Reapply before MCAT retake?

[JimBone905]

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So I applied this cycle in november and haven't heard back from any schools yet so I am planning to retake my MCAT and apply early next cycle. However, I wanted to take the MCAT in late august since that gives me the most time to study, as I will not be taking classes in the summer. Should I apply with my old MCAT so that I can still be considered an early applicant and submit my new score in august/september when it comes out?

OLD MCAT: 501, (128,121,128,124)
cGPA: 3.37 (will jump to >3.4 after this semester, all A's)
sGPA: 3.84 (will jump to >3.9)

EC's are good.

Edit: ORM English first language. Ran out of time on cars unfortunately l.

 

[Osminog]

The 13th percentile CARS score is pretty alarming. Are you ESL?

 

[JimBone905]

No I just ran out of time and literally had to guess the last 2 passages. Was getting 125 on practice aamc fl12 and 3 but the real thing had much longer passages and I didn't like any of them. Threw me off for the rest of the exam as well

 

[workaholic181]

OP I would just take the MCAT and see how it goes. If you do well, you could still apply DO next cycle and not be too late.

Your current MCAT is a killer. While 501 in theory is playable for DO that CARS score is really bringing you down.

Ace your summer classes, get a solid August MCAT and if your score is good apply late next September/October.

 

[Blanky]

Drill Anki for PS and work on the CARS speed and just stay current and take a May MCAT... 128 125 128 126-127 and that’s a 508 and you are going to a great DO schools next cycle

 

[JimBone905]

My question is should I apply in may/June when the cycle opens with the 501 and just update my score in September or should I wait until I get my new score to apply in September? I am starting studying right now for my retake after Xmas (merry Xmas everyone btw and thank you for the responses).

 

[JimBone905]

Drill Anki for PS and work on the CARS speed and just stay current and take a May MCAT... 128 125 128 126-127 and that’s a 508 and you are going to a great DO schools next cycle

Scared I won't have enough time to prep for a May mcat. I'll try my best but might need to push it

 

[BobbyKoch]

I think 7+ months is actually too long. Considering your previous score and the areas that need work, I think ~6 weeks worth of hardcore practice tests and practice problems and you'll have it licked. Best of luck, and nice GPA!!!

 

[Isoval]

1) I think you should apply prior to an MCAT retake if you’re okay just getting in *somewhere*. There are likely DO schools that will consider you because you a) have over a 500 and b) have a high sGPA. A better MCAT is probably just going to be icing on top that helps you land a *better* school.

2) I agree with @BobbyKoch above me that you may even be taking too long to go back for the MCAT. You can probably fix your CARS issue within a month of drilling. You want to take the exam after you’ve had time to drill CARS but not enough time to forget C/P and B/B.

 

[JimBone905]

1) I think you should apply prior to an MCAT retake if you’re okay just getting in *somewhere*. There are likely DO schools that will consider you because you a) have over a 500 and b) have a high sGPA. A better MCAT is probably just going to be icing on top that helps you land a *better* school.

2) I agree with @BobbyKoch above me that you may even be taking too long to go back for the MCAT. You can probably fix your CARS issue within a month of drilling. You want to take the exam after you’ve had time to drill CARS but not enough time to forget C/P and B/B.

Im also concerned that some schools wont wait until my new MCAT comes in and just reject me outright even if i get a 505+ on my retake. I guess that is a risk I will have to take?

Yeah I took my MCAT in august i probably forgot a few things lol. It's okay im taking cell bio , statistics, molecular and biochem 2 so i will refresh my memory a bit with those classes as well as some more section bank and uworld practice. Ill try to retake in May and prepare more by focusing heavy on p/s using khan academy and the 300 page document and CARS consistently using jackwestin, 101 EK CARS passages and aamc CARS practice passages. Thank you for the advice! Im glad i dont seem to have a problem with the sciences, but i will try to improve them as well. I think if i work hard enough i can definitely up my MCAT to a 505.

 

[gensurghopeful]

You can get in somewhere with a broad application (15+ schools)... as long as you don't care where you end up

But if you are hell-bent on applying with a better score (and make sure you jump a min of 2 points), then sure apply and get verified and all, then add new MCAT score...

Again, my advice is throw some cash, apply to 15 schools and call it a day.

Good luck!