Back in the day, the MCAT was only administered twice a year in April and August. The MCAT is divided into three sections: Verbal Reasoning, Biological Sciences and Physical Sciences (there's also essay writing which doesn't really count). Each section is scored numerically on a scale of 0-15, 15 being the highest score on each section, for a maximum total MCAT score of 45. I took the MCAT for the first time in the second semester of my junior year on April 26, 2003. To save myself from embarrassment (even though this is an anonymous blog), let's just say my first total MCAT score was less than the highest possible score on each section (yes, that means < 15)!!! I was crushed :( However, I took the exam with no real preparation thinking I would do fine since I was a biology major... I know that sounds pretty stupid of me but realize that my college didn't have a good pre-med program and advisor. There was also rumor going around that it's good to take the exam even if you're not ready "just to see what it's like" so you can be better prepared the next time... probably the dumbest thing I've ever heard!
After recovering from the shock of doing so poorly on my first MCAT attempt, I figured I could use some help. I applied to an 8-weeks summer pre-med program that had an MCAT preparation component. The program went from late May - July and then students would take the August MCAT. I completed the program that summer of 2003 after junior year and took the MCAT a second time on August 16, 2003. I was disappointed yet again when the result was released about two months later... my score increased by just four freaking points!!! Still nowhere near the minimum/average MCAT score of 24-30 needed to get into medical school. I was sad and devastated that I didn't get a good MCAT score in both April & August 2003 attempts because that meant I couldn't apply to medical school in 2003 for 2004 admission and go straight from college to medical school (you apply for admission to medical school a year ahead). I would have to sit out at least a year after graduation, so I started looking for research jobs for after graduation. In the process, I learned about a prestigious study abroad/research fellowship program. I applied to the program in late 2003 and learned by early 2004 that I had been awarded a scholarship to do research abroad. I was elated-- during college, I only did your typical pre-med stuff for med school during the school year (volunteering, shadowing physicians to gain clinical exposure in hospital/clinic, tutoring) and spent my summers working or participating in some pre-med program at medical schools. I never had the opportunity to study abroad, so getting this fellowship to live, study or do research abroad for a year was a huge deal for me. I thought this is going to be an awesome experience and will look great on my resume for medical school admission!!!
After recovering from the shock of doing so poorly on my first MCAT attempt, I figured I could use some help. I applied to an 8-weeks summer pre-med program that had an MCAT preparation component. The program went from late May - July and then students would take the August MCAT. I completed the program that summer of 2003 after junior year and took the MCAT a second time on August 16, 2003. I was disappointed yet again when the result was released about two months later... my score increased by just four freaking points!!! Still nowhere near the minimum/average MCAT score of 24-30 needed to get into medical school. I was sad and devastated that I didn't get a good MCAT score in both April & August 2003 attempts because that meant I couldn't apply to medical school in 2003 for 2004 admission and go straight from college to medical school (you apply for admission to medical school a year ahead). I would have to sit out at least a year after graduation, so I started looking for research jobs for after graduation. In the process, I learned about a prestigious study abroad/research fellowship program. I applied to the program in late 2003 and learned by early 2004 that I had been awarded a scholarship to do research abroad. I was elated-- during college, I only did your typical pre-med stuff for med school during the school year (volunteering, shadowing physicians to gain clinical exposure in hospital/clinic, tutoring) and spent my summers working or participating in some pre-med program at medical schools. I never had the opportunity to study abroad, so getting this fellowship to live, study or do research abroad for a year was a huge deal for me. I thought this is going to be an awesome experience and will look great on my resume for medical school admission!!!
Helpful post.
ReplyDeleteIt indeed is a very helpful post. My cousin is preparing for this exam and it can help me focus better on it. On the other hand, I am looking for a nice New York Bar Exam Course for myself. I want to practice law here and have been working hard for this. Let me know, if you have an idea about this as well.
ReplyDeleteMuch obliged to you for some other instructive site. The spot else might just I get that sort of data written in such a flawless strategy? I have an endeavor that I am basically now running on, and I've been at the look out for such information. alternative medicine
ReplyDelete