Do i have to release mcat scores? Do i have to list all scores?

[Monkeys4Lyfe]

Do I have to release MCAT scores?
I already manually entered it into AACOMAS. But do I have to release the scores?

Do I have to list all scores? I fell ill for the first exam and had food poisoning and I don't believe at all that this reflects my academic skills. It says scores are optional but am confused if it is actually optional?


I have reported my new score though . Thanks in advance. Let me know if anything is unclear or if you have questions.

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[Espressso]

You have to report all scores. Most DO schools use the highest scored MCAT if there are multiple MCAT scores. So don't sweat it too much. I'm in the same boat. Two MCAT's, the first one was incredibly low.

 

[DrMikeP]

Do I have to release MCAT scores?
I already manually entered it into AACOMAS. But do I have to release the scores?

Do I have to list all scores? I fell ill for the first exam and had food poisoning and I don't believe at all that this reflects my academic skills. It says scores are optional but am confused if it is actually optional?


I have reported my new score though . Thanks in advance. Let me know if anything is unclear or if you have questions.

Last year if you have taken it they said ALL MCAT scores in very plain and straight forward language.

Yes they must be released, and just explain it in your application. Some schools may hold it against you but most won't assuming you did better on the latest attempt.

 

[Monkeys4Lyfe]

Last year if you have taken it they said ALL MCAT scores in very plain and straight forward language.

Yes they must be released, and just explain it in your application. Some schools may hold it against you but most won't assuming you did better on the latest attempt.

Is there a special place to report ? Maybe I didn't look completely at that section but I don't recall seeing anything.

Of course, I could explain in my personal statement but that space is very valuable and limited.
There is also the interview of course and possibility of listing it on my resume/cv (for example. 1st mcat: fell ill, 2nd mcat ...)

Thanks, let me know what you think!

 

[DrMikeP]

Is there a special place to report ? Maybe I didn't look completely at that section but I don't recall seeing anything.

Of course, I could explain in my personal statement but that space is very valuable and limited.
There is also the interview of course and possibility of listing it on my resume/cv (for example. 1st mcat: fell ill, 2nd mcat ...)

Thanks, let me know what you think!

Depends on your scores.. was it a 16 to a 515 or was it a 24 to a 501 or 510. You will need to explain it somewhere if the jump is significant. If it's explained well it could be an awesome reinvention/overcoming story.

If it leaves the adcoms with a big concern you would rather have it answered early than your application passed over for someone who didn't have a bad score. 10000 applicants for 250 spots gives them a lot of shiny applicants to pick from.

 

[Monkeys4Lyfe]

It was a very big jump. Low score on old mcat to pretty decent score on new mcat. It's something that just shattered my self confidence and made me very depressed for over a year and a half when I retook it. (Would have taken it sooner but mcat changed and I needed some time to make sure medicine was right for me. It is.)


It's definitely something that has to be explained. I just don't know where to explain it.


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[Goro]

Don't explain it unless you're prompted.

It's definitely something that has to be explained. I just don't know where to explain it.


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[Monkeys4Lyfe]

Don't explain it unless you're prompted.

You mean prompted in interview? Or on application somewhere? I think I should address it somewhere if there is a place.

 

[Goro]

Yes.

You mean prompted in interview? Or on application somewhere?

 

[piii]

If you fell ill, the smart thing would have been to void it. When amcas sends in your score, all tests are listed.

 

[hallowmann]

It was a very big jump. Low score on old mcat to pretty decent score on new mcat. It's something that just shattered my self confidence and made me very depressed for over a year and a half when I retook it. (Would have taken it sooner but mcat changed and I needed some time to make sure medicine was right for me. It is.)


It's definitely something that has to be explained. I just don't know where to explain it.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

Don't explain it anywhere. Its completely unnecessary. It doesn't add anything to your app, and can come off as you making excuses. Most schools won't care how you did on the MCAT 2-3 years ago if you've demonstrated you can do well more recently. The schools that will care won't really take "I was sick" as a great explanation.

You're fine. Don't worry about it.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Don't talk about it because it will just seem like excuses and yes you have to report all scores.

Edit: maybe I should have read the posts, ditto what Hallowman said

 

[DrMikeP]

My thought was it could be a good discussion in regards to evidence of reinvention or an overcoming life challenges story IF there was a challenge to overcome and it was written so it didn't come across as excuse making. However, I most often defer to Goro's recommendation.