smiliepie Posted August 9, 2009 Report Share Posted August 9, 2009 Okay, this has been asked time and time again. Is the MCAT truly a flag? According to admissions and this forum, the MCAT only comes onto the radar if the marks on a section fall below the cutoff BUT...is the MCAT scrutinized at all if the adcom sees a somewhat shabbier undergrad GPA? I ask because I previously wrote the MCAT on a whim and got a 9/9/9/Q. My undergrad GPA is 3.5ish, but I have an A grad GPA average in a course-based masters, with 4 publications (one first author) and 11 abstracts (3 first author) with a handful more pubs and abstracts on their way if all goes well. I'm scheduled to rewrite the MCAT in September and am feeling a serious lack of motivation to do so, but at the same time, don't want my previous score to work against me. That being said, the admissions website will consider only the most recent score, so I'd have to do well (at least as good) on this sitting. Thoughts? Insights? (P.S. a part of me is thinking about applying to the MD/PhD program and I see they ask for submission of MCAT marks in their application package. Could this work against me there?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
future_doc Posted August 9, 2009 Report Share Posted August 9, 2009 I do not see how your MCAT score will work against you at UofT. You will not be red flagged for that score. Accordingly, I do not think you need to rewrite if you are only concerned with one med school. I cannot imagine applying for the MD/PhD program will work against you. Generally, each program would need to accept you, so if you are not accepted for the PhD program for example, this will not affect your application for med school. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smiliepie Posted August 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 9, 2009 yup, I'm pretty sure I'm not attractive to any other Ontario schools based on my undergrad... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
future_doc Posted August 9, 2009 Report Share Posted August 9, 2009 Well, smiliepie, flip a coin and see how you feel on the day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smiliepie Posted August 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 9, 2009 thanks future doc. I'd rather figure out now and enjoy the summer that's left then study it all away and decide not to write it This is only coming up now because I just got the results from my masters exams, which are giving me the green light to apply. anyone from UT med have any insight? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GenGal27 Posted August 9, 2009 Report Share Posted August 9, 2009 It's my understanding that most med schools base their selection process on a points system, with a certain number of points being alotted to each criteria. For example, the weight of the MCAT for the pre-interview score may be 10%, and if you were to get a perfect score, then you would receive that full 10% towards your total. Lesser scores will receive less points. So, it is an important part of your application, especially if you're weaker in other areas. In the end, the people with greatest number of points are offered admission. If you've already completed your degree, then you can't change your GPA, but you've still got the opportunity to change your MCAT score. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laika Posted August 9, 2009 Report Share Posted August 9, 2009 Go for it. Your MCAT score won't hold you back at all for the MD, and you have a good amount of research for a master's. You should have a decent shot... Not sure if the MCAT is weighed for the MD/PhD positions, but I think your research background should be enough to offset it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smiliepie Posted August 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 9, 2009 Go for it. Your MCAT score won't hold you back at all for the MD, and you have a good amount of research for a master's. You should have a decent shot... Not sure if the MCAT is weighed for the MD/PhD positions, but I think your research background should be enough to offset it. Go for it, as in, don't rewrite the MCAT? So it's used to screen and then never looked at again? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laika Posted August 9, 2009 Report Share Posted August 9, 2009 Go for it, as in, don't rewrite the MCAT? Er, yeah. Go for it, as in, apply with that MCAT score. So it's used to screen and then never looked at again? Right. They're not out to trick people by posting false info on the admissions site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peachy Posted August 11, 2009 Report Share Posted August 11, 2009 (P.S. a part of me is thinking about applying to the MD/PhD program and I see they ask for submission of MCAT marks in their application package. Could this work against me there?)Unless things have changed in the past few years, they use the MCAT mark as a flag as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smiliepie Posted August 14, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2009 thanks guys. At this point I'd really much rather focus on getting grant applications in and studies finished up than worry about the MCAT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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