I have my app in and processed and sent to about 31 schools right now. I submitted my app early June with no mcat score because I took the test late May and was scoring very well on practice tests (34-37). I received my scores back a few days ago and it was extremely shocking to say the least (29Q). My question is, is it possible to retake the mcat in this cycle? There is a spot in drivable distance on July 8th that I should be able to get. I applied to roughly all mid to lower end schools so far and already paid the fees, but I know that I can do so much better on my mcat. I'm wondering if it's worth it to lose that early application advantage and retake with scores out in August, or to see if I can get lucky and get in somewhere with this score and early application advantage. Is it even possible and will the schools automatically hold app and be notified of a future score coming in if I simply sign up? I'm really, really in a dilemma right now because I seriously do not want to take another year off and reapply. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.
Dilemma about apps/mcat
- Thread starter k0b3
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IMO a 29 isn't a bad score for mid to lower end schools. It should be good enough. It's a tough break though since you were scoring so much higher on practices... I guess that happens sometimes
I'd vote for not retaking
I'd vote for not retaking
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Can you let us know your GPA? It's relevant info. I want to be able to give you the best quality advice I can. Thanks man.
Thanks for the feedback. I cannot tell you what happened on test day, but I can tell you I was bothered by a lot of stress coming into the test with my grandmother near her deathbed. Regardless, I felt OK coming out of the test, pretty similar to how I felt after most of the AAMC practice tests, so I was expecting at the very least a 32. My score came out to be 10 for sciences, and 9 for verbal. I don't think I was nervous but I guess I had some really really bad luck. After the scores came out I added a bunch of lower to mid schools (schools which I had higher GPAs and mcats medians of 28-31).
My GPA was 3.70 for both BCPM and overall, according to my amcas app that was verified. This is including a couple B-'s that I received for calculus that I took in high school (how was I supposed to know that senior year grades would follow me this far??!?). If trends matter, I finished with 3.86+ GPA's for my last 2 1/2 years of college and my grades increase each year. I graduated in march with a double major (bio/psych) in less than 4 years. I have done about 3 years of biology research, volunteered 250+ hours in two hospitals, and have other various volunteering experiences. I have been working as a full time tutor and also have been tutoring privately for many years. If you need any other info, please let me know. Again, I'm stuck because do I risk a retake and apply later? I already have over 1000 dollars committed because my app is sent to those 30+ schools so should I go on with this score and hope to explain myself for the low score? Or risk a retake (is it even possible at this point?). Sorry for th elong post but I really want to figure out what to do soon.... thanks
My GPA was 3.70 for both BCPM and overall, according to my amcas app that was verified. This is including a couple B-'s that I received for calculus that I took in high school (how was I supposed to know that senior year grades would follow me this far??!?). If trends matter, I finished with 3.86+ GPA's for my last 2 1/2 years of college and my grades increase each year. I graduated in march with a double major (bio/psych) in less than 4 years. I have done about 3 years of biology research, volunteered 250+ hours in two hospitals, and have other various volunteering experiences. I have been working as a full time tutor and also have been tutoring privately for many years. If you need any other info, please let me know. Again, I'm stuck because do I risk a retake and apply later? I already have over 1000 dollars committed because my app is sent to those 30+ schools so should I go on with this score and hope to explain myself for the low score? Or risk a retake (is it even possible at this point?). Sorry for th elong post but I really want to figure out what to do soon.... thanks
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Retake the test. You know you can do better than 29. The second take must be significantly higher (more than 1 pt increase in each section) than the first one, so give yourself some time to recuperate from the shock and prepare for the second take, even if it means retaking in August. You already started applied, which means whether you finish applying this cycle or not, next year you'll be a re-applicant. Being a re-applicant sucks. Since you already started, go all out and put your best effort into every part. Between taking the MCAT and receiving the score, write secondary app essays.
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Since you feel the score was a fluke, I'd retake as soon as possible.
I would also like to retake because I KNOW I can do better...however at this point is it even possible? If I retake, is it already considered re-applying? If it is, I might as well go through with this cycle and those schools and hope I get a hit somewhere. If not, I can use this extra year to really prepare again to take the test and also add some more experiences for a much stronger app next year. I'm wondering what I should do about THIS YEAR. If I retake test this year, does it still stay in the cycle and schools automatically know I'm taking and hold my app? I'm wondering if it's even possible for this current app that is already in and has already cost me 1000 and if it's worth it to lose that early advantage that I have. OF course I want to try and retake, but not at the risk of losing another year and at the risk of losing any advantage/money I have in it right now. I'm trying to figure out if that gamble is worth it. Thanks
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3.7 and balanced 29 on the MCAT is not bad. I think you have good shot at an acceptance. Rather than retaking the MCAT, I would concentrate on the secondaries and start preparing for interviews (you should receive few).
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i would NOT retake, esp since it seems like you actually felt pretty good about your test during it (not like totally freezing, getting a migraine/sick, having computer problems, etc). i wouldn't want to risk having bad luck again. if it happened once it could happen again.
i would just continue the track you're on and blow those secondaries out of the water as soon as they come in.
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You are not considered a reapplicant until the next year's cycle.
If you decide to retake, it is possible to go back into your AMCAS application, check the planned date, and recertify so schools will know your plan.
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I would vote no on the retake and EXPLAIN the stressful situation regarding your grandmother's health somewhere when given the opportunity.
An MCAT score of 29 and your GPA will be "acceptable" for your school range (you said you're applying to lower and mid tier schools). You have very good extracurriculars...so I think you'll be okay at the schools to which you applied (assuming you applied effectively to those lower schools). I mean, there's a reason why Rush (and the like) have average GPAs of 30 for their matriculants...you're not too far off from that number.
Don't worry about it too much, just relax...and do your best. If you have a heart/true desire for the profession that is sincerely conveyed in your application, that will be very helpful when they review your application.
An MCAT score of 29 and your GPA will be "acceptable" for your school range (you said you're applying to lower and mid tier schools). You have very good extracurriculars...so I think you'll be okay at the schools to which you applied (assuming you applied effectively to those lower schools). I mean, there's a reason why Rush (and the like) have average GPAs of 30 for their matriculants...you're not too far off from that number.
Don't worry about it too much, just relax...and do your best. If you have a heart/true desire for the profession that is sincerely conveyed in your application, that will be very helpful when they review your application.
Thanks for the feedback everyone. I am leaning toward going on with this app with my low score and hoping for the best. Hopefully I do get a chance to explain myself, I've had the worst month of my life with so many terrible things going on and I'm kind of lost. Honestly, this app is not near the top of my priority list right now, that's how bad it's been but I know I can't forget about it so I was trying to figure out what to do with my mcat (another huge source of disappointment and stress). Hopefully my luck turns around and I get a shot at one of these schools, I applied very broadly doing research about which schools accepted a lot of out of state, since it seems like I got no shot in my home state of Cali now. Unless someone can convince me otherwise, I will go on with this app and if I get in no where, I can then prepare to retake, do more experience, and re-apply next year stronger (although I really, really do not want to).
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It's really up to you what to do, and I can see benefits and problems with both choices.
Just as a frame of reference, my overall GPA was 3.64, a little lower than yours. My MCAT was 30, a little higher than yours (BS 10, VR 11, PS 9). You seem to have a little better extracurriculars than me as well. I submitted my AMCAS in September, and I applied to mostly mid level schools, with a couple of lower level and a couple of higher level just in case. I ended up getting interviews at 12 out of 20 schools, including a better one, Einstein. I had to pull out of 4 of those interviews cuz my interview trip budget was destroyed lol. I was accepted at 2 of those schools, and waitlisted at the rest. Except for one, I'm still sitting on those other waitlists, so I may still get more acceptances.
So my app was at a similar level to yours and I did well. Really, yours trumps mine in everything except that single MCAT point (and, not to toot my own horn or anything, I've been told I write solid app essays/personal statements). I'd expect you can do just as well even if you stick with the 29. If you decide to retake and do even better, your app will be significantly better than mine and it would still be submitted earlier than mine was. My point is that you should be in decent shape either way.
Just as a frame of reference, my overall GPA was 3.64, a little lower than yours. My MCAT was 30, a little higher than yours (BS 10, VR 11, PS 9). You seem to have a little better extracurriculars than me as well. I submitted my AMCAS in September, and I applied to mostly mid level schools, with a couple of lower level and a couple of higher level just in case. I ended up getting interviews at 12 out of 20 schools, including a better one, Einstein. I had to pull out of 4 of those interviews cuz my interview trip budget was destroyed lol. I was accepted at 2 of those schools, and waitlisted at the rest. Except for one, I'm still sitting on those other waitlists, so I may still get more acceptances.
So my app was at a similar level to yours and I did well. Really, yours trumps mine in everything except that single MCAT point (and, not to toot my own horn or anything, I've been told I write solid app essays/personal statements). I'd expect you can do just as well even if you stick with the 29. If you decide to retake and do even better, your app will be significantly better than mine and it would still be submitted earlier than mine was. My point is that you should be in decent shape either way.
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