Applying in 2015 - Could applying with an old MCAT be a disadvantage?

[deleted307836]

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I know it's basically speculation at this point - but can anyone see any disadvantage to this scenario?

I'll almost certainly be applying in 2015 and taking the MCAT in late 2014.

I'm sure schools will accept the old MCAT within the same three-year window they do now. If the new MCAT is supposedly a "better" test though, how may that affect admissions decisions from a mixed pool?

 

[MajinSD]

i would like to know this two since Im most likely going to get a masters following my bachelors and i dont want to deal with sociology and all that on the mcat since im clueless with those topics...

 

[deleted307836]

Another thing that's somewhat concerning to me is that some schools are indicating that they will be changing their prerequisites in 2015 to reflect the new MCAT. For example, Quinnipiac states as much on their website.

 

[Zumab]

It seems like med schools wont even know how they will evaluate the 2015 scores with the old ones until they actually get to that point... they dont even know (from speaking to admin ppl)

 

[deleted407021]

I like this chart:

https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat/332616/whichexamwillyoutake.html

 

[neekzg]

I like this chart:

https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat/332616/whichexamwillyoutake.html

Thanks for this chart, I haven't seen this before and it clears up a lot with a pretty simple format. I'm graduating in 2015 but was in a sticky situation since I'm rushing to take the old MCAT and will be applying in 2015 to be considered for the Fall 2016 class.

 

[deleted307836]

This also puts a lot of pressure on those planning on taking it in late 2014. Students who initially test then will take it with the knowledge that they can't retake it - if they want to, they may very well need to take extra coursework and delay applying for another year.

 

[SoMuchMCATAhhhh]

I like this chart:

https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat/332616/whichexamwillyoutake.html

While that graphic is probably true, I would find it hard to believe that most medical schools wouldn't transition into the new MCAT and requirements- for example, I'm planning on taking my MCAT this month, and then am going to apply next cycle in June. If I don't get in next cycle, I would think that my MCAT score would still be valid if I applied in June 2015. While this probably isn't the case with every medical school, I wouldn't think most of them would cut off reapplicants like that.

 

[487806]

While that graphic is probably true, I would find it hard to believe that most medical schools wouldn't transition into the new MCAT and requirements- for example, I'm planning on taking my MCAT this month, and then am going to apply next cycle in June. If I don't get in next cycle, I would think that my MCAT score would still be valid if I applied in June 2015. While this probably isn't the case with every medical school, I wouldn't think most of them would cut off reapplicants like that.

That's where it's false. Schools will accept the old MCAT until 2018. Honestly, if I were part of the LCME, I'd revoke the status of any US school that fails to accept the old MCAT by that time.

To any adcoms or attendings out there, if you think what I state is false, please give me a shoutout and let me know which schools won't accept the old MCAT (at least in 2015/2016/2017).

 

[gyngyn]

That's where it's false. Schools will accept the old MCAT until 2018. Honestly, if I were part of the LCME, I'd revoke the status of any US school that fails to accept the old MCAT by that time.

To any adcoms or attendings out there, if you think what I state is false, please give me a shoutout and let me know which schools won't accept the old MCAT (at least in 2015/2016/2017).

We plan to accept the "old MCAT" for the same interval that we currently do.

 

[487806]

We plan to accept the "old MCAT" for the same interval that we currently do.

Whew. That's great to hear. Thanks for the good news.