28 on first MCAT, retaking this summer while applying, good idea and when?

[aakashp127]

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Last summer, I studied for 3 months and took the MCAT at the end of August, got a 28 (12 PS, 6 V, 10 BS). Yes, I know how terrible that 6 looks, Verbal was not my strongest area at all, but luckily I feel good about the other sections.

I am currently a junior in my second semester, and application cycle for next year is coming up. My goal is to get into any MD school I can. My GPA is a 3.479, but by the end of this semester hoping to bump it up to around 3.6. I have good EC's, leadership, I am an ER scribe, have a semester of research, medical mission in Panama, and 100s of volunteer hours. I pretty much HAVE to retake my MCAT if I want any sort of shot at an MD school with that terrible 6 in verbal right?

I plan on retaking my MCAT in mid-July because I get out of school mid May and I figure 2 solid months of studying hardcore will put me in a good position (not really sure how to study verbal besides reading articles and practice practice practice). Considering applications come out in June and I should apply early, will waiting for this MCAT score along with waiting for AMCAS to verify my application hurt me significantly? When should I realisticially apply, early June/late June? Should I take the MCAT earlier? Would I be fine if I applied early and still took the MCAT around July?

Thanks a lot, any other advice/suggestions is appreciated!

 

[knv2u]

I don't think having the application verified towards the end of June or perhaps even the first week of July would be detrimental to your candidacy. Take the MCAT when you are prepared and can do your best. Your BS/PS scores are fine, but I would hate to see any school auto screen you out for the low verbal score, which is cause for potential concern. I would fear that rushing would compromise your VR score again, and that could raise read flags IMO.

 

[kyamh]

If you took the MCAT in July, your application would not be complete and schools will not look at it until August, when your scores come back. You gain no bonus for an early application since you will be in the August/September group regardless of your verification dat. You could submit your primary without putting a future MCAT date on your application and be an early applicant, if you do, however, you risk schools screening your application before August comes around and you will be auto rejected before you get a chance to show off a potentially better MCAT...it is a gable either way.

 

[Utenation]

I pretty much HAVE to retake my MCAT if I want any sort of shot at an MD school with that terrible 6 in verbal right?

Yeah sorry bro. That's the truth. Look at the MSAR breakdown of accepted VR scores. You might be able to find a couple MD schools that accept people with a 6 there, but that isn't too common. Retaking is a pain, but worth it. I know from experience. You'll be glad you did if you study hard now.

 

[aakashp127]

Thanks for the advice everyone, when would be the ideal time to retake it?