If I have to take the MCAT 3 times, how bad is this for mid-top tier schools?

[studentdoctor08]

Hey everyone, I just took the MCAT for a second time this past January, and feel pretty stressed out about it. If I'm not happy with my score, I might have to take a third time. How badly will this affect me if I want to aim for mid-top tier schools?

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[icevermin]

I'm not sure what you mean by mid-tier or high-tier but a Dean of Admissions literally told me that 3x is not a big deal. I think I might even do it thrice

 

[Snackish]

I will be taking 3rd time so also like to know. Would guess the tier of the school doesn't matter nearly as much as the actual score. It's a definite risk to take 3 times, but I decide to do it.

 

[gyngyn]

Hey everyone, I just took the MCAT for a second time this past January, and feel pretty stressed out about it. If I'm not happy with my score, I might have to take a third time. How badly will this affect me if I want to aim for mid-top tier schools?

Risks include: getting the same score even after seeing a representative example and having the opportunity to study for the re-take, getting a lower score (which happens rather often, unfortunately) and getting a marginally better score.

Re-taking a good score is in separate category of unwise behavior.

Since the AMCAS application includes all scores in historic order the tale told by the various outcomes is left to the imagination of the reader.

I have seen examples of applicants taking the MCAT more than a dozen times. I have seen no data to indicate what effect the number of re-takes has on admission but as an independant variable it can't be good.

 

[Goro]

Concur here; many people seem to plateau, or risk knowledge decay.

Risks include: getting the same score even after seeing a representative example and having the opportunity to study for the re-take, getting a lower score (which happens rather often, unfortunately) and getting a marginally better score.

Re-taking a good score is in separate category of unwise behavior.

Since the AMCAS application includes all scores in historic order the tale told by the various outcomes is left to the imagination of the reader.

I have seen examples of applicants taking the MCAT more than a dozen times. I have seen no data to indicate what effect the number of re-takes has on admission but as an independant variable it can't be good.

 

[deleted314957]

Hey everyone, I just took the MCAT for a second time this past January, and feel pretty stressed out about it. If I'm not happy with my score, I might have to take a third time. How badly will this affect me if I want to aim for mid-top tier schools?

why not any US allopathic school? it realy does not matter.

 

[plumhill]

Hey everyone, I just took the MCAT for a second time this past January, and feel pretty stressed out about it. If I'm not happy with my score, I might have to take a third time. How badly will this affect me if I want to aim for mid-top tier schools?

Well first, wait and see what you got. Also, if your score is >30, its usually not a great idea to retake unless you do SIGNIFICANTLY more preparation, and/or you know that you royally screwed up a section that you shouldn't've. In the grand scheme of things, if you do end up needing to retake, three times isn't bad, but if you're just looking at mid or top-tier schools (which is pretty shallow and narrow-minded on your part, but I won't get into that since others already have) note that you're going up against people who got 35+ their first time around.

 

[mcloaf]

What scores are we talking about and what are "mid top tier" schools?

 

[eDITN]

This entirely depends on how you score on the subsequent tests. If you improve dramatically, then I think schools look at this quite fondly. For "top" schools, however, your chances are more dependent on your experiences outside of your GPA/MCAT. The stats are a given for most applicants at top schools but ECs and life experiences are what set applicants apart.

 

[MedPR]

If you improve it doesn't matter.

 

[gyngyn]

If you improve it doesn't matter.

It does matter (just not in a good way!).

 

[MedPR]

It does matter (just not in a good way!).

Improving matters in a bad way? 😕

 

[plumhill]

It does matter (just not in a good way!).

I think gyngyn means it matters in a bad way, in that having to re-take the MCAT usually isn't ideal.

If you retake and improve, that's good. If you retake and get the same score or a lower score, that's not good.

 

[gyngyn]

Improving matters in a bad way? 😕

Many reviewers expect an improvement in any re-taken test just because you have seen the material before. A re-take with a marginally superior score just confirms their original opinion of your test-taking skills and does little to advance the application.

 

[darkjedi]

It depends on what you got the first two times.

Some schools average your MCATs and taking it a 3rd time will only marginally help your application, even if you do better.

 

[October88]

It depends on what you got the first two times.

Some schools average your MCATs and taking it a 3rd time will only marginally help your application, even if you do better.

I took my MCAT 3 times and significantly increased my score the last time (I studied smarter and used the Exam Cracker books). The second time I took it I did not study much more than I did the first time (like you). I applied to a lot of mid and low tier schools because I was worried how that would impact my chances, but realized I just wasted a lot of money doing that. Some schools asked me about it and it was not a big deal at all. I would retake it again if you are consistently scoring hugher on AAMC practice tests and apply to schools based on the highest score you got. Good luck!

 

[katniss09]

I took my MCAT 3 times and significantly increased my score the last time (I studied smarter and used the Exam Cracker books). The second time I took it I did not study much more than I did the first time (like you). I applied to a lot of mid and low tier schools because I was worried how that would impact my chances, but realized I just wasted a lot of money doing that. Some schools asked me about it and it was not a big deal at all. I would retake it again if you are consistently scoring hugher on AAMC practice tests and apply to schools based on the highest score you got. Good luck!

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[IlDestriero]

Generally the top tier medical schools are populated with people that have excelled at nearly everything they've ever done and live two standard deviations above everyone else. So yea, having to take the MCAT 3 times is going to be an issue at those schools.

 

[katniss09]

Generally the top tier medical schools are populated with people that have excelled at nearly everything they've ever done and live two standard deviations above everyone else. So yea, having to take the MCAT 3 times is going to be an issue at those schools.

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[WompyWomperton]

I did poorly the first 2 times I took the MCAT. My suggestion would be to re-assess your study habits and retake it only if you think that your MCAT score does not represent what you are capable of. The only thing I changed the third year was taking all the Kaplan and AAMC practice test. I did very little studying of the material itself because the formality and timing of the test was all that was holding me back. I raised my MCAT 5 points above my prior best score.

If you can get it up, it will make you a better applicant. Weigh your options and do what you think is best. If you decide to retake, go HAM because I wouldn't recommend taking it more than 3 times.

 

[katniss09]

I did poorly the first 2 times I took the MCAT. My suggestion would be to re-assess your study habits and retake it only if you think that your MCAT score does not represent what you are capable of. The only thing I changed the third year was taking all the Kaplan and AAMC practice test. I did very little studying of the material itself because the formality and timing of the test was all that was holding me back. I raised my MCAT 5 points above my prior best score.

If you can get it up, it will make you a better applicant. Weigh your options and do what you think is best. If you decide to retake, go HAM because I wouldn't recommend taking it more than 3 times.

If you applied this cycle, did this hold you back at all, or did you have a relatively successful cycle?

 

[WompyWomperton]

If you applied this cycle, did this hold you back at all, or did you have a relatively successful cycle?

Well, I wasn't your typical SDN applicant (apply to 50 schools and interview at 25, 3 wait list and 2 acceptance type of stuff). I applied to two schools that I liked and would pick up and go to at the drop of a hat. I got into one of them (my first choice and IS institution), so absolutely successful. 😀

 

[katniss09]

Well, I wasn't your typical SDN applicant (apply to 50 schools and interview at 25, 3 wait list and 2 acceptance type of stuff). I applied to two schools that I liked and would pick up and go to at the drop of a hat. I got into one of them (my first choice and IS institution), so absolutely successful. 😀

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[WompyWomperton]

Wow, congrats! That's ballsy, especially with today's competition. This makes me feel slightly better, thanks. I have faith that I can turn this around and get 30+ on my 3rd retake. I just don't want to give up on MD just yet, especialy when I know that I can do better than the scores that I have gotten so far. What was your GPA, out of curiosity?

3.6 gpa, my science gpa was maybe just above 3.5? To tell you the truth, I never sat down and calculated it, I just knew I had more As than Bs. Like I said, I'm not your average SDN applicant.

The best thing you can do is hit the things that matter hard: volunteering, shadowing, etc. the best thing I did my years off was volunteer. Really put everything in perspective for me. They should motivate you through the MCAT monster one more time.

 

[katniss09]

3.6 gpa, my science gpa was maybe just above 3.5? To tell you the truth, I never sat down and calculated it, I just knew I had more As than Bs. Like I said, I'm not your average SDN applicant.

The best thing you can do is hit the things that matter hard: volunteering, shadowing, etc. the best thing I did my years off was volunteer. Really put everything in perspective for me. They should motivate you through the MCAT monster one more time.

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