Really Bad Mcat First Time

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Blexxer

Blexxer

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So I took the mcat my first time around and I got like a 472. I had the flu on the day of the exam and took the exam just for the hell of it. I guessed for most questions and I decided to score it.

Anyways. I plan on retaking it but was wondering if it would hurt my application.
 
Yes it will hurt your application.
Schools will see all scores.
Some schools average your scores.
I think some DO schools only look at best scores, consider those more highly now.
 
You need to crush the MCAT this time around. Another bad score could be the nail in the coffin.
 
Blexxer said:
So I took the mcat my first time around and I got like a 472. I had the flu on the day of the exam and took the exam just for the hell of it. I guessed for most questions and I decided to score it.

Anyways. I plan on retaking it but was wondering if it would hurt my application.
Click to expand...
You took it for fun and guessed on all the questions?? Why?
 
The AAMC recommends that we average multiple scores. Even though schools may have a public position on how multiple scores are evaluated, there is little we can do to influence how they are actually interpreted by individual examiners.
 
I was sick so I could hardly keep my eyes open during the exam. Ended up near guessing a lot of the questions. IDK why I scored it.
 
Yes, it will hurt. In my experience, the reasons you took the test are worse than the actual score. This is a high stakes, career deciding exam, and you took it while you were deathly ill, and took it" just for the hell of it"?????

I haven Adcom colleague who would reject you outright for making bad choices.

You're going to have to retake, but do NOT do this unless you are 100% ready.

And a note to other SDNers...if you're sick on exam day, don't take the exam. If you take it and get sick, void it.

Also be prepared to discuss what you did an why you did it in interviews.


Blexxer said:
So I took the mcat my first time around and I got like a 472. I had the flu on the day of the exam and took the exam just for the hell of it. I guessed for most questions and I decided to score it.

Anyways. I plan on retaking it but was wondering if it would hurt my application.
Click to expand...
 
Blexxer said:
I was sick so I could hardly keep my eyes open during the exam. Ended up near guessing a lot of the questions. IDK why I scored it.
Click to expand...
This is almost self-sabotaging behavior. Are you being pressured to go into Medicine by your parents?
 
Blexxer said:
I decided to score it
Click to expand...
ZGns0a.gif
 
gyngyn said:
The AAMC recommends that we average multiple scores. Even though schools may have a public position on how multiple scores are evaluated, there is little we can do to influence how they are actually interpreted by individual examiners.
Click to expand...

This is scary. If OP got a 528 on a retake, the averaged score would be a 500! Right at the average score for test takers!
 
Unless you can destroy the retake and an SMP this is absurd. Maybe you can explain that you were too out of it to think clearly, that may, may earn you some sympathy.
 
This history alone rules out MD schools, and a good number of DO schools.

OP, time for Plan B.

efle said:
OP, I see in your post history you have a 3.27 GPA with a 2.8 in the last semester. Plus you are international applicant. Together with this 470s score now...what's the plan even if retake goes better? SMP?
Click to expand...
 
Goro said:
This history alone rules out MD schools, and a good number of DO schools.

OP, time for Plan B.
Click to expand...

Yeah i wanted to be optimistic and think of a way where OP could salvage his application. I couldn't think of any and was hoping expert opinions could suggest a way.

Looks like Plan B is the way to go.
 
Well I just finished taking classes
Took Physiology and Anatomy 1 and 2
Took Micro.

Got A's in all of them.

I just didn't know that med school see's all. I thought you just report the scores you want to send.

I have been working as a scribe for a year.
 
So what is your current cGPA? What's your plan from here, keep doing post-bacc grade repair and scribing, retake MCAT then apply Summer 2018?
 
3.35
I don't know about post bacc. Was thinking of perhaps doing research as a lab technician for a year or two and see if any med school has mercy lol.
My mcat I can do well on. If I get a 90+ percentile would you think med schools would consider in a year or two from now.
Some med schools says that they look at the most recent. But I am sure that whatever I get is going to be appauling so idk.
 
If you did a couple years of part time, straight-A grade repair and scored a ~514+ on retake you'd have something to work with. Even then though, you'd be an international app with like a 3.5, and the 472 is still visible. You have a lot of work to do in order to even have like a 50% chance. If you'd be happy with something like dental instead (I noticed that in your post history too) it's much more attainable
 
I am not an international applicant.
I am a Palestinian u.s. citizen who grew up in Jerusalem.
 
Blexxer said:
South Carolina
Click to expand...
Very, very good place for someone with a lower GPA to be from. I think the next step for you since you've already done all the background classes is to properly prepare and take the MCAT, for real this time. Come back with a solidly competitive score and it's still possible to pull this off.
 
I feel really sorry for you if you didn't realize all MCAT scores were visible. I wish that was information that you had. But with that said, the MCAT is a critical thinking exam so some critical thinking can be applied. It offers a void option. If you only send the scores you want to schools, what would the purpose of the void option be? Why would you not score every test just in case you did really well? I suppose that's what you did, but saying "you went ahead and scored it" implies a decision making process about whether to void. It's very odd and, unfortunately, self-damaging behavior. But there isn't anything that can be done about that now. If I were you, I'd look at careers in the healthcare field that the MCAT doesn't matter for. Which is many/most of them. Because a 472 is impossibly bad, to the point that I thought you were a troll, too. (still may be).
 
mw18 said:
I feel really sorry for you if you didn't realize all MCAT scores were visible. I wish that was information that you had. But with that said, the MCAT is a critical thinking exam so some critical thinking can be applied. It offers a void option. If you only send the scores you want to schools, what would the purpose of the void option be? Why would you not score every test just in case you did really well? I suppose that's what you did, but saying "you went ahead and scored it" implies a decision making process about whether to void. It's very odd and, unfortunately, self-damaging behavior. But there isn't anything that can be done about that now. If I were you, I'd look at careers in the healthcare field that the MCAT doesn't matter for. Which is many/most of them. Because a 472 is impossibly bad, to the point that I thought you were a troll, too. (still may be).
Click to expand...
pretty sure you can void the SAT/ACT but also choose which of your scores to send. Since OP went to JHU undergrad I assumed he knew how to game the SAT meta, and just didn't realize the MCAT don't play no games
 
I am not a troll! Lol
The thing is. I didn't get a 472 yet. I took the mcat and the scores haven't come out yet. Is there any way I can have them voided still? I assumed not and hence the original post.
 
Blexxer said:
I am not a troll! Lol
The thing is. I didn't get a 472 yet. I took the mcat and the scores haven't come out yet. Is there any way I can have them voided still? I assumed not and hence the original post.
Click to expand...
Did you not study?.. because being sick doesnt automatically warrant guessing..
 
efle said:
pretty sure you can void the SAT/ACT but also choose which of your scores to send. Since OP went to JHU undergrad I assumed he knew how to game the SAT meta, and just didn't realize the MCAT don't play no games
Click to expand...
It's been a long time since I took the SAT, but I don't understand that at all. I retract my statement OP, you were naive but operating on misinformation. Kind of like we all were, because you haven't even gotten that score. I don't think you can void after you click submit. I think it says that on the screen. I wondered when you said "like a 472"...
 
lol OP if you don't have a score yet, just chill. It will probably come back too low to apply with but nowhere near a 472. The next step for you will still be to study up and take it seriously a second time, then come back with the second score.
 
I mean I wasnt sure for almost every single question I answered. If I didn't feel like I had completely guessed the thing I would have not posted this.
 
Yeaaah I think to get a 472 you'd have to guess on everything, and be one of the least lucky guessers! But like I said, even if it comes back like 500 or 505 or something, just review and sit for it again.
 
mw18 said:
It's been a long time since I took the SAT, but I don't understand that at all. I retract my statement OP, you were naive but operating on misinformation. Kind of like we all were, because you haven't even gotten that score. I don't think you can void after you click submit. I think it says that on the screen. I wondered when you said "like a 472"...
Click to expand...
He meant you can void SAT/ACT, but even if you get your score and dont like it, you can choose not to send it. But for MCAT, you must void or the score is always visible.
 
mwsapphire said:
He meant you can void SAT/ACT, but even if you get your score and dont like it, you can choose not to send it. But for MCAT, you must void or the score is always visible.
Click to expand...
Yeah I knew what he was saying. I was saying that it seems silly to have that option on the SAT at all, but that I don't blame OP as much for thinking the MCAT was the same as the SAT/ACT. I didn't finish or articulate the thought really because as I was typing it out OP said he was just making all of this up.
 
Guys so I have been looking at my options. Do you think a post bac would help with this? Some of them come with conditional acceptance/interview. Their application also does not require you submit mcats. If they do I think you would have to send them the scores I believe in which case I wont send them the really bad ones unless they ask you to report all.
 
Your 3.27 could benefit from post-bacc repair, yes.
SMP (special masters programs) are another option, that's what you're describing I think, where you take classes for a year along side medical students to demonstrate you can handle it. Guaranteed interview is worthless. You need to find one that guarantees admission if you meet their requirements during the program.
 
I scored a 477 on the mcat. I am taking it again on the 9th of september. I know I will do much better. Looking to score a 510. Fingers crossed some schools will look at me. I'm a South Carolina resident as of now.
 
Blexxer said:
I scored a 477 on the mcat. I am taking it again on the 9th of september. I know I will do much better. Looking to score a 510. Fingers crossed some schools will look at me. I'm a South Carolina resident as of now.
Click to expand...
Do not re-take the exam until you are confident of a score consistent with success!
A string of weak scores is far more damaging than one or even two.
You have scored in the 0 and 1st percentile of people who took the test.
It will take a lot more than a re-take in September to address to deficits that have led to this.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
gyngyn said:
Do not re-take the exam until you are confident of a score consistent with success!
A string of weak scores is far more damaging than one or even two.
You have scored in the 0 and 1 percentile of people who took the test.
It will take a lot more than a re-take in September to address to deficits that have led to this.
Click to expand...
What else could I do besides a solid retake? Mention in my application that I stupidly didn't know the rules of the game?
 
I will gladly take any advice. I just shot myself in the foot and am trying to figure something out. Any input is appreciated.
 
Blexxer said:
I will gladly take any advice. I just shot myself in the foot and am trying to figure something out. Any input is appreciated.
Click to expand...
You have shot yourself in the same foot twice.
This will require a serious re-tooling your whole approach. A learning assessment is indicated.
Go to your school's office of academic success and bring your scores.

What were your AAMC FL's?
 
Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems 120
Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills 118
Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems 120
Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior 119
 
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