Applied. No MACT. Next step help!

[573642]

Hello! This is my first time posting here. I wanted to see if I can get some help in making a decision.

I applied to several medical schools without taking the MCAT. Now, I am realizing that my score will not be good based on my practice tests.
What should I do?
1. I can withdraw all applications, but I applied to some schools that don't require the MCAT. So if I withdraw I lose that chance.
2. Simply cancel MCAT and leave my med school application as is. Then reapply and take MCAT when ready for the next cycle.
3. Is there another option?

Thank you for your time. I would really appreciate your help.

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[JimKimSlim]

2. Take the MCAT only when you’re ready.

 

[Goro]

What Med schools do not require the MCAT???

 

[573642]

2. Take the MCAT only when you’re ready.

What will happen when school will get my application, but no mcat? Will they just throw the application away?
Will I be able to reapply next year?

 

[573642]

What Med schools do not require the MCAT???

UCSF does not require this cycle

 

[KnightDoc]

What will happen when school will get my application, but no mcat? Will they just throw the application away?
Will I be able to reapply next year?

You can always reapply, but you will, of course, be a reapplicant. Will they throw your application away? No -- they will just hold it waiting for your MCAT. If it never comes, they will never mark your application complete nor review it, regardless of whether or not you withdraw.

Obviously, you don't want to take the test before you are ready, but what was the strategy behind applying to more than one throwaway school (or, in your case, UCSF) without having an actual score in hand? Why put yourself in the position of being a reapplicant in return for no upside at all?

 

[Goro]

UCSF does not require this cycle

You're probably going to want to double-check on that. Most of the medical schools that didn't require an MCAT actually did require the MCAT you just had to take it a lot later in the cycle.

Your app will most probably go to the bottom of the pile, until your score comes in.

 

[573642]

You can always reapply, but you will, of course, be a reapplicant. Will they throw your application away? No -- they will just hold it waiting for your MCAT. If it never comes, they will never mark your application complete nor review it, regardless of whether or not you withdraw.

Obviously, you don't want to take the test before you are ready, but what was the strategy behind applying to more than one throwaway school (or, in your case, UCSF) without having an actual score in hand? Why put yourself in the position of being a reapplicant in return for no upside at all?

I did not know i can apply only to one school and then add more. I would have rather done that. So, now even if I withdraw ... I will always be reapplicant? It sounds bad ... is it?

 

[573642]

You're probably going to want to double-check on that. Most of the medical schools that didn't require an MCAT actually did require the MCAT you just had to take it a lot later in the cycle.

Your app will most probably go to the bottom of the pile, until your score comes in.

UCSF said they will review applications without MCAT this cycle. I asked the school directly. But this whole process is so confusing ... its the the process that is confusing, but the underlying actions. Whether you apply 1st time or you are retaking the MCAT. So, I am still learning.

 

[GreenDuck12]

I did not know i can apply only to one school and then add more. I would have rather done that. So, now even if I withdraw ... I will always be reapplicant? It sounds bad ... is it?

Itll be alright - they will see that your file was never complete. They may give you space to address it in a secondary or ask about it in an interview. Worry about taking the MCAT when you’re ready, not being a reapplicant for a future cycle.

 

[573642]

Itll be alright - they will see that your file was never complete. They may give you space to address it in a secondary or ask about it in an interview. Worry about taking the MCAT when you’re ready, not being a reapplicant for a future cycle.

So, basically, you are suggesting to take MCAT next cycle (when ready) and then apply again? Rather than try to take it now and get low score, but complete my application process? Right?

 

[GreenDuck12]

So, basically, you are suggesting to take MCAT next cycle (when ready) and then apply again? Rather than try to take it now and get low score, but complete my application process? Right?

The mcat is a career defining test where the mean score for accepted applicants is in the top 14% of test takers. I only suggest taking the test when you are ready.

 

[doomer_md]

I don’t know about the rest of your app but I wouldn’t bank on getting into UCSF which has a median MCAT of 519 or something.

 

[KnightDoc]

I did not know i can apply only to one school and then add more. I would have rather done that. So, now even if I withdraw ... I will always be reapplicant? It sounds bad ... is it?

You will always be a reapplicant, but only at those schools to which you submitted a primary. Bad? It depends. It's not great, because it subjects you to additional scrutiny, many schools have a bias against reapplicants, and they have lower rates of success. In your case, however, if they don't have a prior secondary to compare your application to, the effect will be less than if you had submitted a secondary and been rejected.

 

[4pf]

UCSF said they will review applications without MCAT this cycle. I asked the school directly. But this whole process is so confusing ... its the the process that is confusing, but the underlying actions. Whether you apply 1st time or you are retaking the MCAT. So, I am still learning.

Just for clarification, UCSF is not reviewing MCAT scores to offer interviews... but the MCAT will play a role in deciding who gets admitted after interviews. You may have meant that, but I just wanted to be sure

 

[stinkycheeseperson]

you need to withdraw your application and post a WAMC

 

[KnightDoc]

Just for clarification, UCSF is not reviewing MCAT scores to offer interviews... but the MCAT will play a role in deciding who gets admitted after interviews. You may have meant that, but I just wanted to be sure

What role???

"For the 2022 Admissions Cycle, the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine will accept applications without an MCAT score due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

All candidates will be screened and interview decisions will be offered without utilization of an MCAT score.

Given the ongoing geographic variation in the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, as per usual all applications will be reviewed by our admissions decision committee holistically regardless of availability of MCAT scores."

I'm reading this to mean it will be considered if it exists (other than for IIs), but that OP is correct and you can apply and be accepted without a MCAT. What am I missing?

 

[4pf]

What role???

"For the 2022 Admissions Cycle, the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine will accept applications without an MCAT score due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

All candidates will be screened and interview decisions will be offered without utilization of an MCAT score.

Given the ongoing geographic variation in the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, as per usual all applications will be reviewed by our admissions decision committee holistically regardless of availability of MCAT scores."

Screened and interviews offered completely without MCAT.

For actual admissions decisions, apps will be reviewed holistically, which includes MCAT scores if available.

You can apply without an MCAT score, but a strong MCAT will definitely still be positive in pushing an applicant to the acceptance pile after interview.

 

[KnightDoc]

Screened and interviews offered completely without MCAT.

For actual admissions decisions, apps will be reviewed holistically, which includes MCAT scores if available.

You can apply without an MCAT score, but a strong MCAT will definitely still be positive in pushing an applicant to the acceptance pile after interview.

Okay, but that's absolutely not at all what they say in their statement. Obviously, a good score is always good, but they actually explicitly say that not having one will not be a negative, since "all applications will be reviewed by our admissions decision committee holistically regardless of availability of MCAT scores."

Why not "recommend" taking the MCAT if a strong score will definitely still be a positive in pushing an applicant to the acceptance pile, or if they want to encourage candidates in any way to have a score? Or, even better, why not just require it like everyone else?

They are actually going out of their way to say don't worry about it. Few if any other schools are doing that. I think that is the takeaway from their statement, as opposed to "ignore it" because a strong score is a positive, so, as a result, the lack of a strong score is a negative.

 

[stinkycheeseperson]

that doesnt mean they're not gonna make a pile o "no mcat" and read it last

 

[KnightDoc]

that doesnt mean they're not gonna make a pile o "no mcat" and read it last

Yeah, because UCSF is by far the least woke of all the top schools. If any school is a candidate to lure people into applying without a MCAT by saying it's not required, and then screwing them over for believing it, it's UCSF.

 

[Flareicus]

If your primary is not verified, you can still withdraw your application without being seen as a reapplicant which would be your best option at this time. If not, you will only be seen as a reapplicant to schools which you have already sent an application to. Regardless, take the MCAT when you're ready and hitting your goal scores rather than trying to rush it.

Also, to be completely blunt here, just because the school says they will review applicants without a MCAT does not mean not having a score doesn't hurt you. Unless your application is top tier in every other aspect but the MCAT (especially when talking about a school that's the caliber of UCSF), you would have a better chance with a strong score.

 

[Tenk]

The MCAT is your ticket.

 

[573642]

If your primary is not verified, you can still withdraw your application without being seen as a reapplicant which would be your best option at this time. If not, you will only be seen as a reapplicant to schools which you have already sent an application to. Regardless, take the MCAT when you're ready and hitting your goal scores rather than trying to rush it.

Also, to be completely blunt here, just because the school says they will review applicants without a MCAT does not mean not having a score doesn't hurt you. Unless your application is top tier in every other aspect but the MCAT (especially when talking about a school that's the caliber of UCSF), you would have a better chance with a strong score.

Thank you for the suggestions. This process is so confusing, especially when you are trying to simply make the right moves. I will look into withdrawing ... I have a feeling I will not get a score I want on the MCAT, so sounds like it will be pointless to try to apply to UCSF without it.