Home › Forums › Medical School › Admission › MSTP and a low MCAT

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  • June 15, 2004 at 4:15 pm #21823
    eveovirus
    Participant

    I know you have probably heard this a billion times, but I am in dire need of some advice.

    I really want to pursue an M.D/Ph.D. and have done over two years of research in one of our top microbial pathogenesis labs on campus. I have also been awarded a fellowship and been offered a postion as a research technician at the CDC(which I turned down due to the fellowship). When not in lab, I volunteer at the hospital ER, work two jobs tutoring and advising, minor in music(classical and baroque flute), and am president of my school’s undergraduate chapter of ASM. However, I recently received my MCAT score. It was a 30. Although I have a 3.99, I don’t know if I should still even apply to the M.D/Ph.D programs I was lookign at since their averages are around 35/36. I was told by an advisor not to retake the MCAT since I would risk repeating my score and be awarded double negatives by the admissions committees. What should I do? I would appreciate any help. [:(]

    June 15, 2004 at 8:38 pm #27253
    y82benji
    Participant

    DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT NOT APPLYING IF YOU WANT TO DO IT… most schools bump MD/PhD application declines to the regular MD admissions process so you can still get in the MD program.

    Your application is definitely complete other than the MCAT score. Your major concern should not be the “average” score for MD/PhD students, but rather cutoffs for the programs. I almost applied MD/PhD before I changed my mind about, but in my research I learned that many schools say that you have to get at least an 11 (or some other minimum score) in each section to be admitted MD/PhD. You should contact the programs that you are interested in and ask them if they have MCAT score cutoffs for MD/PhD. If so, then you may need to retake the MCAT. Otherwise I’ve often heard the advice that you shouldn’t retake unless you will bring your score up by at least 4 points (overall) and at least 1 in each section (unless you had like 15-7-7 obviously).

    Another very important thing – if you get in just regular MD, most schools still consider bumping you over into the MD/PhD program if you’re doing really well and have a particular interest in one of their labs/programs (not like 20 people per med school class, but probably 1 per class). I’m not an expert but you have the grades and personal achievements to give you options.

    June 15, 2004 at 9:12 pm #27255
    eveovirus
    Participant

    Thanks, that cheered me up a lot after my discouraging conversation with the “Bad MCAT mean no hope” believing Health Science Advisor . [:)]

    Today I have actually been emailing the directors and asking them my chances. So far only the really competitive ones, like Wash U in Saint Louis(avg. score 35.8 for M.D. only), say that my chances are extremely slim unless I shove publications into their faces.(I will only have one by then)

    June 15, 2004 at 10:19 pm #27256
    y82benji
    Participant

    While he was informative, my advisor took the approach that since med school is hard to get into, let’s start getting you ready for your rejection now. A 30 definitely isn’t bad, but it wouldn’t be lying to say that most MD/PhD students score higher. If you really want top 10 I would recommend retaking the MCAT IF you think you can get your score up to that 35 or 36.

    There are a few students that everyone admits, but other than those 5 (ok, maybe 6), everyone gets rejected by some school if they apply to enough. Just keep moving towards your goals – don’t get mired in the stress of it all.

    June 17, 2004 at 8:24 pm #27300
    eveovirus
    Participant

    Many of the schools I have contacted have actually told me to go ahead and apply. However, some of those same ones have suggested retaking the MCAT in August. Since this would delay my MSTP application, do you think I should go for it?

    June 17, 2004 at 8:42 pm #27301
    y82benji
    Participant

    I’d follow the advice that the schools are giving you. They wouldn’t suggest it unless they think it would be the best thing to make you more competitive in their application process.

    You should try posting the same question on the “Ask Admissions Consultants” thread to get their opinion too.

    June 17, 2004 at 9:43 pm #27302
    eveovirus
    Participant

    will do! Thanks. [:)]

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