Advice Please

[Mz.MD]

Hi everyone.

I need some advice please. I was accepted to Ross for September 2006, but I am really considering trying again for the US. I have a 3.9 GPA and a 25 on my MCAT. I may retake the MCAT in August and defer my Ross admission. I was considering deferring my admission to Ross for two semesters. However, a friend of mine told me to defer it to January, so in the case I do not improve my MCAT grade, I can just start in January. And if I do well on the MCAT, I can see how it goes and decline my admission. What's your opinion on this?

Also, for anyone who has taken a year off and reapplied, did you drastically change ur personal statement for AMCAS or just do some minor editing?

Thanks.:)

[tno77]

Take the MCAT again...if you get a 30 you are into a US Med school.

If I were you I wont even give Ross a 2nd look. The hardest thing to change is your GPA. Yours is phenomenol. MCAT is something you can improve

take a Kaplan course, do the MCAT, get a 30 and you will not regret your choice.

[Mz.MD]

Thanks, I think this is best too. But I would still like to have Ross as a back up, so when do you think I should defer it to?

[tno77]

Thanks, I think this is best too. But I would still like to have Ross as a back up, so when do you think I should defer it to?

You will know from US schools by Jan-Feb so if you defer to May you should be OK

Safest bet would be derring to next Sept

[indiansurprise]

3.9 GPA..write your mcat again

[sarahtarah]

even if you increase your mcat just by 3-4 points youll get in an american med school.

try again, i should've tried again, i do regret that, so for sure try again

[HN_MD]

Re-write the MCAT, 'nuff said

[Mz.MD]

I do want to retake the MCAT, but I am not prepared for the April exam. I plan to take it in August, but do you guys think this will hinder my chances a lot for US schools (since it may be late in the application process)? Should I still go for it?

[Manny22]

he who hesitates LOOSES

[sarahtarah]

go for it. submit your application, and indicate that you are retaking.

i really wish i had tried again. you have to try

[Mz.MD]

even if you increase your mcat just by 3-4 points youll get in an american med school.

try again, i should've tried again, i do regret that, so for sure try again
hi sarahtarah

why do u regret not trying again? what was your medical school experience like?

[tno77]

August MCAT will be received in time for applications...forget all the **, work your butt on and score well on the MCAT

FORGET everything else right now.

[sarahtarah]

hi sarahtarah

why do u regret not trying again? what was your medical school experience like?

i chickend out. i doubted myself when i really shouldnt have. i know if i had taken the MCATs over again I would've done better for sure, I didnt apply myself or study hard enough the first time around. I kept thinking "im wasting time just studying for the mcats when i can start med school at Ross now"

although I'm quite happy going to ross, I still wish i would have tried.

[DrVinsk]

Yeah,

Give it a shot.......I had a 3.85 GPA and a 36 MCAT and didn't get accepted to any US schools.......Gosh......(sobbing) I wish I would've tried harder).

[RossMD2006]

I would strongly recommend you try your best to get into a US school(either allopathic or osteopathic). Your gpa is excellent and you should try to score higher on the MCAT. Ross should be a last resort. I advised my friends to try to get into a DO or MD program first, and if that doesn't work out, then go to Ross.

I'm not knocking Ross, but there are many more advantages to going to a US School (resources, life in the US, etc.)

I am a fourth year now, so trust me.

Good luck and keep trying.

[RossMD2006]

Yeah,

Give it a shot.......I had a 3.85 GPA and a 36 MCAT and didn't get accepted to any US schools.......Gosh......(sobbing) I wish I would've tried harder).

No offense. Are you from California? I can't even imagine someone getting denied with those numbers.

[Gizmo]

Also keep in mind that 25 is considered good for admissions given other factors that will support the application (i.e volunteer work, jobs, non-traditional etc). However, this is only for your in-state institutions. These schools are your safety nets, and you should always apply to these schools. I would apply again, and indicate plans to retake as mentioned, and see what happens with in-state schools. In-state institutions always give residents top priority. I would recommend, however, that you submit it EARLY as you possibly can. Since you have already submitted it, then resubmit the same app with a few additions to cover the gap b/t the last one. This gives you the opportunity to be evaluated by the committee and not be group in a pool of applicants that may be more competitive that you are. Hope this helps.

:D Giz

[Mz.MD]

I am from New York.

[db3cool]

The best advice I could ever give to a future medical student is to apply early. Though many people know this is a good idea, most dont realize how golden this advice really is and what a difference an early application really makes. I have seen the difference in applying early firsthand with everyone around me. If you get a 28 or above on the MCAT you defintetely have a good shot. I suggest to take it over again, and try for an MD or a DO first. If an MD still doesn't work out, go for DO. Like the student said, Ross should be your last resort. It seems like you have potential...go for it so you wont regret it later.

[Mz.MD]

I am going to try a second time to raise my MCAT score. I did volunteer work for two years, community service, and some part time work. I plan to send those applications in as soon as possible. What did you guys mean by indicating my plans to retake (indicate it to the Ross admissions committee?)

So do you think I should defer to May then as a backup?

[Mz.MD]

sorry, I thought u were asking me where I am from.

Wow I cant believe you had a 3.85 and a 36 and didn't get in. Those are some amazing scores.

[booksale]

Yeah,

Give it a shot.......I had a 3.85 GPA and a 36 MCAT and didn't get accepted to any US schools.......Gosh......(sobbing) I wish I would've tried harder).



you mean you didn't get into the 5 schools you applied to? :bored: :twisted:

did you try applying to the 10 lowest ranked schools? or did you have a criminal record

[Manny22]

Yeah,

Give it a shot.......I had a 3.85 GPA and a 36 MCAT and didn't get accepted to any US schools.......Gosh......(sobbing) I wish I would've tried harder).

........................ it's like the white elephant, you always hear about it

[Mz.MD]

Before I make my final decision, I have one last question. I am interested in either pediatrics or OB/GYN. (I volunteered in a children's hpspital and I really liked it) I'm not 100% sure, but I don't think these are considered competitive residencies. So do you think its worth it to take the year off or should I just go, given I am not looking to be in a competitive residency? Will going to Ross hinder my chance of attaining a pediatric or OB/GYN residency? Thanks for the help.

[sarahtarah]

us schools offer a ton more advantages than carrib schools. i'd take the us schools.

[bkpride]

Before I make my final decision, I have one last question. I am interested in either pediatrics or OB/GYN. (I volunteered in a children's hpspital and I really liked it) I'm not 100% sure, but I don't think these are considered competitive residencies. So do you think its worth it to take the year off or should I just go, given I am not looking to be in a competitive residency? Will going to Ross hinder my chance of attaining a pediatric or OB/GYN residency? Thanks for the help.

ob/gyn residencies are pretty easy to get in ny.brookdale pretty much offers a pre-contract match to everyone I did rotation with.The problem is when that tv show comes out glamorizin ob/gyns (dont laugh-keep readin).then EVERYONE is going to want to be one.look at grays anatomy.when I started in 2003,surgery was real easy to get.1 year after that show everyone and they sister is tryin to become a surgeon.And there were actore/actresses following the residents around takin notes when I was at that hospital because of a tv show comin out this fall.My bro at st.johns says there was someone there doin the same thing with the residents there.

Dont know about peds though.When I did that rotation those kids was real scared of me.my clown impression never worked.

[Mz.MD]

us schools offer a ton more advantages than carrib schools. i'd take the us schools.
What are some of the advantages you were interested in?

[tno77]

Honestly, if you need to ask, you obviously have not done enough research into this field.

Being an FMG is like being a second class citizen. Your medical training will still be up to par, but you may not be treated the same as a US grad. It really depends on the situation but if you have a chance, its best not to put yourself into this situation.

But seriously if you are still here after 3 pages of advice telling you the best thing to do, you may lack the drive to pursue the US route - just accept your Ross admission and begin your education

[sarahtarah]

What are some of the advantages you were interested in?

what tno77 said. theyve been stated before:

1) easier residencies
2) just quicker responses
3) easier rotatoins
etc

[Mz.MD]

I have done an adequate amount of research, I should have clarified that I meant what advantages other than the obvious ones. I just wanted it from the perspective of a student who was already in Ross.

I've made my decision to try a second time and I would like to thank everyone for their advice. :)

[sarahtarah]

good for you! Mz MD, good luck. I hope to see you out there as a Dr. soon!

[booksale]

Before I make my final decision, I have one last question. I am interested in either pediatrics or OB/GYN. (I volunteered in a children's hpspital and I really liked it) I'm not 100% sure, but I don't think these are considered competitive residencies. So do you think its worth it to take the year off or should I just go, given I am not looking to be in a competitive residency? Will going to Ross hinder my chance of attaining a pediatric or OB/GYN residency? Thanks for the help.



obgyn is much easier to get nowadays because hardly anyone wants to go into it. Just check out the match lists for a handful of schools. obgyn matches are dwindling. anesthesia matches are going up. people are going after the bling.

[desai29]

if i were you take MCAT study for it you can NAIL IT with 45.

[indiansurprise]

Ross is no joke...its hard as hell