Lower MCAT Retake

[AspiringDoc911]

So I just received my latest MCAT score back and it was significantly lower. I made the mistake of deciding to retake it last minute after not getting off a waitlist. My scores are as follows 497-->499-->504-->497. The 504 was from 2020. I am a non-trad reapplicant with a 3.4 masters GPA in a reputable post bac program, have 15,000 clinical hours, 300+ volunteering, and a research publication. My dad passed away this past year so I only applied to a handful of schools last cycle and received one interview. After not getting in in May I decided to re take the MCAT and now my score has dropped significantly and I am devastated. I am wondering if schools would look at the highest score or if this most recent score is going to be too detrimental. Thank you for any feedback

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[gyngyn]

Some schools post a hazy description of how they evaluate multiple MCAT scores, something like: "all scores are considered."
Others follow the recommendations made by the AAMC for years: "average them." Jefferson is an example.
Then there is: "all scores considered with emphasis on most recent."
A few "cherry pick" the best in each subsection (e.g. Vandy and MCW).

In reality, there is no way to know how any individual evaluator will view multiple scores. Some believe the first score is most consistent with expected results (as there is only one passing USMLE score allowed). Since they are unlikely to voice this, there is no way to convince them otherwise.
Two things that are fairly likely are that a string of unfortunate scores is more damaging than one and that a subsequent lower score is viewed askance.

Take a step away from this process. Do not take this test until you are confident of a score that will get you in.

 

[Angus Avagadro]

Many schools will avg scores. Yours will be a 499. Many will also look at the number of attempts. In your case, most schools will be concerned about your ability to handle med school classes and pass boards. The 3.4 Masters won't boost your app either. This look grim for you imo. I think your only option could be a new DO school or DPM. Good luck and best wishes.

 

[AspiringDoc911]

giving up is not an option

 

[BerkReviewTeach]

No one said anything about giving up. They gave an honest, hard-to-hear assessment of where your current numbers fit.

The suggestion was to target DO and DPM schools, as opposed to allopathic programs. It's great advice given all of the data out there.

You will need a better score than 504 for your next MCAT to override your current scores. My opinion in this matter is that you need to completely change your approach to this exam. A solid score requires more than just grinding information. You have to reverse engineer AAMC materials to get a true sense of how they ask questions. I'm going to go off for a minute here, so please forgive me. WAYYYYYYYY too many people pound flash cards and text-heavy books for a few months and then get some online question bank that in my opinion include only about twenty-five percent realistic questions. They get so caught up chasing facts and doing recall-heavy questions that they end up failing to prepare for the MCAT they are destined to see. They spend their first three months studying, but not actually preparing for their real MCAT. It isn't until they sit down with AAMC materials that they get a sense of what it takes to do well. It isn't until after that initial shock at seeing how different AAMC materials are from your college courses and your MCAT review materials that people start their path to being ready.

Do yourself a HUGE favor the next time you study. Start with the AAMC Guide to the MCAT and read EVERY page (even the boring ones, and there are plenty). As you go through their list of MCAT topics, quiz yourself on the basics. Read about how they develop their questions. Reverse engineer their questions by looking at every answer choice to determine why it is there. Notice that some are careless errors. Notice that some are caused by misconstruing facts. Notice that some are caused by not understanding the experiment. Most importantly, notice that you can almost always eliminate two wrong answers quickly and then have to use some logic to zero in on the better of the two remaining choices.

Try writing four new answer choices to an AAMC question. Try changing one or two words in the question to make a different answer choice the best answer. Think like an AAMC test writer. If you do these little things, you'll see your score start to climb. I taught test prep for a helluva long time and the people who innately deconstructed exams would always do the best. They naturally developed a better way of looking at multiple choice questions.

What materials people choose to use is seriously one of the most overrated decisions they make. The only absolute must is that you do every AAMC question at least twice. The actual test writers use AAMC materials as a template, so there is no better resource than AAMC materials. I could drone on for hours about this, so please forgive my rant.

You can get a better score if you walk in with as good a sense of what to expect as possible. Get your score to 510 and pour your heart and soul into your DO applications, and see where you land. I've seen a few applicants over the years in your same shoes. The one that comes to mind now is currently a resident with a DO, and she got there because she started her last MCAT attempt with a clean slate and unique game plan.

You can do this! Good luck!

 

[Angus Avagadro]

I didn't say to give up. I said you should target new DO schools or DPM. My college roommate and his wife are DPMs. If they dropped their checkbook in the parking lot, I would burn mine. Note my wife and I are overpriced specialists. No one is saying you shouldn't try, but applicants with your stats have a greater risk of academic struggles, repeating courses, board failures, and possibly academic dismissal. Plus, multiple sub 500 MCAT attempts. A 3.4 from our Masters would not get you an interview. A fifth mcat would still be a red flag imo, even at 510. As I mentioned, I think chances for admission are diminished, but not impossible. I still believe your best bet is targeting new DO schools and/or DPM. But, just my advice and its worth what you paid for it. Good luck and best wishes.

 

[Faha]

Which schools did you apply to and where was your waitlist ?

 

[LouieWilder]

I didn't say to give up. I said you should target new DO schools or DPM. My college roommate and his wife are DPMs. If they dropped their checkbook in the parking lot, I would burn mine. Note my wife and I are overpriced specialists. No one is saying you shouldn't try, but applicants with your stats have a greater risk of academic struggles, repeating courses, board failures, and possibly academic dismissal. Plus, multiple sub 500 MCAT attempts. A 3.4 from our Masters would not get you an interview. A fifth mcat would still be a red flag imo, even at 510. As I mentioned, I think chances for admission are diminished, but not impossible. I still believe your best bet is targeting new DO schools and/or DPM. But, just my advice and its worth what you paid for it. Good luck and best wishes.

Follow up: how many MCATs would be a red flag? I've sat twice, a year apart, resulting in the same overall score for each (<500). The second MCAT has even scores across all sections while the first was all over.

 

[Angus Avagadro]

I would say imo 3 would cause me concern. 5 in the case of OP would definitely be of concern. It reflects on the persons judgement by taking the test before discovering their deficits and correcting them. Taking the exam before this happens shows poor judgement. The erudite @Goro has previously commented on this topic in other threads. Maybe he can add some texture.

 

[Goro]

Follow up: how many MCATs would be a red flag? I've sat twice, a year apart, resulting in the same overall score for each (<500). The second MCAT has even scores across all sections while the first was all over.

The MCAT is as much an assessment of judgement as it is for competence.

Quoting the wise Homeskool: Taking the MCAT is like getting married: ideally you only do it once, and the more times you do it the worse you start looking to suitors with good judgment.

 

[LouieWilder]

I would say imo 3 would cause me concern. 5 in the case of OP would definitely be of concern. It reflects on the persons judgement by taking the test before discovering their deficits and correcting them. Taking the exam before this happens shows poor judgement. The erudite @Goro has previously commented on this topic in other threads. Maybe he can add some texture.

The MCAT is as much an assessment of judgement as it is for competence.

Quoting the wise Homeskool: Taking the MCAT is like getting married: ideally you only do it once, and the more times you do it the worse you start looking to suitors with good judgment.

Three was what I assumed as well but wanted to confirm. Thanks for the input from you both and the hilariously perfect quote.

 

[AspiringDoc911]

Which schools did you apply to and where was your waitlist ?

Waitlisted at UNECOM, had two interviews there. I haven’t applied broadly in the past because my dad fell critically ill and then passed away. I am focusing on DO schools. I qualify as disadvantaged and have a compelling story and extensive clinical experience & great letters.

 

[Faha]

When are you planning to apply again ?

 

[AspiringDoc911]

When are you planning to apply again ?

Now, I have my primary completed waiting on verification. Planning on applying to pretty much every DO school.

 

[Faha]

Now, I have my primary completed waiting on verification. Planning on applying to pretty much every DO school.

Include the schools that have opened in the previous year-KHSC-COM, RVU-Montana, Touro-Montana, BUCOM Also Orlando may be opening soon.

 

[AspiringDoc911]

Include the schools that have opened in the previous year-KHSC-COM, RVU-Montana, Touro-Montana, BUCOM Also Orlando may be opening soon.

Ok thank you so much for the advice I genuinely appreciate it

 

[AspiringDoc911]

Just want to update this post here.

After failing 2 chemistry courses in undergrad, applying to medical school and receiving no interviews, then completing a 2 year rigorous postbac program, applying to med school a second time and being waitlisted and then not getting in, my father then falling critically ill and passing away, being laid off at two jobs, taking the MCAT again and scoring worse on my fourth attempt (sub 500) and thinking I blew my chances, I applied a third time to just this one school this cycle, complete late in September, received an interview invite…. I can finally say I received an ACCEPTANCE and am going to be a DOCTOR. This is so surreal and I just want to share that you can achieve your dreams and do anything you set your mind to and that setbacks and life challenges make you stronger and to persevere!!!! I was told to take a step away and that my chances look grim but I was accepted into a top DO program. I found my passion in life at an early age and pursued it whole heartedly, overcoming many unimaginable life challenges.

Don’t ever give up on yourself!

 

[Happy_Puppy5000]

Just want to update this post here.

After failing 2 chemistry courses in undergrad, applying to medical school and receiving no interviews, then completing a 2 year rigorous postbac program, applying to med school a second time and being waitlisted and then not getting in, my father then falling critically ill and passing away, being laid off at two jobs, taking the MCAT again and scoring worse on my fourth attempt (sub 500) and thinking I blew my chances, I applied a third time to just this one school this cycle, complete late in September, received an interview invite…. I can finally say I received an ACCEPTANCE and am going to be a DOCTOR. This is so surreal and I just want to share that you can achieve your dreams and do anything you set your mind to and that setbacks and life challenges make you stronger and to persevere!!!! I was told to take a step away and that my chances look grim but I was accepted into a top DO program. I found my passion in life at an early age and pursued it whole heartedly, overcoming many unimaginable life challenges.

Don’t ever give up on yourself!

Congratulation my friend. Go on and make the world a better place. Be an amazing physician. Congratulations once again.

 

[bio-Psych-social]

I would get your application in order, get strong LOR's and apply very broadly to DO schools. I don't think continuing to take the MCAT is going to help you. You're DOA for MD schools and that's okay. I'm a DO student graduating in a month and at my school, we match every single specialty imaginable even surgical, urology, etc etc. I don't feel hindered by this degree in any way and I think it's a good route for someone like you. I do feel that DO schools are mostly holistic and you have a strong background and story otherwise.

 

[AspiringDoc911]

I would get your application in order, get strong LOR's and apply very broadly to DO schools. I don't think continuing to take the MCAT is going to help you. You're DOA for MD schools and that's okay. I'm a DO student graduating in a month and at my school, we match every single specialty imaginable even surgical, urology, etc etc. I don't feel hindered by this degree in any way and I think it's a good route for someone like you. I do feel that DO schools are mostly holistic and you have a strong background and story otherwise.

If you see my comment above, I was accepted to DO school. Only applied to this one school and got in in December.