Need some mcat retake advice

[gses8]

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Hi guys.. I need some advice.

Last year I got a 30M (12PS, 8VS, 10BS) and applied with a 3.7 GPA cum, one research experience, but no clinical stuff and didn't get in.

Decided to retake and got a 30O (11PS, 9VS, 10BS) this time around. I'm not thrilled with getting the same overall number score, but I'm happy that verbal and writing improved, which was what I bombed last time.

I've decided to apply for 2012 entrance instead, as I feel that I need to boost my EC's.. I'll be doing a bioengineering master's during this time.

So my question is whether I should retake again and hopefully get a better verbal score (so something like a 32-33). I know people will probably recommend not to retake since I got the same score.. but I feel like I should have done better given how I was scoring 33-36 on practice exams (which I know are suppose to be easier) and 10-12 on verbal. I just have testing anxiety during the exam and panic when I look at that stupid timer! But what if I retake and get the same score (and god forbid, a lower score)? How bad would it look? Is it worth the risk? Also, with the hope of applying next year with 3 different research gigs, volunteering, shadowing, and more LORs, how do my chances look? Basically, should I retake.. lol.. the decision is is killing me!

 

[sedaniel]

Hi guys.. I need some advice.

Last year I got a 30M (12PS, 8VS, 10BS) and applied with a 3.7 GPA cum, one research experience, but no clinical stuff and didn't get in.

Decided to retake and got a 30O (11PS, 9VS, 10BS) this time around. I'm not thrilled with getting the same overall number score, but I'm happy that verbal and writing improved, which was what I bombed last time.

I've decided to apply for 2012 entrance instead, as I feel that I need to boost my EC's.. I'll be doing a bioengineering master's during this time.

So my question is whether I should retake again and hopefully get a better verbal score (so something like a 32-33). I know people will probably recommend not to retake since I got the same score.. but I feel like I should have done better given how I was scoring 33-36 on practice exams (which I know are suppose to be easier) and 10-12 on verbal. I just have testing anxiety during the exam and panic when I look at that stupid timer! But what if I retake and get the same score (and god forbid, a lower score)? How bad would it look? Is it worth the risk? Also, with the hope of applying next year with 3 different research gigs, volunteering, shadowing, and more LORs, how do my chances look? Basically, should I retake.. lol.. the decision is is killing me!

The ONLY reason I would retake it is if you decided to take an intense TPR or Kaplan prep course and significantly improved through that and knew you could do better. Most people do score a few points higher on practice exams than the real thing.

Your MCAT score is only slightly lower than the average for matriculants, so if I had to guess, the reason you didn't get in is your lack of ECs. Volunteer, shadow, do more research, get some clinical experience. They want to know that their incoming students know what this job is like; they don't want students who change their mind and drop out, so prove to them that you know what you're getting into.

 

[dragonfly99]

Along with getting another degree, I'm not sure you'll have enough time to do MCAT studying to increase the score much. going up to 32 or something I don't think would help that much.

the glaring weakness in your app was the lack of clinical experience, and you won't get in without it.