503 mcat and 3.9+gpa

[lmb93]

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I need some help!

I got my score back for 2nd mcat score and I got a very poor score (128, 122, 127, 126). I really don't understand why I got this when my aamc fl was about 79% (76% 75% 80% 81%) especially verbal. My first mcat was 29 (9, 8, 12). I have 3.9+ gpa. Currently doing research for my gap year. My ECs are definitely fine with a lot of research including 2 pubs. Not URM.

I'm not sure what to do...Do I still have a chance? I'm really shocked by my score.

What score do I need on my 3rd mcat to be still competitive for MD schools?

Thanks!

 

[mimelim]

https://www.aamc.org/download/321518/data/factstable25-4.pdf

61% of applicants with a 29/3.9 got in in the last two years. Getting a 503 on a second attempt is why we strongly recommend people not taking it a second time. This will hurt you more than anything.

Thinking about taking the MCAT a 3rd time is dangerous. You clearly do not know what happened the first or second time. You do not know if you can or will improve at all. The first step is to take a step back and/or get help on evaluating what happened in your MCATs. The most likely solution is to apply smart/broad without retaking the MCAT again.

 

[piii]

The drop in MCAT score (essentially a 29 -> 27) will be a major obstacle to overcome. Did you retake it because it was expired or because you were getting significantly higher practice scores? Because 60% of people with your GPA and original MCAT combo get in each year.https://www.aamc.org/download/321508/data/factstable24.pdf

Anyway, to overcome it you need to do much better on the 3rd exam. 90th+ %

Applying DO is a great option too.

 

[lmb93]

Should I just apply to md schools with these scores?

I retook it because the aamc fl score corresponded to 510+ so I thought I would be ok

 

[piii]

Should I just apply to md schools with these scores?

I retook it because the aamc fl score corresponded to 510+ so I thought I would be ok

IDK, maybe to the low tier and/or new schools and your state schools. OUWB, Albany, Western Mi, Rush, Rosalind Franklin, Quinnipiac, NYMC, Drexel, Creighton. You'd be fine for the top DO schools like CCOM, PCOM, AZCOM, Touro NY, DMUCOM, KCUCOM which honestly are options. With GREAT essays, LOR, ECs, and interviews you probably have a fighting chance for MD.

 

[mikil100]

I think your Verbal score is really going to hurt you, that being said you should do some research into what schools would consider a Verbal score such as yours, and what you can do to improve your Verbal score if the school prospects aren't looking good. I'm not sure MD schools are an option at this point.

Best of luck to you.

 

[Ismet]

Moving to WAMC

 

[lmb93]

Should I even bother applying this cycle? Or should I try to improve my score and then apply? I was in the process of writing secondaries

 

[Anomandaris]

Should I even bother applying this cycle? Or should I try to improve my score and then apply? I was in the process of writing secondaries

If you're writing secondaries for schools, I'm assuming you already submitted your primary? In that case you've already applied and if you wait and apply again in a different cycle you'll be considered an applicant at the schools for which you've already submitted your primary. IMHO might as well continue this cycle and see how it goes.

 

[lmb93]

If you're writing secondaries for schools, I'm assuming you already submitted your primary? In that case you've already applied and if you wait and apply again in a different cycle you'll be considered an applicant at the schools for which you've already submitted your primary. IMHO might as well continue this cycle and see how it goes.

Is it really worth it considering my verbal score? I haven't submitted that many secondaries so far.

 

[Anomandaris]

Is it really worth it considering my verbal score? I haven't submitted that many secondaries so far.

Sorry, I should have made this clear, but I have no idea what that verbal score is on the old scale. a 27-29/3.9 really isn't a death sentence or anything IMHO.

It'll also be a lot harder as a reapplicant if you don't retake the MCAT (and that's yet another potential bucket of worms) or add some significant EC's. I'm not sure if the benefits of taking a 3rd MCAT (and possibly scoring the same/lower) really outweighs the cost of becoming a reapplicant to a lot of these schools. Your primary is already submitted so you're going to be a reapplicant (if you withdraw this cycle and reapply at a later cycle) whether or not you submit your secondaries.

 

[lmb93]

Sorry, I should have made this clear, but I have no idea what that verbal score is on the old scale. a 27-29/3.9 really isn't a death sentence or anything IMHO.

It'll also be a lot harder as a reapplicant if you don't retake the MCAT (and that's yet another potential bucket of worms) or add some significant EC's. I'm not sure if the benefits of taking a 3rd MCAT (and possibly scoring the same/lower) really outweighs the cost of becoming a reapplicant to a lot of these schools. Your primary is already submitted so you're going to be a reapplicant (if you withdraw this cycle and reapply at a later cycle) whether or not you submit your secondaries.

Well it's just that that 122 verbal is something like 5 or 6 on old scale

 

[Goro]

A 27 is circling the drain for MD schools. Even at my DO school, going down is not a good sign.

Apply broadly to DO schools, and maybe your state MD school.

Should I just apply to md schools with these scores?

I retook it because the aamc fl score corresponded to 510+ so I thought I would be ok

 

[lmb93]

A 27 is circling the drain for MD schools. Even at my DO school, going down is not a good sign.

Apply broadly to DO schools, and maybe your state MD school.

@Goro do you think I should go ahead and submit my secondaries or should I wait until next year? I mean I did score decently on aamc fl and also usually got 8-9 on verbal on the old thing so I'm not sure what happened

 

[Anomandaris]

A 27 is circling the drain for MD schools. Even at my DO school, going down is not a good sign.

Apply broadly to DO schools, and maybe your state MD school.

Hi Goro! Assuming he retakes his MCAT and scores maybe like a 31-32, would that be enough to overcome that re-applicant hump? I mean that's still only 2-3 points better than his first MCAT, plus it would be a third MCAT. I feel like he'd have to score something like a 33/34+.

Besides, you've already applied, I'm not sure why you seem so stuck on the secondaries. IMHO you might as well fill them out and see how it goes. Or maybe fill out the ones where you have a decent shot, stat-wise, if you're concerned about money.

 

[Goro]

I think it's worth applying this year, warts and all, and seeing how the app cycle shakes out. You can then prepare for a retake in the spring, and apply fresh for the 1016-17 cycle with a (hopefully) better score.

@Goro do you think I should go ahead and submit my secondaries or should I wait until next year? I mean I did score decently on aamc fl and also usually got 8-9 on verbal on the old thing so I'm not sure what happened

 

[lmb93]

I think it's worth applying this year, warts and all, and seeing how the app cycle shakes out. You can then prepare for a retake in the spring, and apply fresh for the 1016-17 cycle with a (hopefully) better score.

What schools do you recommend?

 

[Goro]

Let's see your list!

What schools do you recommend?

 

[lmb93]

Let's see your list!

All of my state schools (over 5)

Western va
Rosalind franklin
Albany med
Western michigan
Vermont
Eastern va
Vcu
Toledo
Hofstra
Cooper Rowan
Med college of Wisconsin
Maryland
Creighton
OAkland
Wright state

I was considering Georgetown and GW but they get so many apps that I don't think I have a chance





Also, what kind of mcat score should I aim for if I do the retake in spring?

 

[Goro]

I suggest

West va
Rosalind franklin
Albany med
Western michigan
Eastern va
Vcu
Med college of Wisconsin
Oakland-B
Netter
Any DO school