When to decide it's over for 2004...

[turtlepower]

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I am seeking advice from the experienced re-applicants out there. I am currently applying for Fall 2004 admission but have yet to get an interview (waiting on 7 schools with "active consideration" as my status; on hold according to GW; rejected from 3) after being complete around Oct. 20 (I was late because I almost didn't apply this year). I know that this year was somewhat of a longshot due to a lower than desired MCAT score, but I decided to go for it because the rest of my application was fairly strong. I am at the point where I have to think about studying for the April MCAT again soon, but I don't want to waste my time and money if I may get in. What should I do and what did you guys do who were successful the 2nd time regarding this issue? Would waiting for the Aug. MCAT be stupid as a reapplicant, assuming that I need to do everything in my favor such as get things in as early as possible? Please help!

 

[djipopo]

Never surrender! 😉

There's still a lot of time left in this application cycle, some schools interview all the way through July so don't give up hope yet.

In the meantime, it may be a good idea to start working on Plan B, it can't hurt, right?

Did you apply to a wide range of schools this time around?

 

[Aaron Earles]

turtlepower,

I am going to PM you.

Dont be discouraged, dont give up.

 

[turtlepower]

dj:

I ended up applying to 11 schools. I had 2 main criteria - location and history of taking people with lower mcat scores. I wanted to be in an urban area and I found schools that I thought might take students with scores similar to mine from a list my friend got from her school's premed advisor with data from students who had been accepted to various schools and their gpa/mcat score.

I originally sent AMCAS to 12 and got 12 secondaries. I completed 11 (one had a prereq I did not have).

I applied to 1 reach and my "state" school who truned out not really to be my state school because I am living and working in DC right now - they rejected me. Thus, I have not state school.

So far: 3 rejections ("state," reach and BU) 1 hold (GW) and active consideration at:

Loyola Chicago
Rush
Temple
Jefferson
Drexel
Tufts
SLU

That my story. I'm just waiting for interviews and hoping that they come soon.

 

[Chrisobean]

i am not giving up until i get all 17 rejection letters, and i hope hope hope that does not happen. i would rather die than take the mcat again (4 times is more than anyone should bear). my plan B is some classes to boost my 3.4 (and 3.2 sci) gpa. my mcat isnt THAT bad. i have a good (and well-paying!) job at a very respected place. the only thing more i can do is get more clinical experience. and apply early next year. ANYTHING is better than taking the mcat again.

so far i have not heard a dam thing from any school.

dont give up, i'm not!

 

[sanoge7]

tp - what exactly did you get on the MCAT, if you don't mind sharing. That would give us a better deal of your potential to be interviewed. People have a whole range of their perception of "Bad."

 

[turtlepower]

I got (drum roll, please):

10 Verb, 7 Phys, 9 Bio, S writing

Not very good. I took PR but did not have nearly enough time to study on my own. I just sort of went to class and did some of the outsid stuff b/c I was taking Orgo II w/ lab and Genetics w/ lab and working a little and looking for a full time job and just doing too much. I went into the test too stressed about school projects and finals and stuff. I was also burned out due to doing all of my premed classes in a post-bac program over a 2-year period.

I know I can do better by studying on my own and focusing only on MCAT for a few months. well, and working to make a living. At least I have a research job so I am technically enhancing my potential every day, right?

 

[edik]

Well if you don't have any interviews by late April, OR If you had interviews, but not heard anything by late May... That's probably not too good...

 

[aquaboy]

I would say that if you haven't received interview invites by the end of this month then it might be time to start making other plans. I was an AUg. MCATer last year and already had 6 interview invites by this time. I received no more after Jan. It's always good to have a plan B and many med schools are close to filling their classes by March. It is usually about a month between interview invite and actual interview so it's getting down to crunch time. Have cautious optimism but plan on improving your application to make you a stronger applicant next time.

 

[cocoabutter]

Don't give up hope!! I applied during the last application cycle, and my first interview was not until the end of January. There is definitely still time. I do agree with aquaboy that you should have a back up plan. But do know that there is still plenty of time. Many schools interview well into April. Good luck!

 

[Aaron Earles]

I agree with cocoabutter. Dont let the fact that others have interviewed at schools already be discouraging. Just because you interview late doesnt mean that you wont get accepted. It will all work out.

turtle, I PM you another message.

DONT GIVE UP. Keep on going. We are here for you!

 

[Amy B]

Don't give up yet. Contact the schools that rejected you and ask why and what you could do to improve your chances next time. They will tell you why their school turned you down. Then you could see if it is the MCAT.

Otherwise I would suggest studying on your own. Invest $70 bucks for the Kaplan comperhensive guide and start going through that on your own for the April test. But call the dean of admissions' first to find out what killed you at those schools.

Good luck with the rest. It's not over until the last rejection letter hits your hands.

 

[Aaron Earles]

theDr.,

I just sent you a PM. Let me know when you get it.

Good luck.

 

[Robz]

It ain't over till the fat lady sings!

of course she might be warming up in the backgorund but that's a different story.

Go for it....keep the faith. You gotten this far in the process. At least your still in the running.

Remember, as long as your not rejected.....you have a chance.

 

[JayMiranti]

I had the exact same Mcat scores as the OP, 26Q, last year and didnt get in after only one interview at my state school.

In my opinion, a 26 is too low unless you are a URM, have OUSTANDING ECs, or very high gpa from a top school.

Also, I could see some state schools accepting a non-URM with typical ECs and gpa, but it would depend on the state, like im sure youd get in in Louisianna or Kentucky, but probably not in a state where the premed "market" is competitive.

Its terrible how much of a cold numbers game this process is, but that is the reality. Id bet that the MCAT is the #1 obstacle responsible for causing potentially great future med students to give up their dreams. I hate the mcat, but its the only means to an end.

This time around, 28, 5 interviews so far, with no real other additions to my app, it is very much a numbers game.

 

[Willie B]

Don't give up yet. The first time that I applied, I received interview invites as late as March. Also, I don't think that a 26 is too low to be accepted. Unfortunately, a 26 on the MCAT won't open up any doors for you. And, if you don't get in this cycle, take the opportunity to improve your application (extra clinical experience, extra classes, or even take the MCAT again )