Apply soon or wait to re-take mcat?!?

[Moestar]

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Hi everyone!

I'm in need of some major advice! I wrote the MCAT last summer and got a 27R and I'm currently prepping to re-write it in July in hopes of increasing my score, but I'm now a little worried ecause so far my scores on the practice tests haven't really been that great. I know I still have a little more than a month of prep time but I just wanted to know if anyone has any advice on whether if I should apply this cycle with my old MCAT score or re-take it and apply later with the risk of possibly getting a lower score?

The reason that I wanted to re-take MCAT is cause my GPA's so-so, 3.30, and also i'm Canadian, so DO schools tend to accept less of us. I thought perhaps a better mcat score would mean a greater chance of being accepted.

Any advice would be SO greatly appreciated!!!

Thanks a bunch!!!

-Wend

 

[Kappy1]

If you want to go the DO route you already have the MCAT score you need for most schools. If you want to go to the allopathic schools you need to score three points higher. I would say try to raise your GPA. Take some 100 level courses in many different subjects. These courses are easier and you should be able to do well on them. Even if it means an extra semester or year in school try to raise the GPA. Speak to students about good professor's. A professor can make the difference between an A or a C in a course. It will also make you a better applicant in the eyes of the ADCOM's becuase you are showing them that you are a well rounded person. Try to take some upper level science and a few math courses that are not required but are suggested to make yourself a better applicant. Take a few of the following courses if you have not done so already. Take biochem, calculus, statistics, microbiology, cell bio, genetics. Have good LOR's and a lot of EC's and you should be accepted. I hope you are accepted to the school of your choice. You can still apply and your other MCAT score will be added to your application latter. I would say try to fix the GPA even if it means more school and applying next year. Apply early and Good Luck!!!!!

 

[Moestar]

Hi Kappy!! 🙂

Thanks so much for your reply!!! It seems like that you're the one that gives all of the advice for those of us that are asking about what our chances are! I was just wondering, do the DO schools look at the marks from all 4 years of undergrad? Or do they only look at the three most recent one? Cause if that was the case my GPA would be a bit higher. 3.3 is a B+ right? Well that's how my conversions have worked out to be. I really wanted to apply this year so i think I'm going to be applying starting in June and you're right, the new MCAT score can just be added on after. I've already graduated and I'm taking a year off next year already and I don't want to extend this break for two years! So desparately want to get in to osteopathy, plus I really love what it's all about!!

Ne ways, thanks so much for your feedback!!! Really appreciate it! 🙂

Take care!

-Wend

 

[Kappy1]

Hi Kappy!! 🙂

Thanks so much for your reply!!! It seems like that you're the one that gives all of the advice for those of us that are asking about what our chances are! I was just wondering, do the DO schools look at the marks from all 4 years of undergrad? Or do they only look at the three most recent one? Cause if that was the case my GPA would be a bit higher. 3.3 is a B+ right? Well that's how my conversions have worked out to be. I really wanted to apply this year so i think I'm going to be applying starting in June and you're right, the new MCAT score can just be added on after. I've already graduated and I'm taking a year off next year already and I don't want to extend this break for two years! So desparately want to get in to osteopathy, plus I really love what it's all about!!

Ne ways, thanks so much for your feedback!!! Really appreciate it! 🙂

Take care!

-Wend

DO Schools look at all four years or more of college work and any other higher form of education such as masters or PHD work. AACOMAS will calculate your GPA after they recieve all your transcripts. A 3.3=B+. As an applicant you want to make sure that you stand out to the ADCOM's if you are taking a break make sure you still are doing something productive it doesn't have to be medically related. You may be asked about it on interviews. As long as you have good LOR's and EC's with 3.6-3.7+ overall GPA and a 3.4-3.5+ science GPA I think you should be in the running for a spot. Apply early. Again since you are Canadian (not that, that is a bad thing or your fault or anything of the sort) you are going to need to have your application stand out becuase being Canadian does put you behind the eight ball. I believe prefence is given to Americans for most of the DO Schools. One way of doing that is having a higher GPA and MCAT score then that required by the school. The goal is to get accepted to the school of your choice. If you feel you don't have the time, apply and see what will happen this coming cycle. I hope you get accepted to the school of your choice. Good Luck!!!!

 

[emaj1n]

Wend,

What year are you? If you are a junior, just wait to apply next year. Follow the above advice to help raise your GPA, then apply and get in. Your MCAT is right on target. You don't need to retake it (I'd recommend against it, actually, since at a 27 you have a 50% chance of raising and 50% chance of lowering your score).

Apply next year with a better GPA and you'll get in. Also, use the extra year to beef up your clinical experiences, shadowing, and ECs.

Good luck! Email (via the link below) or PM if you have any other questions.

 

[youngtraumadoc]

I am/was in the same position you are in. I took the MCAT a few times and got a score of 26-27. I talked to admissions officers and they explained:
a. everytime you take the test, prepare for it as hard as you did for the first time
b. even if your score does not improve much, it shows the admin. committee that you are serious about med school and not saying "I got a 26 my first time and if this school doesn't like it tough."

Increasing your GPA is actually easier in my opinion than your MCAT sometimes since you can always take 2-3 yrs to do post-bac work, get a masters etc...to prove that you have the skills and technique to manage a demanding course load and do well with it.