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Hello All,
I am having some trouble making up my mind, so I've decided to look for someadvice on here. I just started my third year of undergrad as a double major inbiology and chemistry. I took the MCAT this last summer rather than waitinguntil the spring because I am getting married in June. I am trying to decide towhich medical schools I should apply and if I should retake the MCAT. Here arethe facts: Indiana resident, 4.0 GPA, 34Q MCAT (12BS 11PS 11VR QWR). I havestudied abroad in Kenya. I will have participated in research for two yearswhen I apply next summer, though no publications at this time. I will havevolunteered once a week in a hospital for two years when I apply. I've shadoweda few doctors and a dentist. And I've been a leader in numerous organizationson my campus. I'd go on listing my resume, but I'm already feelingself-absorbed and it probably won't affect your advice.
I've never been a good standardized test taker, but I did my best. The twoweeks before the MCAT I was averaging 37 (BS13-12 PS14-13, VR 11-10) on newaamc exams. I honestly got nervous when the exam day came. My score is good,and I am happy, but feel as though I could have done better.
Indiana University is obvious my best odds, but I would rather attend one ofthe following schools: Baylor, Cornell, Columbia, U of NC, U of Boston, Yale,Stanford, U of Chicago. Many of the more competitive schools I've listed haveaverage accepted MCATs of around 35. Although my score is close, I figured Iwould need to score better than their average since I am out of state from aless well-known institution. That being said, perhaps I overlooked some othergreat schools about which you all know. I am interested in pursuing a competitiveresidency program; I like the pass/fail system during the first two years; Ilike more humanitarian focuses on medicine; I prefer hands-on learning but amfine with lectures; and I'd like to live in an area with a good art scene formy fiancé (an oil painter) (i.e. NYC, Boston, LA, DC, etc.).
If you have any suggestions about whether or not to retake the MCAT or schoolsI should look into, send them my way! Thank you all.
-Eric
