- Joined
- Jun 11, 2010
- Messages
- 72,743
- Reaction score
- 115,897
- 3rd MCAT retake (499 on 6/19, 506 on 8/19, 510 on 6/20)Hi, I submitted my secondaries in mid Aug/early September, but have not received any IIs. I am also a reapplicant. As I was looking over my applications and reflecting on my activities, I got worried that I may have some red flags, which I've listed below. I was wondering if these are actually red flags and how I should best address them moving forwards?
- 3rd MCAT retake (499 on 6/19, 506 on 8/19, 510 on 6/20)
- downward GPA trend: (cGPA: 3.7, 3.8, 3.59, 3.6) (sGPA: 3.47, 3.8, 3.5, 3.46)
- no second science LOR (had a strong first science LOR from neuroscience professor who knew me well, strong LOR from english professor, strong LOR from current doctor I scribe for)
- no LOR from PI but instead from postdoc supervisor (following 3 years of research and honors research thesis, unfortunately had a deteriorating relationship in last year of research and PI told me they would write me a "good LOR" but not a strong LOR)
You might be asked how you managed to improve on the MCAT; conversely, you might be asked about why you did so poorly the first time.
- downward GPA trend: (cGPA: 3.7, 3.8, 3.59, 3.6) (sGPA: 3.47, 3.8, 3.5, 3.46)
The cGPA trend is somewhat downward. The sGPA hints that the 3.8 was more of a fluke and that the 3.4-3.5 is more your normal performance.
In any event, just tell the truth.
- no second science LOR (had a strong first science LOR from neuroscience professor who knew me well, strong LOR from english professor, strong LOR from current doctor I scribe for)
Some schools require two science LORs. For those that don't it's not a red flag. A clinical LOR will be useless for MD but fine for DO.
- no LOR from PI but instead from postdoc supervisor (following 3 years of research and honors research thesis, unfortunately had a deteriorating relationship in last year of research and PI told me they would write me a "good LOR" but not a strong LOR)
No one will really care if you're not aiming for MD/PhD. It's a common premed delusion that a PI LOR helps. Med schools aren't looking for grad students.