If you retake during an app cycle, which MCAT score do they use?

[hockeyhy]

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If I apply today and get verified within a few weeks, then retake the MCAT July 16th and not have my scores out until August 17th, will they look at my old MCAT score and base their decision off that? In that case, is it a better idea to NOT submit until I get my new, retaken MCAT score?

 

[bonsaitree1]

If I apply today and get verified within a few weeks, then retake the MCAT July 16th and not have my scores out until August 17th, will they look at my old MCAT score and base their decision off that? In that case, is it a better idea to NOT submit until I get my new, retaken MCAT score?

If you stated that you will take the MCAT on a future date, then they will wait for your future scores and you will not be considered complete until they have those scores.

 

[mdbound1987]

If you stated that you will take the MCAT on a future date, then they will wait for your future scores and you will not be considered complete until they have those scores.

This is not true in all cases. For some schools, if your first score is up to their standards and your gpa, ECs, PS, etc. are great, they can offer you an interview before your 2nd score arrives. I retook my mcat last year in late august, but I received an interview at Tufts in early september before my 2nd score even arrived.

 

[NickNaylor]

I believe most people think schools will use the most recent score.

 

[Medhatter]

This is not true in all cases. For some schools, if your first score is up to their standards and your gpa, ECs, PS, etc. are great, they can offer you an interview before your 2nd score arrives. I retook my mcat last year in late august, but I received an interview at Tufts in early september before my 2nd score even arrived.

Did you indicate that you were going to retake in late August in your AMCAS application?



Also, this is a question to anyone who's familiar with the nuances. What happens if you don't tell them you are going to write the MCAT and go ahead to write one anyways like in late August, if you submited in early July? (Given that your previous MCAT is competitive of course) Would you be penalized for it if the new MCAT is significantly higher than your previous one?

 

[mdbound1987]

Did you indicate that you were going to retake in late August in your AMCAS application?



Also, this is a question to anyone who's familiar with the nuances. What happens if you don't tell them you are going to write the MCAT and go ahead to write one anyways like in late August, if you submited in early July? (Given that your previous MCAT is competitive of course) Would you be penalized for it if the new MCAT is significantly higher than your previous one?

Yeah I took my first mcat May 1st last year, received the scores in time to apply the first day amcas opened (I believe it was June 2nd). I was not happy with my score, so when I hit submit, I indicated under the mcat section that I would be retaking it in late august.

 

[hockeyhy]

This topic is more geared to people who are applying NOW with a score that hasn't been released yet, and then the effect of a later retake on their current cycle.

 

[Medhatter]

This topic is more geared to people who are applying NOW with a score that hasn't been released yet, and then the effect of a later retake on their current cycle.

What's the difference? By the time your apps gets completed you'll have a score already if you are waiting for a score now.

 

[Amadelphous]

If I apply today and get verified within a few weeks, then retake the MCAT July 16th and not have my scores out until August 17th, will they look at my old MCAT score and base their decision off that? In that case, is it a better idea to NOT submit until I get my new, retaken MCAT score?

Do not wait to submit your app. Waiting to be verified until the major rush can really delay your application. There are plenty of people with NO score who submit the primary. It is true that you won't be "complete" until your score comes, but if you go on and verify your primary you can start getting secondaries 24 hours after your score comes out instead of 4-6 weeks later. If your first score is competitive you can submit your primary and secondary, then maybe your score will just help in terms of getting an interview. Again, all that is much faster than waiting.

Just indicate as mentioned above that you are planning to retake. In response to the other question: Not indicating that you are retaking won't matter to the med schools, just beware that they will be more likely to make a decision based on your submitted information and not revisit your file. So if you are going to retake, indicate that on your app to avoid a premature decision.

 

[Medhatter]

Do not wait to submit your app. Waiting to be verified until the major rush can really delay your application. There are plenty of people with NO score who submit the primary. It is true that you won't be "complete" until your score comes, but if you go on and verify your primary you can start getting secondaries 24 hours after your score comes out instead of 4-6 weeks later. If your first score is competitive you can submit your primary and secondary, then maybe your score will just help in terms of getting an interview. Again, all that is much faster than waiting.

Just indicate as mentioned above that you are planning to retake. In response to the other question: Not indicating that you are retaking won't matter to the med schools, just beware that they will be more likely to make a decision based on your submitted information and not revisit your file. So if you are going to retake, indicate that on your app to avoid a premature decision.

So there is no penalty at all for not telling them that you are writing a later MCAT? Has anyone done this before or is there a description about this in any official documents?

Thanks

 

[mdbound1987]

what's the difference? By the time your apps gets completed you'll have a score already if you are waiting for a score now.

+1