To wait or not to wait?

[419669]

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First post, new to SDN...Bear with me here...

So I just received low MCAT scores. I have already made a schedule that would allow me to retake on September 18. That is 2 months to improve my score around 4 points. Assuming this is doable which I am still not a 100% positive that it is even realistic, should I go ahead and submit my application with a low score (my score is low but the individual scores shouldn't immediately screen me out for most schools I am applying to) and my sub par GPA with hopes to have my new and improved scores in by the time they sit down to review everything including secondaries and interviews? My GPA is lower but with leadership positions, undergrad research and work towards an honor thesis, chemistry TA experience, volunteer work, and shadowing experience my GPA should be fine. It really is up to my MCAT scores and interview/essays that seems to me to be the deciding factor. I would be getting my scores back around a week before the deadline for AMCAS applications on the list of school I am considering. Does it make sense for me to continue applying and then get my score updated or does it make more sense to wait to get scores and then submit my AMCAS the last week of October and hope to do secondaries as soon as I receive them? It is important to note I am hesitant to proceed with the application process before getting the new scores knowing if I don't improve I will have less than a 20% chance of getting accepted and would rather wait another year to apply.

 

[frosted_flake]

I am in a similar situation.
Unfortunately for us, nothing makes up for poopie stats 🙁
If I were in your situation, I would wait it out, and apply next year for a better chance! PM me if you want to know more about my situation!

 

[justAstudent]

If you don't mind and share your stats with us we'd be able to give you better advice.

 

[419669]

Uhhh. I don't mind but they are less than pathetic. I am chemistry major with a double minor in bio and philosophy. My cGPA is a 3.5 and my sGPA is a 3.34. I had one bad semester my sophomore year. I made a 26 this past MCAT with a break down of 8 PS, 10 VR, and 8 BS. I was averaging around a 30 on all my practice tests.

 

[419669]

On a fun little side note, I have zero clue how to PM anyone and I am only assuming that means private message?

 

[SN12357]

First post, new to SDN...Bear with me here...

So I just received low MCAT scores. I have already made a schedule that would allow me to retake on September 18. That is 2 months to improve my score around 4 points. Assuming this is doable which I am still not a 100% positive that it is even realistic, should I go ahead and submit my application with a low score (my score is low but the individual scores shouldn't immediately screen me out for most schools I am applying to) and my sub par GPA with hopes to have my new and improved scores in by the time they sit down to review everything including secondaries and interviews? My GPA is lower but with leadership positions, undergrad research and work towards an honor thesis, chemistry TA experience, volunteer work, and shadowing experience my GPA should be fine. It really is up to my MCAT scores and interview/essays that seems to me to be the deciding factor. I would be getting my scores back around a week before the deadline for AMCAS applications on the list of school I am considering. Does it make sense for me to continue applying and then get my score updated or does it make more sense to wait to get scores and then submit my AMCAS the last week of October and hope to do secondaries as soon as I receive them? It is important to note I am hesitant to proceed with the application process before getting the new scores knowing if I don't improve I will have less than a 20% chance of getting accepted and would rather wait another year to apply.

There's pretty much no situation in which it makes sense to submit your AMCAS in early October to MD schools. The choice for them is pretty much between continuing your application cycle with your current application or applying next year instead. Honestly if you haven't submitted your AMCAS at this point I'd say apply next year regardless. Applicants with below average stats need every advantage you can get, and applying early is one of the important ones.

If you're willing to apply DO you'll both have a better chance and I think they have a more relaxed application schedule, other posters know more about that.

 

[candbgirl]

I wouldn't apply with those stats. You have way too much working against you to have any success this cycle. With GPAs as low as yours you need to apply the first day AMCAS is open in June. If you retake the MCAT in September(mid) you won't get your scores back until mid October. By the time you get the secondaries sent you will be very late and most of the II slots will be taken, in fact lots of people will already have been accepted. That's if you even get II at all. You really only want to apply once and with the best package possible. Spend this year to buff up your application and apply day 1 next year!

Oh and by the way although your individual sub scores might not screen you , your 26 certainly will at most MD schools.

 

[claduva94]

Applying that late with those stats to MD schools will probably not bode well for you. Probably best to take a gap year.

 

[AliciaAccepted]

Uhhh. I don't mind but they are less than pathetic. I am chemistry major with a double minor in bio and philosophy. My cGPA is a 3.5 and my sGPA is a 3.34. I had one bad semester my sophomore year. I made a 26 this past MCAT with a break down of 8 PS, 10 VR, and 8 BS. I was averaging around a 30 on all my practice tests.

Depending on your activities and the other factors in your background, it is possible to get into medical school with those numbers. It will be essential that you focus on a

Uhhh. I don't mind but they are less than pathetic. I am chemistry major with a double minor in bio and philosophy. My cGPA is a 3.5 and my sGPA is a 3.34. I had one bad semester my sophomore year. I made a 26 this past MCAT with a break down of 8 PS, 10 VR, and 8 BS. I was averaging around a 30 on all my practice tests.

Depending on the other sections of your application (activities, essays, etc.), I have helped applicants with similar scores and even lower get accepted into medical school. As long as you have a compelling story of overcoming significant obstacles, it is possible to get in with lower numbers. It will be especially important for you carefully select the schools you plan to apply to. Strategy becomes essential when one or more of your scores is less competitive.

I am hosting a free webinar on applying to medical school with low scores this evening at 5 pm PT (8 pm ET), link attached here. You are welcome to participate and to ask any questions that you have. Good luck!

 

[moisne]

Uhhh. I don't mind but they are less than pathetic. I am chemistry major with a double minor in bio and philosophy. My cGPA is a 3.5 and my sGPA is a 3.34. I had one bad semester my sophomore year. I made a 26 this past MCAT with a break down of 8 PS, 10 VR, and 8 BS. I was averaging around a 30 on all my practice tests.

Just retake it in September and apply DO as well. You are a chem major with bio minor... You surely can do better than an 8 on BS and PS. You may have had a rough test day or didn't check your work carefully. Spend 2 months reviewing physics, and just take it.