Originally Posted by gonnif

My experience has been when students who come to with this idea often have other issues with their application. I often find one or more of the following situations:

1) They have a weak overall academic application and are delaying the MCAT in hopes of making a great score with it.

2) Application can also be in organization, writing, style, etc. In other words not as finely honed and polished as it should be. An application should be a concise, coherent, and compelling narrative showing a pattern of motivation, achievement, and commitment.

3) For reapplicants who had what would be considered a good application previously have done nothing but wait for an MCAT retake. While there is nothing technically wrong with that, I think having something refreshed in the application showing continued action in motivation and commitment (more volunteering, took a class, etc) goes well with a retake on MCAT.

4) Even though you have your application verified with a single school, waiting for the MCAT score, adding schools to your verified app, then application get transmitted to school, gets reviewed, etc, it does add delay. And I can't say it enough, apply early and often.

5) Reapplicants should be aware that many schools have limit on number of times a completed application can be submitted (usually 2 or 3 times). So for some schools on your second application, it is your last chance. Your app should be a s strong as possible.

6) Students often have not committed to a "rational" decision point on what new MCAT score is cut off. Then they make an "emotional" decision when they get the score. I wont go into the cascade affect this can have (rush to take MCAT again, apply even though weak, etc). I think all students who decide on this "1 school verify" tactical should have detailed plans and decisions on the score prior to getting it back.

7) I have had a few students report to me that they were rejected on an application with earlier score even though retake date was planned and on app. Was it oversight by school?
were they generally weak? I dont know but it seems an unnecessary risk

I take a "risk-avoidance" approach with nontrads and the the younger you are as a reapplicant, the more time you can afford to re-prep and re-apply.

As I said I often do not recommend this strategy. Also beware I advise primarily nontraditional students and I am a firm believer in making the strongest application possible. For reapplicants that means improving their application and reducing risk with late application or other seemingly administrative items.

My two cents. You mileage may vary