Well now that we August MCAT?ers have received our scores and have had a few days to let them sink in (whether they are good or lower than we expected), I just wanted to start this thread to give hope to each and every one of you out there who is disappointed in your MCAT score. I read an earlier post by Clemson Doc, and judging by the responses he received, it seems as if these kinds of threads are much appreciated by the SDN community. So here goes.
Between April 1998 and August 2004, I took the MCAT literally a half dozen times. My scores were all over the place, ranging from 21-26. I am proud to say that I have finally reached my goal, receiving a score of 30 from August 2004 (9 PS, 10 V, 11 BS). So what changed this time around? A lot of things. First of all, I realized after scoring a 26 (9, 9, 8) in Aug 2003 that I have never given this test the respect it deserves. I always viewed the MCAT as a burden, a sort of thorn in my side. Each time I received a disappointing score, I questioned whether I was intelligent enough to do well on the MCAT or to handle med school at all. After applying and not receiving any interviews last year, I decided that I needed to put my heart and soul into this thing if I wanted it to work for me. I changed my entire attitude towards the MCAT, and for the first time I viewed it not as a hurdle, but as an *opportunity* to help me get into med school. Half my problem all along was in my attitude. I hated studying for the MCAT in the past. I often referred to it as ?that stupid test? and my scores certainly reflected that. I also was a little overconfident every time I retook it: after my post-bac studies, during grad school, etc. I always figured that my ?MCAT experience? along with the new things that I had learned in school would somehow get me the score I wanted. It didn?t. The MCAT is an entity of its own. I prepared for the test each and every time, just not adequately enough and, at times, my preparation was downright deficient. So after some introspection around this time last year along with advice from some great friends, I dropped all of my preconceived notions about the MCAT and essentially ?started over.? Everything from my test prep materials to my overall attitude changed. No more half-hearted attempts at the MCAT for me. I disciplined myself and studied for a good 3-4 months in earnest. I virtually immersed myself in this thing, and by the time MCAT day arrived, I was giddy with excitement. The test was challenging, but I finished it feeling cautiously optimistic. After all, the MCAT had gotten the best of me five times before. So last Tuesday at a few minutes past 2PM EST, I logged on to my THx account, heart racing. When the screen finally popped up after a few agonizing moments, I took one look at the 30/O on the screen in front of me and let out a yell that I didn?t think I was capable of?I was happy.
Some may say that anyone could receive the MCAT score they want if they take it enough times. Well, maybe, maybe not. It?s all about preparation. And a score of 30, albeit the highly coveted ?magic number,? may not impress some select few hardcore premed types. Will the score be good enough to get me in? That remains to be seen. From what I?ve gathered from admissions officers, a 30 would put me in a good position to land a spot somewhere, all things considered. All I know for sure at this point is that I have reached my goal where the MCAT is concerned and I will never need to take this test again. So please, guys, do not get discouraged by the MCAT. If you want a good score, study for it. Do not hope for the score you want, do not pray for the score you want, PREPARE for the score you want (then thank God when you get it 🙂 ). When you know in your heart that you studied as best you can for the MCAT, I?d be willing to bet you will be happy with the result. At the very least, you will know that you did the best you possibly could on this test and won?t having a nagging doubt in the back of your mind, wondering if you are capable of doing better.
Good luck, and keep the faith.
Between April 1998 and August 2004, I took the MCAT literally a half dozen times. My scores were all over the place, ranging from 21-26. I am proud to say that I have finally reached my goal, receiving a score of 30 from August 2004 (9 PS, 10 V, 11 BS). So what changed this time around? A lot of things. First of all, I realized after scoring a 26 (9, 9, 8) in Aug 2003 that I have never given this test the respect it deserves. I always viewed the MCAT as a burden, a sort of thorn in my side. Each time I received a disappointing score, I questioned whether I was intelligent enough to do well on the MCAT or to handle med school at all. After applying and not receiving any interviews last year, I decided that I needed to put my heart and soul into this thing if I wanted it to work for me. I changed my entire attitude towards the MCAT, and for the first time I viewed it not as a hurdle, but as an *opportunity* to help me get into med school. Half my problem all along was in my attitude. I hated studying for the MCAT in the past. I often referred to it as ?that stupid test? and my scores certainly reflected that. I also was a little overconfident every time I retook it: after my post-bac studies, during grad school, etc. I always figured that my ?MCAT experience? along with the new things that I had learned in school would somehow get me the score I wanted. It didn?t. The MCAT is an entity of its own. I prepared for the test each and every time, just not adequately enough and, at times, my preparation was downright deficient. So after some introspection around this time last year along with advice from some great friends, I dropped all of my preconceived notions about the MCAT and essentially ?started over.? Everything from my test prep materials to my overall attitude changed. No more half-hearted attempts at the MCAT for me. I disciplined myself and studied for a good 3-4 months in earnest. I virtually immersed myself in this thing, and by the time MCAT day arrived, I was giddy with excitement. The test was challenging, but I finished it feeling cautiously optimistic. After all, the MCAT had gotten the best of me five times before. So last Tuesday at a few minutes past 2PM EST, I logged on to my THx account, heart racing. When the screen finally popped up after a few agonizing moments, I took one look at the 30/O on the screen in front of me and let out a yell that I didn?t think I was capable of?I was happy.
Some may say that anyone could receive the MCAT score they want if they take it enough times. Well, maybe, maybe not. It?s all about preparation. And a score of 30, albeit the highly coveted ?magic number,? may not impress some select few hardcore premed types. Will the score be good enough to get me in? That remains to be seen. From what I?ve gathered from admissions officers, a 30 would put me in a good position to land a spot somewhere, all things considered. All I know for sure at this point is that I have reached my goal where the MCAT is concerned and I will never need to take this test again. So please, guys, do not get discouraged by the MCAT. If you want a good score, study for it. Do not hope for the score you want, do not pray for the score you want, PREPARE for the score you want (then thank God when you get it 🙂 ). When you know in your heart that you studied as best you can for the MCAT, I?d be willing to bet you will be happy with the result. At the very least, you will know that you did the best you possibly could on this test and won?t having a nagging doubt in the back of your mind, wondering if you are capable of doing better.
Good luck, and keep the faith.
I can't imagine going through college without e-mail. I had nearly 20 school-related e-mails today alone, which is hardly atypical. Running a student organization and being in an active research lab essentially demands the extensive use of e-mail.
