taken the MCAT twice with almost the same score each time (27Q in 04, vs. 27R in 03). My verbal score went up and the PS went down, ect.
I can't help feeling frustrated and rethinking my situation (I guess I'd better plan for MCAT #3).

Would it be to drastic to consider moving to another state (for residency-status) and if so, are there ones that have less-competitive state med-schools?

Thanks a lot,
Z
Click to expand...
 
I think that considering you have a 27, moving would indeed be too drastic. A 27 is not that bad. If you decide to retake the MCAT, take the opportunity to see what your weaknesses are and focus on them, as one of the previous posters advised.
 
ZainZ said:
Hey Everyone,

I'm currently a CT resident, and I've taken the MCAT twice with almost the same score each time (27Q in 04, vs. 27R in 03). My verbal score went up and the PS went down, ect.
I can't help feeling frustrated and rethinking my situation (I guess I'd better plan for MCAT #3).

Would it be to drastic to consider moving to another state (for residency-status) and if so, are there ones that have less-competitive state med-schools?

Thanks a lot,
Z
Click to expand...

Hi Zain-

I was in a similar situation. I applied to University of Hawaii John Burns School of Medicine last year with stats that were at their average for students accepted-got interviewed and rejected. Its a small medical school, and difficult to get into. So my choices were to keep applying in Hawaii or move to Michigan (after having lived in Hawaii for 6 years. I ended up moving home, and am interviewing at MSU College of Human Medicine in a week )have been accepted to MSU college of osteopathic medicine already).

It was a hard decision-on the one hand my life was in Hawaii. However my stats weren't really competetive enough to be considered as an out of state applicant at a state supported school-and my chances of getting in at Hawaii didn't feel that great. When I asked the dean in Hawaii for advice, and he said my application was competetive, that he didn't have advice for me 🙁 So, at that point I figured they just tend to accept people that were born and raised there (which is true).

BTW-I did not live in Michigan for one year before claiming to be a michigan resident. I simply claimed I was a MI resident in June 2004, moved back there in early August 2004, got a license, and registered to vote. I had to make a quick decision as I didn't find out until May I'd been rejected from Hawaii SOM-and the admissions advisor advised me to apply as an MI resident then and not wait. Its easy to do, as the AMCAS doesn't require a state drivers license number.

You need to check out the residency requirements for the specific school. MSU requires you live in Michigan without being a college student for one year, prior to attending medical school in order to be considered a resident for applicant and tuition purposes.
 
Last time I checked the avr MCAT for UCONN were around 10, 10, 10. That means there are many at UCONN that probably scored 9 or below in some sections, so it doesn't sound like your MCAT score will cause a definite rejection from UCONN. If you considering doing something drastic to get into med school as moving to another state, postponing med school to get residency status, etc; then what's wrong with applying to private schools outside CT? I realize there will be a financial difference, but maybe it will be worth the extra loans in the end, in case you don't get into UCONN.
 
there is another thread in the MD section on which is the best state to be in. but i would move and study for the mcat again, if u do better and want to go to uconn u can always move back and nothing will have changed.
 
Hey, I was also a CT resident with a 28Q on the MCAT in last years cycle, let me guess you are a white male right? You are ABSOLUTELY right about moving, being form connecticut is a TERRIBLE hinderance with borderline mcats. Heres why:

Uconn has averages of 10 10 10. Doesnt seem too hard to get into at first.
But it has a class size of only 80.
AND the year that I applied, 2/3 of the incoming class were women, because in the past the classes have been mostly all men and they are trying to compensate.
So, 2/3 of 80 is 53 women. Leaving 27 open spots for men.

Now from the men, you have to consider that some are going to male minorities.
Plus, the male out of staters that uconn lets in with ridiculous stats

So I would guess there are less than 15 openings for white men at Uconn.

So how do they choose the 15? Well, since the majority of the class is URMs (women/minorities) they statistically have lower numbers (no offense just facts) and so the remaining white men category has to have stellar stats to compensate, and keep the average at 10, 10, 10.

So its not that the average is 10 10 10. The question is.. what is the average for white men? Id guess around a 33. This is due to the extremely small class size in combination with the very high percentage of URMs and women.

About moving, I thought of doing the same thing before I ended up getting into georgetown ( a school u should definitely apply to). Despite what anyone may tell you, it IS possible to move and establish residency without waiting two years..I know because I called tons of schools and asked them about their requirements to qualify as an in-state resident for admissions purposed.

Most schools go by this rule: you have to have lived in the state for one year from the date of orientation to be considered in-state. So, if you wanted to apply for next year it would be too late by a couple months, you could have done so in august. This goes for all of the SUNY schools and all of the schools in OHIO. You just list yourslef as a resident of that state on AMCAS, and prove it when u get in, which will be a year later and you will be all good.

Those are the two states that I think you will have the best chances at, especially ohio. If you look at the sheer numbers, you will see how bad connecticut is for applying to med school. It was something like 80% of the accepted applicants from connecticut end up matriculating out of state. Whereas in Ohio and New York, the majority of applicants from those states end up going to school in those states. You can get these numbers from doing some calculations from the stats in the aamc book. Connecticut is NOT the place for a borderline mcat white male, Uconn has NO soul and you will apply over and over again and get rejected. It makes no sense, the class there is way too small.

I would say that from Ohio you will have a great chance of admission, and from NY you are still MUCH better off than being from COnnecticut. Hope this helps, PM me with any questions. I am doing well at Gtown now, with a 28 on the mcat, so dont give up hope it is very possible.
 
Wow, you got into Georgetown with a 28Q? Thats wonderful
 
I also know someone who got into GWU last year with a 28 on the MCAT. I think sometimes people forget that there have to be people with MCAT scores lower than the averages posted by the schools for those to be the averages! 🙂

Gives me hope. 😀
 
i have a 27 and a 3.8 GPA and have 3 MD interviews (MCG,VCU and MCW) and 1 DO acceptance. If you have a good GPA i would say apply. If you are thinking about moving, think Texas or Ohio 😀
 
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