So I did terribly on my SATs/ACTs back in 2014 when I took them. My overall high school GPA isn’t high either. I had and still have various personal issues, family issues, and school issues that hindered those grades (but I’m doing excellently in college thus far). I’m currently entering my sophomore year of college as a Psych major with a Chemistry minor. I have a 3.8 overall GPA and am on the Dean’s List for having a high GPA. I’ve been having course requirements waived for me by departments because of having good grades and being an overall solid person to be around so that I could take the upper level courses. Should I retake those exams (or choose between the ACT & SAT to retake) or will my college grades, courses, extracurriculars/leadership, recommendations and jobs I have be enough to give me a decent shot at getting in?
You do not have to concern with your HS stats for med school applications.
Regarding flexmed, are you trying to transfer?
@artloversplus So for regular medical school applications my high school transcript and SAT/ACT do not matter?
Transfer in what way? I am trying to transfer to a different college for Fall 2017 and I’ve already started the transfer applications. I’m 70% done with my FlexMed application, however, they asked for my SAT/ACT scores and a pdf file of the unofficial score report. The deadline for FlexMed is Jan. 15th so if I have to retake either test again I could possibly do it, but I haven’t prepared at all to take either one since 2014.
Yes, you need not to concern with HS records for med school applications, since it is your college grades and Mcat counts.
I am not familiar with Flexmed transfers, but if they are asking for your HS scores and SAT, you need to retake SAT.
Good luck.
I believe flexmed is similar to early assurance. In which case your SAT/ACT does matter a lot. You don’t have enough of a history in college yet. That’s why they want to see your HS standardized tests. Can’t tell you if you should retake it or not but I don’t think you will get in with a bad score. Keep in mind that SAT format has completely changed. Not sure how the program will look at the fact that you took the test in college.
I think to transfer into a flexmed program is counter productive for the following reasons.
- One of the purpose of Flexmed or BS/MD is to cut down the years to get MD, they are mostly in 6 or 7 years program. As a transfer, you will not be able to take advantage of the acceleration because your credit earned in your current school won't be fully recognized in the new school. Basically, you may have to start over or set back at least one or two semesters, even you are successful in the transfer.
- You have to submit HS records, which is not competitive enough to get in that program. A lot of BS/MD admits have near perfect scores, its even more selective than Ivy. College select those strongest candidates to enter the program. I believe they will be more selective in transfer.
- Transfers to BS/MD programs are few and far in between, because those programs don't accept a lot of applicants to start with. For example, as I know, Lehigh took in maybe 4-5 into the program for Drexel SOM as freshmen.
- I am not familiar with your Flexmed program in mind, but a lot of programs does not guarantee medical school admission, you need to do well enough on MCAT and maintain certain level of GPA to be accepted in the MD program.
With those constrains as a flexmed transfer, you’d better off to keep up your current GPA and score high on MCAT and apply for med school after your graduation. In that, you don’t have to worry about your high school scores.
FlexMed is Mt Sinai’s early assurance program.
Flexmed uses a holistic evaluation process when considering applicants for the program. There isn’t a minimum SAT/ACT requirements for those who are applying.
http://icahn.mssm.edu/education/medical/admissions/flexmed/requirements
You could certainly retake the ACT/SAT, but your new score will be consider in conjunction with your previous score(s). If your new score is substantially higher, then it’s likely that new high score would get discounted in view of your previous score. (e.g. scores might be averaged together and the average used as your SAT/ACT score, or your new score could get discarded completely because med schools are looking for individuals who are capable of doing well on a single sitting of a major standardized test)
When you apply to FlexMed there will be essays and other opportunities to explain your life circumstances and why you believe your standardized testing is not representative of your ability.
@WayOutWestMom In that case, I guess I’ll just focus on this upcoming semester courses, the essay(s), and the recommendations letters I need. On the FlexMed application it only asked for one test and one set of scores, so I’m thinking about whether it’s possible or not for me to retake the SAT (since its been made easier I assume) and just report that score.
I think the date of the new scores would raise questions about the validity of the score. It’ll be clear from the date of exam sitting that you took as a college student.
If you really want the final word on whether or not a retake will be considered, you should call/email the admissions office for FlexMed and ask them.
Here are links to the SDN discussions on the last 3 Flex Med application cycles--
2014: <a href="http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/flexmed-2014.993341/">http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/flexmed-2014.993341/</a>
2015: <a href="http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/flexmed-2015.1076862/">http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/flexmed-2015.1076862/</a>
2016: <a href="http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/flexmed-2016.1153589/">http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/flexmed-2016.1153589/</a>
These will give some idea about the qualities/achievements that are expected from applicants and the stats & ECs of those were accepted into the program.
RE: ECs--do have any physician shadowing, clinical volunteering, community service, leadership experience or research? If you don't, then your SAT score may be a moot point.And to answer your other questions–if you apply to medical school as a traditional applicant (after your junior year in college or later), then your high school grades and SAT/ACT scores aren’t even asked about.
Med school application/admissions is all about what you’ve done in college.