Lower Second MCAT score

[craniumhead]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

I scored a 504 on the first MCAt and then a 496. I am a Mexican American applying to MD and DO. I don't know if to explain my lower second MCAT score as having been due to being sick that week( which I was) or to just not mention the lower score in any questions that ask me to explain concerning things from my application. Any advice, is it worth mentioning I was sick or does it look like I'm just making excuses?? I've received a lot of secondaries but I'm worried about my chances with MD. I have two DO interviews as well. Do you think I'll make it?

 

[craniumhead]

How do you recommend mentioning it without it sound like I'm just giving excuses?

 

[FreeRadicals]

Going from a 504 to 496 is way different from going from a 504 to 512.

 

[BurntFlower]

Lower 2nd MCAT

You already posted about this exact topic before...

 

[craniumhead]

Lower 2nd MCAT

You already posted about this exact topic before...

not in this format, nor were the replies helpful or constructive in the last thread.

 

[BurntFlower]

not in this format, nor were the replies helpful or constructive in the last thread.

...there were plenty of constructive replies in the last one. Maybe you just didn't like the advice? I don't think you currently have any chance for MD schools with a 496 as your second score. If you want MD, you'll have to retake. For DO schools, you already have 2 interviews. Knock them out of the park.

 

[craniumhead]

...there were plenty of constructive replies in the last one. Maybe you just didn't like the advice? I don't think you currently have any chance for MD schools with a 496 as your second score. If you want MD, you'll have to retake. For DO schools, you already have 2 interviews. Knock them out of the park.

it isn't constructive if people just make comments like yikes, or that I lack judgement skills or commenting on my maturity. You can't make that kind of call unless you actually know the person. I believe I am a very mature individual and have strong qualities and PS, ECs, LOR. That's my opinion on that thread and the reason why I created a new one. Plus my question now is different, how should I address my secondaries in terms of referencing concerning points of an application.

 

[ciestar]

it isn't constructive if people just make comments like yikes, or that I lack judgement skills or commenting on my maturity. You can't make that kind of call unless you actually know the person. I believe I am a very mature individual and have strong qualities and PS, ECs, LOR. That's my opinion on that thread and the reason why I created a new one. Plus my question now is different, how should I address my secondaries in terms of referencing concerning points of an application.

Taking the mcat while sick was a bad idea and DOES show a lack of judgement. So no, do NOT explain this anywhere. People will wonder why you took it at all.

 

[Goro]

I scored a 504 on the first MCAt and then a 496. I am a Mexican American applying to MD and DO. I don't know if to explain my lower second MCAT score as having been due to being sick that week( which I was) or to just not mention the lower score in any questions that ask me to explain concerning things from my application. Any advice, is it worth mentioning I was sick or does it look like I'm just making excuses?? I've received a lot of secondaries but I'm worried about my chances with MD. I have two DO interviews as well. Do you think I'll make it?

DOA at my school.

I'm trying to say this in the nicest possible way, but try not to take career deciding, high stakes exams when you're not at your best. Med schools want students who make good choices.

do NOT mention this in secondaries, but be forewarned, some schools do ask for explanations for poor academics.

 

[BurntFlower]

it isn't constructive if people just make comments like yikes, or that I lack judgement skills or commenting on my maturity. You can't make that kind of call unless you actually know the person. I believe I am a very mature individual and have strong qualities and PS, ECs, LOR. That's my opinion on that thread and the reason why I created a new one. Plus my question now is different, how should I address my secondaries in terms of referencing concerning points of an application.

I hope you are aware that two Adcoms gave you advice in the last thread. AND people who review your app will make judgements on your personality based on what you write.

 

[craniumhead]

DOA at my school.

I'm trying to say this in the nicest possible way, but try not to take career deciding, high stakes exams when you're not at your best. Med schools want students who make good choices.

do NOT mention this in secondaries, but be forewarned, some schools do ask for explanations for poor academics.

Don't worry that doesn't sound harsh at all. I understand that they will want an explanation. I have just been worrying as to whether it'd be best to give any explanation now or to wait. But it sounds like I should just not mention the lower score and wait for an interview to explain if they ask. My last DO interview didn't ask me at all so we'll see.

 

[craniumhead]

I hope you are aware that two Adcoms gave you advice in the last thread. AND people who review your app will make judgements on your personality based on what you write.

they can make judgements but posting them in a thread where a person seeks advice does not often aid in the situation. its preferred to either give your advice or aid, or say nothing at all. it is that simple.

 

[rdyotz]

Part of the benefit of forums is that the information is stored for future users. Therefore, stating that it was a poor choice not to void may not help you, but it could help someone down the line that saw this thread.

 

[Shotapp]

Part of the benefit of forums is that the information is stored for future users. Therefore, stating that it was a poor choice not to void may not help you, but it could help someone down the line that saw this thread.

This!

OP
You don't need to know a person to form an opinion based on the choices they make or situation they have dug themselves into. Also don't be so sensitive this is sdn...

 

[candbgirl]

You started a thread with this subject on July 25,2018. You got responses from ADCOMS and others. A new thread isn’t going to change the responses. Well maybe it will because you left out much of what you invluded last week. Like having your new score for a month and not checking it. And completing secondaries without know what your new score is etc.

 

[UberUdder09]

Probably not the greatest advice; but, you could just study and take it again so that your latest score is not your lowest. If you got a 504 before, you could try studying and retaking it to get a 505+.