World turned upside down. NEED ADVICE

[Kangna]

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Hi guys,
I am a senior at NSU. My gpa is 3.73 and the only C I got was Organic 2 which I made it up and got an A again. I have really good grades, mostly A's and a few B's. I just found out my score for the MCAT and I got a 22S. I could not believe it. I thought I had done well, especially since I was scoring around 28s on my TPR and AAMC practice exams. I already submitted my AMCAS and AACOMAS applications and I have all my letters but now I don't know what to do anymore. I know my score is terrible and won't get me anywhere. I have no idea what to consider at this point. Should I retake it and reapply in 2013 or should I look into Caribbean schools? What about a Masters? Please give me some advice. Thank You in advance.
Kangna

 

[AustinLAS]

I would firgure out where you went wrong...take a prep course and take the MCAT again asap. It may not be too late in the cycle depending on what scool you want to attend, especially since you will only have an update. I'm thinking you could take it again in November and have your scores for schools in December. Some schools interview well into March, and I am sure someone out there will give you an even later date on when they interviewed and got an acceptance. If you don't get in this cycle taking a year off may be a good thing to consider, but continue to strengthen your app by taking recommended courses, etc. Good luck to you!

 

[Bacchus]

I would NOT apply to the Caribbean. Your collegiate GPA is too high. You had a bad day.

 

[Kangna]

I would firgure out where you went wrong...take a prep course and take the MCAT again asap. It may not be too late in the cycle depending on what scool you want to attend, especially since you will only have an update. I'm thinking you could take it again in November and have your scores for schools in December. Some schools interview well into March, and I am sure someone out there will give you an even later date on when they interviewed and got an acceptance. If you don't get in this cycle taking a year off may be a good thing to consider, but continue to strengthen your app by taking recommended courses, etc. Good luck to you!

Thanks for the quick reply. I did do a 3 month course with TPR this summer and I was doing very well. I am not sure if I will be able to study for the MCAT and take it in november due to the fact that I am taking Biochem and Microbio at the moment. Studying for the MCAT and these classes might be too hard. What do you think?

 

[AustinLAS]

I would just hate for you to loose all the hard work you just put in for the MCAT, so that's why I would try and retake it asap. Try kaplan as a prep course? I know it's time consuming especially while you are taking those courses, but if you want it bad enough for 2012 you can make it happen this semester. If not now, wait and take another prep course in January and retake in the spring for 2013. Not sure what else you would do for a year while you are waiting though, besides taking extra courses to improve your app. I agree with the other poster about not going Caribbean as it will make getting into a good US residency a nightmare - or so I hear.

 

[Catalystik]

Hi guys,
I am a senior at NSU. My gpa is 3.73 and the only C I got was Organic 2 which I made it up and got an A again. I have really good grades, mostly A's and a few B's. I just found out my score for the MCAT and I got a 22S. I could not believe it. I thought I had done well, especially since I was scoring around 28s on my TPR and AAMC practice exams. I already submitted my AMCAS and AACOMAS applications and I have all my letters but now I don't know what to do anymore. I know my score is terrible and won't get me anywhere. I have no idea what to consider at this point. Should I retake it and reapply in 2013 or should I look into Caribbean schools? What about a Masters? Please give me some advice. Thank You in advance.
Kangna

If you are not yet verified, and you withdraw from AMCAS (via the check box on the application), you will get some money back (all but the basic fee for applying to one school, ~$160). I don't know if AACOMAS does this too, but most AACOMAS schools will consider a January MCAT. If you think you might be ready to retake by the end of January, then let schools know you plan another test date.

Meanwhile, keep your grades high and continue with EC building.

There is no reason to consider a masters, unless you want to master that discipline. Or it would be a good avenue to research and teaching which you need to acquire. Or you need to put off your educational loans.

 

[Catalystik]

I'm thinking you could take it again in November and have your scores for schools in December.

The last 2011 test date is 9/10/2011.

 

[KnicksAreBack]

I think you need to retake the MCAT next year. The Master's won't really help considering you did pretty well in undergrad. I feel like that would only help if you had a low GPA. Just take the next few months to study and take the MCAT when you feel completely ready. Good luck!

 

[Kangna]

I would just hate for you to loose all the hard work you just put in for the MCAT, so that's why I would try and retake it asap. Try kaplan as a prep course? I know it's time consuming especially while you are taking those courses, but if you want it bad enough for 2012 you can make it happen this semester. If not now, wait and take another prep course in January and retake in the spring for 2013. Not sure what else you would do for a year while you are waiting though, besides taking extra courses to improve your app. I agree with the other poster about not going Caribbean as it will make getting into a good US residency a nightmare - or so I hear.

Thank You. Yes, I am going to start studying again but what should I do different now? TPR did not seem to help me. I looked into the Examkrackers and the threads they have on here. What do you suggest? This question actually goes for everyone else on this thread. Is examkrackers good?

 

[Kangna]

If you are not yet verified, and you withdraw from AMCAS (via the check box on the application), you will get some money back (all but the basic fee for applying to one school, ~$160). I don't know if AACOMAS does this too, but most AACOMAS schools will consider a January MCAT. If you think you might be ready to retake by the end of January, then let schools know you plan another test date.

Meanwhile, keep your grades high and continue with EC building.

There is no reason to consider a masters, unless you want to master that discipline. Or it would be a good avenue to research and teaching which you need to acquire. Or you need to put off your educational loans.

Oh I did not know that. Yes, I will withdraw my AAMCAS application because I know I will not get into any MD school with my score. Thank You for telling me that.

 

[Kangna]

Do any of you guys know how to access the 2012 dates? I only see up until 9/10/11 on the AAMC website. Also, I asked the other person on here but I'll ask again, are examkrackers good? What do you guys think I should do different this time around?
I know my material very well for Organic and Biology. General Chemistry has always been easy for me, except for some parts that require lengthy calculations and Physics has always been tough for me. VR as well. Any suggestions?!?
Thank You guys!!

 

[Kjbds1]

1 response, 1 thought

Yes, ExamKrackers is excellent. I got a 36 on my MCAT using just it and emcat.com, and I hadn't taken Physics 2, so I taught myself electricity, magnatism, and optics with EK. That being said, EK is not a textbook, they're essentially tips on how to access so much knowledge in a timed test. If you don't understand something, go back to your textbooks.

You have the potential to have an excellent application NEXT year. You could of course cross your fingers, but that's a pretty low score (not trying to be rude, just stating the fact). I say next year, because if you buckle down and crush your MCAT next year, not only do you have a marked improvement to show schools, you can write and interview about how difficult it was to recieve this news, how it increased your dedication, etctera, etcetera, etcetera. You get the point. Best of luck.

 

[Catalystik]

Do any of you guys know how to access the 2012 dates? I only see up until 9/10/11 on the AAMC website.

This might help from the MCAT FAQ:

The MCAT Program releases each year in two blocks. The seats for the first block include January through May and are released in the fall of the calendar year prior to exam. The second block of seats is for June through September and those seats are released in the spring of the calendar year of the exam. We will normally announce on our website a week in advance as to when we are going to open those seats.
If I register for an exam in January and want to switch my exam to later in the year, how do I do that?
The MCAT Program opens registration for a calendar year in two blocks, January through May and the June through September. If you register for an early exam in January, you cannot reschedule into the second block of exams, until registration for those dates become available.
Examinees registering in January will not be able to reschedule into June through September test dates. If you do not wish to test in January, you should cancel your exam by the deadlines listed in the 2011 Registration Deadline and Score Release Schedule, and then reschedule your exam when Registration for the June through September dates opens up.
I registered for an exam in 2011 and now want to test in 2012, so how can I move my registration to the next testing year?
Reservations for any given year may not be rescheduled into the next year. If you registered for a 2011 exam and do not wish to test in 2011, you should cancel your exam for a partial refund by the deadlines listed in the 2011 Registration Deadline and Score Release Schedule. You will then be able to register for a 2012 exam in the fall of 2011, when the Scheduling and Registration System for 2012 opens.

Register for the MCAT Exam

Since it isn't "Fall" yet, it might be some weeks before the 2012 dates are added. Just keep checking the website.

 

[Kangna]

1 response, 1 thought

Yes, ExamKrackers is excellent. I got a 36 on my MCAT using just it and emcat.com, and I hadn't taken Physics 2, so I taught myself electricity, magnatism, and optics with EK. That being said, EK is not a textbook, they're essentially tips on how to access so much knowledge in a timed test. If you don't understand something, go back to your textbooks.

You have the potential to have an excellent application NEXT year. You could of course cross your fingers, but that's a pretty low score (not trying to be rude, just stating the fact). I say next year, because if you buckle down and crush your MCAT next year, not only do you have a marked improvement to show schools, you can write and interview about how difficult it was to recieve this news, how it increased your dedication, etctera, etcetera, etcetera. You get the point. Best of luck.

Thank You. I ordered the Examkrackers books.

 

[Kangna]

This might help from the MCAT FAQ:
Since it isn't "Fall" yet, it might be some weeks before the 2012 dates are added. Just keep checking the website.

Oh wow. Okay. Thanks a lot!! 🙂

 

[Morsetlis]

You're not going to magically understand electricity, magnetism, and optics from a course anyway. I A+'d my E&M physics class and got a 36T on the MCAT but I still can't explain magnetism. When I ask my Electrical Engineering friend he starts talking about quantum forces and subatomic particles...

The point is, the undergraduate material tested on the MCAT is not hard, and you do not have to truly understand it to remember where the pretty lines go when they are perturbed.

 

[Kangna]

Hey Guys. Just coming back on here to ask a question. So, since my MCAT score is already up there, you guys know that it is pretty low. Even with that score, all of the 5 DO schools I applied to sent me secondaries. Does that mean I still have a chance or are they just leading me on?
I withdrew my MD applications cuz I knew I would not even have a chance but I kept my DO applications.

 

[dbizzy]

Hey Guys. Just coming back on here to ask a question. So, since my MCAT score is already up there, you guys know that it is pretty low. Even with that score, all of the 5 DO schools I applied to sent me secondaries. Does that mean I still have a chance or are they just leading me on?
I withdrew my MD applications cuz I knew I would not even have a chance but I kept my DO applications.

Some schools will send secondaries to just about anybody. I mean, if your app has already been submitted, and you don't mind spending a few hundred bucks on secondaries, and **possibly** shelling out a couple more on plane tickets to an interview, only to lead to a strong likelihood of rejection and disappointment, sure go for it. I suppose that either way you'd be classified as a reapplicant next year so it couldn't hurt if you had the money, but correct me if I'm wrong on this.

Chances are very slim but it is possible. Either way, don't count on an acceptance and plan your year around studying hard for MCAT round #2 and scoring fairly well. Buut if you do happen to make it, good for you. Best of luck with everything.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

i would bet they are just trying to take your money, however i have been wrong before. I would say save the money, but it could be worth a shot.

 

[BurntFlower]

Hey Guys. Just coming back on here to ask a question. So, since my MCAT score is already up there, you guys know that it is pretty low. Even with that score, all of the 5 DO schools I applied to sent me secondaries. Does that mean I still have a chance or are they just leading me on?
I withdrew my MD applications cuz I knew I would not even have a chance but I kept my DO applications.

I would just save that money, retake the MCAT, and apply next year. Not worth it.

 

[shinbeats]

Hey Guys. Just coming back on here to ask a question. So, since my MCAT score is already up there, you guys know that it is pretty low. Even with that score, all of the 5 DO schools I applied to sent me secondaries. Does that mean I still have a chance or are they just leading me on?
I withdrew my MD applications cuz I knew I would not even have a chance but I kept my DO applications.

I know 2 people that got accepted into DO schools with a GPA slightly lower than you in the 3.6s and scored in the low low 20s on the MCAT. They both applied early though and actually one of them was early decision. Don't give up hope.

 

[Catalystik]

all of the 5 DO schools I applied to sent me secondaries. Does that mean I still have a chance or are they just leading me on?

I kept my DO applications.

Secondary application fees are a big money maker for most schools. Many (not all) of the schools won't look at any part of an application until they cash the check.

 

[CodeBlu]

Secondary application fees are a big money maker for most schools. Many (not all) of the schools won't look at any part of an application until they cash the check.

Greedy med schools.... just downright greedy.

(oh noes... I'm sounding cynical now)

 

[Catalystik]

Greedy med schools.... just downright greedy.

(oh noes... I'm sounding cynical now)

There's a first time for everything.