I was rejected from a medical school I really want to go to.....(please read details)?

Question

I made an appointment with the dean of admissions to discuss my application and see what I can do to improve my chances of acceptance next year. I am pretty sure that I was not accepted because of my Mcat scores. Everything else, GPA, volunteer work, extracurriculars, letters of recommendation were strong. The problem is I took the Mcat 3 times. I studied to my greatest ability (took a prep course, took many many practice exams, knew the info inside out), and I have no explanation why my scores were so horrible (except for verbal was ok, I recieved a 10). My family says it is because I was going through a rough year (two close family members died, among other things), but that does not matter to admissions, and I don't like excuses. I know that I have the potential to be a great physician, I have the dedication and drive, but my scores ruined everyting. I already have some kind of idea on what I will say, but has anyone else been in a similar situation, and do you have any suggestions?

Answer 1

There are so many applicants to medical schools in the US, that most schools turn away applicants who are perfectly well qualified. If your MCAT wasn't strong, and the rest of your application was good, then your gut is probably right - it was the MCAT scores that did it.

Did you get into another med school? If you got into another med school, but not into the one you wanted, then seriously consider attending your second choice. Look at them again. Getting into med school at all is a big deal in the US. Only something like 37% of applicants get in ANYWHERE. Simply getting in is something to be proud of.

But back to your first-choice school. I'm so glad that you made that appointment. Not only is it a chance for you to speak to this man and get a realistic opinion on what you can do to improve your application, but you also have the chance to show him that his school is your #1 choice. That, if you got in, you would attend. This is invaluable. Applicants often don't realise that the contacts you have with a school actually can sometimes make a difference when it comes to admissions time.

I strongly believe that, if this is the career for you and you really want this, and you didn't get into any med school on this application cycle, you should take another MCAT prep class (use a different company so you get a different perspective and methods) and take the MCAT one more time. This will be the last time. See if you do improve.

Continue with your volunteer work. If possible, make it medical-related.

Speak to the pre-med advisor at your university. See what she'd suggest to make you a stronger candidate. See if she can also suggest some additional schools to which you should apply.

Apply again. Apply to this school, but also apply to others. Keep in mind your goal. It would be great to get into this one school, but in reality, your goal is to become a doctor. If that means that you go to some other school, or a less prestigious school.



And there are alternatives to med school which may still satisfy you. A link, below.

A friend of mine, when rejected from med school, became a doctor of optometry. He LOVES IT. He's grateful that he was rejected, becauseh otherwise, he wouldn't have explored alternatives.

Answer 2

Did the dean of admissions say that it was because of your mcat scores or is that your own idea? Did he say that your gpa, volunteer work, extracurriculars, etc. were strong? It could be that your extras are not as strong as you think they are, or as strong compared to the other applicants. If you are applying to duke or harvard or ucla or michigan, you are going to have to get your mcat up because there will be people with the same extras as you and if they have the mcat scores, you wont stand a chance.
The thing most people dont think about is applying to DO or caribbean schools. I am biased toward allopathic but if medical school and medicine is where you see yourself succeeding, you have to look at all your possibilities. If you are meant to be a doctor as you seem to feel, you have to be willing to go out of your way and comfort zone to accomplish that. Just because you may think going to a DO or car. school is not quite as high profile or elite or good as US allopathic schools, if you truly love medicine, that shouldnt matter.
Try Ross university and check out DO schools in your area. DO schools generally accept lower application stats than allopathic schools.

Answer 3

That is a tough position to be in. I would say take the test again and reapply. Having a rough time is a common reason for not doing well on a test. There is no rule saying you have to go to this school this year, or even this school at all. Consider working for a bit until this rough patch passes to make taking the test easier; you can continue volunteering and studying in the meantime. Or you can consider different schools to go to; I know this isn't ideal, but take a good look at this and some other schools to see if this is the only match, or if you might be happy someplace else as well.

Answer 4

I would apply to another school. If you have gotten consistent grades on the MCAT then you probably aren't going to do a lot better the next time around.

If you absolutely cannot get in to any med school you might try nursing school. I would think (better ask first) that an RN would help you get admission to a med school.

Answer 5

Havent had a problem being admitted but once there staying and maintaining top scores has been very hard but its something i love i want to help sick pple and alleviate their pain so if its your passion follow ur dream dont give up send ur application to various varsities dont limit urself if its still hard consider universities outside your country it could be cheaper go to asia africa or russia ul b exposed to different medicine like tropical med /diseases if that doesnt work then u can redo ur papers if u have a passion and are 100%sure its what u want as in ur ready to give ur life for it ill say u go girl we will get there