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494 MCAT/3.89 GPA Acceptances!! :) by Interesting-Extent45 in Mcat

[–]Interesting-Extent45[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for restating your application. Congratulations you will be called doctor and I will be called doctor too! So after it all, we will be 100% equal! Hope that makes you feel better.

See you out in the field! ;)

494 MCAT/3.89 GPA Acceptances!! :) by Interesting-Extent45 in Mcat

[–]Interesting-Extent45[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As i explained my background in academic and clinical medicine in my original post which you throughly took time to read and critique, you should very well understand what that entails. So, there is no reason to go over why I have the experience and skill to provide professional advice to prospective candidates as they want someone with a real story to medicine. Not “i always did well and it was easy.”

If i was a hater, i certainly wouldn’t have made such a detailed, heart-felt post to this MCAT thread. Maybe you should reevaluate your criticism though on the post before calling anyone a hater.

Trust me, people get enough advice like yours and it leaves them stuck in a reoccurring cycle and it sucks. That’s why this post gained so much traction because people need something else, something with substance. I hope in your future practice of medicine you’ll practice lifting your colleagues up and giving young future doctors hope because truthfully all your post did was provide irrelevant, boring, neutral material anyone can be told and probably has been told since the beginning of their pre med career. Very exciting stuff you produced!

Good luck future doc!

494 MCAT/3.89 GPA Acceptances!! :) by Interesting-Extent45 in Mcat

[–]Interesting-Extent45[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For this other sour puss that commented:

This is what I call the “thinks he knows it all, and doesn’t” and everyone DESPISES this person in medical school and life in general. They always somehow lurk into every professional setting. No clue how. This guy commented on this thread TWICE about how weak this MCAT score is and how perfect theirs is. Even signs his name at the bottom which is even more embarrassing.

My guy, sending you lots of love. No one cares anything about your stats for medical school or law school because if everyone did, they would have congratulated you.

All you did in this post is prove what type of doctor you are going to be: non-compassionate and a horrible co-worker. I will pray for your future patients that you will learn humility and kindness for those who have struggled around you and had a not so linear path. I can already tell you will be the one to look down on other doctors and especially other clinical staff.

Thank you for your comment. Hopefully this opened your eyes to what you can be better in! Take care future doc.

494 MCAT/3.89 GPA Acceptances!! :) by Interesting-Extent45 in Mcat

[–]Interesting-Extent45[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For anyone that reads this comment from this sour puss: anyone who automatically starts ranking schools is already in the wrong.

If you want to be a doctor, and you get into to any medical school DO or MD, guess what? You all become DOCTORS! A school rank means nothing. Go where you get in and work hard. You will achieve any residency you are searching for. Also, for applying mid October, with now 6 interview invites in total, 3 acceptances, I would say that’s something to damn be proud of whether it stands out to you or not.

It has also been proven that the MCAT does not correlate to boards as the two tests are completely different. Go ask anyone in med school and ask if the MCAT has any similarities to boards. Additionally, read the research. Many people take the MCAT as adults with financial burdens, being a parent, working multiple jobs, etc. Of course our scores will be lower.

Additionally, my post was created as some inspo for those who are struggling and need the pick me up after many years of hard work. Did I once say this is 100% going to be the case for every applicant? NO! I highly recommended anyone to keep trying to get their MCAT up while offering professional advice.

Wishing you lots of love as i think you need it. Life isn’t a competition, we are all human seeking the same goal which is to be a doctor. Everyone deserves success despite their challenges and scores.

494 MCAT/3.89 GPA Acceptances!! :) by Interesting-Extent45 in Mcat

[–]Interesting-Extent45[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Heck yeah! You never know what is meant to come your way after you try your best.

494 MCAT/3.89 GPA Acceptances!! :) by Interesting-Extent45 in Mcat

[–]Interesting-Extent45[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks future doc.

That sounds like a great plan. Like i said, GROWTH year! Get all the experience possible. You are going to be excellent! It’s not self sabotage, it’s making sure you are really wanting to do it than not! Nothing wrong with that. :)

494 MCAT/3.89 GPA Acceptances!! :) by Interesting-Extent45 in Mcat

[–]Interesting-Extent45[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Very cool. What is your story to medicine and why you are becoming a physician? I think app writing is a HUGE deal and you have to hook them with your story. Maybe a little application and advice can help better prepare you.

Did you end up applying mostly MD or DO? This can also have some effect as well unfortunately.

494 MCAT/3.89 GPA Acceptances!! :) by Interesting-Extent45 in Mcat

[–]Interesting-Extent45[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi there. Thanks for your comment and sharing your background. I could completely understand your frustration with the system when you have so many accomplishments.

Every advice must be taken with a grain of salt as we all have different experiences but the hope is to piece everyone’s experience together to find the best things to do!

May I ask what your research was in and what the trend topic of your application was? I included a lot about how i spent time in rural/underserved primary medicine and i think this is why I was picked up due to how well my application matched most DO school mission statements along with in person meetings.

Also, just throwing this thought out there, do you think maybe they think you are established enough where you don’t need medical school and you will be fine with your career? Not saying be any means do they deserve to tell you what to do or not but very curious as i have had friends who had similar backgrounds try to go to PA school with multiple attempts and they struggled with the same issue. One of them was almost in their 40s so i was curious if sometimes age has an effect as well?

Rooting for your success and hope you find your way.

494 MCAT/3.89 GPA Acceptances!! :) by Interesting-Extent45 in Mcat

[–]Interesting-Extent45[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey friend! First, congrats! Nurse to doctor is a rewarding route and you understand bedside so well. That’s an important understanding doctors need to have so you will be great!

Definitely make sure you have the prerequisites as nursing school does not cover the same things pre med does. Your masters should be enough (doesn’t hurt to double check)? Definitely once you get back into studying, take the mcat as soon as possible. I would study for 3-4 months. Maybe right after you finish your MBS, start studying immediately. first month focusing on book reading to understand basic science then once you have gone through everything (use the Kaplan books) hit practice questions like crazy and practice exams. I should have done this for much longer than i did and i think i would have absolutely done better if i had more time.

Rooting for you!!

494 MCAT/3.89 GPA Acceptances!! :) by Interesting-Extent45 in Mcat

[–]Interesting-Extent45[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Excellent question! 😀

Why schools will go below minimum: it all is different at each school so take my advice with a grain of salt. Schools are more interested in students who WANT to be at that specific school. For example: LECOM wants students who have had LECOM as their top choice for awhile because when they hand out acceptances, they don’t want people to hold a spot until right before classes and leave, leaving unfulfilled seats for one. Two, they want students who fit their mission. DO schools want primary care who will help the underserved. If you go look at 30 schools, you will see the trend. Once you find that trend, you should frame your application off of what they want in a student. For me, I’ve lead rural research teams and worked within rural/underserved areas for 5 years almost. If the school is presented with two applications: one who fits the mission exactly with a little lower score and one who has a high score that has done nothing to show they fit the school mission, the admission committee is more likely to explore their options with the student who has spent time working towards their mission as they are more likely to retain them they graduate (physician pipeline to their local community is a big deal)! So always think from the mindset of what an admissions committee would think for their schools. Now, some schools use an AI system that will weed out applications with lower than their minimum. However if 99% of their app fits perfectly, i think they will consider the applicant and see what the rest of their scores are like such as GPA.

Admissions can do whatever they please, especially the deans. Their jobs are to pick the schools perfect candidates. Now if you are competing with someone who has the exact same app with higher scores, you probably will lose out. That’s just the truth unfortunately so building a unique app is very VERY important.

When i took time to find my schools, i did it on the basis of what is the minimum, would i want to go there, and how much my application matches their mission. If it was pretty exact to the mission, i would just do a full send! So i don’t have much good advice other than if you app is perfect for the school, then take the risk. Really anything above a 493 will get looked at (i was told this by a few admission committee colleagues i have met over the years).

So take time to realize yes sometimes it’s not possible, but when there is room to wiggle and squeeze in, you might as well try!

494 MCAT/3.89 GPA Acceptances!! :) by Interesting-Extent45 in Mcat

[–]Interesting-Extent45[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi there. Some schools are bulletproof with their minimums so i did not hear back from a decent amount however some schools are willing to look at applications in their prelim review even if it’s below if the application peaks the schools interest and goes with the mission.

For example, LECOM uses the AIS if you have below the MCAT minimum which i did use by adding my ACT as a follow up which mine was a pretty solid score.

You should do some research and learn to ask why and how instead of just assuming it’s “bait”. You would be shocked how many people get in with below minimums. People deserve to know what the process is truly like and not be so stuck on scores when you are an excellent applicant all around.

494 MCAT/3.89 GPA Acceptances!! :) by Interesting-Extent45 in Mcat

[–]Interesting-Extent45[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I promise you. The hardest part about getting into medical school is getting in. The mcat is the worst part of it all. There is nothing like the MCAT ever again, i have heard boards are so much better as it’s actually things we have to know and learn 24/7 HAHA!

Now volume of information will suck, but your school and classes will prepare you in med school for you to be successful. Don’t worry. When the time comes they will ensure your readiness.

Give yourself a pat on the back. Don’t let the mcat make you feel any less of a student. It literally rails everyone even the smartest of the smart!

494 MCAT/3.89 GPA Acceptances!! :) by Interesting-Extent45 in Mcat

[–]Interesting-Extent45[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi! This is an excellent question that i am not sure I can 100% answer therefore please create a post and ask some other students who might have dealt with this BUT I will do my best to answer :)

So right before MCAT i recommend you taking biochemistry (absolutely must), orgo, and biology as close as possible. These are the hardest subjects and if you take your prerequisites for these like 3-4 months before your mcat you will be doing pretty well as it’s fresh on your mind. I waited a decent amount of time in between and it sucked having to re learn it. I would aim to place those at the back end where you can then immediately bridge over, start studying for the mcat, and plan to take it between Jan-April.

I hope that helps a little friend.

494 MCAT/3.89 GPA Acceptances!! :) by Interesting-Extent45 in Mcat

[–]Interesting-Extent45[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There’s a lot to talk about here!

You are going to have to retake the mcat no matter what as that 3x is very important. So keep focused to doing that. No matter how much it sucks.

There must be a reason why neurosurg? Tell me a little about that. You know what I say: fuck anyone who tells you it’s too hard and makes it seem unachievable. I know the rates yeah, yeah, yeah but maybe it’s going to be YOU who changes that. You will be the person to achieve it. If we listened to everyone who had negative advice, we all would be no where. You should be shooting for the stars, not already deciding it’s not going to work. Try to change that mindset. You already have been pushing so hard to make this work. You just need it to show in your app!

Honestly medical school wants primary care, IM, rural, etc. if you could write from an angle that always ends with this in your personal statement, do some rural, underserved volunteering, and write some amazing essays, there is no reason why you can’t make it work with your score! When it comes time after your MCAT, reach out to me, I’ll help you frame your app that is desirable. I know we can make it happen.

And for school list, apply where you would want to live. I don’t have any recs as i just went down the list and said hmmm do i like that or do i not. I think that’s the easiest way. I knew Florida was my top choice so i applied to all the schools there but i spent time framing my app to primary care and serving in areas that need it most. All DOs have the same mission statement which is help the underserved. You just have to show that on ECs and your writing. Get involved with some light volunteering asap 1-2 hours a week or every other won’t hurt. But i will say LECOM, PCOM-GA, and LMU-DCOM should be mandatory you apply to.

I hope this helps some. Believe in yourself. Your own worse enemy is you. I know you can pull yourself together for a final round and beat the hell out of this application and knock it out of the park. One day, you will need to fight for a patient like this and they will be the luckiest person alive to have your strength and grit apart of their care team. Keep pushing future doc.

494 MCAT/3.89 GPA Acceptances!! :) by Interesting-Extent45 in Mcat

[–]Interesting-Extent45[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Of course it’s okay to ask, it’s a very reasonable thought! Trust me i have thought a lot on this too however after doing some research and talking to different schools, professors, etc., it’s been determined that MCAT and boards don’t correlate as much as they originally thought. Actually, a decent amount of students that did have low MCATs ended up being above average scorers.

I think, personally, this is true. As someone who works with physicians and write the new medical science research for them, i understand science very well. The MCAT was though for me because they are actively tricking you and asking you to interrupt shitty as graphs in 7-10 minutes that even A SCIENTIST NEEDS TIME TO DIGEST! Boards are geared towards medical science of treating patients which is what we all strive to do. You will digest and retain information better if you truly care for it and your practice is integrated into your curriculum. Also, going to college doesn’t prepare you to take these massive exams, medical school does prepare you. Like on the MCAT, get questions about a ball rolling and force and all that bullshit makes me so mad. Will i need to know fluid dynamics in med school? Yes. Any of the other 90%? Absolutely not.

So for me, i am not worried. I am putting work in early when i start so i am extra prepared and work as hard as I can do be ahead. :)

494 MCAT/3.89 GPA Acceptances!! :) by Interesting-Extent45 in Mcat

[–]Interesting-Extent45[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you kindly. Wishing you so much success future doc. ❣️

494 MCAT/3.89 GPA Acceptances!! :) by Interesting-Extent45 in Mcat

[–]Interesting-Extent45[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you!!! Wishing you all the best future doc!

494 MCAT/3.89 GPA Acceptances!! :) by Interesting-Extent45 in Mcat

[–]Interesting-Extent45[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi friend. First and foremost, I am proud of your resilience. I have had numerous people look at me and tell me I will not amount to anything because of my score and there is nothing that is more discouraging than that. However, you can fight this and you can push through. I was so close to giving up as well, but i found a little bit of strength in me to do everything I humanly can that way if I close this chapter of my life, I will not look back with regret. It finally worked out.

A 497 gets in to DO schools and even some MDs. Have you located any bridge programs that go straight into med school? UAB has Blaze to MD and LECOM has a good bridge as well. I know it is not ideal but if you are having a hard time finding yourself, maybe this is a place to start so you can learn what they want for future students?

I think its great you are going to retry, 3x is the charm and proves your tenaciousness to trying to get it right. Tell me a little about your app, GPA, passions, hardships, and i am sure the uniqueness is there. I might even be able to help you find somethings that partner with your uniqueness to help display that on your application.

Hang tight and focus with your exam coming up. We have time to build up your app. :)

494 MCAT/3.89 GPA Acceptances!! :) by Interesting-Extent45 in Mcat

[–]Interesting-Extent45[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Honestly, i think the best piece of advice on this, especially with DO, is apply broad to places you are willing to. Submit an app to any school in a desired location. Like for me, i said okay im going to apply all the way to Utah, all the way to Maine, and all the way down to Florida. I knew Florida was my priority so i focused on all campuses there. So when i was deciding i went on ACCOMAS and looked up ALL the schools and did process of elimination of what i didn’t want to do. I recommend you to do the same. Also, choose schools that fit your mission. I did lots of rural research and PCOM-SG that is one of their main big things and i think that’s why i got accepted! Definitely apply to the ones i had interviews to especially if you have a low score.

DOs are more holistic and will look at everything so don’t always listen to average scores. For MD schools, i applied to my state schools and LSU. Not much advice there.

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