multiple MCAT scores

[sgumbee]

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I've heard that taking the MCAT multiple times often looks bad to the schools to which you apply.
Can they tell if you've taken it more than once?
Has anyone heard otherwise?

 

[THE instiGATOR]

If you take the exam again, try to improve or at least maintain your score for each section. Don't let any of the subscores drop. If you do this, schools won't care that you took it again. Well, UF might...but F them! <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" />

 

[pwrpfgrl]

On a somewhat related note -

If you do take the test more than once, do most schools just look at the latest scores, do they average the two, or some other wierd combination? I think I've heard different stories about this and was wondering if there is a definate answer.

Thanks everyone!

 

[Doctora Foxy]

The answer is that every school does it differently. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="frown.gif" />

 

[daisygirl]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by pwrpfgrl:
•On a somewhat related note -

If you do take the test more than once, do most schools just look at the latest scores, do they average the two, or some other wierd combination? I think I've heard different stories about this and was wondering if there is a definate answer.

Thanks everyone!•••••Depends on the school. But I think the majority of schools (as you pointed out) put the most emphasis on the most recent scores. If you want to know which school does what, I would recommend contacting the schools and asking.

 

[EpiII]

I attended a UC Davis Premed conference in January of 2001 and individuals in the admissions team there said two different things and disagreed with each other on stage about this.

One said that it looks really bad if your scores drop at all on the second test. In other words, everything must go up or at least stay the same.

The second person (a senior faculty member) said that she just looks at the best scores from all of the tests and thinks that the best scores represent the best that this person is capable of doing at any particular time. In other words, as long as you do not go down on all of the areas of the test, you will have improved your chances if she is reviewing your file.

Suffice it to say, there are multiple ways of looking at more than one MCAT score and it can be done differently within the same school.

I know that is not the cut and dry answer you were hoping for, but that is just like the rest of the medical school admissions process.

 

[Doctora Foxy]

Just wanted to add that I was scared to retake the mcat for this reason. I heard that if you go down or stay the same, med schools see it as incapable of improvement. My score is borderline--hard to increase, but almost not good ebough to even bother applying. Bad situation. I almost retook it in august, but I thought I needed more time to learn the material.

Only retake if you are SURE you can improve, and it won't hurt you, IMHO. 🙂

 

[none]

Regardless of how they eventually use them, they will SEE all of them past 1991. Go into the MCAT planning to take it once and only once.

 

[THE instiGATOR]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by Doctora Foxy:
•Just wanted to add that I was scared to retake the mcat for this reason. I heard that if you go down or stay the same, med schools see it as incapable of improvement. My score is borderline--hard to increase, but almost not good ebough to even bother applying. Bad situation. I almost retook it in august, but I thought I needed more time to learn the material.

Only retake if you are SURE you can improve, and it won't hurt you, IMHO. 🙂 •••••Hopefully you'll get in this year, Foxy. If you don't and improve your scores for a second application, feel free to b!tch if UF doesn't invite you to interview again.

Have I mentioned that they are evil before?!?

26 -&gt; interview

(+2 VR, +2 PS, 0 BS) = 30 -&gt; no interview

EVIL EVIL UF <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" />

 

[Doctora Foxy]

hey Swampy, do you think that's the reason? Like they don't like mcat retakers? Never thought about that.

and p.s. I thought you just rearranged the letters in your name. I didn't know it was SwampMan backwards until MorningLight pointed it out! <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" />

p.s. Back to the subject at hand, it seems that MANY SDNers retook the mcat and subsequently gained admittance to med school. If I had known about SDN I prolly would have retaken it that summer, based on reading about others' experiences. I was having too much fun being single for the first time in 2 and a half years! (And I took orgo the previous summer!)....oh well 🙁 Too much fun then is briging me down 😡

 

[THE instiGATOR]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by Doctora Foxy:
•hey Swampy, do you think that's the reason? Like they don't like mcat retakers? Never thought about that.•••••No. When I talked with Robyn last year, she told me that I should retake the test and show improvement. I guess a 4 point gain just wasn't enough!?! Just don't get all pissy like me if UF doesn't reward your improvement. You've been warned that they are da debil!!!

Oh yeah, and an increased GPA won't do the trick with them either. I tried that too! Shadowing a physician for nearly a year won't help either...did that. You wanna work while doing all these things also? Well, they won't be impressed! I tried that. And additional research won't help the situation out. I did that too. 😡

It's actually funny as hell. HYSTERICAL! <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" />

Ok, not really. 🙁

I need to get the hell out of Gainesville so I can forget this school. Only a little over a month left!

:wink:

 

[Trek]

Why don't you just make SURE you increase in every section. That way all this becomes moot. Best of luck! --Trek