Forum Members Official "Should I Retake?" Thread

[QofQuimica]

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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)​

 

[DDX2k]

Got my results today...

29P

9/10/10

3.48 cGPA (3.34sGPA)

URM (black male)
No volunteer work (hundreds of hours in HS, but doesn't really count I guess)
Some shadowing with DOs (might be able to squeeze in an MD surgeon and internist before I apply later this month)
Lots of extracurriculars, ranging from ballroom/latin dancing and several martial arts to being an orientation leader
Decent amount of work experience
Several years of research experience with publication

Worthwhile to retake, or should I just apply? I'm leaning towards not retaking because even though I'm just short of 30, my indiv scores are as balanced as they can get. Thoughts?

 

[krh227]

I got a 29L 10P/9V/10B

I am a great writer and felt that my essays were pretty solid.... I have no idea what happened. I'm going to request a regrade.

In the meantime, I have already submitted my application... should I retake it?

my sGPA is a 3.43, cGPA is 3.63, and grad GPA is 3.97

I have psych research experience, shadowing, PICU hospital volunteering, and I did Teach for America.

sShould I retake it?? Anyone with experience getting a ridiculously low writing score that they never would have expected in a million years?

 

[flowlikeh20]

Like many others here, I am hoping for opinions on whether or not to retake. I am leaning towards retaking.

PS -9 , VR - 10, BS - 11, writing - R

I'm transferring in a 2.4 from my last university, but may be able to get retroactive withdrawals for a couple of semesters when I had health issues. GPA at my new school is ~ 3.5. Mainly for this reason, I put off applying until next cycle so my overall is at least a 3.0. I didn't take science classes at my first university so at least that will be around the 3.5. I've had other issues that I've worked through that I intend to portray as part of my growth and part of what has given me strength (chronic migraines, ADHD...getting married during undergrad) -- I know better than to make excuses but I genuinely feel these experiences have made me stronger despite the hit my GPA has taken.

In anycase, I know a 30 is usually good enough to apply, but given that I studied while working part time, while dealing with chronic daily headaches, and getting scammed by Kaplan, I think I can self pace -- study BR/EK stuff over the summer, and up my score by at least a few points. There were definite holes/weaknesses in my content knowledge.

I have pretty good EC -- musician my whole life, studied martial arts and volunteered to teach kids self defense... I've worked full time in the software industry, shadowed physicians/observed surgery, did a research internship at johns hopkins university, and am a rehab technician at a hospital, so I get lots of hands on experience working with patients. I'm also going to be doing some plant biology research (I wanted to get in some undergrad research but didn't have medical research opportunities, I figured this would still be worth it for a potential publication/good recommendation).

Am I too worried about my GPA given everything else or am I correct to want to push myself to get it even higher to help overcome my GPA. Thanks in advance to anyone who took the time to read this and has an opinion.

 

[Americano12]

Hey guys,

Just got my scores back yesterday PS 6/VR 6/ BS 10/ WS S = 22S. I am definitely planning on retaking this summer the first week of August. However, I am asking for your guys' opinions on if I should still submit my application this cycle. Everything is uploaded and finished. I have strong ECs and LORs and research experience. However, I have a low GPA: cGPA: 3.3. Should I still submit my application for this cycle for USMD schools? I'm not applying to DO schools.

Thanks so much for your time.

 

[ridethecliche]

Hey guys,

Just got my scores back yesterday PS 6/VR 6/ BS 10/ WS S = 22S. I am definitely planning on retaking this summer the first week of August. However, I am asking for your guys' opinions on if I should still submit my application this cycle. Everything is uploaded and finished. I have strong ECs and LORs and research experience. However, I have a low GPA: cGPA: 3.3. Should I still submit my application for this cycle for USMD schools? I'm not applying to DO schools.

Thanks so much for your time.

You're shooting in the dark. You're so far below everything, that I'd honestly have told you not to apply to even DO schools right now.

You really need to get your scores up and figure out why you didn't do well the first time around. Your GPA is low for USMD and even DO. Your MCAT is off the chart low right now.

Honestly, you need to get your ducks lined up. You can do it, you just need to before you shell out thousands of dollars for no reason.

 

[kdnUSN1982]

I took the MCAT last summer and got a 29M- PS:8 V:8 BS:13. I retook the MCAT earlier this year, but had a meltdown midway through and voided my score. I am set to take it again July 6th 2011, but I am very scared about it. Should I not retake it and just apply?

My Background info:
GPA from Community college- 3.69
GPA from the University- 3.93
Science GPA- 3.7

This is with a double major in biology and psychology. I spent 5 years as a medic in the Navy with one year deployed as a combat medic with the Marine Corps. I have over 100 hours of volunteering at my church's free clinic and over 100 hours volunteering with the health department at the local Needle Exchange.

I know my resume is good, but those scores of 8 and the writing score of M are freaking me out. Your thoughts?

 

[Arthritic]

should i retake???

this was my 3rd attempt and i got a 31 P

12=PS, 7=VR, 12=BS

my first two scores were
7=PS, 5=VR, 8=BS...20Q
8=PS, 7=VR, 8=BS...23Q

i studied so hard for my 3rd try at the mcat as you can see by the 8pt jump. I put english as my second language on the AMCAS application with korean being my first.
i really dont want to study for this test again because i studied my butt off on this last attempt...
thanks

 

[Polo423]

Should I retake?

27N

VR 9
PS 9
BS 9
Writing N

This was my second time. First time was 28Q (PS 9, BS 9, VR 10), but that score is 3 years old and not valid anymore.

 

[CaliBalla]

- Practice score range from both Kaplan & AAMC tests = 36-38; one 33 outlier
- PS ~ 12-13, BS ~ 13-14, VR ~ 10-11
- Real score from 04/29: 31R = 11/10/10
- Happy with the verbal & writing scores, donno wtf happened on the sciences...

- cGPA: 3.82 in Biomedical Engineering w/ minors in Management & Biology from a UC
- sGPA: 3.93
- Brief description of ECs: 3yrs EMT on ambulance, 8 months ER Tech (until present), 1 month Senior Trauma Tech @ UCI-MC (until present), volunteer EMT for 2 weeks in Costa Rica, shadowing PCP for 1 month (~20hrs), 1.5yr biomedical research, 1 yr stem cell research, philanthropy chair of fraternity for a bit, some other minor things

- Don't care much about ivy league or "top 10" med schools, but I do want to stay in CA...

I've already submitted & have been verified, but debating whether to retake my 31 in anticipation for reapplication next year or updating schools on the MCAT if it improves the second time around....

If my real score was within my practice score range I wouldn't mind the 31, especially since it's balanced, but it's several points below and I feel like it's not representative of me...

Thoughts?

 

[a2lama]

Should I re-take?

I took my MCAT last June and got a 31R ... 10BS, 12 VR, 9 PS.
I applied during the previous cycle and was resoundingly unsuccessful, most likely due to the fact that I applied quite late and my undergraduate gpa was not stellar (3.48 sci and 3.7 non-sci).

I'm planning on getting an MPH in epidemiology at a top tier public health school and will be reapplying this coming summer. The only reason that I am entertaining the idea of re-taking is because of the score breakdown... will my score be looked down upon because I scored a 9 in physical sciences while scoring a 12 in verbal??

 

[ringching]

CUMULATIVE AMCAS GPA: 3.59
AMCAS BCPM GPA: 3.49
AMCAS AO GPA: 3.78

30(8PS/11VR/11BS)

I am concerned about that 8 in physical sciences. Should I retake and apply later in the cycle, or is my score fine to apply now? I am just really worried about scoring lower. I will be applying to both MD and DO schools.

 

[WashMe]

CUMULATIVE AMCAS GPA: 3.59
AMCAS BCPM GPA: 3.49
AMCAS AO GPA: 3.78

30(8PS/11VR/11BS)

I am concerned about that 8 in physical sciences. Should I retake and apply later in the cycle, or is my score fine to apply now? I am just really worried about scoring lower. I will be applying to both MD and DO schools.

A 30 is good enough, and your BS score is strong. If you are 75% sure you can score 34+ on a retake, and you're 100% sure that you'll at least get a better score, I'd consider retaking it. It's really not worth it to go from 30-->32 or something, but if you're gonna pull a 35 it's a different story.

Good luck either way!

 

[Temperature101]

should i retake???

this was my 3rd attempt and i got a 31 P

12=PS, 7=VR, 12=BS

my first two scores were
7=PS, 5=VR, 8=BS...20Q
8=PS, 7=VR, 8=BS...23Q

i studied so hard for my 3rd try at the mcat as you can see by the 8pt jump. I put english as my second language on the AMCAS application with korean being my first.
i really dont want to study for this test again because i studied my butt off on this last attempt...
thanks

I dont think you should retake. That is a big jump and adcoms would like that. You have an excuse for verbal since English is not your first language...Just apply to some DO to be safe

 

[CaliBalla]

Any advice for my situation?

 

[Supisak]

- Practice score range from both Kaplan & AAMC tests = 36-38; one 33 outlier
- PS ~ 12-13, BS ~ 13-14, VR ~ 10-11
- Real score from 04/29: 31R = 11/10/10
- Happy with the verbal & writing scores, donno wtf happened on the sciences...

- cGPA: 3.82 in Biomedical Engineering w/ minors in Management & Biology from a UC
- sGPA: 3.93
- Brief description of ECs: 3yrs EMT on ambulance, 8 months ER Tech (until present), 1 month Senior Trauma Tech @ UCI-MC (until present), volunteer EMT for 2 weeks in Costa Rica, shadowing PCP for 1 month (~20hrs), 1.5yr biomedical research, 1 yr stem cell research, philanthropy chair of fraternity for a bit, some other minor things

- Don't care much about ivy league or "top 10" med schools, but I do want to stay in CA...

I've already submitted & have been verified, but debating whether to retake my 31 in anticipation for reapplication next year or updating schools on the MCAT if it improves the second time around....

If my real score was within my practice score range I wouldn't mind the 31, especially since it's balanced, but it's several points below and I feel like it's not representative of me...

Thoughts?

well..... don't get hung up on your MCAT score, its great! I know of a 25M that was admitted to my school

your MCAT / GPA are very comp. for most CA schools, maybe even UCSF (not from CA so just going on what I have seen on here) but certainly the others - apply to CA and a couple other OOS schools that you would see yourself attending = apply as broadly as you can

so = DO NOT RETAKE unless you can nail +3 points evenly across all subsections - not worth the trouble - you are in good shape

even though you already submitted / verified......maybe some thoughts for others reading....

your app is heavy with clinical experience, how about something that is not school or medicine related....find an EC you can put on there that makes you stand out, eg. play concert piano, play a sport, read to the children at your church, volunteer to serve meals to the homeless - something with substance; your app looks awesome number wise, just find something either in your ECs or your PS that makes you stand out....something that is not so medicine related...balance is important....its those things on apps that get questioned in interviews......
those experiences are your chance to separate yourself from the pack and there are tons of apps that have nothing but medical / clinical experience and dean's lists on them.......find your niche and highlight it.....schools want students to round out their classes as well as grad chugging machines

 

[Supisak]

I took the MCAT last summer and got a 29M- PS:8 V:8 BS:13. I retook the MCAT earlier this year, but had a meltdown midway through and voided my score. I am set to take it again July 6th 2011, but I am very scared about it. Should I not retake it and just apply?

My Background info:
GPA from Community college- 3.69
GPA from the University- 3.93
Science GPA- 3.7

This is with a double major in biology and psychology. I spent 5 years as a medic in the Navy with one year deployed as a combat medic with the Marine Corps. I have over 100 hours of volunteering at my church's free clinic and over 100 hours volunteering with the health department at the local Needle Exchange.

I know my resume is good, but those scores of 8 and the writing score of M are freaking me out. Your thoughts?

So, first its great to see another corpsman going this route, former HM3 that is accepted this cycle (3rd Bat / 10th Mar / 2nd Mar Div)

Your grades are very good and your MCAT is good, just depends on where you are applying, choose wisely there - (would be nice if it were more balanced but former military at a school I know of got in with lower mcat than yours) - your clinical experience goes a long way to help - don't get too hung up on that writing score, its low but from my experience / talking to other apps / accepted students it never comes up on the app / interview trail......
apply broadly and be sure your app shows a well balanced and caring individual, once your grades get you past the screening of adcoms then your ECs and who you are has to come through in your app - make sure to show a good balance of grades / clinical exp. / and your human caring side....don't let your app be too clinical / medical
good luck and semper fi

 

[makasiedu]

I want to buy a book to study for the MCAT. The seller wants me to send a PM. Can somebody tell me what that is and how to send it?.

 

[tman5890]

I want to buy a book to study for the MCAT. The seller wants me to send a PM. Can somebody tell me what that is and how to send it?.

PM stands for private message. Click on the sellers name and click send private message.

 

[CaliBalla]

well..... don't get hung up on your MCAT score, its great! I know of a 25M that was admitted to my school

your MCAT / GPA are very comp. for most CA schools, maybe even UCSF (not from CA so just going on what I have seen on here) but certainly the others - apply to CA and a couple other OOS schools that you would see yourself attending = apply as broadly as you can

so = DO NOT RETAKE unless you can nail +3 points evenly across all subsections - not worth the trouble - you are in good shape

even though you already submitted / verified......maybe some thoughts for others reading....

your app is heavy with clinical experience, how about something that is not school or medicine related....find an EC you can put on there that makes you stand out, eg. play concert piano, play a sport, read to the children at your church, volunteer to serve meals to the homeless - something with substance; your app looks awesome number wise, just find something either in your ECs or your PS that makes you stand out....something that is not so medicine related...balance is important....its those things on apps that get questioned in interviews......
those experiences are your chance to separate yourself from the pack and there are tons of apps that have nothing but medical / clinical experience and dean's lists on them.......find your niche and highlight it.....schools want students to round out their classes as well as grad chugging machines

I guess the "non-medical" unique thing on my app is playing basketball all 4 yrs during college for my fraternity in the IFC league. We won the championship 2 years in a row for what it's worth...

Other than that, all I really had time for was working part time every week (had to support myself), school, study & research, and maybe the occasional party!

 

[MedianEminence]

I'm stuck

Option 1.
Apply with a current mcat score of 29S (9PS 9VR 11BS)
cGPA 3.94 from ucla
sGPA 3.88
ECs-- 2yrs research, co-authored a manuscript, submitted for pub
shadowing experience (60hrs)
some tutoring
leadership position at few organizations
hospital volunteering (200hrs)
internship program at hospital rotated through various departments (250hrs)
transfer student, immigrant, moved to US last 2yrs of high school in 2005
play piano (10+yrs), sing in Choir (6+)
speak 4 languages

Option 2
RETAKE on july28 and apply once scored are released (averaged 36 on AAMC's but some of the tests i took when i was studying for mcat the first time around -2yrs ago, except aamc10 and 11, scored 38 and 35 respectively...verbal is still ranging from 9-11)

please HELP, i dont really know if applying end of august will put me at disadvantage.

thank you

 

[MedianEminence]

someone please!!!

 

[Supisak]

someone please!!!

ok,
just like everyone else on this thread would tell you...submit your completed proofread app NOW.....you current MCAT and GPA are solid to get into a lot of allopathic schools as is....if you must retake the MCAT (you = grey area by all accounts - I would not retake...but some would say go for it)
better to get your app in line to be verified now...if you mark that you are taking another MCAT all that will do will delay your review in the primary review at the schools you apply to....so i do not believe there is a benefit to not getting your app in now if it is ready....if you wait the only decision left to make is to submit or not depending on if you bombed the mcat retake..(which can happen)
so - my thoughts.....
apply now and weigh HEAVILY the retake option and only retake if you have the time to commit to studying again and are very confident you can nail the retake........oh, and apply broadly = OOS from CA
cheers.....

 

[Supisak]

someone please!!!

and forgot one thing, put more faith in your signature than in me or anyone else : )

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you" (Matthew 7:7)​

 

[TheBox22]

.

 

[drziggy]

Hey Everyone!

Just got my score back, wanted to see what everyone thinks about retaking

PS 10, VR 11, BS 10 P

AAMC scores were 31, 32, 32, 35

My overall GPA is a 3.9 and sGPA is a 3.76.

I feel like I am capable of doing better, like I should have waited a little longer to take it but idk if its worth it with a 31.

Any thoughts?

I don't think it's worth it to retake it. You have great grades and a balanced MCAT with all sections in double digits. If your AAMC average was like 37 and you were confident that you could do better and study harder, than I would say maybe, but unless you're gunning for Harvard, I would say apply broadly and you will do well.

 

[TheBox22]

I don't think it's worth it to retake it. You have great grades and a balanced MCAT with all sections in double digits. If your AAMC average was like 37 and you were confident that you could do better and study harder, than I would say maybe, but unless you're gunning for Harvard, I would say apply broadly and you will do well.

Thanks! really appreciate it

 

[Buttermellow]

Just got my score back... 29P. My aamc average was ~33, and I did about 3 points worse than any VR practice score.

I have a 4.0, plan on applying to low or mid-tier schools in the midwest (especially my state school). You can see the rest of my MDApps profile... should I retake?

Thanks for any and all help.

 

[chocofudges]

I got a 31 R on the MCAT
9 VR
12 PS
10 B

GPA: 3.78
Science GPA: 3.57 (but including all college science courses including those taken in high school, it is a 3.59)

Usually, my highest section on the practice tests was verbal reasoning. I often got 13 in it, but this time I got a 9 🙁

My EC's are spanish translator for three years, volunteer at a Syrian orphanage and hospital for two winter breaks, junior volunteer at Robert Wood Johnson Hamilton for 2 summers, Charity Outreach manager of a new business my brother and his friend started (don't worry it is legit, but it has not yet been legally established), and an occasional tutor of SAT and math in my free time. I also shadowed a cardiologist and internal medic for a month each. I am 16 now, and am at senior status at Rutgers (graduating in three years).

Should I retake the exam or no? I got over 30, but I don't know if that is enough hahaha.

 

[Fifa1260]

My sister has her 2nd MCAT score released a few weeks ago, which 16. I believe it's mainly because of her pregnancy as she's been sick etc. I know her score is really low. But she has a GPA of 4.0 and has excellent recommendations. Also, she currently works as a nurse. She is waiting for a response from Loma Linda and I was wondering if she has any chance to get accepted. Thanks for your comments!

 

[btc8]

I am non-traditional.

uGPA (science): 3.5
uGPA (cum.): 3.6
MCAT (5/21/2011): PS 8/VR 8/BS 10 N=26N
Decent ECs during undergrad (peer tutor, lab TA, UG research)
M.S. in Pharmacology
Approx. 3 years in cancer research (full-time as a graduate student getting M.S. No publications, but two separate projects secured NIH grants from which I did all experiments, analysis of data, and design and implementation of future experiments).

I would like to apply to MD schools, but DO schools would also be ideal. I signed up to retake on July 16, and I have been studying off-and-on during the month since I took 5/21, but I'm unsure that I could get a 30 (and worse, I don't want to do worse). Should add that I was making a 33 average on the practice full-lengths (under timed conditions--took AAMC 3-7, 8, 10, 11).

I'm not looking at top-tier or even mid-tier MD schools...just those in my state (Ohio).

Should I retake it on the 16 or just apply now with that score? I know that DO schools that may be competitive, but for MDs, I should have a 30.

 

[Whatyousay]

My sister has her 2nd MCAT score released a few weeks ago, which 16. I believe it's mainly because of her pregnancy as she's been sick etc. I know her score is really low. But she has a GPA of 4.0 and has excellent recommendations. Also, she currently works as a nurse. She is waiting for a response from Loma Linda and I was wondering if she has any chance to get accepted. Thanks for your comments!

I'm sorry, but a 16 on the MCAT won't get your sister anywhere. She has to retake.

Are you saying your sister took the MCAT when she was pregnant?

 

[LLMC2011]

Gray Area - ANY Advice is appreciated 🙂

First MCAT May 21st --> 28R
PS 8
VR 10
BS 10

GPA: 3.90
BCPM: 3.87
EC: Research: Since soph year, w full-time summer & lots of grant $ from proposals. Solid volunteering & wide variety of shadowing/clinical specialties (geriatric, internal med, pediatrics, etc) -- have a trend of being exposed to unique populations, homeless, diff races, etc

Practice MCATs: 25, 27, 26, 29, 29
PS range 8-10
VR range 8-11
BS range 8-11
Studied light past 3 months & very intensely 2.5 weeks prior

Ohio resident applying to Ohio schools. Want to apply to some out of state (Chicago, California)

Currently signed up to retake July 29, should I go through with it? Scared scores will not increase enough to justify the retake... Thank you so much 🙂

 

[Tarajoy]

I just got a 28Q ps8 vr8 bs12, i am applying to a canadian school whos avg to get in is a 29. overall, i am somewhat happy with my score, but so unbalanced!

During all the practice AAMC I never got above a 28, however, I most often did better in PS. I only have 1 month to restudy, along with working, moving, and writting applications and essays. Should I rewrite? I am not sure if this uni cares much about unbalanced or not? I am a nurse, and my gpa is decent.

 

[flodhi1]

AAMC:-
VR average:- 8-9ish (8.5? lol)
PS average:- 10
BS average:- 12
(30-31ish)

Actual exam

VR:- 7 (FML!)
PS :- 12
BS :10
(29 N) [ Isn't N pathetic too?].

I guess the PS and BS flipped around on the actual exam and the VR man how I hate that Bull I swear kept me from hitting a 30

What are my chances?
I did apply URM and am a former Infantry Marine GPA is around 3.3ish (Freshman, sophmore yr was while I was active duty which was like A 2.6 AND 2.8 RESPECTIVELY) Junior and senior year was after military with 3.4 and 3.8 respectively (with a lot more credits & science classes taken my junior and senior year). Have all A's in every core class & pre-req be it Human phyiolosy, genetics, biochemistry, organics, physics, gen chems etc....
Don't know if it's worth retaking since I only dropped 1-2 points below my average.... or do you guys think I should?
In Extracurricular activity have over 2000 hours of shadowing/volunteering with a M.D in an emergency health clinic. Supposedly have some crazy letter of recommendations (crazy being in a good way). The thing is that my freshman and sophmore year GPA is low because I was working 50-60 hours / week in the military and also attending school. I just honestly had no time for school and continuously faced deployments over seas and to Iraq. It was after my military career that I was able to truly settle down academically (Junior and senior year). For the VR honestly there is no excuse, I was expecting to score a 30+ on the MCAT and at least a 9 on the VR, I fell short with a 7 on VR and 29. Really not in the mood to retake at all but if it's necessary I guess I don't have a choice.

 

[rs2k6]

delete

 

[doctorlambchops]

Hello! This is my very first post on studentdoctor.net. Would you recommend taking the MCAT again with my scores? Thank you. 🙂

29R
9/9/11

 

[drziggy]

Hello! This is my very first post on studentdoctor.net. Would you recommend taking the MCAT again with my scores? Thank you. 🙂

29R
9/9/11

GPA? ECs? If the rest of your application is solid I would say a 29R would give you an ok chance at Mercer or MC Georgia. What were your practice tests like? Do you feel like you can do significantly better next time?

 

[8883248]

.

 

[doctorlambchops]

GPA? ECs? If the rest of your application is solid I would say a 29R would give you an ok chance at Mercer or MC Georgia. What were your practice tests like? Do you feel like you can do significantly better next time?

Hello Dr.Ziggy! My practice tests were consistently from 31-33. Let's say I wasn't prepared for a unique physical science section on the day of my MCAT. My sGPA and cGPA is 3.8. Also, I am of Asian heritage (Chinese). My extracurricular activities include- 90 hours of volunteering within the span of a month and 12 hours of shadowing an anesthesiologist along with his associates he works with. I am in the process of making a very powerful personal statement about my brief experiences. I'm just not convinced if the committee will look in favor of me. Skills include cell tissue culturing and histology preparation, but lack of long term research experience. Minor hobbies, I like to build computers and fix random appliances (random huh?). About feeling if I can do better next time, yes I can do it, but the rest of my application requires work for secondaries. I noticed a lot of successful applicants actually write in their personal statements about addressing an issue in healthcare and doing something about it. I would like to follow suit with such leaders then retake the MCAT for the 2012 application. Any other advice? Thank you🙂

 

[btc8]

What do you guys think of retaking my 34R?
11 PS 14 VR 9 BS

I'm confident I can get my BS score up to at least an 11, but I'm not confident my VR will stay above an 12. It is worth the risk? I'm worried the <10 BS will get me screened out at some schools. I averaged 12 PS&VR and 11 BS on the AAMC practice tests.

Opinions would be appreciated.

I would not risk it for just one subscore when the rest of your score looks great. The only time I would retake if you had something like 12 7 12 (when any subscore is beneath an 8). I think if you apply to top-tier, then that would be different, but your VR is superb, and your PS is great as well.

I wouldn't retake. That is a great score. Just my opinion.

 

[ButStillHopeful]

I have my heart set on getting a US MD, and I'm hoping to get into my state school UMDNJ or Rosalind Franklin. Should I try my luck, retake my MCATs, or delay a year and focus on getting As in senior year?

1st attempt: 28M
VR: 10
PS: 7
BS: 11

GPA: 3.2

 

[MedianEminence]

and forgot one thing, put more faith in your signature than in me or anyone else : )

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you" (Matthew 7:7)​

thank you Supisak 🙂

 

[insaneglitchx]

Here are the results of my first attempt:

28M:
Verbal: 8
Physical Sciences: 10
Biology: 10

I know my writing score was really bad, which is strange since I haven't gotten anything but an A on an essay while in college. I guess that's what you get when the readers only take 2 minutes per MCAT essay.

I applied to both MD and DO schools, and I am more inclined towards a DO degree. I feel like my score would be fine for DO schools, but not very competitive for MD programs. My practice MCAT scores were 22 (diagnostic), 27 (half-way into studying), and 28 (2 weeks before my first attempt). Based upon my practice tests, it seems like I have reached a plateau. Should I retake the MCAT on August 6th, or stick with my 28M?

I know a retake with a lower, or equal, overall score looks bad. So, does it sound like it would be a waste of time and too much of a risk to retake the MCAT?

Thank you.

 

[Kzoo Kid]

I think I'll keep it.

 

[docntrainin]

.

 

[lerm89]

I just got my 5/26 score... 32Q (PS:12 VR:8 BS:12)
GPA is 3.88, double major in Chemistry and Biology
Lots of research, pretty good EC's, great LOR's
AAMC average was 36 (13/10/13)

I signed up to retake on August 12th but plan on submitting my app next week with this score. I'm worried the score will keep me out of MD/PhD since the averages are around 35 for any school... I am happy with my sciences but I'm just in disbelief at my low verbal score (never got below a 10 on practice).

So, do you think retaking the MCAT would be worth it if I increase, say to a 35 (which I think is really doable)?

 

[DrWags]

Hi, so I also just got my 5/26 MCAT score back today. Disappointed to say the least; hence why I'm on this thread!

PS: 10
VR: 9
W: M (omg, maybe I should have practiced haha)
BS: 10

I know that I did not give myself enough time to study for this, thought I would study during the spring semester, but did minimal at best. Mostly crammed for a couple of weeks after finals. (Granted I was fresh off of taking physics, so I considered that studying for the MCAT too 🙂)

Practice exams: AAMC 11: 12/11/11 = 34 (two days before real thing)
AAMC 10: 12/11/10 = 33
AAMC 9: 12/8/10 = 30
AAMC 3: 10/10/9 = 29
Avg: 11.5/10/10 = 31.5

I believe that I can do better than a 29, but am wondering if studying for ~1.5-2 months and retaking it end of August would be okay for this cycle or if I should just stick with my 29M. My GPA is good from my state school(~3.85) but my ECs are on the weaker side. WI resident.

I've considered applying to DO schools but haven't looked at that app yet. Filled out AMCAS but haven't submitted. Still tweaking the PS.

Anyways, this is lengthy enough. Thank you for any and all input.

 

[mcchicken42]

OK, looking for advice, I'm a pre-med Biology major in Texas, graduating UT Austin next spring. Here's my numbers:

Cumulative GPA: 3.63
Science GPA: 3.66
VR: 11
PS: 11
BS: 12
Writing: R
Total: 34R

I know this is a pretty good score and definitely competitive in Texas, GPA could be better but it's too late to improve it, it can only really go down from here. My ECs are pretty weak, and (not to brag) I barely really studied for this test, I crammed for like a week after finals. I only did so well because I'm a science major and I've always done fairly well at standardized tests. I procrastinated so hard on studying that I didn't even take any practice tests. So, while I know retaking with such a score often produces lower scores, if I really studied my ass off, I could probably bring it up even more. But is it worth it? Should I just focus on improving my ECs and PS etc, considering I will probably not apply this cycle anyway?

 

[bev78]

Advice on a re-take:

VR: 9
BS: 9
PS: 9
27Q

Post-bacc, sGPA: 4.1, good experience (including clinical), great LOR's. Honestly I believe my application is very solid besides the MCAT score. I'd like to move forward with this cycle. Any thoughts/words of encouragement?

 

[aquakiwi07]

Hi everyone,
I am in need for some honest advice. I took the MCAT for the first time 5/20, my scores:
PS 10
BS 10
VR 8
Total: 28R
English is my second language so I'm hoping that it can buffer my verbal score a little bit. I already took all of the AAMC practice tests, so if I do retake, I have the TPR practice tests at my disposal. I also am planning on buying the EK Verbal to improve my verbal score.

I went to undergrad at Berkeley and really want to stay in CA for med school.
GPA: 3.8
sGPA: 3.7-3.8

I have lots of ECs, good LORs and clinical research experience. I am currently a clinical research coordinator at UCSF.

Your help is much appreciated!