mchang

[mchang]

>As for taking extra science courses, you need one year of a >particular science. Squeezing a year’s work into a semester >doesn’t count as a year. Taking extra science courses can’t hurt >unless you do poorly, but the real question is, do you really want >to?

Well, the question I’m asking myself is, do I really have a choice?

If what you say is true, then I can pretty much assume that I’ll have to take another semester of General Chemistry just to fulfill admissions requirements. I’ve emailed several schools about this, but haven’t heard back from them. Should I just go ahead and sign up for a class?

Thanks,

Mchang

[mchang]

I hate to weave a more tangled web around my low MCAT scores, but I’m also coming to the chilling realization that I may have screwed up in putting together my basic science curriculum in college (no, I didn’t have a good premed advisor). Here are the classes I have in question:

1 yr. Biology: Molecular Biology and Human Physiology, both w/lab (I’ve never taken intro. biology)

1 yr. Chemistry: Accelerated Gen Chem. w/lab (squeezes Gen Chem 1 & 2 into one semester)

I am seriously thinking of delaying my med school application one year to take an intro. biology sequence and a biochemistry course. During that time, I’m also thinking of taking a Chemistry 2 course to add one more semester to my Gen. Chem credits. I graduated from college young (age 20) and have been passing the time by taking science writing internships (next one’s at the Centers for Disease Control).

I’ve had a nagging feeling through this past year that my MCAT scores could have been even better (maybe even 34-36) if I had a little more science under my belt (I’m an English major). Seeing that I’ve already taken the test twice (scores: 31S & 29R), do you think a 3rd attempt would be wise after I’ve taken the extra classes?

Thanks,

Mchang

[mchang]

Thanks for the reassurance. I usually do well on standardized tests, so I’m pretty shell-shocked right now…

Meanwhile, I’ll keep in mind your remarks on persistence.

[mchang]

Thanks, Dr. Wu. Your responses have helped a lot!

Mchang

[mchang]

Dr. Wu,

Thanks for your reply! Getting the 29 was a pretty horrifying experience, but you’re right. I’ll just have to work on polishing up the other aspects of my application…

One more thing, however. I was intending to apply EDP (when I thought I would have a higher score), but now that my scores aren’t that great, should I just consider applying with the general pool?

Again, thanks for your help!

Mchang

[mchang]

Hello,

(Apologies for the multiple posts in the “Admissions” discussion board. I’m afraid I’m a bit desperate right now!)

I’m an English major whose first-choice medical school is Yale University. I had intended to apply early decision to that school because its student culture and curriculum approach was exactly what I was looking for. The first time I took the MCAT (August 2003), I made a 31S (12V, 11B, 8P). Hoping to make up for the PS score, I took the test again in April 2004. Though I was slightly sick on test day, I didn’t feel like I had done badly…until I got my scores back yesterday. The verdict, a 29R (11V, 9B, 9P), nearly stopped my heart when I saw it. Not only did I not have a competitive score, but it was also *lower* than my first MCAT attempt! My practice test average is a 32-33, so I really don’t know what happened.

I do have a high GPA (3.94) and a strong extracurricular and scholastic profile (many awards, clinical activities, etc.). I know I can write a killer personal statement, but I’m now wondering if the admissions people will even consider the rest of my application with my terrible MCAT scores.

What should I do? If I take the MCAT again, it’ll be my third attempt. I do have a long string of other schools I’m applying to, but I really want to go to Yale. Should I go ahead and send in my application for this year, or should I wait one more year and enroll in an MCAT course in hopes of getting a better score?

Thanks,

Mchang

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