question

[Coolio30]

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Hey all,

I am currently waitlisted at four schools and I think the reason that I have not been accepted is due to my MCAT. I got a 27 on the August MCAT with a 3.8 GPA and I am considering retaking this April. Does anyone know the procedure as far as whether schools will use these new scores into account. Also, if I do not do as well, could they hurt me as far as being pulled off a waitlist. Also, how does the new score release option affect me. Please help.

 

[PMED99]

I highly suggest that if you dont like your score to retake that test. As much as that hurts, I had to do it again to. In fact I might go for my third time.

When I considered taking it the second time, I called the schools and emailed the schools to see where they stood on this issue. Most of them said they would take the higher score and that if it went down, they would not hold it against me.

But...I highly recommend you call the schools you are waitlisted for, they will tell you exactly what they do for retakes and their scores.

Good Luck!! And I bet you will get in this year. Also, what do you think about taking the august one to give more study time?

 

[CRAZYTERP]

Hey Coolio,

I have heard of people taking the MCAT and waiting to apply but I have never really heard of anyone taking the MCAT in April after the turned there apps. I would call your schools and see if they will accept mcats for the same year (ie april). But seriously, do you really think you will do better and not worse. That is a huge question, I took em twice and just that alone was enough pressure. You have to be 100% positive you will do better.

Also, if you are good enough to make the waitlist their must be some qualities they appreciated about you. I would recommend updating each school frequently with things you have done. Grade reports, research, or new rec letters. That cannot hurt and you won't have to study your balls off for months either.

Good luck, I will cross my fingers for you.

-CT

 

[PMED99]

I thought of something else. If you are waitlisted at four schools, chances are they really think your grades and MCAT are good enough. Also, by the time the MCAT counts, it will be time to reapply. And most reapplications like yourself with waitlists this year will get in next year as long as you do something constructive.

But, above all email or call the school. Hope this helps.

 

[Coolio30]

Thanks for your help. I was wondering if anyone else knew of any applicants who improved their score on the April MCAT in the year that they were applying, and if that helped their chances. If I do not get accepted this year, I am most likely going to go to a DO school, KCOM.

 

[lola]

i read on here at some point that schools will not use your april retake scores in this round no matter what. don't know if it's true. i'd imagine many waitlists would be ranked and the rank would be unchangeable by the time the scores came out.
i think you should definitely call the individual schools to see what their policies are.

 

[Mike59]

Coolio30,

You may not believe me, but its not your MCAT keeping you out. At most schools, if you are selected to interview, it means that your grades made the cut and they now need to evaluate your interpersonal skills. Grades are essentially irrelevant by the time they rank your application against others post interview.

You CANNOT take the MCAT in April and have it influence this admissions cycle at all. Schools will not make exceptions, and you're doing more harm than good by scrounging for chump change in the numbers category. A 27 is not holding you back, I had the exact same score and have several acceptances under my belt.

Just my $.02, (ignore me if you think I'm off base)🙂

 

[lola]

i disagree that the mcat is not keeping him out! it definitely could be. it seems very unlikely that numbers completely go out the door once someone is granted an interview. i mean, why shouldn't the person with a 4.0 & 38 mcat & excellent ec's/recs and good interview beat out the person with a 3.5 & 28 mcat & excellent ec's/recs and excellent interview? i would imagine that the interview is one component of many that schools base the final decision on, which is why i'm kind of kicking myself for having better interviews at the schools for which my numbers are low!
which schools have you been waitlisted at coolio? there is an old thread somewhere around here that might give you an idea of whether or not the waitlists will move.

 

[Nefertari]

Hey coolio,

MCAT might be a factor depending on the strength of your overall app--EC's, personal statement, uniqueness of your app. It's hard to say though w/o the other info @ you. And like lola mentioned, waitlists are more hopeful @ certain schools than others. Make sure you've done everything you can to communicate to the schools your intent/interest. If you do have to reapply, do it w/ April scores instead of Aug & that might give you a better advantage.

 

[Coolio30]

Thanks for all of you for your input. I have a feeling that it might be my MCAT that is keeping me out, because my interviews went well at all of the schools I interviewed at. In any case, the schools that I have been waitlisted at are my two state schools, NJMS (unranked) and RWJMS (I am in the top tier). Also, the private schools that waitlisted me are Drexel and Vermont (both unranked - as of now). Thanks again.

 

[lll505]

Coolio-

Even if it is your MCAT, schools will not use the April MCAT in determining waitlist movement but it would help you for the following app cycle if you have to reapply. I inquired about this for Cali. schools but I am pretty sure this holds true for most others.

I don't know about NJ schools, but your MCATs are fine for Drexel and Vermont. Sure a much higher MCAT score would help, but there are definitely people accepted to those schools with a 27. It may be a combination of things - sometimes it may just be that someone with a similar profile was already accepted, so I would (if reapplying) find out for sure before assuming it is only the MCAT.

Good luck - with that many waitlists, I'm sure you'll get an acceptance this year, and all this MCAT talk will be moot.

🙂