What should I do?! Please help :/

[carpediemcanem]

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Hi guys,

I would greatly appreciate any feedback or advice!

I have taken the MCAT and applied to schools twice.

I did terrible the first time on my MCAT (25M) due to ill preparation. While I had been waiting to hear back my score, I had already filed my AAMC and completed some secondaries. I withdrew from most schools except two state schools. I received no interviews.

During my senior year, I retook the MCAT and the second time around I got a 29 (7P/9V/13B). I had expected to do a lot better based on my practice AAMCs. I applied to 10 schools anyway (withdrew at a few because of the borderline MCAT again). I still got no interviews at the remaining places.

If it helps to know, I attended Columbia University. My science GPA is a 3.4 and overall a 3.6. I had gone from a 3.4 in my freshman year to a 4.0 in my junior year. But senior year was rough because of the classes I was taking and I went back to a 3.4. I know this does not look great for schools.

This is why I have been wondering if I should go for a postbac or retake the MCAT again? I plan to apply more broadly this time around. Any suggestions or advice?

Thanks so much for all the help in advance!!!

 

[CjOz]

Have you tried applying to DO schools? A downward grade curve does reflect negatively on your app. You would stand a pretty decent shot at some DO schools with those stats. Maybe take the MCAT again if you could bump it to 30+ but if not I would go DO.

 

[Meihua]

Do you have any idea why you did poorly on your MCAT relative to your performance on practice tests? What were you scoring on your practice tests?

 

[Catalystik]

Hi guys,

I would greatly appreciate any feedback or advice!

I have taken the MCAT and applied to schools twice.

I did terrible the first time on my MCAT (25M) due to ill preparation. While I had been waiting to hear back my score, I had already filed my AAMC and completed some secondaries. I withdrew from most schools except two state schools. I received no interviews.

During my senior year, I retook the MCAT and the second time around I got a 29 (7P/9V/13B). I had expected to do a lot better based on my practice AAMCs. I applied to 10 schools anyway (withdrew at a few because of the borderline MCAT again). I still got no interviews at the remaining places.

If it helps to know, I attended Columbia University. My science GPA is a 3.4 and overall a 3.6. I had gone from a 3.4 in my freshman year to a 4.0 in my junior year. But senior year was rough because of the classes I was taking and I went back to a 3.4. I know this does not look great for schools.

This is why I have been wondering if I should go for a postbac or retake the MCAT again? I plan to apply more broadly this time around. Any suggestions or advice?

Thanks so much for all the help in advance!!!

A full-time one-year postbac (mostly upper-level bio/Biochem), or an SMP, with a 3.7+ GPA, and a higher MCAT score are good goals. If you're in a hurry and don't want to reverse the bad impression that a downward grade trend gives, apply to DO schools, as you would likely be a shoo in, assuming decent ECs and some DO shadowing for a LOR.

 

[carpediemcanem]

Hey guys,

Thanks so much for replying.

CJOZ- I didn't apply to DO schools (wish I had) but I will this cycle. It seems as if the consensus is to start studying again for the MCAT again 🙁

Meihua- I was scoring 33-36s on the practice AAMCs and Kaplan FL tests.I think it was nerves on actual test day. I ended up doing better on the later sections. To be fair, physical science has always been one of my weak points so that was definitely a factor.

Catalystik- I was considering a Masters in Medical Science for the next year and I am probably going to retake the MCAT. Again, wish I had applied to DO schools and will do this cycle.

 

[October88]

Hey guys,

Thanks so much for replying.

CJOZ- I didn't apply to DO schools (wish I had) but I will this cycle. It seems as if the consensus is to start studying again for the MCAT again 🙁

Meihua- I think it was nerves in the beginning. I ended up doing better on the later sections. To be fair, physical science has always been one of my weak points. I am planning on paying more attention to it when I re-study for it.

Catalystik- I was considering a Masters in Medical Science for the next year and I am probably going to retake the MCAT. Again, wish I had applied to DO schools and will do this cycle.

Good luck!

 

[Goro]

I don't think re-taking the MCAT is going to help..I suspect you've plateaued out and magic thinking isn't going to get you over the mandatory 30 mark.. Actually, in your case, you need to get to greater than the national avg, which is >32.

If you're really jonesing for the MD degree, then go for an SMP given by a medical school. the apply to low-mid-tier programs.

BUT, you're fine right now for any DO program.

Hi guys,

I would greatly appreciate any feedback or advice!

I have taken the MCAT and applied to schools twice.

I did terrible the first time on my MCAT (25M) due to ill preparation. While I had been waiting to hear back my score, I had already filed my AAMC and completed some secondaries. I withdrew from most schools except two state schools. I received no interviews.

During my senior year, I retook the MCAT and the second time around I got a 29 (7P/9V/13B). I had expected to do a lot better based on my practice AAMCs. I applied to 10 schools anyway (withdrew at a few because of the borderline MCAT again). I still got no interviews at the remaining places.

If it helps to know, I attended Columbia University. My science GPA is a 3.4 and overall a 3.6. I had gone from a 3.4 in my freshman year to a 4.0 in my junior year. But senior year was rough because of the classes I was taking and I went back to a 3.4. I know this does not look great for schools.

This is why I have been wondering if I should go for a postbac or retake the MCAT again? I plan to apply more broadly this time around. Any suggestions or advice?

Thanks so much for all the help in advance!!!