Is it a necessary to re-take a good MCAT if my state school is selective?

[kitkat13]

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Hi all!

I am a VA resident, and UVA has a mean MCAT of 517(!!!!)

I have a 511 MCAT and 3.8 GPA, and am pretty well rounded, but I am worried that it's clearly not close to 517. Does this warrant a re-take?

 

[Lawpy]

I don't know what UVA policy on multiple MCAT scores is. But if it involves averaging (as recommended by AAMC), you would need a 523+ on the retake.

A 511 is probably 10th percentile for UVA, so while you may have a shot, I wouldn't bet on it and instead focus more on other state schools in VA

 

[kitkat13]

Thank you! That makes sense.

Is there a way to use the MSAR to identify OOS schools that take a relatively high percentage of out of state students?

I am not sure if VA schools are a sure bet for me.

 

[rolliespring]

Thank you! That makes sense.

Is there a way to use the MSAR to identify OOS schools that take a relatively high percentage of out of state students?

I am not sure if VA schools are a sure bet for me.

You have to look at each school independently on MSAR. I would start with schools with a median 511/32 MCAT and start narrowing down from there.

 

[gyngyn]

Thank you! That makes sense.

Is there a way to use the MSAR to identify OOS schools that take a relatively high percentage of out of state students?

I am not sure if VA schools are a sure bet for me.

Look at the acceptance tab at the bottom of the left column of each school.

 

[Goro]

Look at the acceptance information pages.

Note: state schools favor the home team, so you have to be > avg for them.

Thank you! That makes sense.

Is there a way to use the MSAR to identify OOS schools that take a relatively high percentage of out of state students?

I am not sure if VA schools are a sure bet for me.

 

[WedgeDawg]

Hi, I'm also a VA resident

UVA is a quite selective school and does tend to favor people with higher MCAT scores than many other state schools. A 511 is likely going to be below the threshold. However, Virginia also has two other state schools (EVMS and VCU) and one more school in state (VTech) and your 511 will be fine for all of them. I would only recommend retaking if you were getting an average of 515+ over many practice exams and feel like you severely underperformed on your real exam. Retaking a 511 and getting a 512 or worse, a 510 or below would not help you and would likely hurt you.

 

[libertyyne]

I do not believe you are outside the realm of possibility for UVA. Here is my argument why, IS stats may be lower compared to OOS stats.
UMich is a good example https://medicine.umich.edu/medschoo...ool/files/field/docs/5YearAdmSnapshot16_1.pdf
2. They may average your scores which makes it harder for you, They may look at your old score and still keep that in mind.
3. You may score lower than your 511.

That being said UVA is a though school to get into. Good Luck.

 

[kitkat13]

Hi, I'm also a VA resident

Thank you for your advice! Are you attending a VA med school?

 

[kitkat13]

I do not believe you are outside the realm of possibility for UVA. Here is my argument why, IS stats may be lower compared to OOS stats.
UMich is a good example https://medicine.umich.edu/medschoo...ool/files/field/docs/5YearAdmSnapshot16_1.pdf
2. They may average your scores which makes it harder for you, They may look at your old score and still keep that in mind.
3. You may score lower than your 511.

That being said UVA is a though school to get into. Good Luck.

Thank you! I appreciate your advice!

 

[WedgeDawg]

Thank you for your advice! Are you attending a VA med school?

No, but I was accepted to UVA and was offered an interview at VCU (which I did not attend)