Go ahead with applications or postpone a year?

[Jlaw]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi All- So I just got my mcat score back and I scored a 24O...6 points under my full length practice average and 9 points below my best full length. I'm not sure what happened but I was prepared and totally bombed so I'm fairly certain I could reasonably aim for a 30+ if I was to retake.

Its time to make some important decisions and I am trying to decide if I have any shot at all of getting in without a retake, which would also necessitate pushing my application to the next cycle. I'm 30, unemployed, and just finished a post bacc program (career changer) so waiting another year to apply would hurt but I'm hell bent on becoming a doctor so I'll do it if I have to.

My particulars are below.

Undergrad GPA (BS Finance + recent post bacc) ~3.2
Post Bacc GPA 3.99
Science GPA 3.99
MCAT: 24O (P-7,V-8,B-9,W-O)

Volunteer- 2+ years as an EMT ~40 hours/month with lots of patient and physician exposure, going through hospice training program currently, and will be volunteering ~4hours a week, have run 2 marathons to raise money for cancer research programs

Shadowing- ER Physician (MD), Cardiologist (DO)

Recommendations- Bio/biochem professor, Organic chem professor, head of ambulance service, Cardiologist I shadowed. I'm also eligible for a committee letter from my school but may not use it because its a pain to apply for and they don't send them until October or later.

Other- Worked for 3+ years in finance before deciding to switch gears and do my pre med requirements.

 

[Postal]

I say apply if you aren't particular about which med school you get into. Barring your MCAT score, the rest of your application looks good. I say you'll garner some interviews and possible an acceptance.

 

[scummie]

I say apply if you aren't particular about which med school you get into. Barring your MCAT score, the rest of your application looks good. I say you'll garner some interviews and possible an acceptance.

Agreed. Your GPA looks fantastic. Try and retake if you can. I wouldn't wait another application cycle.

 

[Catalystik]

Since you feel the score is a fluke, I'd suggest retaking as soon as you can get a seat and letting schools know another score is pending. The DO application cycle runs later than MD, and I'd think you'll still have a decent chance somewhere, even if the score isn't out until October, considering the other positives your application has to offer.

 

[Jlaw]

Since you feel the score is a fluke, I'd suggest retaking as soon as you can get a seat and letting schools know another score is pending. The DO application cycle runs later than MD, and I'd think you'll still have a decent chance somewhere, even if the score isn't out until October, considering the other positives your application has to offer.

Thanks for the replys. A retake this year isn't feasible since the last available test day is in just over two weeks and I havent studied since mid July. I was surely better prepared than my score indicated but I wouldn't want to take the chance that I do a retake and do worse, or only marginally better because I tried to rush it. Two weeks is barely enough time to do a content review, let alone do practice tests. If I'm going to go through the stress and effort of taking the MCAT again I want to target a substantial improvement rather than just bumping my score a couple points. Based on these responses and others I will probably apply to some schools and also sign up for a spring MCAT so if I don't get in I can be ready to apply early for the next cycle.

Thanks again and if anyone else has advice I would like to hear it.

 

[Morsetlis]

A retake is very feasible. You can do a lot in two weeks. Some med students have about 6 weeks to prepare for Step 1 after their last final.

That said, don't do it if you're not confident. 1 year > 2 weeks for preparation, although you have to factor forgeting into it...

 

[OiMooi]

Sorry that happened to you. I also just got my scores back and saw a -5 from my average scores. It's been like a punch in the gut and I have no idea what happened. I might have to withdraw my application for this year but with your stats, I say try. Good luck to you.