just bombed 2nd mcat. not sure whether to retake

[scarfscarfscarf]

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bomb

 

[JeetKuneDo]

mcat: 26Q first
25R second

GPA 3.5
science 3.3

already submitted my primaries. not sure what my options are

Since you already submitted primaries, you might as well wait it off. It's probably too late to take it a third time. Some schools might take your best score from each section.

 

[scarfscarfscarf]

i didn't apply anywhere last time. i just decided to wait. since i already submitted my application to several MD schools, is it possible to submit my app to DO schools as well? even to the same schools? i'm not sure what my options are right now. i posted this in another thread

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what should i do though? i already submitted my primaries to 18 schools with letters of rec and everything. i don't think i can ask for letters of rec from the professors again, and i don't want to go through the hassle of rewriting my personal statement.

my ideal situation would be to retake the mcat in august and somehow have the schools i applied to wait for my third mcat (which i haven't talked about in my primaries). i'm not sure if that's even possible though.

i could apply to DO schools, but since i already applied to several MD schools, is it possible to simultaneously apply to the DO schools there as well? even after i've already applied to their MD programs?

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wait a year and retake in january then reapply in june. would it count as reapplying though if i rescinded my application somehow midway through the process?

 

[rkaz]

If you are interested in DO schools, get your application in immediately. Just shorten the personal statement you used for your AMCAS (MD) application, and use the shortened version for your AACOMAS (DO) application. If you had your MD school letters of recommendation sent to your prehealth office, ask them if they can forward a copy of those letters to the DO schools. Hopefully the letters should be fine (assuming your letter writers didn't specifically say in their letters why you'd be a great MD).

If you get on the ball with things right away, I see no reason why you would have to apply again next year. You certainly have a shot at DO schools. Your stats are quite average, but if your extracurriculars and letters of recommendation are strong - you could still manage to get in somewhere.

 

[scarfscarfscarf]

I already submitted my primaries to MD schools, is there some way to rescind them so as to apply for "the first time" next year?

 

[Longshanks]

I already submitted my primaries to MD schools, is there some way to rescind them so as to apply for "the first time" next year?

You can withdraw your application, however whether or not you are considered a 're-applicant' is school dependent. Example, according to AECOM's website, if one withdrew their application before submitting a secondary they are not considered a re-applicant for AECOM. Most schools though, I believe, will consider you a 're-applicant'.

 

[scarfscarfscarf]

i apologize for the duplicate threads, but presently i'm mostly interested in whether an august third retake would help my chances for primaries already submitted.

 

[UTsksk]

It just really depends if you feel that if you retake the mcat now if you'll really improve. I think you should think of why you didn't get the score you wanted. Were your practice exam scores around the same as the real score or did you just get really nervous and not reach your potential?

 

[Food]

I would advise against retaking this year - I highly doubt you can jump to the 30+ range if both your first two attempts were sub 28. It isn't impossible, just highly unlikely. You either have to do DO / Carrib. or retake MCAT in Jan. and apply next year - those are your only two solid options. August / September MCAT are both too soon for you to make the kind of gains you need.

 

[anna01106]

i didn't apply anywhere last time. i just decided to wait. since i already submitted my application to several MD schools, is it possible to submit my app to DO schools as well? even to the same schools? i'm not sure what my options are right now. i posted this in another thread

----

what should i do though? i already submitted my primaries to 18 schools with letters of rec and everything. i don't think i can ask for letters of rec from the professors again, and i don't want to go through the hassle of rewriting my personal statement.

my ideal situation would be to retake the mcat in august and somehow have the schools i applied to wait for my third mcat (which i haven't talked about in my primaries). i'm not sure if that's even possible though.

i could apply to DO schools, but since i already applied to several MD schools, is it possible to simultaneously apply to the DO schools there as well? even after i've already applied to their MD programs?

--

wait a year and retake in january then reapply in june. would it count as reapplying though if i rescinded my application somehow midway through the process?

for most schools, i think they only consider you a "reapplicant" if you submitted a secondary to them. it seems like you haven't done that yet...

i'm no expert, but i have lurked around the forum and my impression is that the last MCAT you can register for is september 12 for this year's cycle - if you think this would be enough time for you to get your score to even a 29 or 30, then I say go for it. if you're not feeling confident, then i would wait until next year. study up for the test, beef up your application with volunteer work or clinical experience, and feel much more confident for next year, and i'm sure you'll get it 🙂 best of luck!

 

[DaTruMD]

You won't have a chance at an MD with those stats. Go for DO. 👍

 

[cleothecat]

A 25 or 26 is not bombing the MCAT. It is an average score amongst a highly select group of test takers.

It leaves you some options amongst MD, plenty of options amongst DO, and unlimited potential amongst PA , podiatry,optometry, radiation sciences, etc.

You can still have a great career in the health sciences.

 

[faith2]

It is not too late to apply to DO. Just hurry up. Do not give up. If you have the money to spare you should follow through with the md applications. It can not hurt since you already started.

 

[njbmd]

i apologize for the duplicate threads, but presently i'm mostly interested in whether an august third retake would help my chances for primaries already submitted.

You have two poor MCAT scores. A third poor MCAT score will be the deathblow of your application anywhere. Figure out why you are doing so poorly on the MCAT and fix your problems. Once that is taken care of, you might have a shot but to keep taking the MCAT without some serious "damage control" does not show sound thinking and is likely to put you in an very poor position for acceptance anywhere in the future.