August MCAT too late?

[woodca3]

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So I just received my percentile rank from my May MCAT, and it was very low... Can anyone help me out and tell me if it is too late to retake in August? I would like to take the August 6 MCAT, which would mean my scores would be available September 8. Is this too late for my application (for admission in fall 2016)? I don't plan on doing early decision anywhere.

Thanks in advance! I'm starting to panic.

 

[Summertime012]

IMO I would seriously consider weighing the possibility of getting another score in August that is lower than you are hoping for. You didn't reveal how low your scores were. If they are really low then there are some legitimate gaps in knowledge and or understanding of the mcat material. Compounding a low score with another and a late review of your application due to a pending Mcat score could hurt you bad for both this and future app cycles.. This is a lifelong journey and if you are young, my advice would be to strengthen your app and study for a retake without the pressure of a looming August exam date. A gap year can be a beautiful thing that can give you room to grow and set you apart from other applicants. This process is incredibly stressful and I wish you the best.

 

[Ismet]

Moving to pre-allo

 

[nwts]

An August test date will make your application late. I would not recommend applying in this cycle with an August test date. Taking a gap year would eliminate the handicap of having to submit late because of your late MCAT, and it would have the additional advantage of allowing you to retake the MCAT later and have more time to study for it.

 

[CLGPureMoist]

An August test date will make your application late. I would not recommend applying in this cycle with an August test date. Taking a gap year would eliminate the handicap of having to submit late because of your late MCAT, and it would have the additional advantage of allowing you to retake the MCAT later and have more time to study for it.

I'm aware that schools are holding off on reviewing applications until July 1st this year -- will this set the rest of application cycle back a month, and therefore, make an August test date not prohibitively late in the cycle? Or nah?

 

[nwts]

I'm aware that schools are holding off on reviewing applications until July 1st this year -- will this set the rest of application cycle back a month, and therefore, make an August test date not prohibitively late in the cycle? Or nah?

This won't be a major factor. Last year, primary applications were sent out to medical schools by the AAMC on June 27th. That's only four days earlier than this year. This slight timing change won't really do much to the application timeline. Having your primary application sent out in September is late, and it will be a handicap. I would really recommend waiting a year to apply.

 

[CLGPureMoist]

This won't be a major factor. Last year, primary applications were sent out to medical schools by the AAMC on June 27th. That's only four days earlier than this year. This slight timing change won't really do much to the application timeline. Having your primary application sent out in September is late, and it will be a handicap. I would really recommend waiting a year to apply.

Thanks for the response.