Passing a school's screen while retaking MCAT

[pbehzad]

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So I have passed 3 schools screens which I hear are somewhat competitive (Loyola, VCU, and EVMS). I did really crappy on the April test (9P, 7V, 10B) so I retook the exam in august and am hoping for a 30 (thats what i was scoring on the practice exams). Now I have a 3.78 gpa from a top 20 undergrad school, and I am wondering since i passed the screen with a crappy mcat score, would it be wrong to assume that the schools would give me an interview if my mcat goes up a few points? I am thinking since they obviously didn't give me their secondaries because of my MCAT score, they must like the rest of my application. I am just wondering if it is wrong to assume that since I passed a screen with a crappy mcat score that if my august scores increase i should expect an interview? Also I am out-of-state at all 3 of those schools.

Thanks.

 

[Ypo.]

I know of only one school that will consider new MCAT scores, and that is only when you are on the waitlist. No, I don't remember which one it was, sorry-I didn't apply there.

Its a good idea to take it again, but it depends if you have the energy. Personally if I got invited to three interviews, I don't think I could make myself. 😀
Why don't you just wait and see, APril is a long way off-you will most certainly know if you have been invited for a satisfactory number of interviews by Jan. Then you can tackle that test again if you want to.

 

[pbehzad]

ummm thanks for your reply, but I retook the past aug. mcat test and am waiting for the scores. My question though is that since the schools sent me their 2ndary even with a bad mcat score (and they knew i was retaking the august test) does that show that i could be high on their list to interview (wiht a decent mcat score) or am i looking to deep into it?
thanks

 

[Ypo.]

ummm thanks for your reply, but I retook the past aug. mcat test and am waiting for the scores. My question though is that since the schools sent me their 2ndary even with a bad mcat score (and they knew i was retaking the august test) does that show that i could be high on their list to interview (wiht a decent mcat score) or am i looking to deep into it?
thanks

Oops. sorry.
Yes, I definitely think it will get you an interview. I don't even know why you were wondering this. Obviously they like you enough with low MCAT and retaking with a better score will only help you. 😀

 

[pbehzad]

Oops. sorry.
Yes, I definitely think it will get you an interview. I don't even know why you were wondering this. Obviously they like you enough with low MCAT and retaking with a better score will only help you. 😀

thanks for the words of encouragement. somebody else must surely know about this.

 

[aparecida]

I don't think any of us are in a position to say "yes, you will get interviews" or "no, you won't get interviews" (at least, not accurately). It depends how selective the schools are, how strong the rest of your application is, etc. Maybe, maybe not. I'd say probably. But I doubt anyone else's guess is any better than yours.

 

[LaurieB]

My guess is that once you notify schools of your new scores, they'll pull your file and update the information and possibly review it again. If your scores are better it can only help. Any excuse you have to make schools take a second look at you is a good one.

Also, passing a screening does not equal getting an interview. Schools continue to filter as they go.

Good luck!
Laurie

 

[Ypo.]

My guess is that once you notify schools of your new scores, they'll pull your file and update the information and possibly review it again. If your scores are better it can only help. Any excuse you have to make schools take a second look at you is a good one.

Also, passing a screening does not equal getting an interview. Schools continue to filter as they go.

Good luck!
Laurie

This is true. I'd bet money you will get interviewed-as long as they don't reject you before you can call them with your new MCAT scores.

 

[pbehzad]

This is true. I'd bet money you will get interviewed-as long as they don't reject you before you can call them with your new MCAT scores.

thanks. I know passing a screen doesn't mean you get an interview (unless its vandy), but from those 3 schools which i hear screen out about 1/2 the applicants, i felt pretty good about it with my low mcat score. i just wnated to see if anyone else had been in a similar situation or is currently in the same boat.

Thanks for all your replies.

 

[derf]

thanks. I know passing a screen doesn't mean you get an interview (unless its vandy), but from those 3 schools which i hear screen out about 1/2 the applicants, i felt pretty good about it with my low mcat score. i just wnated to see if anyone else had been in a similar situation or is currently in the same boat.

Thanks for all your replies.

do you know if these schools have numbers only cutoffs for secondaries, or if they review your entire amcas. this should provide a better picture for you also. good luck.

 

[LaurieB]

do you know if these schools have numbers only cutoffs for secondaries, or if they review your entire amcas. this should provide a better picture for you also. good luck.

There is no magic formula. Most schools are looking at the whole picture of numbers + experiences + whatever else. Add in some serindipity and you find yourself in med school. If this weren't the case, I would have never been accepted anywhere. 🙂

 

[pbehzad]

There is no magic formula. Most schools are looking at the whole picture of numbers + experiences + whatever else. Add in some serindipity and you find yourself in med school. If this weren't the case, I would have never been accepted anywhere. 🙂

Does anybody know if the Loyola, EVMS or VCU screens are based on numbers or on the whole package?

 

[derf]

There is no magic formula. Most schools are looking at the whole picture of numbers + experiences + whatever else. Add in some serindipity and you find yourself in med school. If this weren't the case, I would have never been accepted anywhere. 🙂

yeah, most likely schools will probably look through your entire app. But some schools, like Illinois, send secondaries to anyone with >2.8 and 23 mcats. hence, this really doesn't give any insight to where you stand post-secondary