The magic of DO schools

[DD214_DOC]

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Just thought I would share my experiences with some of who you will be applying soon.

I feel really blessed to have been offered an interview at every location to which I finished a secondary application. This includes VCOM, WVSOM, and PCOM-Atlanta. Statistically, I will more than likely be accepted to at least one of these schools.

Despite having an average GPA of 3.31 and a slighty below-average MCAT of 22 (10VR, 5PS, 7BS) I still managed to be granted an interview everywhere I applied. The reason behind this is that the schools seem to really like who I am and not what I did. I know my letters of recommendation were very flattering. I was as honest as I could be in my personal statement. Schools are able to look past numbers and see the person behind them. In my mind, this is the strength of DO schools and what probably contributes to the quality of people in the profession, which is why I am so excited about having the privilege and opportunity to one day join their ranks.

Good luck to you all, and don't give up -- ever!

 

[robo77]

when did you get an interview invite to Atlanta?

 

[DD214_DOC]

when did you get an interview invite to Atlanta?

This morning by email.

 

[Nate]

I'm happy for you JKD and I agree with your statement.

 

[trypto82]

thanks for starting this thread JKDMed! I have the same stats that you do, 22 mcat, gpa~3.2, etc. It is good to hear how well you are doing with interviews, just hope that I will have the chance to interview at a couple more schools. So far I have had one interview and one rejection. I feel that getting interviews is extremely important, so that these schools see who I am! It gets really frustrating answering individuals who want to know what shot they have with a 30+ mcat and 3.6+ gpa! Keep me informed on how things go for ya!

 

[chadderdo21]

Congrats I will be praying for you to the VCOM gods as well. It would be cool to join you there next year! VCOM is the absolute best, as I soon as I get my 1k in the next week, it is on its way to the school. YOu will get in, I am not from the east coast and I hit and sure will you rock on 👍 👍 😀

 

[chan]

Hi everyone. I am currently finishing up my prereqs for D.O. school and am a bit worried about my overall gpa.

My science GPA is a 3.5

Overall GPA is 2.6

MCAT score is 30.


my overall gpa is so low because at the time of doing my undergrad coursework (I majored in psychology, not knowing I would be wanting to apply to medical schoool in the future) I slacked off a bit.

What do you think my chances are of being accepted into a D.O. program?

Thanks.

 

[NYCDawg81]

.

 

[Nate]

2.6 is a lot of "slacking off". I bombed a whole year of undergrad due to some real tough circumstances but still kept my GPA over a 3.0. Some schools have cut-offs at 3.0 or 2.75 and some schools have recommended cut-offs at the same numbers to be seriously considered. Do you realize that you can re-take some classes and only the higher grade will be calculated in your AACOMAS GPA? By that logic you can retake a few bad grades in one semester and fix your GPA by a lot, that is what I did. Albeit, DO schools look at the whole application and your MCAT score is real good, 2.6 without a real extenuating circumstance may be hard to over-come without grad schoolwork or a post-bac. How is the rest of your application? What did you do while slacking off all those years? Any research or volunteering? No one here can tell you your chances so if you feel up to it then by all means apply. But, another factor to consider is that it is late in the game for this year so applying early next year may be your best bet and in the mean time you can do some fixing on that GPA. Just my 0.02

 

[Lindyhopper]

JKDmed,
Congratulations on the interviews. You sound like a really sincere guy. I do think allopathic programs are caught up in numbers game. This is in part to protect their rating.
But still I think there is a responsibility for future physicians to learn basic sciences. I think it is very reasonable for the med schools to have a standardized test evaulating this. What's up with a 5 BS? It might behoove you to think that through. Preferably before your interviews or enrolling.
Good Luck

 

[DD214_DOC]

Actually the 5 was in PS, not BS, and was mainly due to my not memorizing formulas (as I was told there aren't many plug-n-chug questions) and not having had physics II before the exam.

 

[Shinken]

Actually the 5 was in PS, not BS, and was mainly due to my not memorizing formulas (as I was told there aren't many plug-n-chug questions) and not having had physics II before the exam.

WHAT?!?!?!

You cannot quickly calculate the time it takes for a rock thrown at an agle of 35 deg from a 200 ft tall cliff to fall to the ground?!?!?!

You cannot quickly calculate wavelengths and frequencies?!?!?!

You don't know about mirrors, reflection angles and refraction?!?!?!

You'll make a horrible physician!!!!

(sarcasm...sarcasm...the MCAT is such a great indicator of future clinical skills, right?)

Congrats and good luck!

 

[Lindyhopper]

I believe that medicine is much, much more than science, A more communicative patient will be a happier, more compliant, and ulitmately healthier patient.
But I really think understanding and appreciating the basic sciences is a corner stone of the profession's present & future. That may be a crazy radical idea here in SDN happyland. But hey,
Good luck & Happy Thanksgiving.

 

[DD214_DOC]

Who here doesn't understand basic science?

 

[Mr. E]

Who here doesn't understand basic science?

Im having problems with the whole biology thing. I hope I dont need it too much in med school.

 

[Shinken]

Im having problems with the whole biology thing. I hope I dont need it too much in med school.

You won't succeed in medical school without knowing biology well. I'm almost done with the first quarter of med school and all we've done is talk about evolution, taxonomy trees, plant reproduction, photosynthesis, biomasses, pond and aquatic ecosystems, and frog anatomy. We had to completely memorize the classification of trees and their seeds by the first week, and the second week we had to completely dissect an earthworm.

 

[Nate]

You guys kill me.

No, really.

 

[Munchkin6245]

My best friend is taking physical science and chemistry right now and she whines all the time to me how hard it is! haha And she used to laugh at me for studying so much. 😎

 

[JMC_MarineCorps]

You won't succeed in medical school without knowing biology well. I'm almost done with the first quarter of med school and all we've done is talk about evolution, taxonomy trees, plant reproduction, photosynthesis, biomasses, pond and aquatic ecosystems, and frog anatomy. We had to completely memorize the classification of trees and their seeds by the first week, and the second week we had to completely dissect an earthworm.

That is good ****

 

[JMC_MarineCorps]

What's up with a 5 BS? It might behoove you to think that through.

What would he be thinking through? if someone gives him a shot, should he hesitate? Is there some magic cutoff that he should yield to?

I don't even like the guy, I am just curious.

 

[Slippery Pete]

Just thought I would share my experiences with some of who you will be applying soon.

I feel really blessed to have been offered an interview at every location to which I finished a secondary application. This includes VCOM, WVSOM, and PCOM-Atlanta. Statistically, I will more than likely be accepted to at least one of these schools.

Despite having an average GPA of 3.31 and a slighty below-average MCAT of 22 (10VR, 5PS, 7BS) I still managed to be granted an interview everywhere I applied. The reason behind this is that the schools seem to really like who I am and not what I did. I know my letters of recommendation were very flattering. I was as honest as I could be in my personal statement. Schools are able to look past numbers and see the person behind them. In my mind, this is the strength of DO schools and what probably contributes to the quality of people in the profession, which is why I am so excited about having the privilege and opportunity to one day join their ranks.

Good luck to you all, and don't give up -- ever!

remember that avg GPA's and MCAT scores of the 'DO applicant pool' are significantly lower than that of allopathic schools (it should be obvious as to why this is).

it seems as if DO schools look beyond the #'s when in fact their screening process--in terms of #'s--is probably quite similar to their allopathic counterparts. the difference, obviously, can be attributed to the quality of individuals who apply to DO schools vs. MD schools. ppl w/ good #'s, in general, apply to MD schools. ppl w/ less-than-avg #'s, in general, tend to go the osteopathic route (you narrowminded people might want to re-read a few times the words "in general" b/f you argue with this point).

the GPA/MCAT of individuals who receive interview/acceptance offers at DO schools is a direct reflection of the DO applicant pool.

so, do DO schools look beyond "'s?

maybe... to a degree. but not as much as you think.

 

[Lindyhopper]

What would he be thinking through? if someone gives him a shot, should he hesitate? Is there some magic cutoff that he should yield to?

I don't even like the guy, I am just curious.

No if someone gives him a shot, he's got to do what he's got to do. What one might consider is how much good learning one can do in their final semester in college.

 

[DD214_DOC]

No if someone gives him a shot, he's got to do what he's got to do. What one might consider is how much good learning one can do in their final semester in college.

I think you need to reconsider what you think grades and the MCAT measure. A low score in any section isn't necessarily due to a lack of understanding of a subject or that someone, "Never learned it". You can look at my 5 in PS and assume I don't have an understanding of the basic sciences, but then how would you use that assumption to explain my A in General physics I and II? Or my B+ and A in, respectively, general chemistry I and II? You can't. You also can't use it to explain that some people are only in medical school today (the few I know of who were accepted to MD schools this cycle) only because I took the time to tutor them through genchem and physics. Yes, that's right -- I voluntarily tutored people in genchem and physics. Now, how could someone who doesn't know the science do this?

The 5 in PS, as I explained earlier, only indicates two things: I didn't have physics II prior to the exam and I couldn't recall every single formula from general chemistry.

As for the 7 in BS. Well, I don't really know what happened there; I thought I did well and don't remember any particularly challenging problems during the exam.

The largest problem I had with the MCAT was not preparing enough, as evidenced by not knowing the formulae required for the PS section.

In the end, I think you need to be careful before throwing around accusations that someone may not belong in medical school or may not have learned anything in undergrand because of one specific factor in their overall package.

 

[DD214_DOC]

remember that avg GPA's and MCAT scores of the 'DO applicant pool' are significantly lower than that of allopathic schools (it should be obvious as to why this is).

it seems as if DO schools look beyond the #'s when in fact their screening process--in terms of #'s--is probably quite similar to their allopathic counterparts. the difference, obviously, can be attributed to the quality of individuals who apply to DO schools vs. MD schools. ppl w/ good #'s, in general, apply to MD schools. ppl w/ less-than-avg #'s, in general, tend to go the osteopathic route (you narrowminded people might want to re-read a few times the words "in general" b/f you argue with this point).

the GPA/MCAT of individuals who receive interview/acceptance offers at DO schools is a direct reflection of the DO applicant pool.

so, do DO schools look beyond "'s?

maybe... to a degree. but not as much as you think.

Did you also forget that the numbers are an average? An average is composed of numbers both above AND below that average. A school with a 24 average MCAT probably has just as many 26-30 people as 20-23.

 

[Lindyhopper]

some people are only in medical school today (the few I know of who were accepted to MD schools this cycle) only because I took the time to tutor them through genchem and physics. .

Dude, good to see this discussion has in no way affected your 👍 👍 opinion of yourself.

Good Luck

 

[Shinken]

Well, this thread didn't take long to degenerate into yeat another bash fest.

To those who think a solid understanding of general physics, general inorganic chemistry, general organic chemistry and general biology is a prerequisite to becoming an effective, good physician think about this: How come after you become a physician, all your required CME hours are in clinical science and not basic science?

You'll never see this: "Great opportunity to earn CME credits! Join the staff of the General Hospital for a lecture by Myheds Tubig, M.D. on the calculation of the height of a reflection from a convex mirror. Thursday at noon in Conference Room B."

How about this: "The American Academy of Family Physicians is offering a 3 CME credit lecture this weekend at the Chicago Hilton. Dr. Iam Gud, M.D. will lead a discussion and presentation on the rate of reaction when combining basic substances such as acids with bases, and halogens. Open to physicians only. Safety goggles for the demonstrations will be provided courtesy of Merck Pharmaceutical."

Anyone else have any good ones? Post them and get CME credit!

 

[FutureFemmeDoc]

Well, this thread didn't take long to degenerate into yeat another bash fest.

To those who think a solid understanding of general physics, general inorganic chemistry, general organic chemistry and general biology is a prerequisite to becoming an effective, good physician think about this: How come after you become a physician, all your required CME hours are in clinical science and not basic science?

You'll never see this: "Great opportunity to earn CME credits! Join the staff of the General Hospital for a lecture by Myheds Tubig, M.D. on the calculation of the height of a reflection from a convex mirror. Thursday at noon in Conference Room B."

How about this: "The American Academy of Family Physicians is offering a 3 CME credit lecture this weekend at the Chicago Hilton. Dr. Iam Gud, M.D. will lead a discussion and presentation on the rate of reaction when combining basic substances such as acids with bases, and halogens. Open to physicians only. Safety goggles for the demonstrations will be provided courtesy of Merck Pharmaceutical."

Anyone else have any good ones? Post them and get CME credit!

Niiicely put, Shinken.... Looved it!!!

 

[pushinepi2]

Niiicely put, Shinken.... Looved it!!!

Its appropriate that the, "bash fest" is situated in a "pre-professional" forum. The comments contained within, about subaverage applicants, are nothing less than amateur. This theme of MD vs. DO, situated against the background of GPA's and MCAT scores, emphasizes the narrow minded perspectives endemic to the medical profession.

DO's are so well penetrated into the modern system of healthcare delivery, that the only prejudice you'll find remains on discussion threads like these. Harvard, for example, just offered an AMA CME approved class on "osteopathic" manipulative medicine. Graduates of today's DO schools, fortunately, are prepared for entrance into allopathic or osteopathic graduate medical education programs. As a prospective DO grad, I've been offered interviews at traditionally competitive allopathic programs. DO school should be viewed as another mainstream pathway to current medical practice. While you may be able to prove that DO applicants have inferior numbers, someone else may argue that DO applicants are slightly more well rounded. In my class, for example, we had several paramedics, PAs, RNs. I'd be willing to bet on a slightly higher than average entering class. So, please, do the SDN forums a favor and leave the ignorant commentary to the less informed pre-medical advisors.

🙂

Push

 

[FutureFemmeDoc]

Its appropriate that the, "bash fest" is situated in a "pre-professional" forum. The comments contained within, about subaverage applicants, are nothing less than amateur. This theme of MD vs. DO, situated against the background of GPA's and MCAT scores, emphasizes the narrow minded perspectives endemic to the medical profession.

DO's are so well penetrated into the modern system of healthcare delivery, that the only prejudice you'll find remains on discussion threads like these. Harvard, for example, just offered an AMA CME approved class on "osteopathic" manipulative medicine. Graduates of today's DO schools, fortunately, are prepared for entrance into allopathic or osteopathic graduate medical education programs. As a prospective DO grad, I've been offered interviews at traditionally competitive allopathic programs. DO school should be viewed as another mainstream pathway to current medical practice. While you may be able to prove that DO applicants have inferior numbers, someone else may argue that DO applicants are slightly more well rounded. In my class, for example, we had several paramedics, PAs, RNs. I'd be willing to bet on a slightly higher than average entering class. So, please, do the SDN forums a favor and leave the ignorant commentary to the less informed pre-medical advisors.

🙂

Push

Where did all this come from? ? 😕

 

[Shinken]

DO's are so well penetrated into the modern system of healthcare delivery..

Hee, hee...you said "penetrated"

 

[Slippery Pete]

Did you also forget that the numbers are an average? An average is composed of numbers both above AND below that average. A school with a 24 average MCAT probably has just as many 26-30 people as 20-23.

considering this absurd and irrelevant statement you're making in regard to my post, it's no wonder why ur stats are below avg.

furthermore, claiming there's "magic" in the DO admissions process clearly exemplifies ignorance and a lack of common sense. you can rationalize all you want about how ur more appealin to the osteopathic adcom's but you're only foolin yourself.

 

[Lindyhopper]

To those who think a solid understanding of general physics, general inorganic chemistry, general organic chemistry and general biology is a prerequisite to becoming an effective, good physician think about this: How come after you become a physician, all your required CME hours are in clinical science and not basic science?

There is an inherent difference between basic and applied science. This is in part (but not entirely) an outgrowth of the organization of our educational system. There is an analogous distinction between pre-professional & professional. Once one enters the profession it is natural that education be more narrowly focused. But many physician especially researchers do work in the basic sciences.
Consider the role of organic & inorganic chemistry in understanding pharmacology, physics in all fields of imaging, analogues to electric circuits has our basis for understanding neural science, and similiar basic scientific understanding underpinning all fields of practice.
While the individual physician can not be expected to be expert in all these fields, a strong and reasonably broad understanding of these sciences maintains the rigor of the profession as a whole. This in part distinguishes medicine from nursing and social work.
This is especially true, when one considers the structure of our educational system. We have FOUR years to master a what is really a pretty limited body of knowledge.
I wonder what you propose people learn to prepare themselves? One can reasonably go with a more applied approach & prepare by getting say a BSN or a BA in PA. I think ultimate this would limit the profession.
Although I don't believe mastering basic science is the only important critera for admission to the profession, it remains an important one. I think it is, therefore, totally reasonable that mastery of the basic sciences be demonstrated by a standarized admission test.

 

[DD214_DOC]

I don't know how this thread degenerated into an argument about me not understanding basic science. I believe I have made it quite clear that I do, and that the MCAT isn't always the best assessment of one's knowledge in general science.

 

[Assembler]

This thread needs to be closed. It is ludicrous, and there are a bit too many pretentious people voicing their "facts" of life here.

Some of you have forgotten what standardized tests are; utensils to weed people out. They falsely try to assess a person's intellect rather than quantify knowledge, a theme especially true for the MCAT as compared to the COMLEX/USMLE. Standardized tests also don't take into account performance anxiety, surrounding factors, or even a bad day in general; this is why GPA is a complementary tool to observe over a lengthy amount of time the dedication of the student and his or her ability to master the material. However, even GPA has its downsides; some schools tend to be more inflated or deflated in comparison to others. Whatever the case, this is the reason why all things, including the letters of recommendation and interview, exist.

If it didn't, then by all means, take every class P/F, tell your professors and patients to get lost, watch t.v. all day long, and when it comes time, you can study for a few months and take the oh-so-precious MCAT you've been waiting so long for.

I would dare say most physicians don't remember anything of the basic sciences, except those that do research. Remember, although M.D.'s can do research, a Ph.D. does exist for a reason. Similarly, all professionals are limited to the scope of what they want to practice in.

 

[MoosePilot]

I don't know how this thread degenerated into an argument about me not understanding basic science. I believe I have made it quite clear that I do, and that the MCAT isn't always the best assessment of one's knowledge in general science.

Just about every discussion about the importance of stats breaks down into an argument. The high GPA/low MCAT folks say the MCAT doesn't measure anything of importance and their GPA indicates they know their stuff anyway. The high MCAT/low GPA folks think the MCAT does measure something and resent that folks get in without satisfying that hurdle. The high MCAT/high GPA folks are too busy talking to Harvard to acknowledge the rest of us

But seriously, it's kind of annoying to have spent $1.5K and a lot of study time to work up to a 36, still worry about admissions, but hear of people getting in with a 26. As long as those folks become good docs, though, I'd rather work with them than a high MCAT scorer who is a dick. So it's not that big a deal.

 

[DD214_DOC]

Just about every discussion about the importance of stats breaks down into an argument. The high GPA/low MCAT folks say the MCAT doesn't measure anything of importance and their GPA indicates they know their stuff anyway. The high MCAT/low GPA folks think the MCAT does measure something and resent that folks get in without satisfying that hurdle. The high MCAT/high GPA folks are too busy talking to Harvard to acknowledge the rest of us

But seriously, it's kind of annoying to have spent $1.5K and a lot of study time to work up to a 36, still worry about admissions, but hear of people getting in with a 26. As long as those folks become good docs, though, I'd rather work with them than a high MCAT scorer who is a dick. So it's not that big a deal.

This is probably the same reason old school and some modern MD's still have a prejudice against DOs and foreign-trained MDs. The fact the latter two can go to med school and still become competent physicians with significantly lower admissions standards really pisses all over the "prestige" of getting into medical school.

So does someone with a 2x MCAT getting in. The hard work put in for that 3x is all for nil.

 

[Shinken]

I don't agree with most opinions expressed in this thread. Therefore this thread must be closed immediately! 🙄

Lindyhopper, I disagree with you on most of your points, agree on a few of them. I wrote and posted a reply but deleted it, because it seemed futile (not futile to reply to your questions, but futile to add to the long thread this has become). If you're interested in my points, let me know and I can send you a PM, although honestly my opinion is just that, my opinion.

Assembler, no offense but I found it funny how you chastise everyone for being pretentious voicing their facts of life, and then you go on and voice your facts of life.

JKDMed, congratulations. Let us know when you get an acceptance.

 

[Assembler]

I don't agree with most opinions expressed in this thread. Therefore this thread must be closed immediately! 🙄

Lindyhopper, I disagree with you on most of your points, agree on a few of them. I wrote and posted a reply but deleted it, because it seemed futile (not futile to reply to your questions, but futile to add to the long thread this has become). If you're interested in my points, let me know and I can send you a PM, although honestly my opinion is just that, my opinion.

Assembler, no offense but I found it funny how you chastise everyone for being pretentious voicing their facts of life, and then you go on and voice your facts of life.

JKDMed, congratulations. Let us know when you get an acceptance.

Sorry, I too wrote about a page or so last night, but then I deleted it and reconstructed a smaller one, including some chopped bits. The first sentence is one of those. It was referring specifically to the MD superiority complex, which these types of discussions and those types of responders always instigate when they bring numbers into the picture: lower numbers = poorer quality physicians. Seriously, if people who had 15 on their MCAT were becoming doctors, maybe I would be concerned. But, if people who are scoring around the national average, in comparison to 30,000 or so other very bright students, are becoming physicians, it wouldn't bother me one bit. And, there are always exceptions to the rule, so even I can't discount the example I gave first. You really never know what's going to happen in this crapshoot of a game.

 

[Lindyhopper]

I don't agree with most opinions expressed in this thread. Therefore this thread must be closed immediately! 🙄

Lindyhopper, I disagree with you on most of your points, agree on a few of them. I wrote and posted a reply but deleted it, because it seemed futile (not futile to reply to your questions, but futile to add to the long thread this has become). If you're interested in my points, let me know and I can send you a PM, although honestly my opinion is just that, my opinion.

Assembler, no offense but I found it funny how you chastise everyone for being pretentious voicing their facts of life, and then you go on and voice your facts of life.

JKDMed, congratulations. Let us know when you get an acceptance.

Just when it was starting to be so much fun, you had to go all polite & civil on us. Bastard! Slippery Pete instigate something , anything ...

JKDMed, good luck. I hope you become a wonderful Doc. But when you start a thread about your situation you have to expect people to have some different perspectives.
Peace Out

 

[benelswick]

I don't know how this thread degenerated into an argument about me not understanding basic science. I believe I have made it quite clear that I do, and that the MCAT isn't always the best assessment of one's knowledge in general science.

With all due respect JKDMed--

I agree with the fact that the MCAT has not indicated proficiency or knowledge in your case. Shinken also makes excellent points about how the basic sciences are gone and forgotten after acceptance to medical school. However, the MCAT did measure your lack of preparation for it. You overlooked some important aspects of what was being tested by the exam. For someone who should probably be familiar with the process enough not to make this mistake your score should be considered as such. In my opinion the basic sciences only measure one's study skills and the MCAT only measures one's ability to prepare for and do well on a big standardized test, thereby indirectly they both measure to some degree fitness for medical study which involves--correct me if I'm wrong--both of these.
Notably, you don't hear any complaints about what these things measure from those who perform well.--Ben

 

[Kevbot]

What's up with a 5 BS? It might behoove you to think that through. Preferably before your interviews or enrolling.
Good Luck

haha 'behoove' thats a funny word

Just for the record, I think that the organic chem questions were the hardest. Is there anyone that seriously didn't guess on 99% of those questions? Perhaps it would behoove you to consider that perhaps his BS-5 was not due to his bio knowledge, but the malevolance (another funny word) of the organic chemistry on the test. 😀

 

[mspe22med]

I actually just wasted 5 minutes reading this worthless post. So JKDwhatever didn't study for the MCAT, but is still an amazing applicant for some other pointless reason...now I remember why I shouldn't waste time here

 

[DD214_DOC]

I actually just wasted 5 minutes reading this worthless post. So JKDwhatever didn't study for the MCAT, but is still an amazing applicant for some other pointless reason...now I remember why I shouldn't waste time here

And then you wasted another minute to respond to it. You must be a brilliant person.

 

[no-see-um]

And then you wasted another minute to respond to it. You must be a brilliant person.

good point

 

[Shinken]

Yes, this thread is worthless, but then again so are all threads too. We talk and argue and discuss and flame and in the end, the world still goes 'round and 'round. It's good entertainment, though.

Besides, I've been an SDNer for a long time and I've seen JKDMed go from pre-med to interviewee (and now most likely to med student). I've seen people flame him, people agree with him...it's nice to see that his "story" is going to have a happy ending after all.

 

[DD214_DOC]

Yes, this thread is worthless, but then again so are all threads too. We talk and argue and discuss and flame and in the end, the world still goes 'round and 'round. It's good entertainment, though.

Besides, I've been an SDNer for a long time and I've seen JKDMed go from pre-med to interviewee (and now most likely to med student). I've seen people flame him, people agree with him...it's nice to see that his "story" is going to have a happy ending after all.

Let's hope my story has a happy ending. 😀 Regardless, I don't really think taking the MCAT again (with more studying this time, and actually having had all the classes I need) and reapplying is such a big deal. If nothing else, I'll get a nice break from the academic environment.

I must say, though, I think I'm one of the more colorful members of SDN. Most people seem to either love me or hate me.

 

[Stillwater45]

Actually the 5 was in PS, not BS, and was mainly due to my not memorizing formulas (as I was told there aren't many plug-n-chug questions) and not having had physics II before the exam.

I agree as much as the next guy that the MCAT is frustrating and at times seems ridiculous, but you have to treat the system with respect. I am sure you are an amazing guy with a great personality, but medical schools do have standards for a reason. MCAT is just as much a test of work ethic and motivation as intelligence. Either you are just naturally bright and smooth it the first time, or you have to put in months and months of studying and take it multiple times to make "the score".

I am sure you can bring your score up if you put some effort into it. I say this because i feel strongly that anyone who puts an effort into studying for the MCAT can and should at least make 7's in each section. From your justification of your scores it looks like you could definitely do better. You say you just "didn't memorize the formulas" I think that is ridiculous, take some time and memorize the formulas. I don’t have any problems with folks with “lower” MCAT scores getting in..(I’m in that category) I think a true success story is someone who works hard, does his or her BEST on the MCAT (no matter the score) and gets rewarded for their hard work. If you really want to be a Dr. (which im pretty sure you do), put in some hard work and retake the MCAT. I wish you the best of luck, and hope that you are lucky enough not to have to suffer through another MCAT.

 

[MoosePilot]

Sorry, I too wrote about a page or so last night, but then I deleted it and reconstructed a smaller one, including some chopped bits. The first sentence is one of those. It was referring specifically to the MD superiority complex, which these types of discussions and those types of responders always instigate when they bring numbers into the picture: lower numbers = poorer quality physicians. Seriously, if people who had 15 on their MCAT were becoming doctors, maybe I would be concerned. But, if people who are scoring around the national average, in comparison to 30,000 or so other very bright students, are becoming physicians, it wouldn't bother me one bit. And, there are always exceptions to the rule, so even I can't discount the example I gave first. You really never know what's going to happen in this crapshoot of a game.

Why do you assume that 30,000 of the students are bright and prepared? Maybe 15,000 students are bright and prepared, the others are lazy with varying amounts of test taking ability and luck.

My definition of prepared includes knowing what score you need on the test to be competitive at the schools you want to go to, knowing what score you're likely to get based on practice tests, and, if needed, preparing thoroughly to increase that score. The average isn't particularly competitive (considering only half get accepted), so I don't consider the average test taker prepared. Whether they're bright is a completely different question and I won't touch it.

 

[mspe22med]

And then you wasted another minute to respond to it. You must be a brilliant person.

Brilliant?...I'm blushing....you're probably right though. I shouldn't have posted the previous response. It is just hard to read posts dealing with excuses. I have been through so much **** in my life no "pre-med" student could &$%^ with it. Yet, I'm still breathin and plan on being accepted to a top school. So, I guess I respect people who handle their **** and let nothing stop them. For all I know, we share that in common. One...

 

[no-see-um]

Brilliant?...I'm blushing....you're probably right though. I shouldn't have posted the previous response. It is just hard to read posts dealing with excuses. I have been through so much **** in my life no "pre-med" student could &$%^ with it. Yet, I'm still breathin and plan on being accepted to a top school. So, I guess I respect people who handle their **** and let nothing stop them. For all I know, we share that in common. One...

ONE!