*^~*~^* The Official 2006-2007 "What Are My Chances/Where to Apply" Thread *^~*~^* part 01

[moe_4eva]

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Okay, here's a question. On my physical sciences section of the MCAT, I mis-bubbled and didn't have time to fix it before time was called 🙁. Anyway, I ended up with a 7 (I had been consistently been scoring 10-12 on practice test, so imagine how depressed I am...). Anyway, I scored 11's in both VR and BS, so I'm wondering how much that 7 will hurt me. Should I discuss it in my personal statement? I'm applying to only 2 high-tier schools, a bunch of mid-tier, and a couple of low-tier.

A quick Profile:

GPA: 3.89
BCPM: 3.82
Major: Biology
Firefighter/EMT-B for past couple of years (with excellent patient contact and many fires...quite unique 😉)
VP of pre-med club
Volunteer with American Red Cross for past 5 years
Sit on First Aid Committee for ARC for past year
Undergraduate Research for 1 year
MCAT 29 overall (due to that #%$@ 7)

Applying to:
Indiana University School of Medicine
Jefferson Medical Coll. of Thomas Jefferson Univ.
Oregon Health and Science University (#2 Choice)
Temple University School of Medicine
Tufts University School of Medicine
University of California, Davis School of Medicine
University of Colorado School of Medicine (#1 Choice)
University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine
University of North Carolina School of Medicine
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
University of Utah School of Medicine

I'm applying with my girlfriend, who is prevet, hence the somewhat different schools from everyone else. Please give it to me straight, as I'm trying to decide if I should retake the MCAT. I know I can do better, but if I don't have to take it, I won't 😀

 

[Darkshooter326]

I think we should end this thread, haha. Nobody wants to give others feedback, everyone is just posting their stats, hahaha. 😴

 

[moe_4eva]

I think we should end this thread, haha. Nobody wants to give others feedback, everyone is just posting their stats, hahaha. 😴

It's not that no one wants to give feedback, it's that we don't have the experience to. I know maybe half a dozen people that are going to med school, but a few people have a much better idea.

 

[Bluntman]

Please give it to me straight, as I'm trying to decide if I should retake the MCAT. I know I can do better, but if I don't have to take it, I won't 😀

If you're pretty confident that you can maintain your BS and VR sections at their current scores (or even better ones if you bust your ass and study some more?), I think you should definitely retake it. A test-taking catastrophe like mis-bubbling is probably one of the only reasons I'd suggest for having to deal with the pain/risks of taking it again, but in your case I think it will be well worth it. A 32-34 will put you on a whole different level than your 29 (hell, even 1 point better would let you break that 30+ threshold), and will make your MCAT a better match for the rest of your solid app. Plus, could you really live with knowing the fact that mis-bubbling had a hand in determining such an important crossroads in your life? Good luck, man!

 

[Monarch Kong]

I wanna join in on this...shameless jacked from my other thread:

State of Residence: TX
Applying in 2007-08 cycle


Undergraduate Institution: University of Texas at Austin

Overall GPA: 3.83
BCPM GPA: 3.8
Major: Electrical Engineering
Baylor College of Medicine SMART program (summer research)
1+ years of bioinformatics research at the same lab,
International conference publication and poster presentation (2nd Author)
Volunteering for 1 year at a local hospital
Volunteering for 1 year at a local orphanage
Undergraduate tutor for engineering students
Undergraduate research fellowship recipient
Summer Internship at National Instruments doing hardware research and development
University Honors
Study Abroad in China
But here's the kicker:
August 2005 MCAT: 32Q (12/9/11) but...
April 2006 MCAT: 30Q (10/10/10)


DREAM:
Stanford, JHop, Duke, Harvard

Want to apply:
UT-Southwestern (#1 choice)
Baylor (probably considered a reach/dream school with my mcat score)
UT-Houston
Other TX meds

So basically...what are my chances? And should I retake the MCAT? (That 30 came as the biggest suprise of my life 🙁 and I am applying in the 07-08 cycle)

Shameless, self-promoting bump

 

[Bluntman]

Shameless, self-promoting bump

No, you should not take the MCAT again. I assume you studied hard and did everything possible to raise your score in between 2005 and 2006, and it still went down by 2 points...so what makes you think that it'll be any different this time around? And why the hell did you even think about retaking the MCAT the first time when you got a 32!?

 

[harveyking]

My chances?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi, you guys, I took the MCAT this april for the first time and I just got the score and it's 32M(ps:14,verbal:6,bs:12). I know this score seem really unbalanced. But English is not my native language and I 've only stayed in US for about 1 year and 3 months(residence time).

I finished a foreign college with an Engineering Major. So far, I have one year pre-med courses in US including all the requirements fulfilled(44 credits for 3.85 including: Elements calculus AB, Physics AB with labs, Biology AB with labs, General Chemistry AB with labs and a CRC award, Organic Chemistry AB with labs, English 105&106). Also, I have volunteered in a local hospital as a EEG trainee and have been trained by a radiologist as a Ultrasound Tech for one year. Besides, I have some clinical research experience back to my college(foreign BS degree with a 3.81 gpa) and now I joined the pre-health application process. 4 recommendation letter will come from my US teachers(Physics, Chemistry, Calculus, Biology). And I will about to get two additional good recommendation letter from the affiliate hospital of the medical school I am gonna apply. Btw, my status is permanent resident.

1.What I am just wondering is that how many schools should I apply?
2.Someone told me to apply broadly but how many is enough? Is applying to 30 medical schools enough?
3.Do I need to offer ECE credits and degree evaluation to medical school?
4.Do I stand a good chance to get in an american medical school(MD program)?
5.Can I include my hobbies in my personal statement? Can I include them both in my ps and ecs?
6.Should I be really fast sending my AMCAS application by this friday or proofread for 5 times and ask someone for revision and then sending it next friday?
7.Will an one week delay in sending the AMCAS application hurts me?
8.My personal statement now has only 3600 characters, how long is enough?



Sorry for the lots of questions above and good luck to you guys. I am now online waiting🙂

 

[Monarch Kong]

No, you should not take the MCAT again. I assume you studied hard and did everything possible to raise your score in between 2005 and 2006, and it still went down by 2 points...so what makes you think that it'll be any different this time around? And why the hell did you even think about retaking the MCAT the first time when you got a 32!?

Unfortunately that's not exactly the case. I percieved a fluke in my verbal score the first time around and thought a retake would fix the problem. I actually only really buckled down and studied for about a month (which is dumb on my part, I know) - I had classes and research going on at the same time and I didn't spend nearly the amount of time I did during the summer. This time around I'll have much longer to study and much less on my plate while I study, which is why I'm contemplating a retake in January. Oh and the reason why I retook in the first place is because I scored 3-4 points lower than my practices 🙁

In light of this, is it wise for me to retake? I know I'm being a little biased, but 30 is really not a typical score for me and I hate for that to be the thing that drags me down.

 

[UMP]

I think we should end this thread, haha. Nobody wants to give others feedback, everyone is just posting their stats, hahaha. 😴

they should really break this thread down in to categories... people with low MCAT or GPAs should get their own thread, mid-tiers, and top candidates looking for school trimming. This whole thread is a mess.... I hate MollyMalone for doing this 😡 😉 😀

 

[Monarch Kong]

they should really break this thread down in to categories... people with low MCAT or GPAs should get their own thread, mid-tiers, and top candidates looking for school trimming. This whole thread is a mess.... I hate MollyMalone for doing this 😡 😉 😀

That's a little harsh don't you think?

 

[Bluntman]

In light of this, is it wise for me to retake? I know I'm being a little biased, but 30 is really not a typical score for me and I hate for that to be the thing that drags me down.

No, I think at this point you just have to suck it up and move forward.

The risk/benefit just doesn't seem worth it in this case. You've already lowered your composite score once. Even your VR score, which you thought was a fluke the first try, only raised 1 point. On this go-around, I'd say you'd need to get like a 34 for it to be worth it. This may or may not happen. I'm sure you thought it would happen the second time, but it didn't. That's how these things go. But jesus if you get a 30-32 (or god forbid a 29 or something), you'll be straight ****ed. I would say this is a huge risk for a modest gain...after all, even tho it's a ding against you that you went down on try 2, a 30 is still a good score. Not to mention you'll automatically have to incur the given cost associated with taking it again (a ****ty/anxious/frustrating/indoor/etc summer).

 

[Giddyup5]

Hey if anyone can help me i have a couple questions.

First heres my profile.
3.6 GPA
just took the april mcat 30Q 9vr 11ph 10bs
Had research experince for 2 years with one publication as a co-author.
EMT certified, with minimal experince
Volunteer at local retirement community
good extra curriculers and strong letters of reccomendations

1). Should i retake the mcat? I was doing much better in my practice test and was averaging around 33/34. I really dont want to go through with that again but what do you think?

2). what do you think of my preliminary list of schools
State of residence CT
Dream-
Yale
NYU
UPITT
Albert Einstein

Competitive
UVA
U Vermont
BU
Jefferson

Safety? if there is such

UCONN
Drexel
Temple
U West virginia

any other schools you would suggest with my stats? thanks for the help

 

[ClockworkDoc]

Hey if anyone can help me i have a couple questions.

First heres my profile.
3.6 GPA
just took the april mcat 30Q 9vr 11ph 10bs
Had research experince for 2 years with one publication as a co-author.
EMT certified, with minimal experince
Volunteer at local retirement community
good extra curriculers and strong letters of reccomendations

1). Should i retake the mcat? I was doing much better in my practice test and was averaging around 33/34. I really dont want to go through with that again but what do you think?

2). what do you think of my preliminary list of schools
State of residence CT
Dream-
Yale
NYU
UPITT
Albert Einstein

Competitive
UVA
U Vermont
BU
Jefferson

Safety? if there is such

UCONN
Drexel
Temple
U West virginia

any other schools you would suggest with my stats? thanks for the help

1) I don't think it would be a bad idea to retake, if you really want to go to one of your reach school or want to have a better chance at a competitive school. I retook my MCAT recently and went from a 31 to a 38, so it can be done.

2) http://www.medschoolready.com/ has some good resources for finding schools that match your stats, give it a look.

...

On another note, please look at my stats and suggest some schools for me to apply to (safty and competitive).

Thanks

 

[Sartre79]

22 Q in Aug 05, 30 O in April 06. 3.8 gpa and sci gpa. Have a MBA, volunteer, shadow, etc. Decent LOR. What are my chances for Allopathic? Minnesota Res.

 

[the12thmd]

hmm...the 22 is what will hold you back. Maybe retake?

Best of luck.

 

[lebam]

with a 30, I think you have a reasonable shot, esp with an MBA, apply to a wide range of schools.

 

[Sartre79]

I did retake,,,,,and got a 30 O. (12 V, 10 B, 8P).

 

[fullefect1]

deleted.. I am an idiot who doesn't read the whole thing... your 30 is kinda hiding in there.

 

[the12thmd]

Well...why not mention the 300 in the first post??

Yes, you have a shot. Now apply and find out.

 

[Sartre79]

Well...why not mention the 300 in the first post??

Yes, you have a shot. Now apply and find out.

I did mention it. ???

 

[Apparition]

I did retake,,,,,and got a 30 O. (12 V, 10 B, 8P).

You have 30/3.8. You're in a great shape.

 

[the12thmd]

I guess my reading is lacking. Or you edited. Eh, whatever. Back to the World Cup.

 

[63768]

you're fine. post in the right thread and learn how to type.

 

[Sartre79]

you're fine. post in the right thread and learn to type.

Excuse me?

 

[Compass]

He/she means that you should expand your sentences. Too compact = hard to read.

 

[63768]

Excuse me?

1) there's a thread for the "What are my chances?" questions
2) i am just personally annoyed by people who can't take an extra 2 seconds to type out a complete sentence. sorry if my comment was a little callous.

 

[Sartre79]

1) there's a thread for the "What are my chances?" questions
2) i am just personally annoyed by people who can't take an extra 2 seconds to type out a complete sentence. sorry if my comment was a little callous.

Was it the commas that threw you off....I thought this was the internet

 

[MollyMalone]

To the WAMC thread, Robin!!

 

[spygal]

Hi all!
I'd love any input as I try to finalize my list of school and await the advice of my premed advisor. I've been reading the boards since before the April MCAT, and I'm getting excited to narrow down my list of schools.

GPA: 3.87
MCAT: 35P

Graduated in 2004 from a big ten school.
One year of research after graduation at my undergrad school.
I'm currently working in a research lab at a top five research institution, started my own project from the beginning, hopefully will have a manuscript written by late summer.
Average volunteer, shadowing, and leadership experience.
I applied in 2003, with a 30 MCAT, but didn't have my application complete until October, plus had less volunteer time, so ended up waitlisted at two schools before I decided to take some time off.

PA Resident

List of schools:
(I'm going to apply to all schools in PA; would prefer to stay in the eastern part of the country)
Pitt
Penn
PSU
Drexel
Jefferson
Temple
University of Maryland
University of Virginia
University of Michigan
University of Chicago
Ohio State
University of North Carolina (I want somewhere warm, but I'm OOS!)
Vanderbilt
University of Cincinnati
Univeristy of Rochester
New York Medical College
VCU

Any suggestions??
Am I applying to too many reach schools?
Thanks for any input!

 

[Haemulon]

1) there's a thread for the "What are my chances?" questions
2) i am just personally annoyed by people who can't take an extra 2 seconds to type out a complete sentence. sorry if my comment was a little callous.

Hey, relax. My understanding is that this is a "what are my chances thread." Also, there is nothing wrong with being brief. Using abbreviations, short phrases, and truncated sentences are perfectly fine for Chat/email/messaging. Lord knows that I mess up my own grammar all the time. Still, we are all here to be supportive of one another. (You may also notice that your own sentences were not correct. You didn't take "the extra 2 seconds" to capitalize or end in a period. 😉

 

[Bluntman]

Hey, relax. My understanding is that this is a "what are my chances thread."

Only cause Molly is on her **** and rolled Sarte's thread into the official one already.

 

[littlephiLLy]

3.67 overall, 3.59 sci
31Q (9V, 13P, 9B)
NY
research, grants, pending authorship. a little bit of volunteer and shadow.


i want to go to a state school, any of them!

 

[xanthomondo]

3.67 overall, 3.59 sci
31Q (9V, 13P, 9B)
NY
research, grants, pending authorship. a little bit of volunteer and shadow.


i want to go to a state school, any of them!

then apply, to all of them!

 

[xanthomondo]

how friendly are U of Maryland and U of Boston to out of staters?

 

[jrd_666]

I know that the “ I have an A- in orgo will I get in” posts are annoying but I wish that was my problem. I am looking for advice from people who will be honest with me. Ok here it goes my cum GPA is a 2.7. I have 3 semesters and a summer left not including this summer which I am taking summer courses none related to science. I still have to take orgo 1+2 physics 1 chem 2 and English and stats. I still have 14 credits of my bio major left. My old grades, some are great other’s are not but what is done is done. My GPA was higher at 2.9 but through this year it dropped for many reasons, family issues, personal issues, last fall I received psychoeducational testing and found out that I have a very bad reading disorder. It was not picked up earlier for many reasons I just slipped through the cracks but I’m in college and now I finally for the 1st time since I have been in college I am slowly learning how I learn, am getting the accommodations I need and learnig how to study the right way. Med school is something I have wanted since I was 15. I know it is not going to be easy and I am going to have to work harder now than I worked all thru school. I have been volunteering and a daycare and hospital, I am a EMT and with a agency, I work for my school’s residential life, I am in a program since freshmen year in academic support for minority students I also have a paying job. I have 7 people who if asked, would write me great letter’s of rec. all I need is a science prof. My question is if from now til I graduate got B’s or better in all my classes, high 20’s or low 30’s on my MCAT’s wrote a "banging" personal statement would a med school give me a shot?

 

[ClockworkDoc]

I know that the “ I have an A- in orgo will I get in” posts are annoying but I wish that was my problem. I am looking for advice from people who will be honest with me. Ok here it goes my cum GPA is a 2.7. I have 3 semesters and a summer left not including this summer which I am taking summer courses none related to science. I still have to take orgo 1+2 physics 1 chem 2 and English and stats. I still have 14 credits of my bio major left. My old grades, some are great other’s are not but what is done is done. My GPA was higher at 2.9 but through this year it dropped for many reasons, family issues, personal issues, last fall I received psychoeducational testing and found out that I have a very bad reading disorder. It was not picked up earlier for many reasons I just slipped through the cracks but I’m in college and now I finally for the 1st time since I have been in college I am slowly learning how I learn, am getting the accommodations I need and learnig how to study the right way. Med school is something I have wanted since I was 15. I know it is not going to be easy and I am going to have to work harder now than I worked all thru school. I have been volunteering and a daycare and hospital, I am a EMT and with a agency, I work for my school’s residential life, I am in a program since freshmen year in academic support for minority students I also have a paying job. I have 7 people who if asked, would write me great letter’s of rec. all I need is a science prof. My question is if from now til I graduate got B’s or better in all my classes, high 20’s or low 30’s on my MCAT’s wrote a "banging" personal statement would a med school give me a shot?

Seems like DO would be a better fit. I don't think that MD schools look to kindly at low GPA or MCAT scores, unless you are URM. You could be the exception though, but I wouldn't count on it.

 

[confused-one]

Okay, here goes. I'm debating taking one more year off.

MCAT scores: VR: 11 PS: 9 BS: 11

GPA: 3.45

(However, the last two years I've improved, my average from junior & senior year is a 3.65, and I've done well in PB courses.)

BCPM: 3.45-ish

I'm not naming my school- it's too small! But I think it has a somewhat reputable background, is known to not grade inflate etc.

I've done two years of research as an undergrad, and have been working in basic research since graduation in 2005.

My ECs are pretty strong, but not unique (I did just run a marathon though!) and I'm not an URM.

So... what are my chances? What are my MD/PhD chances? What can I do in a year to turn it around? Am I too old to take more time (I'm 22)? What do you all think?

Thanks!

 

[ClockworkDoc]

Okay, here goes. I'm debating taking one more year off.

MCAT scores: VR: 11 PS: 9 BS: 11

GPA: 3.45

(However, the last two years I've improved, my average from junior & senior year is a 3.65, and I've done well in PB courses.)

BCPM: 3.45-ish

I'm not naming my school- it's too small! But I think it has a somewhat reputable background, is known to not grade inflate etc.

I've done two years of research as an undergrad, and have been working in basic research since graduation in 2005.

My ECs are pretty strong, but not unique (I did just run a marathon though!) and I'm not an URM.

So... what are my chances? What are my MD/PhD chances? What can I do in a year to turn it around? Am I too old to take more time (I'm 22)? What do you all think?

Thanks!

From my own experience, stats like yours will get you an interview likely at somewhere like Albany, Creighton, or Drexel. Unless your EC's, letters, and PS are killer, I don't think you have much of a chance for a MD/PhD. But, those are just my thoughts

 

[ClockworkDoc]

Do I have a chance to get into a UC?
-I'm a California resident
http://mdapplicants.com/viewprofile.php?myid=5481

 

[spospo]

okay, this isn't WAMC post. i just need advice on the schools to apply to. i've been told to apply broadly with a 28S and 3.9....i have 22 on the list so far. check out my mdapps for the names. what do you guys think about adding wright state, SUNY Buffalo, someone suggested UMD but i don't know what that stands for. so where else should i apply? for some reason i don't feel like 22 schools is enough with my stats? suggestions/complaints/comments welcome. thanks.

 

[Dr. C. Troy]

Okay here's my profile in a (rather large) nutshell:

3.96 GPA, Honors Student, Honors Thesis etc. @ a Research 1 University
Member of Phi Beta Kappa
MCAT: 34S; 10 PS 12 VR 12 BS S WS (Yes, my PS sucks compared to the rest, but I hadn't taken physics before I took the MCAT, if I had, it would probably have been a 13, because I rock chemistry)

EC: ~1 Year of Labwork, where I also worked as a supervisor over 2 other students
Volunteering for a Congressperson's campaign
Organic/GC Tutor for 2 years
Kaplan MCAT teacher (currently in training)
Multiple Educational Outreach programs (My extracurriculars almost all focus on helping others learn, and advancing others' educations)
Internship with a local Plastic Surgeon
Over 300+ hours of volunteer work at a hospital in Highschool

Can I get into UCLA even though I'm not a CA resident? What about Stanford?

Those are the two main schools that interest me, and I want to know if it's realistic. Do I have a realistic chance at ED at either school? Stanford would probably be my first choice, just becauase I really like their structure and curriculum (and the name recognition is always nice).

I'm very competent when it comes to current political and medical issues, and am extremely confident about my interviewing abilities. I feel that I can do better than the vast majority of the people out there in an interview-style situation, just due to all the experience I've had with similar high-pressure situations, and the fact that I am a news-junkie, and would love to get ethical questions on things like abortion, euthanasia, or HMOs.

 

[STIG]

CA resident.

-3.7GPA, taking MCAT this aug. the rest is in the linky 😀

Please give me some feedback. 🙂

 

[Biostats.moore]

Would taking the August MCAT make your AMCAS application late? I scored a 28 N on April and i'm not sure what would be better. Trying to take it again, or just applying now. Any help would be nice. Thanks.

 

[STIG]

Would taking the August MCAT make your AMCAS application late? I scored a 28 N on April and i'm not sure what would be better. Trying to take it again, or just applying now. Any help would be nice. Thanks.

I dont have the MCAT score but my pre med Counselor here told me to go for it? So I am applying this year.

 

[PBandJ]

Would taking the August MCAT make your AMCAS application late? I scored a 28 N on April and i'm not sure what would be better. Trying to take it again, or just applying now. Any help would be nice. Thanks.

I have the exact same score, and I'm going ahead and applying with it. My two cents of advice says that you should only wait to take it in August if you're sure you can improve by at least 4 or 5 points, since you'll be losing the advantage of getting your app in early.

 

[Haemulon]

I have the exact same score, and I'm going ahead and applying with it. My two cents of advice says that you should only wait to take it in August if you're sure you can improve by at least 4 or 5 points, since you'll be losing the advantage of getting your app in early.

I don't know about 4 or 5 point minimum gain for re-take, but definitely don't re-take unless you are sure that you can improve. A 28 is still in the running for getting schools to consider you, so weigh it carefully. Re-taking will put you farther back in the process, which is a disadvantage that has to be overcome by significant improvement. How much can you improve compared to how much you will be set back by waiting?

 

[jimmys]

Hey guys.
This is the first time I post on SDN and I really need some advice.

Just got the MCAT scores and it turned out to be
PS 11
VR 7
BS 10
Total 28

GPA 3.96(major EE)
State of residence: Texas
EC's: 2 years hospital volunteering. 2 years with the american cancer society, shadowed a cardiologist, worked as a student instructor for different subjects..some honors...and a bunch of other EC's...plus had to work 20+ hours/week all over my school years.

Apply or retake? I hope Texas will give me an advantage. If someone has similar experience please share..

Thanks to yall

 

[ClockworkDoc]

Do I have a chance to get into a UC?
-I'm a California resident
http://mdapplicants.com/viewprofile.php?myid=5481

Thanks for your help

 

[ClockworkDoc]

Hey guys.
This is the first time I post on SDN and I really need some advice.

Just got the MCAT scores and it turned out to be
PS 11
VR 7
BS 10
Total 28

GPA 3.96(major EE)
State of residence: Texas
EC's: 2 years hospital volunteering. 2 years with the american cancer society, shadowed a cardiologist, worked as a student instructor for different subjects..some honors...and a bunch of other EC's...plus had to work 20+ hours/week all over my school years.

Apply or retake? I hope Texas will give me an advantage. If someone has similar experience please share..

Thanks to yall

I say apply, if you really want to retake, do it as you are applying then send in your scores when you improve. It should help you get off any waitlist if you end up with a 30+. That VR is troubling though, I have heard that it holds the most weight.

 

[Haemulon]

Hey guys.
This is the first time I post on SDN and I really need some advice.

Just got the MCAT scores and it turned out to be
PS 11
VR 7
BS 10
Total 28

GPA 3.96(major EE)
State of residence: Texas
EC's: 2 years hospital volunteering. 2 years with the american cancer society, shadowed a cardiologist, worked as a student instructor for different subjects..some honors...and a bunch of other EC's...plus had to work 20+ hours/week all over my school years.

Apply or retake? I hope Texas will give me an advantage. If someone has similar experience please share..

Thanks to yall

I would apply. 28 is still acceptable to get schools to consider you. I have a 7 PS, 13 VR, 10 BS (30R). So i'm dealing with the "7" issue to. I have received positive feedback and am going for it with the scores that I have. Best of luck! Only re-take if you think your sure of a good chance for improvement (scores can go down in other sections even if you pull up the 7).