The Official 4/26/13 MCAT Thread

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In lieu of the other threads popping up, I thought it'd be good for those of us taking the test to identify ourselves 👍

I'm not planning on following a rigid study schedule until January, but I think I'm going to watch a single video off of wikipremed daily to lightly review.

Good luck to everyone... we will crush this exam..

 

[johnnyscans]

TMDSAS submitted 5/2/13.
TMDSAS transmitted 5/3/13 😱🙂

Is TMDSAS like AMCAS where you can submit your application before your transcripts and LORs arrive and they'll update it as things come in?

 

[Status Sciaticus]

I have no clue, I'm kind of in the same boat and haven't done any research on OOS schools. I'm going to be applying to all the TX schools and then some reaches with AMCAS.

are you a TX resident?

 

[Status Sciaticus]

Is TMDSAS like AMCAS where you can submit your application before your transcripts and LORs arrive and they'll update it as things come in?

yep they just send your stuff as it comes along.

 

[Greedo]

are you a TX resident?

Yep! Lucky me.

 

[CCRNCSC78]

Full time job, husband, dogs, friends/family...nope not bored lol. So excited NOT to be studying for a while.

 

[Postictal Raiden]

Full time job, husband, dogs, friends/family...nope not bored lol. So excited NOT to be studying for a while.

Same here. Between my part time job, looking for a full time job, and being a husband and a father, I'm glad that I'm done with the mcat...hopefully for good!

BTW, who's planning to sell their mcat stuff BEFORE finding out your score?

 

[Status Sciaticus]

Same here. Between my part time job, looking for a full time job, and being a husband and a father, I'm glad that I'm done with the mcat...hopefully for good!

BTW, who's planning to sell their mcat stuff BEFORE finding out your score?

this would be a mistake IBN...in case you plan to retake.

 

[OneTwoThreeFour]

Sold my MCAT stuff yesterday.
I'm flying back to Boston from CA in a month (out here for a job for a year), didn't have room to take all the books anyway. Recouped the cost of 'em. Can always buy again if I need to go another round.

 

[Postictal Raiden]

Sold my MCAT stuff yesterday.
I'm flying back to Boston from CA in a month (out here for a job for a year), didn't have room to take all the books anyway. Recouped the cost of 'em. Can always buy again if I need to go another round.

I'm in SoCal and currently search for jobs. I'm having hard time finding one since most of them require experience. How did you find yours?

 

[CCRNCSC78]

Packed all my stuff in a box. Gonna wait for scores to sell them.

 

[Albein]

You can only submit primary for Amcas June 1st, but can fill it out earlier, right? Or is my information wrong?

 

[Status Sciaticus]

You can only submit primary for Amcas June 1st, but can fill it out earlier, right? Or is my information wrong?

you can start filling out stuff on AMCAS may 8th,
Submit June 5th.

 

[PinknGreenMD]

and how did that go for her?

She was granted an interview with both her top schools and the last i heard she was waiting for a ya, neigh or a think about it (ie waitlist) i havent talked to her in about 1.5 months though.

 

[OneTwoThreeFour]

I'm in SoCal and currently search for jobs. I'm having hard time finding one since most of them require experience. How did you find yours?

I was part of a post-bacc program last year (georgetown) that had a list-serv that would send out glide year job opportunities. I have family in NorCal, and so when I saw an MA opening up here, I applied.

 

[CCRNCSC78]

Dreamt I got a 10/11/12. I would be ecstatic if that came true.

 

[Back 5]

The waiting game is harder than the studying game.

 

[MedGrl@2022]

The waiting game is harder than the studying game.

I disagree... but I need to continue to study and now work on my application among a million other things... it will all be okay... if you are worried about it.. continue to study so you will be ready for a retake

 

[milski]

I disagree... but I need to continue to study and now work on my application among a million other things... it will all be okay... if you are worried about it.. continue to study so you will be ready for a retake

Absolutely. Waking up and not having to worry that you have to study or take practice exams is pure gold.

 

[Postictal Raiden]

Absolutely. Waking up and not having to worry that you have to study or take practice exams is pure gold.

I agree. However, now I'm waking up having to worry about securing a job.

 

[MedGrl@2022]

I agree. However, now I'm waking up having to worry about securing a job.

What type of job are you looking for?

 

[Status Sciaticus]

23 more days people! How many of you would be open to posting your scores once they are available regardless of how well or bad you did?

 

[Postictal Raiden]

What type of job are you looking for?

I have a bio degree with paid summer research experience (biochemistry). However, I'm willing to accept anything comes my way at this point. I know it is matter of time before finding a job, but I have a family to support.

 

[GemelloMD]

I had a dream that when the day came to check our scores all my friends gathered with me. They had a giant 100' projection screen of Thx. However, when i went to load my scores nothing would load. Thx just kept coming up saying no scores available. No scores available.

3 weeks.

 

[Greedo]

I have a bio degree with paid summer research experience (biochemistry). However, I'm willing to accept anything comes my way at this point. I know it is matter of time before finding a job, but I have a family to support.

Good luck! I'm looking for a job too. May is turning out to be a fun month...

 

[CCRNCSC78]

For me the studying was way worse than the waiting. I'm so busy most of the time and just so excited not to look at an MCAT book. And I will probably post my actual score only if it's anything over 30 lol. Just sayin'

 

[Moxess]

23 more days people! How many of you would be open to posting your scores once they are available regardless of how well or bad you did?

I will. I posted how dope my practice scores were; I'd be a coward not to reveal my actual score if it turned out to be low.

 

[MedGrl@2022]

For me the studying was way worse than the waiting. I'm so busy most of the time and just so excited not to look at an MCAT book. And I will probably post my actual score only if it's anything over 30 lol. Just sayin'

I would love it if my scores are about 30... I think I decided not to retake if my scores are above 30... I would prefer to do a scribe program... I think it is more important than MCAT scores... what do you all think? Is it worth retrying for a 34+ or working on other aspects of your application? (I want to get in this year)

 

[MedGrl@2022]

I would love it if my scores are about 30... I think I decided not to retake if my scores are above 30... I would prefer to do a scribe program... I think it is more important than MCAT scores... what do you all think? Is it worth retrying for a 34+ or working on other aspects of your application? (I want to get in this year)

Just wondering, have you all purchased MSAR? Do you apply based on mean stats for the schools? Is there an MSAR equivalent for DO schools?

Good luck everyone! 🙂

 

[Meredith92]

I found mine by searching the job openings page at a big hospital in my city. There are usually lots of clinical research opportunities. I had lab research experience in the past but I'm sure you can find one without needing experience

 

[Roxas]

Just wondering, have you all purchased MSAR? Do you apply based on mean stats for the schools? Is there an MSAR equivalent for DO schools?

Good luck everyone! 🙂

My schools has a few MSAR copies people can borrow, it's a great resource. Before looking at mean stats I would look at how OOS friendly the schools are, since a good number of state schools have lower stats but take very few if any OOS.

Yes there is an MSAR for DO, but as I recall it just talks more about each school's mission, tuition, ect. and doesn't give mean stats for each school. In the front of the book it gives an overall MCAT and GPA mean for all DO matriculants, so its not as useful in determining which schools are more/less competitive.

 

[clothcut]

hey guys, since you've all taken the exam already, i was wondering how representative you felt the later aamc exams (9 - 11) were of the actual exam. thanks

 

[Status Sciaticus]

hey guys, since you've all taken the exam already, i was wondering how representative you felt the later aamc exams (9 - 11) were of the actual exam. thanks

we've mentioned it in this thread before. go through the pages and you'll find everyones thoughts on the exam relative to the practice tests.

 

[CCRNCSC78]

I'm not retaking if I have 30+ unless my verbal is really crappy or it's extremely unbalanced.

 

[PinknGreenMD]

I would love it if my scores are about 30... I think I decided not to retake if my scores are above 30... I would prefer to do a scribe program... I think it is more important than MCAT scores... what do you all think? Is it worth retrying for a 34+ or working on other aspects of your application? (I want to get in this year)

I would suggest to retake if it is anything less than 33. Especially if you were hitting 33+ on practice tests.. Most schools consider you competitive at 33.. But a 30 is still a good score though. Good luck

 

[Greedo]

AAMC fee assistance just came in! I'm really happy, but also mad that I already spent ~700 bucks on AAMC stuff.
So I'm going to go ahead and register for a June 20 retake today. Trying to decide between morning and afternoon...

 

[BBlocker]

22 more days. I really hope I didn't flunk PS 🙁 Can't wait for the scores to come soon enough

 

[Status Sciaticus]

AAMC fee assistance just came in! I'm really happy, but also mad that I already spent ~700 bucks on AAMC stuff.
So I'm going to go ahead and register for a June 20 retake today. Trying to decide between morning and afternoon...

how many schools do they let you apply to?
Im thinking of applying to FAP in the next week.

 

[Greedo]

The fees are waived for up to 14 schools! And it only took 12 days for them to approve it once they got the supporting docs (tax returns).

 

[hdeng]

I was ranging anywhere from 33-38 on practice tests, but would be quite happy with anything 33+.

 

[MedGrl@2022]

I would suggest to retake if it is anything less than 33. Especially if you were hitting 33+ on practice tests.. Most schools consider you competitive at 33.. But a 30 is still a good score though. Good luck

30 was my high on AAMC 11... I really believe that I am capable of scoring a 34+ though... I thought the PS on the real MCAT was completely from left field though... so I am nervous about my score on the real thing...

I having been thinking the University of Maryland was my number #1 choice but I have been doing some searching on other schools and I am also in favor of DO schools as I am pretty certain I want to be a primary care physician and I like their holistic model of health care...

Where would one find the mean MCAT scores of DO schools? Should I just call the schools and ask them? So much to do...

Has anyone had the experience of getting old LORs? I graduated in 2007 and I shadowed and did research with a DO the summer of 2006. Thus, my science professors are from my undergrad and I contacted my DO and he said that he would be happy to write me a letter of recommendation but he was uncertain if it would be the best because it was from so long ago. I haven't shadowed a DO since 2006. I have been working at NIH so I will have my PI and my supervising post-docs write my letters of recommendations.

Also, I am uncertain if my pre-med committee will write me a compilation letter. I e-mailed them recently and I am waiting to get a response from them. One professor sounded uncertain (I went to a small liberal arts college... I think it is not very common for them to even have their students apply to medical school... they may have one a year on average.)

 

[MedGrl@2022]

My schools has a few MSAR copies people can borrow, it's a great resource. Before looking at mean stats I would look at how OOS friendly the schools are, since a good number of state schools have lower stats but take very few if any OOS.

Yes there is an MSAR for DO, but as I recall it just talks more about each school's mission, tuition, ect. and doesn't give mean stats for each school. In the front of the book it gives an overall MCAT and GPA mean for all DO matriculants, so its not as useful in determining which schools are more/less competitive.

Hi O Grady, isn't MSAR only on-line now? I can't seem to find a book to purchase with the schools information. I have old MSARs but they are probably not very useful.

Do the MSARs have information about the new schools? If your applying to a new Med school to be its first incoming class then do they have an ideal student profile?

Are you only applying to MD schools or are you applying to DO schools too?

Thank you for your help! 🙂

 

[Sphenoid927]

Stupid question alert:

For those of who have tested before and had your exam scored, what does the THX system look like when you get your score? It currently says:

MCAT Scores

You have no scores yet.

When scores are posted do they just give you the composite score and then the individual sections or do they offer up any additional information? I don't know what they would reveal, but I was curious if they gave any information about the trends from that day's test or what not. Just curious.

 

[Status Sciaticus]

Stupid question alert:

For those of who have tested before and had your exam scored, what does the THX system look like when you get your score? It currently says:

MCAT Scores

You have no scores yet.

When scores are posted do they just give you the composite score and then the individual sections or do they offer up any additional information? I don't know what they would reveal, but I was curious if they gave any information about the trends from that day's test or what not. Just curious.

it gives you each subsection, the percentile for that subsection, and a composite score as well.

 

[HotHamH2O]

As time goes on the worse I think I did on that MCAT and since I didn't think I did that well to begin with, it's not a good feeling.

 

[MedGrl@2022]

As time goes on the worse I think I did on that MCAT and since I didn't think I did that well to begin with, it's not a good feeling.

You probably did better than you think you did...

Are you planning to retake? I think I will if I don't get a 30+, just go over your study materials... you can always tell the medical schools that you are planning to retake if you didn't do as well as you wanted to.

 

[Sphenoid927]

it gives you each subsection, the percentile for that subsection, and a composite score as well.

Thanks!

 

[MedGrl@2022]

I would suggest to retake if it is anything less than 33. Especially if you were hitting 33+ on practice tests.. Most schools consider you competitive at 33.. But a 30 is still a good score though. Good luck

Do you think a high MCAT score is worth more than lots of clinical experience?

 

[Sphenoid927]

As time goes on the worse I think I did on that MCAT and since I didn't think I did that well to begin with, it's not a good feeling.

I am kind of feeling the same way, but I am also trying really hard to remain positive. I don't want to retake. I cannot stand the thought of being done with school in about a week, getting the MCAT score about 1.5-2 weeks after that and then having to dive back into MCAT stuff. I just don't know if I'd have it in me to go another round. I feel okay about BS and VR but I have no idea what that will really mean when scores come back. My feeling "okay" about those sections could mean anything at this point. It's all so jumbled. I just have no idea how I did overall and that is super nerve wracking and frustrating. I feel the worst about PS on the real thing (timing not content) and I think I could spend some time on the timing issues I encountered there, but otherwise, I have no idea what I would do to prepare as content wasn't really an issue overall in the end. I just really, really, really do not want to retake!

 

[AA|FCB|DOC]

So sketched out on ps. I honestly thought it wasn't fair how many calculations were on that thig for the given time. I hope they realize that and made the scale more lenient.

 

[Sphenoid927]

So sketched out on ps. I honestly thought it wasn't fair how many calculations were on that thig for the given time. I hope they realize that and made the scale more lenient.

AGREE! I am a 4/27 tester but I feel the same about PS. I don't recall a lot, but I do remember lots of calculations and it seemed to eat up a lot of time for me. I would have much rather had difficult conceptual questions than having to manipulate and plug and chug through the whole section. It is blurry, so maybe it wasn't that calculation heavy, but my memory tells me it was. What bugs me is that I have zero issue with the plug and chug and manipulating formulas, but I must admit that I am not the speediest at it. I can do it, just not super fast. I have A's in calculus, physics and all my science and math classes for that matter so hopefully that should speak for something. Ugh. Maybe I am getting myself too worked up. Better try to just stay positive...