Hello,
So I took my first crack at the MCAT back last April, and I, unfortunately, did not do as well as I hoped. I ended up getting a 505 score (131/123/125/126 by order of each section). I applied to a limited # of schools who accepted students with this score with anticipation that I would be taking a gap year. I was ashamed of my score, so I restarted my MCAT study with a different approach and more dedication. I retook the exam in January, and ended up getting a 512 score (132/123/129/128).
As you can see, my overall score jumped 7 pts, which I am happy about, and I am scared about my CARS score given that it showed no improvement. I am worried that it might be the anchor in my application and prevent me from getting accepted. For those who were in a similar situation and anyone else who knew some that went through this phase, what would you recommend: retake it or apply again with this new score?
To provide some other background factors of my application:
GPA: 3.87 | Science GPA: 3.86
-Plenty of volunteer experience both in hospital setting and in organizations for low income communitys
-Performed research for 2+ years in college and was fortunate to recieve my name on a publication
-Currently working as a medical scribe (40+ hrs/week) and exploring other volunteer opportunities
-Shadowed and worked with a physician at their clinically
-For my next year, I will be doings Biomedical Science Master program.
SCHOOLS AIMING TO APPLY TOO:
University of Illinois at Chicago
Robert WoodWard Johnson Medical School
Rutgers Medical School
Rush Medical College
Rosalind Franklin
Indiana Univeristy
Saint Louis Univeristy
Central Michigan
Ohio State
New York Medical College
DO Programs: Midwestern (Arizona/Illinois), NYIT, PCOM
Any tips, recommendations, or helpful advice would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you!
So I took my first crack at the MCAT back last April, and I, unfortunately, did not do as well as I hoped. I ended up getting a 505 score (131/123/125/126 by order of each section). I applied to a limited # of schools who accepted students with this score with anticipation that I would be taking a gap year. I was ashamed of my score, so I restarted my MCAT study with a different approach and more dedication. I retook the exam in January, and ended up getting a 512 score (132/123/129/128).
As you can see, my overall score jumped 7 pts, which I am happy about, and I am scared about my CARS score given that it showed no improvement. I am worried that it might be the anchor in my application and prevent me from getting accepted. For those who were in a similar situation and anyone else who knew some that went through this phase, what would you recommend: retake it or apply again with this new score?
To provide some other background factors of my application:
GPA: 3.87 | Science GPA: 3.86
-Plenty of volunteer experience both in hospital setting and in organizations for low income communitys
-Performed research for 2+ years in college and was fortunate to recieve my name on a publication
-Currently working as a medical scribe (40+ hrs/week) and exploring other volunteer opportunities
-Shadowed and worked with a physician at their clinically
-For my next year, I will be doings Biomedical Science Master program.
SCHOOLS AIMING TO APPLY TOO:
University of Illinois at Chicago
Robert WoodWard Johnson Medical School
Rutgers Medical School
Rush Medical College
Rosalind Franklin
Indiana Univeristy
Saint Louis Univeristy
Central Michigan
Ohio State
New York Medical College
DO Programs: Midwestern (Arizona/Illinois), NYIT, PCOM
Any tips, recommendations, or helpful advice would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you!
