I am a reapplicant this year getting ready to submit my application. My previous mcat was a 29M and UGPA of 3.71 with ec’s etc. However, I retook the mcat hoping to do better but did worse! got a 27Q so I am kind of rattled though I know there is nothing I can do about it now. Just curious about what this means for my chances this time around, i.e. whether it is worth it to apply this round or try and take it again (though I think the stats indicate I won’t do much better than I have done considering I thought I was much more well prepared the 2nd time around and did worse.)
To ALex:
That 27 Q is a huge liability because your first score is under average. Both of those scores would tend to make an admissions committee question how much grade inflation played into your uGPA. If you took it again and scored lower than 29, you would just about tank your chances of acceptance. If you reapply, be sure to completely rework every part of your application that is under your control. This means rewriting the PS, getting updated LORs and definitely doing more extracurriculars (the more unusual the better). With a totally upgraded and revised application, you also need to apply very broadly (allopathic and osteopathic) especially since you did worse on your second MCAT attempt. Again, a third attempt would need to be out of the park, which is quite unlikely. You might be able to explain (only in an interview if asked), that your second score was due to not feeling well or something like that but a second retake with a score less than 32 would just about knock you out of the game. Is that worth the risk?
Hello there Dr. NJB,
I’m a first year medical student and I wanted to get your opinion on the issue of grades disclosure in medical schools. I go to a small medical school, the prof’s post our grades on the bulletin boards without our student#’s only. This semester I managed to make a 100 in one of my courses (histology) and the prof kept talking about how i was the first to break a record. He didn’t really mention names or anything but I was cornered by one of my study buddies and I ended up telling him what I go on the test. Little did I know, this study buddy of mine spread the news around the class and now I feel like I’m looked at in a very different way. I really feel like its effecting my academic performance too (in a bad way). I don’t know what it is, I can’t explain it but everytime I try to ask someone for help they tell me that I shouldn’t need anyone to explain anything to me since I make 100%’s in all courses (not true, it was only one course). I don’t know how to deal with people’s expectations. I don’t knwo if I am making a big deal out of it but its really hurting me a lot. I know that I’m not as smart as people think I am…I just simply studied very hard. How would you deal with it?
Any thoughts are much appreciated.
To Sara:
Let this go. It’s done and you can’t change anyone’s thoughts except your own. Make your own thoughts about doing your best and living up to “your” expectations of yourself. Words like “smart” don’t actually mean very much in medical school. Everyone in medical school is “smart”. You are either prepared for an exam or you are not. Sometimes one may prepare better than at other times but make no mistake, everyone is smart enough to be there or they would not be there in the first place. This is why it is pretty useless to compare yourself to anyone else. Run your own race and let things roll off. Part of the process of becoming a physician is realizing that you do the best you can on any given day with the tools that you have. In the end, you give your best to your patients and make sure that you haven’t cut any corners where their health is concerned. In the end, one test or even one class for that matter, isn’t going to make much of a difference in your day to day career in the long run. Move on and congratulations on the excellent performance.
Great site!
Just out of curiosity…
Did you pursue research during your Medical School Career? What were the “extra curricular” activities that you were involved with?
can you write little bit about why you chose surgery? some of the current trends and where the profession is headed?
I will be a 27y.o. first year medical student and concern about how do I fit possibly starting family (currently single) to long rigors of surgery residency.
Couple of my friends ended up doing residencies in rad and anes even though they liked surgery the best.
P.s.
I love the site, I find myself re-reading the same blogs and coming here on weekly basis to see what’s going on.
I really miss having your articles organized by topic in the right nav portion of your blog. Often, I will find myself working on a specific topic and will visit your site for advice. Since removing it, it has become more difficult to find pertinent information. Just my opinion – thanks so much!
Wow. I somehow managed to come across this website while searching out some backyard ballistics to entertain my nephews – don’t ask my how its the joy of the search engine.
I am actually starting PA school in June and your documented journey has been extremely helpful for me to plan my plan. I am also a visual learner and plan on implementing your study habits as it relates to color. Is it possible for me to view how you layout some of your notes? Perhaps even scanning them in and posting them would be just great.
Thoughts and ramblings from a physician who remembers her thoughts & ramblings from medical school too well…
Hello,
I am a reapplicant this year getting ready to submit my application. My previous mcat was a 29M and UGPA of 3.71 with ec’s etc. However, I retook the mcat hoping to do better but did worse! got a 27Q so I am kind of rattled though I know there is nothing I can do about it now. Just curious about what this means for my chances this time around, i.e. whether it is worth it to apply this round or try and take it again (though I think the stats indicate I won’t do much better than I have done considering I thought I was much more well prepared the 2nd time around and did worse.)
Thanks for any feedback
To ALex:
That 27 Q is a huge liability because your first score is under average. Both of those scores would tend to make an admissions committee question how much grade inflation played into your uGPA. If you took it again and scored lower than 29, you would just about tank your chances of acceptance. If you reapply, be sure to completely rework every part of your application that is under your control. This means rewriting the PS, getting updated LORs and definitely doing more extracurriculars (the more unusual the better). With a totally upgraded and revised application, you also need to apply very broadly (allopathic and osteopathic) especially since you did worse on your second MCAT attempt. Again, a third attempt would need to be out of the park, which is quite unlikely. You might be able to explain (only in an interview if asked), that your second score was due to not feeling well or something like that but a second retake with a score less than 32 would just about knock you out of the game. Is that worth the risk?
Hello there Dr. NJB,
I’m a first year medical student and I wanted to get your opinion on the issue of grades disclosure in medical schools. I go to a small medical school, the prof’s post our grades on the bulletin boards without our student#’s only. This semester I managed to make a 100 in one of my courses (histology) and the prof kept talking about how i was the first to break a record. He didn’t really mention names or anything but I was cornered by one of my study buddies and I ended up telling him what I go on the test. Little did I know, this study buddy of mine spread the news around the class and now I feel like I’m looked at in a very different way. I really feel like its effecting my academic performance too (in a bad way). I don’t know what it is, I can’t explain it but everytime I try to ask someone for help they tell me that I shouldn’t need anyone to explain anything to me since I make 100%’s in all courses (not true, it was only one course). I don’t know how to deal with people’s expectations. I don’t knwo if I am making a big deal out of it but its really hurting me a lot. I know that I’m not as smart as people think I am…I just simply studied very hard. How would you deal with it?
Any thoughts are much appreciated.
BP
To Sara:
Let this go. It’s done and you can’t change anyone’s thoughts except your own. Make your own thoughts about doing your best and living up to “your” expectations of yourself. Words like “smart” don’t actually mean very much in medical school. Everyone in medical school is “smart”. You are either prepared for an exam or you are not. Sometimes one may prepare better than at other times but make no mistake, everyone is smart enough to be there or they would not be there in the first place. This is why it is pretty useless to compare yourself to anyone else. Run your own race and let things roll off. Part of the process of becoming a physician is realizing that you do the best you can on any given day with the tools that you have. In the end, you give your best to your patients and make sure that you haven’t cut any corners where their health is concerned. In the end, one test or even one class for that matter, isn’t going to make much of a difference in your day to day career in the long run. Move on and congratulations on the excellent performance.
I really enjoy your site. I just linked you on my website – thought you might enjoy it, too! http://www.wellnessrounds.org
Hi
Great site!
Just out of curiosity…
Did you pursue research during your Medical School Career? What were the “extra curricular” activities that you were involved with?
-am
can you write little bit about why you chose surgery? some of the current trends and where the profession is headed?
I will be a 27y.o. first year medical student and concern about how do I fit possibly starting family (currently single) to long rigors of surgery residency.
Couple of my friends ended up doing residencies in rad and anes even though they liked surgery the best.
P.s.
I love the site, I find myself re-reading the same blogs
and coming here on weekly basis to see what’s going on.
I really miss having your articles organized by topic in the right nav portion of your blog. Often, I will find myself working on a specific topic and will visit your site for advice. Since removing it, it has become more difficult to find pertinent information. Just my opinion – thanks so much!
Wow. I somehow managed to come across this website while searching out some backyard ballistics to entertain my nephews – don’t ask my how its the joy of the search engine.
I am actually starting PA school in June and your documented journey has been extremely helpful for me to plan my plan. I am also a visual learner and plan on implementing your study habits as it relates to color. Is it possible for me to view how you layout some of your notes? Perhaps even scanning them in and posting them would be just great.
Thanks so much!
Great site. I’m a potential “non-traditional” applicant. Just surfed on to your site and really found it helpful.
VERY GOOD LINK