MCAT Retake Advice

[whatageek]

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I'm planning on applying for medical school this summer to both MD and DO programs. My problem is that my application is hindered by a really mediocre MCAT score that sticks out like a sore thumb on my application. I am lucky enough to have a ton of really great ECs... but I'm not 100% sure they'll be enough to get me into med school.

What I'd like to do is apply with my current MCAT score and try to retake in July (as long as my scores show an improvement). This would have me getting scores back in August. Would these scores be sent automatically to the schools I've already applied to, or would I need to do this manually? Could I exclude them if they weren't an improvement over my old scores? Would an August score update be too late for someone who will submit a 6/1 primary application?

 

[alexrgross]

Hey! I do not think you can exclude schools from seeing your MCAT score once it is released (it goes to them automatically).

No, I do not think august is too late. However, as your materials are revceived later and later the rest of your application becomes more stressed.
Someone I talked to said that Labor Day is the major cut-off for applying.

One thing to think about: If you submit 6/1 and are verified by 7/1 (hypothetically) schools could begin to review your app. In other words, their first impression of you wouldnt include your re-take score. This could hurt you during this cycle.

My advice is do not submit until after you re-take the MCAT. See how you feel about the test and then submit, so youre new scores will be included with your app. I hope you do great on the re-take!!

 

[ungu]

First of all, don't retake unless you are confident you can do significantly better. Like the above poster stated, all schools will be able to see your old and new MCAT scores; you can't withhold them. When you fill out the AMCAS, there's a box to check if you plan on re-taking the MCAT during that cycle. If you check that box, the med schools you apply to will most likely hold your application until the new scores come back. I personally would submit your application before the scores of the re-take. If your score would determine which schools you apply to, then just list one school initially on the AMCAS so that way your application gets verified. Then you can add the rest after you see your second score if you want. Otherwise if you waited until the scores come back in August to submit, your application wouldn't be verified until late Sept. probably. If your app is verified in June and you add more schools in August, there won't be a waiting time at all. Sending your app to schools in August isn't too late. Good luck!

 

[whatageek]

Thanks, alexrgross and ungu! After reflecting on the whole situation, I think I'm just going to stick with my mediocre score and see where it gets me. It's in my best interest to get as early of an application review as possible. If it's not good enough to get me in the door, there's always next year 😳

 

[moneymill4569]

*wrong thread