Aug 05 MCAT scores for non-traditionals

[powerbooki]

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series 30, form AT

26Q
PS-11
BS-8
VR-7

I did personal worst at EACH of the three sections. I was not nervous at the test at all and thought I got my usual 30. AT had too much biological stuff and too little org chem, which is drastically different from anything I've seen.

 

[powerbooki]

Anyone with experience in prior application cycle? Shall I even continue applying with 26Q? 3.78 GPA. The wife never really wants me to go this route, she is pretty happy now.

 

[Airzonk]

Anyone with experience in prior application cycle? Shall I even continue applying with 26Q? 3.78 GPA. The wife never really wants me to go this route, she is pretty happy now.

Looks like you would get into a D.O. school if your interested. Are you a minority? What have you done in your life? If the answer is no and nothing to those questions you probably won't get into an allopathic school.

 

[powerbooki]

I have BS/MS in electrical engineering and have been working in the semiconductor industry for almost six years. I have a terrible match between my GPA and MCAT, don't really know how school will look at it. I usually get 13 on PS during practices and use that as a lever somewhat, but this time even this didn't work. Worst senarios happened all together this time.

 

[toxin]

It really depends what you wanna do...I would say apply to a state school, maybe u can land an interview, if not then retake in april and apply early decision. Since it seems that this exam was a statistical anomaly next time you take it you should do much better

 

[Beau Geste]

You would look excellent to DO schools, and depending on what state you are in some state schools (MD) as well. I've been pouring myself over the MSAR and with some of the MCAT averages, there have got to be people who got in and did worse than you.

I would apply to both types of schools, and sell yourself, man!

 

[blee]

The MCAT and GPA averages in MSAR are very useful data, but please don't take those to be barriers to entry. You can get into just about any school with scores lower than the posted means if you have something else in your application to make up for them. I understand the physical and financial constraints when it comes to applications, trust me; just don't leave out a school solely based on average scores.

 

[powerbooki]

Thanks for all the input people! I think I will continue applying for the schools I started and also revisit my MSAR book for more schools, including DO schools of course.

 

[medanthgirl]

whew, so i registered for the mcat 8 years ago in 1997 and never took it. went along did other things, but i still wanted to go to medical school. got my scores back last night...32 S! 10 PS, 12V, 10B, S on essay

i am very happy, but there are still little things that are nawing (sp?) at me...i understand (i think) that this is a good solid score...i can definately apply now. but i'm not sure if i will be competitive. my verbal and essay scores were in the top 10% but my percentile for physical sciences was 71-82 and for bio was 62-79. should i retake? i'm kind of nervous...i would think bio is what they would look at the most...and that's the one i did average in. i reeeeeeeeeeeeeallly don't want to take this thing again, but rather focus on one last intense semester of classes (i'm continuing ed).

i know it depends on other factors too...i've been taking extra classes to patch up my 3.1 undergrad gpa (chemistry and anthropology double major) and that's been going well...all A's so far.

should i retake to increase the bio...i wish you could just retake one section!!! grrrr....

 

[blee]

The AAMC is really great about keeping statistics on the MCAT and its takers. There's a page somewhere on the site that shows score changes (plus or minus) for retakers, divided by section:

http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/examineedata/tables.htm

I think the moral of the story is this: Unless you absolutely know you can do significantly better in one or more sections, it's probably not worth retaking. Particularly not in your case, since your score is already quite good.

Congrats on your score. Good luck w/ admissions this cycle! 🙂

 

[medanthgirl]

very helpful website!! thank you blee! looking at that i think i'll keep what i have. looks like if i retook i would have just over a 50% chance of not improving at all, or even doing worse.

thanks!

i'm applying next summer for entering class of 2007. a few more ducks i have to get in a row.

quack quack....

😀

 

[blee]

very helpful website!! thank you blee! looking at that i think i'll keep what i have. looks like if i retook i would have just over a 50% chance of not improving at all, or even doing worse.

thanks!

i'm applying next summer for entering class of 2007. a few more ducks i have to get in a row.

quack quack....

😀

No problem, glad to help.

Of course, don't forget that you are an individual and that statistics are statistics. If anyone out there had, for example, a fire alarm go off during bio, or a fight break out during verbal, these are good reasons to believe that your score might improve in a few months. My point is that simply taking it again may not do anything, especially if you spent a reasonable amount of time preparing for it the first time. Plus, it would be very demoralizing to actually go down a spot or two in a section, even if one were to improve in the weak area.

 

[osli]

I'd suggest keeping your (quite good) score and look forward to interviews at many respected schools. 😉

If, like in my case, you had never taken many of the prereq courses before taking the MCAT that might be a good reason to think a retake could improve your score. But I think I'll keep mine as well, if that's OK with the med schools.

 

[thegenius]

medanthgirl: don't retake the test. You have an excellent score and your MCAT will be enormously competitive at all but the top 15 schools. In fact, people don't realize how important it is to score a 10+ on each section and you did that. Most schools just want to see that. The difference between a 30 - 35 is not all that great if you score a 10+ on each section.

This is coming from a friend who was on the pre-medical advisory committee at Harvard, while a Harvard med student. Truly exception MCAT scores (13+ each subsection) will make you stand out.

Your score is great. Go for it (assuming the other parts of your application are sound.)

 

[JBigioOU]

For all those with MCAT q's, read EvoDevo's post under Pre-allopathic. The chances and %'s of acceptance starts going significantly up after 26 (see MSAR and post). For the engineer with the 26, I got a 24 (crap compared to my practices) but I'm applying b/c I've already turned in my amcas. To the fellow with the 32...you'll get in unless you have absolutely nothing else to offer aside from your MCAT score.
I'm assuming most of you have your amcas's in, so regardless of your score, you really lose nothing by applying. Worst that happens is you don't get in and you find out from the med school what your weakness was (don't assume it's the mcat) and then you go at it again. This shows perseverence. Schools look at much more than just one score; even the MCAT states in your score sheet that schools only "moderately" look at the MCAT, so come with maturity, integrity, decent GPA (see >3.1-3.2), extracurriculars, etc. and you've got a fighting chance, like everyone else.

 

[mtnclimber]

How'd you get 12 on verbal and an S with your spelling, girl? ...just kidding.....good luck, that's a great score!

whew, so i registered for the mcat 8 years ago in 1997 and never took it. went along did other things, but i still wanted to go to medical school. got my scores back last night...32 S! 10 PS, 12V, 10B, S on essay

i am very happy, but there are still little things that are nawing (sp?) at me...i understand (i think) that this is a good solid score...i can definately apply now. but i'm not sure if i will be competitive. my verbal and essay scores were in the top 10% but my percentile for physical sciences was 71-82 and for bio was 62-79. should i retake? i'm kind of nervous...i would think bio is what they would look at the most...and that's the one i did average in. i reeeeeeeeeeeeeallly don't want to take this thing again, but rather focus on one last intense semester of classes (i'm continuing ed).

i know it depends on other factors too...i've been taking extra classes to patch up my 3.1 undergrad gpa (chemistry and anthropology double major) and that's been going well...all A's so far.

should i retake to increase the bio...i wish you could just retake one section!!! grrrr....