WAMC Need Advice! Covid 19 Application cycle

[veronica11290]

Hello Everyone!

I am applying this cycle. I was hoping to get some advice on how to improve my application, specifically on how to master my personal statement to improve my chances.

I have a low gpa: Northwestern University 2.6 gpa (psychology major)| Northeastern Illinois University 3.1 sgpa (biology major)| Rush University Masters 3.5 sgpa (biotechnology special masters in 9mos)| Oakton Community College 3.5gpa

I have two bachelor's and one masters. I have an upward trend and am a URM hispanic female and 30yr im not sure if this qualifies me as nontraditional

My first MCAT was 490 (i know its very low; I had two close family members die in the 2mos before I took the exam and was not in the right head space)
I plan on retaking the test July 31 and hoping to increase it 20pts to 510ish range. am I being unrealistic?

Im so confused due to the covid 19 changes and am scared I won't get any secondaries based solely on my previous MCAT since my next exam wont be on my application until a month after the applications get released. Should I hold off on submitting my AMCAS application until I receive my newest MCAT score?

Also any recommendations on personal statement services for a reasonable price?

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[lumya]

What is your overall science GPA? Is it a 3.0 or higher? (Not counting your master's GPA)

I would recommend not applying without a new MCAT score. Were you scoring in the 510 range in your practice tests? It probably isn't likely you'll jump 20 points in two months if you weren't already close. I've seen some people here suggest that you apply to a "throw-away" school to get your app verified, but unless you are confident that you'll score that high it might be better to just wait a year and be really prepared. Depending on the school they might take your most recent MCAT or they might average it. The last thing you want is to take the test a second time and not be prepared.

Your personal statement is additive to your application but a lot of schools screen based on your stats so regardless of how good your personal statement is, some schools might never read it. If you recently graduated, I'd check to see if your university has a writing workshop/writing assistance. I personally didn't use a personal statement service (relied on friends, family, & ex-instructors), but I had a friend use fiverr (it's a website where people post freelancing gigs) and she found a good editor for a pretty decent price.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

No bets until an official MCAT score is posted. That said, the most recent analysis of MCAT retakers at your range suggests the median change is +3 and 75th percentile at +6. It's certainly possible to be +20 but it would be above the 90th percentile of retakers. Do the best you can with your focus and study strategies.

Check the public premed forums: *~*~*~*~*~*Official Personal Statement Guide and Reader List 2020-2021*~*~*~*~*~* there should be personal statement reader volunteers available.

 

[veronica11290]

What is your overall science GPA? Is it a 3.0 or higher? (Not counting your master's GPA)

I would recommend not applying without a new MCAT score. Were you scoring in the 510 range in your practice tests? It probably isn't likely you'll jump 20 points in two months if you weren't already close. I've seen some people here suggest that you apply to a "throw-away" school to get your app verified, but unless you are confident that you'll score that high it might be better to just wait a year and be really prepared. Depending on the school they might take your most recent MCAT or they might average it. The last thing you want is to take the test a second time and not be prepared.

Your personal statement is additive to your application but a lot of schools screen based on your stats so regardless of how good your personal statement is, some schools might never read it. If you recently graduated, I'd check to see if your university has a writing workshop/writing assistance. I personally didn't use a personal statement service (relied on friends, family, & ex-instructors), but I had a friend use fiverr (it's a website where people post freelancing gigs) and she found a good editor for a pretty decent price.

Thanks for responding! At Northwestern I only took science classes that were required as part of graduation but they were not hard science, it was like geology and what not. Do those count towards sGPA?
At Northeastern it was solely science classes since it was my second bachelors all my previous credits transferred. From there is was a 3.1. So im saying my sgpa is 3.1.

I think I might wait then to submit my application. At this point with covid I have nothing but time to study since I can't do any extra circulars. Maybe Im shooting too high for a 510. I know at Rush University if you have a 3.5gpa or higher from a master's they ignore your undergrad gpa. This coming directly from admissions dean.

 

[candbgirl]

If you submit your primary in early June or before your new MCAT score appears, schools are under no obligation to wait for the new score. So they might decide about interviewing you before they even see a new MCAT. How are your practice test scores coming along? Have you gotten anywhere near 510? A 20 point jump would be amazing for anyone. Are all of your ECs ready? How about LORs?

Do the best you can on the retake. It’s usually suggested that you don’t take the MCAT until you are consistently scoring at or above your target goal on several FL practice tests. Good luck.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Thanks for responding! At Northwestern I only took science classes that were required as part of graduation but they were not hard science, it was like geology and what not. Do those count towards sGPA?
At Northeastern it was solely science classes since it was my second bachelors all my previous credits transferred. From there is was a 3.1. So im saying my sgpa is 3.1.

I think they do count for science but not BCPM GPA.

ADD: https://aamc-orange.global.ssl.fast...ab328dc/amcas_course_classification_guide.pdf