unique situation...advice on August MCAT

[stevo23]

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Hello all,

I was preparing for the April MCAT the past few months, but have been having difficulty focusing. It's been a repeating pattern throughout high school and undergrad, and resulted in a mediocre pre-med GPA (3.1/3.0 science). I was certain I had ADHD. After much frustration and thinking "next semester or the next test will be better" I saw a psychiatrist. I was diagnosed with depression (capable of causing many symptoms similar to ADD as many of you know). I was put on medicaion a week ago. I was toying with the idea of deferring the MCAT until August. I just want to be at my best. Depression does run in my family, and this is most likely not the 1st time I've had it. My first MCAT was dismal (20). I want to apply this next cycle, and I was planning on having everything in as soo as possible. Would it be very detrimental for me to take the August MCAT and have my scores come in in October? I know it is hard because you do not know me, but given the situation I've described and what some of you know about depression, would I be best advised to wait before this medication (Lexapro) begins to affect me? This MCAT has to be my ticket especially with a mediocre GPA. I'm a laid-back and well-adjusted person so this diagnosis came as somewhat of a shock, however after looking into and being explained the symptoms, my presentation is classic. I just want to do what is best and get on with my education. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much and sorry for the life story.

Steve

 

[cremaster2007]

Hello all,

I was preparing for the April MCAT the past few months, but have been having difficulty focusing. It's been a repeating pattern throughout high school and undergrad, and resulted in a mediocre pre-med GPA (3.1/3.0 science). I was certain I had ADHD. After much frustration and thinking "next semester or the next test will be better" I saw a psychiatrist. I was diagnosed with depression (capable of causing many symptoms similar to ADD as many of you know). I was put on medicaion a week ago. I was toying with the idea of deferring the MCAT until August. I just want to be at my best. Depression does run in my family, and this is most likely not the 1st time I've had it. My first MCAT was dismal (20). I want to apply this next cycle, and I was planning on having everything in as soo as possible. Would it be very detrimental for me to take the August MCAT and have my scores come in in October? I know it is hard because you do not know me, but given the situation I've described and what some of you know about depression, would I be best advised to wait before this medication (Lexapro) begins to affect me? This MCAT has to be my ticket especially with a mediocre GPA. I'm a laid-back and well-adjusted person so this diagnosis came as somewhat of a shock, however after looking into and being explained the symptoms, my presentation is classic. I just want to do what is best and get on with my education. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much and sorry for the life story.

Steve

I'd say the choice is up to you. I know how frustrating things out of your control can be, and you need to do what you think will end up with the best results. If you feel prepared for the MCAT now then take, but if you don't feel any better prepared than last time maybe wait to see how you feel after your meds start working. Trust me I know that depression can be a hard thing to live with, so whatever you decide to do good luck, and just know if its something you really want to do I'm sure you'll find a way to do it.

 

[redwings54]

Hello. We are in a similar situation. I have been diagnosed with depression too and am on effexor and risperdol to deal with it. My GPA is similar (3.05/2.81s) and my MCAT was 25 and 24 respectively. Studied all summer than found out my dad had cancer 2 weeks before the 2nd MCAT and went down the one point even after getting 30's on practice tests. For me, the effexor is working to allow me to be able to function a little more normally. I have been able to get a paper ready for publication and am reading a lot about med school and a project I have been working on in holistic medicine. I would suggest taking the MCAT now as it usually only takes about a week for the meds to kick in. If you feel you are prepared mentally and emotionally now, than take it now. You never know what might happen in August that could mess with your life and you will have regreted not having taken it in April. See how you do on a few practice tests now, do the whole test like you would on test day with the time limits and everything. If you really dont feel comfortable yet, give it another week for the meds and try again. If you still are in rough shape, wait till August. Good luck with everything and if you need anything PM me.

 

[stevo23]

Thanks for the honest feedback. I am not super confident in my abilties now and feel that I could do so much better with a few months of concentrated study time now that I have received a diagnosis and medication. I will have an MCAT score to submit this June when I apply although dismal (20). I will just have my new score forwarded in October. I plan on having my apps. complete in June except for my new and hopefully much improved MCAT. I just feel that it will be more worth it to me to wait a few months and achieve a higher score than have my app complete earlier with a potentially lower score. If anyone seriously disagrees with this, could you let me know? Thanks so much.

Steve

 

[briansmichaud]

Thanks for the honest feedback. I am not super confident in my abilties now and feel that I could do so much better with a few months of concentrated study time now that I have received a diagnosis and medication. I will have an MCAT score to submit this June when I apply although dismal (20). I will just have my new score forwarded in October. I plan on having my apps. complete in June except for my new and hopefully much improved MCAT. I just feel that it will be more worth it to me to wait a few months and achieve a higher score than have my app complete earlier with a potentially lower score. If anyone seriously disagrees with this, could you let me know? Thanks so much.

Steve

tough decision steve. personally, i would cram hard and take the test in april. you never know. i think a lot of test takers surprise themselves by 2 or 3 points on that test--either positively or negatively just depending on your strengths and some of the questions you get and your overall state of being on that wretched saturday. think about it...you could do fairly well and never have to worry about the test again. if you don't, then study really hard again for august!

i took the test 3 times with mixed results and finally got in(27m, 24m, 25m). i actually studied for it 4 times but backed out once. try to limit the test to 3 times. it gets more complicated for a 4th time i believe.

august shouldn't hurt you at all...assuming you don't wait to get your scores like i always did 🙄

i did have a 3.60 gpa and about 3.4 science i think...however my major wasn't particularly hard (exercise science) not sure if schools often factor that in or not. however, your medical condition i would assume excuse a slightly lower gpa. make it known somehow in letters or statements (in a non-whining way) so that schools don't overlook you for interview invites.

so just think...you could easily get a 25 on this april's mcat and get 5 or more interviews and i am sure you would get in somewhere.

good luck...let us know how you make out and if you have any other questions.

 

[kaikai128]

You still have several weeks to study. I tihnk that you should focus all your spare time and energy on studying and making sure you are as prepared as you can possibly be for the test. A few days beofre the test, take another full length MCAT and see where you are sitting then. At least at that point you would have more informatin on which to base your decision.

 

[jkhamlin]

Hello all,

I was preparing for the April MCAT the past few months, but have been having difficulty focusing. It's been a repeating pattern throughout high school and undergrad, and resulted in a mediocre pre-med GPA (3.1/3.0 science). I was certain I had ADHD. After much frustration and thinking "next semester or the next test will be better" I saw a psychiatrist. I was diagnosed with depression (capable of causing many symptoms similar to ADD as many of you know). I was put on medicaion a week ago. I was toying with the idea of deferring the MCAT until August. I just want to be at my best. Depression does run in my family, and this is most likely not the 1st time I've had it. My first MCAT was dismal (20). I want to apply this next cycle, and I was planning on having everything in as soo as possible. Would it be very detrimental for me to take the August MCAT and have my scores come in in October? I know it is hard because you do not know me, but given the situation I've described and what some of you know about depression, would I be best advised to wait before this medication (Lexapro) begins to affect me? This MCAT has to be my ticket especially with a mediocre GPA. I'm a laid-back and well-adjusted person so this diagnosis came as somewhat of a shock, however after looking into and being explained the symptoms, my presentation is classic. I just want to do what is best and get on with my education. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much and sorry for the life story.

Steve

You would do best to see a psychologist for some therapy and discuss this with him/her. They cannot speak specifically about the MCAT, but they can help your situation and speak generally about your ability to focus well enough to do your best on a professional grad school admissions test. Medication may help, but it is not the answer. Studies consistently show that the best treatment is medication and therapy, the therapy part is usually neglected unfortunately. Good luck.

 

[Karmajunkie]

You would do best to see a psychologist for some therapy and discuss this with him/her. They cannot speak specifically about the MCAT, but they can help your situation and speak generally about your ability to focus well enough to do your best on a professional grad school admissions test. Medication may help, but it is not the answer. Studies consistently show that the best treatment is medication and therapy, the therapy part is usually neglected unfortunately. Good luck.

No doubt this is great advice. I was depressed (without an official dx) and therapy worked wonders for me.

On another note, I'm not sure why so many have pushed the April MCAT. I have 3 good friends that have gone to different med schools and all 4 of us took the MCAT in August. There is no doubt in my mind that delaying the exam greatly improved my score and lead to a scholarship for me.

There may be a slight disadvantage with rolling admissions programs but it's not severe. Furthermore, with a low initial MCAT, every point you improve will be important.

One final piece of advice. Use your time this summer to take the Kaplan or Princeton course. All 4 of us took the Kaplan course and all 4 improved our scores from diagnostic tests. My score improved 8 points. Some people find the cost excessive but $1000 - 1500 is nothing in regards to what you will be spending on the whole process.

Hope this helps and good luck.

"Stydying for the MCAT is like being in a bad relationship you can't get out of. Every day is stressful and a struggle and when it's all over you feel like a huge wieght has been lifted off your shoulders." - Kaplan instructor

 

[BMW19]

Steve,

First off since you are posting in an osteopathic thread I will assume that you are only applying osteo. In that case, I know a few people with your GPA and low 20's on MCAT who have gotten in to DO schools. Not a 20 though. If you take April and get a 23 or even 22 (long shot) you might get in.

In my opinion I would not submit my app. first thing in June in this case. I would wait until August or early Sept. to submit. If the adcoms see a 20 they may reject you right off the bat. But if you submit a little later your app. may get caught up in the works and by the time they get to it in Sept. or early Oct. your new scores will have come (improved of course). Just my thoughts

BMW-

Thanks for the honest feedback. I am not super confident in my abilties now and feel that I could do so much better with a few months of concentrated study time now that I have received a diagnosis and medication. I will have an MCAT score to submit this June when I apply although dismal (20). I will just have my new score forwarded in October. I plan on having my apps. complete in June except for my new and hopefully much improved MCAT. I just feel that it will be more worth it to me to wait a few months and achieve a higher score than have my app complete earlier with a potentially lower score. If anyone seriously disagrees with this, could you let me know? Thanks so much.

Steve

 

[Karmajunkie]

Just thought I'd point out the obvious and suggest you call a couple admissions offices. They're usually pretty willing to talk about things like this and they can give you their perspective on it. I had a handful of conversations about my application chances before I actually applied.