3.9 cGPA, 3.9 sGPA, 32 MCAT, retake 2015 MCAT or apply next cycle

[willjle]

Hello everyone,

I'm taking a year off and have the opportunity to retake the MCAT early next year. I was wondering if it was necessary to retake the new MCAT 2015 and potentially risk a lower performance.

Stats: CA resident, ORM, >3.9 cGPA, >3.9 sGPA, 32 MCAT (12/9/11), taking 1 gap year (probably travel for a bit and tutor)

EC:
-Research influenza (400+ hrs): 1 poster
-Lab assistant (100hrs)
-Shadowing cardiologist/anesthesiologist/geriatrician (40hrs)
-Tutored college athletes (350hrs)
-Tutored disadvantaged/minorities undergrads (250hrs)
-Homeless medical clinic volunteer (200hrs)
-Dental clinic volunteer (40hrs): back when i was pre-dent lol
-Hospital escorter/greeter (40hrs)
-Special olympics coach (100hrs)
-Medical volunteer at Honduras medical trip (20hrs)
-Low income clinic volunteer (200hrs)

Would any of you recommend retaking the newer MCAT 2015 (which will be in 4 months)? My goal is to get into an MD school. Planning to apply to 35~40 MD schools.

Any advice and wisdom is appreciated! Thanks

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[HopefullyNotWastingTime]

It depends on how old the old MCAT is. Most schools will accept it for up to 3 years. Also, unless you're set on getting into a top 20 you have no reason to retake it. You will be fine with your current score, especially with 35+ schools and applying early.

 

[GrapesofRath]

Do NOT retake. that MCAT is 100% fine. You sound like a very good candidate for lower tier MD programs(and maybe a couple medium tiers). You know how to start messing with that? Retake an already fine MCAT and do worse. Even getting a similar score won't help your app and probably be a negative honestly.

 

[Goro]

Do NOT retake, and I suggest the following:

U VM

Miami

St. Louis

Albany

Albert Einstein

Rochester

Rush

Rosy Franklin

BU

Hofstra

NYMC

VCU

EVMS

Wake Forest

Jefferson

Temple

Drexel

Creighton

George Washington

Emory

USC/Keck

Tulane

Loyola

Any new MD school. Skip Central MI and the three new FL schools. I can't recommend CNU.
UCD
UCI
UCR IF you're from the Inland Empire
UCLA

Any DO program, starting with Western, TUNCOM and Touro-CA

 

[willjle]

It depends on how old the old MCAT is. Most schools will accept it for up to 3 years. Also, unless you're set on getting into a top 20 you have no reason to retake it. You will be fine with your current score, especially with 35+ schools and applying early.

I took the MCAT in January of this year, so hopefully that won't be a problem.

Thanks for all the responses!

@Goro I appreciate the list! Is that a comprehensive list of reasonable MD schools?

 

[Goro]

Yes. Your GPA is well above the national median for med school acceptees, and the MCAT is ~ median.

@Goro I appreciate the list! Is that a comprehensive list of reasonable MD schools?