WHat should I do now?

[bored]

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I am currently a 4th year Biology Student. I am writing here because I am lost as to what I should do next year, while applying.

I have written my mcat two times,
first time --> ps=10, vr=7, bs=11
second time --> ps=11, vr=8, bs=10
I hope my amcas gpa to be around a 3.86

I realize these marks are not good enough to get me in so I am pretty much forced to write the test again, Only this time it will earlier (in july), so I can apply to American schools.

Next school year, I intend to take some courses (not required) for fun, and to pass the time while hopefully working part time somewhere and waiting to hear back from the schools.
while continuing all the volunteering/and ECs

I want to know if you would think these are enough things to get my in to an American school as an out-of-state student if my mcat marks come back in August and I send in my application in august?

any suggestion would be appreciated as I don't want to waste more years without knowing if I will be getting in or not. What else could I do during this "fifth year"?

 

[cerno]

Really work on that VR. Aim for at least 10 to get a more balanced MCAT score. It looks like you didn't make much progress between the first test and second test. It doesn't look good to have two scores so close to each other, especially below the average matriculant's score. A third one around the high 20's would make it even worse. You should consider not taking the MCAT again until you can consistently score >32 on practice exams. Find out which US MD schools are international-friendly (I don't know them off hand).

 

[plumhill]

1. Your GPA and MCAT right now are definitely strong enough to get into DO school, so don't be hesitant to consider that route. Luckily your GPA is strong.
2. If you want to look at MD schools, you've got to crack 30.

 

[bored]

Any idea by what time my application should be finished (including mcat scores)?

I do want to take 2 months or so to write it a final time. So I am hoping to do an early July write, and my score would come back by august ~5th.
Would this be a good time to submit the application, or should it get in there earlier. Especially since I'll be considered an out-of-state student at most places that I apply to.
Does Aug 5th mcat score put me at a disadvantage?

 

[sinombre]

Are you Canadian by chance?

 

[neuro nephrons]

you wrote the MCAT? if so, you should probably be doing a little bit better on it! 😀

 

[bored]

Are you Canadian by chance?

Yup I am

 

[bored]

you wrote the MCAT? if so, you should probably be doing a little bit better on it! 😀

What do you mean?

 

[magicm]

Yup I am

are you from ONT?

 

[BABSstudent]

What do you mean?

He/she is making fun of Canadians. In the US, we take tests. I knew you were Canadian as soon as I saw you write that you wrote the test.

Since you are Canadian, is English your first language? You may get some slack on your verbal score if it isn't. However, you do need a higher score to get into a US medical school (or so I have been told).

Your scores suggest you know your science, but you could probably study it a little more. What you could do is to do more practice problems to get used to the MCAT and learn how to properly take it. It is a standardized test which means you can practice and actually get better at identifying wrong answers and correct ones without strengthening your knowledge. It just takes practice.

How did you practice for the test?

 

[bored]

Ok but what about with regards to application time? By what time should I be finished with the primary application to be not disadvantaged by the rolling admissions as much?

 

[Arbor Vitae]

When you say out of state, do you mean international, like out of country? Your GPA is great, and your MCAT right there at the bottom 10% of some MD schools. Its possible that you get in with those scores given good ECs. like someone else said, don't even think about taking the MCAT again until you are scoring above 30 consistently on practice tests.

 

[bored]

^ alright then, that's the plan. Would a July date be alright? Or is that considered late?

I was getting 12s and 13s on my practice aamc tests for ps and bs, but I guess test days were different.

vs has always been around 7-8. I'm trying to get it up though.

 

[sinombre]

^ alright then, that's the plan. Would a July date be alright? Or is that considered late?

I was getting 12s and 13s on my practice aamc tests for ps and bs, but I guess test days were different.

vs has always been around 7-8. I'm trying to get it up though.

You should strive to have all secondaries in as soon as possible. Having them submitted by July is ideal, but most seem to agree that August is still early. Taking such a late MCAT will probably put you in the exact same situation you're in now. Apply as early as you can and apply broadly. As you know by now there is an insane amount of waiting in this process, and the sooner you apply the less the long lapses of time between each step will adversely affect your chances.

Also, try and identify what you're doing wrong on the verbal reasoning section. You should really try and boost that score to at least a 10, especially because you're Canadian. It's hard enough for Americans to get in with unbalanced MCAT scores.