Bombed the MCAT... should I apply anyway or wait a year?

[Geebeejay]

---

Members do not see this ad.

It has been a year and I just wanted to update this thread for anyone who comes here in the future for advice... and believes that my situation may be similar to theirs.

I ended up choosing option #2 - I withdrew my application before it was verified (thus I am not a re-applicant), studied for the MCAT again, and retook the test. I ended up with a 12P - 9V - 12B (33) ... that's a six point increase! This score is still below my average, but I am very happy with it. I don't regret my decision to re-take for a second. Believe it or not, I have even added some really unique aspects to my application that have actually led me to some life changing experiences. I have matured, I have gained experience, and I have become even more confident in my desire to pursue academic medicine.

Now... NOW I can say that I will move forward with confidence. I guess that I would like to add that everyone has personal goals and expectations. Don't be too hard on yourself, but don't settle either. For the posters claiming that no one owes me anything, they are wrong: I owed this to myself. Always be the best you can be, work hard, and be happy with your accomplishments. If they don't quite match your expectations, try try again and don't give up until you are happy with the results.

We all come to moments of indecision in our lives. Trust yourself to make the right decisions under the loving counsel of friends and family.

If you are in a similar situation to where I was last year, feel free to PM me. I will leave you with some beautiful and honest quotes. 🙂

lol pretty cheesy with the quotes, but congrats and good job. Hope you have a successful cycle.

 

[occams_razor]

It has been a year and I just wanted to update this thread for anyone who comes here in the future for advice... and believes that my situation may be similar to theirs.

I ended up choosing option #2 - I withdrew my application before it was verified (thus I am not a re-applicant), studied for the MCAT again, and retook the test. I ended up with a 12P - 9V - 12B (33) ... that's a six point increase! This score is still below my average, but I am very happy with it. I don't regret my decision to re-take for a second. Believe it or not, I have even added some really unique aspects to my application that have actually led me to some life changing experiences. I have matured, I have gained experience, and I have become even more confident in my desire to pursue academic medicine.

Now... NOW I can say that I will move forward with confidence. I guess that I would like to add that everyone has personal goals and expectations. Don't be too hard on yourself, but don't settle either. For the posters claiming that no one owes me anything, they are wrong: I owed this to myself. Always be the best you can be, work hard, and be happy with your accomplishments. If they don't quite match your expectations, try try again and don't give up until you are happy with the results.

We all come to moments of indecision in our lives. Trust yourself to make the right decisions under the loving counsel of friends and family.

If you are in a similar situation to where I was last year, feel free to PM me. I will leave you with some beautiful and honest quotes. 🙂

so glad you updated! good luck!!

 

[catzzz88]

As a final update, I wanted to let everyone know that I ended up getting a full scholarship at UCLA including 100% of tuition, room and board, books and supplies, transportation, and other expenses.

I hope that this brings positivity to someone out there contemplating a low score. Rock the rest of your application and don't let the MCAT bring you down!

Best,
C

 

[byaaaaaaah23]

Congrats and welcome to DGSOM! Enjoy your summer and I'll see you next year! 🙂

 

[Catalystik]

I ended up getting a full scholarship at UCLA including 100% of tuition, room and board, books and supplies, transportation, and other expenses.

Congratulations! An awesome final outcome considering the beginning of your story.

 

[mrh125]

a 27 shouldn't be considering bombing. you did better than like 70% of people took the test, that's not bombing. It's silly that getting an above average score and a really difficult standardized test is considered bombing.

 

[lmn]

Congrats on UCLA and the turn around OP!

a 27 shouldn't be considering bombing. you did better than like 70% of people took the test, that's not bombing. It's silly that getting an above average score and a really difficult standardized test is considered bombing.

Unfortunately that "average" score doesn't get you into any MD programs effectively. Being average isn't great when you consider your competition, as well as the number of people who take the MCAT knowing very little of the material, or not having a clue what the test is like and not practicing, as well as the people who don't comprehend english very well taking the test. A 27 is simply not a good score unless you are looking at DO.

 

[mrh125]

Congrats on UCLA and the turn around OP!


Unfortunately that "average" score doesn't get you into any MD programs effectively. Being average isn't great when you consider your competition, as well as the number of people who take the MCAT knowing very little of the material, or not having a clue what the test is like and not practicing, as well as the people who don't comprehend english very well taking the test. A 27 is simply not a good score unless you are looking at DO.

people with 27s on the mcat can get into low and mid end MD programs depending on the rest of their application. I wouldn't overgeneralize like that.

 

[MedWonk]

a 27 shouldn't be considering bombing. you did better than like 70% of people took the test, that's not bombing. It's silly that getting an above average score and a really difficult standardized test is considered bombing.

A 27 would be on the very low end of what MD schools will accept. In terms of being accepted, it pretty much is bombing the test.

 

[mrh125]

A 27 would be on the very low end of what MD schools will accept. In terms of being accepted, it pretty much is bombing the test.

there's more to applications than mcats and letting that alone discourage you is silly.

 

[MedWonk]

there's more to applications than mcats and letting that alone discourage you is silly.

Indeed. But the odds don't look good unless the rest of the app is awesome. OP likely had an awesome app aside from the 27. Having a chance doesn't mean having a good chance. I certainly had a chance at getting into HMS, but was it a good or even halfway decent chance? Not bloody likely.

 

[mrh125]

Indeed. But the odds don't look good unless the rest of the app is awesome. OP likely had an awesome app aside from the 27. Having a chance doesn't mean having a good chance. I certainly had a chance at getting into HMS, but was it a good or even halfway decent chance? Not bloody likely.

a chance is still a chance no matter how low it is and worth going for. You have a point, but still.

 

[MedWonk]

a chance is still a chance no matter how low it is and worth going for. You have a point, but still.

And that would be a reckless thing to say. Given the costs of applying, I wouldn't ever recommend someone apply just because there's even a tiny chance they get in. Giving someone false hope and effectively making them throw their money away would do an incredible disservice to the applicant. What you're suggesting is a recipe for re-application purgatory.

 

[mrh125]

And that would be a reckless thing to say. Given the costs of applying, I wouldn't ever recommend someone apply just because there's even a tiny chance they get in. Giving someone false hope and effectively making them throw their money away would do an incredible disservice to the applicant. What you're suggesting is a recipe for re-application purgatory.

it's all expensive and if you're not paying in money you're paying in your own time, energy, and stress. taking some chances can actually help out like in OP's case. beats laying down and resigning yourself to less than what you want because of the odds honestly.

 

[gyngyn]

it's all expensive and if you're not paying in money you're paying in your own time, energy, and stress. taking some chances can actually help out like in OP's case. beats laying down and resigning yourself to less than what you want because of the odds honestly.

OP applied once, well. This is what can be learned from his excellent outcome. He applied with the odds, not against them.

 

[lmn]

a chance is still a chance no matter how low it is and worth going for. You have a point, but still.

Lol sure there is always a chance, but that isn't smart thinking. Two people even got in with sub 14 scores according to (https://www.aamc.org/download/321508/data/2013factstable24.pdf), that doesn't mean that those are good scores, nor does it mean a 27 is a good score.

There is a chance I may with the lottery too, but I'm not going to hold my breath...

 

[hoihaie]

dat nature paper :O

 

[Goro]

This logic might work with Lotto tickets, but with medical school admissions, well, the schools appreciate the donations in the form of app fees from noncompetitive applicants. Heed the sage gyngyn's advice.

a chance is still a chance no matter how low it is and worth going for. You have a point, but still.

 

[Wasted Energy]

people with 27s on the mcat can get into low and mid end MD programs depending on the rest of their application. I wouldn't overgeneralize like that.

 

[Catalystik]

You guys did notice that she got a 6 point score increase on the MCAT on the second try, right?

I withdrew my application before it was verified (thus I am not a re-applicant), studied for the MCAT again, and retook the test. I ended up with a 12P - 9V - 12B (33)

 

[medic86]

people with 27s on the mcat can get into low and mid end MD programs depending on the rest of their application. I wouldn't overgeneralize like that.

She wouldn't have gotten a full ride at her school with a 27. Just sayin'.

 

[gookies]

She wouldn't have gotten a full ride at her school with a 27. Just sayin'.

I don't think she would've gotten a full ride with her 33 either without her extensive research background. Her stats alone would be seen as only "good", especially on SDN. Nothing outstanding, but her research is what made her get those sort of offers and other things besides grades, imo. Getting published is always a good thing, but getting published in a journal like Nature is even more bonus points. Congratulations on the full ride to UCLA.

 

[medic86]

I don't think she would've gotten a full ride with her 33 either without her extensive research background. Her stats alone would be seen as only "good", especially on SDN. Nothing outstanding, but her research is what made her get those sort of offers and other things besides grades, imo. Getting published is always a good thing, but getting published in a journal like Nature is even more bonus points. Congratulations on the full ride to UCLA.

I'm not disagreeing with you. I'm just saying that the 33 along with all the excellent things she has been doing got her the full ride. The 27 probably would not have.

 

[Being]

a chance is still a chance no matter how low it is and worth going for. You have a point, but still.

I think it's horrifying that you could be on SDN for almost a year, make 1000 posts, and then say something like this.

 

[pbrocks15]

I'm curious OP if you had research experience or what you believe you added to your application that was significant.


And congrats on the score and the acceptance!! I also love the quotes and your motivation. Good work.

 

[GoPelicans]

I don't think she would've gotten a full ride with her 33 either without her extensive research background. Her stats alone would be seen as only "good", especially on SDN. Nothing outstanding, but her research is what made her get those sort of offers and other things besides grades, imo. Getting published is always a good thing, but getting published in a journal like Nature is even more bonus points. Congratulations on the full ride to UCLA.

I applied this cycle with a 35 3.65, multiple publications in 10+ impact factor journals, and great rec letters from my research supervisors (professors at a top 10 medical school). I also applied disadvantaged for what it's worth, like OP did. I think you might be overestimating the value of research because I did not have anywhere near as successful a cycle as OP... seriously, 2 top 20's with a 27 and 33? And a full scholarship at one of those schools? Maybe she has other great EC's we don't know about (multiple leadership positions count for A LOT I think), or maybe she just got incredibly incredibly lucky.

 

[mrh125]

I think it's horrifying that you could be on SDN for almost a year, make 1000 posts, and then say something like this.

lol be serious. It does happen. Discouraging people for a slightly below average mcat score is far worse

 

[gookies]

I applied this cycle with a 35 3.65, multiple publications in 10+ impact factor journals, and great rec letters from my research supervisors (professors at a top 10 medical school). I also applied disadvantaged for what it's worth, like OP did. I think you might be overestimating the value of research because I did not have anywhere near as successful a cycle as OP... seriously, 2 top 20's with a 27 and 33? And a full scholarship at one of those schools? Maybe she has other great EC's we don't know about (multiple leadership positions count for A LOT I think), or maybe she just got incredibly incredibly lucky.

I also said other things. That could include other great ECs, especially since she mentioned that she obtained other unique experiences during her gap year. My point was getting published at all as an undergraduate is uncommon, but getting published in a high impact journal as a undergraduate is very rare. If it's a research heavy school, I don't think I'm overestimating it at all. Her MDapps doesn't say too much about ECs. Maybe if she wants to tell us in more detail, then we'll know.

 

[Being]

lol be serious. It does happen. Discouraging people for a slightly below average mcat score is far worse

I don't think anyone would discourage him from trying. The thing is that your best chance at admission is the first time you apply. Applying with a mediocre app and being rejected could put you at a disadvantage down the road when your app is stronger - thus it makes more sense to wait until you have a pretty good chance, and only then apply.

 

[mrh125]

I don't think anyone would discourage him from trying. The thing is that your best chance at admission is the first time you apply. Applying with a mediocre app and being rejected could put you at a disadvantage down the road when your app is stronger - thus it makes more sense to wait until you have a pretty good chance, and only then apply.

Lots of things can put you at a disadvantage in some way, the point is to take a shot instead of constantly worrying about technicalities for taking a chance.

 

[terp720]

Lots of things can put you at a disadvantage in some way, the point is to take a shot instead of constantly worrying about technicalities for taking a chance.

you really think it would have been a better idea for OP to go ahead and apply rather than just wait a year?

Also, did you not also retake your MCAT? Kind of odd that you're arguing OP should have just taken the shot and applied with her first MCAT score.

 

[mrh125]

you really think it would have been a better idea for OP to go ahead and apply rather than just wait a year?

Also, did you not also retake your MCAT? Kind of odd that you're arguing OP should have just taken the shot and applied with her first MCAT score.

All i'm saying is you miss 100% of shots you don't take. I retook my mcat and that didn't help, and I realized I would have been better off in the first place w/ my original score.

 

[terp720]

All i'm saying is you miss 100% of shots you don't take. I retook my mcat and that didn't help, and I realized I would have been better off in the first place w/ my original score.

Ok.. but in OP's case, she retook the MCAT and it went up by 6 points. And then got into her #1 with a full scholarship, so really not missing any shots here.

 

[Being]

Lots of things can put you at a disadvantage in some way, the point is to take a shot instead of constantly worrying about technicalities for taking a chance.

 

[mrh125]

lol tell me how far that attitude gets you.

 

[TheNeuroman]

I partly agree with @mrh125 here. She still took a chance at applying to UCLA with subpar stats, even with the 33. Mind you some schools will average her MCAT scores to a 30. Sometimes you gotta be bold and just go for it.

 

[Fabio Lanzoni]

Ok.. but in OP's case, she retook the MCAT and it went up by 33 points. And then got into her #1 with a full scholarship, so really not missing any shots here.

Idk about you but that is very impressive. You could have gotten a 3 on your first MCAT and still be competitive for top 5 with a 36 <3

 

[TheNeuroman]

Idk about you but that is very impressive. You could have gotten a 3 on your first MCAT and still be competitive for top 5 with a 36 <3

Fabio your avatar is making me swoon. And I'm a guy.

 

[terp720]

Idk about you but that is very impressive. You could have gotten a 3 on your first MCAT and still be competitive for top 5 with a 36 <3

haha oops. took me a second.
thanks for keeping me on my toes fabio

 

[Fabio Lanzoni]

haha oops. took me a second.
thanks for keeping me on my toes fabio

Always a pleasure

 

[DK2014]

there's more to applications than mcats and letting that alone discourage you is silly.

Yes, but a 27 at most MD schools is lethal, considering the matriculant median is a 33. Good job on your second mcat and that 6 point improvement, and congrats!

 

[Blizzard18]

27 isn't bombing the mcat. My best friend made a 27 and got into the same two schools I got into with my 33. I think you should take that year off just because I didn't like this post lol