Thread: Should I retake MCAT and wait another year or just apply to Ross?

Any one have experience with this school? Well I took the MCAT in Sept 08 but I am retaking it this April or May.

However, I am thinking about applying to Ross because I don't want to wait another year.

Originally Posted by Swaydaa

I was one of those students who jumped the gun and went to Ross....and I dont regret it for a second. There are tons of reasons why to wait and why to jump in. I agree with the last post....FM, IM, PEDS, and NEURO dont wait. Middle of the road stuff like Anes, ER, PM&R, and some surgery you can get a spot IF YOU SCORE well on USMLE. competitive residencies- WAIT and retry MCAT

Got my first choice residency (Anes) at my number one choice (Ohio State). After my internship year, I've not been asked about where I went to medical school.....This includes all the Jobs I've interviewed at for the past 6 months. Yes, there was a period during my first year of residency where I had to EXPLAIN my training.

This is an awesome success story!! Congratz!

First before we can even comment on the OP we need to know all your stats. Are you competitive in terms of your other traits?

If you're in a time crunch and want to start med school asap try applying with what you have. But if not, retake the mcat and hopefully do better to apply to the US schools. Ross is a good school too.

ALWAYS, ALWAYS try a US school first. In the long run, by being patient and waiting for one year, you don't have the extra hoops to jump through that all off shore medical students currently go through, you have a more stable faculty, clinicals locations in the city of your medical school, and federal financial aid. Even though Ross and some other Carib schools have US federal aid, its still much better to try and get into a US school. I had a friend, 51 years old, who did re-apply after being put on a wait list one year. I assume you're younger, so you have plenty of time to re-apply. Medical school is a marathon, not a sprint. Good luck.

Thanks everyone

Originally Posted by Swaydaa

I was one of those students who jumped the gun and went to Ross....and I dont regret it for a second. There are tons of reasons why to wait and why to jump in. I agree with the last post....FM, IM, PEDS, and NEURO dont wait. Middle of the road stuff like Anes, ER, PM&R, and some surgery you can get a spot IF YOU SCORE well on USMLE. competitive residencies- WAIT and retry MCAT

Got my first choice residency (Anes) at my number one choice (Ohio State). After my internship year, I've not been asked about where I went to medical school.....This includes all the Jobs I've interviewed at for the past 6 months. Yes, there was a period during my first year of residency where I had to EXPLAIN my training.

wow congrats 375k a year. wow. What did you score on your steps?

Should I retake the MCAT and apply for US Med schools for 2011 or go to st.george in Jan 2010? I already took the MCAT twice. On the second time, I got a 27N (PS -11, VR 6, bs10),and have a GPA of 3.68. If I apply for 2011, I will be having a gap of 2 years before I enter the medical school.

To the OP:

Your decision should really be based on your numbers and overall application. If your numbers are good, the rest of your application is strong, and the only thing holding you back is your MCAT score RETAKE the MCAT and APPLY to US schools!!

That pretty much goes for everyone... even if you are in a time crunch, always treat the Caribbean rout as a last resort! Granted SGU and Ross are great "last resorts" however, nothing comes remotely close to the headache free US medical student route. As someone who is a few months from finishing at Ross, I have no doubt the training and education you'll receive at Ross will be up to par with what you would receive at US schools, but the ease at which you'll obtain a residency by attending a US school is well worth any potential wait!

Best of luck!!

Originally Posted by suku

Should I retake the MCAT and apply for US Med schools for 2011 or go to st.george in Jan 2010? I already took the MCAT twice. On the second time, I got a 27N (PS -11, VR 6, bs10),and have a GPA of 3.68. If I apply for 2011, I will be having a gap of 2 years before I enter the medical school.

Again, it really depends on your overall application. Your GPA is very average... and your MCAT is definitely below average. Although anything is possible, I highly doubt your MCAT will get you into a US school. Bring your Verbal up to the level of your physical and biological sections. Try US schools first... you'll appreciate the effort later on. Also, b/c your GPA is very average, you're going to want to kick butt on the MCAT and make sure the rest of your application is great... ie: clinical experience, extracurricular activities, maybe some research etc etc...

If your MCAT doesn't improve then I would apply to SGU/Ross/AUC/Saba in that order <-- my personal opinion.

Best of luck!

But never apply to Caribbean Schools b/c you don't feel like waiting!

You need to break out a calculator and do the math on this.

Unless you are in your 20's, dont wait. Every year you delay med school is another $200,000-400,000 of lost revenue you will never be able to earn back.

If you think you can really study your rear end off and bring up your scores (be honest with yourself) and this will give you a shot at a cheaper DO program or MD state school, then definitely retest and reapply.

My Ross experience has been dreadful and I kick myself everyday for not accepting SGU's offer. But, I am getting interviews for residency spots in the places I want. This school will get you were you need to go, but its a senselessly miserable ride along the way.

Good luck!!

what was the most dreadful part about going to ross?