9,9,10 - what to do?

[tautomer]

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Hey everyone,

This may be for the MCAT forum, but I guess it applies here as well. I just got my scores back from August, and it's not what I had hoped (28O, 9 PS 9 VR, 10 BS) considering I was scoring 30's and 31's consistently on all my practice exams. I know I could have done better. Anyways, my question is: I will be applying this coming spring (I'm a senior and will be taking a year off), and re-taking the April MCAT will obviously not really affect me in the admissions cycle, so should I re-take it? I really wouldn't like to, but I just hate having that score resting on my head. The rest of my app is already complete: I got some great LORs (I assume), some good ECs (research with a pub, volunteering, unique musical activities (I'm a music major).

GPA: science: 3.36, overall: 3.56. I'm white.

I guess this has kind of turned into a "what are my chances?" thread. For that I apologize. I just hate that MCAT. Please let me know what you think.

 

[anystream]

if you were scoring better on the practice tests, you should retake the test. 28 isn't a bad score, but you may as well maximize your chances at a good school. my advice is to take a nice long vacation from thinking about the MCAT and return to studying in the spring.

 

[Rendar5]

advice I always heard was, don't retake the MCATs unless u're positive u can score equal to or greater than 3 points higher than your previous score. Anyway, if u want to apply, just apply. just realize that u're below the avg med student MCAT score (29-30), so that might put u at a disadvantage, but u're still in the ball park. Also consider applying to various osteopathic schools around ur MCAT score.

If you're sure u can get a 31 or 32 on the mcat, then retake in april if u feel like. Your score wasn't great, but it wasn't horrible either.

 

[gujuDoc]

If you are considered about your profile, I would be more concerned about your GPA and consider doing an SMP program. But I would go ahead and apply to a few in state schools and a few low tier schools and see what happens, and if nothing comes of it, then do an SMP for year and reapply because your GPA is the only thing that looks like it needs some revamping.

 

[crys20]

I don't know I think the breakdown is good and definately not a bad score by any means! Your GPA is a lot like mine and my mcat is slightly higher and I have 3 MD interviews thus far...w/ in state and low tier schools you definately have a shot I think; you can always reapply next year if nothing comes, like the above poster said.

I halfway agree I think w/ choosing SMP>MCAT again. Actually I think this is a case where you could pick one and do it...Either raising your sci GPA or raising your MCAT i think would be equally helpful in making you more competitive.

 

[baseball37]

Hey everyone,

This may be for the MCAT forum, but I guess it applies here as well. I just got my scores back from August, and it's not what I had hoped (28O, 9 PS 9 VR, 10 BS) considering I was scoring 30's and 31's consistently on all my practice exams. I know I could have done better. Anyways, my question is: I will be applying this coming spring (I'm a senior and will be taking a year off), and re-taking the April MCAT will obviously not really affect me in the admissions cycle, so should I re-take it? I really wouldn't like to, but I just hate having that score resting on my head. The rest of my app is already complete: I got some great LORs (I assume), some good ECs (research with a pub, volunteering, unique musical activities (I'm a music major).

GPA: science: 3.36, overall: 3.56. I'm white.

I guess this has kind of turned into a "what are my chances?" thread. For that I apologize. I just hate that MCAT. Please let me know what you think.

I was in a similar situation as you were. Similar GPA with 29 MCAT. I decided to retake the MCAT (I did it in August) and I raised my score to a 35 (11 V,11 P ,13B). I spent 20 hours a week studying for an entire summer to insure that I received a better score (I took a prep course the second time around too). If you are sure that you can put in the time to get a better score then I might consider retaking it if I was in your shoes. But you are fairly competitive as is, so only do this if you are certain. Whatever you do, be sure to apply early and to many schools.

 

[dmtang2]

Hey everyone,

This may be for the MCAT forum, but I guess it applies here as well. I just got my scores back from August, and it's not what I had hoped (28O, 9 PS 9 VR, 10 BS) considering I was scoring 30's and 31's consistently on all my practice exams. I know I could have done better. Anyways, my question is: I will be applying this coming spring (I'm a senior and will be taking a year off), and re-taking the April MCAT will obviously not really affect me in the admissions cycle, so should I re-take it? I really wouldn't like to, but I just hate having that score resting on my head. The rest of my app is already complete: I got some great LORs (I assume), some good ECs (research with a pub, volunteering, unique musical activities (I'm a music major).

GPA: science: 3.36, overall: 3.56. I'm white.

I guess this has kind of turned into a "what are my chances?" thread. For that I apologize. I just hate that MCAT. Please let me know what you think.

i'm a mcat 3-timer. if you decide to retake the mcat, just be CERTAIN that can improve by more than 2 points. aamc statistics show that about 80% of 2nd timers score no more than 2 points higher than compared to their 1st time.

my 2nd and 3rd times showed the same exact score...

anyway, when u retake it and if you are unlucky, u seriously risk getting a lower score. therefore, u would then need to retake it a 3rd time.

 

[owenmichael]

Don't retake.
Reasons
1) We say it all the time, SDN is really skewed in terms of MCAT scores. A 28 will get you in somewhere, probably not top 20, but definately a good school.
2) I would be more worried about yoru math/science GPA.

Your score is solid, theres a reason most schools have a 30 average. Thats because approximately 1/2 of the kids score BELOW a 30, and 1/2 above. Again a 28 is a solid score and your sections are consistent.
Dont worry.

 

[Flopotomist]

My scores and GPA are nearly identical, and I am applying this cycle. I don't think I can put in the time to get a higher MCAT right now. Hmm.. not sure what the point of this is other than to show some solidarity with you in terms of numbers. Good luck!

 

[Hercules022]

Not sure what SMP stands for, but I'm assuming it's some sort of postbac program.... in which case I'd agree, and say you should def. do some more science coursework to get the science GPA up closer to the overall GPA

Esp. since you're a music major, I'd consider retaking the MCAT and working hard at getting the practice scores up to 33-34 range so that even if you go down you'll break 30. I was a humanities major, and I had decided that before I took the April MCAT if I got below a 30 I was retaking, since I think us non-bio majors need strong proof that we can handle the sciences. Anyways, it'd suck to go into the process just aiming at lower tier schools, cause that means if you're not as strong of an applicant as you think you don't have any schools to fall back on (maybe DO schools, but you probably want the MD).

That being said, the MCAT is a beast... if you go for it again, I wish you luck!

 

[sunnyjohn]

Apply to your state schools. Roll the dice.

Instead of taking a year off, take a couple of undergrad classes to pick up that GPA. An MCAT review class may also be a good idea.

Something might happen, (unless your in KALEFORNEEAHHH!)

Also take Guju's advice and apply to an SMP. RFU and BU come to mind. If you don't get in, do the SMP and try again next year.


Persistance is the name of the game. 😉

 

[sunnyjohn]

Not sure what SMP stands for, but I'm assuming it's some sort of postbac program....

SMP= SPECIAL MASTERs PROGRAM.

Designed to give you a shiny new graduate GPA for your app and prove to adcoms that you can do the rigourous work required of an MS1. You take science classes geared toward medicine and in a few programs you take the same classes as first year medical students.

You are awarded a Masters degree for you effort.

 

[somewhere2010]

Not sure what SMP stands for, but I'm assuming it's some sort of postbac program.... in which case I'd agree, and say you should def. do some more science coursework to get the science GPA up closer to the overall GPA

Esp. since you're a music major, I'd consider retaking the MCAT and working hard at getting the practice scores up to 33-34 range so that even if you go down you'll break 30. I was a humanities major, and I had decided that before I took the April MCAT if I got below a 30 I was retaking, since I think us non-bio majors need strong proof that we can handle the sciences. Anyways, it'd suck to go into the process just aiming at lower tier schools, cause that means if you're not as strong of an applicant as you think you don't have any schools to fall back on (maybe DO schools, but you probably want the MD).

That being said, the MCAT is a beast... if you go for it again, I wish you luck!

do you reeeeally want to study for that test again? i mean, really?! a 28 is a solid score...i think schools mostly look at the breakdown, so the "magic 30" doesn't do much beyond boosting our confidence. i got a 28 and cried...then applied anyway and got 2 acceptances this weekend! i'm an avid musician with lots of research experience and great LORs, and at every interview, they are always so impressed by the breadth and depth of my activities, combined with my display of academic competence (see my mdapp profile...not stellar GPA, but clearly they think good enough to do the work!).

my point is that if you think you're similar to me, you should just go for it without retaking and MCAT in hopes of increasing your score a few points, and instead really round out your application by doing some really interesting things over the next year (another thing which has impressed my interviewers). consider working at NIH for a year or doing a similar post-bac research program...or take classes!

good luck!

 

[Kitra101]

Somewhere - congrats on all of your successes. You seem to have a great set of ECs. That said, do you attribute your amazing success to your ECs? I am looking at your stats - which are good - but that said you are interviewing at top 10 schools and being accepted at schools where you may be a little shy in terms of both GPA and MCAT. Do you think ECs are what got you the foot in the door for interviews and acceptances? What is your secret?

 

[somewhere2010]

Somewhere - congrats on all of your successes. You seem to have a great set of ECs. That said, do you attribute your amazing success to your ECs? I am looking at your stats - which are good - but that said you are interviewing at top 10 schools and being accepted at schools where you may be a little shy in terms of both GPA and MCAT. Do you think ECs are what got you the foot in the door for interviews and acceptances? What is your secret?

i think what's worked for me is that all parts of my application are very good...a 28 MCAT and 3.5-ish GPA are more than enough to prove that you are academically fit for medicine. and i have lots of ECs and great LORs.

the point of this game is to be outstanding. for many people, they will shine mainly through stellar MCATs and GPA. for others like me, i stand out because i've done lots of different things, and done them well. in other words, my numbers are not sub-par; rather, they are sufficient and i am made to stand out in other ways that, to my benefit, are increasingly more important to medical schools.

also my essays are interesting and very well-written...and i made a point to "package" myself in my writing as wanting to go into academic medicine, which is well-supported by my application...having done some advertising work, i know how important it is for people to have a clear message, particularly for the ADCOMs who are sifting through thousands of apps!

hope that makes some sense! again, just speculation...i'm still surprised at my good fortune! 😛

 

[Doko]

Tautomer,

You're situation is STRIKINGLY similar to mine, except I'm a Gook! I would honestly RETAKE the test if I were you, but this time, start putting in CRAZY amount of hours studying... like 60-70 hours a week studying!

I think you would be FO SHIZZLE, then.

Otherwise, keep your head up... the light at the end of the tunnel is near!

 

[tautomer]

Aw man,

This is why I love you guys. Thanks so much for the great advice.

I guess at this point I'll go ahead and apply and see what happens. ALso, I'll review for the MCAT and take some practice tests and just see what happens. If I'm grasping it a little more I may end up signing up to take the test again in April. Finally, I'll look into possible SMP or post-bacc programs to get that science GPA up in my year off. I always knew that was going to be an issue for me.

THANKS SO MUCH.

 

[crazy_cavalier]

Look into your state schools. Also, your stats are somewhat close to mine, and I've had a couple interviews (even OOS!) So there is hope for you. Remember that they look at both the cognitive AND non-cognitive aspects of your app. Unfortunately, however, usually they look at the cognitive first (i.e. G-town, Pitt, 😡 )

 

[Doctor Bagel]

i think the answer really depends on what state you live in. if you're on the west coast, retake -- all the schools out here are psycho competitive. if you're in the midwest or south, you could be totally fine. i don't know much about the east coast, but it also seems a bit more on the competitive end.

in the meantime, try to up that gpa a little bit this year. it's fine, too, but raising it is always a good thing. focus on getting solid research and volunteering experience, if that's some thing you need to work on, too.

 

[ShyRem]

Make sure you don't live in a state like Colorado which is pretty darn competitive and only one med school. Just ask gdbaby and myself - no state love here. Even CO residents can't get an interview with a 29 (like me).

 

[tautomer]

Ya, fortunately, I live in OH, so I think I got that working to my advantage. However, I know a lot of schools here are really trying to become ven more selective, especially Ohio State, which I heard is upping it's GPA/MCAT averages to boost ranking. Don't know if it's true, but...

 

[indigoblue]

i would say retake only if you are 100% willing to study your ass off. Otherwise you sound like you're in pretty good shape.