Originally posted by dustinspeer:
•So you got a 12 BS but a 3.1 GPA? I don't think you're testing relates to your GPA, so thats a BIG BAD SIGN to schools. Consistency is usually a good thing.•
so unless your GPA exactly correlates to your MCAT score (which very often does NOT happen), you're screwed? no, i disagree. a high MCAT can help to offset a weaker GPA because it shows that you knew your stuff after all, and it will especially look good if your GPA continually improves throughout college. and a lower MCAT with a high GPA can sometimes hint at grade inflation. the similarity between your GPA and your MCAT scores may be looked at, but i really don't think any correlation is scrutinized as deeply as you believe, dustinspeer. i've never known anyone whose GPA was an exact reflection of their MCAT scores; they're two different things.
that said, cornhusker, i think you should wait a year before applying. this is because it's already very late in the application cycle (can you even submit AMCAS apps anymore? usually the deadline was mid-october) and timing counts for a lot. it will *especially* make a difference for someone with borderline stats. you want to get your AMCAS app (and all your secondaries) in as soon as possible to ensure that A) the maximum number of open spots is there when you apply, and B) your app will get more chances to be reviewed.
you definitely do NOT want to go through this for the experience of applying. first of all, this process is NOT cheap. secondly, some schools limit the number of times you can apply, so don't 'waste' a chance now. as i mentioned above, it's very late in the app cycle right now to apply (if you even can anymore) and that is only going to hurt you, and you need every advantage you can get (that's not meant meanly).
also, don't 'brag' about the 12. how would you go about this, anyway? in your essays? interviews? your score on one section of the MCAT isn't going to be what gets you in, and it will look mighty desperate if all you have to sell yourself on is a 12. don't do it!
you don't say if you're still in college. if i were you, i would wait until next year to apply, and during this next year, i would retake the MCAT (shoot for 30+) and take more courses to up your GPA. do some interesting things too, activities-wise. don't be idle--use this year to improve your app! then, next year, i would get your AMCAS app in as SOON as they'll accept it, and return your secondaries ASAP too. once you start applying, timing is the one part of the process that you can control, and it can make a huge difference. there are people on this board who just now submitted their AMCAS and are waiting for it to be processed (which can take weeks before schools will even look at them), and there are people who applied in june/july and already have acceptances in hand. where would you rather be? you can definitely get into an allopathic school but you need to use this next year wisely.
hope this helps...
