Need Some Advice Please

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Hi everyone, I was wondering if I need to retake the MCAT or if I will be okay with my score.

MCAT: 21
GPA: 3.7
SGPA: 3.62

I studied very hard for the MCAT. I took a variety of practice tests and my highest practice score was a 24. I know I can get a little higher if I need to retake it. It's just I worked so hard and after just finding out my score today, the idea of having to retake it is rough. I just wondered if you guys could give me some advice if I should retake it or if I might be okay.

Any advice would be much appreciated. Thank you.

Originally Posted by Drake24

Hi everyone, I was wondering if I need to retake the MCAT or if I will be okay with my score.

MCAT: 21
GPA: 3.7
SGPA: 3.62

I studied very hard for the MCAT. I took a variety of practice tests and my highest practice score was a 24. I know I can get a little higher if I need to retake it. It's just I worked so hard and after just finding out my score today, the idea of having to retake it is rough. I just wondered if you guys could give me some advice if I should retake it or if I might be okay.

Any advice would be much appreciated. Thank you.

You will get in somewhere...especially with your high GPA and SGPA. Apply broadly.

i think that's a pretty solid GPA. congrats!

when it comes time to review the apps, do you think the admissions board looks more at the MCAT score or the GPA?

I agree with AB, you'll get in somewhere if you apply broadly.

One caveat, with a low score like 21 it is incredibly easy to have one section disturbingly low. If your BS was below a 7, I might worry a bit.

Originally Posted by ilovefeet

i think that's a pretty solid GPA. congrats!

when it comes time to review the apps, do you think the admissions board looks more at the MCAT score or the GPA?

They consider both. If you got a low MCAT then they will see if your GPA is high or not. If you got a high MCAT then they will want to know why your GPA was low. These are questions they will ask you in the interview. So be prepared to talk about them. Convince them you can hang and you will be ok.

I was a low MCAT high GPA kind of guy. Plus I had a masters degree. They asked me about my MCAT score. I did mock interviews with my dad trying to clearly discuss what happened. Regurged the same explanation on interview day. Got accepted to all schools I interviewed at.

To add, regarding the individual section scores, they won't be too concerned with a low score in any one section (unless its like a 2 I guess). The big thing is keeping their averages competitive with the limited number of applicants there are to choose from.

Your GPA will balance out some bad ones just like your classmates with better MCAT scores will balance out yours. The OP will be fine. Even at the programs that can afford to be a little more picky due to smaller class sizes.

Originally Posted by Ankle Breaker

You will get in somewhere...especially with your high GPA and SGPA. Apply broadly.

I think a higher MCAT is needed. Should be about a score of 30....

Originally Posted by Weibo

I think a higher MCAT is needed. Should be about a score of 30....

Well thats not happening anytime soon. Good luck with studying for the PCAT.

I agree that the OP will be fine if they apply. Both the cGPA and sGPA are clearly above average, while the MCAT is perhaps on the slightly lower side of average, but nothing too alarming in pod school admissions.

Originally Posted by Weibo

I think a higher MCAT is needed. Should be about a score of 30....

cool story bro.

Thanks for the help everyone. I think I'm going to take the MCAT one more time before I start my senior year of college. I know I can get between a 22 and 24. Hopefully that'll be enough. I ideally want to go to school in the Midwest for podiatry, like the one in Ohio or Chicago. Thanks again everyone.

Originally Posted by Drake24

Thanks for the help everyone. I think I'm going to take the MCAT one more time before I start my senior year of college. I know I can get between a 22 and 24. Hopefully that'll be enough. I ideally want to go to school in the Midwest for podiatry, like the one in Ohio or Chicago. Thanks again everyone.

You will get into Scholl with those stats. Especially if you apply early in the application cycle. It's a sure thing.

Originally Posted by Drake24

Thanks for the help everyone. I think I'm going to take the MCAT one more time before I start my senior year of college. I know I can get between a 22 and 24. Hopefully that'll be enough. I ideally want to go to school in the Midwest for podiatry, like the one in Ohio or Chicago. Thanks again everyone.

Don't do that. Honestly it will be a waste of time. What if a 19 comes back??

I'm never sure how this works, so maybe a current student can elaborate, but I'd I we're you, I'd apply now, if you don't get any bites on the app, study during the winter and retake the MCAT in January (hey! You won't have to do the writing with this plan either!). This will save you time, money, and potential embarrassment with a low score. The difference between MCAT scores is only a few questions, so while you may go up to a 23, you might go down to a 19 as well....

Originally Posted by MaxillofacialMN

Don't do that. Honestly it will be a waste of time. What if a 19 comes back??

I'm never sure how this works, so maybe a current student can elaborate, but I'd I we're you, I'd apply now, if you don't get any bites on the app, study during the winter and retake the MCAT in January (hey! You won't have to do the writing with this plan either!). This will save you time, money, and potential embarrassment with a low score. The difference between MCAT scores is only a few questions, so while you may go up to a 23, you might go down to a 19 as well....

+100 Just listen to Max.

You can apply as soon as the cycle opens up and likely get interviews before november. Giving you time to retake it if you dont and you would be a strong applicant with around a 26(retake) and your GPA even if you apply late. (morestudytime2).

Of course I have not been through the process yet but this is just logical, and besides my avatar is doing surgery so I know what im talking about .

I think You'll get in Everywhere with your Stats. Don't worry. Just apply as soon as you can!