High GPA, Low MCAT - retake and apply this year or wait?

[fadingin]

---

Members do not see this ad.

With a 3.89 GPA, 4.00 Science GPA I felt pretty good going into the July 18th MCAT - my kaplan and aamc practice tests were consistently averaging 12V,10B,10P however I got my scores back from my MCAT and was disappointed to see a 24Q, the lowest I'd ever scored.

I am considering taking the MCAT again on september 5th, but I don't want to hurt my chances of admission if I score around there again with only 2 weeks of prep time before.

Would you suggest taking the MCAT, or holding off and waiting until the next cycle. I will be graduating in may, and my top three choices for schools are Wake Forest, MUSC, and MCOG.

Additional extra curricular activities:
Overall Director for Dance Marathon - raised 110,000 for childrens hospital over a year.
Organic Lab Assistant - helped redesign and implement a new undergraduate lab curriculum.
Have volunteered and shadowed a well respected proctologist and physician in the area.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated as my deadline for this MCAT is quickly approaching!

 

[Mobius1985]

Option #1: Considering you've taken many practice tests with consistently good scores, I think it's reasonable to assume your poor MCAT score was a fluke, and you could retake it in September. However, you'd get that back in October. I believe October 15 is the latest you can apply to AMCAS. Who knows when your transcripts would be certified (?late November) (mine took 5.5 weeks and was sent to schools early in November) and some med school deadlines are in mid-November. Considering the disadvantage you'd have with such a late application, it might be best to go with option #2, but if you did well, and applied this season, you might get in (as I did).

Option #2: to retake the MCAT in January or later, maybe after a formal prep course, to give yourself the best shot at a great score. Then apply early next June for the best statistical chance of an admission.

The route you choose would depend on your level of confidence that you could do well on the MCAT a few weeks from now.

 

[OptionMD]

man u r in the same position as I am.

Overall GPA: 3.945
Science GPA: 3.97

took princeton review scored consistently around 33-35N on both tpr and aamc. then took real test last april and wtf 24Q. funny thing was my writing.
retaking the mcat next tuesday, at this point i don't where im at lol, i dont trust any practice scores i get anymore.

 

[fadingin]

I've decided to go with option #2. Does anyone have any suggestions for work during my year off of school? I want something to improve my application, AND that will show personal growth that the Adcoms.

I hope this is the right decision. I just am very nervous about retaking so soon with a fluke score like that.

 

[Mobius1985]

Consider getting a job as a research assistant (shouldn't be too hard with a recommendation from the orgo prof you TA labs for) or in a health care position (eg, nursing home jobs are available that don't need certificate training first). Keep up your volunteering (medically-related if possible) in the meanwhile and shadow more docs.

 

[adjouga]

well.. almost..

my cGPA: 3.8, sGPA: 3.8, I CONSISTENTLY got 30/31/32 on practice tests. i took the JULY 18TH MCAT AND I DID HORRIBLE! i got a 25. WHAT? 25!!!

i had the same dilemmna, do i retake the test on september 3th?? was the grade a fluke or not?

i decided to take the test again. and now i'm waiting for my scores to come out (due out in about a week).

i have to be honest, the second time around, the physical sciences questions were straight out of my review books. i really feel like it has a lot to do with luck (what test youre gona get and if its gona be suited to you). i'll let you know how i did once i find out, if you are interested.

guess i dont have much advice to give you... but its good to know your not alone!

 

[Perrotfish]

I've decided to go with option #2. Does anyone have any suggestions for work during my year off of school? I want something to improve my application, AND that will show personal growth that the Adcoms.

If you're absolutely sure about not applying this year, I would recommend a 1 year MPH. I would also recommend you stop worrying about ADCOMs. With those kinds of grades if you can break 30 on the MCAT you won't need to worry about getting into medical school. At this point you're working on your application for residency. MPHs help (some) with residency apps.

 

[Twitch]

Was the 24 balanced or lopsided? Instead of an all out approach, I'd suggest tackling the weak areas. Don't work. Focus on the MCAT full time. Part time you can volunteer. Do more practice tests on your own.

 

[alibai3ah]

When you guys say you took practice tests and got 33's and 34's...are you talking about the AAMC test? B/c the kaplan test and the princeton review tests are not good indicators at all. The kaplan has a very steep curve and the format is kinda different and question types. Thats why I abstained from any kaplan tests and only took the 8 AAMC tests. And those I felt were great indicators, b/c you usually get what you were averaging on those tests (especially the last 2 or 3, b/c the early ones are really easy). If they are AAMC test, then you proabbly know the material really well and mayeb you get really nervous and should improve test taking skills. My advice to do that is take your practice test at the kaplan computer centers, b/c it has a very similar feel for the real test. I took all mine in the little cubicle that kaplan had and it was very similar to the real test day. Just my advice

 

[sunny1]

Was the 24 balanced or lopsided? Instead of an all out approach, I'd suggest tackling the weak areas. Don't work. Focus on the MCAT full time. Part time you can volunteer. Do more practice tests on your own.

Twitch, if the MCAT was lopsided with one section in particular very low ("a fluke") - what would your advice be?