How much will your 1st attempt poor MCAT score hurt you?

[stayingpositive2014]

I went from a 25-->32.
My question is how much does doing poorly on your first attempt hurt your application?
I know that schools have formal policies of either averaging scores, taking the highest score, most recent score, etc., but the adcom will see both scores regardless.
How much will that poor first score come back to bite you in the butt?

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[LChristmas]

Very little.

 

[HCHopeful]

I mean, it's there. Can't do anything about it, but at least you improved 7 points. Depending on when you took them in your life, they may not even consider the first. The only time it would come back is if they are comparing you to another applicant with a 32 to decide who they'd want to admit. If that person got a 32 on the first try, it'll most likely go to them. Which makes sense, because they don't want people having to retake Step I's and all that jazz.

I'm in a similar situation. Went up from a 27 (9/9/9) to a 31 (12/9/10). Just apply to those schools with favorable policies and hope for the best.

 

[mcatjelly]

In your case, it probably won't matter because of how much you improved.