I need advice!

[jumpingbean]

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I've seen really great advice in this forum and I would really appreciate any help/comments in two areas: whether to retake the MCAT in August and how weak/solid my profile is from the given information. I'll try to be brief and give lots of info. Thanks so much!

I have overall GPA 3.77, BCPM 3.65. I withdrew from two classes, and I started off with a 4.0 freshman yr but went down during my sophomore and junior years, and then up again senior year. (I know this is very bad).
MCAT PS:9, BS:9, V:10 (April 2004)
I held two research positions, volunteered at hospitals, held jobs (ie teaching karate, computer stuff), and was pretty active.
I am a business major, and graduated in May. In this year off, I am training as a EMT and for fire rescue, volunteering at a free clinic as a medical assistant, and hopefully getting a job to save up for med school.

I didn't have such a great testing day when I took the MCAT (sick), and before then, had only taken the sections individually and untimed, usually scoring BS: 12/13, PS: 12/13, V:13/14.

I need lots and lots of input! Please help!

 

[skypilot]

Borderline MCAT but everything else looks fine. If you think you can rock it you might retake it in August.

 

[Amy B]

Actually MCAt of 28 is right at the average so you will be fine if everything else is fine and your interviews are great.

I would suggest unless you are applying to the top schools, then do NOT retake the MCAT. What if you get less? Taking untimed practices is not a way to get an acturate read as to what you will get on the actual test.

Don't retake. I have a truckload of friends who have gotten into MD schools with 25-28 MCATs. Don't sweat the score you got. You should be fine with it. People seem to think you need above 30 to get in and from what I have seen in the years I have been on SDN and through my undergrad years as a premed, you don't need a 30 to get in.

Good luck.

 

[Medikit]

, and before then, had only taken the sections individually and untimed, usually scoring BS: 12/13, PS: 12/13, V:13/14.

That was a really bad idea, not only did you not get much out of that experience, but you wasted a good resource. You can't tell if you have trouble in an area unless you hit it while it's timed and it's better if you are exhausted from doing other passages (For V and BS anyways).

 

[VFrank]

That was a really bad idea, not only did you not get much out of that experience, but you wasted a good resource. You can't tell if you have trouble in an area unless you hit it while it's timed and it's better if you are exhausted from doing other passages (For V and BS anyways).

Yeah, you REALLY need to time these things. Most people can do just about any problem if given enough time -- but that's not the point of the MCAT. You also need to learn strategies about what to do when your time is running out and you can't answer all the questions.

 

[JayMiranti]

hey i had the exact same scores on the august mcat and last year and no luck at over 20 schools, and similar gpa. you often here about the exceptions that get in with those stats, unless you are a URM then you are set, so i thought id let you know someone who didnt get in, my advice would be to retake and/or apply to your state schools and focus on that.

 

[Mirror Form]

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untimed

Untimed? I second that "what kind of crack were you smoking" sentiment. If you have the time to study and think you can do better, then maybe taking it again is a good idea. You have tons of other stuff going for you though, so you can always just apply and see if you get again, then if you don't you can do some research and retake the mcat's then.

 

[jumpingbean]

thanks, everyone, for your replies. I've really gained a better perspective on things . ..

 

[willthatsall]

If you think you an do better in August, take it. If not, you have a good chance with those numbers. Whatever you do, apply EARLY.

 

[bigdan]

So the summary is that untimed wasn't good, which I agree with, and you now know not to do again. Know what? The Titanic plowing through that little iceberg wasn't a great idea either. Who cares? It's in the past!

You may wanna take a timed AAMC test or two if you're thinking of retake. In its entirety, under simulated conditions - 10 min. breaks, do the WS, etc. If you can clear 30, you may wanna retake. And if there were sections that you KNOW your knowledge was deficient in, then your retake need rises. I, personally, wouldn't retake with a 28. The risk of lower score is there. But 30 is the "magic" number, it seems.

The rest looks good.

Good luck!

dc