HELP! Retake MCAT or NOT?

[MrJohnNye]

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Hi guys!
I need your honest opinion/advice. I am applying this coming summer and I am not sure if I should retake the mcat... here's some rundown on my practice test Hx...

Baseline: AAMC 3R- 22
The Berkeley Review (in chronological order): 32, 30, 26, 34, 34, 32, 34
AAMC 7, 9, 10: 30, 30, 27
Actual MCAT (August 25th, 2009): a F%$&^ 28!!!

Some background:
TONS of clinical (CNA, Radiology Transporter, EMT, ER Tech (currently))
Premed club chairperson
Science Tutor/ Freshmen Students' Mentor
Research- VA research, GI cancer... 1 paper pending publication
Presidents' List (running for summa or magna cum laude (MAJOR borderline))

Where I wanna end up:
A UC school... or ANYWHERE

So should I retake it???

 

[MrJohnNye]

Btw,
ps 9 vr 9 bs 10 ws q

 

[ElegantWeapon]

I would recommend retaking it-it seems you are capable of scoring 30+, so you should really do so if you want to be competitive for US MD schools

Hi guys!
I need your honest opinion/advice. I am applying this coming summer and I am not sure if I should retake the mcat... here's some rundown on my practice test Hx...

Baseline: AAMC 3R- 22
The Berkeley Review (in chronological order): 32, 30, 26, 34, 34, 32, 34
AAMC 7, 9, 10: 30, 30, 27
Actual MCAT (August 25th, 2009): a F%$&^ 28!!!

Some background:
TONS of clinical (CNA, Radiology Transporter, EMT, ER Tech (currently))
Premed club chairperson
Science Tutor/ Freshmen Students' Mentor
Research- VA research, GI cancer... 1 paper pending publication
Presidents' List (running for summa or magna cum laude (MAJOR borderline))

Where I wanna end up:
A UC school... or ANYWHERE

So should I retake it???

 

[Contrarian]

to feel good about your chances at a UC--or anywhere, for that matter--I'd say you definitely need to retake. But first make sure your practice averages are in a range you are more comfortable with. The AAMC scores are your best predictor, and you scored right in that range.

 

[OneMCATAway]

you still have a chance but to be sure i'd say re-take too b/c it seems that you were scoring 30+ consistently! but if you are going to re-take dont burn yourself out, only do so if you are positive you can get at least a couple points higher cuz 28 will not eliminate you, just reduces your chances and getting a lower score would be worst.. good luck with watever you decide 🙂

 

[Sillyshoes]

If you are to retake, you want to make sure that you can improve.
Another important question is what is your GPA?

 

[fewcherpeedsdoc]

your scores are fine. they're spread out well and even. if it was lopsided then i would advise you to retake. i retook with a score like yours and i did terrible in one area...i think this put a flag on my application. i shouldve just kept my first score. your score is fine and you have good ECs. I'd not retake if i were you.

 

[apumic]

What's the MCAT estimator suggest? Previous standardized tests are your best predictor of whether you would be likely to improve w/ more work. As far as needing a better score? well... it'd definitely help but where you are would be fine for DO and ok for lower end MD.

 

[Ativanigans]

Yes, retake it

 

[ksmi117]

Moving to the What Are My Chances? forum.

 

[Catalystik]

If your cGPA is below 3.9, I would retake it since you're from California.

 

[J ROD]

Well, I think you need a higher MCAT for Cali.

Actually, the AAMCs are the best predictor....so I calculate around a 29.3 for you over those 3 AAMCs.

Usually, I advise take your AAMC average and +/- 2 points.

You are right there.

I would attempt a retake and see what your practice scores are....if the AAMC average is 32-33 then I would go for it.

You should be able to raise the sciences with more prep and alot more practice tests.

Did you take the BR class?

 

[LateBl00meR]

I would get a copy of Examkrackers biological sciences and physical sciences. It really helped me even after taking the Kaplan class.

 

[bannie22]

Are you Bill's brother? BILL NYE THE SCIENCE GUY.

Anyway, I would always suggest to retake the MCAT if you did not score a 40. I would not think your score would increase much because your AAMC tests were around your average.

Study for it more though and it will probably rise.

 

[MrJohnNye]

It's a 3.9

 

[MrJohnNye]

Well, I think you need a higher MCAT for Cali.

Actually, the AAMCs are the best predictor....so I calculate around a 29.3 for you over those 3 AAMCs.

Usually, I advise take your AAMC average and +/- 2 points.

You are right there.

I would attempt a retake and see what your practice scores are....if the AAMC average is 32-33 then I would go for it.

You should be able to raise the sciences with more prep and alot more practice tests.

Did you take the BR class?

Yeah, I took the berkeley review and loved it!

 

[J ROD]

Yeah, I took the berkeley review and loved it!

I would have jumped at the chance to take it!!

I am a little surprised by your lower than what I think they should be science scores then. What were your BR practice science scores?

Also, did you try EK verbal?

 

[faith2]

Do not retake you could go down there is no guarantee that you will go up. Keeping doing Extra curri activities...Start personal statement now, and LOR's apply to MD and DO the first day cycle opens apply to alot and broadly you will be fine.....😍

 

[JJMrK]

Are you Bill's brother? BILL NYE THE SCIENCE GUY.

Anyway, I would always suggest to retake the MCAT if you did not score a 40. I would not think your score would increase much because your AAMC tests were around your average.

Study for it more though and it will probably rise.

This is pretty terrible advice, IMO. Most people would be happy with a 30+.

OP, I would retake, (you'll need a ~32 for CA schools) but only if you can get your AAMC practice scores in the 33-35 range.Your most recent AAMCs were 30, 30, and 27, which is exactly where you ended up.

 

[anxietypeaker]

This is pretty terrible advice, IMO. Most people would be happy with a 30+.

OP, I would retake, (you'll need a ~32 for CA schools) but only if you can get your AAMC practice scores in the 33-35 range.Your most recent AAMCs were 30, 30, and 27, which is exactly where you ended up.

I agree. That is pretty terrible advice (36 is really where the mcat gives back diminishing returns)....in my opinion. I think u should try taking it one more time. U seem capable of doing better, therefore...yea.

 

[FluffyRabbit]

I would try to get a better range on the practice tests and retake. UCs are notoriously competitive, and a higher MCAT will really boost your chances at those.

 

[ezsanche]

Do not retake you could go down there is no guarantee that you will go up. Keeping doing Extra curri activities...Start personal statement now, and LOR's apply to MD and DO the first day cycle opens apply to alot and broadly you will be fine.....😍

Do not retake a 28? A 28 is really low for md standards. Sure, there is a chance you will get in but you are going to have to apply to a lot of schools. Which means you are going to probably apply to a lot of schools that you really dont want to go to. Which will cost you more money than it would if you just retook the MCAT, got a good score, and applied to the schools you really want to attend. Retake your MCAT get a 32+ score and you are set.