MD cycle. Too late to retake MCAT on July 24/25th?

[Garferies]

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[masaraksh]

I don't think it will be that bad. You'll be verified and get the scores back by end of Aug. (I got verified Sept 30 and still got multiple IIs and knew multiple people who did too). So you are OK as long as you smash the next MCAT physics.

One other option is to:
- withdraw apps and apply next year.
- get a year of research in
- take a couple months for MCAT. And kill it

 

[Garferies]

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[gyngyn]

Depending on your state of residence and your preference for an MD, the better part of valor may be to take all the time you need for the re-take and apply next cycle. Rushing it and getting another score in the 20's is not recommended.

 

[00391917]

I think you should apply broadly. I have similar GPA/ECs & with a great GPA/ECs, it can offset a slightly lower MCAT. My friend got in with a 25 MCAT . Are you only applying to CA schools or OOS also? Are you also applying DO?

 

[Garferies]

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[Aerus]

Don't rush to retake the MCAT. If you got a 26, perhaps you need to do a bit more content review and practice exams. Rushing to retake the MCAT (possibly before you are ready) and submitting a late application seems to make applying next cycle a better choice. Use this summer to study, take the MCAT when you are ready, get a score that you are satisfied with, and apply early.

 

[Garferies]

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[Aerus]

I will be satisfied with a 29 or higher. I just feel that it was hitting all my weak spots on that day, which is weird because my AAMC average was a 32 and I never scored below a 10 on the PS section for every FL practice tests.

You should ideally cover those weak spots sufficiently so that they can become strengths, if not, at least concepts that should not pose any threat to your score.

 

[Garferies]

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[00391917]

Garferies: There is a good chance you will get an automatic rejection from some schools but you only need one school too take the bait (unless you are very particular on where you want to go). If you think you can score higher in such as short time, retake it. If not, then apply with the 26 and hope for the best with your good GPA/ECs.

Honestly, I am in a situation where I have good ECs/GPA like you but I don't take my first MCAT attempt until July 12th (next week) so basically the score I get is the one I have to apply with whether it's a 35 or 25. I am hoping the score will at least get me in somewhere that I could be happy at. If not, I will unfortunately have to take a year to improve it and reapply next year.

So basically if you think you can improve your score then retake it. If not, then apply with the 26 & hope for the best. The guy that I said got the 25 almost did not apply and he would have missed out on getting into a good school last cycle

 

[00391917]

& September is kind of late but you still have a shot...

 

[Garferies]

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[2Pints]

Yes. Obviously the statistics aren't in your favor but people still get in with re-takes in Sept. Look at MSAR and see which schools have accepted applicants with a 7 PS?

 

[gyngyn]

Yes. Obviously the statistics aren't in your favor but people still get in with re-takes in Sept. Look at MSAR and see which schools have accepted applicants with a 7 PS?

In OP's state, The 10th% is 8 and above at all MD schools.

 

[Garferies]

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[2Pints]

In OP's state, The 10th% is 8 and above at all MD schools.

Yeah I saw that. OP is also applying OOS too though?

 

[gyngyn]

Yeah I saw that. OP also is applying OOS too though?

See OP's observation above.

 

[2Pints]

Those schools tend to be the state schools that heavily favor their own residents.

So it seems like you're just making up your mind between re-taking for this cycle vs taking for next cycle. I was mostly piping in to say that people do get in with later re-takes.

Best of luck with that decision...the rest of your application seems really strong.

 

[Garferies]

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[gyngyn]

Thank you. That is what I also wanted to hear

Remember, a strong first application is priceless, and once lost, cannot entirely be compensated for.

 

[Garferies]

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[Aerus]

Yes, I plan to do that. Do people still get in when their application is complete by September?

Yes, but it is not a good idea to hope to be one of them. Let's outline all the risks you must consider explicitly, so you have everything in front of you. I find it better to make tough decisions when I know all the risks.

1) You have a mediocre MCAT score as a first take. So no matter what score you get after, it will count as a "retake" which is less than ideal.
2) You only have a month or so to study left if you are taking it in late July/early August and are planning on applying this cycle.
3) You don't know how you will do on this next retake. It might be better or worse. But it's less likely to be that much better if you're rushing to take it, especially since you say that you are working. Two mediocre MCAT scores is worse than one and may dilute the benefits of a third good MCAT score.
4) Even if you do well (or not) on the MCAT retake, you will be late, which reduces your chances of success and will make this cycle very stressful.
5) The rest of your application is strong for MD, but if you do not get in this cycle, you will be "reapplicant" status, which is also less than ideal.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[Garferies]

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[raney]

Thank you for laying out these risks. Yes, I am afraid that the 26 will have me screened out and will have an unsuccessful cycle automatically. 26 is too low for all of the U.S. schools.

I was in a somewhat similar situation as you. I took the MCAT last year in May got a high 20s which was much lower than my practice tests. I elected to retake at the end of July and improved my score to the middle 30s. Our GPAs are similar and the subjective stuff is in the ballpark.

Anyhow, here's what happened to me: my application was verified (It took over 6 weeks to get verified!!) about the same day as my MCAT score came back: end of August. I completed (primary and secondary) 25+ applications. I received 5 interview invitations which resulted in 2 post-interview rejections, 2 waitlists, and 1 acceptance. I am fairly certain that these results were due to the lateness of my application. The pre-med adviser at my school also was fairly certain that I was applying too late. Thankfully, the 1 acceptance was to a school I specifically wanted to go to. Also, I only applied MD if that matters.

Based on my experience if I were in your shoes, I'd wait an extra year and improve my MCAT score as well as do some research/travel/classes/etc. Otherwise you'll probably have to shell out some big bucks applying broadly just to beef the odds up in your favor. And, despite what anyone says, there is a huge numbers game here. Yes, you should apply to schools that "fit" your academic performance, etc. However, every school I interviewed at said that the cycle was another consecutive record-breaking year of applications. For example, I interviewed at one of the private schools you mentioned and they said they had 12,000+ applications for 200 seats. And that's not uncommon for the middle and lower tier private schools. Even if only 5% of those 12000+ applicants were qualified that's still over 600 qualified students for those 200 seats. So, being qualified doesn't guarantee a seat.

However, with all that being said, this is my experience. Every applicant and their application is different and, more importantly, every application reviewer is different. Your application may strike a chord with a reviewer(s) and you could get more interview invitations.

All things being equal, applying early is always better, but things aren't always equal. If you just want to get in anywhere, apply now and retake your MCAT ASAP. If you want some options and, perhaps, to save a few bucks from not having to apply so broadly, wait till next year. That's my two cents.

Good luck!

 

[Henchman21]

Similar situation:

Test Date: 5/31/14
AAMC Average: Just under 33 (29, 31, 33, 33, 35, 36)
Post-test expected score: 30-32
Actual Score: 28 (9/9/10) PS/VR/BS

Other stats:
Dual degree social sciences.
cGPA: 3.7
sGPA: 3.5 (have Cs in math and a lower division bio class from freshman year. My year of science post bac including ochem, physics, and upper division bio was 4.0)
1 year neuro research.
~100 hours of volunteering of both types.
~50 hours shadowing
Tutor and TA
LoR situation is fine.

Just got my results back and I was horrified. The May 31st MCAT thread was full of people upset at how hard PS was. It didn't go great for me, so I expected around a 9. My AAMC biology average was around 11, so my actual score seems in line. I never dipped below 10 on verbal and was usually hitting 11-12. I was stunned that something I was usually so great at sunk me, especially since I felt it had gone so well on test day. Overall just really upset that I dropped almost 5 points from my average. I completed most of SN2's guide and felt confident in my abilities.

Like the OP, I'm also planning for a July 25th retake. I submitted AMCAS about two weeks ago with just one school attached. I had planned to add schools accordingly once my score came in, but this has thrown a wrench into my plans. I've made a list of about 8 schools where my GPA is above median and my MCAT is above the 10th percentile. Once verified, I'd add those eight schools.

I was thinking of using the next three weeks or so to study and take the last couple AAMCs I haven't bought. It just seems like a horrific fluke that I went down this much from my average. I'm not an anxious test taker and I wasn't mentally tripped up on test day other than a harder than expected PS. My new score would be released August 26th. Should the new score be higher, then I'd add the other halfish of my school list.

It's the unknowns that really worry me. After reading this thread, I'm even more bothered. It took five years for me to graduate and an extra year of post bac to finish prereqs. I really don't want to have two years in between my undergrad work being finished and attending. I want to get on with my life, but I'm torn.

Any advice would be tremendously appreciated. Thank you!

 

[claduva94]

Similar situation:

Test Date: 5/31/14
AAMC Average: Just under 33 (29, 31, 33, 33, 35, 36)
Post-test expected score: 30-32
Actual Score: 28 (9/9/10) PS/VR/BS

Other stats:
Dual degree social sciences.
cGPA: 3.7
sGPA: 3.5 (have Cs in math and a lower division bio class from freshman year. My year of science post bac including ochem, physics, and upper division bio was 4.0)
1 year neuro research.
~100 hours of volunteering of both types.
~50 hours shadowing
Tutor and TA
LoR situation is fine.

Just got my results back and I was horrified. The May 31st MCAT thread was full of people upset at how hard PS was. It didn't go great for me, so I expected around a 9. My AAMC biology average was around 11, so my actual score seems in line. I never dipped below 10 on verbal and was usually hitting 11-12. I was stunned that something I was usually so great at sunk me, especially since I felt it had gone so well on test day. Overall just really upset that I dropped almost 5 points from my average. I completed most of SN2's guide and felt confident in my abilities.

Like the OP, I'm also planning for a July 25th retake. I submitted AMCAS about two weeks ago with just one school attached. I had planned to add schools accordingly once my score came in, but this has thrown a wrench into my plans. I've made a list of about 8 schools where my GPA is above median and my MCAT is above the 10th percentile. Once verified, I'd add those eight schools.

I was thinking of using the next three weeks or so to study and take the last couple AAMCs I haven't bought. It just seems like a horrific fluke that I went down this much from my average. I'm not an anxious test taker and I wasn't mentally tripped up on test day other than a harder than expected PS. My new score would be released August 26th. Should the new score be higher, then I'd add the other halfish of my school list.

It's the unknowns that really worry me. After reading this thread, I'm even more bothered. It took five years for me to graduate and an extra year of post bac to finish prereqs. I really don't want to have two years in between my undergrad work being finished and attending. I want to get on with my life, but I'm torn.

Any advice would be tremendously appreciated. Thank you!

I'd suggest a gap year. Your volunteering is kind of weak. 100 hours is not a lot at all, especially considering it is both clinical and non-clinical.

 

[Henchman21]

Sorry if I wasn't clear. It's 100 for each. Either way, I'm not enormously concerned with that part.

I'd suggest a gap year. Your volunteering is kind of weak. 100 hours is not a lot at all, especially considering it is both clinical and non-clinical.

 

[kyamh]

My ultimate goal is to obtain an acceptance to any school, so I will be applying broadly. Thank you.

If your ultimate goal is to get into any school, why are you discounting DO? The only really compelling reason to not consider DO at all is if your heart is set on research....but "any school" won't give you that either.

 

[Garferies]

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[kyamh]

Because the DO application did not consider me for a fee waiver due to my full-ride scholarship, even when I showed that both of my parents are unemployed and that I am the only source of income in the household. Even if I was granted one, it is not great as the FAP's 14 free primary applications and the honoring of the secondary applications. Money is an issue here. I scrape by to provide a roof over my parents and siblings. I can't afford to be selfish to my family and spend hundreds on application fees for DO when I have the chance to utilize FAP.

Fair point. I understand the burden of application fees on an already tight budget, I went through it myself last year. That said, I believe it is a toss-up whether the burden of 1-3 DO school application fees (or loans to cover them) does or does not outweigh the benefit of getting started on your career a year early. Don't underestimate the difficulty of the application cycle, especially the psychological drain/stress/anxiety, and expect this difficulty to fall more severely on you since you already have other major responsibilities competing for your time.

I would take on debt (as I have) and do all you can to get in on cycle 1. It's a deeply personal decision which option has the most risk or benefit for you. Good luck.

 

[Henchman21]

Similar situation:

Test Date: 5/31/14
AAMC Average: Just under 33 (29, 31, 33, 33, 35, 36)
Post-test expected score: 30-32
Actual Score: 28 (9/9/10) PS/VR/BS

Other stats:
Dual degree social sciences.
cGPA: 3.7
sGPA: 3.5 (have Cs in math and a lower division bio class from freshman year. My year of science post bac including ochem, physics, and upper division bio was 4.0)
1 year neuro research.
~100 hours of volunteering of both types.
~50 hours shadowing
Tutor and TA
LoR situation is fine.

Just got my results back and I was horrified. The May 31st MCAT thread was full of people upset at how hard PS was. It didn't go great for me, so I expected around a 9. My AAMC biology average was around 11, so my actual score seems in line. I never dipped below 10 on verbal and was usually hitting 11-12. I was stunned that something I was usually so great at sunk me, especially since I felt it had gone so well on test day. Overall just really upset that I dropped almost 5 points from my average. I completed most of SN2's guide and felt confident in my abilities.

Like the OP, I'm also planning for a July 25th retake. I submitted AMCAS about two weeks ago with just one school attached. I had planned to add schools accordingly once my score came in, but this has thrown a wrench into my plans. I've made a list of about 8 schools where my GPA is above median and my MCAT is above the 10th percentile. Once verified, I'd add those eight schools.

I was thinking of using the next three weeks or so to study and take the last couple AAMCs I haven't bought. It just seems like a horrific fluke that I went down this much from my average. I'm not an anxious test taker and I wasn't mentally tripped up on test day other than a harder than expected PS. My new score would be released August 26th. Should the new score be higher, then I'd add the other halfish of my school list.

It's the unknowns that really worry me. After reading this thread, I'm even more bothered. It took five years for me to graduate and an extra year of post bac to finish prereqs. I really don't want to have two years in between my undergrad work being finished and attending. I want to get on with my life, but I'm torn.

Any advice would be tremendously appreciated. Thank you!

Sorry, but would anyone else like to chime in? I'd greatly appreciate it!

 

[Zelda840]

I will be satisfied with a 29 or higher. I just feel that it was hitting all my weak spots on that day, which is weird because my AAMC average was a 32 and I never scored below a 10 on the PS section for every FL practice tests.

I don't think you should be going in with the idea that a retake of 29 will be good enough for MD, especially if you're not getting everything done until September. Please know that's not a knock at you...I'm sitting on a 29 with a high GPA, applied the first day, and I'm still pretty worried.

 

[Terps1011]

Somewhat relieving that people are in my situation too...

Took the test in 4/14: 9/8/10.... total of 27 which is also below my average.

I am retaking on July 24th.
overall GPA- 3.85. Science GPA- 3.8
Some activities: Undergrad honors research program, Teach for America, Scribe for 2 years, president of a club, cheer-leading coach, teaching assistantships, tutoring....

I only applied to 9 MD schools I felt that I was actually capable of getting into with my current MCAT score.

Please oh please let this MCAT go better than the first! I have been studying like crazy 🙂

 

[UW med student]

To the OP, unfortunately your mcat score is pretty low and will likely get you auto rejected from most schools. In addition retaking so early is unlikely to give you the time you need to study properly and really improve your score. What happens when you rush to take it again and get the same score? Otherwise you have a strong application so my advice to you is to accept that your mcat score is sub-par and delay your app a year. Take the time to study throughout the summer and retake when you're ready; i.e. when your timed practice tests without breaks between sections are at least 2 points above where you want to be. Don't waste your first app cycle and a lot of money applying late and don't seal your fate by retaking the mcat too soon and end up with 2 crappy scores. Have the maturity to slow down and do it right the first time. There is a reason your practice test scores were so different than the real thing, you need time to figure out why before you retake.

 

[Garferies]

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