What would you do?

[RainyDaysKTCA]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Just got my MCAT scores back 6-PS, 11-VR and 7-BS. Didn't have a lot of time to prepare unfortunately 🙁. I will be taking the test again in January but want to know what you guys think about if I have a chance for this cycle? My primary has been sent and I'm working on secondaries but haven't submitted yet because I don't really have money to burn and want to see if I even have a chance..

Other info:
cGPA: 3.4
sGPA: 3.3
nsGPA: 3.5

Wide range of ECs from international relief work and lots of volunteer hours.

Thanks guys. Kinda down about the MCAT score and possibly losing a year. 🙁

 

[ksmajmudar]

Just got my MCAT scores back 6-PS, 11-VR and 7-BS. Didn't have a lot of time to prepare unfortunately 🙁. I will be taking the test again in January but want to know what you guys think about if I have a chance for this cycle? My primary has been sent and I'm working on secondaries but haven't submitted yet because I don't really have money to burn and want to see if I even have a chance..

Other info:
cGPA: 3.4
sGPA: 3.3
nsGPA: 3.5

Wide range of ECs from international relief work and lots of volunteer hours.

Thanks guys. Kinda down about the MCAT score and possibly losing a year. 🙁

Hey man. Well, first the bad news:

The 6-PS is what's really the killer with your MCAT score. Many schools will run a filter on their applicants to make sure they have a minimum of 7 in each section. So, your problem is not going to be that the adcoms won't like you - it will be that the adcoms won't even get to see your application.

I don't know which schools (if any) don't screen. Your GPA is unfortunately not high enough to compensate for your MCAT score, so applying in February (after receiving January MCAT scores) is going to be risky. If you're worried about money, my advice is this:

Save your money, and apply next year. Write your secondaries now (if you can), so that you can be absurdly early in the cycle next year.

Now the good news: If you apply early and broadly next year with ~25-27 MCAT score (which should be doable if you study a lot more. If you need help with tips, see the 90-day MCAT study program found in the MCAT subsection of these forums), you're going to get in.

What is your status? Are you a student/done with school/working?

(side note: awesome VR score!! You killed that section!)

 

[clinke]

I agree with this. The ONLY reason that I applied this year with a 25 is because I had at least a 7 in every section and I got my apps out early. It will save you money AND you'll get more invites if you apply next year with a bit higher score.

 

[hmainn]

Even though admissions looks more strongly on BS and VR, the screening for 6's might snag you.
I'd look for the schools that don't, and if its a new school and you're in their geographic area of interest, I say at least turn in that one. Especially if you're confident in your LORs and can do a passion filled secondary.

If you want more options, just wait another year. That's another year not only to improve your MCAT score, but also to mature and build up a passion for what's ahead.
And if you're a junior, then a year off is fine. If you're not a junior, a couple years off is fine. You'll soon be doing what you want to do 🙂

 

[RainyDaysKTCA]

Hey man. Well, first the bad news:

The 6-PS is what's really the killer with your MCAT score. Many schools will run a filter on their applicants to make sure they have a minimum of 7 in each section. So, your problem is not going to be that the adcoms won't like you - it will be that the adcoms won't even get to see your application.

I don't know which schools (if any) don't screen. Your GPA is unfortunately not high enough to compensate for your MCAT score, so applying in February (after receiving January MCAT scores) is going to be risky. If you're worried about money, my advice is this:

Save your money, and apply next year. Write your secondaries now (if you can), so that you can be absurdly early in the cycle next year.

Now the good news: If you apply early and broadly next year with ~25-27 MCAT score (which should be doable if you study a lot more. If you need help with tips, see the 90-day MCAT study program found in the MCAT subsection of these forums), you're going to get in.

What is your status? Are you a student/done with school/working?

(side note: awesome VR score!! You killed that section!)

I was afraid of that answer 🙁. I work 50-60 hrs and I have a kid. This is not going to be easy. Getting my books back out today.. 🙁

 

[Goro]

You're at the low end of possible interview material, but the 7 BS doesn't inspire confidence. Thus, I recommend holding off applying this year while you work on those MCAT deficiencies. I think you owe it to yourselfto present the strongest possible candidate. The GPA is fine.

Just got my MCAT scores back 6-PS, 11-VR and 7-BS. Didn't have a lot of time to prepare unfortunately 🙁. I will be taking the test again in January but want to know what you guys think about if I have a chance for this cycle? My primary has been sent and I'm working on secondaries but haven't submitted yet because I don't really have money to burn and want to see if I even have a chance..

Other info:
cGPA: 3.4
sGPA: 3.3
nsGPA: 3.5

Wide range of ECs from international relief work and lots of volunteer hours.

Thanks guys. Kinda down about the MCAT score and possibly losing a year. 🙁

 

[DrWily]

I was afraid of that answer 🙁. I work 50-60 hrs and I have a kid. This is not going to be easy. Getting my books back out today.. 🙁

I know its difficult to skip another year, but its one year out of a possible 30+ year career. If you want to get in, you will get in. Study hard for the MCAT, study 3, 4, 5 months to prepare if you have to. Just get a good score and you'll be back next year in this forum happy as a pig in mud with the plethora of interview invites.

Pre-Write Secondaries this year and pump those out next cycle ASAP. Then sit back and enjoy the ride. Just make sure that you apply IMMEDIATELY when the cycle opens.

 

[LUCPM]

I also tend to agree with some of the above posters about taking an additional year to retake the MCAT. I totally understand it may be daunting to re-open your book but you have much better chance to improve your score (your VR score is great). In general, it is much harder to improve VR score than the other two sections. I have read at least a dozen stories about people not being able to improve their overall scores due to subpar VR score. Best of luck to you.