Session 55

In this episode, Ryan talks about whether or not your chances of getting into medical school will get slimmer if you’re retaking the MCAT for the third time and whether taking a Master’s in a tech science-related course affect your application.

Your questions, answered here on the OldPreMeds Podcast. Ryan again dives into the forums over at OldPreMeds.org where he pulls a question and delivers the answers right on to you.

OldPreMeds Question of the Week:

Poster is 25 years old and working in the industry for the last 2.5 years. He/she is currently studying for a Master's in software engineering and graduating in Spring '18. Despite that, he/she is considering applying for medical school after listening the OldPreMeds podcast. While taking undergrad in electrical engineering, he/she did premed simultaneously for Texas Medical Schools with a 3.6 GPA.

Poster applied in 2015 but screened away; taken MCAT twice (1st-27 and 2nd-29). Poster is looking to apply in 2018 and planning to take Kaplan to prep for the MCAT in 2017. Poster is also looking at volunteering and shadowing experiences next year. Poster is close at finishing Master's in software engineering where the company pays for it.

Since this is the third time of taking the MCAT, are the chances of getting in slimmer? Is everything riding on the next MCAT score?

Here are the insights from Ryan:

• Your chances of getting to medical school (in terms of the admissions side) have nothing to do with your MCAT score or how many times you take your MCAT score. However, there are some restrictions in how many times you can take the MCAT.
• 3x in a single testing year
• 4x during two consecutive periods
• 7x in a lifetime.
• For somebody taking it 4-7 times, there's a reason there's a need to take it so many times. How did you prepare for the MCAT the first two times? And why are you doing Kaplan this time?

About test prep courses

Things being third time taking the test, consider taking Next Step Test Prep because they offer one-on-one tutoring although they also have an online course now.

Is everything riding on your next MCAT score?

Everything is not riding on your next MCAT score but you should do well on it. Find out why you're not doing well. There should be a reason why and hopefully, Next Step can figure that out for you.

Should you be taking any courses or a postbac?

No, you have a good GPA. You took the required classes in school. The only question is - do you think you're prepared enough for the MCAT with having your premed classes a number of years ago? Or can you self-study and re-learn the foundational content for the MCAT so you can use that information.

The MCAT is not a content-heavy test but it focuses more on critical thinking and analysis.

Does completing a Master's in software engineering help or hurt your chances?

Software engineering is tech science-related so it doesn't help you or it doesn't necessarily hurt you. It can only hurt you if it takes you concentration away as well as your time for doing other things like shadowing and getting in extracurricular activities and studying for the MCAT.

Can you still submit your application in 2017?

You have 6 months to apply at the very start of June 2017. Theoretically, you could take the MCAT in June but it's still doable to submit your applications early, get you secondaries back and by the time you submitted those, your MCAT score is back. This will not delay your application but the problem is that you won't know your score when you submit your application.

Look at taking the MCAT in June, working with a test prep company up until then and take the practice tests. If you're not doing well in the practice test, then don't apply until next year so you can figure out how to improve.

Another key point:

Make sure your shadowing and clinical experiences are up-to-date. Medical school want to see that you continue to be involved in medicine throughout this whole time.

Major takeaway from this episode:

Yes, you have a good shot at getting in but you just need to work on your MCAT score and figure out why you're not doing well on it.

Links and Other Resources:

Next Step Test Prep - Use the code MSHQ and save some money www.mededmedia.com

OldPreMeds.org

Leave us a rating and review at www.oldpremeds.org/itunes

www.teepublic.com and search for “premed”