What Should I Do?

[travoltage]

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I have a 3.9 overall gpa and a 3.92 science gpa. I am currently a senior and I took the MCAT in late August, didnt do well at all. My score is in the low 20s, ashamed to even type it. I don't know what happened, I had to have chocked, cause my practice tests were mostly 28-30s. I know I have to obviously retake the MCAT, and I am withdrawing my AMCAS application and not submitting any secondaries....I think its just a waste of money. I plan on retaking the MCAT in the spring, maybe February. The rest of my application is pretty good in my opinion, research for 3 years and going, 150+ hours of volunteering, at least 100+ hours of shadowing several physicians, and all the other stuff like clubs and sports and stuff. What else could I do to improve my situation? Taking a year off scares me, my premed advisor tells me to get a job as either a CNA or an EMT....any suggestions? I feel like im wandering in the dark now!

 

[Mobius1985]

You've made the best decision by withdrawing your applications. You've been on SDN long enough to know there is no chance of admission to MD schools with a low-twenties MCAT, despite what sounds like a great application otherwise. I completely agree with your advisor about getting a health-related job to further the strength of your application for the next season (and to accumulate money for secondaries and interview travel). Meanwhile, keep your excellent GPA high. If you didn't take a formal MCAT prep course, consider paying the $1500+ for one. Be confident that you can do much better on the MCAT, as your GPA says you have the mental horsepower to do well.

If DO schools are an option you'd consider, you might do fine applying through AACOMAS. Their mean acceptee MCAT is 24.

 

[travoltage]

Mobius, actually I just checked that my AMCAS application has been processed so it was sent out. I am not going to send in any secondaries though. Instead I will call each school and tell them I will not be sending in the secondary applications. Will it hurt me that I have already processed my AMCAS application? Also, I am having a tough year this year and will probably get a B in Physical Chemistry, although the rest should be As. I hope that does not hurt me as well. It should only affect my GPA minimally now.

 

[Mobius1985]

If AMCAS certified you, then next year, you would be considered a reapplicant. The main disadvantage is having to answer the question, "How have you improved your application since you last applied?" You'll have good things to say if you get that MCAT up and get additional clinical exposure.

With your high GPA, one more B won't hurt you.