I should probably just let this thread die (I deeply regret ever starting it), but I think being laughed at and being told that I am pretentious and that I have no common sense require that I defend myself just a little. Have you ever considered the possibility that my original inquiry was genuine?
When I decided to apply to med school I was 33 years old. My undergrad GPA was 2.9. I hadn't taken a science course in 10 years. I was a manager at a fairly large company. When I came to realize that many of the employees at the company didn't understand their medical benefits and weren't getting care they needed, I got involved and eventually decided that I would try to become a doctor regardless of the sacrifices involved. I was told by many people that I was nuts. I quit my FT job and spent most of my savings on post-bacc classes, test prep, and eventually the application process. I got certified as an EMT and volunteered. I went from being financially secure to eating ramen noodles a lot in 6 months. I took the Kaplan class (which I recommend) and got a 28 on the first diagnostic.
The premed advisor where I did my post-bacc work told me I was completely wasting my time without a stellar MCAT score to balance the other negatives in my app. So I prepared
rigorously for a year- put the test off in 2001 (wise decision, but opening the door for another year of semi-poverty in my 30's). I basically learned all of G-chem, O-chem, Physics, and Bio in a year. I busted my butt. And I did well because I had no other choice.
I hope you understand now that I am very, very far from pretentious. I am very grateful. I got interviews at 3 schools out of 12, and was lucky enough to get into two. Assuming I do a shorter residency I will be 41 when I'm actually finished- but I am still idealistic in my old age and hope I will be able to make a small contribution in medicine.
My position related to the MCAT is that it can be conquered with the right approach (check
here for some ideas from myself and others) and I have spent many hours helping friends prepare for the test. I am genuinely sorry if the tone of my original post was obnoxious- I still maintain that I was looking only for information (which, by the way, I have never obtained). I was trying to be funny and harsh on the notion of a "range" score. Obviously, it didn't come through that way.
I am 35 and broke, and I can't wait to start school. If you look at the number of people who get in to med school with my GPA (3.13) it does seem like a miracle to me that I was accepted. If you look at the number of people with my age, GPA, and resume who get into med school, we practically do not exist.
I have never used a forum like this until now- this was one of the first threads I ever started. Obviously I have learned my lesson: go over every possible perception of your remarks in your head before you post. Do you think that some of you might not be so quick to assume the worst in people?
I sincerely hope you April MCATers crush the test.