What are some things can compensate for a low mcat score if you have an avg gpa and good Ecs?

[mrh125]

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[AlbinoHawk DO]

CA? You'll need to retake if you want a shot in state.

 

[ThisCouldBeYou]

Looks like you've checked all the boxes that already count, except one: that MCAT score. That one can make the difference or not.

 

[mrh125]

CA? You'll need to retake if you want a shot in state.

Yes I'm retaking (aiming for a 33) but what about out of state md schools? Ideally id be instate so I don't have to pay insanely high OOS tuition rates and I like uc Davis.

 

[BeancheBlanco]

GPA, MCAT, ECs. If you want to make up for one of them then improve the other two, if possible. Or improve the one that you need to make up for. Not sure what you are looking for here.

 

[DoctorWhoo]

There is no "sure thing" when you are trying to make up for a low MCAT... Or when you are applying to medical school in general for that matter . All you can do is do everything in your power to increase your odds. If your GPA is pretty much locked, that's fine. Retake your mcat if possible. Add more ECs and strengthen the ones you already have if possible. Do something interesting with your gap year. Practice interviewing. Apply broadly. Apply early. Pray if you're into that sort of thing. Keep your mind open to the possibility that you won't get in, but don't let that paralyze you.


Good luck!

Like something that can make your application stronger for MD schools. I have unique circumstances of my own, but there's only so much I want to explain on an app.

My gpa is a 3.62, my mcat is a 29, my Ecs are good (did the research, non profit work, 2 jobs, worked for a cosmetic dentist, tutoring, shadowing, 500 hrs of scribbing for a gi doc by the time I apply) but I have no publications. Would something like a publication make my application look way better? I almost got published but the whole process ate up so ouch of my time I had to cut back on it and there were no definite deadlines so it kind of feel apart. I also thought of getting a masters and I was told that don't help much either. Obviously I'm retaking the mcat but I'm looking for anything I can to push that 49.8% of admission with my demographic up.

This year is also my supposed gap year since I won't get in till 2015. (Applying this year). I'm also in CA which makes getting into Med school infinitely harder

 

[DoTheTrick]

Or you can make sure to apply as early as possible and to the right schools. You have a lot of good things going for you!

 

[amvet70]

Many med schools screen applicants based on minimum GPA and MCAT scores before they even bother sending out a secondary application. You seem to realize that your MCAT score is hurting you and you will be retaking the MCAT. Raising your MCAT (33 would be very nice especially if balanced subsections) is your number one task.

During your gap year make sure your dance card is filled up with some constructive activities (research, shadowing, full time employment, etc) as med schools will be very interested in what you’ve been doing during the gap year.

Taking a few more courses to boost your GPA is probably meaningless. I don’t think raising a GPA from 3.62 to 3.65 is as critical as raising your MCAT score

I would suggest you make an effort now to obtain “strong” rec letters or at least develop/strengthen relationships with potential rec letter writers. As I remember, I think med schools like to see a minimum of a committee letter or 3 individual letters (typically two from science profs, one from non science???). If you can obtain these while in school, you can set up an Interfolio acct, have rec letter writers submit them to your Interfolio acct, and then when you’re ready to apply, log onto Interfolio and request the letters be submitted to AMCAS. This will be immensely important to you as you want to apply early and broadly. You do not want to be still waiting for someone to write you a rec letter in Sept/Oct 2014.

 

[mrh125]

Retake the MCATs, you still have time, I went up 6 points after 3 months of intense studying.

3 pts from your actual mcat score? how did your study routine change? Did you retake old materials? what did you change?

 

[youmed]

Retake Retake Retake. Nothing else you can do to compensate for the MCAT score.

 

[mrh125]

I found the MCAT to be mostly concept based, so I made detailed cheat sheets, (like 20 pages of diagrams/formulas/summaries in size 10 font for each subject) using MCAT review books, khan academy and old AP review books. Then you keep doing practice problems, thousands of them, and add to the cheat sheet the concepts and examples you got wrong. Do this 4 hours a day, no exceptions, and no break days. There is no need to panic, just don't give up keep going until you can get 80% of them right and cover multiple subjects in a day. After 3 months of this, you'll be able to pick out the right answer without writing anything down. A few weeks before the test, do the practice exams, and memorize your cheat sheet, most of which you already should know by now.

What specific resources did you use? Did you repeat using resources after taking a break from them?

 

[TexasSurgeon]

Like something that can make your application stronger for MD schools. I have unique circumstances of my own, but there's only so much I want to explain on an app.

My gpa is a 3.62, my mcat is a 29, my Ecs are good (did the research, non profit work, 2 jobs, worked for a cosmetic dentist, tutoring, shadowing, 500 hrs of scribbing for a gi doc by the time I apply) but I have no publications. Would something like a publication make my application look way better? I almost got published but the whole process ate up so ouch of my time I had to cut back on it and there were no definite deadlines so it kind of feel apart. I also thought of getting a masters and I was told that don't help much either. Obviously I'm retaking the mcat but I'm looking for anything I can to push that 49.8% of admission with my demographic up.

This year is also my supposed gap year since I won't get in till 2015. (Applying this year). I'm also in CA which makes getting into Med school infinitely harder

A high MCAT score will compensate for a low MCAT score.

 

[gumdrops]

Like something that can make your application stronger for MD schools. I have unique circumstances of my own, but there's only so much I want to explain on an app.

My gpa is a 3.62, my mcat is a 29, my Ecs are good (did the research, non profit work, 2 jobs, worked for a cosmetic dentist, tutoring, shadowing, 500 hrs of scribbing for a gi doc by the time I apply) but I have no publications. Would something like a publication make my application look way better? I almost got published but the whole process ate up so ouch of my time I had to cut back on it and there were no definite deadlines so it kind of feel apart. I also thought of getting a masters and I was told that don't help much either. Obviously I'm retaking the mcat but I'm looking for anything I can to push that 49.8% of admission with my demographic up.

This year is also my supposed gap year since I won't get in till 2015. (Applying this year). I'm also in CA which makes getting into Med school infinitely harder

Your chances at acceptance could go up exponentially if you just retake that pesky MCAT. You are solid otherwise. A publication will not help your app half as much as a 30+ on the MCAT and with all the uncertainties involved in research, far less of a sure bet. You got a 29 on the first try. You're capable of knocking this test out of the ballpark.