Can someone tell me the best way to apply this cycle?

[steelersfan1243]

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I have used the search function to read plenty on how to apply given my situation, but due to taking the new MCAT I still have not figured out the perfect model and would like if possible, outside advice.

GPA: 3.80 sGPA: 3.7ish
MCAT: Percentile 71-81% (29-31)
Chemistry-85-100% (11-15)
CARS-32-47% (7-8)
Biology-85-100% (11-15)
Behavioral Sciences-45-60% (8-10?)

As of now I am retaking the MCAT June to get my verbal score up as I heard M.D. schools do not look at any application with a MCAT subsection score below 50 percentile. My practices tests scores were:
Chemistry-85%
CARS-89%
Bio-80%
Behavioral Sciences-85%

Is it a consensus to retake the test? I've yet to re-review the science, but I am going through the Khan Academy Behavioral Sciences Passages and going through TPRH Verbal.

My ECs were summed up in this thread: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/thr...now-if-i-can-do-md-phd.1138311/#post-16510417

My big question, should I try to submit on the first day AMCAS opens and apply to schools with my given stats.? I did qualify to receive the fee assistance program and have 14 schools free. With me retaking my MCAT though, I read that schools do not look at the application until the second MCAT is received. I will be prewriting secondaries, but when is the latest to send secondaries to be still in the early realm?

Another concern, with my current stats I believe I will only be competitive for schools that are service oriented, whereas my desire to go into medicine is very research focused. Are there mid tier, low tier schools that are accommodating for research heavy applicants?

I know this is a lot to go through, but I honestly do not know who else to turn to, to have these questions answered. Any help would be appreciated, please and thank you.

TL;DR: Should I still strive to submit application on June 2 with current MCAT score? Is a retake necessary?

 

[caffeinemia]

MCAT: Percentile 71-81% --- this has no meaning. Give us the number ... 30 , 528 or whatever it is these days. Percentiles sounds like you are covering up a worthless score.

 

[steelersfan1243]

MCAT: Percentile 71-81% --- this has no meaning. Give us the number ... 30 , 528 or whatever it is these days. Percentiles sounds like you are covering up a worthless score.

Trust me I want to know my score as much as you do. The real scores for the newest MCAT are not released until June 16th. As of not all they have provided are percentile ranges reported with 90% confidence. It is another reason why I am perplexed about how to go about this cycle.

 

[xBODOMx]

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[jih]

You are at 504 to 508.
https://www.aamc.org/students/download/378098/data/mcat2015scorescaleguide.pdf

What is the point of changing the numbers like that? Couldn't they have kept each section out of 15 with a top score of 60?

 

[caffeinemia]

What is the point of changing the numbers like that? Couldn't they have kept each section out of 15 with a top score of 60?

Who knows. Money prolly. It always comes down to monaaaayy.

OP - you should enter everything into AMCAS as if you are ready to apply. June 15th comes and you get your number, reassess then. Worst thing that could happen is that you now have your application materials all set for next year. Sending in your app a few weeks after the amcas opens will have no real effect on your chances.

 

[whitemagic]

MCAT: Percentile 71-81% --- this has no meaning. Give us the number ... 30 , 528 or whatever it is these days. Percentiles sounds like you are covering up a worthless score.

The new MCAT only has percentiles for April test takers, there is no number.

 

[steelersfan1243]

You are at 504 to 508.
https://www.aamc.org/students/download/378098/data/mcat2015scorescaleguide.pdf

It has been discussed on the MCAT forum that these numbers may not be accurate. I decided to leave it in the percentile format because I thought it would be easier to translate to the old MCAT. Using the percentile ranges form 2013, I included the predicted score on the old MCAT. Hopefully this will provide more help

What is the point of changing the numbers like that? Couldn't they have kept each section out of 15 with a top score of 60?

In response to your question, AMCAS claims they wanted to focus on the 50% percentile, since past statistics show students scoring above 50% were able to complete medical school. So a score of a nice even 500 (125 for each section) reflects the 50% percentile and should be what medical schools look towards. Whether medical schools actually buy this is doubtful.

Who knows. Money prolly. It always comes down to monaaaayy.

OP - you should enter everything into AMCAS as if you are ready to apply. June 15th comes and you get your number, reassess then. Worst thing that could happen is that you now have your application materials all set for next year. Sending in your app a few weeks after the amcas opens will have no real effect on your chances.

Take another gap year? I am studying right now to take the MCAT in June, I believe that is still early enough to apply this cycle correct? It is just a matter of raising my verbal and Behavioral Sciences, correct?

Appreciate all the help guys btw

 

[Flashfan]

You can send in and get the transcript verified, but most schools will hold off on reviewing if they see a future MCAT date listed. And you need that additional score with the verbal score. Apply to one school to get verified and hope your retake in June is better. If it is not, then you are only a reapplicant for one school.

 

[medicalCPA]

What is the point of changing the numbers like that? Couldn't they have kept each section out of 15 with a top score of 60?

It's so there won't be any confusion between the old and new scales. Someone, upon hearing that a person got 42 on the MCAT, might think that this represented an incredible score on the old MCAT, whereas the score being referred to was received on the new exam. At least that was the rationale ETS gave when it did the same for the GRE.

 

[steelersfan1243]

Just giving this thread a quick bump since I want to see if I should focus on getting my application done this week or focus on MCAT studying

Does it make much of a difference to submit the first day for me since I won't get my MCAT scores until July 21st? How much of a difference does a week or two really make?

Would any of the heavyweights mind chiming in if possible?
@Goro @LizzyM @gyngyn

 

[Goro]

A week or two isn't going to kill you, nor will a month, for that matter. Mid-to late August, that's pushing it.

Just giving this thread a quick bump since I want to see if I should focus on getting my application done this week or focus on MCAT studying

Does it make much of a difference to submit the first day for me since I won't get my MCAT scores until July 21st? How much of a difference does a week or two really make?

Would any of the heavyweights mind chiming in if possible?
@Goro @LizzyM @gyngyn

 

[LizzyM]

Just giving this thread a quick bump since I want to see if I should focus on getting my application done this week or focus on MCAT studying

Does it make much of a difference to submit the first day for me since I won't get my MCAT scores until July 21st? How much of a difference does a week or two really make?

Would any of the heavyweights mind chiming in if possible?
@Goro @LizzyM @gyngyn

We won't read an application with a pending MCAT so you could put off writing and submitting your application until after you take the MCAT. I would suggest getting right on it the day after the MCAT and submitting with one (throw -away) school. That will get you'd queued for verification while you are waiting for your scores to come out. Once you have your score, then you can submit your application to more schools. I'd suggest trying to get it submitted by 4th of July.