Low MCAT, apply early vs. High MCAT, apply later

[Mutterkuchen]

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I realize that there have been dozens of questions such as this in the last couple of days, but this is a little different.

Which is better a 27 MCAT and a June submittal. Or a 30-31 MCAT (taken late, August 2002) and a July submittal?

I feel that I have a borderline score and would rather not take the MCAT in August. I will, though, if necessary.

 

[relatively prime]

With those scores... I say submit in now. A 27 is not too bad (assuming you don't have less than an 8 in verbal or less than a 7 in any section). If you decide to retake, I'd let the schools know that you plan on re-taking the MCAT in August... maybe send out a letter.

 

[encee]

JBJ:

I think it really depends on the other characteristics of your application, and whether your score is balanced (9-9-9) or uneven. If you have a 7 or below in one section, I think that to send your app in early won't do a whole lot to get you acknowledged earlier. If schools think they might interview you, they will probably opt to do it later once they have reviewed more appliacations and see where you fall within the pool of applications.

Also, it depends on where you wish to go to school. The difference between a 27 and 30 is a big deal.

The MCAT sucks, but think of it like this...
Would you rather apply earlier w/ 27 and potentially not get in or give yourself another shot to make your application the best it possibly can be by taking Aug MCATs and doing better?

I was in a similar circumstance last summer (and I had applied once before) and I chose to do August MCAT (actually spoke to people who sit on med school adcoms). Fortunately I did well on MCATs, but realize that there is something you can do to strengthen your application a WHOLE lot. Taking august MCAT, and scoring better, could end up saving you a whole lot of time, energy, and money in the long run.

Keep a long term vision. This is what will get you through the short term frustrations.

good luck

 

[Mutterkuchen]

My scores were 8V,9PS,10B, P writing sample. Not horribly unbalanced. I certainly do not feel overly frustrated or anxious, not yet at least. I just want to present the best application possible. Is the time lost by retaking and having your application delayed worth the higher score. I am relatively confident I could do better, though I think that 30-31 is the max that I could hope for August.

Initially I thought that I would apply early with my 27 and then retake in April if things are not looking promising. I would prefer, though, not to have to go through this process twice. I want to maximize my chances this year.

 

[Doctora Foxy]

I took the April mcat, but sent in AMCAS in early October with my 27 MCAT (9,9,9). I regretted it for a while and wished I retook in August, since I applied late anyway. I took a risk and luckily it all worked out. I think if the rest of your application is strong, you can get in somewhere if you apply early. However, if you want to give yourself options, I reccommend retaking in August. If you really don't want to retake the MCAT though, just go ahead and apply now. Now that I think about it, I studied hard and I don't think I could have improved in such a short time, so I'm glad I didn't retake. But that's just me :wink:

 

[Pinki]

So should someone with a 27 MCAT submit now (if she has everything done and ready to go)or wait til August?
My gut says get it in now, send letter with secondaries alerting them you're retaking in August, concentrate on studying for August, then when your scores are out, your ready?
Just my gut, which also says it needs chocolate!

 

[Doctora Foxy]

But if you plan on retaking, say so on AMCAS. Schools will send rejections for that mcat score if they don't know you plan on retaking on AMCAS.

 

[encee]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by Doctora Foxy:
•But if you plan on retaking, say so on AMCAS. Schools will send rejections for that mcat score if they don't know you plan on retaking on AMCAS.•••••But med schools will also not really evaluate application until August MCAT scores have arrived (if indicated you will take august test). This is around mid to end October.

If you indicate you will take August MCATs and submit this on AMCAS, and then change your mind, you can notify AMCAS of the change and they will notify med schools, but this probably takes many weeks to get to the med schools!