Official "Should I Retake?" Thread

[keregg228]

I took the MCAT with 2-3 days of half hearted studying (I was messed up from vicodin, post op from a shoulder procedure). I got a 29 cum, 10 bio 10 ps 9 verbal. I read the average person studies 2-3 months, and the average score is a 24. I know I got some physics and orgo questions wrong bc I haven't taken those classes in 5-6 years(AP classes and summer after HS) . I'm applying to DO schools only. My undergraduate GPA is a 3.2 (very heavy on upper level science courses. Worked 40-100 hours a wk during school=bad GPA) but I have begun a respiratory therapy program and am maintaining a 3.98 (one A- in a one credit course). I also start a MPH program in January (through an osteopathic medical school). I am applying this year, actually today (yes i know its late, a year of my life is worth the money to apply). I have a lot of healthcare experience, good LOR and decent other EC's. A 29 should be fine, but I know if I put some time into it I can improve my score 3-6 points (mostly in the sciences). Do you think its worth it to retake (yes I will study this time)?

[chutzpah]

Total: 29O

Verbal: 8
PS: 11
BS: 10

GPA: 3.71 sGPA: 3.65
Research: 2nd author paper in pretty high impact journal (and another paper that is going to be published within 4-6 months), did research every semester since starting college (~3 years), did research for two summers at Yale SOM.
EC: Some leadership positions, minimal volunteering, some shadowing.
LORS: Two really strong LORs
I was averaging anywhere from 34-40, verbal being my most variable subject (anywhere from 7-12). I know I can definitely do better in PS and BS and it was probably an off day, I was considering voiding.

I'll be applying for the 2011 cycle, so I can retake the MCAT sometime in January-April.

My question would be, should I take a gap year so that I'll have more time to prepare for the MCAT? Also is limited volunteering okay if I can demonstrate my main desire is to be a physician scientist?

[zetabetazeta]

Originally Posted by keregg228

I took the MCAT with 2-3 days of half hearted studying (I was messed up from vicodin, post op from a shoulder procedure). I got a 29 cum, 10 bio 10 ps 9 verbal. I read the average person studies 2-3 months, and the average score is a 24. I know I got some physics and orgo questions wrong bc I haven't taken those classes in 5-6 years(AP classes and summer after HS) . I'm applying to DO schools only. My undergraduate GPA is a 3.2 (very heavy on upper level science courses. Worked 40-100 hours a wk during school=bad GPA) but I have begun a respiratory therapy program and am maintaining a 3.98 (one A- in a one credit course). I also start a MPH program in January (through an osteopathic medical school). I am applying this year, actually today (yes i know its late, a year of my life is worth the money to apply). I have a lot of healthcare experience, good LOR and decent other EC's. A 29 should be fine, but I know if I put some time into it I can improve my score 3-6 points (mostly in the sciences). Do you think its worth it to retake (yes I will study this time)?

You worked 40-100 hours per week? What?! How did you manage to do that? That's unbelievable!

[keregg228]

Originally Posted by zetabetazeta

You worked 40-100 hours per week? What?! How did you manage to do that? That's unbelievable!

I worked 2-3 jobs all through my undergrad. I literally only went to class when I had a test or lab. I still managed to pull off a 3.2 and zero debt but it was a really stupid thing to do. I also had mono (and a relapse and lost 4 close relatives during the last three years of school). I have a almost a four point now(1 two credit a-) and am a model student. I have only one job now but work 50-72 hours a week and am in a repiratory therapy program (only about 8 credits). I'm cutting back on the OT and am gonna start a MPH in the winter semester and its looking more and more like I'm gonna retake the MCAT (I really think I can get in the mid 30's if I study).

[ne0phyte]

hey guys,

i'm considering retaking the mcat for a 3rd time.

I know I'm capable of a 36 (12s across all sections, but each time, I keep messing a section up.

first time - 32Q - 11V, 12P, 9B
second time - 34Q - 13V 9P, 12B

I'm an english major, so verbal isn't a problem for me. Always finish early and have a good feel for how I did.

For bio and physical, I always get 11/12 on practice tests, but during the real mcat I guess the stress/time constraint messes me up. Even though I improved my bio score by 3 points, my 3 pt drop in physical erased the score gain.

So is it worth retaking it a third time to finally get an official 36? Or since med schools see all mcat scores, will they realize that I am capable of a 36 from my previous 2 tries?

appreciate any advice

[zetabetazeta]

Originally Posted by ne0phyte

hey guys,

i'm considering retaking the mcat for a 3rd time.

I know I'm capable of a 36 (12s across all sections, but each time, I keep messing a section up.

first time - 32Q - 11V, 12P, 9B
second time - 34Q - 13V 9P, 12B

I'm an english major, so verbal isn't a problem for me. Always finish early and have a good feel for how I did.

For bio and physical, I always get 11/12 on practice tests, but during the real mcat I guess the stress/time constraint messes me up. Even though I improved my bio score by 3 points, my 3 pt drop in physical erased the score gain.

So is it worth retaking it a third time to finally get an official 36? Or since med schools see all mcat scores, will they realize that I am capable of a 36 from my previous 2 tries?

appreciate any advice

34 is definitely a good score. You are GOOD!

[zetabetazeta]

Originally Posted by keregg228

I worked 2-3 jobs all through my undergrad. I literally only went to class when I had a test or lab. I still managed to pull off a 3.2 and zero debt but it was a really stupid thing to do. I also had mono (and a relapse and lost 4 close relatives during the last three years of school). I have a almost a four point now(1 two credit a-) and am a model student. I have only one job now but work 50-72 hours a week and am in a repiratory therapy program (only about 8 credits). I'm cutting back on the OT and am gonna start a MPH in the winter semester and its looking more and more like I'm gonna retake the MCAT (I really think I can get in the mid 30's if I study).

I think you really have to bring your GPA up. I have to admit that what you did is absolutely awesome, but no matter what you have done, med schools will still screen you out due to a low GPA =(

[dididoc]

is a 6 in verbal unacceptable?

[Marjan Islam]

is a 6 in verbal unacceptable?

Unfortunately, yes. If you look at the School Selection Spreadsheet, I think the lowest VR score for any school is 7 (lowest 10% of accepted students), but even a 7 is just for a handful of schools. Raise it to an 8, and have good scores for the other sections, and you'll be fine! An 8 opens you up to a vast number of schools.

[pillowtalk]

I got an 11ps,9vb,10bs for a 30M with a 3.8 gpa.

[kopitar]

I got a 15/15/15! not really. Verbal sucks.

[cptnkorea]

i've got a 3.95 gpa currently with a 25P
10BS/8P/7V - was scoring 11P on every practice exam until the actual one (don't know how that happened)

[Segovia]

Originally Posted by pillowtalk

I got an 11ps,9vb,10bs for a 30M with a 3.8 gpa.

Depends on many factors, but I would say keep the 30, especially with your GPA and the fact that your score has a good balance.

Things to ponder:

What is your state of residence? What is going to distinguish your application form others? Are you going to apply early? Are your LORs on stand-by? Just some things to consider.

I met a guy at one of my recent interviews that had a 29 MCAT, a GPA about like yours, and he had just got done interviewing at Georgetown and Duke. However, he had some interesting experiences and a great attitude and it must have showed in his personal statement.

Bottom line: Your GPA is above average, and your MCAT is almost the average of matriculants, so I think you're good to go. Find somebody you trust to strengthen your personal statement, and you can make your app stand out.

[Segovia]

Originally Posted by cptnkorea

i've got a 3.95 gpa currently with a 25P
10BS/8P/7V - was scoring 11P on every practice exam until the actual one (don't know how that happened)

I would retake unless you are willing to go D.O., which is a very respectable route. Did you already burn through all of the AAMC practice tests?

Are you saying you averaged 11 on the PS sections of your practice tests? If that is the case, then you have an even better reason to retake. Some of the recent MCATs have been more calculation heavy compared to the practice tests, so maybe that is what tripped you up. Verbal problems are a little harder to diagnose, as I am sure you are aware.

What practice materials did you use?

[brianmed]

Hey so first time: 28S: 7 VR, 10PS, 11BS S in WR

Second time 30S: everything same but a 12 in PS

So now here I am- should I upgrade that 7? I mean my writing scores are good

My Science GPA is 3.7 at tope twenty school, volunteer at a hospital, do research, tutor, and started my own charity club.......... but that 7 is a black mark. Someone on the admission ocuncil at my school told me they never have taken anyone witha seven since shes been on the board- minorities included. That irked me:-(

[chinocochino]

Hey, this is my 2 cents.

1. Wow, you did really well. I would not spend the 215 (255?) dollars to retake it. Your scores are great! The average matriculant has a score of 30.5--you are well above. I would just apply! (assuming your GPA is relatively solid, like a 3.5 at least)

Originally Posted by ne0phyte

hey guys,

i'm considering retaking the mcat for a 3rd time.

I know I'm capable of a 36 (12s across all sections, but each time, I keep messing a section up.

first time - 32Q - 11V, 12P, 9B
second time - 34Q - 13V 9P, 12B

I'm an english major, so verbal isn't a problem for me. Always finish early and have a good feel for how I did.

For bio and physical, I always get 11/12 on practice tests, but during the real mcat I guess the stress/time constraint messes me up. Even though I improved my bio score by 3 points, my 3 pt drop in physical erased the score gain.

So is it worth retaking it a third time to finally get an official 36? Or since med schools see all mcat scores, will they realize that I am capable of a 36 from my previous 2 tries?

appreciate any advice