MCAT retake timing

[RTP424]

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Hey everyone,

So I took the MCAT last April and scored a 28Q. (10P, 7V, 11B). I applied to a few schools, which resulted in all rejections and 1 waitlist, which also looks pretty dim at this moment. I made the mistake of letting senioritis get to me, and I focused more on living life and doing research and extracurriculars instead of buckling down to retake the MCAT.

Well, sure enough, June 1st is around the corner, and I have not started studying yet. However, I really want to apply again this cycle because I just simply cannot take another year off (i'm very much afraid of losing motivation and just become lazier). MY current strategy is to apply to one school jsut to get verified with my current score of 28, and retake the MCAT in August after I have taken a Prep course.

MY question is, would applying to one school now, and indicating that I am retaking the MCAT be the best way to go here? I honestly thing if I can just bump up my Verbal score by 2 points, I should be golden for getting in somewhere. Would this be a smart move, and would taking the MCAT in August be too late? It would probably be the end of august since the course i'm looking at runs till August 16.

Thanks.

 

[SN2ed]

Before doing all of that, I'd make sure you really want to go into medicine. It's a huge step and having little motivation at working towards that goal might be a sign, especially if you think it would be gone after a year.

 

[RTP424]

Before doing all of that, I'd make sure you really want to go into medicine. It's a huge step and having little motivation at working towards that goal might be a sign, especially if you think it would be gone after a year.

Sorry SN2ed, let me rephrase that. My motivation has always been at a max. My life was, is, and will be about medicine and helping others. I just meant by taking a year off, I would have to find a decent job to support myself, which will just be an additional responsibility that will pull my focus away from med school. So it's not really about motivation, that wasn't the right word, it's more about not becoming lazy and less focused.

 

[ridethecliche]

Or you could find a job or experience that would make you more focused.

If you apply 2 years in a row without any significant changes, I don't think that you're doing yourself a favor.

 

[RTP424]

Or you could find a job or experience that would make you more focused.

If you apply 2 years in a row without any significant changes, I don't think that you're doing yourself a favor.

Well, my research has taken off the ground in the last year, and i've won numerous awards for it and had many presentations as well. I've included some more shadowing. So I think with a stellar MCAT score, I'll have a shot at a few schools.

 

[Dillatar]

Have you considered applying to an osteopathic school? Your overall MCAT score would make you fairly competitive for DO school, plus with your research, shadowing, and awards you would most likely have an excellent shot. 😎

 

[ridethecliche]

Well, my research has taken off the ground in the last year, and i've won numerous awards for it and had many presentations as well. I've included some more shadowing. So I think with a stellar MCAT score, I'll have a shot at a few schools.

So it sounds like you could get a 1-2 year research gig pretty easily.

Applying to school and working full time is manageable.

You might want to retake the MCAT before starting work if you're planning on doing this. Or just know that you'll be in hiding for 3-4 months, which wasn't that bad. I still went out with friends and saw them often.

 

[tiktok22]

Something that I was told was to just try and make sure you get everything in your application (MCATs included) completed as soon as possible..
I took my MCATS in Aug last year and by the time I got my scores back and was doing secondaries most of my friends already had interviews & some already had acceptances.

 

[penguins15]

Hey friend!
I also am a retaker... got that terrible Verbal 7 (did you perhaps take it on 4/23/10?)

I just retook today... and I literally just spent the last two weeks studying. I felt more confident and prepared. If you decide on a prep company.. I took kaplan and they give you great access... but i personally did not find the course that great... the only thing that really helped me the second time around was the "section" tests.

Honestly, I thought that doing challenging practice tests (which is NOT AAMC- their posted ones are way easier, except for #11) worked better than obsessing over details like they tell you to do in prepcourses.

Best of luck 🙂

 

[RTP424]

Yep. I was in the 4/23 group. To be honest, Verbal just tired me out. Not the length per se, but the content and subjects of the readings. I should have kept more disciplined. I feel if I score higher this time around, a late MCAT won't be that big of a deal. I'm planning on taking it on Aug. 5th, leaving me roughly 2 months to prep. Isolation FTW.

 

[Americano12]

Hey RT,

I just got my scores back from May 7th and got a 6 in Verbal. Planning to retake it in August. How are you going about studying for this beast a second time around? You said you had about 2 months to study hardcore? So do I then. I'm still debating whether to apply this cycle (all my stuff is uploaded and ready to be submitted onto AMCAS) or wait until next cycle.