Importance of Applying Early or Retaking MCAT?

[turnitin13]

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Hi all! I've been running through this in my head but am not entirely sure what to do and would appreciate any advice. I'm a rising senior applying MD and DO this cycle, here are my stats:

3.95 GPA, 3.90 sGPA from top 25 liberal arts school
31 (10/11/10) MCAT 5/22
ECs w/leadership, shadowing, non-clinical volunteering, clinical volunteering, lots of research
AMCAS submitted 6/14 to one school, waiting for verification
Non-CA resident, caucausian

Just got my MCAT scores back today. I want to retake the MCAT -my main question is should I retake the test 7/12 or 7/24? I am signed up to take the July 12th test but think that taking it July 24th, giving me a lot of extra time to study, would be super beneficial especially because I am doing a research program during the day (full time). However, I fear that because the scores from 7/24 don't get released until the end of august I will be putting myself at a disadvantage-would this be too late in the cycle? I also want to apply to mid-tier schools but I know that they receive a lot of applications and start reviewing them early. Would taking the later test really hurt me?

Also, any advice on where to apply would be greatly appreciated! I only have until tomorrow or Thursday to change my MCAT date so I have to decide what to do ASAP. I am definitely applying this cycle and don't plan on taking a gap year. Thanks in advance!

 

[Osteoth]

What was your AAMC average? Are you really that confident you can score much better than your 31?

 

[Australopithekus]

Unless you're consistently scoring 35+ on AAMC practice exams, I wouldn't recommend a retake. Your numbers are good with the 31; about half of MD matriculants have a lower MCAT score.

 

[turnitin13]

What was your AAMC average? Are you really that confident you can score much better than your 31?

My AAMC average was a 32 (I got a 32 on all of the AAMC practice tests I took except one). I think that if I change my studying methods and do way more practice problems I can improve my score. By how much do you think I need to improve my score/is it realistic to improve a couple points?

 

[LMBLBM]

My AAMC average was a 32 (I got a 32 on all of the AAMC practice tests I took except one). I think that if I change my studying methods and do way more practice problems I can improve my score. By how much do you think I need to improve my score/is it realistic to improve a couple points?

If you can't improve your score by at least 2 points, I wouldn't retake it

 

[Cambover]

My AAMC average was a 32 (I got a 32 on all of the AAMC practice tests I took except one). I think that if I change my studying methods and do way more practice problems I can improve my score. By how much do you think I need to improve my score/is it realistic to improve a couple points?

Don't risk it. A 32 versus a 31 isn't a big enough difference. You won't miss out on an acceptance because of one point.

 

[Australopithekus]

My AAMC average was a 32 (I got a 32 on all of the AAMC practice tests I took except one). I think that if I change my studying methods and do way more practice problems I can improve my score. By how much do you think I need to improve my score/is it realistic to improve a couple points?

Are you joking??? Retaking now is a terrible idea. From what I've heard (from a small, non-random sample, of course), most people seem to score slightly worse than their AAMC practice average. I did. Even if you hit your average, it wouldn't be a dramatic boost in your application. And how do you think it would look if you scored lower than the first exam?

 

[turnitin13]

I understand that the school of thought is that if you didn't score drastically higher on your practice tests then you shouldn't retake the exam. I do believe that I could have done more practice exams and problems and focused on my weaknesses if I had more time to study for the first exam. I also know that at this point its risk vs reward. Is there even the possibility that I could study enough to raise my score by 4-5 points?

 

[Osteoth]

Are you joking??? Retaking now is a terrible idea. From what I've heard (from a small, non-random sample, of course), most people seem to score slightly worse than their AAMC practice average. I did. Even if you hit your average, it wouldn't be a dramatic boost in your application. And how do you think it would look if you scored lower than the first exam?

In addition, you have to consider the timeline if you are going to apply this cycle for sure. A 31 vs a 32 is not going to make or break your application, but applying in September vs. June can.

 

[claduva94]

You do not have enough time to increase your score by 4-5 points and apply this cycle. Honestly, I would just apply because the 31 and your GPA will be just fine.

 

[turnitin13]

Thanks for all of the helpful advice everyone! I know that it is a big risk to retake the mcat. Do you think I would be better off applying with my current score now and being early in the cycle or retaking the mcat and possibly being late in the application process? I have already submitted my primary and if I retake the mcat I will pre-write secondaries so that they are ready to go when the retake score would come out.

 

[Goro]

Suggest that you do NOT retake. It's fine for plenty of schools (DO and MD)...probably over 40. So quit fussing and start applying!


Just got my MCAT scores back today. I want to retake the MCAT -my main question is should I retake the test 7/12 or 7/24? I am signed up to take the July 12th test but think that taking it July 24th, giving me a lot of extra time to study, would be super beneficial especially because I am doing a research program during the day (full time). However, I fear that because the scores from 7/24 don't get released until the end of august I will be putting myself at a disadvantage-would this be too late in the cycle? I also want to apply to mid-tier schools but I know that they receive a lot of applications and start reviewing them early. Would taking the later test really hurt me?

Also, any advice on where to apply would be greatly appreciated! I only have until tomorrow or Thursday to change my MCAT date so I have to decide what to do ASAP. I am definitely applying this cycle and don't plan on taking a gap year. Thanks in advance![/QUOTE]

 

[turnitin13]

Suggest that you do NOT retake. It's fine for plenty of schools (DO and MD)...probably over 40. So quit fussing and start applying!


Just got my MCAT scores back today. I want to retake the MCAT -my main question is should I retake the test 7/12 or 7/24? I am signed up to take the July 12th test but think that taking it July 24th, giving me a lot of extra time to study, would be super beneficial especially because I am doing a research program during the day (full time). However, I fear that because the scores from 7/24 don't get released until the end of august I will be putting myself at a disadvantage-would this be too late in the cycle? I also want to apply to mid-tier schools but I know that they receive a lot of applications and start reviewing them early. Would taking the later test really hurt me?

Also, any advice on where to apply would be greatly appreciated! I only have until tomorrow or Thursday to change my MCAT date so I have to decide what to do ASAP. I am definitely applying this cycle and don't plan on taking a gap year. Thanks in advance!

[/QUOTE]

Thanks for you response @Goro ! Your suggestion along with the others in this thread has really made me rethink retaking the exam. However, I am interested in some mid-top tier MD schools and am worried that I won't have a good chance because of my MCAT score. Would I have a better chance at these schools or anywhere if I apply now or assuming I do better on a later MCAT, applying later? If I did retake it, do you think that there is a certain score I need to aim for to be competitive for mid-upper tier MD schools and would it be realistic to improve that much? Thank you again!!

 

[Lamel]

A 31 while you are averaging 32 is an expected score. I don't think you have enough time to raise your score to 34+.

 

[Cambover]

Thanks for you response @Goro ! Your suggestion along with the others in this thread has really made me rethink retaking the exam. However, I am interested in some mid-top tier MD schools and am worried that I won't have a good chance because of my MCAT score. Would I have a better chance at these schools or anywhere if I apply now or assuming I do better on a later MCAT, applying later? If I did retake it, do you think that there is a certain score I need to aim for to be competitive for mid-upper tier MD schools and would it be realistic to improve that much? Thank you again!![/QUOTE]
Apply anyway. You have no idea which schools you'll interview at or get into.

I would apply to 20% reach, 20% "safety," and 60% match for your stats.

 

[snowflakes]

"If you take the test a second time, test designers and admissions officers expect improvement because you now have “test familiarity.” In order to impress them, scores must improve substantially"
Source: http://www.career.cornell.edu/paths/health/medschool/mcat/upload/MCATbasics10.pdf

I think there's too much of a chance that your score won't improve substantially. Your first test average was a 32. I think a retake is not worth it unless you can get up to 35-36+, but I'm unsure how practical that is. Is there anything you feel was lacking in your first study plan? How are you changing things now? Are you practice tests going to be consistently in the 36+ range? I know it's hard to get a score lower than your average, but honestly, even getting a 32 or 33 probably won't look that much better since you weren't able to improve your score more dramatically with additional preparation. It's easy to get bogged down by trying to perfect every part of your application to the best of your ability, but sometimes it's better just to move on and start working on the next step. Whatever you decide, best of luck with your application!

 

[Goro]

Your 31 is well below the floor for mid-tiers like Pitt or NYU. I believe you'd be autorejected from them. For them, a 34 is the floor, and 36 is their median. For top tiers, 37+ is the median. You'll get just as good an education at Tulane as from Pitt.

Because of the risk of a retake yielding a lower score, the same score or only an increase of 1-2 points, as opposed to a 4+ point increase, I cannot advise a retake, and in fact, think it would be foolish without serious prep time.


Thanks for you response @Goro ! Your suggestion along with the others in this thread has really made me rethink retaking the exam. However, I am interested in some mid-top tier MD schools and am worried that I won't have a good chance because of my MCAT score. Would I have a better chance at these schools or anywhere if I apply now or assuming I do better on a later MCAT, applying later? If I did retake it, do you think that there is a certain score I need to aim for to be competitive for mid-upper tier MD schools and would it be realistic to improve that much? Thank you again!![/QUOTE]

 

[Eppur Si Muove]

Your GPA and MCAT numbers are fine. The MCAT has been notoriously rough so far this year so retakes could be risky

 

[baxt1412]

1) get MSAR subscription
2) apply intelligently this cycle

 

[Osteoth]

Your 31 is well below the floor for mid-tiers like Pitt or NYU. I believe you'd be autorejected from them. For them, a 34 is the floor, and 36 is their median. For top tiers, 37+ is the median. You'll get just as good an education at Tulane as from Pitt.

Because of the risk of a retake yielding a lower score, the same score or only an increase of 1-2 points, as opposed to a 4+ point increase, I cannot advise a retake, and in fact, think it would be foolish without serious prep time.

Geez, a floor in the 93rd percentile...

 

[lobo.solo]

I second this. Submit asap and pre-write secondaries.

1) get MSAR subscription
2) apply intelligently this cycle

 

[mrh125]

dont retake that. retaking is for sub 30s. your stats is fine and i'm there's a far more constructive way too utilize your time.

 

[Goro]

I must apologize to OP...I didn't have my MSAR handy when replying to his/her post. For NYU, 32 is the floor. a 31 like OP has puts it in the <10th percentile, which I don't think is realistic, given that NYU's median is 36.

For other mid tiers:
Pitt: 31 (floor) 36 (median).
Vanderbilt: 32/36
BU: 31/35 worth a crack OP!
Mt Sinai: 33/37
USC: 30/35 (not sanguine about this one)
Emory: 31/35 also worth a crack

This is why I advise "apply strategically"

Geez, a floor in the 93rd percentile...

 

[turnitin13]

Thank you all for your guidance and suggestions! I really appreciate the help 🙂

 

[futuremdforme]

With that practice score, I would personally not redo the mcat. You could consider redoing it in Jan. depending on how you application is received. You'll want to make sure you can bring it up to 34 at least though.