Desperately in need of your advice

[paca94305]

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On the April MCAT I got 21O (7,7,7). I was in shock when I recieved the score because on the amca's practice tests, I was getting 29-32. I think on the day of the test, I was nervous, tired (I couldn't sleep at all the night before), and couldn't focus well.

My question is:

1) If I submit my application now to amcas (with the 21O score), but indicate that I will be retaking in August 2004, will some schools (especially CA schools) reject me before even sending me the secondaries? Is is a really bad idea to submit now with my score (even after indicating August MCAT)?

2) If I submit now with only "one" medical school selected, can I add more schools in late July? Is "adding schools" a difficult process? (ie, time consuming, and delays the application even more)

Any feedback greatly appreciated.

 

[L'elephante]

My brother-in-law finished up his first year at Univ. of Washington and he took the April MCAT in 2002 and got a 24. He submitted his AMCAS with that score and indicated he was going to retake in August. He actually got 2 interviews with the 24 before he got his August score back and updated to the schools. I guess it doesn't depend so much on just the MCAT especially at schools who don't have a cutoff for gpas and MCAT. Remember other factors are important too. Plus, at least you didn't get any scores below a 7 on the MCAT. Many schools cutoff at 7.

 

[TRUE]

I would highly suggest not applying this year and working on the MCAT. a 21 is just not going to cut it, and even if you retake the test, you're not guaranteed a great score. It would be better to take your time, study hard, retake the test and then when you know what you have, you can apply.

 

[kings2]

I'm with TRUE, its to your benefit to spend the entire rest of this summer studying for the August MCAT. Don't distract yourself with applications. The risk of applying now is that you won't do well the second time because you haven't focused enough. This test should be your main priority. And if it is, you will slam this exam in August and be poised to apply either when you get your scores, or even early next year. good luck! you can do it.

I would highly suggest not applying this year and working on the MCAT. a 21 is just not going to cut it, and even if you retake the test, you're not guaranteed a great score. It would be better to take your time, study hard, retake the test and then when you know what you have, you can apply.

 

[franklinthedog]

I was scoring like you did on practice tests...but I too was nervous and didn't sleep the night before. If you take it again, and this advice applies to the USMLE also, I say for the last week or so do nothing in terms of studying. Go see movies all week or whatever you like to do, but intense studying like I did just wires your CNS to not relax the night before, then you don't sleep, then you get more nervous, etc....The best advice EVER is to relax before a big test, I wish I would have followed that advice too!

But anyway, 21 is not what you can do, so retake it and good luck!

 

[HBMD]

I agree with everyone else. I've been told that Cali schools have a cutoff in the range of 3.5 and a 30 in regards to sending out secondaries. I'm sure there are a few people who have gotten secondaries/interview/acceptance with numbers lower than those, but it's a very small minority. I have numbers slightly above those, and I only received 2 secondaries from UC's. If your goal is to attend a school in Cali, do not apply now, rock the MCAT, and apply next year.

As for "adding schools" to AMCAS, it is not hard to do. It will slow down the application process for those schools that you "add" later, but as long as you have the money, the school will take your app!

 

[paca94305]

So, would you guys suggest that I submit the application now (my application is completed and ready to be submitted), with only one school listed, so that my application is completed and varied. After I get the August scores back, if they are good (30+), I should add more schools?

 

[skypilot]

The only thing I disagree with is waiting a whole year. Just submit your AMCAS to at least one school so it gets processed, rock the August exam and add all your schools in September.

It is extremely easy to add schools and it only costs $30 each.

 

[bigdan]

I like Skypilot's stuff.

You MUST retake. But you have great improvement potential, and you truly never know. If you apply and don't get in, you'll do it next year. If you don't apply, you'll do it next year. Take the option that gives you a chance to get in this year.

Good luck with the MCAT.

dc

 

[TRUE]

I guess applying to the one school only isn't such a bad idea. The only drawback is that if you choose not to apply for whatever reason, you lost the 200 or 300 bucks it costs to submit to that first school. But like skypilot said, it's super easy to add new schools.

 

[skypilot]

I guess applying to the one school only isn't such a bad idea. The only drawback is that if you choose not to apply for whatever reason, you lost the 200 or 300 bucks it costs to submit to that first school. But like skypilot said, it's super easy to add new schools.

True but compared to the $5000 you spend in total on applications and the $190,000 you will spend on medical school does $200 really matter. Just close your eyes and break out the mastercard! 🙂

 

[McP]

Keep in mind that you won't get your scores back until October. That's REALLY pushing it timewise. Giving schools time to look at your primary app, send a secondary, and review your secondary, you're looking at mid to late November before your file with them is complete. If you're confident that you will get a more accurate and competitive score this August, I would submit your primaries and LOR's to each of the schools you plan to apply to now, so that when your August scores are released, your schools will get them as soon as possible. If you would hesitate to do this for whatever reason, I think it would be wiser to wait till next year to apply and plan on doing something really cool in the meantime to strengthen the rest of your application.

 

[skypilot]

You definitely want your applications complete by October 15th when the scores come out. But I think you could wait till the day after the MCAT.

Between the MCATand October you should have enough time to complete all your applications. But you could roll the dice and apply now. There may be a few schools that reject you outright but most will wait for your scores in October and a couple might even decide to interview you right away.

 

[sistahnik]

I agree with the other posters. apply now to MD and DO schools, take the august mcat and send them your scores. why would you wait another year without applying this year, especially since you took the april exam. you need to utilize that mcat money and apply to at least one school since the initial school is free! give it a try and if all fails then reapply!! 👍

 

[McP]

I agree with the other posters. apply now to MD and DO schools, take the august mcat and send them your scores. why would you wait another year without applying this year, especially since you took the april exam. you need to utilize that mcat money and apply to at least one school since the initial school is free! give it a try and if all fails then reapply!! 👍

What MCAT money? 😕

 

[TRUE]

why would you wait another year without applying this year, especially since you took the april exam. you need to utilize that mcat money and apply to at least one school since the initial school is free! give it a try and if all fails then reapply!! 👍

Well, the OP did get a 21 on the test, which isn't good enough to apply with. Also, the initial school is not free when applying. It costs 270 dollars I believe. If the OP applied before they got their scores (to say 20 schools), and then recieved another poor score, that's a few thousand dollars down the drain.

 

[TripleDegree]

Well, the OP did get a 21 on the test, which isn't good enough to apply with. Also, the initial school is not free when applying. It costs 270 dollars I believe. If the OP applied before they got their scores (to say 20 schools), and then recieved another poor score, that's a few thousand dollars down the drain.

I think the OP should do what she has already said - just apply to 1 school now to get the application processed, transcripts verified etc etc - you may want to select a school that you don't think you'll go to for now, or that does not require high MCATs. Of course the whole premise here is that you kick some serious butt on the August MCAT, and get a 33-34+. Then you will not be impacted by the delay when you add the rest of the schools in. However, anything close to your original score may cost you some moolah.

All the best. Sorry about the score. It happens.