Honest opinion please

[anxiouspremed]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

hey guys I am stuck in a weird situation so I thought I need some help and suggestions. I took mcats three times previous applied once did not get in ( no ECs back then). I worked towards improving my application by doing some research with solid publications. But those mcats scores are no longer valid for most of the medschools and I have to re-take for fourth time . My question is will it look bad on my application as I will be a fourth time retaker? 🙁. Thanks in advance for your suggestions

 

[Gold 5]

What are your numbers (GPA, BCMP, MCAT)?

 

[anxiouspremed]

What are your numbers (GPA, BCMP, MCAT)?

GPA overall 3.5, bcmp 3.23, recent mcat from my three mcats 31 L (7 VS, 11 PS, 13 BS)

 

[gman33]

If your scores are no longer valid, it doesn't matter if it will look bad or not.
Your only option is to retake if you are going to apply.
Just make sure you do as well or better than your previous attempts.
This will mean a lot of studying that you probably don't want to do.

 

[anxiouspremed]

If your scores are no longer valid, it doesn't matter if it will look bad or not.
Your only option is to retake if you are going to apply.
Just make sure you do as well or better than your previous attempts.
This will mean a lot of studying that you probably don't want to do.

well to be honest I am ready to put in the extra effort. But wanted to know what am getting into before I jump on it... I do not want to study my butt off and then get rejected because its my 4th attempt . So want to know if someone got in with the 4th attempt

 

[Gold 5]

If your scores are no longer valid, it doesn't matter if it will look bad or not.
Your only option is to retake if you are going to apply.
Just make sure you do as well or better than your previous attempts.
This will mean a lot of studying that you probably don't want to do.

Yup, if they are old, you need to retake. Be also aware that some schools will want you you to retake your core classes if they are 7-10+ years old. Don't ask me why, never understood it. Make sure before applying.

 

[Blade28]

How long has it been since your last MCAT? How long has it been since your undergrad grades?

 

[anxiouspremed]

How long has it been since your last MCAT? How long has it been since your undergrad grades?

3 years since my last mcat. I graduated in 2006.


I did get in touch with the admissions office of the medschools am interested in and they told me that am not going to be at any disadvantage 🙂. Thanks everyone for your replies

 

[Blade28]

Even if you were going to be at a disadvantage, you're going to apply anyway, right?

So don't worry about it! 🙂

 

[anxiouspremed]

Even if you were going to be at a disadvantage, you're going to apply anyway, right?

So don't worry about it! 🙂

yes I will... worked my butt off for two years to get ECs and publications.... But I should have planned it better, shouldn't have taken mcat in the beginning of sophomore year 😱. Thank you very much for your re-assuring words 🙂

 

[glamqueen]

I've never heard of the credits expiring before...which schools do that out of curiosity?

 

[gman33]

Just make sure you prepare as well as you can before taking it. It's better to put off taking it than to risk another bad score.

As for expiring pre-reqs, they don't expire but some schools want to see recent coursework. Contact the individual schools you are applying to if you have coursework older than 10 years.

 

[aspiringdoc007]

I took mcats three times previous applied once did not get in ( no ECs back then). But those mcats scores are no longer valid for most of the medschools and I have to re-take for fourth time . 🙁. Thanks in advance for your suggestions

Maybe the reason that you aren't getting is that you keep saying MCATS. It is called the MCAT. But anyways, good luck to you!

 

[Round2]

Curious, what schools. I know one school that required this and was sued for age discrimination as a result, lost, and dropped the retake requirement. I'm aware of some other health programs that require current sciences, but they offer you the option to demonstrate you are "current" by passing a standardized test.

Yup, if they are old, you need to retake. Be also aware that some schools will want you you to retake your core classes if they are 7-10+ years old. Don't ask me why, never understood it. Make sure before applying.

 

[anxiouspremed]

Maybe the reason that you aren't getting is that you keep saying MCATS. It is called the MCAT. But anyways, good luck to you!

I do know that it is MCAT thank you.... I wasn't paying attention to what I was typing as I was horrified... I calmed down later when I realized that I still have some hope...

 

[Orthodoc40]

I've never heard of the credits expiring before...which schools do that out of curiosity?

If you read MSAR, most schools do specify that your science classes need to have been completed within the last 5 years, or 3 years, or something. One school I applied to says that even your freshman english class had to have been within the last 5 years. When I said that was crazy for older students, they told me to take some other equivalent english/composition class.

So, some schools may not ask you about this until you're at the interview, or even once they accept you. Best to check individual schools to see how strict their policy is (some are very, some are not so....)

I know a couple of people that got in after 4 MCAT tries. They took a while to get the Verbal over 8, got more experience, letters of rec, and they applied to a much broader list of schools (including DO schools).

 

[Flushot]

Oh boy, another 4 MCAT decision? I guess I'll put in my .02

I'm re-applying this cycle and with 4 MCATs under my belt, it's not going to go unnoticed. But, I don't regret it. What's done is done and I'm ready to fight with what I have, not what I could've had. So, if you feel that 4th run is necessary, just know you're not alone.

As the mantra goes, apply broadly and early. You can bet I'll be at the gates when they open.