Should I retake MCAT third time (first 27 then 25, had to be big time fluke) or enroll in SGU next year? I have been accepted here. Thanks
Take MCAT a 3rd time or SGU?
- Thread starter ChemEng
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Personally, I'd consider DO, it's not too late to apply. I have absolutely no idea why people don't consider this option. It's far more streamlined that being an FMG ever will. Just my opinion though.
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Go DO. SGU would be a poor decision and your MCAT is strong enough for DO, although I'm not quite sure why you are calling the 25 "a big time fluke." Scores are just as likely to go down on a retake as they are to go up (notice the selection bias, though, to only mention your retake if it went up. I mean, who wants to tell the world they got a 29 the first time but then got a 21 upon retaking it?! Wouldn't you be much more likely to announce the opposite to the world if it happened?) With that in mind, my guess would be that your "true score" (as it's termed) lies somewhere in the vicinity of 22-30 (arbitrarily picked +/- 0.5 SD). If that's true then you are more likely to score below your 27 than above it. Unless you have an extremely strong testtaking history that shows this was, in fact, just a fluke (e.g., got a 32 ACT and a 1450 SAT and have always been a "good testtaker"), I wouldn't suggest retaking because while your 27 isn't terrible, another 25 could sink you as it would show your 27 was nothing but good fortune.
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DO is a much more viable route than Caribbean.
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DO first, SGU last.
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If you really want an MD, then go for it. If you don't mind being a DO, then that's also a good option.
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DO before leaving the US any day.
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Oh I thought the OP meant they'd applied DO already. If you haven't, then do that as well and see what sort of acceptances you may get, but definitely go to a DO school over a carib from what I've heard. Much too much of a hassle to get back into the States afterwards.
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Take it again, if you think you can improve. Some US MD schools take the highest subset scores from different tests and add them together. Schools like GW and Tufts.
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I agree with the above posts. DO before SGU. There's significantly less risk with DO schools.
I was just curious, whats the issue with going to schools such as SGU and AUC? Is it because its tough to apply for residency in either Canada or the United States? Or is the education itself not up to standards to the schools in North America?
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Depends on you. Some people never quit, and for others, it is best that they quit. If you truly believe you can get a 30+ then retake it...but if you know that the wiser decision would be to go DO or SGU, then so be it.
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How are your practice test scores? If you're scoring significantly below your practice test scores then I would retake the test. If you do decide to retake, definitely make sure that you take the test under similar conditions as your practice tests. That is the best advice someone gave me for the MCAT. The MCAT is designed so it's almost impossible to score significantly above your practice tests but it's quite common to score significantly below your practice tests. If you have the patience, I would suggest giving yourself plenty of time to study and prepare before retaking the test. Otherwise, DO all the way.
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You can get more info on this in the Internationa --> Carib forum down the page, but basically the spots for IMG are much more constricted than the spots for AMG's, making it very difficult to obtain a residency after graduation. However, it's not impossible and many people do it. The carib schools also have very high flunk out rate, some say because of the people that they admit. Either way, it's a viable option for someone who wants to be a doctor as long as they know the risk they are taking.
Big 4 = SGU, AUC, SABA, and Ross.
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SDN had a list of some sort somewhere. I know Tufts, GW and maybe MCW does. I took the MCAT more than once and GW and Tufts took my highest subset scores. I have interviews now at both schools. I didn't apply to MCW.
Not to be on my high horse, but I am a very good student. Graduated in a chemical engineering at the top of my class at a very reputable school. Just that standardized tests and I are like water and oil. If SGU is all about academic performance than I don't think it will be a problem for me. I'll probably take MCAT again because practice tests were high 20's low 30's. Anything else?
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I think this is right:
SGU = St. George's University (Caribbean Medical School)
FMG = Foreign Medical Graduate
AUC = American University of the Caribbean (Caribbean Medical School)
IMG = International Medical Graduate
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Why? You think he didn't get that 40?
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What's so bad about Caribbean? Getting top level dermatology type residencies is probably impossible, but those are extremely hard for people here as well. Is there any evidence that getting even regular primary practice residencies from a Caribbean school is extremely difficult? Interested in seeing more info if anyone has any...
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My cousin went to SGU, and she is doing rotations now at a local hospital. You only spend two years there, but it is hard, not impossible, to get a residency here. However, it is also difficult for people here. I would say give the MCAT another shot.
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I love your posts, you always mention your qualifications and body building plans. After you get you MD, you should seriously consider making a TV show where you put other people down for laughing sakes.
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Just know that medical education is full of standardized tests and when you get into medical school no one will care that you were at the top of your ChemE class.
I'd have to agree, with those scores regardless of what class standing you have it would be extremely difficult to get in any US MD school.
The other poster is right -medicine is full of standardized tests, and they only get worse going forward (step 1 sucks). You'd better really start addressing why you arent doing well now because otherwise its only downhill from here.
Stay positive, keep on trying, there are plenty of students that make it back to the states every year - and there are plenty of unfilled residencies - there were nearly 200 unfilled family medicine spots last year. If being a doctor and seeing patients is your goal you should be fine.
The other poster is right -medicine is full of standardized tests, and they only get worse going forward (step 1 sucks). You'd better really start addressing why you arent doing well now because otherwise its only downhill from here.
Stay positive, keep on trying, there are plenty of students that make it back to the states every year - and there are plenty of unfilled residencies - there were nearly 200 unfilled family medicine spots last year. If being a doctor and seeing patients is your goal you should be fine.
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