What should I do next? just got my new MCAT score.

[hojjung33]

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Hey all,

I just got my MCAT score in today. (Took it 6/5/2014) And REALLY NEED ADVICE!
Last year, I took the MCAT for the first time in July.. and got horrible 19 on it.
Then, I was determined to study better and took my 2nd one on January.. but only was able to increase the point by 1 point, making it 20 .. 🙁 I was so devastated at this point.
I was thinking if I really need to think over about career choice.. but I decided to take it once more in June.
I finally got my score in today.. and got 25.. This is a big improvement for me. Yet I was really wanting to get 27+. At this point, I am really unsure of what to do next. Should I retake the MCAT for the fourth time? Or just apply broadly with my 25?... My GPA is 3.3 (non science)/ sci GPA is 3.23 / Cumulative GPA is 3.25


Thank you in advance.

 

[DoctorSynthesis]

Well that 25 puts you in the running but just barely. GPA is low also. Assuming good ecs I think you will get into 1 school and that's all u need. Apply to new schools and schools that take the best MCAT.

 

[hojjung33]

Well that 25 puts you in the running but just barely. GPA is low also. Assuming good ecs I think you will get into 1 school and that's all u need. Apply to new schools and schools that take the best MCAT.

Thanks for your advice. I'm thinking of taking more classes this fall at nearby university. Would this help to get into a DO school this cycle?

 

[DoctorSynthesis]

Thanks for your advice. I'm thinking of taking more classes this fall at nearby university. Would this help to get into a DO school this cycle?

If you can get a's in those classes and boost your GPA of course. If you retake some classes you got a c or lower in and got an A that helps. Your grades are kinda low in general so anything you do to improve that helps.

Consider schools like lucom/mucom/lmu/acom/PCOM Ga. Best shot is there.

 

[StarFall]

.

 

[hojjung33]

You and I have very similar GPAs across the board. Don't have my MCAT score yet, but if I don't do as well as I hoped, I would be in a similar situation as you.
Regardless, I am going to apply this cycle and if needed, retake MCAT between Sept-Oct for next cycle while working in a laboratory for the upcoming year.

My advice to you is to apply broadly and to work on becoming a better applicant for next cycle. You could take/retake a couple classes for a boost as well as get some more ECs and volunteering (although you haven't mentioned where you stand at).
Be hopeful but be realistic as well.

Thanks for the advice.
I am currently volunteering at hospital and shadowing a family doctor.
Also, I think I will find more volunteering (so far I have 200+ hours) so I can get more experience.

 

[Tri4thlete]

I have a buddy who I worked with on the ambulance service that got accepted with a 24 MCAT and 3.3 GPA. He also had 4 years EMT experience under his belt though, he worked a ton. Just make sure to apply broadly and I'm sure someone will look at ya. There's always hope, never give up!

 

[IceMan731]

I have a buddy who I worked with on the ambulance service that got accepted with a 24 MCAT and 3.3 GPA. He also had 4 years EMT experience under his belt though, he worked a ton. Just make sure to apply broadly and I'm sure someone will look at ya. There's always hope, never give up!

Where did your friend get accepted to, if you dont mind me asking?

 

[GreyF0X]

I know an individual who got into VCOM with a 24.

 

[edgerock24]

WVCOM also has an avg MCAT around 24-25. Consider applying there.

 

[radian313]

Taking a OCtober MCAT wouldnt be the end of t hings, Ive been told it will get you ii's and admission somewhere, anything After December is suicide....so if you think you can diagnose your issues and go from there and get a decent MCAT, youll beok.

 

[hojjung33]

Taking a OCtober MCAT wouldnt be the end of t hings, Ive been told it will get you ii's and admission somewhere, anything After December is suicide....so if you think you can diagnose your issues and go from there and get a decent MCAT, youll beok.

Thanks! I think I will have to retake it once more.. although I think I will apply right now .. and tell them I will be retaking it again.

 

[hojjung33]

WVCOM also has an avg MCAT around 24-25. Consider applying there.

Thank you so much! I will look into WVCOM!

 

[adriano710]

Hey all,

I just got my MCAT score in today. (Took it 6/5/2014) And REALLY NEED ADVICE!
Last year, I took the MCAT for the first time in July.. and got horrible 19 on it.
Then, I was determined to study better and took my 2nd one on January.. but only was able to increase the point by 1 point, making it 20 .. 🙁 I was so devastated at this point.
I was thinking if I really need to think over about career choice.. but I decided to take it once more in June.
I finally got my score in today.. and got 25.. This is a big improvement for me. Yet I was really wanting to get 27+. At this point, I am really unsure of what to do next. Should I retake the MCAT for the fourth time? Or just apply broadly with my 25?... My GPA is 3.3 (non science)/ sci GPA is 3.23 / Cumulative GPA is 3.25


Thank you in advance.

Hope your EC's are good - leadership roles, lots of volunteering, good amount of shadowing, and great LOR's. You're GPA and MCAT keep you in the running… just. I would apply this cycle to all lower tier DO schools. I think you will get a couple interviews. Good luck!

 

[hojjung33]

Hope your EC's are good - leadership roles, lots of volunteering, good amount of shadowing, and great LOR's. You're GPA and MCAT keep you in the running… just. I would apply this cycle to all lower tier DO schools. I think you will get a couple interviews. Good luck!

I think my ECs are decent. I am still continueing to build shadowing hours and volunteering hours.
Could you tell me what the lower tier DO schools are?

 

[adriano710]

I think my ECs are decent. I am still continueing to build shadowing hours and volunteering hours.
Could you tell me what the lower tier DO schools are?

OSU-COM: 3.61/3.54/26

KCUMB: 3.60/3.53/26

CUSOM: 3.55/3.23/26

WCU: 3.5/3.4/26

ACOM: 3.4/26

LMU: ?/26

PNWU: 3.40/3.31/25.76

VCOM-CC: 3.61/3.55/25 (2015)

VCOM-VC: 3.59/3.52/25 (2015)

WVSOM: 3.4/3.4/25

KYCOM: 3.5/3.4/24

 

[oOKawaiiOo]

I would apply with that 25 and shoot for the stars. Maybe retake some classes, and let your GPA carry you.

Good job on the +5 increase on the MCAT.

Good luck to ya.

 

[hojjung33]

I would apply with that 25 and shoot for the stars. Maybe retake some classes, and let your GPA carry you.

Good job on the +5 increase on the MCAT.

Good luck to ya.

Thank you for your input.
I have decided to take some more classes and retake few classes that I have Cs on right now.
I know a lot of people here easily get 25+ on MCAT... but I was happy to see the +5 increase on the MCAT.

 

[Dreamstoo]

Taking a OCtober MCAT wouldnt be the end of t hings, Ive been told it will get you ii's and admission somewhere, anything After December is suicide....so if you think you can diagnose your issues and go from there and get a decent MCAT, youll beok.

Agreed anything post October MCAT is really pushing it for DO schools.

 

[radian313]

Agreed anything post October MCAT is really pushing it for DO schools.

The key thing is if you can "guarantee" a 26+ score for a later mcat....it's worth it....

 

[Dreamstoo]

The key thing is if you can "guarantee" a 26+ score for a later mcat....it's worth it....

True, I'm taking it september and hoping to get a 30+

 

[radian313]

True, I'm taking it september and hoping to get a 30+

Good luck my friend. Taking it October 25. Just over 3 months. Really started to study now. Hoping for a 26+.

 

[Fedaykin]

Taking a OCtober MCAT wouldnt be the end of t hings, Ive been told it will get you ii's and admission somewhere, anything After December is suicide....so if you think you can diagnose your issues and go from there and get a decent MCAT, youll beok.

After December isn't suicide. It just means you're applying in the next cycle.

 

[radian313]

After December isn't suicide. It just means you're applying in the next cycle.

Suicide as in your throwing your money away. But you'll be surprised many folks have gotten ii for the same cycle.

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

Do not retake again. Apply this cycle broadly.

 

[DrPibble]

Do not retake again. Apply this cycle broadly.

I'd have to agree w/ AlbinoHawk. It is nice that your MCAT has improved substantially from your first score of 19, however you've already taken it three times. Unless you have absolutely diagnosed your weaknesses and are consistently scoring around a 30 on practice exams, I do not think that retaking it for a third time this year will benefit you or look good on paper. If you don't receive any invites or interest, then consider retaking it but be sure to give yourself a proper amount of time to prepare so you can apply with your best application next cycle.

Perhaps @Goro can weigh in, from an admissions point-of-view.

 

[Goro]

1000% agree. Apply broadly; skip Touro-NY and -CA and CCOM. Aim particularly at the newest schools, except LUCOM, which I can't recommend.

I'd have to agree w/ AlbinoHawk. It is nice that your MCAT has improved substantially from your first score of 19, however you've already taken it three times. Unless you have absolutely diagnosed your weaknesses and are consistently scoring around a 30 on practice exams, I do not think that retaking it for a third time this year will benefit you or look good on paper. If you don't receive any invites or interest, then consider retaking it but be sure to give yourself a proper amount of time to prepare so you can apply with your best application next cycle.

Perhaps @Goro can weigh in, from an admissions point-of-view.

 

[Fedaykin]

Suicide as in your throwing your money away. But you'll be surprised many folks have gotten ii for the same cycle.

I was being tongue-in-cheek.

 

[keels99]

Hey all,

I just got my MCAT score in today. (Took it 6/5/2014) And REALLY NEED ADVICE!
Last year, I took the MCAT for the first time in July.. and got horrible 19 on it.
Then, I was determined to study better and took my 2nd one on January.. but only was able to increase the point by 1 point, making it 20 .. 🙁 I was so devastated at this point.
I was thinking if I really need to think over about career choice.. but I decided to take it once more in June.
I finally got my score in today.. and got 25.. This is a big improvement for me. Yet I was really wanting to get 27+. At this point, I am really unsure of what to do next. Should I retake the MCAT for the fourth time? Or just apply broadly with my 25?... My GPA is 3.3 (non science)/ sci GPA is 3.23 / Cumulative GPA is 3.25


Thank you in advance.

I would still apply broadly. A 25 isn't a death sentence! Also, they can see that 5 points is a vast improvement. Good luck!

 

[hojjung33]

Thank you everyone for your input! I am definitely going to apply broadly and take some retakes. I might decide to retake if I don't get any invites..etc

 

[meep!! meep!!]

Something else to think about....not all schools evaluate the MCAT results in the same way. It might be worth a call or email to your top schools to see how they view scores from multiple tests. For example, OU-HCOM will take the highest sub-score from each eligible test date and add them together to make a new combined score. This way, you aren't penalized for dropping points in a subsection if you take it more than once (we are making an assumption that you didn't lose knowledge between tests) 😉 🙂

 

[chizledfrmstone]

Something else to think about....not all schools evaluate the MCAT results in the same way. It might be worth a call or email to your top schools to see how they view scores from multiple tests. For example, OU-HCOM will take the highest sub-score from each eligible test date and add them together to make a new combined score. This way, you aren't penalized for dropping points in a subsection if you take it more than once (we are making an assumption that you didn't lose knowledge between tests) 😉 🙂

This is VERY valuable knowledge.

Thank you!

 

[hojjung33]

1000% agree. Apply broadly; skip Touro-NY and -CA and CCOM. Aim particularly at the newest schools, except LUCOM, which I can't recommend.

Do you have any sugesstion on the schools that I should look into?

My current list:
KCUMB
CUSOM
ACOM
KYCOM
Marian

Should I add:
LECOM (both)
PCOM-GA
Nova
AZOM
ATSU

(I live in Indiana)

 

[BestDoctorEver]

Do you have any sugesstion on the schools that I should look into?

My current list:
KCUMB
CUSOM
ACOM
KYCOM
Marian

Should I add:
LECOM (both)
PCOM-GA
Nova
AZOM
ATSU

I think you should also add LMU-DCOM, VCOM, WVSOM, LUCOM... Your chances are very slim at Nova, AZCOM, KCUMB and even LECOM...

 

[hojjung33]

I think you should also add LMU-DCOM, VCOM, WVSOM, LUCOM... Your chances are very slim at Nova, AZCOM, KCUMB and even LECOM...

I was considering VCOM and WVSOM at first.. but took out because I read that they were very regional biased. Is this true?

 

[BestDoctorEver]

I was considering VCOM and WVSOM at first.. but took out because I read that they were very regional biased. Is this true?

They do have some bias, but it is not a heavy one... FWIW, I got accepted as an OOS applicant to WVSOM and when I interviewed there, there were 2 West Virginians out of the 16 of us.

http://www.wvsom.edu/Applicants/profile

 

[keels99]

I suggest applying to SOMA, I think you would have a good chance there!

 

[Tri4thlete]

Yep I am starting at WVSOM in 2 weeks. I believe they say somewhere that they favor WV applicants but a large majority of their students are OOS, including me.

 

[Escape_Goat]

Do you have any sugesstion on the schools that I should look into?

My current list:
KCUMB
CUSOM
ACOM
KYCOM
Marian

Should I add:
LECOM (both)
PCOM-GA
Nova
AZOM
ATSU

(I live in Indiana)

Yes, but only Erie.
Yes.
No.
No.
Yes.

 

[hojjung33]

Yes, but only Erie.
Yes.
No.
No.
Yes.

What do you think of VCOM-auburn? And Touro-nevada?

 

[Escape_Goat]

What do you think of VCOM-auburn? And Touro-nevada?

I think that since Auburn is new, you should apply there. And I think you'd have a better chance there than at TUNCOM.

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, since I don't know the mean MCAT for Touro.

 

[LilEngineThatCould]

Thank you for your input.
I have decided to take some more classes and retake few classes that I have Cs on right now.
I know a lot of people here easily get 25+ on MCAT... but I was happy to see the +5 increase on the MCAT.

It's not easy for everyone, don't feel bad. I took it 3 times, got a 20 twice, took a prep course (not everybody needs it but it helped me) and got a 27 in April 🙂 This was over a 2 year span btw, most ppl don't see increases in their score quickly. Not everybody is good at standardized tests, but a 25 is still correlated with success in medical school. Good luck to you!

 

[soggydog]

I agree with the posts here. I think you should apply broadly this cycle, but at the same time prepare for the worst. Your stats would most likely get you into a linked SMP program for DO schools if that's something you're interested in. If the SMP route isn't for you, I would retake any classes your did poorly in, especially the core science classes like bio, chem, physics, and orgo. Personally, I took the MCAT 4 times. I'm sure it doesn't work for everyone, but on the fourth try I took the Princeton review prep course and finished the entire hyperlearning book they give you, as well as, all of the online material. I also completed the EK 101 passages and ended up scoring a 34 (+5 from my last attempt) on my 4th try. I ended up getting an acceptance this cycle. Also, from personal experience, what you score on the practice tests, especially the AAMC practice MCATs, is going to be very close to your actual score. So, don't take the MCAT if you're not scoring where you want. I would apply with what you have right now, retake courses, take a prep course, and take the MCAT in time for the next cycle if you end up needing it.

 

[hallowmann]

Do you have any sugesstion on the schools that I should look into?

My current list:
KCUMB
CUSOM
ACOM
KYCOM
Marian

Should I add:
LECOM (both)
PCOM-GA
Nova
AZOM
ATSU

(I live in Indiana)

I generally agree with most of the posts here (not retaking, applying broadly, adding LMU, VCOM, WVSOM, etc.). If you apply to LECOM, which I would suggest, restrict it to LECOM-Erie/Seton Hill. Bradenton likes higher MCAT scores.