Are old low mcat scores just as good as new low mcat scores

[listener23]

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Im taking my mcat in july, i know that mcat scores are good for 2-3 years. I had plan on taking a gap year and apply june 1 2015. If i get a low score (24-27), this july 2014. Will adcoms look down on me for never retaking it or is a old 27 just as good as a new 27?

Additional info: AA male who plans on applying to DO schools as well. Also i will never in my life take the mcat twice under any circumstances.
I don't plan on a sub 30 but anything could happen...

 

[GFP]

A low score is a low score. If you get a low score, it is obviously in your best interest to retake it and get a higher score.

If you have a feeling that you might do poorly (i.e. consistently scoring below what you'd like on the AAMC practice tests), then I recommend postponing the MCAT until you reach your target score. You want o be able to take it once and absolutely rock it.

Best of look.

 

[listener23]

The other issue besides being a low score, is that he pool of applicants will likely mostly have the new exam. There is no way to judge how that may be subconsciously taken into account by the adcoms.

Let me ask you a question, you would rather not take the MCAT again, even though an older, lower score may reduce your chances and may prevent from becoming a physician?

I don't plain on a sub 30 but if a low score does happen I'm going to apply without retaking it. A bigger question is will adcoms favor the 2015 mcat scores over the old format....

 

[lmn]

If you're talking about a 24-27, as far as MD programs, you'll never be competitive regardless if it is the old or new MCAT. It is possible that schools might be more forgiving of a "lower" score with the brand new mcat since it new and unknown, but I don't think that will last for long if it does end up existing.

I think it is more of a red flag of why you would never retake, even if you scored a low score. You are essentially saying you would rather never become a physician than having to retake the MCAT's; med school and a future career as a physician definitely isn't going to be easy, and if you are willing to give up at something as small as the MCAT, how can any school expect you to persevere in all the challenges that med school, residency, and beyond will put in front of you?

 

[listener23]

If you're talking about a 24-27, as far as MD programs, you'll never be competitive regardless if it is the old or new MCAT. It is possible that schools might be more forgiving of a "lower" score with the brand new mcat since it new and unknown, but I don't think that will last for long if it does end up existing.

I think it is more of a red flag of why you would never retake, even if you scored a low score. You are essentially saying you would rather never become a physician than having to retake the MCAT's; med school and a future career as a physician definitely isn't going to be easy, and if you are willing to give up at something as small as the MCAT, how can any school expect you to persevere in all the challenges that med school, residency, and beyond
will put in front of you?

Well put.

 

[Goro]

An old 27 = a new 27. There are good and bad reasons for re-taking the MCAT, an expiring or low score are good reasons.

How are you doing in practice tests?

Im taking my mcat in july, i know that mcat scores are good for 2-3 years. I had plan on taking a gap year and apply june 1 2015. If i get a low score (24-27), this july 2014. Will adcoms look down on me for never retaking it or is a old 27 just as good as a new 27?

Additional info: AA male who plans on applying to DO schools as well. Also i will never in my life take the mcat twice under any circumstances.
I don't plan on a sub 30 but anything could happen...

 

[listener23]

An old 27 = a new 27. There are good and bad reasons for re-taking the MCAT, an expiring or low score are good reasons.

How are you doing in practice tests?

I have a high of a 33 but that was over 2 mouths ago my original set mcat date was april. I have not touch anything dealing with the mcat in while for personal reason... when i make threads like this http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/fainted-after-my-human-gentics-final.1069963/ i'm being serious....

 

[Goro]

Time to put your game face on!

I have a high of a 33 but that was over 2 mouths ago my original set mcat date was april. I have not touch any thing dealing with the mcat in while for personal reason... when i make threads like this http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/fainted-after-my-human-gentics-final.1069963/ i'm being serious....

 

[Reckoner]

Time to put your game face on!

Agreed. @listener23 , do you have your personal issues squared away to the point where you can dedicate significant time every day to MCAT prep from now until the test? Stop-and-go studying almost never works for this test.

 

[listener23]

Agreed. @listener23 , do you have your personal issues squared away to the point where you can dedicate significant time every day to MCAT prep from now until the test? Stop-and-go studying almost never works for this test.

.

 

[schwieryany]

it is obviously in your best interest to retake it and get a higher score.

 

[mizzu]

Im taking my mcat in july, i know that mcat scores are good for 2-3 years. I had plan on taking a gap year and apply june 1 2015. If i get a low score (24-27), this july 2014. Will adcoms look down on me for never retaking it or is a old 27 just as good as a new 27?

Additional info: AA male who plans on applying to DO schools as well. Also i will never in my life take the mcat twice under any circumstances.
I don't plan on a sub 30 but anything could happen...

Never in your life take MCAT twice? Under ANY circumstance? Well then...

 

[listener23]

Sorry I am going to be pushy because you need to answer this for yourself, if you apply and DONT get in,

would you not retake the MCAT?
Apply again with the same score?
Give up on medical school?

Give up on medical school or enroll in a auto admission post back

 

[CyberMaxx]

OP, I understand that preparing for and taking the MCAT are miserable. The amount of knowledge you have to master is enormous, the test is long, the format is unfamiliar, the time limitations are killer, the questions are challenging, and most importantly your future rides on it.

However the MCAT is not a particularly unique event for people training to become physicians. If accepted to medical school you will be taking similar difficult and high stakes tests throughout your training and career.

My point is that it is silly to refuse to take the MCAT twice when you will be taking MCAT-like tests the rest of your life.

 

[listener23]

did you know that many "auto enroll" SMP require newly taken MCAT?

Well now i do.thanks

 

[listener23]

OP, I understand that preparing for and taking the MCAT are miserable. The amount of knowledge you have to master is enormous, the test is long, the format is unfamiliar, the time limitations are killer, the questions are challenging, and most importantly your future rides on it.

However the MCAT is not a particularly unique event for people training to become physicians. If accepted to medical school you will be taking similar difficult and high stakes tests throughout your training and career.

My point is that it is silly to refuse to take the MCAT twice when you will be taking MCAT-like tests the rest of your life.

Lets just hope i wont have make that decision I dont plan out failure.... Goro answered the threads original question anyway "old 27 = new 27"

 

[clairephillips]

Rule 7: The MCAT is your friend

(from Rich's rules for non traditional students)

From a sociological/small group dynamic, the answer is yes. You will be in an applicant pool that is more than likely most students will be applying with the new MCAT. Therefore, it is more likely that the will have some influence on group members in a comparison. Should they, how much influence, etc is impossible to say. But it is clear that will not be a positive factor having a lower, older MCAT

The MCAT is the single most important factor for older students in comparison in an applicant pool. It shows that you can compete, no matter your background, years from school, etc, with younger traditional students. You have a phobia, a fear that you MUST conquer here.

@gonnif , my wonderful friend, is there a place I can look at the other rules from "Rich's rules for non traditional students?" Is there an actual list of helpful rules? You are an inspiration and you give me hope!!!