Forum Members Official "Should I Retake?" Thread

[QofQuimica]

---

Members don't see this ad.

EDIT 12/21/18: This thread is being retired, as the majority of posts (>80 pages) pertain to the old MCAT that is no longer relevant to current applicants. You can find the current "Should I Retake" thread here: Forum Members - Should I Retake the MCAT?

For those of you who are trying to figure out whether you should re-take, this is the thread for you. Post your dilemma here if you want advice from other SDN folks. Please note that you should take the opinions you get from SDN as one source of advice; you would be wise to also consult your premed advisor before making this decision. Here is my personal advice for those considering whether to re-take:

Definitely DO retake:

-if you scored below a 24. Some allopathic schools will screen out students with scores lower than 24, which is about the mean score for all test-takers.
-if you had some kind of major problem during the test that affected your performance (ex. you started puking or running a 102 degree temperature)
-if you took the test without completing the four pre-reqs (one year each of biology, chemistry, physics, and organic) and/or without studying for it
-if you left large numbers of questions blank​

Definitely do NOT retake:

-if you scored a 30 or better, especially if all of your individual section scores were an 8 or better
-if your section subscores (the numerical ones) are all good, but you didn't perform well on the writing section (the letter score)

​

Gray area-it's not obvious what to do:

-if you scored 30+ but with one section below an 8
-if you had some minor nuisances (ex. a noisy test room) during the test and you're not sure if it affected your performance
-if you studied thoroughly for the test and you scored within the range of your practice exams, but your score is in the middle range (24-29)​

 

[littleman25]

So I just got my second mcat score and am still afraid that i'm not very competitive.

First MCAT 6V 10PS 10BS 26R

2nd MCAT 10V 10PS 11BS 31Q

Cum GPA 3.4 (started off freshman 3.04, sophmore 3.37, junior 3.51, senior 3.71)

EC- I have volunteered in an ER for 1.5 years, research for 1.5, played college hockey for 4 years (club), worked as an ER tech for a summer, have lots of physician shadowing, and am currently in school to be an EMT

Undergrad school was UC Berkeley but i'm an Idaho resident. Should i retake my mcat or do post-bac or should i just apply this next round?

Thanks everyone!!

 

[Pinky05]

Hey everybody,
I just got my score back...
I got a 32Q (11 VR, 11 BS, 10 PS). While i know its a very decent score, I got sick during BS and had to leave the room for a bit. This knocked my consistent practice BS score of 13 to 11. Since I know I could do better (kaplan avg is 34) do you think i should retake just for bio? Or should I just forget about it? I'm only applying to Canadian schools.
Thanks for your input!

 

[seriusdoc]

Hey everybody,
I just got my score back...
I got a 32Q (11 VR, 11 BS, 10 PS). While i know its a very decent score, I got sick during BS and had to leave the room for a bit. This knocked my consistent practice BS score of 13 to 11. Since I know I could do better (kaplan avg is 34) do you think i should retake just for bio? Or should I just forget about it? I'm only applying to Canadian schools.
Thanks for your input!

You have a solid score that's well balanced.

 

[Pinky05]

You have a solid score that's well balanced.

Thanks for the reply, I guess I'm only worried because i knew i could have done better but its probably not worth taking the risk or going through the hell of studying again

 

[Don15]

.

 

[WashMe]

3.7 gpa
30R ( 9 P 10 V 11B)
VA resident. looking to get into any medical school. good ECs

should i retake?

Probably not. An average applicant, assuming your EC's really are good, shouldn't have trouble getting in somewhere. Be sure to apply broadly, and maybe send out 16-24 secondaries (depending on how many "competitive" schools you want to include) to give yourself the best shot. Good luck!

 

[Ursa]

IMO, I don't think anyone with a 30 or better should retake, unless you want to get into a top 25 school...If you're fine with getting into a middle-tier school (which will also allow you to put MD after your name, believe it or not 🙂) just apply to your state school(s) and apply broadly out of state. Be proud of a 30 or above for sure!

 

[gatewasani]

the score is not really important here so i'm gonna leave it out...

I am accepted but still no interview invite from my top choice? (pretty sure I have no shot with my current MCAT score) should I retake, considering I won't get scores back till Feb and it'll prob be too late by that point

 

[syladrk]

For any retaker, what kind of study materials are you planning to use? I have 2009 TPR Hyperlearning Science and Verbal workbooks. I don't know whether I need to get the 2010 version. How much the differences are, if any?

 

[Ursa]

For any retaker, what kind of study materials are you planning to use? I have 2009 TPR Hyperlearning Science and Verbal workbooks. I don't know whether I need to get the 2010 version. How much the differences are, if any?

There is very little difference in the 2009 and 2010 material. Don't waste the extra money, just use what you have. I am a Princeton Review instructor, and I see very little difference, if any, in the material year to year.

 

[USCtrojans]

I took the MCAT last August and got a 32S (12 PS, 11 VR, 9 BS). I have a lower GPA (cGPA: 3.6, sGPA: 3.5) but I do have above average EC's and will do more research and be an EMT for a gap year after I graduate (senior this year, applying in June).

I'd be happy with a 32 if I didn't have a 9 in BS, especially since I am a biology major, so no idea what happened there. I averaged ~35/36 on AAMC's, so is a 9 in BS enough of a red-flag for MD schools (mid-tier) to retake? Thanks.

 

[Avoidthetiger]

I took the MCAT last August and got a 32S (12 PS, 11 VR, 9 BS). I have a lower GPA (cGPA: 3.6, sGPA: 3.5) but I do have above average EC's and will do more research and be an EMT for a gap year after I graduate (senior this year, applying in June).

I'd be happy with a 32 if I didn't have a 9 in BS, especially since I am a biology major, so no idea what happened there. I averaged ~35/36 on AAMC's, so is a 9 in BS enough of a red-flag for MD schools (mid-tier) to retake? Thanks.

Don't retake. I pretty much have the same MCAT and GPA as you, and I have done OK this cycle. (and I retook the MCAT 3xs, so compared to that, your 9 in BS is fine)

 

[jes137]

This is my first post, but I have been reading the forum for a while.

Here's the breakdown:

VR-10, BS-10, PS-10, Writing-R (30R)

GPA: Somewhere around 3.55-3.65 projected (overall and science)

I go to Pitt and am a Junior right now. I am a double major (Neuroscience and English Literature). I know that the general consensus is that double majors are not very helpful but I have trouble accepting this given the nature of the majors I have chosen. I am studying abroad in London this semester and am interning at University of London's Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development 20 hrs/week for three and a half months. Other than that, I desperately am trying to get some research when I get home but am going to be a second semester Junior so it may be getting a little late. I have a hodge podge list of volunteer stuff and am planning on doing some shadowing/volunteer stuff at a hospital when I get back.

I would appreciate any feedback as to what I should do in terms of applying/retaking. I know I'm sitting on the fence right now, but hopefully going abroad and interning abroad will make me somewhat unique in an interview. Thanks!

 

[jes137]

I also hit 34,34,33 on my last three FL AAMC tests so I was pretty disappointed with my score but can't imagine studying for it during the school year when I took it last August and had all summer.

 

[AWK87DOC]

Hey guys,

I am a non-traditional student, let me summarize my stats briefly

I am an international student

Took MCAT in 2006 --> 10 5 9 (PS VR BS) 24Q

Took MCAT in 2007 --> 9 7 11 (PS VR BS) 27R

I graduated with a 3.56 in Biology in 2007

Decided to go to Graduate school (loving it still)

Took MCAT in 2009 --> 10 10 12 (PS VR BS) 32Q

Now i am 1 year from getting my PhD in Neuroscience-Mechanism of disease

I will be applying to medical schools next year, i want to be a physician-scientist, should i re-take?

 

[WashMe]

Hey guys,

I am a non-traditional student, let me summarize my stats briefly

I am an international student

Took MCAT in 2006 --> 10 5 9 (PS VR BS) 24Q

Took MCAT in 2007 --> 9 7 11 (PS VR BS) 27R

I graduated with a 3.56 in Biology in 2007

Decided to go to Graduate school (loving it still)

Took MCAT in 2009 --> 10 10 12 (PS VR BS) 32Q

Now i am 1 year from getting my PhD in Neuroscience-Mechanism of disease

I will be applying to medical schools next year, i want to be a physician-scientist, should i re-take?

No, not if you're flexible about where you want to go. Generally, applicants with great research but lower MCAT scores (for "top" schools) have a good shot at MD/PhD programs. Now, since you'll have a PhD, you'll be looking at straight MD programs so I don't know exactly what the implications are. You should be fine though, unless you're looking to go to a top 10 school -- you still have a chance, but perhaps a smaller one. Good luck!

 

[photodoc]

Hey all.

I took the MCAT in spring '08 :

29Q

VR:9
PS:10
BS:10

College GPA: 3.66

This is my second year applying. I only had one interview last year with MU (I was a Missouri Resident). I am currently in Texas, trying to get into any school here. I haven't had any interviews this year, but I also acquired residency in TX after I submitted my primary app. I was able to get TMDSAS to recognize me as a resident in September, but it doesn't seem to have helped much.

Anyways, I am considering the retake as I have a lot more time to study. Is it worth it?

 

[WashMe]

Hey all.

I took the MCAT in spring '08 :

29Q

VR:9
PS:10
BS:10

College GPA: 3.66

This is my second year applying. I only had one interview last year with MU (I was a Missouri Resident). I am currently in Texas, trying to get into any school here. I haven't had any interviews this year, but I also acquired residency in TX after I submitted my primary app. I was able to get TMDSAS to recognize me as a resident in September, but it doesn't seem to have helped much.

Anyways, I am considering the retake as I have a lot more time to study. Is it worth it?

I could certainly be wrong, but I think many schools will consider your score to be "expired" after 3 years. By spring 2011, before the next AMCAS primary opens, your spring 2008 score might be invalid anyway. If you think you can do reasonably better than 29 (e.g., 32+), then I'd say go for the retake. In the year off though, you need to take a hard look at your extracurricular activities, personal statement, letter writers, and school choices.

Consider gaining a ton of additional clinical exposure and volunteering that you can talk about in your application and interviews. Rewrite your personal statement from scratch. Think about getting fresh letters of recommendation, and be realistic about how positive you think each letter is likely to sound. Most importantly, APPLY EARLY AND BROADLY. If you can bump your MCAT up a few points, you'll have a "slightly above national matriculant average" MCAT, and you'll still have a "slightly below national matriculant average" GPA, thus making you an average applicant.

Play the odds and send out 24-30 applications, avoiding [most] places that have rejected you already (other than in-state schools). Just think, you want fresh eyes looking at your newly bolstered application, not a bunch of old admissions committee farts being like "didn't we already reject this kid last year?" If you are determined to hit up some of the old schools though, then do it. Understand that you'll likely get the same result at those schools unless your application is MUCH stronger than last time.

Good luck! 🙂

 

[DrCheerful]

no

 

[nutritionfirst]

My second mcat was a VR-11, PS-11, and BS-8...the first time I took it I had a 10 on bio (and less on the others, significantly less).

GPA is fine, lots of volunteering and clinical experience, working in research lab right now, and about to get my M.S. in Biochemical Nutrition. I'm applying to my state schools, spoke with a guy on admissions and he said I have a great application, and that my MCAT is "ehh" but everything else looks good (people have gotten in with less obviously), especially being bilingual (spanish). He was on the fence of if I should retake but leaning more towards not retaking it since, by Murphy's Law, if I got lower in VR or PS it wouldn't look too good.

Question 1) will my previous BS score of 10 be seen or noticed by admissions?

Question 2) should I retake? I KNOW I would get better on bio, likely I would do a 10/11 on PS, but in all honesty: unlikely to pull another 11 on VR

Thanks!

 

[nutritionfirst]

I got a

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Aim to apply to schools which take the best combination of scores. Otherwise your new mcat's BS score might be a bit too low and be a red flag on your app.

 

[mtbtx]

My second mcat was a VR-11, PS-11, and BS-8...the first time I took it I had a 10 on bio (and less on the others, significantly less).

GPA is fine, lots of volunteering and clinical experience, working in research lab right now, and about to get my M.S. in Biochemical Nutrition. I'm applying to my state schools, spoke with a guy on admissions and he said I have a great application, and that my MCAT is "ehh" but everything else looks good (people have gotten in with less obviously), especially being bilingual (spanish). He was on the fence of if I should retake but leaning more towards not retaking it since, by Murphy's Law, if I got lower in VR or PS it wouldn't look too good.

Question 1) will my previous BS score of 10 be seen or noticed by admissions?

Question 2) should I retake? I KNOW I would get better on bio, likely I would do a 10/11 on PS, but in all honesty: unlikely to pull another 11 on VR

Thanks!

I wouldn't retake. You'll be fine.

 

[DoctorIn2015]

Aim to apply to schools which take the best combination of scores. Otherwise your new mcat's BS score might be a bit too low and be a red flag on your app.

Agreed. A retake would likely be risky since you can't guarantee you'll do better. I didn't retake my MCAT until I was fairly positive I could get at least 3-4 points better overall. Schools with the best combination of scores will be your best bet.

 

[nutritionfirst]

Would it be a huge deal even if I've gotten A's in Molecular Genetics, Biochem, Biomolecules and Metabolism, Molecular Biology...etc...(all graduate bio courses)...the Bio section I got was just balls out tough, no other way to explain it. But my transcript certainly says I can excel in these classes at the graduate level

 

[nutritionfirst]

what sort of schools are these? The guy in admission I spoke with suggested applying early decision since it would show that I'm committed to enrolling at my main instate school and I have a plenty strong app (his words)...

That being said, would doing ED and not being able to apply elsewhere until Oct 1st be a huge disadvantage?

 

[rHinO1]

I wouldn't retake, but understand that an 8 in bio will eliminate your chances at several schools. You will have to use the MSAR and select your schools carefully. Also, as someone mentioned above, you should find out what schools will take your best combined score from both tests.

You should be fine, as long as you apply smart.

 

[turkaglew]

Not if you have a good GPA, PS, and well rounded application to back it up. Certainly not if it is at or above where you were practicing.

If you know you can do better, if your banking on your MCAT to make up for flaws elsewhere, or if you want to go to a "top notch" school then yes retake.

 

[Mithril]

.

 

[lftbndlbrnchblk]

That tonight’s gonna be a good night.

That tonight's gonna be a good, good niiii-iiight.

 

[gettheleadout]

Sigh...the Black Eyed Peas have gone so far downhill since Elephunk...oh well.

Also, this thread should be moved to the Official "Should I Retake?" Thread here:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=412739

 

[Geekchick921]

Merged and moving to MCAT board's "Should I Retake" thread.

 

[manoloblahnik]

deleted

 

[tracyk859]

Thanks for the post. Hi guys, Im a newbie. Nice to join this forum.

 

[cristiano]

Blanky

 

[LaurenMCAT]

Depends on where you're hoping to get in! Better yet: do you feel that a 30Q is an apt representation of your abilities? Did you do everything that you possibly could (in terms of prepping for Test Day) to get a high score?

That science GPA is very very low for US allopathic schools (unless you're the offspring of a medical school dean), so your MCAT score has to WOW the admissions committee and make them see what fabulous new potential you have now!

I recommend getting a Masters degree in some sort of rigorous pre-med area that requires you to complete a Thesis project. You'll need to make significant strides in the academic area to put that low GPA behind you. Check out these programs: http://services.aamc.org/postbac/index.cfm

Do a gut check...and then find ways to put the BEST version of you on that application! Good luck 😉

 

[LaurenMCAT]

So I've taken the MCAT 3 times now...my last two scores:

P: 7 V: 9 B:10
Latest: P: 9 V:9 B:9

cGPA 3.42 and master's 3.6

Should I retake it? I feel as if I could do better but is it worth it to do a 4th time? Is a 27Q (28Q composite) sufficient?

Any advice would be great!

Thanks guys!

Best questions you need to ask yourself:
- Where do I want to go, and what are the standards? (What's my eventual goal? MD? DO? US / Canada / International?)
- What's it worth to me?
- IF I take the MCAT again, what must I do differently to raise my score that I didn't do before? (aka What do I think went wrong the first 3 times?)

 

[MDSomeday]

Hi. I have been lurking on sdn for a while and decided to post. My stats:

MCAT #1: VR 8 BS 13 PS 12 - 33P
MCAT #2: VR 6 BS 12 PS 11 - 29R

GPAc: 3.81 GPAs: 3.98
Attended UPenn for Undergrad

2 yrs clinical research
1 yr volunteering in hospital/clinic
1 yr tutoring in West Philadelphia
Lots of shadowing...

Looking back I wish that I had not retaken the MCAT. However, my dream school was UCLA and I was told by my premed advisers that UCLA would not take an 8 in VR. I was sick on the day I retook but after studying for 4+ months I thought that I would be able to pull of a decent score in spite of my illness. At this point I just want to go to an established medical school, doesn't have to be a UCLA.

I applied this round (2010) - have received 3 interviews - one resulted in a waitlist and the other two I am still waiting to hear back from.

I don't know what to do. Should I plan to retake in April/May 2011 so that I can apply for the next round? Is it definitely my 6 in VR that is bringing me down? I believe that I am capable of going to a great school and I am not sure if I should settle this round or put in the time studying to retake the MCAT and hopefully do better.

 

[WashMe]

Hi. I have been lurking on sdn for a while and decided to post. My stats:

MCAT #1: VR 8 BS 13 PS 12 - 33P
MCAT #2: VR 6 BS 12 PS 11 - 29R

GPAc: 3.81 GPAs: 3.98
Attended UPenn for Undergrad

2 yrs clinical research
1 yr volunteering in hospital/clinic
1 yr tutoring in West Philadelphia
Lots of shadowing...

Looking back I wish that I had not retaken the MCAT. However, my dream school was UCLA and I was told by my premed advisers that UCLA would not take an 8 in VR. I was sick on the day I retook but after studying for 4+ months I thought that I would be able to pull of a decent score in spite of my illness. At this point I just want to go to an established medical school, doesn't have to be a UCLA.

I applied this round (2010) - have received 3 interviews - one resulted in a waitlist and the other two I am still waiting to hear back from.

I don't know what to do. Should I plan to retake in April/May 2011 so that I can apply for the next round? Is it definitely my 6 in VR that is bringing me down? I believe that I am capable of going to a great school and I am not sure if I should settle this round or put in the time studying to retake the MCAT and hopefully do better.

I'd have to go with "retake" on this one, only because each subsection score went down on #2 and your VR is still a bit low. Good luck! I hope you hear great news from one of the two remaining schools and it's a moot point 🙂

Take the test in April/May either way, knowing that you might get an acceptance as late as June, July, or maybe even August if you end up on a waitlist. If you don't have an acceptance by June, submit a new AMCAS primary. If you don't have an acceptance by July, submit your new secondaries.

 

[daemon14]

Hey everyone, I posted in this thread a few months ago but I wanted some more feedback. I'm applying this summer -- graduating this May and will have only 1 "Science" class this semester (a psych/neuro course) + 1 humanities course + 1 seminar. I was originally going to review MCAT over the break (even brought my books home) but alas, I'm flying back to school tomorrow and I haven't even opened the books. Whoops.

I really want to go to a top20/25 school, not for the ranking, but because many of those schools are really where I see myself because of location and the way their curriculum work. Also, because I don't have a final list down pat, I feel just saying "top 20 school" gets it done 😛.

originally posted 10/12/10 (with some edits):

I took the MCAT last year at the end of Summer 2009 - I ended up with a 32Q. My breakdown was 9BS 11VR 12PS.

That breakdown is a little peculiar to me as I'm a Neurobiology major/Economics minor and should do best on the BS section (I even tutor the pre-med Bio and Organic Chem courses at my school, have over 300 hours of tutoring one-on-one and have TA'd for courses the last 2 years).
My practice tests beforehand were ranging from 32-39 (probably around a 35 average). I think it may be because I started feeling a little sick toward the end of the test, which would have been the BS section. However, I went ahead and submitted my scores because I didn't think I'd be able to sign up for another test before the last offering in September. I debated retaking the MCAT in the last offering cycle but decided to focus on other things (like shadowing, studying abroad, and working on stuff for my student organizations).

All in all, 32Q isn't a bad score but I feel I need more for my goals. I have a 3.88cGPA/3.92sGPA and am Phi Beta Kappa at a top-20 university; I'm aiming for a top-20 medical school and have residency in CA. Looking at the MSAR, not only is a 32 on the lower end of the 10-90% scale for many top-20 schools, but a 9 in the Biological Sciences is off the lower range. I'm really just worried about this score in terms of getting an interview -- I feel if I were asked about the 9 in the interview, I could explain the situation and show how I know the material well enough to be a TA for those courses.

I have the general ECs as well - research 2+years, volunteering 3+ years with disadvantaged inner-city high school students, shadowing 75+ hours, exec board of student organizations, peer advisor (orientation and residence life), performance group, as well as paid jobs like tutoring and helping out in the admissions office.

I'm applying for the 2012 matriculation cycle and should have a lightened load for my final semester in Spring 2011. I know that the general rule of thumb is to only retake if you can score 3+ more points - that would entail me getting a 12BS keeping the other 2 sections the same. However, considering my goals, would it be best for me to retake it? If so, any advice?

Thanks!

 

[sarus23]

Should I retake?
VR 9
PS 7
WS N
BS 10

Undergrad GPA: 3.6 (science and overall)
Master's GPA: 3.9

NC residency

Took this during my time in Peace Corps and was speaking French mostly (hence the low writing section I think).

 

[startswithb]

Should I retake?
VR 9
PS 7
WS N
BS 10

Undergrad GPA: 3.6 (science and overall)
Master's GPA: 3.9

NC residency

Took this during my time in Peace Corps and was speaking French mostly (hence the low writing section I think).

Yes.

 

[WashMe]

Should I retake?
VR 9
PS 7
WS N
BS 10

Undergrad GPA: 3.6 (science and overall)
Master's GPA: 3.9

NC residency

Took this during my time in Peace Corps and was speaking French mostly (hence the low writing section I think).

Yes.

👍

 

[Compass]

Hey everyone, I posted in this thread a few months ago but I wanted some more feedback. I'm applying this summer -- graduating this May and will have only 1 "Science" class this semester (a psych/neuro course) + 1 humanities course + 1 seminar. I was originally going to review MCAT over the break (even brought my books home) but alas, I'm flying back to school tomorrow and I haven't even opened the books. Whoops.

I really want to go to a top20/25 school, not for the ranking, but because many of those schools are really where I see myself because of location and the way their curriculum work. Also, because I don't have a final list down pat, I feel just saying "top 20 school" gets it done 😛.

originally posted 10/12/10 (with some edits):

Do not retake. Also, curriculum in most schools is remarkably the same. Not like Top 20 schools have rich people human anatomy and other schools have middle class human anatomy 😳

 

[sfvet]

The credited response is ALWAYS retake. You can always do better because the MCAT doesn't give out perfect scores.

 

[WashMe]

The credited response is ALWAYS retake. You can always do better because the MCAT doesn't give out perfect scores.

The MCAT doesn't give out perfect scores? This is just ridiculous. I assume by "The MCAT" you are talking about the AAMC. Now, any person can score a 15 on a given section by missing zero questions, or maybe 1. Every year, many people score 15's on PS, VR, or BS. Nothing stops one person from scoring a 15 on each individual test, so nothing stops them from scoring a 45 overall. Just because "nobody" scores a 45 (it actually does happen), it doesn't mean AAMC is actively preventing 45's.

 

[Pax Thien]

I got a 32P with a 12P 8VR 12B.
I have a 3.84 GPA

My reasoning for retaking is because I have been originally enrolled in a 6 year pharmacy program. I just switched out after 3 1/2 years and will be graduating in the spring with a degree in Biology. I was lucky I had AP credit and that some credits transferred otherwise I'd barely be able to graduate.

The biggest problem for me is that I have zero extracurriculars and don't really have time to accumulate any for my resume between now and this wave of applications. However, I do believe I can improve my MCAT score because I spent only a month studying and scored better on my diagnostic test. I never finished going over all the material covered on the MCATs and the 8 in verbal is below the 10s and 11s I've been getting.

Thank you for the feedback

 

[WashMe]

I got a 32P with a 12P 8VR 12B.
I have a 3.84 GPA

My reasoning for retaking is because I have been originally enrolled in a 6 year pharmacy program. I just switched out after 3 1/2 years and will be graduating in the spring with a degree in Biology. I was lucky I had AP credit and that some credits transferred otherwise I'd barely be able to graduate.

The biggest problem for me is that I have zero extracurriculars and don't really have time to accumulate any for my resume between now and this wave of applications. However, I do believe I can improve my MCAT score because I spent only a month studying and scored better on my diagnostic test. I never finished going over all the material covered on the MCATs and the 8 in verbal is below the 10s and 11s I've been getting.

Thank you for the feedback

Your MCAT won't keep you out of medical school, but your lack of "fluffy qualifications" probably will. You still have 5 months to pull it together and do some shadowing, volunteer work, etc. Good luck.

 

[Pax Thien]

Thank you for the feedback but I actually had a huge typo. My GPA is actually only 3.48. I know that's not a terrible GPA but it's not a particularly strong GPA. I don't feel that confident with an average GPA, above average MCATs, and a complete lack of extracurriculars.

 

[revasquez]

Hello,

So I'm currently working on boosting my science gpa taking post-bacc work. My cumulative science gpa is almost at a 3.00, while my post-bacc science gpa is currently at a 3.7...I took the MCAT back in 2009 and got a 25R. The breakdown was 8P 8V 9B and an R in writing...

I'm taking 3 classes this quarter and probably 2 next quarter...I wanted to apply this summer, but I'm not sure how to factor the MCAT in. Any advice?

Thank you!!