Taking Aug MCAT for '08 application

[gmoneytalks]

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I have become a little worried because I have been hearing that taking the August 20 MCAT is really going to screw me for getting in this coming year (2008). Here are my stats: 3.76 undergrad in engineering, 3.9 in grad engr (i'll be getting a PhD), and 3.4 in premed stuff (some at community college). The premed GPA is lower because I had an adjustment period while I learned how to spend my study time in premed, ie more memorization and concepts in premed vs. fewer but harder concepts in engineering. I also have pretty good ECs: clinical and nonclinical volunteering for 1.5 yrs each.

Anyway, I'm taking a prep class this summer and hopefully will get a 30+. What do you guys think about my chances of getting in?

 

[146233]

You already know everything we're going to tell you. Your MCAT scores won't be out until the end of September. You can see from posts here and all over mdapps that people who were complete in September were at a significant disadvantage and very often were unsuccessful in obtaining offers of admission. That's not to say, of course, that it won't happen. Your BCPM GPA is going to be a bit of an issue, but it's not insurmountable with a solid showing on the MCAT.

There's nothing you can do about it now. Try not to focus on the obstacles you face that you can't change. Use the extra time to hammer out a KILLER personal statement and get verified so your application is ready to be reviewed by schools the minute your MCAT scores come in. For now, focus on studying and getting that 30+.


Best of luck,
-z

 

[njbmd]

I have become a little worried because I have been hearing that taking the August 20 MCAT is really going to screw me for getting in this coming year (2008). Here are my stats: 3.76 undergrad in engineering, 3.9 in grad engr (i'll be getting a PhD), and 3.4 in premed stuff (some at community college). The premed GPA is lower because I had an adjustment period while I learned how to spend my study time in premed, ie more memorization and concepts in premed vs. fewer but harder concepts in engineering. I also have pretty good ECs: clinical and nonclinical volunteering for 1.5 yrs each.

Anyway, I'm taking a prep class this summer and hopefully will get a 30+. What do you guys think about my chances of getting in?

Back in 1997 when I applied for medical school, I was only able to take the August MCAT (MCAT only offered in April & August). I completed & submitted my AMCAS application (checked the box that indicated that I was taking the August MCAT) and was verified by the third week in June.

I took the August MCAT (scores came in on Oct 15th back then), I had two interview invitations by the first of November and my first acceptance by the second week in November. Obviously, my application was reviewed and held until my MCAT scores came in.

Bottom line: Take the MCAT when you are best prepared but get the AMCAS in as early as you can. Don't wait for your MCAT scores to come in before you submit AMCAS or you WILL likely miss application deadlines.

If the rest of your application is competitive and you rock on the MCAT, taking the MCAT in August is not going to be much of a liability. If you rush and "bomb" the MCAT, then early or late, you still won't get interviews.

 

[Phoenix.]

I think you'll be fine. Although you can see that people who took the August MCAT last year usually had a tough time of it (although you will get interviews if you're a competitive candidate), that was with a three month reporting period for MCAT scores. With scores back in 30 days now you won't be at the same amount of a disadvantage. It's not ideal, of course, but I don't think it will be a deal-breaker for getting into med school.

I think your best bet is to get verified in June or July and do as many secondaries as you get in the interim (some schools will send them to you once your verified regardless of the fact that you don't have your MCAT score yet), and have your LORs in too. That way, you will be complete the day that your scores get transmitted to the schools in September.

Of course, if you might wait a year to apply if your MCAT isn't great then you'll just have to wait to submit your app for verification until September. Otherwise if your app is verified and you've selected schools to apply to, you'll be considered a re-applicant next year (even if you don't do the secondaries). But, if you're hell bent on submitting this year no matter what, then you have nothing to lose by getting everything in before your score comes out, and can actually level the playing field a little by doing so despite an August MCAT.

FYI: I'm taking the MCAT this Friday, and am already verified, with all of my schools selected. If things don't go as hoped, I'll retake with you in August.... Good luck!