I completed a SMP last May and had a 3.5 cgpa. I am scheduled to take the MCAT in two days; however, my two recent practice exam scores have been around 499-497 with the lowest score being cars(121). I have applied to a few do schools but I havent heard back regarding interviews. Is it worth taking the MCAT now and possibly getting an interview with a 498-500+ MCAT or just retake later and apply next cycle? I have taken the mcat twice before(both sub 500) during undergrad and I believe my first one expired. How bad is it to take the MCAT 4 times?
In need of guidance
- Thread starter njk58nj
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You shouldn't take the MCAT if your practice scores are below 500. Ideally you would want to be at least around 505. Some DO schools will consider your application with a <500 MCAT score. If the rest of your application is champ then you should give it a shot, but if you're mediocre study like crazy and take it in 3-6 months if spots are still open. The more times you take the MCAT, the worse so don't keep taking it until you get a better score......spend the time to study and be prepped and ready for it.
Sorry its actually not a 3.5 cGPA I meant 3.5 gGPA..overall gpa is lower..and thanks. Not sure what you meant by champ? I have volunteering,research, and shadowing. I was hoping a SMP would make me stand out but I feel like its become pretty common.
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SMP programs can get a direct path to acceptance with some schools so it's not a bad option. What I mean by champ is that you have a lot of hours in volunteering, research, and shadowing that set you apart from other applicants. Volunteering in a hospital does not set you apart and working as a CNA definitely doesn't. If you have stellar EC's, then admissions committees could look over your low scores and want to invite you to interview. But if that's not the case, study and retake when you're ready.
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Do NOT take the MCAT until you are 100% ready! You have until Sept for the 2019-20 cycle anyway.
So I did end up voiding my MCAT because I wasnt ready. Another thing is I know that AACOMAS combines my uGPA and graduate gpa into an overall GPA. Overall GPA is 3.24 and overall science is 3.0. I am getting screened out by the few schools I applied too based on this and was open to considering suggestions considering the fact that I completed a SMP. My undergrad GPA was 3.17 uSGPA 2.84 and my graduate GPA from the SMP was 3.53 cumulative and 3.49 science gpa. I find it really disappointing that AACOMAS combines undergrad and graduate GPA into an overall GPA especially when these schools screen out for GPA for secondaries.
Agreed on the combined GPA. However, I think your progression in post-grad GPA will still serve you well down the road. I think it's important now to really nail that MCAT. I'd agree with others, exhaust the resources available to you. You can certainly get the CARS score up with lots of practice. In regards to the practice tests, were they AAMC or Kaplan/Princeton/other? In my experience with Kaplan, scores are deflated and the tests are difficult compared to the real thing.
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Third party exams are great for practicing timing and revealing content areas you need to brush up on. I think most of my classmates who took the exam multiple times said improving timing was the key for their eventually scoring better. I'd highly recommend doing what you suggest. I personally would study for a week, then block off every sunday to take a full length 3rd party exam. I then focused exclusively on AAMC materials in the few weeks before the exam. Helped a lot.
Good luck to you OP.
I followed a similar schedule --- third party first, then AAMC for the real feel. Just know that non-AAMC will push you on content. I'd argue that you're ready to move on to AAMC once your consistently above 500 on Kaplan/whatever you decide to take. I personally took six Kaplan and scored above 500 three of those times. Don't be discouraged by these scores, just keep targeting your weak areas.
You can do it! Best of luck OP!
