Urgent - Need Advice

[Namaste3]

Hi Everyone,

 

I need help deciding whether or not write the MCAT (I'm currently in my first week of TPR course and need to drop by Saturday to get a refund).

 

Here is my situation:

 

Graduated in December, BASc, undergrad cGPA 3.8.

 

I applied to Mac this year and got an interview.

 

If I don't get in this year, next year I CAN apply to Mac again and Ottawa (my wGPA for Ottawa is 3.9, so should be safe even if it goes up).

 

If I write the MCAT, this really only opens up the additional option of Queens for me. I don't qualify for Western because I took 4 courses in 2 semesters and I don't qualify for UfTs weighting formula, so I think that would significantly reduce my chances there.

 

I'm wondering if its worth writing just to possibly apply to Queens, that is of course if I make their cutoffs, which can be random like with the WS this year. Its been a long time (4 years) since I took the relevent courses and I know the physical sciences section of the MCAT will be really hard for me.

 

What would you do if you were me? Write the MCAT this Spring (current date is May 27)? Wait til I find out if I get into Mac in May, and write this August? (I currently have plans to do Europe with friends) or not write at all and just apply to Mac and Ottawa next year if I don't get in?

 

Any and all advice is much appreciated.

Thanks.

[Dr.Cave]

take the MCAT its fun!

[Kuantum]

If you have already made plans to go to Europe, then I'd say write it. However, if you are going to do that but still think you'll have time to study, then I'd wait. Also, you may want to try and gauge how competitive you think your application is to getting into Mac...it's a tough school to get into.

 

Nonetheless, if you write the MCAT, it does open you up to more schools so it may be the best thing to do in the end anyways.

[tooty]

Why wouldn't you qualify for Western and UT? Just because you've taken less than a full course load, it doesn't mean you are completely ineligible to apply. It just means their weighing formulas won't apply to you. I believe they'll simply take your cumulative GPA. If your cGPA is 3.80, that's a good one going into UT, and I'm sure 3.80 is good enough as a cGPA for Western.

[rogerroger]

I personally would do the MCAT in Aug. if you want your best shot at Ontario/Canada. If you get in this year celebrate in Europe! Those are similar to my plans this year!

 

Next year if you apply again you might be good for an interview at some places. Maybe you could even avoid the MCAT... But interviews get your foot in the door. More you do this better the odds you will be studying med on your hoped for time frame.

 

Congrats and good luck with MAC btw! That is a pretty awesome acomplishment as that school is areal bugger when it comes to getting an interview with its 5700 applicants or somthing... Damn...

[Namaste3]

Why wouldn't you qualify for Western and UT? Just because you've taken less than a full course load, it doesn't mean you are completely ineligible to apply. It just means their weighing formulas won't apply to you. I believe they'll simply take your cumulative GPA. If your cGPA is 3.80, that's a good one going into UT, and I'm sure 3.80 is good enough as a cGPA for Western.

 

The reason I can't apply to Western is because I took a semester off, so my two years that qualify for their cutoff run starting in January and I called and this doesn't count as full years (even though its four semesters).

 

I thought because most people get their lowest marks droppe for UfT, unless you had a 3.9+ you wouldn't be competitive there... but maybe I'm wrong?

 

I think I will just write the MCAT this winter, I thought alot about it and I know if I don't get into Mac this year, I am going to regret not having written it.

 

Thanks so much everyone for the help.