MCAT....third time hurt

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scdocusc

scdocusc

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I'm strongly considering retaking the MCAT for a whopping third time. However, I'm fearful that if I dont improve it that it will look poor on my application. It's obvious that I need to take time and do well. I know that. However, in the far off event that it doesn't improve, does that hinder your application? As a reapplicant I am giving attention to all areas of my application (additional class, volunteer). Also, I planned on taking the MCAT in july if I decide to. Will that hold up any interview chance? I'm sending my primary in june. Will they put me on pre-interview hold until my new MCAT is in?
 
scdocusc said:
I'm strongly considering retaking the MCAT for a whopping third time. However, I'm fearful that if I dont improve it that it will look poor on my application. It's obvious that I need to take time and do well. I know that. However, in the far off event that it doesn't improve, does that hinder your application? As a reapplicant I am giving attention to all areas of my application (additional class, volunteer). Also, I planned on taking the MCAT in july if I decide to. Will that hold up any interview chance? I'm sending my primary in june. Will they put me on pre-interview hold until my new MCAT is in?
Click to expand...


probably, but will it really matter? August is still quite early, especially if your secondaries are in.
 
scdocusc said:
I'm strongly considering retaking the MCAT for a whopping third time. However, I'm fearful that if I dont improve it that it will look poor on my application. It's obvious that I need to take time and do well. I know that. However, in the far off event that it doesn't improve, does that hinder your application? As a reapplicant I am giving attention to all areas of my application (additional class, volunteer). Also, I planned on taking the MCAT in july if I decide to. Will that hold up any interview chance? I'm sending my primary in june. Will they put me on pre-interview hold until my new MCAT is in?
Click to expand...

i think it really depends what your first two scores/breakdowns are, and how much you realistically think you can improve by... taking a look at your entire application is a very good idea, especially your PS if you think your scores are borderline (this helped me a lot). if you say that you are taking the MCAT, they will definitely put you on hold until the new score is released (arent scores coming out quicker these days?). but, like Kuba said, if you are all said and done secondaries and all by early august, i think that you are in good shape. good luck!:luck:
 
statistically, retaking the MCAT you usually only improve a 1-3 pts max., but If you go DOWN, it looks TERRIBLE! Plus, some schools average your scores....
 
MD/DO ALMOST said:
statistically, retaking the MCAT you usually only improve a 1-3 pts max., but If you go DOWN, it looks TERRIBLE! Plus, some schools average your scores....
Click to expand...

Where did you find this statistic? I do not believe that is true. Then again, I also discredit those who openly claim to have rejected Northwestern for a DO school because of the climate and the ocean availability at those said DO schools. Sorry, but when I'd read that post, it sounded as ridiculous then as it does now.
 
I took it 3 times, and improved 6 points between my second and 3rd time. Last year (before 3rd MCAT) I had 2 interviews, 1 wailist, 0 acceptances. This year I have had 3 interviews, 1 acceptance, 1 waitlist and 1 post-int rejection.

The best thing to do is contact the schools you are thinking about applying to. No one can tell you better what the school is looking for than the school itself.

:luck:
 
Dr.Inviz said:
Where did you find this statistic? I do not believe that is true. Then again, I also discredit those who openly claim to have rejected Northwestern for a DO school because of the climate and the ocean availability at those said DO schools. Sorry, but when I'd read that post, it sounded as ridiculous then as it does now.
Click to expand...
Retester data is in these tables:
http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/examineedata/tables.htm

Also:
Score changes for individuals retaking the
MCAT were examined using a sample of
examinees (n=15,637) who tested in April
1996 and once previously, or in
September 1996 and once previously.
Average retest score changes for this
group were increases of .4 in Physical
Sciences, .6 in Verbal Reasoning, and .7 in
Biological Sciences.
Source: Page 12 of the PDF.
http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/mcatinterpmanual05.pdf
 
DrBowtie said:
Retester data is in these tables:
http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/examineedata/tables.htm

Also:
Score changes for individuals retaking the
MCAT were examined using a sample of
examinees (n=15,637) who tested in April
1996 and once previously, or in
September 1996 and once previously.
Average retest score changes for this
group were increases of .4 in Physical
Sciences, .6 in Verbal Reasoning, and .7 in
Biological Sciences.
Source: Page 12 of the PDF.
http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/mcatinterpmanual05.pdf
Click to expand...

yup, these are the stats... that's why i asked how much the OP is realistically looking to improve... also what has changed in strategy? (for me, i gained 4 pts in verbal by changing my strategy... i wasnt able to change anything for bio and phys, and got the same damn scores lol). stats are stats. they don't mean improvement is impossible, but that you have to be damn committed to overcome them (or damn lucky) 🙂
 
Tiagao said:
I took it 3 times, and improved 6 points between my second and 3rd time. Last year (before 3rd MCAT) I had 2 interviews, 1 wailist, 0 acceptances. This year I have had 3 interviews, 1 acceptance, 1 waitlist and 1 post-int rejection.

The best thing to do is contact the schools you are thinking about applying to. No one can tell you better what the school is looking for than the school itself.

:luck:
Click to expand...

👍 congrats
 
Take the summer to study your ass off and give it another go!
 
Thanks for all your comments. I have one additional question. The AAMC says there is very little difference in the scores from the paper test and the computerized test. Can anybody tell me what they thought about the two tests after taking BOTH types? I've only taken the paper 8 hour MCAT so I'm apprehensive.
 
oh yea I forgot to include that I tend to believe very little that is said by AAMC. Thats why I ask
 
Dr.Inviz said:
Where did you find this statistic? I do not believe that is true. Then again, I also discredit those who openly claim to have rejected Northwestern for a DO school because of the climate and the ocean availability at those said DO schools. Sorry, but when I'd read that post, it sounded as ridiculous then as it does now.
Click to expand...

As for the few points (there are exceptions to EVERY rule),do some research, I dont have time to look it up for you. Oh, and If you had any Idea who you were speaking to, those choices would seem obvious and logical- you are indeed an immature young man, too bad they cannot find you and ban you for good on here! Simple conclusion from a simple mind....
 
MD/DO ALMOST said:
As for the few points (there are exceptions to EVERY rule),do some research, I dont have time to look it up for you. Oh, and If you had any Idea who you were speaking to, those choices would seem obvious and logical- you are indeed an immature young man, too bad they cannot find you and ban you for good on here! Simple conclusion from a simple mind....
Click to expand...

Ban me for saying you made a mistake picking a DO school over Northwestern due to climate and the the availability of ocean? Heh, a simple mind indeed.
 
Dr.Inviz said:
Ban me for saying you made a mistake picking a DO school over Northwestern due to climate and the the availability of ocean? Heh, a simple mind indeed.
Click to expand...


Are you interested in fighting MD/DOALMOST ? I can arrange for you guys to meet and fight each other!
 
arsenewenger said:
Are you interested in fighting MD/DOALMOST ? I can arrange for you guys to meet and fight each other!
Click to expand...

Nah. I'm impressed by his ability to tear off that shark's head. Nothing against him, but I just remembered him discussing wanting to go to a school with a good matchlist, then he proceeded to post why he rejected NW for the DO schools ... that was my only issue.
 
Dr.Inviz said:
Where did you find this statistic? I do not believe that is true. Then again, I also discredit those who openly claim to have rejected Northwestern for a DO school because of the climate and the ocean availability at those said DO schools. Sorry, but when I'd read that post, it sounded as ridiculous then as it does now.
Click to expand...
I'm not sure about 1-3 points max. However, on the MCAT website there is a statistical section that breaks down each component group and provides the likelihood, in percentages, of increasing or decreasing your component group score.
 
Inviz.....




1,584 posts since October 2006


"Empty barrels make the most noise." -

" Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and i'm not sure about the former."

--Wiseacre Albert Einstein (1879-1955)


Learn from these quotes if you can- it may serve you well
 
MD/DO ALMOST said:
Inviz.....




1,584 posts since October 2006


"Empty barrels make the most noise." -
Click to expand...
At what frequency?

MD/DO ALMOST said:
" Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and i'm not sure about the former."

--Wiseacre Albert Einstein (1879-1955)
Click to expand...
What's your point? Are you insinuating that Inviz is stupid? like the MCAT... I want you to support your claim with evidence.


MD/DO ALMOST said:
Learn from these quotes if you can- it may serve you well
Click to expand...

What is there to learn from those quotes?
 
MD/DO ALMOST said:
Inviz.....




1,584 posts since October 2006


"Empty barrels make the most noise." -

" Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and i'm not sure about the former."

--Wiseacre Albert Einstein (1879-1955)


Learn from these quotes if you can- it may serve you well
Click to expand...


:laugh:
 
I took it three times, improved 3 points....
1st 7,8,9 R
2nd 8,8,8 P
3rd 9,9,9 P

Got 1 DO interview , 1 DO acceptance...4 MD interviews went on one got accepted, gave it up recently for NYCOM....I withdrawed from other MD interviews because I was happy with my DO school and wanted to stay in NY...
 
AtreyuRocks said:
i think it really depends what your first two scores/breakdowns are, and how much you realistically think you can improve by... taking a look at your entire application is a very good idea, especially your PS if you think your scores are borderline (this helped me a lot). if you say that you are taking the MCAT, they will definitely put you on hold until the new score is released (arent scores coming out quicker these days?). but, like Kuba said, if you are all said and done secondaries and all by early august, i think that you are in good shape. good luck!:luck:
Click to expand...

Wow, you got into an MD/PhD program with 29 on the MCAT. Definitely, Congrats!
 
scdocusc said:
Thanks for all your comments. I have one additional question. The AAMC says there is very little difference in the scores from the paper test and the computerized test. Can anybody tell me what they thought about the two tests after taking BOTH types? I've only taken the paper 8 hour MCAT so I'm apprehensive.
Click to expand...

i took it on paper in april 06, and then in aug 06 CBT.

i did better on the CBT in verbal (better as in, more of what i expected), and i think it was because i was able to follow better on the computer, there was no going back and forth between pages. unfortunately, my BS went down a point (bad timing issues), and PS stayed the same.

for what its worth, i might be retaking soon too, if this season doesn't pan out! just the chance i've got to take!!
 
I ended up taking the mcat 4 times and I finally got in this year. Its all about perserverance...
 
MD/DO ALMOST said:
Inviz.....




1,584 posts since October 2006


"Empty barrels make the most noise." -

" Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and i'm not sure about the former."

--Wiseacre Albert Einstein (1879-1955)


Learn from these quotes if you can- it may serve you well
Click to expand...

:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:
 
Krisss17 said:
:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:
Click to expand...

Hey Krissss, did that post teach you some sorta lesson? All I received out of it was a good laugh due mainly to the fact that they were pretty meaningless for me. I'm glad his post helped someone.

:laugh: :laugh:
 
arsenewenger said:
:laugh::meanie:👍:idea:😎😉😳


What a selfless devotion to the welfare of others! I think you gonna be a great Doctor...You need to report this on your AACOMAS.
Click to expand...

Thank you. 😎 😀 :laugh:
 
don't look at the stats. they don't represent you. my friend just jumped 5 pts on his last attempt.
 
keep your head up...i retook the MCAT and raised my bio score 5 points...put the effort in and you will see improvement....GOOD LUCK👍
 
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