MCAT 506, should I retake it?

[Dr. KBH]

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I just received my MCAT score today, which is 506. It made me heartbroken. 🙁 My breakdown score is 130/121/130/125. I'm an immigrant and lived in U.S. for 4 years, so my CARS score is so bad 🙁. My GPA is 3.99 right now. I also have a couple ECs ( working in research lab 15-20 hours/week, 100 hours volunteer, some shadowing, some non-clinical volunteer...).
I'm wondering if I should retake the MCAT. I just hope get a few points higher on CARS but I'm not sure. If I keep my score, do I have any chance for medical schools? Pls help me!!!

Update 04/28/2017: I just want to update that I finally decided not to retake the MCAT. The 2016-2017 cycle was awesome! I got 4 MDs , 3DOs interview invitations. It turned out 2 MD acceptances (both instate), 1 rejection and I withdrew all others since I got my top choice. Thanks everyone and I'm happy with my decision.

 

[sharkbyte]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/thr...centile-comparison-conversion-tables.1143689/

According to the thread above, a 506 is roughly a 28-29 on the old scale. It's below average for MD schools but it would probably be competitive for some DO schools.

Retaking the MCAT (or any standardized test, really) is risky because there's always the chance you could go down or stay the same. You'd have to improve by a significant amount for a retake to be seen as a positive. I'd only retake if you KNOW that you can do better with additional prep or changes to the way you've been studying.

 

[starspells]

506 is on the low end for MD but could work for some DO schools though that verbal score is probably lethal everywhere...

Maybe it's worth an app cycle to see how things shake out and if you are still unsuccessful I would focus on raising that verbal score.

 

[Dr. Trenb]

Your score is good, but that CARS is just painful to look at. If you are hoping to attend a school in your state, give them a call and make an appointment. They might suggest a solution.

 

[Lannister]

That CARS score is probably lethal, a 5 on the old scale. Retake.

 

[jj216]

I had a 505 MCAT and 3.90 GPA and have had four interviews with one acceptance and waiting to hear from the others. So don't be discouraged! Talk to your pre-med advisor. If I were you, I would apply with that score and just retake if you don't get in the first try.

 

[Dr. KBH]

I had a 505 MCAT and 3.90 GPA and have had four interviews with one acceptance and waiting to hear from the others. So don't be discouraged! Talk to your pre-med advisor. If I were you, I would apply with that score and just retake if you don't get in the first try.

Congrats! You are awesome. Which school are you accepted?

 

[starspells]

I had a 505 MCAT and 3.90 GPA and have had four interviews with one acceptance and waiting to hear from the others. So don't be discouraged! Talk to your pre-med advisor. If I were you, I would apply with that score and just retake if you don't get in the first try.

Where did you get interviews? If you're from a lucky state, I suppose it's possible but that verbal score is going to hurt everywhere.

 

[jj216]

Where did you get interviews? If you're from a lucky state, I suppose it's possible but that verbal score is going to hurt everywhere.

My three state schools, plus one OOS where I had close ties. My scores were pretty balanced so that may have made a difference.

 

[Lucca]

The CARS is too low I think. There is definitely work to be done there and you could improve your overall score greatly even. It would be a worthwhile retake. I understand that it is really difficult as a new immigrant when English is your second language -- and I'm sure reviewers would understand if your verbal score were a bit lower than the rest of your other scores if you gave them that information -- but 121 is too low.

 

[bananafish94]

I'm sorry to hear about your score. I would retake it without question. It's not worth the financial and emotional investment to apply with that big of a weight on your application. Good luck!

 

[Dr. KBH]

I just want to update that I finally decided not to retake the MCAT. The 2016-2017 cycle was awesome! I got 4 MDs , 3DOs interview invitations. It turned out 2 MD acceptances (both instate), 1 rejection and I withdrew all others since I got my top choice. I made a hard decision, but I'm glad it's worth! Thanks everyone and I'm happy with the final result.

 

[----x----]

Very happy for you, so glad it worked out.
Congratulations and thanks for the update

 

[gyngyn]

Would you share your state of residence, so we can better counsel others?

 

[Dr. KBH]

Would you share your state of residence, so we can better counsel others?

I'm from state of Georgia.

 

[jcorpsmanMD]

Congrats OP!!