I just got my first rejection. Today. Still waiting on my mcat scores. Is there a link between these two things? Do the med schools get our scores before we do?
Scores should be released to the applicant and schools at the same time. Some schools will reject you right off if your grades and academic record are below their standards. You must remember that some programs receive thousands of applications. If you have an average application without an MCAT score, then why should they wait when they have 500 applicants that they want to interview? This is why I think applying early in the year with a completed application is important.
I actually have taken the MCAT already. I scored below average though and this is my second attempt. I just thought that I did better this time, and this rejection has caused me to second guess myself. But does anybody else know for a fact that the med schools wont recieve our MCAT scores until after they are released online to us?
I am sure medical schools don't receive the scores before you do. The scores are released to applicant and programs at the same time. If you had already taken the MCAT, then they have enough information to judge your candidacy for their program. Some programs don't like people taking the MCAT multiple times, particularly if they already have a list of applicants who scored well the first time. I'm really sorry that things didn't work out for this particular school. Good luck with the other schools, and I hope things work out for you this second round.
I think it must be that if you have old, but still valid, scores they can be used. That's the only explanation I can think of why some people are getting rejections and I'm not. My record is far from stellar, and I'd expect that if rejections based solely on GPAs are being sent, I'd be getting my share. I'm sure I'll get plenty of rejections after MCATs are out, but if the schools had them now, I'd surely have at least one (MCW ruled me ineligible to apply, so I'm not counting that). Don't get me wrong, I'm not down on myself at all. I know I can do this, and be good at it. I just really wish people would look at more than my grades. But so far, they haven't, so I'm trying to prepare myself.
There's a girl in my med school class who was rejected by our med school, then UNrejected once her MCAT scores came in, and ultimately accepted! Med school admissions are oddly finicky....
Welcome to SDN, Commodore2!! The schools definitely don't get them before you do, and since they're dependant on AMCAS for getting them at all, it could be somewhat (or considerably) later than when you get them. Last year, when the scores came out to applicants mid-October, schools weren't getting them until the end of the month at the earliest. And then it took most schools quite a while to get them into files (kind of like LOR's). Presumably you applied to a wide variety of well-chosen schools, so don't get too down. Everyone is going to get some rejections (well, except baylor 21 from last year. and maybe jot this year! ).
rest assured, they DO NOT have your scores yet. you'll be the FIRST to see them (pending you're paying the fifteen bucks). so basically, they saw your first scores and already judged you on them. i guess that's why they always strongly "encourage" applicants to take the MCAT by no later than april of their junior year. good luck.
