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The 2026-2027 MD School Specific Threads are now live in the School Specific Discussions forum. The 2025-2026 cycle threads can be found here. -
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Make sure you do much better second attempt and you'll be fine.
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For MD schools:
1) Yes.
2) If you check your MSAR, you can see if any of your schools will consider a January MCAT score (which is unlikely, based on the last time I looked). So there's no rush to retake. You might as well take a few extra months to study and perhaps take it after spring break, if you are repeatedly scoring in your target zone.
3) No. Don't waste your money.
4) Some schools average MCAT scores. Others take the most recent or the highest one. Aim your future applications at med schools with the latter policies.
@Catalystik shoud OP withdraw from the five schools he had primaries sent to or doesn’t it mater?
I guess this is a good example of why experts say you shouldn’t apply without your MCAT score.
I guess this is a good example of why experts say you shouldn’t apply without your MCAT score.
So I will still be fine for MD schools, if I retake and get above a 510 right? The 497 won't overshadow the new score?
I would suggest that withdrawing from this cycle is appropriate.
If OP has not yet been verified, a Withdrawal of all applications can be done through the AMCAS portal, and all but $170 of the application fees would be returned.
If verification is complete, withdrawal can be done through each school individually. There is no mention of any Secondaries having been sent, but if they are not returned when received, that is the same as withdrawing from further consideration. However, it would be polite to formally withdraw from further consideration at each school. One doesn't want to burn bridges.
I don't know about fine. See above, about averaging. Most established DO schools have a 505 cutoff, not all that high. Do better on your next try
Good luck and best wishes
You will be fine for MD at schools that don't average MCAT scores, if you get a 510 or greater.
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I already sent back the 5 secondaries, since I had put in the money into primaries already. I just won't apply to those 5 schools next cycle, and will not add more to this cycle. Hoping to get app feedback from those 5 to see how I can do better next try.
I'm not suggesting that you shouldn't reapply to those five schools. Many med schools do not hold reapplications against you. All schools will be able to see all MCAT scores, even if they are not valid for application due to expiration. Do your research before deciding.
Got it. Thanks!
Most especially, you do not want to remove your state schools (if any) from your list, unless their policies are weighted against you.
I received the same score when I first took the test. I received a 515 the second time. Feel free to PM me if you need any advice on retaking. Good luck!
