Expiration Date on MCAT Scores

[beebo]

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For how many years are your MCAT scores valid for? I took my test in April 1999. I applied in Summer 2000. While I still have my chin up, it looks like I will be headed down post-bacc road. If I reapply in 2002, will I need new scores? (I am actually satisfied with my score, its my GPA that needs the shot in the arm (pun not intended)).

I would have looked for a copy of the MSAR and tacked on two years to get the answer to my question, however I don't know anyone who has a current copy, except for my pre-med advisor. While I do like seeing my pre-med advisor, my job makes it difficult to find time to meet her.

 

[Nanon]

According to my (brand spankin' new) MSAR, it depends on the school, but the average seems to be about 3 to 5 years. Good luck!

Nanon

[This message has been edited by Nanon (edited 03-12-2001).]

 

[wadewilk]

You will probably need to take it again. I took it in august 97, applied the next year (98-99), and then went back to school. I am in the middle of applying (2000-01) and I had to take it again, b/c many schools require it to be three years from date of attendance, which in your case would be August of 2003, if you are applying in 2002. It stinks, b/c I did very well the first time and didn't want to have to take it again, but that's life.

 

[baylor21]

Is it really measured from the time you take the MCAT to the actual date of matriculation?? I hope not, because I took the MCAT in August of 99 and will be applying this year for the entering class of 2002.

If you measure by date of matriculation my MCAT will be exactly on the 3 year boundary, but if you measure to a possible date of application or date of acceptance, that wipes out a full 1 year from the timeline. They need to be more specific on this, since some med school application cycles take a full year to complete.

Are they referring to the 3 years in reference to application date, acceptance date, or matriculation date?

Any confirmation on this?

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"There is nothing more powerful on this Earth as a man who has nothing to lose. It does not take ten such men to change the world--one will do." Elijah Mohammed

[This message has been edited by baylor21 (edited 03-12-2001).]

 

[wadewilk]

It really depends on the school. I would highly recommend finding out now (although there isn't much time until the April MCAT). Call admissions offices and find out b/c my assumptions cost me and I had to take it in August, which slowed everything down.

 

[yuko&hiro]

I was in the same boat as wadewilk. I took the August 1997 MCAT, and was applying this year for the entering class of 2001. The information in the MSAR is usually accurate, but the best thing to do is to call the schools. As for whether they count three years back from the time of application or date of matriculation, each school is different. I pretty much called every school I was thinking about applying to; here's what they told me about my MCAT scores:
UCDavis: 3 years from time of application (accepted my scores)
UCI: scores too old
UCLA: the staff wouldn't give me a straight answer, but I got as far as the interview
UCSD: scores too old
UCSF: they said that they have a 3-year policy, but if your scores are high enough, they'll automatically file a waiver to accept your scores
Loma Linda: scores too old
USC: scores too old
Stanford: scores too old
George Washington U: scores too old
Emory: no strict cutoff
U of Chicago: scores too old
Northwestern: they said my scores were too old, but sent me a supplemental anyway
BU: scores too old
Tufts: staff says 3 years is the cutoff; website says 4 years. sent me a supplemental anyway
U of Michigan: no older than 3 years from time of application, scores okay
Mt Sinai: scores okay
NY Med: scores okay
NYU: scores okay
Case Western: 3 years prior to matriculation
Ohio State: scores too old
MCP Hahnemann: cutoff is between 3-4 years
U of Penn: scores okay
U of Pittsburgh: scores okay
UVM: scores okay
Sorry this is kind of a long post, but I hope this helps..

 

[baylor21]

Thanks yuko..

It looks like i'm OK for the most part. There should only be a few schools who think 3 years from the date of matriculation is too long and wont accept it.

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"There is nothing more powerful on this Earth as a man who has nothing to lose. It does not take ten such men to change the world--one will do." Elijah Mohammed