Please help! should I release??

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nanad

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Hey all

I got an 18 on my Aug 20th MCAT, totally bombed

I am re-taking on Jan 25th (scores come up Feb 25th I suppose)

I am applying for 2008 class

My question is, should I release that score or should I just wait until the Jan score? I am afraid if I release the 18, the file will not be looked at a second time. Otherwise, I can just wait until I get the Feb grades and fax them the same day to all the schools

What do you guys say? also, do schools give out secondaries to those without MCAT scores?

Suggestions please =(
 
anyone , please answer?!
 
An 18 is a very low score, so unless you have a stellar gpa to counteract that I would wait to submit. Although waiting until your Jan. scores come out puts you at a slight disadvantage with rolling admissions, your chances of acceptance would be much greater (assuming you score well on the MCAT). Just my two cents. Good luck with whatever you decide to do. :luck:
 
What is your gpa? If it's not a 4.0 or very close I would considering applying for 2009. An 18 MCAT probably won't get you in and applying so late won't work either unless you drastically improve your MCAT. If you really want to be a doctor one year really won't matter.
 
Also, people have been admitted with an 18. I don't want you to think it is hopeless this time around. As far as submitting or waiting until January if you do decide to go ahead for 2008, that is really a hard choice. Do you think you can do a good bit better?
 
I know I can do better. That score was totally a fluke. I was so nervous, it totally impacted my performance.

So you think I should not release that 18 right?

I am def going to re-take in Jan. The question is will I be getting secondaries without a released MCAT score?

I really think I can do much better than that ridiculous grade =( and I really really want to get in for 2008
 
Oh, my GPA is not so hot

Science is 3.1 Overall is 3.3
 
I'd say wait for next year. If you can really boost your score, you can just write off the 18 as a fluke, and everyone will believe you. Say you got food poisoning or something.
 
don't you think I should atleast try though to take the Jan MCAT and apply to schools that still will accept it?

For example, TOURO-NY and LECOM said they would look at those scores. TOURO-NY (which I would love to go to since I live in NY) says they still look at Jan scores

I feel like I will never know if I don't try

I think I will definitly not release those scores though. I think not releasing them is better than them seeing the 18..what do you guys say?
 
nanad said:
don't you think I should atleast try though to take the Jan MCAT and apply to schools that still will accept it?

For example, TOURO-NY and LECOM said they would look at those scores. TOURO-NY (which I would love to go to since I live in NY) says they still look at Jan scores

I feel like I will never know if I don't try

I think I will definitly not release those scores though. I think not releasing them is better than them seeing the 18..what do you guys say?
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Well you're going to have to release them eventually. Whether you apply now or wait until you get your January scores in. If you don't mind spending the money I don't see why you shouldn't apply this cycle. Just know that your chances are lower being so late in the application season. If you submit your AACOMAS app before getting your new scores make sure you include that you will be taking it in January. You might want to let the schools know individually that you will be retaking so you don't risk getting rejected.
 
Hey what do you mean I have to release them eventually? I heard that you really don't have to release scores unless you want to?

I have to release that 18 score no matter what?
 
Oh, and I submitted my ACCOMAS 9/9 so it should be updated soon. I updated it to say that I am retaking it in Jan and I e-mailed all the schools which I applied and most of them said that I have to formally request that my file be put on hold until Jan scores comes out

My main q' really was that, do I just leave my MCAT scores blank and wait for new scores so that my file will just be "pending" until it is complete?

I am afraid that the minute they see 18, they will just reject right away without waiting for Jan scores as some schools said they do..??

Thanks for helping me out =)
 
nanad said:
Hey what do you mean I have to release them eventually? I heard that you really don't have to release scores unless you want to?

I have to release that 18 score no matter what?
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Well maybe I'm wrong but I just thought that you're not supposed to withhold scores from schools. I might have to look that up and see if I can figure it out.
 
when you release your scores, i believe that all of them are released. Schools will know all the times you took the MCAT, therefore they will probably consider your file incomplete if you dont release all scores. Spending all that money to apply this late in the cycle may not pay off in the long run, so I would suggest that you wait a year. Unless you have some stellar clinical experience already, I would suggest taking a year to improve your experiences, take some more time to study, and like triathalete said, write it off as a fluke.

From the Princeton Review for MD schools: AAMC moves to a policy of "full disclosure." To quote the 2003 MCAT Essentials booklet, "All 2003 and later scores are automatically released to AMCAS and become part of [the student's] MCAT transcript

I took a year off between undergrad and applying, and it is by far the best thing i've done thus far. Interviewing at 4 schools so far this year, I've found that nearly everyone I've met have taken at least one year off and gotten some valuable experience.
 
The only time you can choose to not release your scores is immediately after the test when it gives you that choice (you void the test, and even you don't get to see your score). The schools will see all of your scores. I would suggest studying your ass off until May of next year, taking the MCAT, and applying next time. If you apply right now it will be a waste of your money. Even with the retake, the 18 could still potentially hurt. Some schools take an average of your MCAT scores, others the most recent.
 
well the thing is,

I really feel like I can really do A LOT better. this score was totally due to extreme stress and anxiety that I know affected by performance. during verbal I was so zoned out, I totally think I can do better

It's not that I didn't know the info, I was just toooooo nervous

I am thinking just applying to those schools that e-mailed me back saying they would consider a Jan score like touro-ny , LECOM
 
I have shadowed 2 MD's, 2 DO's
I have volunteered in a hospital and psychiatric center with developmentally challenged patients

I have a nursing (LPN) degree

I work as a nurse now in an internal medicine office

I feel like I have a strong foundation in 'medical experience'
 
If you have the money, why not. I still think your chances are minimal. For many schools (from what I hear), anything lower than 22 (unless you are a URM?) is an automatic rejection. In the grand scheme of things, one year is not going to hurt you but could help you dramatically. If you studied very hard, beefed up your EC's, and took a few classes to boost your GPA, think what you could do with a 27+! Good luck!
 
ok so I thought I should add a little bit of info , maybe some that are helping me out do not realize this but my ACCOMAS was sent out 9/9. I have already spent $630.

that having been said, do you think I should just go ahead and apply with a Jan score , since I already started the whole process?
 
I really really would encourage you to wait and refrain from applying this time unless you get that MCAT up to about a 30. To be honest, right now I don't think that you will even be considered by these schools. Eventually they will have to see that 18 and it would be better if you took some time to distance yourself from that score and those grades. I think a post-bac program would be an extremely helpful option as long as you perform very well in it. Also maybe the extra time will help you to study more for the MCAT because much of your application will hinge on you getting that score up quite a bit.

However, the nursing degree and experience will help you a lot so I think schools will definately be interested in you! You just need to be able to prove that you can get through the hard science years. Good luck with everything!
 
nanad said:
ok so I thought I should add a little bit of info , maybe some that are helping me out do not realize this but my ACCOMAS was sent out 9/9. I have already spent $630.

that having been said, do you think I should just go ahead and apply with a Jan score , since I already started the whole process?
Click to expand...

Oh, well in this case I probably would and just hope for the best. Try to get your hands on as many practice tests of the MCAT as you can and take them under testing conditions and within the time limits. This should help you be less nervous when you take the MCAT
 
man, Iam not trying to be rude or anything, but how did you pull of an 18? Did the power go out or something?
 
I totally see what you're saying but I figure I leave that as option B

I was thinking since I already have out my primary and spent $630, I figure I give it a try in Jan and after the exam if I feel really good, I will send out my secondaries right away and see what happens once the grades come back in Feb?

Option B would be to just stay in school for the spring (since I am supposed to graduate in Dec) and then for the year off I would just work because I need the money obviously with all these applications!

what do you say?
 
I don't know if that was supposed to be amusing but no, the power did not go out. My father was diagnosed with a brain tumor 3 days prior so I was quite stressed out and anxious on the day of the exam.

Thanks for being so kind though. If you have nothing good to say please don't say anything at all
 
I'm assuming your application fees are nonrefundable? In which case, study your arse off for the January administration (with your score I might even suggest a Kaplan classroom course) and take your chances. I think you hopes are dim at best for this cycle, but if you do well on the January MCAT you will be ahead of the game for next year.
 
I did not void because it was the last MCAT I could have took for the 2008 entering class and those were my plans, to apply for 2008.

I already sent on my ACCOMAS so I feel like I should take the leap anyway considering I spent a good amount of money already applying for primaries.

I think I can do much better and maybe they will see a tremendous improvment and atleast grant me an interview?
 
Remember that in medical school, you will also be at times under extreme stress/anxiety. Never the less, you still be expected to perform well. My honest opinion is that you should never give up on your goals and ambitions, but you must score higher on your MCAT to show you can handle medical school. An 18 MCAT is a strong indication to the ADCOMS that you will not handle the rigorous stress of medical school well. Unless you increase your score, I can pretty much guarantee you that you will not get in. So study real hard, eat the $630 (I know it sucks, but better than wasting more money!), and perform the hell out of the test next time. If you have confidence in yourself, you will get in. If you do not do well next time, then try again! Just my advice!
 
honestly, If you have already put that much money down, you might as well go for it! You are already considering the option of waiting until next year, so why not take the chance of getting in this year? I have heard of people getting interviews with a 17 on the MCAT. Also, from what I have heard from admissions counselors at DO schools, they do not look down on reapplying. That shows that you really want to be there, so it will not hurt you to apply this year and if you do not get in, reapply next year with better scores. That will show both that you are dedicated to getting in and you are capable of improving your score. Just consider that the worst that can happen from releasing these scores is that no school will accept you this year and you will need to wait until next year... and if you don't submit them, you have to wait anyhow. Good luck with whatever you do!
 
dancer2002 said:
I have heard of people getting interviews with a 17 on the MCAT.
Click to expand...

Not to sound like a score snob, but are you serious? I mean...REALLY? That's pretty amazing, there must be something tremendously amazing about a candidate interviewing much less matriculating with that score. I'm sure it happens, but it kind of blows my mind. There has to be some cut off SOME where even for schools desperate for students, and I can't imagine there are many out there.
 
I agree. If you have already spent the money for the application fee, you might as well follow through with the process and see if you get some interviews. Unfortunately, as has already been said, the MCAT scores of every MCAT exam you have ever taken will automatically be sent to AACOMAS when you release your scores whether you want them released or not. So the schools you apply to will see your 18 score regardless of when you apply.

I would also suggest releasing your scores now since waiting until Jan will put you way behind in the admissions process for the '08 cycle. Even with a low MCAT/GPA you can still at least have some advantage by applying earlier in the cycle instead of waiting until January. Plus, you can still update the schools you're applying to with your new MCAT score in January when you retake.

Good luck!
 
PT2MD said:
Not to sound like a score snob, but are you serious? I mean...REALLY? That's pretty amazing, there must be something tremendously amazing about a candidate interviewing much less matriculating with that score. I'm sure it happens, but it kind of blows my mind. There has to be some cut off SOME where even for schools desperate for students, and I can't imagine there are many out there.
Click to expand...

It was at a very good school that interviewed the 17, so i'm not considering that they were desperate. I think that there is a cut off at some point, but there are times when people get looked at for acheivement in other things rather then one day of testing. I personally think that past experience and academic performance play a much more significant role in how you will perform as a medical school student and even more importantly as a future physician. Although it is helpful to have highly competitive scores, I do not feel as though anyone that has the motivation and ability to do well in medical school should throw it away based on one test score or a few pre-med students telling him/her to just wait until next year. It is not really for us to decide if the person is qualified. I know many wonderful doctors that did not do well on the MCAT that are dedicated and just as knowledgeable as doctors that did extremely well on the MCAT. I think that DO schools have recognized this. Yes, the person is not a competitive applicant, and maybe they will not get in this year? Maybe they will not get any interviews? But the money has been spent, the person can learn from the experience of the application process and be more prepared for next year if necessary... and who knows, maybe it won't be necessary, maybe the person will get in? That would be awesome! So maybe don't be a score snob... you never know, this person could be your classmate next year doing just as well as you!
 
dancer2002 said:
It was at a very good school that interviewed the 17, so i'm not considering that they were desperate. I think that there is a cut off at some point, but there are times when people get looked at for acheivement in other things rather then one day of testing. I personally think that past experience and academic performance play a much more significant role in how you will perform as a medical school student and even more importantly as a future physician. Although it is helpful to have highly competitive scores, I do not feel as though anyone that has the motivation and ability to do well in medical school should throw it away based on one test score or a few pre-med students telling him/her to just wait until next year. It is not really for us to decide if the person is qualified. I know many wonderful doctors that did not do well on the MCAT that are dedicated and just as knowledgeable as doctors that did extremely well on the MCAT. I think that DO schools have recognized this. Yes, the person is not a competitive applicant, and maybe they will not get in this year? Maybe they will not get any interviews? But the money has been spent, the person can learn from the experience of the application process and be more prepared for next year if necessary... and who knows, maybe it won't be necessary, maybe the person will get in? That would be awesome! So maybe don't be a score snob... you never know, this person could be your classmate next year doing just as well as you!
Click to expand...

Yeah understand and all that, but...17? Listen, I guarantee if I were sitting around the table with a bunch of Harvard students discussing MCAT scores and I dropped a 27 on the conversation, there would be stunned silence. I would not be competitive in that environment. Sure I would do well in their medical program, but I haven't done the things to make me a competitive applicant at that school.

I am stunned someone with a 17 would seriously be considered for medical school, but that doesn't mean I think they wouldn't be a good doctor. I do think they are a poor applicant, which if I'm not mistaken, is what we're talking about here.
 
PT2MD said:
I am stunned someone with a 17 would seriously be considered for medical school, but that doesn't mean I think they wouldn't be a good doctor. I do think they are a poor applicant, which if I'm not mistaken, is what we're talking about here.
Click to expand...

ya, i understand that. I agree that they are not a competitive applicant, I just feel bad that people are telling the person to just wait. The person already put down money and the schools will see the 18 eventually, so I was just suggesting they give it a shot because there is nothing to lose and possibly something to gain.

In the end it is the decision of the admissions committees, and the only way to find out what they think is to submit the scores... unfortunately there is no forum for us to ask a school if they will accept us or not until you actually submit all the materials! That would save us all a lot of time, money and worry if there were! :laugh:
 
nanad said:
I don't know if that was supposed to be amusing but no, the power did not go out. My father was diagnosed with a brain tumor 3 days prior so I was quite stressed out and anxious on the day of the exam.

Thanks for being so kind though. If you have nothing good to say please don't say anything at all
Click to expand...

Im sorry, I was not trying to be an ass....
I talked to a kid last year who got an 11 in his DAT score (dental admission test) and when I asked him why, he said the power went out half way through the exam.... an 11 in DAT is like... wayyy below the national avg of 16-17ish..... I just thought the same thing might have happened to you.

Honestly nanad, if think most of us here woulda been pretty stressed out if a family member has diagnosed with a tumor..... you can really explain that in your essay or interview if you were ever asked why you got an 18.

Good luck on your retake
 
I would probably note that you are retaking in january so schools don't outright reject you (which many will with a 18 so be warned).

And as discussed, releasing scores, releases all of them. Many schools will NOT accept ONLY a january score so I would release now becaues some might deny you on the basis that you have no score. Remember, you won't get back those jan scores until the end of February. That is late.

Release now, send update letter explaining circumstances and see where that leads you. You might just be better off reapplying next year.
 
kind of a lose lose situation here, because #1 it's late, #2 with the 18, you might still be flat out rejected from some schools even if you do end up retaking
 
I really want to thank everyone for helping me out.

I totally understand everyone's opinion but I feel like I should just re-take in Jan and ace it and update my file. I called and e-mailed a lot of schools and they have said that it is still slightly possibly to get an interview.

Most schools are still interviewing towards april, so who knows? What If I do much much better and they invite me?

I figure it's about 2 grand or so at most to apply to about 20 schools. With all the money I will end up spending anyway, it seems like nothing and I feel it's worth a shot.

This is my dream and I'm not going to worry about money for secondaries to apply this year. I think I am a great candidate and I will be a wonderful doctor

Thank you all for your advice, it was really helpful

I also want to personally thank the person who was on my side about taking the chance and applying =) thank you for being so kind
 
My only concern is this... I hope you don't hurry too much to re-take the MCAT and blow it again. Particularly with your dad being sick, are you going to be able to get in the kind of quality studying that you need? If you think you'll be ready to roll by then, then great. But if you take it again and you're not ready, it will be harder to explain away two bad scores as both being flukes. But if you wait until next year, you can wait and take it in April, improve like 10 points, and go into the application season with all your best stuff.
 
sometimes the second round of applications isnt just the money. Alot of schools want to see what you've done differently, and if all you'll be doing is the same as what you've been doing...then you wont have much of an essay with the "if you've applied to our school previously, what have you done to improve your application" question. I'm sure you'll be a wonderful doctor with such determination, and obviously you love the healthcare system, but with a low MCAT score AND a Late application against you, I'm not sure I would recommend sending in those applications. I applied last year, took the august exam (so i got my scores sometime in November), and didn't get any interviews. And i got a 27. Since then, I've worked with patients, and I applied as early as possible...now with 6 interviews.

With increasing your score, and applying early, you'll be able to have your choice of schools...not just anywhere that might interview you. Why not go where you want to and not have to be stressed about it!!
 
The second round of applications sucks. I only wish I had known what a DO was when I did my first round, and that I had more clinical experience at the time. Now I am likely to be starting my first year of med school when I would have been starting my third. Oh well.
 
PT2MD said:
Not to sound like a score snob, but are you serious? I mean...REALLY? That's pretty amazing, there must be something tremendously amazing about a candidate interviewing much less matriculating with that score. I'm sure it happens, but it kind of blows my mind. There has to be some cut off SOME where even for schools desperate for students, and I can't imagine there are many out there.
Click to expand...


Well, you do sound like a snob! Some schools look at the entire person and many people, like myself, have been out of school (Engineer Major, 3.5 gpa)for several years, have careers, family, and are very successful. Managing time to study for the MCAT's is very difficult. Some people have more to offer than just MCAT scores and thankfully there are schools out there that realize this. So, yes, smart people do get 18's. I would advise the person to apply with the 18, retake the MCAT's in January, and see what happens. Once accepted, the MCAT doesn't mean crap!
 
I totally understand everyone saying that I should wait, but why? Just not to waste secondaries and their cost?

I mean, I am taking the Jan MCAT for sure. I have 4 months until then. I know all the information, it's just about brushing up for about 2 months and the next 2 months I will do practice tests and passage based q's.

If anyone would like to submit some type of suggestion as to how to do better on the exam (taking into account I know the info I just don't do well on the actual passage based exam) , please feel free to say what has helped you in the past..

For verbal I am def reading more and taking about 2 passage's a night from EK !\1001 verbal. any other suggestions for verbal practice? that is where I did the worst
 
Navy94 said:
Well, you do sound like a snob! Some schools look at the entire person and many people, like myself, have been out of school (Engineer Major, 3.5 gpa)for several years, have careers, family, and are very successful. Managing time to study for the MCAT's is very difficult. Some people have more to offer than just MCAT scores and thankfully there are schools out there that realize this. So, yes, smart people do get 18's. I would advise the person to apply with the 18, retake the MCAT's in January, and see what happens. Once accepted, the MCAT doesn't mean crap!
Click to expand...

Please read my previous post. It wasn't a character assassination. Just an observation that an MCAT score of 18 is not competitive - at all. It has nothing to do with being smart or the ability to become a good physician.

Incidently, please desist with the "entire person" rhetoric. Sure they look at multiple academic and nonacademic factors, but an incredibly low MCAT is difficult to overcome whether or not you are otherwise a great fella.

The OP had a rough day, but unfortunately that rough day will make it very tough on his/her chances. Sugar coating it by saying they might look at the whole person isn't sound advice. Repeat: an 18 doesn't make you a bad person, but it does make you a poor applicant.
 
nanad said:
I totally understand everyone saying that I should wait, but why? Just not to waste secondaries and their cost?

I mean, I am taking the Jan MCAT for sure. I have 4 months until then. I know all the information, it's just about brushing up for about 2 months and the next 2 months I will do practice tests and passage based q's.

If anyone would like to submit some type of suggestion as to how to do better on the exam (taking into account I know the info I just don't do well on the actual passage based exam) , please feel free to say what has helped you in the past..

For verbal I am def reading more and taking about 2 passage's a night from EK !\1001 verbal. any other suggestions for verbal practice? that is where I did the worst
Click to expand...

If you look at the AAMC data, the average improvement for retakes is around 1-2 points for many people. I worked my butt off and improved my score 2 measly points from 25S to a 27T. Some do a little better and some even do a little worse.

I would set a four month study plan and stick with it. You may want to spend some time on the MCAT forum and see how some folks brought their scores up significantly. The best option if you have the resources would be to take an exam prep course. That will be my plan if I don't get in this year. I would also suggest doing more than 2 passages a night from EK.

You mentioned you know the material, BUT remember the MCAT doesn't simply test your knowledge. You need to regurgitate this understanding under stressful timed conditions. I'm glad your sticking with it and wish you good luck on your retake. Go study your ass off. :luck:
 
If you havent taken a class (i can't remember if you said you did), try focusing on the theory behind the test. I took the test twice, and the second time i got one point lower (yeah...i was peeved). One big part of the test is not always the science but the way to approach different quesions, the types of wrong answers there are, etc...that way you can narrow your focus to only a few answers.

As far as the verbal section goes, learn how to outline, quickly, making notes of what always ends up being the important info. there are a few simple questions that you need to answer for each passage prior to looking at the actual questions they give you. Think about what the author is really trying to get across, where/why they might be writing the passage, where the passage would go next. They really try to get you with the questions, and you can get tripped up easily if you dont clarify your thinking before getting to them.

i really hope that helps, the verbal section was my best the 1st time around. maybe i read too much (but having a "real life" probably makes that a little difficult huh?)
 
PT2MD said:
If you look at the AAMC data, the average improvement for retakes is around 1-2 points for many people. I worked my butt off and improved my score 2 measly points from 25S to a 27T. Some do a little better and some even do a little worse.

I would set a four month study plan and stick with it. You may want to spend some time on the MCAT forum and see how some folks brought their scores up significantly. The best option if you have the resources would be to take an exam prep course. That will be my plan if I don't get in this year. I would also suggest doing more than 2 passages a night from EK.

You mentioned you know the material, BUT remember the MCAT doesn't simply test your knowledge. You need to regurgitate this understanding under stressful timed conditions. I'm glad your sticking with it and wish you good luck on your retake. Go study your ass off. :luck:
Click to expand...

i agree, spend some SERIOUS time studying for your MCAT. I took a good 3-4 months, shut the door, no classes, etc. Improved from a 21P(PS 5,VR 9, BS 7) to a 28P (7PS, 11VR, 10BS), I only used the EK stuff, and just went over my freshman bio book for stuff i didn't understand, Verbal was ALL practice. One thing I realized with verbal is just to be consistent. You just have to be determined to retake it. And succeed. Good luck!

BTW, where are the statistics about the MCAT and improvement? I was at a pre-medical interview a month ago and they were pretty much amazed I could bring up my score that much....they kept insisting "statistics this say you can't do it, and statistics that...etc" I explained, "I'm not a statistic, I'm here, and I did it....."
 
****************HOW TO IMPROVE VERBAL REASONING*************

READ!!!!!!

I know a girl who got like a 13 or 14 on VR, and she read all the time. Pleasure reading. One book every week. Don't get me wrong... she was a pretty smart chick, but there was definitely a correlation.

PRACTICE!!!!!!!

I took Princeton Review MCAT prep and I got a 6 on my first VR diagnostic. I got pissed off about this, so I wanted to get better. For about the last month leading up to the test, I started doing a full-length verbal section every day between classes. I got a few books full of verbal passages and a little clock and I'd go to the library and do a test. I got better FAST. I started doing them in the noisy group-study area of the library to force myself to concentrate better. I started seeing how many passages I could get in the allotted time. I think the MCAT was 9 VR passages at the time. I got to where I could knock out 10, with decent accuracy, in the time allowed.

I got to where I was getting 10-12 every time on VR practice tests. Got an 11 on the real one.
 
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