How do adcoms see multiple MCAT attempts? (3+ attempts)

[hellocubed]

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A friend of mine has been struggling for the past few years with the MCAT. He's shooting for an MD acceptance.

I believe he has just finished his third attempt, and he has yet to break 29.
His latest attempt, unfortunately, was lower than his second attempt, with a 6 sub score.
If he does choose to retake it, it would be his 4th.


I heard from adcoms here that they will only consider the highest score, which I am hoping. I was wondering if this rumor was true.

 

[hellocubed]

I also heard that you can't take it more than 3 times within an academic year.

But he'd probably retake it next year.

 

[mariamonte]

from what i understand most schools will look at your most recent scores. also, i've always been told that if there wasn't a significant increase in your scores, adcoms would most probably look down up it you repeating the mcat

 

[angemon89]

I personally think that 3+ attempts is too much. A negative trend is even worse because it makes it seem like he's just taking the test and not putting in the time/dedication to learn the material.

IMO the only thing that'll save him now is a high gpa, and a significant increase in his score(somewhere in the mid-30's).

He also better have a good reason why the first 3 attempts were bad.

 

[gyngyn]

This is not a diagnostic dilemma. Multiple weak scores indicates a person likely to score poorly. Subsequent attempts with equivalent results are worse than a single weak showing. Sorry, but a string of sad results is especially telling. Nobody is going to squint sideways to make it look better.

 

[Cinclus]

A friend of mine has been struggling for the past few years with the MCAT. He's shooting for an MD acceptance.

I believe he has just finished his third attempt, and he has yet to break 29.
His latest attempt, unfortunately, was lower than his second attempt, with a 6 sub score.
If he does choose to retake it, it would be his 4th.


I heard from adcoms here that they will only consider the highest score, which I am hoping. I was wondering if this rumor was true.

It really depends on the school. From what I've heard, some schools will make a composite out of the highest section scores and use this as your composite (but I have a feeling this isn't very common), while others will focus on your most recent attempt, while others will consider all of them when they make decisions about an applicant. In general, however, I don't believe score decreases upon retakes are looked upon favorably.

 

[darkjedi]

I believe if you take the MCAT multiple times without significant improvement, it looks worse than if you only took it once with a mediocre score. Rationale is that a poor score could've potentially been a fluke if you have amazing grades/EC's, however if you show a pattern of doing poorly on the MCAT, then theres a significant chance you will do poorly on the USMLE's as well, which med schools really don't want.

 

[Ravizzle]

Idk why ppl retake if they aren't doing significantly better on their practice tests. Taking it three times with no improvement looks pretty bad. He would have to show some serious improvement this time around. Otherwise I think they should look into DO or pod schools that they have competitive stats for.

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[ShenanigansMD]

Unless it's been a prolonged period of time, like 3 years and you have re-changed your mind about medical school, then I would say it's a no go.

Or just know when to void (like I did).

 

[MDWannabe90]

He better go DO or get a 35+ on the next one.

I'm not sure if this could work but maybe hold off another 2-3 years and wait for the old scores to expire? If the scores are expired then they won't show up at all right? I could be wrong, better double check. If they do expire then he could spend that time making his application better, studying for the mcat and getting his life together. Would waiting that long suck? yes but thats what happens when you screw up at least its not over forever.

 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

I believe if you take the MCAT multiple times without significant improvement, it looks worse than if you only took it once with a mediocre score. Rationale is that a poor score could've potentially been a fluke if you have amazing grades/EC's, however if you show a pattern of doing poorly on the MCAT, then theres a significant chance you will do poorly on the USMLE's as well, which med schools really don't want.

This really does seem to be the case OP. Take a lot of time to study for this last one. If not apply D.O.