Studying for the MCAT has been the most humbling experience in my life. I’ve been to Africa and helped baptize 803 people; I’ve gone to national research conferences and won the highest prizes in neuroscience; I’ve aced Organic, Physics, G.Chem, Genetics, Microbiology, General Biology, etc; but this MCAT process has taught me so much. All the previous stuff I mentioned I know I accomplished only by the grace of God. And I’ve come to the realization that Lord has been teaching me something this whole summer. In my last post, I was quite frantic about this whole test. I didn’t understand why the Lord would allow me to do so well in school, but not do well on the MCAT. After a good amount of prayer, the Lord revealed to me the reason. If I was busting 35s on my practice tests I would no longer be giving God the glory but myself. As I read the Bible more and more, it becomes very clear to me how serious God is in wanting all glory to Himself. And I think its safe to say that He deserves it. Anyway in layman’s terms, if I was doing too well I would be way too confident in my own abilities and not dependent enough on God. Even though it was rough at times, it was a good lesson to learn.
Another thing I’m realizing is that this MCAT test is truly not determinate on whether you or I will get into medical school. As I was doing to myself, too many people beat themselves up because they aren’t reaching to target MCAT scores during practice; it’s a very unhealthy thing. So I haven’t reached 30 yet, how will getting discouraged help me? When I’m managing my patients in the SICU they won’t be asking me how I did in verbal reasoning. Or when I’m taking a bullet out of a patient he’s not going to wonder whether I aced my Physical Sciences section. The MCAT does not determine whether you can make it through medical school. It is just another of the myriad of tests that we will have to take. When we are taking our Step 1 boards we are going to laugh at how stupid it was that we stressed so much about the MCAT, and when we are taking our Step 2 boards we are going to laugh at how stupid it was to stress so much about our Step 1 boards, and when we take are oral boards we can all stress together, lol. And if it so happens that you have to take the test again, don’t worry about it. If it so happens that you might have to apply for a post bac or accept one of the schools at the very bottom of your list, don’t worry about it. Nothing in this world is a breeze. But in the end, you’ll be a doctor.
So yeah, I’ve been serene for this past week. I’ve been in Maryland this whole week hanging with my family and studying for the MCAT. I was frequenting the Kaplan Center in College Park by the University of Maryland, but they don’t open til 2 p.m., so I started going to the Washington, D.C. Kaplan center. After paying $12 for parking on the first day I decided to take the train into the city for the rest of the week, and it worked out fine. The D.C. Kaplan center is humongous, but its really good for studying. With 2 weeks left before the MCAT I’m basically doing section tests and AAMC Full Length Tests. I’m also not trying to be around other people that are studying for the MCAT because I don’t need to feel their nervous energy. By the time I take the MCAT I want to be so sick of taking full length MCAT tests that the real one feels like all the others. Anyway, here’s my updated list of scores:
Diagnostic: PS: 6 VR: 7 BS: 6 = 19
FL # 1: PS: 7 VR: 7 BS: 9 = 23
FL # 2: PS: 7 VR: 10 BS: 8 = 25
FL # 3: PS: 8 VR: 9 BS: 9 = 26
FL # 7: PS: 6 VR: 6 BS: 6 = 18, EDIT: PS: 10 VR: 8 BS: 7 = 25
AAMC 3R: PS: 7 VR: 9 BS: 8 = 24
AAMC 4R: PS: 8 VR: 10 BS: 11= 29
AAMC 5R: PS: 7 VR: 12 BS: 10= 29
AAMC 6R: PS: 7 VR: 8 BS: 12 = 25
AAMC 7R: PS: 8 VR: 9 BS: 9 = 26
Although my scores are not at my goal I’m still chugging on. You know one thing I realized that was causing me stress? My SDN Diary readers. I know this sounds crazy but its true. As many times as racist people have left me comments and e-mails saying I’ll only get in because I’m black, all the while as I was studying, I was thinking about how I have to get above a 30 to show those people that I got in at the same level they did. I’m not a crazy competitive person, but this really was on my mind. During this week I realized how incredibly stupid that was. I was trying to prove things to people that I don’t even know. That’s another thing that I want to advise anyone studying for the MCAT about. Don’t compare yourself to anyone else as you study for this test. If you do the best that you can do, then that’s fine. If the best I can do is a 27, I’ll be happy. And if God wants me to get into med school with a 27, I’ll be happy too, because in the end I’ll be a doctor. If my best is a 34 I’ll be really happy, but not significantly happier than if I had a 27. We really place too much emphasis on scores and not enough on things that really matter like service and a kind heart. Anyway I was just telling you how crazy studying for the MCAT can make someone; I can’t believe I even let that cause me stress.
Anyway, please pray for me yall, and I’ll pray for all of you out there that are studying also…WE’LL MAKE IT!!!!!!
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I am happy to read your comments. They are encouraging. I have been reading a lot of SDN and it is depressing. (People complain about having a 35 and have to retake it.) How did you do on the MCAT?
Thanks for the post!
I needed this…
I see your scores as mine are similar and Im taking my mcat in a week…. Ive been stressing like crazy and praying non stop… Ive seen improvement and been burnt out… God is on ourside… You hit the nail on the head….
I’m done looking at statistics and what not… I’ve let go and I’m letting God!
God Bless.
I have also been filled with so much stress, worry, and fear due my practice scores. My first practice test I scored a 10 and that’s with unlimited time. My practice scores are similar to yours. I have been studying so much and still so far from a 30. I love your post. I can’t wait till I am done with this MCAT so I can read some more of the bible. Your post is really inspiring. Thank you.
I will pray for you and us all before bed.
Hi all,
God so led me to this post! I was studying for the MCAT last summer, but was so disappointed by my scores that I moved my test date three times and on the third time cancelled the test altogether. I was letting the test get the best of me and was focusing on the score more than God’s plan. I totally agree with your statement “If the best I can do is a 27, I’ll be happy. And if God wants me to get into med school with a 27, I’ll be happy too, because in the end I’ll be a doctor. “. I’m currently registered for the test yet again and I am determined to take the test this time, so I will be studying as much as possible until my test day and will remember to let God lead me through this whole studying and test taking process.
I also agree with you comment about the SDN commentators, it can be very discouraging to read those posts, so I try to limit how much I frequent that website. As an African-American as well, I understand your sentiments about wanting to “prove them wrong”. However, your mere presence in medical school will prove them wrong. No one deserves to know your MCAT score/gpa but you, God, and the medical school admins. People will assume what they want to assume, at the end of the day as long as you get into med school that is all that matters – your MCAT, gpa, ECs, etc. no longer matter.
Anyway, I hope you got into med school and wish you luck in your future endeavors! Thanks for the inspiring words!
Anyway, I
God bless you for putting Him first!
This post has been very, very encouraging! Let God get the glory, not us! 🙂
Thank you God for leading me here. I was just plowing through 11 practice question sets and became so frustrated and brunt out that I’m not getting at least 80% right on each test. These past few weeks, I’ve been putting God aside, but your post made me realize how crucial it is that we rely on our Savior and our God. I need prayers for God to help me and be with me during my study. I feel like a loser. I’ve sinned so much, I feel that if I were God, I wouldn’t help someone like me. Please help me God. I’m sorry.
You are not a loser and Jesus is always waiting for us with open arms, no matter what we have done, He just wants us to come to Him just as we are. You are dearly loved, and when God looks at You through His son He sees you as perfect if Jesus is your Savior you are clothed is His perfect righteousness. And thank goodness God loves to help sinners like you and I and everyone who comes to Him. “On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” -Mark 2:17
Reading about your MCAT experience has been really helpful. I am also studying with Kaplan, and have score ranges similar to yours. You have given me some hope and I feel inspired to keep up my studying.
Reading about your experience has really helped me with mine. I too, was wondering why it was that I wasn’t doing better and I was praying and asking God why this was happening, especially since I know this is where He wants me to be. Reading your blog has helped me realize that this isn’t about me, but it’s about HIM. I have been so selfish in my desires and my wishes and have forgotten along the way that He makes everything happen in its own time, not by mine.
Thank you and I will pray for you and your path to becoming a physician.
This post is really inspirational. I’m currently studying for my MCATs right now and every once in a while I want to quit. In my mind I tell myself that I want to be a missionary and that this won’t matter in the end. After reading stories like yours and other’s you’ve reminded me that it does matter. This blog became the little push I needed to keep going. God has given me a gift and it would be selfish to throw it all away now. It’s a tough road as I’m sure you’ve experienced and I hope you keep me and my friends (Joe and Lydia) your prayers. Thank you, God bless. =)
God has drawn me into this page. All these days I am very anxious because I will be taking the exam next month and I just took the licensure exam for nursing. It was really tiring. Now, I have to prepare again for MCAT. However, I do not have a good foundation on physics and chemistry. I am scared I’m not going to make it to get accepted to med school because 30 is too impossible for me. But, I feel so blessed to have come across this page. Too many uncertainties. I just have to believe that whatever happens, God’s will will always be the best for us. God bless us all FUTURE DOCTORS for God’s glory!
Wow, like everyone says…God has led us to this site. My prayers go out to you!
I have my MCAT in 3 days and have been stressing so much. I have been looking at scores of people and comparing my scores to theirs and it’s not helping. I truly believe that medicine is my calling and God has shown me that it is His will for me and I just need to accept His grace in this process.
It’s been a grueling journey studying for it and realizing that my strengths will take me nowhere if my faith isn’t on God. Guys I really wanna encourage you all to keep on believing and trusting on the Most High for He is the author and finisher of our faith. When God is for us who can be against us? Please keep me in your prayers as I take my MCAT! We all will be future physicians in Jesus name! Amen! I believe God will use this experience to bring us closer to Him and to use us as testimonies. Remain blessed~ xoxo
Thank you for this. I really desire God to reveal His plan to me. So many times I have asked Him to show me His Will, I can only hope that I am following in the right footsteps. I am re-taking my MCAT again, and my GPA is a little lower than it should be. I got a 25S on my first try, so I am hoping to increase my score at least 5 points to make up for the low GPA. I am doing my best, and I just pray that God opens doors for me. Thank you for being encouraging, when sites like SDN are so discouraging.
Feels like I just stumbled into a MASSIVE library of information! So glad i found your blog! I know this is an old post but I’ve been browsing through your blog and its giving me every bit of encouragement i need! Currently studying for the MCAT so to have this massive web of information that is your blog really has me excited. Now i can refer to it through my own journey to and through medical school as well. Thanks for keeping this blog up! And God bless!
Beautiful post– this really helped me. Btw, I’m also an aspiring orthopaedic surgeon. 🙂
I’m exactly 1 week away from my exam. When I started studying, I wanted a 30+. Now, I just want to make it through test day! I agree that frequenting SDN can sometimes be counterproductive– I don’t need someone on a message board calling me an idiot for taking the August MCAT during my application year. And there are only so many, “Will I get into med school if I ONLY have a 40 MCAT, 6,000 doctor shadowing hours, and a 3.8 GPA?!” posts I can stomach.
I feel as though I have adequately prepared for the MCAT, but my practice scores have ranged from sub-par to exceptional. The inconsistent performances are making me nervous, but I need to just keep looking at the bigger picture. The fact is, the day of my MCAT will be my 22 month anniversary since surviving a severe sports-related traumatic brain injury (TBI). Given that I was never even supposed to return to living a normal life (let alone an extraordinary one full of service), I should consider myself lucky to have made it this far. If I get a terrible MCAT score, then it’ll still be a step the right direction– forward. I will not give up.
As you say, there are far more important priorities in this world than the MCAT– we’ll all eventually get to where we need to be. Thanks for writing this post to remind us MCATers to keep things into perspective. Best of luck with your medical career!
Hello,
I’m really glad I stumbled upon your post. I have two weeks left until my MCAT and I am so stressed because my scores are fluctuating (similar to yours). I truly agree, the MCAT is not indicative of how good of a doctor you are going to be. A patient won’t know if I’m an MD or a DO, or what my undergrad GPA was. You inspire me and give me hope because in the end, as do all aspiring med students, I really just want to help others and spread awareness. Thank you so much for posting this… God bless & good luck to you <3
Thank you so much for this post!! I just finished my MCAT, and I knew that I bombed the bio section. But I had worked so hard for that test that I couldn’t bring myself to void my score. When I came home, I felt like kicking myself. I kept playing my mistakes again and again in my head. I kept thinking that I will never make it into medical school, and thought that maybe I should just accept this fate.
Your post told me that reality can never be as bad as I had imagined it to be. Your post told me that there is still hope, and it brings me back to reality about why I have been pursuing medicine in the first place. It’s not about proving how smart I can be; it’s not about showing off the white coat; it’s not about having that “MD” after my name. It’s about serving those whom I love and the rest of humanity.
Thanks!!