499 MCAT to 519 - How will schools view this?

[YoungDoctor12]

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Hey everyone so, in summary, the summer after junior year I took the MCAT and honestly didn't study enough and went in overconfident. This got me a 499. I decided to take a gap year and got a 519 on my second retake the following summer after some serious reevaluation and studying.

How will med schools view this? Will the first score really hinder me. Also, have I shot myself in the foot for top 25 schools with that first MCAT score?

Thanks everyone for the help in advance! 🙂

 

[gyngyn]

It is entirely unpredictable.
Some of our screeners will reject, while others may consider an interview if the applicant has some very desirable characteristics.
Once in committee, there are those who believe that the first score is more indicative of Step one performance (even though they are advised to average). Some will just question the judgement of the applicant and move on...
State public schools (in states with a single school) will be much more forgiving.

 

[YoungDoctor12]

Thank you both for your response! Would it be best to make a school list based upon the second or first score or an average of the two?

 

[gyngyn]

Thank you both for your response! Would it be best to make a school list based upon the second or first score or an average of the two?

Start with your IS schools then add OOS privates that match your mission. Shoot for median MCATs around 515 or so.

 

[Med Ed]

How will med schools view this?

Impulsive but capable. And slightly humbled.

In your case I would see the 519 as much more indicative of your ability.

 

[YoungDoctor12]

Personally, I say second score. I am still under the impression that schools will initially screen based on highest and/or most recent score. Since your first score can be explained by your own “stupid” behavior (and that would be the word to use in a secondary as in “I was stupidly overconfident and did no preperation for my first MCAT”).

...unfortunately true

 

[Goro]

I tend to be more conservative when advising when I see such disparities. While a 519 is not something to sneeze at, for every Adcom member who might get look like this when they see the latest score:

there will be others who would question your judgement.

So, also would shoot for schools whose medians are in the 512-515 range, but also throw in some of the stat ******, like WashU, U Chicago, Northwester, and NYU.

 

[W19]

That's like 24 and 37 or 38 in the old version... Most adcoms will be impressed IMO.

 

[YoungDoctor12]

I assume you mean first retake or second take, not second retake. If it really is your second retake, that might change some of the above advice depending on what the middle score was.

Sorry, yes! My second attempt was 519.First was the 499

 

[mw18]

It's a lot easier for a smart person to get a bad score, than a dumb person to get a good score. But the former (you) was lacking wisdom and that's something you need to emphasize.