How late is too late? NEED HONEST ADVICE :)

[breakdancerj]

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Sorry for writing a post similar to my earlier one but I am further along in the decision making process than I was earlier. So I took the MCAT May 26th thinking that would leave enough time for me to re-take if I had to. Admittedly, I probably didn't think that through too carefully because I know find myself faced with a tight window of time to take the beast again. My score was a 27R despite regularly scoring in the 30-33 range prior to testing. I had a lot going on at the time and probably should have postponed the stupid thing. But here I am now ...

My overall GPA is a 3.88 and science GPA is 3.73 at Brigham Young University. I have a ton of leadership experience, teaching, tutoring, research, volunteering, service, etc, so I feel like my MCAT score is terrible compared to the rest of my application. I will graduate in August and am taking a heavy course load + work right now. I know that some of you will recommend sitting out this cycle but I would really like to take another stab at things this cycle, especially because I will already have an extra year off since I graduate in August. Classes end around August 13th when I'll graduate. So the decision I am trying to make is finding the optimal time to retake the MCAT that will allow me to prepare some more without committing med school suicide by getting my app in too late (I know I am already going to be late but want to minimize the damage as much as possible). The window that I am currently considering is from July 28th to Sept. 1st. Any advice or experience would be helpful. I'd like to get into the best school possible, but would really like to get in anywhere, preferably MD.

 

[SN2ed]

You're effectively done for this cycle. There's no point in rushing a retake when you have a heavy course load AND work. That would be unwise in the first place, let alone this being a retake. You'll face pressure from school, work, and that from needing to score significantly better on a retake. None of that bodes particularly well for MCAT success.

Also, with that 27 you have very little hope of getting into an MD school (unless you have a relatively easy to get into state school), though you'd have a shot at DO.

 

[breakdancerj]

You're effectively done for this cycle. There's no point in rushing a retake when you have a heavy course load AND work. That would be unwise in the first place, let alone this being a retake. You'll face pressure from school, work, and that from needing to score significantly better on a retake. None of that bodes particularly well for MCAT success.

Also, with that 27 you have very little hope of getting into an MD school (unless you have a relatively easy to get into state school), though you'd have a shot at DO.

I understand that my circumstances don't bode well for taking the MCAT as far as the other pressures and demands that I will have. However, I averaged a 32 on the last three AAMC tests I took. If I were to score above 30 the second time, would I be in the running, or would the lateness of my application make it pointless? I took the last test recently enough that I don't feel like I would be starting over. Also, do I have a lot to lose by trying again? I'd probably not take it until January anyhow if I decided to sit out a cycle.

 

[SN2ed]

Don't take for granted that you'll get a higher score, especially when you're stacking all the cards against you. That's an enormous mistake to make and one that people frequently commit.

 

[breakdancerj]

Don't take for granted that you'll get a higher score, especially when you're stacking all the cards against you. That's an enormous mistake to make and one that people frequently commit.

I agree. I do think I could take some time off work before the test. The thing that bothers me is that I only scored as low as a 27 one time out of 6 practice tests and there was only one other time that I even scored below 30 and both of those tests were early on. The first time I took it was not ideal as I was at the hospital the day before as my wife was showing signs of preeclampsia (my first child was born exactly a week after I took the test. My mother-in-law also flew in that day ... As I said before, I probably should have rescheduled. I also didn't bring any snacks into the test other than a Powerade because I thought I wouldn't have much time during breaks. I didn't know that there would only be 6 people testing. My brain literally burned out. Anyhow, I don't want to make excuses.

My score was also evenly split - 9 PS, 9 V, 9 BS. In practice tests, my ranges were 9-11 PS, 9-11 V, and 9-12 BS, with most scores in the upper part of those ranges on the last 4 tests I took. I don't want to take it for granted, but if I did break 30, would I even have a chance with submitting so late? What do I have to lose by trying again? I don't ask that rhetorically, but sincerely. I feel like a lot of people say that it is really bad to apply late, but why is the MCAT even offered in August if that is the case? Why do schools accept applications if all of their interview spots are somehow gone? These are things that I have heard but have not heard quantified. I really feel confused and not sure what alternatives I am considering. Thanks for your advice by the way.

 

[vayntraubinator]

If you have the materials to pull it off in front of you, and you're ready to commit 333% I'd say go for it.

9-9-9 is very improvable and you sound like a competitive applicant with your stats.

But you know yourself best. It's a gamble; but sometimes that's what life's about.

Think fast though.