ratake the mcat...need advice

[addo]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I just got my scores back, 9VR, 10PS, 11BS, 30N overall. Im applying to schools in Texas, and Im really undecided on whether I should retake the mcat, so I need some advice. I studied for 6 weeks, and got a 34 on an official practice test the same week i took the real one. The section that really bothers me is the verbal, I was able to get a 10 in several practice tests but nothing higher. I dont know if i can improve my verbal by more than 1 point, but I am certain I can get 2-3 more points out of the science sections.

I am graduating this semester, with a biochemistry degree. I will be finishing up with around a 3.3 (bad freshman year) overall GPA and a 3.7 for science. I decided on going to med school after my freshman year, and with a GPA below 3 up until last semester nobody would take me for research. ECs only consists of volunteering at an ER department. Oh and im also a part of an "underrepresented group", but in Texas I dont know if that means much.

 

[J ROD]

I would not retake the MCAT...

I would try and raise that overall GPA to a 3.5 and get more clinical experiences like shadowing, more volunteering.

maybe some non-med volunteering....basically build the ECs more.

I think taking an extra yr would help your app alot.

That being said TX is not that competitive and if you are URM, then you stand a decent chance because of a solid MCAT and 3.7 sGPA.

 

[Catalystik]

Your MCAT score is fine and nicely balanced. I would not retake. The cGPA is your main "numbers" problem, but you might be fine if you have three years of high academic performance after your bad freshman year. While applying, I would add TCOM and also TCOM's SMP-like program which is a good GPA redeemer. More undergrad classes may not budge your GPA enough to be worthwhile (or would they?).

Your other problem is sparse ECs. For this reason alone, waiting a year would help you get an acceptance to a med school. You have clinical experience, hopefully more than the average 1.5 years. Where is the shadowing, nonmedical community service, teaching, leadership, hobbies, artistic endeavors or employment? You could get into a research lab now with the higher GPA.

You could delay your application for a year and look much better EC-wise, taking more undergrad classes and getting in a year of research.

Or you could apply to the TCOM program I referred to. Being part of an underrepresented population group might get you a scholarship/tuition waiver. And then keep building your ECs while in that program.

 

[addo]

Your MCAT score is fine and nicely balanced. I would not retake. The cGPA is your main "numbers" problem, but you might be fine if you have three years of high academic performance after your bad freshman year. While applying, I would add TCOM and also TCOM's SMP-like program which is a good GPA redeemer. More undergrad classes may not budge your GPA enough to be worthwhile (or would they?).

Your other problem is sparse ECs. For this reason alone, waiting a year would help you get an acceptance to a med school. You have clinical experience, hopefully more than the average 1.5 years. Where is the shadowing, nonmedical community service, teaching, leadership, hobbies, artistic endeavors or employment? You could get into a research lab now with the higher GPA.

You could delay your application for a year and look much better EC-wise, taking more undergrad classes and getting in a year of research.

Or you could apply to the TCOM program I referred to. Being part of an underrepresented population group might get you a scholarship/tuition waiver. And then keep building your ECs while in that program.

Thanks for the feedback. Youre right, with 125+ hours after this semester taking more classes to raise my GPA would be futile. I think its better to just get done with school and work on my ECs like you said.

Im already taking a year off, because I am graduating this semester, and I am just applying. I will definitely get into a research lab, but I dont know if this counts after my application is in, does it?

I dont have any shadowing, community service. As for employment, I have worked as a waiter for about a 1 1/2 year, and also in a sports club for about 6 months. I have done some tutoring, but I wouldnt exactly call it teaching. I was in a leadership position in a frat that has now lost its charter, not for good reasons, so I dont think I should even bring that up.

 

[Catalystik]

If you could start in the research lab before you submit, schools would know of your involvement. Future update letters could advise them of your ongoing involvement. It's not as ideal as already having substantial involvement, but better than nothing. Keep in mind that research is not required, and you might be better off getting any job and building your other essential ECs instead.

Do include your employment, as it makes you look busy, and also you do gain essential people skills in a waiter position. Do fill in the Teaching/Tutoring activity. Do mention the leadership position. You don't have to explain why the frat closed unless you were charged with a misdemeanor or felony as a result, or got an institutional action. You will come across as not particularly well-rounded or interesting if you don't have something in the blanks.

 

[J ROD]

Thanks for the feedback.

no thanks for me.....

 

[StarryNights]

no thanks for me.....

This made me laugh so hard for some reason. Sigh, it's been a long day

 

[addo]

You were definitely included J Dub, but if you want a personalized thanks...Thanks for your feedback.

 

[J ROD]

You were definitely included J Dub, but if you want a personalized thanks...Thanks for your feedback.

🙂

 

[J ROD]

This made me laugh so hard for some reason. Sigh, it's been a long day

 

[addo]

By the way, I have come to the conclusion that I am retaking the mcat, Im just not comfortable with my verbal, and cGPA even if i am an URM and im applying in Texas.
Its 76 days away, I should get more studying done than for the first one (less than 6 weeks). With hard work and the voiding option I will try to avoid the worst case scenario of scoring lower. Not to mention anxiety should be a lot lower on this one, which should definitely help.
The advice was well taken, but I want to have the best possible chances at getting in the first time around.

 

[MiniMoo]

By the way, I have come to the conclusion that I am retaking the mcat, Im just not comfortable with my verbal, and cGPA even if i am an URM and im applying in Texas.
Its 76 days away, I should get more studying done than for the first one (less than 6 weeks). With hard work and the voiding option I will try to avoid the worst case scenario of scoring lower. Not to mention anxiety should be a lot lower on this one, which should definitely help.
The advice was well taken, but I want to have the best possible chances at getting in the first time around.

I absolutely wouldn't retake. It's pretty common to score a bit lower on the real exam compared to the practice tests. The practice exams are a tool to gauge your progress and are a rough approximation of what you could get on the real thing, nothing more. Not to mention the fact that scoring lower would look pretty awful. 😛

If you want to improve your application, your time could be much better spent beefing up ECs rather than studying for an exam in which you already have a decent score.

 

[J ROD]

By the way, I have come to the conclusion that I am retaking the mcat, Im just not comfortable with my verbal, and cGPA even if i am an URM and im applying in Texas.
Its 76 days away, I should get more studying done than for the first one (less than 6 weeks). With hard work and the voiding option I will try to avoid the worst case scenario of scoring lower. Not to mention anxiety should be a lot lower on this one, which should definitely help.
The advice was well taken, but I want to have the best possible chances at getting in the first time around.

33 would be great...28 not so much.....

be careful!!

 

[addo]

I absolutely wouldn't retake. It's pretty common to score a bit lower on the real exam compared to the practice tests. The practice exams are a tool to gauge your progress and are a rough approximation of what you could get on the real thing, nothing more.

Yea, but honestly most of the 5 or so weeks I spent studying was almost exclusively on science content. I didnt take a prep course, and I completely neglected the verbal. I am aware there are tons of prep for that section, and i intend to use them this time. In any case that i dont see or feel any improvement, ill be honest with myself and void. Ive spent $230 for much worse reasons.

 

[MiniMoo]

Yea, but honestly most of the 5 or so weeks I spent studying was almost exclusively on science content. I didnt take a prep course, and I completely neglected the verbal. I am aware there are tons of prep for that section, and i intend to use them this time. In any case that i dont see or feel any improvement, ill be honest with myself and void. Ive spent $230 for much worse reasons.

Okay as long as you know the risks of retaking and are fairly confident you can improve. Good luck!

 

[J ROD]

Yea, but honestly most of the 5 or so weeks I spent studying was almost exclusively on science content. I didnt take a prep course, and I completely neglected the verbal. I am aware there are tons of prep for that section, and i intend to use them this time. In any case that i dont see or feel any improvement, ill be honest with myself and void. Ive spent $230 for much worse reasons.