Wait till next year?

[DoubtfulCoho]

I'm just about to get my primary in, but I'm having second thoughts on doing it this year.

I'dlike your thoughts on whether or not I should wait until next app season and take a glide year-and-a-half.

cGPA: 3.38, sGPA: 3.53 with an upward trend on both and straight As in pre-reqs
MCAT: 39M (12 Phys/13 Verb/14 Bio)

~100 hours of shadowing 4 specialities
2 years teaching supplemental orgo classes
1 semester orgo research (all reactions failed heroically, so no pubs)
1 semester as microbiology TA
~100 hours non-medical volunteering


I'm a Michigan resident and I think i'll get into either MSU or Wayne State, but I'd like a better chance at some choicer schools.

If I hold off I'll have a chance to work on clinical EC's etc., my GPA ought to pass 3.4 and if I retake the MCAT I'm confident I can break 40 and replace that frankly embarassing writing score.

ON THE OTHER HAND I'm impatient and I've already put this off for one year for a study abroad that didn't end up happening.

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[TopSecret]

I'm just about to get my primary in, but I'm having second thoughts on doing it this year.

I'dlike your thoughts on whether or not I should wait until next app season and take a glide year-and-a-half.

cGPA: 3.38, sGPA: 3.53 with an upward trend on both and straight As in pre-reqs
MCAT: 39M (12 Phys/13 Verb/14 Bio)

~100 hours of shadowing 4 specialities
2 years teaching supplemental orgo classes
1 semester orgo research (all reactions failed heroically, so no pubs)
1 semester as microbiology TA
~100 hours non-medical volunteering


I'm a Michigan resident and I think i'll get into either MSU or Wayne State, but I'd like a better chance at some choicer schools.

If I hold off I'll have a chance to work on clinical EC's etc., my GPA ought to pass 3.4 and if I retake the MCAT I'm confident I can break 40 and replace that frankly embarassing writing score.

ON THE OTHER HAND I'm impatient and I've already put this off for one year for a study abroad that didn't end up happening.

Apply this year. You have a good chance.

 

[TopSecret]

You should also apply to Univ of Michigan.

 

[redlight]

i cant believe you are thinking of retaking a 39. no offense, but are you insane/a troll?? do well on secondaries and i seriously doubt any school will care about the M.

you should be able to get in this year, yes, but i wouldn't go so far as to start naming the schools that will accept you. you'd still need to apply broadly and hope for the best

& it seems you are trying to be picky and get into more prestigious schools.. proceed at your own risk...but whatever you do, DO NOT RETAKE A 39.

check this out : http://www.aamc.org/data/facts/2008/mcatgpa-grid-3yrs-app-accpt.htm

 

[TopSecret]

I agree. Do not retake the MCAT. It's a really good score.

 

[DoubtfulCoho]

I was getting 41-42 on practice tests back before I took it in Aug '07, and I haven't retaken it yet for the obvious reasons, but the score is old enough that next cycle more schools than just a few UC campuses will need me to retake it.

I plan to apply much more widely than MSU and Wayne, those are just the in-state schools where I feel pretty good about my chances.

 

[TopSecret]

If you do worse on the repeat, it may hurt your chances and you would've wasted a year of your life.