Oldest considered MCAT for MD Schools

[Sobek]

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How steadfast are schools for the oldest considered MCAT?

My MCAT is from July 2017, and many schools say oldest considered is January 2018. Is it worth applying to these schools?

Does anyone have insight on if there’s ever exceptions made?

 

[GreenDuck12]

I would not apply to schools that advertise your MCAT score is too old. Remember, schools need to reject 80% of the applications they receive pre-interview. Not meeting the outlined technical requirements are an easy way for them to do that. You could always call the admissions offices and ask.

 

[deleted1044561]

That's 3 years old OP. I think you should check individually because that's on the later side.

 

[Blueprint Med School]

3 years old is pushing the upper limits for how long an individual MCAT is good for. If you are not planning on retaking the exam, then I would check with each individual school before applying to them and make sure it's kosher or not.

David D MD - USMLE and MCAT Tutor
Med School Tutors

 

[Sobek]

Thank you all. I think reaching out to the individual schools is probably my best bet. Here’s to hoping admissions offices answer my calls!

 

[KnightDoc]

How steadfast are schools for the oldest considered MCAT?

My MCAT is from July 2017, and many schools say oldest considered is January 2018. Is it worth applying to these schools?

Does anyone have insight on if there’s ever exceptions made?

Good luck, but I think you are going to find the schools to be pretty unyielding. They have the latitude to set the date wherever they want, and they each do so after careful deliberation, deciding how "stale" they are willing to tolerate having the score be while still having some predictive value as to your academic performance. The fact that you scored "X" at date "Y" has less and less relevance to your current capabilities as time goes on.

There would be no reason to make an exception for any single candidate. If they were okay with an earlier score, they would take it from everyone. Besides fundamental unfairness, they wouldn't advertise a date, and lose candidates who couldn't meet it without asking for an exception, if they weren't serious about it.

 

[DokterMom]

I'd expect they might be a bit more flexible this year since so many students won't have MCAT scores at all yet...

How good/bad is your score, and what do you think it would be if you were to retake in September? If you're willing and prepared for a retake, submitting now with a "planned retake" might get you through the interview door if everything else is good enough.

 

[Sobek]

I'd expect they might be a bit more flexible this year since so many students won't have MCAT scores at all yet...

How good/bad is your score, and what do you think it would be if you were to retake in September? If you're willing and prepared for a retake, submitting now with a "planned retake" might get you through the interview door if everything else is good enough.

My MCAT from 2017 was 513. I’m not sure how I’d score now, but I don’t think it’d be any higher. I’d have to start studying now and I’m working full time so it’d be difficult.

Do you think with the retake it’d improve my chances?

 

[KnightDoc]

My MCAT from 2017 was 513. I’m not sure how I’d score now, but I don’t think it’d be any higher. I’d have to start studying now and I’m working full time so it’d be difficult.

Do you think with the retake it’d improve my chances?

It's binary -- either they'll accept it or they won't. Assuming I am correct about no exceptions, yes, a retake will improve your chances at all schools that have said they will not accept scores older than January 2018! 🙂 On the other hand, a score lower than 513 will not be good, since they will also see the 513. And, of course, a retake will not help you at all at schools that will accept a 7/17 score.

How many schools on your list will accept a score from 7/17? Would you consider adding others as an alternative to trying to sit for the exam now? Would you even have time to sit for the exam in time to apply for this cycle? Assuming you couldn't take the test before September, wouldn't you be better off skipping this cycle and taking the test next year as opposed to applying late and hoping for the best?

Of course, the best thing would be getting an exception, but I really think that's a long shot that you shouldn't count on.

 

[Sobek]

It's binary -- either they'll accept it or they won't. Assuming I am correct about no exceptions, yes, a retake will improve your chances at all schools that have said they will not accept scores older than January 2018! 🙂 On the other hand, a score lower than 513 will not be good, since they will also see the 513. And, of course, a retake will not help you at all at schools that will accept a 7/17 score.

How many schools on your list will accept a score from 7/17? Would you consider adding others as an alternative to trying to sit for the exam now? Would you even have time to sit for the exam in time to apply for this cycle? Assuming you couldn't take the test before September, wouldn't you be better off skipping this cycle and taking the test next year as opposed to applying late and hoping for the best?

Of course, the best thing would be getting an exception, but I really think that's a long shot that you shouldn't count on.

My list originally had about 30 schools. But after this realization, only about 18 schools accept my 2017 mcat. I also applied to 3 DO and those accept my 2017 Mcat as well.

I’ve already submitted my primary for this cycle. Pending verification from amcas. I could sit for the exam, but with secondaries coming up I honestly don’t think I’d have enough time to give my 100% for studying it.

Unfortunately I’m a nontrad student (graduated undergrad 2016), so if I wait another cycle and pull my app, many of my prerequisites will be expired for most schools.

Thank you all btw for your advice and replies!

 

[KnightDoc]

My list originally had about 30 schools. But after this realization, only about 18 schools accept my 2017 mcat. I also applied to 3 DO and those accept my 2017 Mcat as well.

I’ve already submitted my primary for this cycle. Pending verification from amcas. I could sit for the exam, but with secondaries coming up I honestly don’t think I’d have enough time to give my 100% for studying it.

Unfortunately I’m a nontrad student (graduated undergrad 2016), so if I wait another cycle and pull my app, many of my prerequisites will be expired for most schools.

Thank you all btw for your advice and replies!

So all you can really do at this point is call the 12 remaining schools and hope for the best. Just don't waste money on secondaries on a hope and a prayer if they don't give you the answer you want. 18 schools is still a very decent number, so, if it's meant to be, it will happen. Good luck!!!