In urgent need of advice regarding test date

[AnishTheOne]

Greetings SDN,

I'm finding myself in a dilemma as to whether or not to postpone my test date to Aug 15th. I am currently scheduled to take the MCAT on July 18th. However, at the rate at which I'm studying I don't think I'll finish all the material I intend to. Essentially, I'm pretty sure I won't score above a 31-32 if I take the test on July 18th. My goal is to score atleast a 35 or above to compensate for my rather low science gpa, 3.34, which will definitely be possible if I delay the test to August. My question is, how much am I hurting my chances of matriculating by taking the test so late in the year? Is it better to apply early with an average score or apply later with a better one?

As far as EC's go, I only have one semester of research/clinical experience working at a Tobacco Research and Intervention Program, but will be working at a Neurostructural lab and volunteering for the upcoming year.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

-Anish

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[ecoli]

where are you applying?

 

[AnishTheOne]

Many, many schools... the list is about 30 schools long.. I'm aware that different schools have different deadlines/cutoffs, but, in general, how do people who apply in August fare, if such a generalization can be made?

Some schools I'm interested in are Boston University, Penn State, University of South Florida, New York University, Tufts, etc..

 

[whatsupdoc08]

hey Anish are your from CT? West Hartford by any chance?

I think if you're not ready DONT TAKE IT. Im in the same predicament. Ive taken it before and felt the same way and now i have a crappy score under my belt. I'm gonna hold off even if i need to wait to apply early in next years cycle. Good luck to you

 

[AnishTheOne]

Na, I'm actually in Tampa doing my undergrad at USF. I'm just applying to all those schools up north because I used to live in Philadelphia and I've seen, as a trend, that educational standards tend to deteriorate the further south you go.

Thanks for the advice, I think I will reschedule. I'm curious though, you mentioned applying early for next year's cycle, if it comes to that.. what would you do during that full school year waiting? (assuming you'll be a senior come august)

 

[ravens11]

I was just about to ask the same question as the OP, but then I found this thread. I'm in the same boat. I'm scheduled for July 18th, but I want to push it back to August 5th: how bad will this hurt me? I sent my primary out June 15th to about 18 schools.

 

[aviary17]

It will not hurt your chances of admission to take the MCAT at a later date. Medical schools do not compromise quality students for earlier applicants. One of my friends is even on the admissions board at a rolling admissions school, and he confirmed this to me. Best of luck, and please don't take it until you're ready. Regards 🙂

 

[PrinceAli2786]

It will not hurt your chances of admission to take the MCAT at a later date. Medical schools do not compromise quality students for earlier applicants. One of my friends is even on the admissions board at a rolling admissions school, and he confirmed this to me. Best of luck, and please don't take it until you're ready. Regards 🙂

I heard the opposite too kind of since the earlier you apply the better and pushing to exam back to August = Sept. release which is really late, then filling out the secondaries means they won't be complete at a school until say october/november and it might be really late since they would have given out majority of interview invites by then, right?

 

[Vihsadas]

It will not hurt your chances of admission to take the MCAT at a later date. Medical schools do not compromise quality students for earlier applicants. One of my friends is even on the admissions board at a rolling admissions school, and he confirmed this to me. Best of luck, and please don't take it until you're ready. Regards 🙂

You'll hear the opposite from admissions committee members at other schools. Having an earlier application is definitely an advantage, BUT, you should never, ever gamble your MCAT score for it. If you are not ready to do your best on the MCAT, do not take it! Take it only when you are ready to kill it.