Need some advice deciding...

[medicin]

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hey all,

im having trouble deciding whether i should retake my mcat this august (it will be end of august) versus just applying with what i have. i want to get my primaries in early, but don't know how the med schools work with regards to processing my application. if i were to retake, would they process my app with my first mcat score, or would they wait until they get the most recent. i just fear that 1) the score time release (it will be mid-sept) might hurt with regards to rolling admins and 2) my score will drop instead of go up.

let me know what you think...

thanks

 

[PCATtaker]

If you do not feel that confident with what you have and you feel confident that you can improve on your score, then go ahead and take it again.

 

[Robizzle]

wudja get n wurr u applyin?

and most schools will wait til the new scores are out to process your app.. although I've heard of interview invites without the new scores too.

 

[medicin]

i got 32 (10 10 12), which isnt bad, but isnt great. my gpa is around a 3.8 so i guess thats okay as well. but im thinking of the top tier schools, my mcat is a little low, and i will only have 7-8 weeks to restudy for the mcat since im abroad right now and well, i cant be bothered studying for it now...

im just worried that delaying the processing will hurt more than a better mcat score, which i dont anticipate improving by more than 2-3 points if im lucky...

any input is appreciated.

 

[kerplunk112]

amcas has statistic for retester data..typically the highest percentile increase is in those who score about a 29 i think. The amcas application asks you whether or not you will be taking the next mcat exam..so im sure most schools will hold considerations till then.

its hard for me to comment on retaking it ..depends on your score gpa EC's etc. the score release time wont hurt that much..although it will increase your chances to apply early. also till your amcas is complete you wont get access to some of the secondaries. which might delay you further.

 

[ahhh123]

i got 32 (10 10 12), which isnt bad, but isnt great. my gpa is around a 3.8 so i guess thats okay as well. but im thinking of the top tier schools, my mcat is a little low, and i will only have 7-8 weeks to restudy for the mcat since im abroad right now and well, i cant be bothered studying for it now...

im just worried that delaying the processing will hurt more than a better mcat score, which i dont anticipate improving by more than 2-3 points if im lucky...

any input is appreciated.

If I was you, I wouldn't retake it... with your stats, ec, and getting your application in early.. you might already have a chance to those top tiers schools that you're talking about... unless you absolutely think you can do better than a 32 I wouldn't risk taking it again and worrying about getting a lower score.. Instead, you would try improving other areas of your application which may be lacking..

 

[bbabul01]

i got 32 (10 10 12), which isnt bad, but isnt great. my gpa is around a 3.8 so i guess thats okay as well. but im thinking of the top tier schools, my mcat is a little low, and i will only have 7-8 weeks to restudy for the mcat since im abroad right now and well, i cant be bothered studying for it now...

im just worried that delaying the processing will hurt more than a better mcat score, which i dont anticipate improving by more than 2-3 points if im lucky...

any input is appreciated.

These scores are pretty solid. You have to understand that averages are averages for a reason, people are above and people are below.

I'd say your scores won't hurt your chances because they're pretty good, provided the rest of your application is strong enough to get you the interview. I think increasing your MCAT from 32 to 34 is pretty meaningless, so unless you can get it up to a 40, there's not much point. Focus on strengthening any weaknesses in your application, and on getting it in early. A 3.8 is a great GPA. And a 32 tells people that you can handle the MCAT.

 

[bbabul01]

If I was you, I wouldn't retake it... with your stats, ec, and getting your application in early.. you might already have a chance to those top tiers schools that you're talking about... unless you absolutely think you can do better than a 32 I wouldn't risk taking it again and worrying about getting a lower score.. Instead, you would try improving other areas of your application which may be lacking..

Great minds think alike

 

[Critical Mass]

I wouldn't retake it. Instead spend your time on more intangible aspects of the application. I think the better advantage is had with getting everything in as early as possible.

 

[lilnoelle]

I wouldn't retake it, but I would make sure to apply to a variety of schools, not just top tier.

 

[sirus_virus]

You are a 32 kind of a guy/girl, accept that fact and apply to a 32 kind of a school.

 

[Stolenspatulas]

a 32 is on the low end for a top tier school. though it wont help you get in, i dont think it'll hurt that much either.

as from my experience this year, im speculating that ECs are much more important than I previously would have imagined (there are enough awesome MCAT scorers to fill the top schools... yet many of the top schools have reasonable averages of around 33-34).

that said, i would personally retake if i knew that i definitely did not hit my expected score by many points (I know kids that have retaken 34-35s and have done better on the retake)

 

[gujuDoc]

I'd retake it only if you are consistently getting 35+ on your practice tests and know you can improve to that for sure based on the results of practice tests. If you are no confident that you will improve a retake will be pointless and a waste of your time.

 

[gujuDoc]

a 32 is on the low end for a top tier school. though it wont help you get in, i dont think it'll hurt that much either.

as from my experience this year, im speculating that ECs are much more important than I previously would have imagined (there are enough awesome MCAT scorers to fill the top schools... yet many of the top schools have reasonable averages of around 33-34).

that said, i would personally retake if i knew that i definitely did not hit my expected score by many points (I know kids that have retaken 34-35s and have done better on the retake)

Also, I agree the ECs are important and can help you if your score is in the 30's but not 35+. I have a friend who got into Cornell and interview offers from Upenn and other schools with a scores near your own. THey also had research with publication pending, and several several hours of various other activities from shadowing to community service to leadership and more. It is all relative and depends on overall profile. If your score is consistently higher on practice tests then retake. If not, then don't and instead work on ECs or other areas of your app.