MD With a 503 mcat(second time) should I still try?

[treeert]

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I took my first MCAT in may, without studying for it I got 503(128/122/127/126). I then registered the second test for june 30th. Unfortunately, right before the day I took the test, a gas explosion occurred beside my apartment and the school moved us to another place overnight...it took 5+ hours to drive to the test center so I only slept for like 2 hours and almost fell asleep when taking the test.... I got my 2nd score back, got 503 again(130/122/129/122)....
what should I do now? still try or wait for next cycle?

P.S: GPA 3.93, Asian female

 

[Terror Billy]

I would say you are good to go for any DO school you'd like, MDs outside of your state schools might be tough.

 

[treeert]

I would say you are good to go for any DO school you'd like, MDs outside of your state schools might be tough.

location: Kentucky. I still prefer MD and there are only two Md schools in KY. The cars and psy would definitely hold me back...

 

[Terror Billy]

location: Kentucky. I still prefer MD and there are only two Md schools in KY. The cars and psy would definitely hold me back...

Sorry to be harsh, but with two 503s and being Asian even with a great GPA MDs are likely out of reach. I would apply to both UK and UL and then start applying to DOs

 

[Faha]

For MD you should apply to Kentucky and Louisville. Your high GPA should result in interviews. Also apply broadly to at least 8 DO schools.

 

[Goro]

I took my first MCAT in may, without studying for it I got 503(128/122/127/126). I then registered the second test for june 30th. Unfortunately, right before the day I took the test, a gas explosion occurred beside my apartment and the school moved us to another place overnight...it took 5+ hours to drive to the test center so I only slept for like 2 hours and almost fell asleep when taking the test.... I got my 2nd score back, got 503 again(130/122/129/122)....
what should I do now? still try or wait for next cycle?

P.S: GPA 3.93, Asian female

Apply broadly to DO schools.

I have Adcom colleagues who would be leery of accepting someone who makes such poor choices on taking a career deciding, high stakes exam.

For the Exam 1, why did you not prepare for it?
For Exam 2, why did you not simply void the exam, or not take it?

 

[treeert]

Apply broadly to DO schools.

I have Adcom colleagues who would be leery of accepting someone who makes such poor choices on taking a career deciding, high stakes exam.

For the Exam 1, why did you not prepare for it?
For Exam 2, why did you not simply void the exam, or not take it?

For exam 1, that was my mistake, right after finals + secret confidence coming from nowhere...
For exam 2, the accident was unexpected and I didn't want to give up on my chance. Guess I was trying to "wing it".
I am only applying to MDs. Should I still apply anyway? or take mcat for the third time and wait for next cycle.
I am very appreciated for any advice.

 

[Shotapp]

You can apply but I'm not so sure you will get in because you're ORM. Study and take the MCAT a final time when you are completely ready. No more poor judgments.

 

[Goro]

For exam 1, that was my mistake, right after finals + secret confidence coming from nowhere...
For exam 2, the accident was unexpected and I didn't want to give up on my chance. Guess I was trying to "wing it".
I am only applying to MDs. Should I still apply anyway? or take mcat for the third time and wait for next cycle.
I am very appreciated for any advice.

A 2x 503 MCAT taker is circling the drain. Beggars can't be choosy, and as such, you need DO schools on your list.


Loma Linda (only if you are SDA or a very devout Christian)
Loyola
VCU
Oakland U Beaumont
WVU
Uniformed Services University/Hebert (just be aware of the military service commitment)
You're 5 points < median for U Louisville, and barely above their 10th %ile. Hence, you have a shot at them.

For U KY, you are 9 points below their median and below their 10th %ile.

Any DO school. I can't recommend Touro-NY or LUCOM, for different reasons. Start list with KYCOM, WVSOM, LMU, all three VCOMs.

 

[Terror Billy]

For exam 1, that was my mistake, right after finals + secret confidence coming from nowhere...
For exam 2, the accident was unexpected and I didn't want to give up on my chance. Guess I was trying to "wing it".
I am only applying to MDs. Should I still apply anyway? or take mcat for the third time and wait for next cycle.
I am very appreciated for any advice.

Do not want to beat a dead horse, but really you should not waste $$$ applying only MD. Why not apply DO? If you're so dead set against DO then it's probably in your best interests to not even apply this cycle and take the MCAT a third time, which as Goro has suggested would probably further nail home poor decision making to medical schools (unless you miraculously land a 516+). Overall, if you're goal is to become a physician apply broad DO this cycle and UL + UK.

 

[Auntymarkovnikov]

You guys she just said "Asian Female."
By definition she will attain MD, not DO.
F the haters, take it a 3rd time and destroy it.

 

[Dr.Cut.em.up]

Why are you so set on only going to MD when you really dont have the scores. UK is out, Louisville is a long shot. Whats wrong with going to DO schools?

 

[AndyHopkins]

Hey OP. I strongly recommend giving yourself a year to press the reset button and REALLY focus on the MCAT. Personal background, I got a 505 and a 504 on my first two attempts- was studying it wrong by focusing too much on content review. However, on my third attempt, I completely readjusted my approach and thought of the MCAT more as a skill (like a sport) - this includes doing countless practices and full lengths under testing conditions, PARTICULARLY on CARS. On my third try, I received a 515.

LTDR: There is hope if you are willing to put in the work.

 

[treeert]

Hey OP. I strongly recommend giving yourself a year to press the reset button and REALLY focus on the MCAT. Personal background, I got a 505 and a 504 on my first two attempts- was studying it wrong by focusing too much on content review. However, on my third attempt, I completely readjusted my approach and thought of the MCAT more as a skill (like a sport) - this includes doing countless practices and full lengths under testing conditions, PARTICULARLY on CARS. On my third try, I received a 515.

LTDR: There is hope if you are willing to put in the work.

Are you a re-applicant? Now I don't even know should I still aim for med school or not..... One of my friend who got 500 told me: just apply anyway （he only applied to MDs）. I wish I had his courage.....I guess I'm just stressed out now. Even if I get 515+ for the third time, wouldn't they still look at my two 503's and question about that?

 

[meraki_soul]

.

 

[SLU Student]

If you have the money, time, and guts, go for it. If you have the patience, wait until next cycle and improve your MCAT score in the meantime. It seems like you won't listen to any advice and apply D.O., so you only have those first two options.

A 2x 503 MCAT taker is circling the drain. Beggars can't be choosy, and as such, you need DO schools on your list.


Loma Linda (only if you are SDA or a very devout Christian)
Loyola
VCU
Oakland U Beaumont
WVU
Uniformed Services University/Hebert (just be aware of the military service commitment)
You're 5 points < median for U Louisville, and barely above their 10th %ile. Hence, you have a shot at them.

For U KY, you are 9 points below their median and below their 10th %ile.

Any DO school. I can't recommend Touro-NY, LUCOM or Wm Carey, for different reasons. Start list with KYCOM, WVSOM, LMU, all three VCOMs.

Before, I noticed that you only recommended against Touro-NY and LUCOM. Now, you've added WCUCOM to that list. May I ask why?

 

[AndyHopkins]

Are you a re-applicant? Now I don't even know should I still aim for med school or not..... One of my friend who got 500 told me: just apply anyway （he only applied to MDs）. I wish I had his courage.....I guess I'm just stressed out now. Even if I get 515+ for the third time, wouldn't they still look at my two 503's and question about that?

No I am not - I simply did not apply after receiving my MCAT score. Sure they will question about it, but its better than just applying with a 503.

 

[Pharaoh95]

I'm surprised people are recommending applying with that score. Scoring a 122 in two different sections seems pretty lethal to me, even for DO.

 

[Goro]

If you have the money, time, and guts, go for it. If you have the patience, wait until next cycle and improve your MCAT score in the meantime. It seems like you won't listen to any advice and apply D.O., so you only have those first two options.



Before, I noticed that you only recommended against Touro-NY and LUCOM. Now, you've added WCUCOM to that list. May I ask why?

Hmm, that's an older list. I am satisfied with WCU's progress. I do have concerns with how their students are doing after the tornado that flattened their campus.

 

[Goro]

Are you a re-applicant? Now I don't even know should I still aim for med school or not..... One of my friend who got 500 told me: just apply anyway （he only applied to MDs）. I wish I had his courage.....I guess I'm just stressed out now. Even if I get 515+ for the third time, wouldn't they still look at my two 503's and question about that?

That's very foolish advice if he meant applying to MD schools.

 

[treeert]

I'm surprised people are recommending applying with that score. Scoring a 122 in two different sections seems pretty lethal to me, even for DO.

This is the part that I worry the most. If I had average score for each section I would just go ahead and apply. As a non-US citizen my weakest part is the CARS but I really regret about PSY... I had to pinch myself when getting to the psy part to make sure that I didn't fall asleep. To be honest I didn't even remember whether I selected "voiding" or not until I got my score.......

 

[Dr.Cut.em.up]

OP, study Psyc/Soc and pay close attention to the external locus of control part