Explain low MCAT on secondary?

[SUP360]

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I'm proud of my 504 MCAT because I worked really hard to study. I just ran out of time a bunch of times because I was so hyper focused on real test day.

When the secondaries give you a chance "Is there anything else the admissions committee should know to evaluate your application?"

Should I mention it or just let it stand?

 

[efle]

As Goro likes to say, doesn't really help you at all to draw attention to a negative, especially when all you can say about it is "I was too focused and didn't notice the time"

 

[Dr. Stalker]

dude, no. NO. If your overall score is competitive (what is it, and what's the breakdown), don't draw attention to it. Do not draw attention to "negatives" on secondaries (or medical school interviews) unless specifically asked. I.e., if there were a secondary prompt stating "If you scored <125 on any section of your MCAT, please describe why."

Additionally, your explanation will only make you look bad. No matter what you say (unless its like a crazy story on why you scored low [i.e. the test center got robbed while I was taking the test and the criminals sat there with us until we finished the exam and then forced us to hit "NOT void"], nothing you say will make you look good. Adcoms are trained to smell bullsh*t a mile away, and even if you do have an honest explanation, medical schools don't want to hear excuses. I think its unfair, but hey, that's the overall policy.

 

[Goro]

I'm proud of my 504 MCAT because I worked really hard to study. I just ran out of time a bunch of times because I was so hyper focused on real test day.

When the secondaries give you a chance "Is there anything else the admissions committee should know to evaluate your application?"

Should I mention it or just let it stand?

Why bring attention to a negative?????

 

[Lawpy]

I'm proud of my 504 MCAT because I worked really hard to study. I just ran out of time a bunch of times because I was so hyper focused on real test day.

When the secondaries give you a chance "Is there anything else the admissions committee should know to evaluate your application?"

Should I mention it or just let it stand?

Medical schools are choosing applicants with the fewest number of negatives/disadvantages in their application. Drawing focus to a negative in secondaries is an irrational strategy that only gives schools a reason to reject you.

 

[SUP360]

Thank you @Goro , @Lawper , @efle & @Dr. Stalker

Would anyone mind telling me your opinion on whether I should retake?

I have a 125 / 126 / 125 / 128

I was ALWAYS getting 130+ on CARS on practice tests. I just didn't even read two passages on my real test day.

So would it really be so impressive to repeat and get a hypothetical 125/130/125/128? giving me a 508?

What's the big deal? I did well, 67 percentile overall, so in the top third of all the people. And I "passed" according to AAMC.

Why am I still shaking in my pants for a stupid 504?

It's not out of the question to retest mid August and update my apps with a higher score. I just don't know if it's worth the probably $800 in testing, more practice tests and materials to re study, etc and about 200 hours more of studying.

I've filled out 8 secondaries..... I'm just totally insecure.

Why does this one score have to be so dreadfully painfully important?

 

[efle]

What's the big deal? I did well, 67 percentile overall, so in the top third of all the people. And I "passed" according to AAMC.

Why am I still shaking in my pants for a stupid 504?

Are you URM? What state are you from?

 

[Cigar]

Thank you @Goro , @Lawper , @efle & @Dr. Stalker

Would anyone mind telling me your opinion on whether I should retake?

I have a 125 / 126 / 125 / 128

I was ALWAYS getting 130+ on CARS on practice tests. I just didn't even read two passages on my real test day.

So would it really be so impressive to repeat and get a hypothetical 125/130/125/128? giving me a 508?

What's the big deal? I did well, 67 percentile overall, so in the top third of all the people. And I "passed" according to AAMC.

Why am I still shaking in my pants for a stupid 504?

It's not out of the question to retest mid August and update my apps with a higher score. I just don't know if it's worth the probably $800 in testing, more practice tests and materials to re study, etc and about 200 hours more of studying.

I've filled out 8 secondaries..... I'm just totally insecure.

Why does this one score have to be so dreadfully painfully important?

Unless something abnormal happened at your testing center or you experienced an extraordinary stressor close to the test, there's not really an excuse for having a low score. Don't mislead yourself about this, and don't bring it up with a school unless you're specifically asked about it. People get into med school every year with a 504 (or its old equivalent, probably around 28).

Yes, it would be impressive if you retook the MCAT and did significantly better. No, that's not necessary, depending on what the rest of your application and school list look like. It's up to you.

Most med students are coming from the top third of test-takers. It's reasonable to be a little anxious about that kind of competition, but your MCAT score (and GPA, for that matter) isn't the only thing that defines your application. Show your strengths so that people forget about the MCAT the more they talk to you.

 

[Goro]

With a 504, these are the only schools I can recommend:

Uniformed Services University/Hebert (just be aware of the military service commitment)
Oakland U Beaumont
Loyola
WVU
MCW
Creighton
VCU
Albany
Your state school(s).
Any DO school. I can't recommend Touro-NY, or LUCOM, for different reasons

The median MCAT score for MD acceptees is ~510, for matriculants it's 508. These scores are pulled downward by the "lucky states", which have lower medians.

There is no sugar coating this. You did not "pass". The 67th %ile with not one fbut two 50th %ile scores does not bode well. You performed well below median for acceptees, even at my DO school, and several other DO schools. You need to be > 80th+ %ile.

At best, you try an app cycle to see how it goes. But if you're gunning for MD, a retake is probably in order. But do NOT retake until you are scoring well > 504 in practice exams, and not until you're 100% ready.

If you have test taking anxiety issues, get that fixed.

Thank you @Goro , @Lawper , @efle & @Dr. Stalker

Would anyone mind telling me your opinion on whether I should retake?

I have a 125 / 126 / 125 / 128

I was ALWAYS getting 130+ on CARS on practice tests. I just didn't even read two passages on my real test day.

So would it really be so impressive to repeat and get a hypothetical 125/130/125/128? giving me a 508?

What's the big deal? I did well, 67 percentile overall, so in the top third of all the people. And I "passed" according to AAMC.

Why am I still shaking in my pants for a stupid 504?

It's not out of the question to retest mid August and update my apps with a higher score. I just don't know if it's worth the probably $800 in testing, more practice tests and materials to re study, etc and about 200 hours more of studying.

I've filled out 8 secondaries..... I'm just totally insecure.

Why does this one score have to be so dreadfully painfully important?

 

[MCATISEZ]

With a 504, these are the only schools I can recommend:

Uniformed Services University/Hebert (just be aware of the military service commitment)
Oakland U Beaumont
Loyola
WVU
MCW
Creighton
VCU
Albany
Your state school(s).
Any DO school. I can't recommend Touro-NY, or LUCOM, for different reasons

The median MCAT score for MD acceptees is ~510, for matriculants it's 508. These scores are pulled downward by the "lucky states", which have lower medians.

There is no sugar coating this. You did not "pass". The 67th %ile with not one fbut two 50th %ile scores does not bode well. You performed well below median for acceptees, even at my DO school, and several other DO schools. You need to be > 80th+ %ile.

At best, you try an app cycle to see how it goes. But if you're gunning for MD, a retake is probably in order. But do NOT retake until you are scoring well > 504 in practice exams, and not until you're 100% ready.

If you have test taking anxiety issues, get that fixed.

Hey Goro. I tried to poke around, but couldn't find your answer. Any reason you would not recommend Touro-NY? I remember hearing about a school declining students access to federal loans, was that Touro (although I couldn't find that information easily either)?

Thanks! I apologize because I know you've stated why before.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[efle]

Hey Goro. I tried to poke around, but couldn't find your answer. Any reason you would not recommend Touro-NY? I remember hearing about a school declining students access to federal loans, was that Touro (although I couldn't find that information easily either)?

Thanks! I apologize because I know you've stated why before.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

I'd check out this thread:

A little warning about Touro NY

I think they had some major issues with over-admitting to the point where they were put on probation, among other issues (poor clinical rotations is something I've seen a few times)

 

[Goro]

Hey Goro. I tried to poke around, but couldn't find your answer. Any reason you would not recommend Touro-NY? I remember hearing about a school declining students access to federal loans, was that Touro (although I couldn't find that information easily either)?

CNU is the school refusing to enable federal loans

I have objections to Touro-NY because:
1) the unethical way they handled their overbooking problem last year
2) for a now veteran school, thier COMPLEX II pass rates are terrible. This suggests poor clinical training.

 

[kb1900]

CNU is the school refusing to enable federal loans

I have objections to Touro-NY because:
1) the unethical way they handled their overbooking problem last year
2) for a now veteran school, thier COMPLEX II pass rates are terrible. This suggests poor clinical training.

How did they handle over admitting? I heard most schools hand out scholarships to those who are willing to defer

 

[Goro]

How did they handle over admitting? I heard most schools hand out scholarships to those who are willing to defer

Do a search

 

[DrfluffyMD]

I'm proud of my 504 MCAT because I worked really hard to study. I just ran out of time a bunch of times because I was so hyper focused on real test day.

When the secondaries give you a chance "Is there anything else the admissions committee should know to evaluate your application?"

Should I mention it or just let it stand?

What is there to explain?

 

[kb1900]

Do a search

Oh my

 

[SUP360]

With a 504, these are the only schools I can recommend:
At best, you try an app cycle to see how it goes. But if you're gunning for MD, a retake is probably in order. But do NOT retake until you are scoring well > 504 in practice exams, and not until you're 100% ready.

If you have test taking anxiety issues, get that fixed.

Thank you for your reply. I sincerely appreciate it.

 

[SUP360]

Are you URM? What state are you from?

Nope. From VA

 

[efle]

Nope. From VA

I'd consider retaking. A 504 is around or below the 10th percentile even for VCU and EVMS. Especially when cGPA is a 3.75 which is at the median for these places, as an ORM, odds just aren't good

 

[BombsAway]

I'd consider retaking. A 504 is around or below the 10th percentile even for VCU and EVMS. Especially when cGPA is a 3.75 which is at the median for these places, as an ORM, odds just aren't good

Or save yourself 300K and be a DOctor this cycle.

 

[SUP360]

Or save yourself 300K and be a DOctor this cycle.

I don't understand what you are saying.

 

[SUP360]

I'd consider retaking. A 504 is around or below the 10th percentile even for VCU and EVMS. Especially when cGPA is a 3.75 which is at the median for these places, as an ORM, odds just aren't good

ok. my gpa's are in the 3.9 range, but still... thanks. I just don't know if I'll be able to fit in a retake within this cycle. May have to wait until next year.

Also, is everyone admitted at 10th% and below URM?????????

 

[BombsAway]

I don't understand what you are saying.

Rather than explain a dumb joke, i'll just add another.
"you can't spell doctor without DO"

 

[efle]

ok. my gpa's are in the 3.9 range, but still... thanks. I just don't know if I'll be able to fit in a retake within this cycle. May have to wait until next year.

Also, is everyone admitted at 10th% and below URM?????????

Primarily URM or with other big negating factors, like maybe they aced an SMP or have demonstrated desire to serve underserved communities, etc. If you are cookie cutter with a 3.8/504, I'd either wait or make peace with having DO as a backup.

 

[SUP360]

Primarily URM or with other big negating factors, like maybe they aced an SMP or have demonstrated desire to serve underserved communities, etc. If you are cookie cutter with a 3.8/504, I'd either wait or make peace with having DO as a backup.

Ok, thanks a lot for your input. I'm definitely not cookie cutter, but not sure if I have enough "negating factors"......

According to the AAMC table, I have like a 1/2 chance of matriculating. I'll update in a few months with my outcome and thanks again for everyone's advice

EDITED IN 2019 TO ADD:
I was reading back over this thread, procrastinating, oops. If anyone runs across my story and is curious my outcome:
I'm in my 2nd year of MD school--I did get accepted to an OOS MD school. I had 5 II at MD schools:
WVU--out of state--waitlisted, no movement
VCU--in state--waitlisted, no movement
OHSU--out of state--waitlisted at high postition, would have been accepted
Marshall U--out of state--declined interview

I was accepted to the one I attend (which was my 2nd choice) by the end of November. In March of the app cycle, I committed to the school I was accepted to and removed my name from the rest of the waitlists.