New MCAT Expiration?

[fdgjfg]

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There are plenty of threads on this issue, so I'm sorry for adding another one. However, most of the previous threads from the last couple of years hinge on the release of the 2015 MCAT, which seemed to alter how long the test was valid for since the older iteration of the test was being replaced extra early at some schools.

I took the test on August 21st, 2015. I'm not planning on applying until June 2017. Am I correct in thinking that my score will still be within the three year window of most every school for the 2017-2018 admissions cycle for 2018 matriculation?

 

[tjo422]

It depends on the school, so you should look at your top choices and see what their policies are. A majority will accept scores that are less than three years old at time of application, so you will be fine at most.

I was in the same exact situation as you, I took the old test May 2013 and am applying this cycle. It was fine at most schools except for one of my top choices. The earliest they would accept for this cycle is Sept 2013, so I made the decision to retake.


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[fdgjfg]

I also found this:
https://aamc-orange.global.ssl.fast...5-40cd-b98e-4de5358ad871/mcatexampolicies.pdf
On this Harvard page:
http://ocs.fas.harvard.edu/mcat
Which says to just add 1 year for the 2017 cycle, and 2 years for the 2018 cycle. (I am guessing that "2017 cycle" means 2017 matriculation?

From this, the only places that wouldn't accept it are the New York state schools, UNC, Utah, Eastern Virginia, and West Virginia, none of which apply to me. However, the data might be incorrect because I noticed that the dates for UChicago don't correspond with what UChicago's website says.

It depends on the school, so you should look at your top choices and see what their policies are. A majority will accept scores that are less than three years old at time of application, so you will be fine at most.

I was in the same exact situation as you, I took the old test May 2013 and am applying this cycle. It was fine at most schools except for one of my top choices. The earliest they would accept for this cycle is Sept 2013, so I made the decision to retake.

Thanks for the input! May I ask what school this was for, and if it corresponds with the above document?

I guess I am just a little bit paranoid about what "3 years prior to matriculation" means too. So for a 2018 matriculation, does that mean anything after Jan 1st 2015 is alright, or does it have to correspond with the beginning of classes or orientation?

 

[tjo422]

Yes, it was NYU. Earliest MCAT considered for this upcoming cycle is Jan of 2014, mine was May 2013.

As far as 3 years or 3 calendar years, it appears most schools mean calendar years so Jan should be okay, but again, you need to check each specific school.

If in doubt, when the time comes you can email or call admissions (only if it isn't explicitly stated on their website, don't waste anyone's time). I emailed a few schools and that's how I found out I needed to retake.


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[fdgjfg]

Yes, it was NYU. Earliest MCAT considered for this upcoming cycle is Jan of 2014, mine was May 2013.

As far as 3 years or 3 calendar years, it appears most schools mean calendar years so Jan should be okay, but again, you need to check each specific school.

If in doubt, when the time comes you can email or call admissions (only if it isn't explicitly stated on their website, don't waste anyone's time). I emailed a few schools and that's how I found out I needed to retake.

Ah, I see. So it looks like your issue may have been due to the fact that your test date was 4 years away from your matriculation year (2013 to 2017). It looks like I probably will have to go check school by school.

 

[tjo422]

Exactly. Some schools it's 3 years prior to application, not matriculation, so I only took the test again because of my school lost.


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