MCAT(should I retake, not normal scenario),

[idk321]

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Well to start off my background is in biology with a math/science gpa of 3.67 and I took my mcats about a week ago. I studied a great deal for it, however I crammed and was burned out when I took the test. Right now the problem is that if I do not get into medical school I am going to change majors to engineering(only two jobs I would want to do), however the way it works at my school is I would have to start my fall semester off taking the courses (so basically can't start it in the spring).

Unfortunately I wouldn't know my mcat scores from my first test till the 25th and the next test I would not be able to get my scores back in time to see if I should change my course load to engineering. I can however, schedule another test in about 20 days and get my scores 2-3 days before the deadline of scheduling. This presents another problem since if somehow I do good on my first test and my second one is worse how badly will that hurt my chances of getting into a DO school.

I am not used to taking test where if you miss more than one problem you can get good scores so I do not know if I should retake. At the end physical/biological I had like 4-6 that I had to narrow down make an educated guess.

Do you guys think I should take the risk of doing worse and schedule for an mcat in 20 days, or just hope for the best. Also with my GPA what would be a good competitive mcat score to get into a DO school.

 

[cliquesh]

You'd probably need a 26 to have a good shot at being accepted somewhere. You might be able to get in with a 24, though. If you got around a 27-29 you would be good for the better DO schools.

What were you scoring on practice tests?

If you want to go to medical school there is no reason to change your major. Just retake the MCAT when you are ready.

 

[idk321]

I actually was stupid and just read the examcrackers books multiple times and learned them inside and out. I also just did a lot of problems online, so I never did any courses or practice exams. Yea stupid I know. I'm not trying for a top DO school just an average one, and when you say I have a good shot with a 26, how good?(lol, like a 50% chance of being accepted or higher?)

The thing though about retaking later is I could end up bombing and then not being able to transfer to engineering the next year. I have 4 years free at college due to parent working at my college so after next year I would be paying and I couldn't get a year of my engineering done for free if I don't wait.

 

[cliquesh]

Higher than 50%. Assuming you are a normal human being, I would be surprised if you didn't get in somewhere with a 26.

 

[Goro]

Pretty foolish to re-take an exam without knowing the result. Even more foolish to take a career-deciding, high-stakes exam when you're not ready.

How about this scenario?

Get a job and simply work over the next year, until you find out how you did. You can earn some money, and study for the re-take at your leisure.

Well to start off my background is in biology with a math/science gpa of 3.67 and I took my mcats about a week ago. I studied a great deal for it, however I crammed and was burned out when I took the test. Right now the problem is that if I do not get into medical school I am going to change majors to engineering(only two jobs I would want to do), however the way it works at my school is I would have to start my fall semester off taking the courses (so basically can't start it in the spring).

Unfortunately I wouldn't know my mcat scores from my first test till the 25th and the next test I would not be able to get my scores back in time to see if I should change my course load to engineering. I can however, schedule another test in about 20 days and get my scores 2-3 days before the deadline of scheduling. This presents another problem since if somehow I do good on my first test and my second one is worse how badly will that hurt my chances of getting into a DO school.

I am not used to taking test where if you miss more than one problem you can get good scores so I do not know if I should retake. At the end physical/biological I had like 4-6 that I had to narrow down make an educated guess.

Do you guys think I should take the risk of doing worse and schedule for an mcat in 20 days, or just hope for the best. Also with my GPA what would be a good competitive mcat score to get into a DO school.

 

[idk321]

This coming year I have a lease on a apartment on campus, so taking a year off is off the table. I've done some more research and there is an exam that is 3 days after my scores will be release and the 2nd exam will release their scores 3 days before the last day of scheduling/switching classes. So I'm just going to sign up for another one and lose 300$ 🙁 and if I did good on the first one I'll just void my results and take the 300$ hit.

Thank you all for the advice its been helpful in this stressful situation lol

 

[hallowmann]

This coming year I have a lease on a apartment on campus, so taking a year off is off the table. I've done some more research and there is an exam that is 3 days after my scores will be release and the 2nd exam will release their scores 3 days before the last day of scheduling/switching classes. So I'm just going to sign up for another one and lose 300$ 🙁 and if I did good on the first one I'll just void my results and take the 300$ hit.

Thank you all for the advice its been helpful in this stressful situation lol

If you did OK-well on it (>24), don't void your results, just cancel/change the appointment. It makes no sense for you to retake it when you don't have time to see your score and you don't have time to really study and improve it.

If you get a 23-25, reschedule that retake for a later date, stay on track for medicine, and study hard in the meantime until you can retake it with confidence that you'll get a 27+. And when you study, for goodness sake please take practice tests and only take the exam after you're scoring well above your target goal.

 

[JoAyi]

Being early increases your chance for every DO school tremendously, even when your MCAT score is like 23-25

If you apply broadly and early this year (submit primary by the end of July), you should be fine with your GPA, solid LOR + EC, and a MCAT > 24 (8,8,8 might work well)...

Make sure you have everything ready, it takes time and you have only one month from now.

It is ok to lose $300 to sign up another MCAT, but if you have no time to study, don't bother then. Be prepared to spend a lot more when interview invites coming in, and a lot a lot more once you are in 🙂
Good Luck.