is there hope?

[mangos3]

Hi, I'm a little worried after reading some of the posts on this site. Namely, those that have said how a bad score on the MCAT or retaking it more than once is like shooting yourself in the foot for medical school. I've already taken the MCAT once last April even though I knew I wasn't completely prepared, got a 28 (PS9, V10, BS9), and am retaking it this Saturday. On my practice tests, my scores have improved only slightly overall (very, very frustrating...), but I FEEL subjectively much more prepared than last year. I'm just wondering, if I don't do very well on the MCAT the second time this Saturday, am I doomed for medical school? And would it look bad if I took it again and improved, but only slightly? What about taking it a third time? =\

If anyone has gotten into med school with less than stellar MCAT scores, some inspirational stories would be helpful. Also, what did you do to compensate for a lower MCAT score?

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[sweetstuff25]

Hi, I'm a little worried after reading some of the posts on this site. Namely, those that have said how a bad score on the MCAT or retaking it more than once is like shooting yourself in the foot for medical school. I've already taken the MCAT once last April even though I knew I wasn't completely prepared, got a 28 (PS9, V10, BS9), and am retaking it this Saturday. On my practice tests, my scores have improved only slightly overall (very, very frustrating...), but I FEEL subjectively much more prepared than last year. I'm just wondering, if I don't do very well on the MCAT the second time this Saturday, am I doomed for medical school? And would it look bad if I took it again and improved, but only slightly?

If anyone has gotten into med school with less than stellar MCAT scores, some inspirational stories would be helpful. Also, what did you do to compensate for a lower MCAT score?

honestly, you should take everything on this site with a grain of salt. there are way too many gunners on this site that it is quite intimidating. just stick to your own goals and don't care what others are doing. that's the best i can give you cuz it's only fews day before the mcat and it's not worth freaking out this late in the game.

 

[hrtrs]

Hi mangos,
After getting my first bad score on the MCAT, I called adcoms at a few schools, and what they told me was that they looked for improvement, so although I didn't do well the first time, they encouraged me to take a prep class and do better, and that they were happy that I cared so much about applying that I sought their feedback. That being said, your 28 score is a great score, contrary to what the boards may say here, it is, I actually know of several people who got into top schools with that score, they had a great personal statement, and a good/decent GPA, nothing stellar, but they got in. Hang in there, because I think your score is just fine and will improve if you are concerned about that. What I must tell you is that one friend had your score, retook, and went down 1 point, but he still got into a top CA UC med school. Schools are more understanding than we think. I am sure you will be great. Good luck.

 

[mangos3]

Hi mangos,
After getting my first bad score on the MCAT, I called adcoms at a few schools, and what they told me was that they looked for improvement, so although I didn't do well the first time, they encouraged me to take a prep class and do better, and that they were happy that I cared so much about applying that I sought their feedback. That being said, your 28 score is a great score, contrary to what the boards may say here, it is, I actually know of several people who got into top schools with that score, they had a great personal statement, and a good/decent GPA, nothing stellar, but they got in. Hang in there, because I think your score is just fine and will improve if you are concerned about that. What I must tell you is that one friend had your score, retook, and went down 1 point, but he still got into a top CA UC med school. Schools are more understanding than we think. I am sure you will be great. Good luck.

thanks, hrtrs. that makes me feel a lot better. i wonder what other people have to say about this, too.

 

[foofish]

I know a fair number of people who had to retake, did much better the second time, and got into great med schools...including Harvard (I think he got a 27 the first time, and a 38 the second). So the SDN idea that retaking is the kiss of death isn't true. That said, depending on your situation, retaking could be unnecessary. Your advisor will have the best advice for your situation....good luck!

 

[docolive]

If anyone has gotten into med school with less than stellar MCAT scores, some inspirational stories would be helpful. Also, what did you do to compensate for a lower MCAT score?[/QUOTE]
listen, everything will be okay. I know numerous people who have gotten into state medical schools with scores between 24 and 30. There is hope; remember the process is random, and apply to as many schools as possible. I think an applicant who applies to 12 schools has a 50% acceptance rate according to the Pfizer manual.

 

[ilovehedgehogs]

I have never heard of this "retaking is shooting yourself in the foot" theory. I think thats a load of crap. Maybe what would be detrimental is retaking and doing worse? I got a 26 the first time and I have been told by every single legitimate source that a significant improvement will drastically help my application. and btw, a 28 really isnt so bad, id probably retake if I were you, but you could probably be accepted with that score assuming your gpa and ECs are good and you applied early...no such luck with a 26 tho

when i said improve significantly i meant for me with a 26, I think for you with a 28, even a 1 or 2 point improvement would help alot, and the fact that you took it in april means you can apply super early. Also, applying to a broad range of schools with a 28 or 29 should be fruitful depending on the rest of your app. dont worry itll work out!!

 

[EMH]

Hi, I'm a little worried after reading some of the posts on this site. Namely, those that have said how a bad score on the MCAT or retaking it more than once is like shooting yourself in the foot for medical school. I've already taken the MCAT once last April even though I knew I wasn't completely prepared, got a 28 (PS9, V10, BS9), and am retaking it this Saturday. On my practice tests, my scores have improved only slightly overall (very, very frustrating...), but I FEEL subjectively much more prepared than last year. I'm just wondering, if I don't do very well on the MCAT the second time this Saturday, am I doomed for medical school? And would it look bad if I took it again and improved, but only slightly? What about taking it a third time? =\

If anyone has gotten into med school with less than stellar MCAT scores, some inspirational stories would be helpful. Also, what did you do to compensate for a lower MCAT score?

A 9-10-9 is a good score since it i balanced. Someone else with a 7-11-10 would have a 28 but not such a good score. Here's some statistics I'm taking from a presentation my PMAC gave.

National MD Class of 2008 Admission Scores:
VR - 9.7
PS - 9.9
BS - 10.0

U of A premeds accepted and rejected at UAMS class of 2010: (does not include waitlisted not available at the time)
MCAT range accepted = 37-23: average 29.1
MCAT range not accepted = 32-13: average 21.1

UAMS is right there in the national average for MCAT scores and from what I hear they take the MCAT seriously. But you notice here that someone got accepted with a 23, and someone else was rejected with a 32. You're fine, concentrate on the rest of your app.