Policies on considering multiple MCAT scores and whether I should retake MCAT

[Hoodrat]

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I was wondering if anyone knew how medical schools consider multiple MCAT scores. I took the MCAT in January and got a 28P, I have a 3.83, 2 years of research, one publication, 70 hours volunteering, 50 hours shadowing, lots of international public health experience, several on-campus organizations and I'm an under represented minority. I feel despite the low MCAT score I could receive interview invitations and possibly get an acceptance at a lower tier school or my state school of Wisconsin if I'm lucky.

However, I know I can do better on the MCAT I was averaging a 32. Would people recommend that I retake. The first date I could retake the test would be August 20. Would waiting until then put my application on hold, or would I be considered for an interview with my 28 and then could they reconsider me for admission after I have interviewed and have my new MCAT scores in late September?

 

[tremulousNeedle]

What schools do with multiple MCAT scores is school-dependent. Some take the highest score, some take the average overall score, some take the most recent score, etc. Either way an improvement in your score can only help. Since you mention being from Wisconsin, when MCW puts applicants through the computerized screening process they sum the highest score from each sub-section, which is the best possible way a school can use your MCAT scores (example, if you took it twice, [13,8,8 = 29] and [8,13,8=29], MCW actually views this as [13,13,8 = 34], two 29's turns into a 34!).

Not that you want to heavily rely on the underrepresented minority status, but that fact often allows for more forgiveness when it comes to issues such as slightly below average GPA or MCAT results. If you didn't qualify for this minority status, I would recommend retaking the MCAT once you felt as though you could perform better. It's hard to say how successful or unsuccessful you will be with a 28, but your chances of getting in will be invariable increased with a better MCAT score.

-admissions committee interviewer / senior medical student (17 days left)



[originally from the Milwaukee area]

 

[TexasPhysician]

What schools do with multiple MCAT scores is school-dependent. Some take the highest score, some take the average overall score, some take the most recent score, etc. Either way an improvement in your score can only help. Since you mention being from Wisconsin, when MCW puts applicants though the computerized screening process they sum the highest score from each sub-section, which is the best possible way a school can use your MCAT scores (example, if you took it twice, [13,8,8 = 29] and [8,13,8=29], MCW actually views this as [13,13,8 = 34], two 29's turns into a 34!).

Not that you want to heavily rely on the underrepresented minority status, but that fact often allows for more forgiveness when it comes to issues such as slightly below average GPA or MCAT results. If you didn't qualify for this minority status, I would recommend retaking the MCAT once you felt as though you could perform better. It's hard to say how successful or unsuccessful you will be with a 28, but your chances of getting in will be invariable increased with a better MCAT score.

-admissions committee interviewer / senior medical student (17 days left)



[originally from the Milwaukee area]

👍 What he/she said. Very school dependent.

 

[Total180]

Where would you find this information on each school? In particular, if anyone knows about MUSC in South Carolina, that would be great. Is it just posted on their websites?

 

[sustentacular]

Where would you find this information on each school? In particular, if anyone knows about MUSC in South Carolina, that would be great. Is it just posted on their websites?

You would find it in the MSAR.

http://www.aamc.org/students/applying/msar.htm

 

[Catalystik]

Or maybe here in post #4:
How schools consider multiple MCAT scores: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=566616

 

[amine2086]

I was wondering if anyone knew how medical schools consider multiple MCAT scores. I took the MCAT in January and got a 28P, I have a 3.83, 2 years of research, one publication, 70 hours volunteering, 50 hours shadowing, lots of international public health experience, several on-campus organizations and I'm an under represented minority. I feel despite the low MCAT score I could receive interview invitations and possibly get an acceptance at a lower tier school or my state school of Wisconsin if I'm lucky.

However, I know I can do better on the MCAT I was averaging a 32. Would people recommend that I retake. The first date I could retake the test would be August 20. Would waiting until then put my application on hold, or would I be considered for an interview with my 28 and then could they reconsider me for admission after I have interviewed and have my new MCAT scores in late September?

With your good GPA and EC and URM status, you have a decent shot at an acceptance. Assuming your MCAT score is balanced (no less 8 in each section), I would go ahead an apply with what you have. If you have less than a 8 in any of the sections, I think you should consider retaking.

 

[Hoodrat]

Thanks for the advice everyone. My only specific question is if I where to apply on June 1 with the 28, and I indicate that I am taking MCAT in August on the application, will schools put decisions of whether or not to interview me on hold until they get the score in September or will they interview me and then make a final decision using the new score?

 

[tremulousNeedle]

Thanks for the advice everyone. My only specific question is if I where to apply on June 1 with the 28, and I indicate that I am taking MCAT in August on the application, will schools put decisions of whether or not to interview me on hold until they get the score in September or will they interview me and then make a final decision using the new score?

Very school dependent, no one here could give you an answer that covers everywhere you are going to apply.

 

[tiedyeddog]

Hoodrat is the best username on SDN. Bar none.

 

[ZeusonRoids]

I was wondering if anyone knew how medical schools consider multiple MCAT scores. I took the MCAT in January and got a 28P, I have a 3.83, 2 years of research, one publication, 70 hours volunteering, 50 hours shadowing, lots of international public health experience, several on-campus organizations and I'm an under represented minority. I feel despite the low MCAT score I could receive interview invitations and possibly get an acceptance at a lower tier school or my state school of Wisconsin if I'm lucky.

However, I know I can do better on the MCAT I was averaging a 32. Would people recommend that I retake. The first date I could retake the test would be August 20. Would waiting until then put my application on hold, or would I be considered for an interview with my 28 and then could they reconsider me for admission after I have interviewed and have my new MCAT scores in late September?

I dunno...that is a tough one. If it were me I would take the MCAT again with a score like that (if you know you can do 4 pts better). I know they have MCATs all the time now. Why are you waiting until Aug.20th to take them? are there just no positions near you? I would consider signing up wherever and just flying to the test and taking it there if that is the case. I know it will cost a bit more but it would cost a TON more to have to re-apply next year cuz schools did not look at you cuz you were not complete until very late in the cycle. You want to cum at them (no homo) with the strongest application possible

Wait I did not see the fact that you were an URM...if you are african american or latino/latina I think you will be good with a 28. Just the way things work. On the other hand with a 32 + the fact that you are a URM you could probably get into a top 15 or top 20 school

 

[cpants]

I dunno...that is a tough one. If it were me I would take the MCAT again with a score like that (if you know you can do 4 pts better). I know they have MCATs all the time now. Why are you waiting until Aug.20th to take them? are there just no positions near you? I would consider signing up wherever and just flying to the test and taking it there if that is the case. I know it will cost a bit more but it would cost a TON more to have to re-apply next year cuz schools did not look at you cuz you were not complete until very late in the cycle. You want to cum at them (no homo) with the strongest application possible

Wait I did not see the fact that you were an URM...if you are african american or latino/latina I think you will be good with a 28. Just the way things work. On the other hand with a 32 + the fact that you are a URM you could probably get into a top 15 or top 20 school

Bolded the key part. Averaging 4 pts better on practice tests is far from a sure bet to do better. The practice exams are a rough estimate. Anecdotally, people usually only do as well or worse than their practice exams. Your score is definitely not aberrant from your average. In other words, you could easily post the same score or worse on a retake. Seeing that your score is still somewhat competitive and you are an URM, I would take my chances this cycle with the 28. You could always retake in the spring if unsuccessful.

 

[Blue469]

How would a retake from 31-32 to 35-36 look like to upper tier schools? Would they treat the higher score as if it was the only one taken or take it as a fluke?

 

[phnerd1105]

How would a retake from 31-32 to 35-36 look like to upper tier schools? Would they treat the higher score as if it was the only one taken or take it as a fluke?

No, they would look at both of your scores. I don't think any jump from scores that were already in the 30's would be considered a fluke, as the first score is decent anyway. Like it was mentioned before, it really depends on the school as to how they view multiple MCATs.

 

[Blue469]

Thank you for the response. I think I will call them to ask them before spending money on their secondaries.