Gap year: GPA or MCAT

[Smelt]

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Some background:
I just graduated in June so I am in my 1st gap year (taking 2) since I am applying in May/June. It is important to note that I am a Texas resident and will be applying to all TMDSAS schools. I'd be happy to go to any of those. My cGPA/sGPA is 3.6/3.4 and 508 MCAT. I believe I can get a 512+ if I retake it since I got a 510 and 512 on the official practice ones and really underperformed on the actual exam. I am currently working as a scribe full time but will probably switch to part time for either.

So my question is...since I have around 7 months until the new cycle begins (TMDSAS submission begins in May). Should I study and retake the MCAT? Or should I work on my sGPA and take a semester at my local college since that is one of my weaknesses? I don't think I could do both and I'm not entirely sure how much a few courses would truely impact my GPA which is why I am leaning towards MCAT.

 

[theonlytycrane]

Is your 508 balanced across the sub-sections?

 

[Goro]

A 508 is a fine score. Going from a 30 to a 32 on the old exam didn't impress anyone, so neither will going from. You're more likely to go from a 508 to a 509, or even more likely, to a 506 or worse.

Some background:
I just graduated in June so I am in my 1st gap year (taking 2) since I am applying in May/June. It is important to note that I am a Texas resident and will be applying to all TMDSAS schools. I'd be happy to go to any of those. My cGPA/sGPA is 3.6/3.4 and 508 MCAT. I believe I can get a 512+ if I retake it since I got a 510 and 512 on the official practice ones and really underperformed on the actual exam. I am currently working as a scribe full time but will probably switch to part time for either.

So my question is...since I have around 7 months until the new cycle begins (TMDSAS submission begins in May). Should I study and retake the MCAT? Or should I work on my sGPA and take a semester at my local college since that is one of my weaknesses? I don't think I could do both and I'm not entirely sure how much a few courses would truely impact my GPA which is why I am leaning towards MCAT.

 

[Lord Kek]

Because you already have a bachelor's degree, raising your GPA will be difficult. A .05 difference in GPA isn't particularly noteworthy, however, unless you're certain you can get a significantly higher score on the MCAT (514+) a retake is ill advised. An MCAT retake will provide more bang for your buck, but if you don't improve significantly it may be viewed unfavorably.

Some background:
I just graduated in June so I am in my 1st gap year (taking 2) since I am applying in May/June. It is important to note that I am a Texas resident and will be applying to all TMDSAS schools. I'd be happy to go to any of those. My cGPA/sGPA is 3.6/3.4 and 508 MCAT. I believe I can get a 512+ if I retake it since I got a 510 and 512 on the official practice ones and really underperformed on the actual exam. I am currently working as a scribe full time but will probably switch to part time for either.

So my question is...since I have around 7 months until the new cycle begins (TMDSAS submission begins in May). Should I study and retake the MCAT? Or should I work on my sGPA and take a semester at my local college since that is one of my weaknesses? I don't think I could do both and I'm not entirely sure how much a few courses would truely impact my GPA which is why I am leaning towards MCAT.

 

[libertyyne]

A few semesters of 4.0 will show upward trend and pad your gpa nicely. I agree with the risk of scoring worse on the MCAT, that is a quick risky plan with greater pay off and greater risk. The Maintence of the GPA will be a slower task and require persistent vigilance. Depending on where you are in the 3.6 and how many credits you have and take you may be able to break the 3.7 mark.


current
3.6+30=66
GPA route
3.7+30=67
MCAT Route
3.6+32=68


Acceptee Median
3.6 +32= 68



One LizzyM wont make a or break you. You are below the median acceptee lizzyM. However your state schools may look favorably on you.

DO schools remain a viable option.

I choose neither, I would choose to do something more interesting that would make you stand out in the 66 crowd but that may be too late.

 

[Frogger27]

I would probably take a couple science classes (if $$ is not an issue) and build on ECs. If money is problem, ECs only. Plenty of people get in with a 3.6/508

 

[Smelt]

Sorry its been a while since I got on. Thanks for the feedback everyone. I think if I took 3 classes and got A's then my GPA would go from 3.6/3.4 to a 3.64/3.52 so it wouldn't change my cGPA alot but it would bump my sGPA a bit. A few other things a) I don't have a great upward trend in grades but my senior year grades are pretty good and they include high level science classes b) I don't have a fantastic 2nd science rec so this might give me a better option.

What do u guys think given this new info? I think my science GPA is the weakest atm out of all 3 stats....and I know its not factored in the LizzyM. How bad is a cGPA/sGPA difference?

Is your 508 balanced across the sub-sections?

pretty balanced all within 2 point range

A few semesters of 4.0 will show upward trend and pad your gpa nicely. I agree with the risk of scoring worse on the MCAT, that is a quick risky plan with greater pay off and greater risk. The Maintence of the GPA will be a slower task and require persistent vigilance. Depending on where you are in the 3.6 and how many credits you have and take you may be able to break the 3.7 mark.


current
3.6+30=66
GPA route
3.7+30=67
MCAT Route
3.6+32=68


Acceptee Median
3.6 +32= 68



One lizzyM wont make a or break you. You are below the median acceptee lizzyM. However your state schools may look favorably on you.

DO schools remain a viable option.

I choose neither, I would choose to do something more interesting that would make you stand out in the 66 crowd but that may be too late.

Thanks for running the LizzyM numbers lol, but it doesn't factor in sGPA? I feel like my sGPA is significantly lower than what it should be 3.4 for a 3.6 GPA and I'm afraid that if I don't improve it, it may be an issue.

I would probably take a couple science classes (if $$ is not an issue) and build on ECs. If money is problem, ECs only. Plenty of people get in with a 3.6/508

Thanks 🙂

 

[Frogger27]

My gpa is a 3.57/3.5 with a 507 mcat. First acceptance a couple weeks ago... Try to get that gpa up to 3.5 (aesthetically looks better), and you should be okay!

 

[kpizzle]

My gpa is a 3.57/3.5 with a 507 mcat. First acceptance a couple weeks ago... Try to get that gpa up to 3.5 (aesthetically looks better), and you should be okay!

Hi, was your acceptance to a DO school? Or MD? I have similar stats and basically very little EC.....