This must be a curse!

[phil413]

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I've been working on my primary app since I took the MCAT August 6. I got the score back today and lo and behold, the SAME SCORE as last year...22Q. I can guess what happened but from the pressure of parents and knowing my peers were already starting med school, I took the exam before I was ready (I was seeing improvements in the different sections during practice exams yet I still chose to take it early). I took TPR last summer before taking it the first time and this time I studied on my own using EK. Now I have the same score on my record and don't know if I should even bother applying? Should I?? I was thinking both MD and DO but now I guess I have to narrow it down to strictly DO because of the dismal score. Other than MCAT, I would think I have a pretty good application:

GPA: 3.5 (dont know how to calc science)
Lots of volunteering both in clinical and non-clinical settings and lots fo extracurriculars and work experience:
-3 hospitals throughout college
-nursing homes
-play violin for church and weddings
-organize children's church and vacation bible school
-DO shadowing in a clinic and DO hospital
-alternative spring break
-study abroad trip working with improving health care in rural villages of central america, etc.

So, at this point, I am totally confused and need all the help I can get. Should I bother applying and if so which and how many schools? Should I retake and possibly use Kaplan? Should I wait and build my resume? In the meantime, I'm looking for work and may get a position as retail manager which is nothing medically related but it's a job. Don't get me wrong, I've been looking everywhere. I thought I'd do that and continue with volunteer work. One thing I do know is that I am passionate about medicine and will work hard and do what it takes to get there. I'm VERY CONFUSED so please help! 😕

 

[Slane]

Your EC's and your GPA are both strong, so I really don't think it would hurt to apply, especially if this is what you really want to do. If you choose to do so, definitely get your application in ASAP, as it'll just get harder the longer you wait, especially with your lower MCAT score. I would also advise you to do some searching here and find schools that have known minimum MCAT requirements. It'll save you money by not sending primaries out to those schools. Good luck though! I know that there are students that have gotten accepted to D.O. schools with MCAT scores in the low twenties before, so it's definitely not out of the question for you 🙂

 

[doggydog1]

I would still apply for this year. You have a competitive GPA and a 22 could get you in. You sound like a well rounded applicant and that will help compensate for your lower MCAT. I would do some research on the average MCATS for some of the DO schools and take your chances. See what kind of response you get from schools by February and if you have no luck this go around I would re enter a review course just so you have a structured enviromnet in which to keep yourself motivated while studying. Keep your head up. Things will work out. The MCAT is not the end all determination. I would advise you to get your application ASAP so you increase your chances of getting an interview. Best of luck!

 

[quynhhuong]

What if a person with 3.29 cGPA, 3.22 sGPA and same ECs. Would that person have a chance?

That person is me, by the way.

 

[phil413]

Okay, so I'm feeling hopeful already. I just need to finish my application and research the D.O. schools.

Anyone know of any websites that give current results of minimum or average MCAT/GPA requirements?

 

[Slane]

What if a person with 3.29 cGPA, 3.22 sGPA, a 23Q MCAT and same ECs. Would that person have a chance?

That person is me, by the way.

Like I said above, get your application in soon, and I think you'd have a shot as well. You'll want to check about the MCAT score requirements too. I know most that have them usually have a cutoff of 23-25 (Perhaps the two of you could split the schools and help each other out even?)

 

[doggydog1]

Okay, so I'm feeling hopeful already. I just need to finish my application and research the D.O. schools.

Anyone know of any websites that give current results of minimum or average MCAT/GPA requirements?

Most schools have them on their website I believe. If not you can check the aacomas website for that book they have which is similar to the MSAR. That has some of that information in their I believe also.

 

[quynhhuong]

Hey Phil413 buddy,

I found this site, hopes it helps.
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=7199902&postcount=2

Thank you so much slane, I got most of my secondaries replies from schools. Should I submit to all of them anyway to test my chance? ( i guess not to Western thou )

 

[InquisitiveGuy]

Do what you always do, and you'll get what you always got. How did you study? Taking the full test under timed conditions is just as or more important than review and memorization.

 

[phil413]

The first time around I made the mistake of taking 2 classes I had to commute to during the summer while my Princeton class was in my hometown. The constant driving and limited time to study really threw me off. This time, I only had my commitment to research a couple days a week and ample time to study. I studied everything but I guess I did not leave enough time to practice. I know that I am not a good test-taker so I suppose that was my flaw. But how do you 'learn' to take this test?? I guess the answer is practice, practice, practice. I have to say that I knew the material but without the practice, I got anxious and it showed. If I had to do it all over again...I guess I'd have to focus on practicing more?? When I was taking practice exams, I was seeing improvement however I did not have the time to study longer and had to take it on my scheduled date.

 

[Emerald84]

I would say take the job, the market is terrible, so if you will be happy there who care. Send out your AACOMAS. Sign up with Kaplan and take the January. Most will take a January MCAT if you have a previous score. ShyRem has good advice on lower MCATs for DO schools.

 

[Slane]

Hey Phil413 buddy,

I found this site, hopes it helps.
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=7199902&postcount=2

Thank you so much slane, I got most of my secondaries replies from schools. Should I submit to all of them anyway to test my chance? ( i guess not to Western thou )

From my experience, some schools that send secondaries have actually checked your application to make sure you meet the minimum requirements, but some schools will send secondaries to everyone regardless just to make a bit of extra money. I'd double check before you send them out just to be sure, especially since some of them have pretty steep fees associated with them.

 

[JaggerPlate]

A few comments:

-First, and foremost OP ... I wouldn't count on DO schools being your savior (vs the MD counterpart) simply because of your MCAT score. Look at some averages ... Western - 28, DMU - 28, etc. DO schools are not backdoor options to becoming a doctor. Schools get 4,000 + applicants for mere hundreds of spots and are very competitive.

-I would not apply this season if I were you. Even if you submitted your primaries today, you wouldn't be verified until mid October, released a week later, and would start getting secondaries to schools in November. That's going to put you fairly late into the process with a subpar MCAT score (though your GPA and ECS are very nice - congratulations)

-I personally think you need to get that MCAT up. You definitely can do it. Your GPA shows you are an intelligent person and your ECS demonstrate dedication. Figure out why you are scoring low and take the upcoming year to work on it, retake the test, get your application in order, and apply first thing in May next year.

Good luck.

 

[lawyerdoc2b]

I spoke to Angel Hamilton in the Admissions office at Pikeville SOM today. She told me that the "average" MCAT was a 23 and "average" GPA was 3.3. Average means, by definition, that some folks got in with lower MCAT scores. So, get it in gear and get your application in now! No time to waste. The early applicant stands the best chance of getting in. If you cry in your soup and don't apply it is an automatic no. If you want, sign up for the January MCAT. But, for your sake apply.

Pikeville is a great school but off-the-beaten path for sure (a plus as far as I'm concerned) and this doesn't appeal to everyone. Look at the school statistics and focus your application only to those where you have a real chance. Do it man!