Smart to explain GPA/MCAT in PS?

[Status Sciaticus]

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So,

Amidst doing MCAT prep for a retake in April 26, 2013, I have begun to focus on writing my personal statement. One major question I had was if I should address my low GPA/MCAT in my personal statement? its a 3.49 cGPA/3.4sGPA and a 26 on my MCAT. I took an SMP and I have a 3.88 graduate GPA ( all science classes).

So should I bother explaining that I took the time to correct my GPA and hopefully my MCAT or just leave it out of my PS?

Opinions and interview experiences are most welcome!

 

[nabilesmail]

I don't think so, your MCAT is too low for MD schools, and at average for D.O. schools, so there wouldn't be a point

 

[Status Sciaticus]

I don't think so, your MCAT is too low for MD schools, and at average for D.O. schools, so there wouldn't be a point

Did you read the part where I said I am retaking it?
I got a 26 because of something personal that happened a few days before... ended up leaving multiple blank questions across all three sections (4-5 per section).

Im averaging a 33 some of the paper tests I've taken. Close to 34 on the AAMC when I took them before my test in 2011.

 

[Sidereum]

So,

Amidst doing MCAT prep for a retake in April 26, 2013, I have begun to focus on writing my personal statement. One major question I had was if I should address my low GPA/MCAT in my personal statement? its a 3.49 cGPA/3.4sGPA and a 26 on my MCAT. I took an SMP and I have a 3.88 graduate GPA ( all science classes).

So should I bother explaining that I took the time to correct my GPA and hopefully my MCAT or just leave it out of my PS?

Opinions and interview experiences are most welcome!

As long as your retake is above 30, I don't think ADCOMS will care about the previous score, so in that regard, it may not be necessary to discuss it. Of course, I have no real experience with admissions, so take everything I say with a grain of salt

 

[MedPR]

It's smart to use the search function before creating a thread asking a question that has been answered many times already.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using SDN Mobile

 

[deleted303591]

The one---and---only purpose of a resume is to land you a job interview.

The personal statement is supposed to be a tool in order to get you an interview for medical school.

A personal statement is a very bad place to explain academic and MCAT score deficiencies. If you use your personal statement to explain your "problems" or "deficiencies", you just blew your chances at any sort of interview.

There are so many talented, remarkable, and interesting applicants out there that can use the personal statement is to distinguish themselves from others.

You better think long and hard about becoming a doctor and what steps you are going to take to fix your deficiencies in the first place. Also, you need to do a lot more research about applying via AMCAS/TMDSAS (as a Texas resident), because you have a very poor approach.

 

[Cambino]

The one---and---only purpose of a resume is to land you a job interview.

The personal statement is supposed to be a tool in order to get you an interview for medical school.

A personal statement is a very bad place to explain academic and MCAT score deficiencies. If you use your personal statement to explain your "problems" or "deficiencies", you just blew your chances at any sort of interview.

There are so many talented, remarkable, and interesting applicants out there that can use the personal statement is to distinguish themselves from others.

You better think long and hard about becoming a doctor and what steps you are going to take to fix your deficiencies in the first place. Also, you need to do a lot more research about applying via AMCAS/TMDSAS (as a Texas resident), because you have a very poor approach.

/thread

 

[Midifelder10]

The advise I got was to be honest and explain. I don't see anything wrong in devoting few lines to explain low GPA and how you improved it. MCAT is a retake and you cannot explain it.

 

[Dreamer29]

Don't even try to explain it elsewhere either (secondaries, etc). They will have your numbers, which speak for themselves. If you do well on your next MCAT, it's very likely the schools won't ask you about it at all.

 

[Ismet]

A lot of people do an SMP. Adcoms will see your transcripts and understand what you did, so there's really no need to address it in the personal statement, unless it has somehow influenced your desire to be a doctor.

 

[Oogieboogie]

So,

Amidst doing MCAT prep for a retake in April 26, 2013, I have begun to focus on writing my personal statement. One major question I had was if I should address my low GPA/MCAT in my personal statement? its a 3.49 cGPA/3.4sGPA and a 26 on my MCAT. I took an SMP and I have a 3.88 graduate GPA ( all science classes).

So should I bother explaining that I took the time to correct my GPA and hopefully my MCAT or just leave it out of my PS?

Opinions and interview experiences are most welcome!

I feel your personal statement should be a section where you convince the ADCOM that your true passion is medicine. Use your secondaries to explain why you love the school you are applying to, your primary to explain why you are going into medicine or what makes you a unique applicant.

You will have a section in part of your primary application where you can explain your misgivings.

There are million places to put lots of different things... I would not worry about it for your personal statement unless it makes you a stronger applicant for some odd reason.

 

[lcck]

The GPA part is not worth explaining. The MCAT is worth explaining if you do well.

 

[TheSmasher]

I am of the camp that you should never put your Gpa or MCAT in your personal statement.

 

[LizzyM]

When applicants ask if they should explain a bad grade in their application or during an interview, I liken this to explaining a zit when on a blind date. Your date can see the zit and pointing it out does not help your cause. Better to focus on what you'd like your date to see and remember about you.

You, OP, have the equivalent of acne scars. That undergrad gpa and first MCAT were just a load of zits and while things are or will be better soon, you still have those scars. Would you discuss the circumstances that lead you to have acne scars in a personal ad or on the first date? No, you would not. Neither should you feel any need to discuss your gpa and MCAT performance in your personal statement. Write about why you want to be a doctor, your career plans and how you have tested your interest in medicine (volunteering, working, shadowing, caring for sick relatives or friends, etc).

An unattractive skin condition will make it more difficult but not impossible to find true love. Likewise, sub-par numbers will make if more difficult to get into medical school but not if you help the reviewers see the real you and find you a good candidate despite your flaws.

 

[Frazier]

Looking at these responses above (including those of the fabled LizzyM)... it appears to be a landslide.

I hope this helps to reinforce my words from earlier, OP. 😉

 

[Status Sciaticus]

The one---and---only purpose of a resume is to land you a job interview.

The personal statement is supposed to be a tool in order to get you an interview for medical school.

A personal statement is a very bad place to explain academic and MCAT score deficiencies. If you use your personal statement to explain your "problems" or "deficiencies", you just blew your chances at any sort of interview.

There are so many talented, remarkable, and interesting applicants out there that can use the personal statement is to distinguish themselves from others.

You better think long and hard about becoming a doctor and what steps you are going to take to fix your deficiencies in the first place. Also, you need to do a lot more research about applying via AMCAS/TMDSAS (as a Texas resident), because you have a very poor approach.

very poor approach? What about my approach is poor? and what would you do differently?

Looking at these responses above (including those of the fabled LizzyM)... it appears to be a landslide.

I hope this helps to reinforce my words from earlier, OP. 😉

Yea I was going to take your advice anyways Blais. It just that my pre-med advisor is the one who recommended putting an explanation in my PS, which is why I asked the other posters here.

 

[Frazier]

Yea I was going to take your advice anyways Blais. It just that my pre-med advisor is the one who recommended putting an explanation in my PS, which is why I asked the other posters here.

Def no worries, man. Collective opinions are a good thing to have in your pocket!

 

[Status Sciaticus]

Def no worries, man. Collective opinions are a good thing to have in your pocket!

Thanks for all your help. I appreciate all the input I can get!

 

[Geebeejay]

So,

Amidst doing MCAT prep for a retake in April 26, 2013, I have begun to focus on writing my personal statement. One major question I had was if I should address my low GPA/MCAT in my personal statement? its a 3.49 cGPA/3.4sGPA and a 26 on my MCAT. I took an SMP and I have a 3.88 graduate GPA ( all science classes).

So should I bother explaining that I took the time to correct my GPA and hopefully my MCAT or just leave it out of my PS?

Opinions and interview experiences are most welcome!

Your PS is only 5300 characters long - that is NOT very long at all. I don't think taking up precious space in your PS by making excuses for your stats (that's what it's gonna sound like) would be very wise. Use the space to really sell yourself as a person, not as a statistic. Thoroughly address why you want to be a doctor, don't waste time talking about tests and scores.