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quote:
Originally posted by nick1988Hello,
I am currently in the process of applying to medical through AMCAS, but have yet to submit my application. I received my MCAT score and did not do well (25O). Immediately I signed up for another MCAT test in August. I do not feel this score reflects my intelligence and am confident I will be able to raise my score. I was wondering if I should still submit my application to the AMCAS service. Will schools automatically disregard my application because of my low MCAT score? I have a 3.78 overall GPA and a 3.76 science GPA. Any other suggestions would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Dear Nick1988,
Thanks for contacting us. You are probably right, the MCAT score doesn’t reflect your intelligence. But it is possible that it more or less reflects your current baseline knowledge. I suggest that you not retake the MCAT unless you are consistently getting scores well into the 30’s on your practice exams. You don’t want a second low score. Based on your current score, you would not likely be competitive at U.S. medical schools.
Best,Dr. Shelton
Senior Consultant
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Hello everyone!
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Best of luck with your applications!
Sincerely,
David Petersam
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quote:
Originally posted by JemlomaxHello,
I graduated from UCLA last with a B.S. in psychobiology. My cumulative GPA was a 3.496 and I received a 32P on my MCAT. I did not do any research as an undergrad and my clinical experience was working as a receptionist at a doctor’s office. I have been involved in and led a number of community service projects. I have recently attained a research assistant position at UCSF but I won’t be starting until after I submit my applications. Should I still mention this in my application? If so, where? And baseed on my current application, would I be a strong candidate for medical school?Dear Jemlomax,
Thanks for your question. You probably shouldn’t list anything that as an activity you haven’t started. From what you say, it’s possible that you could be competitive for admission at some medical schools. Much depends on your application and how you present yourself. If you need more detailed analysis of your situation, please contact our office.
Best wishes,Dr. Shelton
Senior Consultant
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quote:
Originally posted by wsheltonquote:
Originally posted by Canuck87Hello,
I am a non-traditional student and a Canadian interested in applying to medical schools in the US, but am unsure of my chances. I am 22 yr old, finished my BHSc in 2009 and will be graduating with an MSc in 2011. My undergraduate gpa is a 3.89 (Sci gpa 3.86) and my graduate gpa is 4.00. My MCAT score is a 30R, but I have a 6 in verbal reasoning – this is my third writing of the exam. I re-wrote the MCAT to bring up my verbal score which was a 9, but clearly that did not work out so well.I believe I have decent extracurricular activities. I have been working in a research laboratory for 5 years now and have 3 publications, 1 in submission, and 1 invited review paper. I have also co-founded a community health promotion program and served as the first chair for three years, during which time the program expanded it’s services from 20 to 200 children. More specifically related to healthcare, I shadowed my mentor, a microreconstructive plastic surgeon, throughout most of my undergrad and volunteered in the ER unit of a local hospital. I am an avid supporter of the interprofessional movement in healthcare and have just recently finished my term as VP of the national association in Canada.
Despite my low or unbalanced MCAT score, do I stand much of a chance in applying for medical schools in the States?
Thank you for your efforts.
Dear Canuck87,
Thanks for your question. You definitely have done some good work. But your 30 MCAT could be a barrier to you being competitive in U.S. medical schools. You may want to consider retaking it at some point.
Best wishes,Dr. Shelton
Senior Consultant
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Thank you for the advice Dr. Shelton,
I have since re-written the MCAT and have scored 34Q (12/10/12), although this would count as my fourth write of the exam. I have heard of the “magic 3 rule”, where schools begin to view the applicant more negatively even if there was an improvement in his/her score. I have not submitted my AMCAS application yet, but do you think I still stand a chance in applying to US schools having written the MCAT 4 times?
Thanks again.
quote:
Originally posted by Canuck87quote:
Originally posted by wsheltonquote:
Originally posted by Canuck87Hello,
I am a non-traditional student and a Canadian interested in applying to medical schools in the US, but am unsure of my chances. I am 22 yr old, finished my BHSc in 2009 and will be graduating with an MSc in 2011. My undergraduate gpa is a 3.89 (Sci gpa 3.86) and my graduate gpa is 4.00. My MCAT score is a 30R, but I have a 6 in verbal reasoning – this is my third writing of the exam. I re-wrote the MCAT to bring up my verbal score which was a 9, but clearly that did not work out so well.I believe I have decent extracurricular activities. I have been working in a research laboratory for 5 years now and have 3 publications, 1 in submission, and 1 invited review paper. I have also co-founded a community health promotion program and served as the first chair for three years, during which time the program expanded it’s services from 20 to 200 children. More specifically related to healthcare, I shadowed my mentor, a microreconstructive plastic surgeon, throughout most of my undergrad and volunteered in the ER unit of a local hospital. I am an avid supporter of the interprofessional movement in healthcare and have just recently finished my term as VP of the national association in Canada.
Despite my low or unbalanced MCAT score, do I stand much of a chance in applying for medical schools in the States?
Thank you for your efforts.
Dear Canuck87,
Thanks for your question. You definitely have done some good work. But your 30 MCAT could be a barrier to you being competitive in U.S. medical schools. You may want to consider retaking it at some point.
Best wishes,Dr. Shelton
Senior Consultant
AdmissionsConsultants
703.242.5885Join us on Facebook to receive a 5% discount on all services!
quote:
Originally posted by nocturne22My apologies, my science gpa is around 3.12 actually and I’m just wondering if this weakness in my application (certainly a big one) offsets my strengths to where I shouldn’t apply. Thank you so much for your help!
quote:
Originally posted by nocturne22I’m a minority undergrad from jhu with 3.3 GPA, 35 mcat, great extracurriculars, and a science gpa around 3.0, possibly slightly below. Is it still worth it for me to apply this year? Any input would be greatly appreciated. I’m worried about getting past initial screening.
Dear Nocturne22,
Thanks for your question. Your GPA is a bit low. But if your MCAT is 35, that is a positive factor. It may be worth applying to less competitive schools and especially schools where you have in-state residency. Let us know if you would like to have a more detailed look at your situation.
Best wishes,Dr. Shelton
Senior Consultant
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quote:
Originally posted by SMBandHi,
Last year I decided to leave behind a career as a database analyst and pursue a dream to go to med school. I am extremely insecure about my undergrad GPA, however, and I know that my only shot would be a Caribbean MD, DO, or otherwise non-US MD school, at this point. I got a BA in Computer Science and a BA in Economics from Emory University in ’04.
My “Stats”: overall GPA = 2.98. My Comp Sci was a 2.88 and my Econ major was like a 3.35. I demonstrated upward trending in grades in Junior and Senior year, at least. I also have 300+ volunteer hours (and counting) of major clinical and hands-on patient experience in a regional ER (Level II Trauma center), and have shadowing lined up as well as a surgical externship/observership for later this year. (I have not taken the MCAT yet.)
I have not taken any of the core sciences except for Math and Biology (which was a long ago and I only got a B in it, so I want to repeat it). Therefore, I am on track for applying to a post-bacc program, but I am still hesitant to apply anywhere because my GPA doesn’t even meet the 3.0 minimums of most post-baccs.
Before I even apply to a formal post bacc, I am thinking of taking Biol 1 and Chem 1 independently this Fall (and possibly continuing with Biol 2 and Chem 2 in the Spring) at my local state university branch. (Incidentally, I am also wondering if I should take English over the summer, because I only did one semester of English in undergrad and I think med school adcoms require 2 semesters, but I’m not sure.) Anyway, the reason for taking these classes before the applying to a post bacc is so I can at least a) put my GPA over 3.0, and b) knock out some of the post bacc reqs so I don’t have to spend forever in post bacc school.
Do I have any chance of getting into a Post-Bacc NOW with my current standing, or should I proceed with the plan of beginning my prerequisite classes (and continuing with extracurriculars) on my own independently prior to applying to a formal program?
Conversely, I also heard that some basic post-bacc programs prefer you to not have taken any of the core sciences before applying. So if I begin to take core classes (i.e. Biol and Chem) prior to applying to a basic post-bacc program, would the post-bacc admissions frown upon that?
I’m sort of caught between a rock and a hard place, because on the one hand I want to raise my GPA to be accepted to post bacc, but on the other hand I don’t want to disqualify myself from a post-bacc program by taking too many of their science classes beforehand. I know I’m not in a great position, so please don’t reply that I have no chance… I’m more driven than ever to make this happen now, so there must be a way yet. Please let me know what you think my best course of action should be, because I’m very confused as to what to do!
Thanks for reading,
StevenP.S. I am new here, so I apologize if I am posting in the wrong forum… Please move my post to the appropriate forum, if this is the case. Thanks for your help!
Dear Steven,
Thanks for your question. I would suggest you review thoroughly the requirements described on the websites of several of the post bacs programs you are considering. It’s my understanding that they all have prerequisites and a required minimum score on the MCAT. So my guess is that you will have to take more undergraduate courses and also take the MCAT exam in order to qualify for the post bac programs. You might pick one or two programs and call their admissions office and talk to someone directly about the prerequisites.
Best wishes,Dr. Shelton
Senior Consultant
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quote:
Originally posted by xfadomx88Hi. I am a Suny Buffalo student. I just got back my mcat score 12P 7V 11B. ( That verbal is killing me).
I have a 3.88 Gpa and 3.82 Sci Gpa in Biomedical Sciences.
I have overall 300+ hours of clinical volunteering including a medical missions trip to Mexico. I also have other non-clincal volunteering as well. I am applying to 23 schools very few “elite” schools. What are my chances for an interview/ acceptance? I am just afraid that 7 will get me application rejected even before it is reviewed.
Dear Xfadomx88,
Thanks for your question. Too bad about your verbal. But you have a lot of other positive qualities. It’s worth you going ahead with your application and see what happens. You can always retake your MCAT next spring if necessary. If you would like more detailed analysis please contact our office.
Best wishes,Dr. Shelton
Senior Consultant
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quote:
Originally posted by siba407Hello, I currently have a dilemma which I hope you can help with. I want to go to medical school but currently my uGPA is not good at all. It is a 2.7. I want to know what I should do so that I can improve this. I have been reading about Post baccs that serve as GPA but I don’t know if I should do ones that would be a review of the sciences for me or an SMP.
hines
hines
Dear Hines,
Thanks for your inquiry. You will definitely have to do more course work in upper level science courses. Something like a post bac or a masters level program in science will be essential. There are many options. I suggest you contact your premed adviser at your undergraduate institution for some advice.
Best wishes,Dr. Shelton
Senior Consultant
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