Do I stand a chance for an MD Program?

[anotherpremed4444]

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Thanks to anyone reading this. My score came out for my third MCAT retake (513 to 515 to 516) and now I fear I have shot my chances to get into med school. Been scoring FL1 521 FL2 519 FL3 521 FL4 520, so I'm really not sure what happened. I really thought I would be able to do better this time seeing my practice scores and was confident but I just feel like a failure now with this lack of improvement. Does anyone know anyone who had a similar trajectory and ended up okay or should seriously reconsider an MD career?

Edit: A ton of family emergencies and deaths this past year.

 

[Sky138]

Did you seriously retake a 513 and a 515?

 

[anotherpremed4444]

Did you seriously retake a 513 and a 515?

Yea the first two were 1 month apart last year. Retook because my aunt that helped raise me died 3 days before the first test and that killed me. Applied last cycle. In retrospect, should've voided but I didn't think I would reapply and at that point, I needed a score. Then 3 more close family deaths.

 

[Sky138]

Yea the first two were 1 month apart last year. Retook because my aunt that helped raise me died 3 days before the first test and that killed me. Applied last cycle. Didn't realize there was a void option until this year. Then lost my closest uncle/ essentially best friend suddenly with no cause earlier this year and then my grandmother and another aunt to COVID-19 within the last few weeks and that third test was within all those deaths. Thought I would do a lot better this year with my practice and after so many rejections last year, premed advisor said it would help to bring my score up as a reapp so I did that. So here I am I guess.

Don’t think you shoulda retaken it but since you did, it is what it is. I think you’re fine since at least you stayed well above a mediocre score.

 

[anotherpremed4444]

Don’t think you shoulda retaken it but since you did, it is what it is. I think you’re fine since at least you stayed well above a mediocre score.

Would it help if I explained myself in the secondary or do you think it would be better for me to just leave it and let adcoms think what they will/ not bring extra attention?

 

[Sky138]

Would it help if I explained myself in the secondary or do you think it would be better for me to just leave it and let adcoms think what they will/ not bring extra attention?

A lot of secondaries have a section for describing inconsistencies etc. I’d write it there or wait until your interview to bring it up. While it doesn’t sound the greatest, obviously a 520 sounds better, you can come out stronger because of it if you talk about it in a way that shows empathy and perseverance. If you get interviews, which you probably will, I can help you interview prep if you’d like.

 

[El-Rami]

That's a VERY good score. Congrats!

As long as your GPA is okay (~3.6-3.8) I doubt you'll have any problems. You are above the national matriculating average for MD. If you were to apply to programs that have in-state preferences that score would still be good.

If you are asked why did you repeat a good MCAT just say that you had the family emergency and wanted to make sure you had a good score for getting into medical school. Present yourself as a normal person and do NOT come across as arrogant.

 

[JimKimSlim]

I’ve seen people with worse retakes and still get into decent programs. Also, you have a good life story that will make you stand out (perseverance & compassion). Make sure to include that in your secondaries as well as part of your interview prep.

 

[hungrydoc710]

Apply smart and broadly - don't apply to the IV leagues or anything - and you should be fine for MD.

Just make sure you don't get complacent with applying.
There's a couple students in my class who did not get in MD with 515 MCAT's.

Great scores btw.

 

[GreenDuck12]

Make a school list post that includes the suggested info for more help with figuring out where to apply. The good news is your mcat scores are consistent. If there had been a drop that would be detrimental.

For future readers, do not retake a 90th percentile mcat score.

 

[anotherpremed4444]

Make a school list post that includes the suggested info for more help with figuring out where to apply. The good news is your mcat scores are consistent. If there had been a drop that would be detrimental.

For future readers, do not retake a 90th percentile mcat score.

Thanks so much for the suggestion. My school list only really includes schools with average MCATs of 506-513 around my state so I can be close to family. Definitely will make a post about it tho to see other school ideas.

 

[KnightDoc]

Thanks so much for the suggestion. My school list only really includes schools with average MCATs of 506-513 around my state so I can be close to family. Definitely will make a post about it tho to see other school ideas.

Thanks to anyone reading this. My score came out for my third MCAT retake (513 to 515 to 516) and now I fear I have shot my chances to get into med school.

I'm confused. If the schools you are targeting all have averages at or below your lowest score, what was the point of your OP?

 

[anotherpremed4444]

I'm confused. If the schools you are targeting all have averages at or below your lowest score, what was the point of your OP?

Sorry for the confusion. This is the list that takes my current scores into account. I took out all the other schools with higher MCAT avgs that I was going to apply to because I don't stand a chance.

 

[KnightDoc]

Sorry for the confusion. This is the list that takes my current scores into account. I took out all the other schools with higher MCAT avgs that I was going to apply to because I don't stand a chance.

Makes sense. As others have said, you have been through a series of tragedies, and your scores are far from terrible. I too would like to be at or above the median everywhere I apply, but common wisdom is that you really do have a shot if you are at or above their tenth percentile, and you have nothing to lose except time and money by applying and seeing what happens. While obviously a 522 would be better, you absolutely do "stand a chance" anywhere with a 516!

 

[anotherpremed4444]

Makes sense. As others have said, you have been through a series of tragedies, and your scores are far from terrible. I too would like to be at or above the median everywhere I apply, but common wisdom is that you really do have a shot if you are at or above their tenth percentile, and you have nothing to lose except time and money by applying and seeing what happens. While obviously a 522 would be better, you absolutely do "stand a chance" anywhere with a 516!

Your comment literally pulled me out of self-loathing so thank you for that. Might add one or two extreme reaches back on my list because of that and see if they can excuse the mess that was the number of times I sat through this torturing test 😀