Advice for MCAT retake!

[Dagrimsta1]

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Hey guys I need some advice,

I am planning to take the MCAT on Aug. 4 and apply to medical school for the 16'-17' cycle. I have previously taken the exam in June 2015 and scored a 497 (not great). I don't know whether to apply in early June with the 497 or wait for the new score and submit in early September? Any advice? I am apply for both D.O and M.D and my GPA is around 3.45 cum/ 3.35 science. I am also graduating this June 2016. I plan to study 2 months for the MCAT and already have a schedule planned out.

I have also heard about applying for only 1 school initially just so my application can get verified... Should i do that?

Thanks again

 

[NextStepTutor_2]

Hey guys I need some advice,

I am planning to take the MCAT on Aug. 4 and apply to medical school for the 16'-17' cycle. I have previously taken the exam in June 2015 and scored a 497 (not great). I don't know whether to apply in early June with the 497 or wait for the new score and submit in early September? Any advice? I am apply for both D.O and M.D and my GPA is around 3.45 cum/ 3.35 science. I am also graduating this June 2016. I plan to study 2 months for the MCAT and already have a schedule planned out.

I have also heard about applying for only 1 school initially just so my application can get verified... Should i do that?

Thanks again

Do not waste your time or your $ by applying to US schools with a 497. This is a below average score and without some extreme extenuating circumstances, you will not be considered a serious candidate, especially with your less than stellar (for a pre-med applicant) GPA.

Take a look at the AAMC data (for free) on applicant and matriculant GPA and MCAT. Take your time and kill the exam next time. I don't see why you would need to get anything verified now, when you can do so next year and it won't save you any significant time. You can be ready to roll and submit AMCAS on day 1 next year.

Hope this helps, good luck!

 

[Dagrimsta1]

Do not waste your time or your $ by applying to US schools with a 497. This is a below average score and without some extreme extenuating circumstances, you will not be considered a serious candidate, especially with your less than stellar (for a pre-med applicant) GPA.

Take a look at the AAMC data (for free) on applicant and matriculant GPA and MCAT. Take your time and kill the exam next time. I don't see why you would need to get anything verified now, when you can do so next year and it won't save you any significant time. You can be ready to roll and submit AMCAS on day 1 next year.

Hope this helps, good luck!

This would be the ideal scenario but I don't want to lose another year if I apply in the next cycle (17-18). If i apply in September with a 509+ (Hopefully) with my stats, is that already too late to get in anywhere?

 

[aldol16]

Applying that late in the cycle will put you at an extreme disadvantage - especially for schools that are on rolling admissions. Given your GPA, you want to give yourself every advantage you can get, so it may not be advisable to apply this cycle simply for that fact.

 

[NextStepTutor_2]

This would be the ideal scenario but I don't want to lose another year if I apply in the next cycle (17-18). If i apply in September with a 509+ (Hopefully) with my stats, is that already too late to get in anywhere?

I see, you are applying with the 497 assuming you are re-taking in August. However, all schools you apply to will only see your very low MCAT score until sometime in September when your new score is released. Effectively, your application won't be actionable for U.S schools until sometime in September. There is no rush for you to release it. If you are scoring near your 509-510 goal in July, you can begin your application, but I would reach out specifically to your top choice schools to see how they deal with multiple MCTA scores and how they will perceive your current app with the 497. Many schools will wait, but your GPA puts you on the low end of that also so they will want an outstanding MCAT score and other parts of your application need to stand out as well for you to have the best chance of getting in so late in the cycle.

Hope this helps, good luck!

 

[Dagrimsta1]

Applying that late in the cycle will put you at an extreme disadvantage - especially for schools that are on rolling admissions. Given your GPA, you want to give yourself every advantage you can get, so it may not be advisable to apply this cycle simply for that fact.

I see, you are applying with the 497 assuming you are re-taking in August. However, all schools you apply to will only see your very low MCAT score until sometime in September when your new score is released. Effectively, your application won't be actionable for U.S schools until sometime in September. There is no rush for you to release it. If you are scoring near your 509-510 goal in July, you can begin your application, but I would reach out specifically to your top choice schools to see how they deal with multiple MCTA scores and how they will perceive your current app with the 497. Many schools will wait, but your GPA puts you on the low end of that also so they will want an outstanding MCAT score and other parts of your application need to stand out as well for you to have the best chance of getting in so late in the cycle.

Hope this helps, good luck!

So basically my only shot is to score 513 and higher to have any substantial chance. Looks like I got my work cut out for me.