The Official June 2015 MCAT Thread

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Hey guys I'm a longtime lurker here on sdn and want some advice on whether to retake or apply. I'm a Latino URM with a gpa of 3.78c/3.68s, with great ECs. I'm a little bummed about my prelims:

PS: 62-77
Cars: 54-69
Bio: 39-54
Psych: 81-96
Total: 58-68

I'm wondering if I should retake or apply this cycle. Would these scores be enough for DO ??
Thank you!
 
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spikesolo00 said:
i screwed up with not using my school committee letters. now im getting individual letters. do you guys rate INTERFOLIO? i just paid for it. i dont know how easy it is as im hoping to make everything as easy as possible for my authors.
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Interfolio is great. The only thing is, when do letters need to be in by? I find most professors take like a month to write them.
 
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davidt2580 said:
If anyone on here has taken the EK FLs, how comparative would you say they are to the real tests.
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They are somewhat harder than the real thing, but they are the closest I saw in my studying and so I think they are great practice. I did EK1 and EK2 and scored 72% and 76% overall, and then 90-100% prelim on the 6/20 exam. I recommend taking as many FLs as you can, but I found EK to be more representative than the TPR, Kaplan, NS, or Gold Standard tests I took.
 
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Also did anyone do TPR Science Workbook? I am thinking about using it for my retake. If anyone could shed light on if they found these passages to be good review that would be helpful, thanks.
 
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upload_2015-7-9_17-8-12.png


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Why did you write before that you used only EK and KA? I thought you did NS too?

@BryanBeid
 
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Hey sorry when I said only EK and Khan I was talking about my content sources.

For exams I used tpr and next step along with ek1 and 2
 
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Dobechance said:
@jordan222 Were you NS harder than the actual exam? I scored a 499 on it (125/122/126/126) on NS 3. Thanks!
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I only did the free NS diagnostic, and I did it early in my studies, so I'm not the best person to ask. I found it not as difficult as the Kaplan/TPR/EK exams, and didn't like the feel of it as much as the others (it didn't seem like the questions were as carefully worded, but then I did just take one exam). For reference, I will list all my scores below. I took one FL every weekend from March until June.

1. Kaplan 1: 504
2. NextStep 1 Diagnostic: 505 126/125/126/128
3. Kaplan 2: 501 124/126/126/125
4. TPR Demo: 505 124/126/126/129 58%/74%/68%/85%
5. TPR Test 1: 506 125/128/127/126 66%/83%/73%/70%
6. TPR Test 2: 509 125/125/128/131 68%/70%/83%/93%
7. TPR Test 3: 508 125/125/128/130 68%/58%/75%/90%
8. AAMC MCAT Online Practice Questions 90%/87%/70%/87%
9. Kaplan 3: 508 125/128/126/129 63%/85%/70%/85%
10. Gold Standard Diagnostic 511 125/130/130/126 60%/89%/90%/75%
11. AAMC Question Packs Part 1:Chem,Physics,CARS1,Bio 1 90%/93%/63%/92%
12. AAMC Question Packs Part 2:Chem,Physics,CARS1,Bio1 88%/82%/88%/93%
13. EK Test 1: 506 125/126/128/127 61%/76%/75%/76%
14. AAMC Question Packs Part 3:Bio2,CARS2,CARS2,Bio2 83%/88%/87%/92%
15. AAMC Sample Test: 514 128/128/128/130 76%/87%/85%/90%
16. EK Test 2: 510 126/126/127/131 71%/76%/73%/92%
17. Real MCAT: 90-100% prelim
 
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jordan222 said:
They are somewhat harder than the real thing, but they are the closest I saw in my studying and so I think they are great practice. I did EK1 and EK2 and scored 72% and 76% overall, and then 90-100% prelim on the 6/20 exam. I recommend taking as many FLs as you can, but I found EK to be more representative than the TPR, Kaplan, NS, or Gold Standard tests I took.
Click to expand...


My concern with EK is that they appear to be very specific in their answer choices and rely and employ several tricks. I havent taken the AAMC practice test yet but my EKs are in the mid 50%, compared to other tests (TPR and NS) which were around 503. Especially the psych portion (45%-56%), compared to 90-98% on TRP and NS. My test is next week Sat and my EK results have been extremely concerning.
 
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davidt2580 said:
My concern with EK is that they appear to be very specific in their answer choices and rely and employ several tricks. I havent taken the AAMC practice test yet but my EKs are in the mid 50%, compared to other tests (TPR and NS) which were around 503. Especially the psych portion (45%-56%), compared to 90-98% on TRP and NS. My test is next week Sat and my EK results have been extremely concerning.
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I've heard others said this, but I really think it's true that you shouldn't worry so much about your projected scores from FLs too much. Worry about understanding the content in the questions and worry about taking good notes on questions you got wrong. The projected scores on most of these FLs (AAMC Sample excluded) are just all over the place as much as we wish they were representative. As for EK questions, I do agree that they put a dumb question or two in each section which is too specific or oddly phrased to "trick" you in a way the real test likely won't. That said, it is a rigorous test and I liked that about it. And when reviewing the "trick" questions, you'll get a little pissed and will forever remember whatever concept is at hand so you can find value even in those IMO.
 
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C/P: 74-89
CARS: 53-68
B/B:62-77
P/S:50-65
Total: 58-68

I have 3.4 cGPA with 3.2sGPA. I have great LORS and ECs and currently work full time in a blood testing/transfusion lab of a hospital. Also URM. Do you think I should retake? I think I could genuinely get P/S in a better place but applying that late (september) could kill me this cycle. Not looking to go big, just applying to state schools and HBCUs (MD only). Any advice will be much appreciated.
 
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June 19 test taker here
  • C/P: 74-89%
  • CARS: 28-43% (my best section in all of the practice tests - super strange)
  • Bio: 49-64%
  • Psy/Soc: 38-53%
  • Overall: 44%-54% (499-501?) (24-26?)
I did really well on a few of my last practice tests (505+). It is disappointing to receive those scores on the MCAT - I know I can do much better. I am planning on retaking the MCAT probably early on in 2016 with a whole new round of studying and EK material. I'm gonna do everything in my willpower to earn that 510+.

Also, when taking the average of each of my sections, my overall calculates to a 54.75%. How in the world does AAMC calculate the 44%-54%? Anybody know?
 
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because the overall isn't the average I would guess. People getting those scores come out to be in that percentile overall thanks to the bell curve.
 
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So i definitely did not realize the preliminary percentiles came out. i don't know what to take away from these ranges...

C/P: 85-100
CARS: 82-97
Bio: 72-87
P/S: 85-100
overall: 86-96

browsing through others' scores, i'm getting a lower overall range... would that imply that i'm on the lower end of all of my ranges ):
i think these ranges are just giving me more anxiety than getting the actual scores would

also what are the chances i'll get lower than these ranges on my actual score?

any feedback would be greatly appreciated!
 
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yesfoodisgood said:
So i definitely did not realize the preliminary percentiles came out. i don't know what to take away from these ranges...

C/P: 85-100
CARS: 82-97
Bio: 72-87
P/S: 85-100
overall: 86-96

browsing through others' scores, i'm getting a lower overall range... would that imply that i'm on the lower end of all of my ranges ):
i think these ranges are just giving me more anxiety than getting the actual scores would

also what are the chances i'll get lower than these ranges on my actual score?

any feedback would be greatly appreciated!
Click to expand...

Based on April and May testers, you should get:

129-132
128
127
129-132
Total: 513-519
89-98 percentile

Based on the overall range AAMC gave you, I would set your expectations/hopes on 89-96. So 513-517.

You have a very low chance of being below 86. You'd have to be the exception to a pretty strong pattern among previous testers.
 
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BryanBeid said:
because the overall isn't the average I would guess. People getting those scores come out to be in that percentile overall thanks to the bell curve.
Click to expand...

Well that's bad news for me.

Can someone verify this for me?
  • C/P: 74-89 ---> 127
  • CARS: 28-43% ---> 123
  • Bio: 49-64% ---> 125
  • Psy/Soc: 38-53% ---> 124
  • Overall: 44%-54% ---> 499
I'm really hoping some miracle happens and I get AT LEAST a 500... :thinking:
 
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C/P: 40%-55%
CARS: 53%-68%
Bio: 27%-42%
Psych: 27%-42%
Overall: 31%-41%

Will retaking in early September be too late to apply for this cycle?
 
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fl123 said:
C/P: 40%-55%
CARS: 53%-68%
Bio: 27%-42%
Psych: 27%-42%
Overall: 31%-41%

Will retaking in early September be too late to apply for this cycle?
Click to expand...
yes imo. scores dont come out till late october with september in the horizon. august is your last chance homie
 
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For those who did the AAMC FL, was the real thing significantly harder? Or slightly harder but still reasonable like the aamc fl?
 
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EverStriving said:
Based on April and May testers, you should get:

129-132
128
127
129-132
Total: 513-519
89-98 percentile

Based on the overall range AAMC gave you, I would set your expectations/hopes on 89-96. So 513-517.

You have a very low chance of being below 86. You'd have to be the exception to a pretty strong pattern among previous testers.
Click to expand...

Can you explain the difference in outcome between this persons range and mine?

CP 85-100 -129-132
CARS 60-75 - 126
B 85-100 - 129-132
PS 70-85 - 127
Overall 88-98

My overall is high and the real range is 88-96, so a 513-517

Given the CARS and PS, I need to get 260 bio and Chem. I Think I aced bio with 4 marked questionable. Is it reasonable to think I could get 129/131 or 130/130 or 130/131 and my most likely scores are 513 or 514?
 
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fl123 said:
I thought the sample test was much easier. Especially the CARS and Psych sections
Click to expand...

Agreed. The real MCAT was about two times harder (maybe three for a section or two) than the practice AAMC test.

I would use the practice AAMC test to see what types of questions are asked on the actual test. Not how difficult the questions are going to be.
 
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piii said:
Can you explain the difference in outcome between this persons range and mine?

CP 85-100 -129-132
CARS 60-75 - 126
B 85-100 - 129-132
PS 70-85 - 127
Overall 88-98

My overall is high and the real range is 88-96, so a 513-517

Given the CARS and PS, I need to get 260 bio and Chem. I Think I aced bio with 4 marked questionable. Is it reasonable to think I could get 129/131 or 130/130 or 130/131 and my most likely scores are 513 or 514?
Click to expand...

You both have 2 85-100 sections, but your non-maxed sections are one lower each. So your possible range is 511-517 vs yesfoodisgood's 513-519. I lowered the expectation on the high end of his/her score (to 513-517) because I figure AAMC's supplied overall range gives some hint of how the 85-100 sections actually fell.

Given your recollection of only 4 marked questionable, I would say you have a good shot of a 131 or 132 on B/B, since that was around the confidence I had on my sections and I got 131's and 132's. If you get a 131+ on bio then even a 129 C/P will get you to your goal of 513. The fact that the minimum supplied by AAMC on your overall range is higher than that of your possible range could be an indication of this, but I also think it's good to keep expectations as conservative as possible.
 
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jd989898 said:
Yeah definitely stay conservative, guys. Always better to be pleasantly surprised. My range is 514-520 and I'm hoping for 516.
Click to expand...

I so agree. I spent the past week agonizing over the numbers because my range - 516 to 528 - is pretty big. In that range, there's a 1/256 possibility of getting a 16, but I also have no idea how many people scored in my range. Looking at it from the flip side, there's about a .0003 probability that someone with a 516 gets a 90-100 range, and we do know how many people got 516s, so I can say that it would take 10 test sessions to see one person with a 516 and a 90-100 range given about 7000 people per month.

The point is, agonize all you want over statistics, nothing is certain until you have final scores in your hands, so just as jd989898 said, it's safer to be conservative.
 
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a_borgia said:
I so agree. I spent the past week agonizing over the numbers because my range - 516 to 528 - is pretty big. In that range, there's a 1/256 possibility of getting a 16, but I also have no idea how many people scored in my range. Looking at it from the flip side, there's about a .0003 probability that someone with a 516 gets a 90-100 range, and we do know how many people got 516s, so I can say that it would take 10 test sessions to see one person with a 516 and a 90-100 range given about 7000 people per month.

The point is, agonize all you want over statistics, nothing is certain until you have final scores in your hands, so just as jd989898 said, it's safer to be conservative.
Click to expand...

516-528 is the worst! Such a huge range...

But at least you're not 472-484 😱... I would guess 1-16 prelim ranges have a similar 4-point uncertainty (so 118-121?).
 
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EverStriving said:
You both have 2 85-100 sections, but your non-maxed sections are one lower each. So your possible range is 511-517 vs yesfoodisgood's 513-519. I lowered the expectation on the high end of his/her score (to 513-517) because I figure AAMC's supplied overall range gives some hint of how the 85-100 sections actually fell.

Given your recollection of only 4 marked questionable, I would say you have a good shot of a 131 or 132 on B/B, since that was around the confidence I had on my sections and I got 131's and 132's. If you get a 131+ on bio then even a 129 C/P will get you to your goal of 513. The fact that the minimum supplied by AAMC on your overall range is higher than that of your possible range could be an indication of this, but I also think it's good to keep expectations as conservative as possible.
Click to expand...
Definitely agree about keep expectations low. But man that would mean I could be in that 10% out of range score and that really sucks to think about! Definitely hoping 513 has a good chance!
 
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piii said:
Definitely agree about keep expectations low. But man that would mean I could be in that 10% out of range score and that really sucks to think about! Definitely hoping 513 has a good chance!
Click to expand...

Well I suppose if we take AAMC's word at face value, you should have only a 5% chance of falling below range, and therefore a 95% chance of being 513+. 🙂
 
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xoxobubbles said:
Is it just me or is waiting the absolute worst?
Waiting for MCAT scores, waiting to be verified, waiting to receive secondaries, waiting to receive interviews, waiting to get acceptances....
It's going to be a long year.
Click to expand...

The wait is a LOT easier with a good score. At the same time some folks are receiving interviews, other folks are receiving rejections.
 
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Could someone try to give some incite on what my score might come out to be and what it represents on the old scale?

Chem/Phys: 82%-97%
CARS: 76%-91%
Bio/BC: 85%-100%
Psychology/Sociology: 81%-96%
Total: 86%-96%
 
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fl123 said:
C/P: 40%-55%
CARS: 53%-68%
Bio: 27%-42%
Psych: 27%-42%
Overall: 31%-41%

Will retaking in early September be too late to apply for this cycle?
Click to expand...
My scores are pretty much identical to yours...I did well on the AAMC practice test so I thought I was ready. My friend Mike gave me a really blunt talk and told me I didn't study nearly enough...which is true--I didn't really start legitimate studying till a month or so out.

Retaking in early september will probably be a bit too late depending on what schools you're trying to get into. If you have a killer GPA, lots of volunteer hours, and clinical experience, then taking it in September may be feasible for you.
 
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Hi guys, nice work to many of you for great scores! Can someone do some eval to help me? I'm worried about a slightly lower bio score but I don't think it'll be an issue?

I took the May 22 test but voided because I felt so horrible about chem and cars but I'm glad I took the time to study them harder for the June test.

Chem 85-100
Cars 82-97
Bio 62-77
Psych 81-96
Overall 82-92

To all future test takers, I felt like **** coming out of the test and had a lot of anxiety leading up to the prelim. Don't worry if you feel bad, trust your prep and go in knowing you're gonna crush it!
For reference my aamc fl was around 73% in everything except cars which was 86% and my TPR average was around 501-502
 
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Hi everyone, first time making my own post! So, I completely BOMBED the MCAT. Like hardcore.

C/P: 40%-55%
CARS: 53%-68%
Bio: 27%-42%
Psych: 27%-42%
Overall: 31%-41%🙁

I signed up for a Princeton course but didn't do nearly everything I needed to. I can make all the excuses in the world, but I know I probably put in about ~100 hrs of studying for this. I work full time for the Air Force and have been in the Air Force Active Duty for 1 year. I really underestimated how DIFFICULT it was to juggle a full time real adult job with studying for the MCAT.

MY cGPA from undergrad was 2.8....I also screwed up college by really blowing it off for the first 3 years (my last two years show an upward trend at least). I was a B.S. in Chemistry. I didn't honestly study in college for those 3 years and even just blew off school entirely for a good 3 semesters (I seriously don't know how I graduated with a degree in Chemistry, let alone above the national average).

Anyway, I'm obviously not going to apply this cycle. I plan to retake classes/take other upper division courses to try to get my cGPA to a 3.0. Obviously I will need to retake the MCAT...I did well on the AAMC practice test right before I took the real one so I thought I would be okay...apparently I definitely was not.

I suppose the reason why I'm making this post is to gain a little pick me up or something haha...does anyone have any great success stories of individuals who scored so low on the MCAT and ended up busting ass to get into an MD/DO? My goal would be to make it into an MD (unlikely)/DO (much more likely) within the next 3/4 years. Ugh. Life is hard, man.
 
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Corkykiggs said:
Hi everyone, first time making my own post! So, I completely BOMBED the MCAT. Like hardcore.

C/P: 40%-55%
CARS: 53%-68%
Bio: 27%-42%
Psych: 27%-42%
Overall: 31%-41%🙁

I signed up for a Princeton course but didn't do nearly everything I needed to. I can make all the excuses in the world, but I know I probably put in about ~100 hrs of studying for this. I work full time for the Air Force and have been in the Air Force Active Duty for 1 year. I really underestimated how DIFFICULT it was to juggle a full time real adult job with studying for the MCAT.

MY cGPA from undergrad was 2.8....I also screwed up college by really blowing it off for the first 3 years (my last two years show an upward trend at least). I was a B.S. in Chemistry. I didn't honestly study in college for those 3 years and even just blew off school entirely for a good 3 semesters (I seriously don't know how I graduated with a degree in Chemistry, let alone above the national average).

Anyway, I'm obviously not going to apply this cycle. I plan to retake classes/take other upper division courses to try to get my cGPA to a 3.0. Obviously I will need to retake the MCAT...I did well on the AAMC practice test right before I took the real one so I thought I would be okay...apparently I definitely was not.

I suppose the reason why I'm making this post is to gain a little pick me up or something haha...does anyone have any great success stories of individuals who scored so low on the MCAT and ended up busting ass to get into an MD/DO? My goal would be to make it into an MD (unlikely)/DO (much more likely) within the next 3/4 years. Ugh. Life is hard, man.
Click to expand...

Well, I will say that I am one of those individuals that had to improve both the GPA and MCAT to have a hope of getting into an MD school in the US. My undergrad GPA was 3.14. My recent Masters GPA was a 3.97. My original MCAT score was a 24 (at the time I was working 45-50 hours a week at my old job). After getting 2 30's on the MCAT, I am now hoping to have a 512-514 (86%-96% prelim percentile range, with 1 85-100 score). The second 30 and my recent score were both done while studying full-time with nothing else (unlike my original 24, and my original 30). I think finding a way to have the extra time for the MCAT is well worth it in the long run. My first MCAT was 7 years ago. If you want to pursue medicine, my advice is to never give up on that dream. With enough preparation, you will surprise yourself, and some day hopefully your dreams will come true. I can tell you that I've been fighting tooth and nail for 7 years to [hopefully] become one of those success stories, and that I will never, ever give up.
 
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Hildace said:
Well, I will say that I am one of those individuals that had to improve both the GPA and MCAT to have a hope of getting into an MD school in the US. My undergrad GPA was 3.14. My recent Masters GPA was a 3.97. My original MCAT score was a 24 (at the time I was working 45-50 hours a week at my old job). After getting 2 30's on the MCAT, I am now hoping to have a 512-514 (86%-96% prelim percentile range, with 1 85-100 score). The second 30 and my recent score were both done while studying full-time with nothing else (unlike my original 24, and my original 30). I think finding a way to have the extra time for the MCAT is well worth it in the long run. My first MCAT was 7 years ago. If you want to pursue medicine, my advice is to never give up on that dream. With enough preparation, you will surprise yourself, and some day hopefully your dreams will come true. I can tell you that I've been fighting tooth and nail for 7 years to [hopefully] become one of those success stories, and that I will never, ever give up.
Click to expand...
Thank you!! So you got that first 30 while working full time?

Yup, it is a dream of mine to be a physician in the military. Good for you, you words are very inspiring. To me, I have the utmost faith you will become one of those success stories. Congrats on all your hard work.
 
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delods0 said:
Could someone try to give some incite on what my score might come out to be and what it represents on the old scale?

Chem/Phys: 82%-97%
CARS: 76%-91%
Bio/BC: 85%-100%
Psychology/Sociology: 81%-96%
Total: 86%-96%
Click to expand...

Go up a few posts and people are talking about that overall range.
 
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BryanBeid said:
Go up a few posts and people are talking about that overall range.
Click to expand...

You are definitely going to get above a 30, unless you are one of the very few who fall outside the confidence range. However, realistically you are probably looking at a 32-34. My money would be on a square 33. Good job!
 
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delods0 said:
Could someone try to give some incite on what my score might come out to be and what it represents on the old scale?

Chem/Phys: 82%-97%
CARS: 76%-91%
Bio/BC: 85%-100%
Psychology/Sociology: 81%-96%
Total: 86%-96%
Click to expand...

Chem/Phys: 128 (87%)
CARS: 127 (81%)
Bio/BC: 129-132 (93-100%)
Psychology/Sociology: 128 (86%)
Total: 512-515 (87%-93%)

So right around 32-33 on the old scale. Congrats!
 
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Corkykiggs said:
Thank you!! So you got that first 30 while working full time?

Yup, it is a dream of mine to be a physician in the military. Good for you, you words are very inspiring. To me, I have the utmost faith you will become one of those success stories. Congrats on all your hard work.
Click to expand...

Yes, I got my first 30 while working full-time.

Thank you for your kind words!! 🙂 Hopefully we both become success stories!! 🙂
 
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Hildace said:
Yes, I got my first 30 while working full-time.

Thank you for your kind words!! 🙂 Hopefully we both become success stories!! 🙂
Click to expand...
You will. Your numbers alone will allow you an interview at many DO schools and MDs alike. Then, in your interview, you can really expand upon your journey...I think they will be impressed by it. Show your passion. How come you didn't apply with your former 30's? Or did you?

I've always believed if you want something bad enough, you'll get it. We will both get there.
 
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Corkykiggs said:
You will. Your numbers alone will allow you an interview at many DO schools and MDs alike. Then, in your interview, you can really expand upon your journey...I think they will be impressed by it. Show your passion. How come you didn't apply with your former 30's? Or did you?

I've always believed if you want something bad enough, you'll get it. We will both get there.
Click to expand...

I applied twice already with the original 30--only MD (same as this 3rd application). I was waitlisted in my 2nd application cycle (so close!!). The second 30 is from this past January.

You're absolutely right; as the old saying goes, 'if there is a will, there is a way'.
 
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Hildace said:
I applied twice already with the original 30--only MD (same as this 3rd application). I was waitlisted in my 2nd application cycle (so close!!). The second 30 is from this past January.
Click to expand...
Nice 🙂 Do you only want to go MD? I think you will have a lot of success!!
 
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