Thoughts on re-aplying '07 or '08?

[drlatina]

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I have decided to start enacting my plan B, even though I am still waiting to hear from one more school. My undergrad GPA sucked, and my scores are average, ( I think I was dillusional this year ) so now I need to improve my app. I'm planning on taking the MCAT this August (too late for April), and applying to a one year masters. Nothing in my app is going to change before then, except maybe some volunteering. I'm doing the masters, one, to be able to get a better job if this med school thing doesn't pan out, and two, to show I can get good grades at a graduate level. I have two BS's, but like I said my undergrad GPA sucked and is from 4 years ago. I figured, if I'm going to go back to school, I'd rather work towards another degree and not on classes I already did for a degree. SO, my question is, considering I'm doing the August MCAT and won't have any grades to show until Dec., should I even reapply for 2007 or hold out for 2008?

 

[jebus]

From personal experience, a late application will hurt you a lot. I was complete in late November and I'm getting no love from schools this cycle. I have to think that if I were complete 4-5 months earlier I would be in a very different position (and likely substantially more intoxicated).
I will also tell you I plan to wait a year and improve my app (through a 2-year masters) and hold out for 2008. That way I will have substantial improvements to report and I will have the opportunity to apply early in June 2007.
So, if you wait until 2008 we can commiserate... otherwise you will have to work with other people, but no one will be as charming as me. Yeah, think about that.

 

[drlatina]

Yeah, I didn't complete until mid-Dec., and the school I'm waiting on interviews thru April, but I'm very impatient. The way my luck works, as soon as I put in app for the masters, I'll hear something. I just can't handle the sitting around waiting to hear something. I'm going crazy!
Anyway, if I do hold out for 2008, either by choice or not, will my MCAT scores from Aug'04 and April '05 still get reported or will it just be April '05 and Aug '06? If I apply for '08 in '07, then technically the '04 scores are still within the 3 year time limit right? It's late and I can't think clearly, but I'm sure you know what I'm tyring to ask.

 

[jebus]

Yeah, I know what you're asking.
I think that your 04 scores will have expired by then (it's too late to do math, now) but schools will still receive all of your old scores. But let's think about it this way: scores are good for 3 cycles, right? Your 04 scores were good starting for matriculation in 2005, 06, & 07. So, by 08 they will have expired - we've used up those 3 years.
So, they won't be sufficient but they will see them, does that make sense? What schools will do with old scores is beyond me.... they may not pay attention to them, they may still keep them in the back of their minds. I think how old scores are treated depends on the school. I imagine that an increased MCAT will be looked upon favorably...
Sorry, I'm tired and not making much sense, either.

 

[drlatina]

Makes sense to me.
I just feel like I'm one step behind. First not completing until late, (hurricane related though, still late) and second, not preping for the April MCAT and holding on to a slight miracle. I should've faced the facts sooner and starting studying last month for April. Now, even with my plan to improve my app, I still feel like I'm behind... Aug MCAT. Seems like the only thing I'll be early for is applying for the entering class of '08. UGGHHH!!!, The thought of waiting TWO MORE years!!!!
I think I'm going to open a bar instead! At least then I can drink at work! 😉

 

[mj1878]

Makes sense to me.
I just feel like I'm one step behind. First not completing until late, (hurricane related though, still late) and second, not preping for the April MCAT and holding on to a slight miracle. I should've faced the facts sooner and starting studying last month for April. Now, even with my plan to improve my app, I still feel like I'm behind... Aug MCAT. Seems like the only thing I'll be early for is applying for the entering class of '08. UGGHHH!!!, The thought of waiting TWO MORE years!!!!
I think I'm going to open a bar instead! At least then I can drink at work! 😉

WHY WAIT AND DO THAT TO YOURSELF??

I only studied two months last year for the MCAT and did fine. You have plenty of time to prepare well for it, and by doing so, you give yourself the one advantage that you can absolutely control: the lateness of your application. You shot yourself in the foot last year by applying late; why would you do that to yourself again voluntarily, and actually PLAN on doing it?

There's plenty of time to do great. Even if your score is average, you give yourself a large advantage by being complete by the end of July or mid-August. Think how nice it would be to have an interview set up at the same time that you would be taking the MCAT. Think also how nice it would be to have an acceptance in hand by October, BEFORE the August MCAT results even come out. That sounds nicer to me than once again waiting for the Oct. 20 score release, then frantically filling out secondaries and not being complete until late November, then asking SDNers if you think you'll be getting any interviews or if it's too late for you.

I know you don't believe me that two months is ample time, but last year I studied for about three weeks, then took a month completely off(except for Audio Osmosis here and there) to travel to Europe, then came back for three and a half weeks, hit it REALLY hard, and took the exam. 30P. The first time I took it, I studied for 4 solid months and got 24T. Go figure.

To do well, you don't need to study for a paranormal amount of time, you need to study smart and well. Do yourself a big favor and take it in April. You will NOT be sorry.

 

[drlatina]

WHY WAIT AND DO THAT TO YOURSELF??

I only studied two months last year for the MCAT and did fine. You have plenty of time to prepare well for it, and by doing so, you give yourself the one advantage that you can absolutely control: the lateness of your application. You shot yourself in the foot last year by applying late; why would you do that to yourself again voluntarily, and actually PLAN on doing it?

There's plenty of time to do great. Even if your score is average, you give yourself a large advantage by being complete by the end of July or mid-August. Think how nice it would be to have an interview set up at the same time that you would be taking the MCAT. Think also how nice it would be to have an acceptance in hand by October, BEFORE the August MCAT results even come out. That sounds nicer to me than once again waiting for the Oct. 20 score release, then frantically filling out secondaries and not being complete until late November, then asking SDNers if you think you'll be getting any interviews or if it's too late for you.

I know you don't believe me that two months is ample time, but last year I studied for about three weeks, then took a month completely off(except for Audio Osmosis here and there) to travel to Europe, then came back for three and a half weeks, hit it REALLY hard, and took the exam. 30P. The first time I took it, I studied for 4 solid months and got 24T. Go figure.

To do well, you don't need to study for a paranormal amount of time, you need to study smart and well. Do yourself a big favor and take it in April. You will NOT be sorry.

Just can't risk it. I'd rather re-apply late then run the risk of lowering my score. I know 2 months might seem like a lot to you, but it's not for me. I work full time and play wife at home. I don't want to rush. Yeah, an August invite would be great, not at the expense of going from an average score to a below average score. Not only that, but it would be my 3rd time taking it. Do you think a lower school the 3rd time will hurt?

 

[scpod]

Just can't risk it. I'd rather re-apply late then run the risk of lowering my score. I know 2 months might seem like a lot to you, but it's not for me. I work full time and play wife at home. I don't want to rush. Yeah, an August invite would be great, not at the expense of going from an average score to a below average score.

If you can significantly improve your MCAT score by waiting until August, then I say wait. I didn't have my file complete (waiting on the last recommendation to be sent) for one school until mid January. Since then, I've already been interviewed and accepted there. As near as I can tell there were plenty of people that interviewed the same day who had more clinical experience and better EC's. I got in; some of them didn't. Why? It's hard to say for sure, but my GPA and MCAT are a good bit higher than the average for that school. I've said many times that med schools are "numbers ******." If two people are similar in stats and one has higher numbers, the numbers win out nearly every time. It doesn't really matter WHEN you apply in the cycle if you have good numbers. Take all the time you need to improve that MCAT score. It's the single best thing you can do in one year to improve your chances.

 

[Severus]

Yeah, I know what you're asking.
I think that your 04 scores will have expired by then (it's too late to do math, now) but schools will still receive all of your old scores. But let's think about it this way: scores are good for 3 cycles, right? Your 04 scores were good starting for matriculation in 2005, 06, & 07. So, by 08 they will have expired - we've used up those 3 years.
So, they won't be sufficient but they will see them, does that make sense? What schools will do with old scores is beyond me.... they may not pay attention to them, they may still keep them in the back of their minds. I think how old scores are treated depends on the school. I imagine that an increased MCAT will be looked upon favorably...
Sorry, I'm tired and not making much sense, either.

I actually think that '04 scores would be acceptable. I believe the timetable is dependent on year of application (in this case '07) rather than year of matriculation ('08).

Or at least that is how a few schools do it.

 

[jebus]

If test scores are good for 3 cycles (I don't actually know about this, but isn't this the consensus...) then it doesn't really matter if we calculate it by application year or year of matriculation. They are the same thing.
In drlatina's case, her scores would be good starting in 2004, then in 2005 and 2006 (this June!). Next June, 2007, would be the 4th application cycle and they would expire. Of course, exceptions exist and some schools take scores older than 3 years.
And you're not a guy? My whole world is topsy turvy and I'm getting dizzy and I want some candy. Not to mention that you got robbed when you applied. Good luck for this upcoming June. I'm going to take a year to improve my app and reapply, too, but my application isn't nearly as strong as yours....

 

[Severus]

Hey jebus,

yeah, I don't know where I was going with that one there. 😱

I'll have to look at the MSAR and some of the medical school websites to see if they specify 3 years v. 3 cycles. If they're going by years alone, one could, I think, get away with 4 application cycles (but that seems a bit fishy to me).

I'll hafta check it out.

Good luck to you too.

 

[NontradICUdoc]

If your UG GPA was poor then you may want to consider a masers program. Either an SMP or a regular program. Remember this is a marathon and not a sprint. You only want to take the MCAT once if possible and do things right to ensure that you are the most competative applicant you can be.

Here are my suggestions:

1) Call the schools and arrange to discuss with them your credentials
2) Go to the OPM meeting. There will be alot of information presented for you for now and for later as well as representative there that can answer questions. www.oldpremeds.com

 

[mj1878]

Just can't risk it. I'd rather re-apply late then run the risk of lowering my score. I know 2 months might seem like a lot to you, but it's not for me. I work full time and play wife at home. I don't want to rush. Yeah, an August invite would be great, not at the expense of going from an average score to a below average score. Not only that, but it would be my 3rd time taking it. Do you think a lower school the 3rd time will hurt?

I worked full time overnight as a phlebotomist, and played husband at home. Also, taking an apprehensive approach to the thing will only hurt you. You need to go in feeling confident and aggressive. This test was designed to weed out the meek. Yes, I think a lower score the third time would hurt, but you need to stop thinking that a lower score is a foregone conclusion!

 

[drjds]

What school were you accepted to?

If you can significantly improve your MCAT score by waiting until August, then I say wait. I didn't have my file complete (waiting on the last recommendation to be sent) for one school until mid January. Since then, I've already been interviewed and accepted there. As near as I can tell there were plenty of people that interviewed the same day who had more clinical experience and better EC's. I got in; some of them didn't. Why? It's hard to say for sure, but my GPA and MCAT are a good bit higher than the average for that school. I've said many times that med schools are "numbers ******." If two people are similar in stats and one has higher numbers, the numbers win out nearly every time. It doesn't really matter WHEN you apply in the cycle if you have good numbers. Take all the time you need to improve that MCAT score. It's the single best thing you can do in one year to improve your chances.