Really Stuck, Do I retake the MCAT

[FutureMD96]

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I know you will read this thread title and think that there are other threads out there for me to read. Believe me, I have read tons of them, but I still have no clue what to do and could use as much personal advice as I can get.

The story:

I studied 400-550 hours for the MCAT. AAMC scores were 512/513. My actual MCAT was a 510 (130/124/129/127); the only thing off on my actual test was that CARS was 2 points lower than usual, but the problem is that it is 124. I have no clue if I should retake it and risk my relatively high science sections. Also, if it is worth any note, I took the test as a financial assistance program examinee. There is AAMC data that these examinees end up having a median of 495.

A little bit about me:

I am a senior bioengineering major. Cumulative GPA is 3.64 at the end of junior year (freshman year was 3.26; sophomore year was 3.79; junior year was 3.89).

I have 200+ hours of combined volunteering at various hospitals and with refugees (I am looking to go into cardiology to help underserved populations). After 2400 hours of research (I did 600 a summer for 4 summers), I have 8 conference posters, 1 co-authored paper (author 5 out of 13), and I was featured in an article at the hospital I did research at.

I also have a very unique clinical experience where I am in charge of patients with intra-aortic balloon pumps. I am the "engineer" who ensures the patient's safe transport to surgery and proper functioning of the balloon on patients. I will be working as a VAD engineer for my gap year (similar responsiblities but now with all ventricular assist devices such as LVADs, RVAD, impellas, etc).

What do you guys think? Is this 124 going to be the end? I don't want my application to be thrown out due to hard cutoffs and a low score, but I feel like the numbers do not show everything about me.

Any advice is very very appreciated, and I would be forever grateful for your advice.

 

[Zenabi90]

You are definitely in a doozy of a conundrum.

Instead of "risking 512," what are you hoping to score instead? Would you be satisfied with a 511:128/127/128/128? It's not as stellar as seeing that 130, but it's actually one point higher than your actual, and it doesn't have a glaring weakness.

Also, a median of 495 means nothing. Nada. Zero. We're talking about examinees, not matriculants. Don't fool yourself my friend, this is technically data, but its irrelevant data (as presented). If you really want a comparison, find data on FAP matriculants.

That being said, I would start listing out where exactly you'd like to go, and call them directly (visit if you can, never email) and see what their policies are regarding score cutoffs. You have a respectable MCAT score and ECs, I wouldn't want you to throw the score away without hard evidence saying you should. Best of luck.

 

[FutureMD96]

You are definitely in a doozy of a conundrum.

Instead of "risking 512," what are you hoping to score instead? Would you be satisfied with a 511:128/127/128/128? It's not as stellar as seeing that 130, but it's actually one point higher than your actual, and it doesn't have a glaring weakness.

Also, a median of 495 means nothing. Nada. Zero. We're talking about examinees, not matriculants. Don't fool yourself my friend, this is technically data, but its irrelevant data (as presented). If you really want a comparison, find data on FAP matriculants.

That being said, I would start listing out where exactly you'd like to go, and call them directly (visit if you can, never email) and see what their policies are regarding score cutoffs. You have a respectable MCAT score and ECs, I wouldn't want you to throw the score away without hard evidence saying you should. Best of luck.

I was hoping for a 515. I used the Next Step Cars book and never really saw my CARS score go up despite tons of practice and different methods. Thank you for your response 🙂

 

[Zenabi90]

A 515 would be something like 129/128/129/129. Is that something you feel you can achieve 8 times out of 10 on your next 10 MCAT attempts?

 

[FutureMD96]

I would say probably not; I would have to focus on CARS studying for that to really bump that score up. So far nothing has been successful in that realm, and now that I am back in class, it will be more difficult. Also, my top school right now would be Temple or Jefferson (I am from the philly area).

 

[Zenabi90]

According to MSAR, you're right at the cusp of their median matriculated MCAT (512). Their median GPA is 3.75-3.79. Again, right at the cusp. But the important thing to remember is MEDIAN. That means half are higher, and conversely, half are lower.

You have some exceptional ECs, the only thing that might be wanting is clear evidence of leadership, which I'm sure is just me not reading it properly.

I would really just give them a call. Go to their websites, look up the admissions department, and call. It won't hurt you, but it can help you. Or set up a time when you can come in for advising on your prospective application (probably next year after interview phase starts and they aren't bogged down with 8000 apps).

 

[FutureMD96]

Yeah, that is very true. You are right, a call should be made to them. Thank you so so much for your input!

 

[Zenabi90]

Yeah, that is very true. You are right, a call should be made to them. Thank you so so much for your input!

No problem. Best of luck!