MD/PhD Internal Applications - MCAT?

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Is anyone here familiar with the internal MD/PhD application process (ie for someone having completed M1 or M2)? Specifically I'm wondering about MCAT scores. Given that they expire after 3 years, in my case, applying during M1 or M2 would mean that my MCAT had already expired. Does that mean that I would have to retake the MCAT specifically for the MD/PhD application or will they just consider my old score?

On a related note, how important is the MCAT in determining track II admissions? I would assume that your post-med school entry life is more important, but then again you never know with adcoms...

Thanks to anyone who can shed some light.

 

[mrsanator]

Unfortunately, you're asking for general answers to program-specific questions. My school's second track option is very informal, and I doubt we would care whether your MCAT scores were expired or not. You're already admitted to med school, and it isn't like applicant score averages change THAT much over a 3-4 year period. MCAT scores are important but only up to a point at most programs - once you test above some program-specific "excellent" threshold, the marginal benefit is very small.

Contrary to what you wrote, your post-med school entry life is unlikely to be especially important, because medical students rarely accomplish anything noteworthy research-wise while in the preclinical years. Trust me, you will be busy enough. (And I should clarify that your Medical school performance does matter). You should make sure to do something research intensive over the summers prior to applying (and at my school, having identified a PI who is interested in having you be in their lab for grad school is a huge plus). Pre-medical school research experience probably still matters more.

Also - I looked at your application profile, and it looks like you've had a couple of early disappointments that might be motivating this question. Just remember that many or most MSTPs don't look at secondaries until later in the fall, so there is an awful lot of time left. The most common approach most of the schools I applied to took was to invite all applicants in Nov/Dec for a few interview dates in Dec / Jan / Feb (from your list, I can tell you that Tufts and Harvard both worked this way when I applied).

Best of Luck!

Good luck!

 

[decal]

We had a similar thread not long ago (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=660574).

I doubt any school would require you to retake the MCAT for an internal app. If they did I would rethink joining the program.