Accomodations on MCAT: Does that hurt chances?

[Nurseman77]

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Hey all,

I have looked everywhere, but it seems to be quite a taboo topic. I have the option of getting extra time on the MCAT because I have special circumstances that permit this. I noticed however, that if you receive extra time on the MCAT, it is reported that you took the test under "special circumstances" to the schools that receive your school.

My question is: Does taking the MCAT with "special circumstances," such as getting extra time, hurt an applicant's chances of getting accepted?

P.S.: I have looked for the answer to this question for days, but still have not found one. Thanks in advance.

 

[Madame]

Hey all,

I have looked everywhere, but it seems to be quite a taboo topic. I have the option of getting extra time on the MCAT because I have special circumstances that permit this. I noticed however, that if you receive extra time on the MCAT, it is reported that you took the test under "special circumstances" to the schools that receive your school.

My question is: Does taking the MCAT with "special circumstances," such as getting extra time, hurt an applicant's chances of getting accepted?

P.S.: I have looked for the answer to this question for days, but still have not found one. Thanks in advance.

I suspect that in their hearts some adcom members discount scores taken with special circumstances.

 

[bamtuba]

I suspect that in their hearts some adcom members discount scores taken with special circumstances.

I don't know what each individual school would do, but my thought would be why risk it. I mean, will you be given extra time for USMLEs? How about extra time to deal with whatever situation you find yourself in during medical school?

I would never question your circumstances as I don't even know you, but there is a point where reality doesn't meld well with political correctness...and the you just never know how this will play out with people of different backgrounds (ie. adcoms).

 

[NickNaylor]

I would agree with the above.

Unless it's absolutely necessary, I wouldn't use the extra time. From your post, it sounds like this is not the case; you'll get more time on a mere technicality. The extra time is there for those who need it. If you don't, though, I wouldn't take it. It will more than likely be viewed in a negative light (at least I would).

 

[meliora27]

Have you applied for special accommodations from AAMC? Just because you have accommodations in college, and perhaps you've had them from early childhood as well as on standardized tests such as ACT/SAT/AP Exams, does not necessarily mean that the AAMC will grant you the same accommodations. From sources in the know, it is becoming nearly impossible to get accommodations such as extended time on the MCAT. YMMV.

 

[Coretana]

I don't see how AAMC could deny a request for accommodations as long as you have sufficient documentation proving your need for them. In fact, that's all they seem to want according to their FAQ: http://aamc.org/students/mcat/accommodations/accommodationsfaq.htm

I have considered the same thing myself, and I don't think it should hurt your application strength. Physics and chemistry definitely help you to PREPARE for being a doctor, but they don't DEFINE your ability to be one. Maybe the USMLEs should be different, but the MCAT is just another hoop to jump through before you can even start the race. They should give the people who need it a little step up.

 

[Sluggie]

Hey all,

I have looked everywhere, but it seems to be quite a taboo topic. I have the option of getting extra time on the MCAT because I have special circumstances that permit this. I noticed however, that if you receive extra time on the MCAT, it is reported that you took the test under "special circumstances" to the schools that receive your school.

My question is: Does taking the MCAT with "special circumstances," such as getting extra time, hurt an applicant's chances of getting accepted?

P.S.: I have looked for the answer to this question for days, but still have not found one. Thanks in advance.

How much extra time would you get per section? If I were you, I would take practice tests under both scenarios. If the scores are close are within 1-2 points, I would not risk the potential stigma. But, if it is the difference of a 25 or 35, I would take the "special" 35.

I am very cuious though: how much extra time does AAMC allow per section?

 

[Sluggie]

I would agree with the above.

Unless it's absolutely necessary, I wouldn't use the extra time. From your post, it sounds like this is not the case; you'll get more time on a mere technicality. The extra time is there for those who need it. If you don't, though, I wouldn't take it. It will more than likely be viewed in a negative light (at least I would).

dude, i'm sure you're a great guy and love your quote, but that avatar is just creepy. please don't look like that when you meet your future patients! 🙂

 

[nuneyah]

dude, i'm sure you're a great guy and love your quote, but that avatar is just creepy. please don't look like that when you meet your future patients! 🙂

That's the turtle kid! Haven't you seen the video?

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMNry4PE93Y[/YOUTUBE]

A classic...

 

[BlueElmo]

Unless you have a documented case, I would also advise against special accomodations. The adcoms might be biased against it, so I would not risk it.

 

[J ROD]

Unless you have a really good reason, I would not do it.

Like without it, I cant score well enough....because of X disability...documented by a doc.

Basically, it better be real....👍

 

[schrizto]

Would they distinguish between accommodations that definitely wouldn't give an advantage versus ones that might give someone an advantage? Like, someone might ask for larger print font or something, as compared to extended time.

 

[J ROD]

Would they distinguish between accommodations that are not advantageous and ones that might give someone an advantage? Like, someone might ask for larger print font or something, as compared to extended time.

I doubt the extra large print is a problem....extra time, better have a good reason to need the time...

The larger print would not help me but the extra time would.....👍

 

[schrizto]

I doubt the extra large print is a problem....extra time, better have a good reason to need the time...

The larger print would not help me but the extra time would.....👍

Yeah, that's why I asked. Let's say one person got larger font and another person got extended time, would both of them get the label "special circumstances"? If so, then it's unfair for an adcom to assume someone had an advantage from that label because for all anyone knows, it could be the person with the enlarged font.

 

[combatwombat]

If you take the MCAT under ANY nonstandard conditions, there will be an asterisk next to your MCAT score on your applications. All this asterisk is intended to mean is "nonstandard testing conditions" - whether you got time and a half, unlimited time, large font, or are diabetic and needed to have a snack nearby to help control your blood sugar, it is all considered nonstandard.

The asterisk does affect the way your application is looked at. Supposedly, it just makes them place less emphasis on your MCAT score, and look more at the other things you've done.

The acceptance rates of students with normal versus flagged scores has been studied; there are research articles out there if you look for them. IIRC they were done by the AAMC itself.

Be aware that if you qualify for extended time, but take the MCAT under nonstandard conditions and do "reasonably" well, you will never be able to get extended time. If you think you'd benefit from it, you must get accommodations before taking the test. If you take the test and score even as low as a 3-4 on one section, they'll say "look - you didn't need extra time. You got a normal score without it." If you try to argue and say "wait a minute, a 3 on my physical sciences section sucks! that's not normal!" the AAMC will be quick to reassure you that, statistically speaking, it is a normal enough score, and that "somebody has to be average."

I don't see how AAMC could deny a request for accommodations as long as you have sufficient documentation proving your need for them.

If you have taken the MCAT before and scored within the range that they consider "normal," they will deny you regardless of what your documentation says. You will face a protracted battle that may require lawyers to even have a chance at getting extended time after that.

 

[schrizto]

If you take the MCAT under ANY nonstandard conditions, there will be an asterisk next to your MCAT score on your applications. All this asterisk is intended to mean is "nonstandard testing conditions" - whether you got time and a half, unlimited time, large font, or are diabetic and needed to have a snack nearby to help control your blood sugar, it is all considered nonstandard.

The asterisk does affect the way your application is looked at. Supposedly, it just makes them place less emphasis on your MCAT score, and look more at the other things you've done.

The acceptance rates of students with normal versus flagged scores has been studied; there are research articles out there if you look for them. IIRC they were done by the AAMC itself.

Be aware that if you qualify for extended time, but take the MCAT under nonstandard conditions and do "reasonably" well, you will never be able to get extended time. If you think you'd benefit from it, you must get accommodations before taking the test. If you take the test and score even as low as a 3-4 on one section, they'll say "look - you didn't need extra time. You got a normal score without it." If you try to argue and say "wait a minute, a 3 on my physical sciences section sucks! that's not normal!" the AAMC will be quick to reassure you that, statistically speaking, it is a normal enough score, and that "somebody has to be average."


If you have taken the MCAT before and scored within the range that they consider "normal," they will deny you regardless of what your documentation says. You will face a protracted battle that may require lawyers to even have a chance at getting extended time after that.

This is scary. So if you took the MCAT before, then they are likely to deny you accommodations on any later testings. But that shouldn't be right, because someone who has never taken it before usually doesn't have a good feel of what taking the MCAT for real is like.

 

[randombetch]

On a side note, Princeton's getting sued for not giving a student extra time on midterms.

 

[J ROD]

Maybe phone a friend could be a "special" accomodation!!!

 

[RogueUnicorn]

uh this thread is 4 months old.

 

[BBender716]

That's the turtle kid! Haven't you seen the video?

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMNry4PE93Y[/YOUTUBE]

A classic...

🤣 omg I've never seen that before holy crap! Now I know why you chose that avatar hahahaha

 

[BBender716]

On a side note, Princeton's getting sued for not giving a student extra time on midterms.

(see "rich parents hire lawyer")

 

[Bearrie]

If you take the MCAT under ANY nonstandard conditions, there will be an asterisk next to your MCAT score on your applications. All this asterisk is intended to mean is "nonstandard testing conditions" - whether you got time and a half, unlimited time, large font, or are diabetic and needed to have a snack nearby to help control your blood sugar, it is all considered nonstandard.

WTF?!? You can get unlimited time on the MCAT? I would have gotten at least a 40. 🙁

 

[RogueUnicorn]

WTF?!? You can get unlimited time on the MCAT? I would have gotten at least a 40. 🙁

if time was even a factor, i HIGHLY doubt that.

 

[Bearrie]

if time was even a factor, i HIGHLY doubt that.

=)

 

[nabeel76]

If you truly need more time and were found to need it by the learning needs committee that evaluated you, and have thus been accomodated with more time over the years then look at it this way:

(1) the majority of mcat test-takers that score within the average medical school acceptance range, regardless of actually liking more time, do actually still finish on time. So although you'd have a little more time than they did, the end result would be the same, that additional time would get you to the point of actually completing the test just the same - you'd just finish on time. I highly doubt they would give you so much additional time to where it could serve as an advantage for you by allowing you to check and recheck your answers. So if you look at it this way, whether you get a 40 or 30 or 20 etc. it should be looked at equally. The same time crunch experienced by the students who did not get this accomadation should be similiar to the students who did - its still relative.

(2) If you were to not take the additional time and instead decide to rush yourself when you actually have been found to need more time you would now be at a huge disadvantage compared to others. Now you would most certainly not complete the test and would be forced to guess on a larger portion of your answers. Your score in this scenario would not represent your level of basic science mastery or your ability to think, but for you it'd be more of a reflection of how fast you are.

Personally I wouldn't take that chance. The way I see it, your not going to be at too big an advantage - if an advantage at all - if you have more time, but you'll be at a huge disadvantage if you don't.

Medical schools will not be able to discriminate against you based on this, and even if they do decide to emphasize other areas besides the MCAT well than so be it. That still doesnt hurt you. Taking the exam under standard conditions when you need more time will most likely earn you a score that can and will hurt you in admissions.

I could be wrong as I don't have much experience with this topic nor do I know anybody that ever took the MCAT with additional time but these are my initial thoughts. Please enlighten me if I am off base here.