Reapplying after 4 year gap - current MCAT score lower than first. Chances?

[fox916]

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Hi! So here's my story. Please bear with it. 4 years ago, I took it very hard when I got rejected from all 13 mid and top-tier schools without a single interview. I thought I had pretty decent chances with these stats: 3.63 GPA, 3.59 sGPA from top engineering program, 33M (10V, 11P, 12B), a LOT of research experience, some volunteering. What I didn't know at the time was how much I hurt my chances by submitting the AMCAS in July and subsequently submitting the secondaries in mid-Sept/Oct. In retrospect, my PS wasn't very good, but I didn't think so at the time. I almost gave up med schools entirely after this complete rejection.

Eventually, I recovered and by the time I was determined to try again, my MCAT score had expired and I was forced to take it again after being out of school for 3 years. Not to my surprise, the score dropped since 4 years ago: 31O (10V, 10P, 11B). In my time off, I continued to volunteer, worked as a research program coordinator, am currently working as a data analyst with clients at FDA. Will med schools frown upon my lower MCAT score and think I am less qualified now than I was before? Do I have realistic chances at getting into low to mid-tier med schools? Any advice is appreciated!

 

[ravupadh]

Hi! So here's my story. Please bear with it. 4 years ago, I took it very hard when I got rejected from all 13 mid and top-tier schools without a single interview. I thought I had pretty decent chances with these stats: 3.63 GPA, 3.59 sGPA from top engineering program, 33M (10V, 11P, 12B), a LOT of research experience, some volunteering. What I didn't know at the time was how much I hurt my chances by submitting the AMCAS in July and subsequently submitting the secondaries in mid-Sept/Oct. In retrospect, my PS wasn't very good, but I didn't think so at the time. I almost gave up med schools entirely after this complete rejection.

Eventually, I recovered and by the time I was determined to try again, my MCAT score had expired and I was forced to take it again after being out of school for 3 years. Not to my surprise, the score dropped since 4 years ago: 31O (10V, 10P, 11B). In my time off, I continued to volunteer, worked as a research program coordinator, am currently working as a data analyst with clients at FDA. Will med schools frown upon my lower MCAT score and think I am less qualified now than I was before? Do I have realistic chances at getting into low to mid-tier med schools? Any advice is appreciated!

I don't think your lower MCAT score will hurt you since you're still within the average score range of most med schools. However please don't make the same mistake you did the first time. Apply to Drexel instead of Harvard, and apply early. Certainly finish your secondaries BEFORE August. With all of your ECs and research experience, I think you are good to go for low to mid tier medical schools. Make sure you apply to at least 10 schools however. Good luck!

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

Apply June 1st, get the people in the Non-trad forum to read your PS. Apply to your state schools, and any low-tier private schools. Your stats (no offense) aren't good enough for top ten schools, especially with a late app. Your stats are certainly good enough for MD or DO, but you need to get your stuff in ASAP, NOT August...

 

[fox916]

Thanks for your thoughts. If there is one thing I learned from my last application cycle, it is that I need to submit my app on June 1. I will certainly be applying to a variety of low to mid-tier schools on top of CA schools (CA resident).

My only hesitation is not knowing whether my decreased MCAT score will send a bad vibe to the review committee. Decreasing trend is never a good sign. I really don't want to, but I have considered delaying the application one more year to study more and retake the MCAT so that I can get at least a 33. I'd like your opinions on whether you think this might be worth it. Thanks again!

 

[Buzz Me]

Will med schools frown upon my lower MCAT score and think I am less qualified now than I was before?

It didn't help your app that your MCAT score dropped, if that's what you're asking.

 

[Helen Wheels]

Honestly, the difference between a 31 and a 33 is not that much. A 31 is still a solid score and if the rest of your app is strong, you will be fine.

 

[DocHawk117]

Not worth taking the MCAT again. You had four years in between, you still got above a 30, you're okay on the MCAT front. IF they ask, then be prepared to have a good answer, but nothing is wrong with a 31 (as far as low-mid tier schools go). Also, I don't know about this or not, but do you even have to report that first one since it expired? You're GPA is slightly low, but since you're non-trad, they will appreciate your life experiences. Consider both MD and DO.

 

[soccrwon]

Thanks for your thoughts. If there is one thing I learned from my last application cycle, it is that I need to submit my app on June 1. I will certainly be applying to a variety of low to mid-tier schools on top of CA schools (CA resident).

My only hesitation is not knowing whether my decreased MCAT score will send a bad vibe to the review committee. Decreasing trend is never a good sign. I really don't want to, but I have considered delaying the application one more year to study more and retake the MCAT so that I can get at least a 33. I'd like your opinions on whether you think this might be worth it. Thanks again!

I'm only one data point, but hopefully my situation can help you.

I took the MCAT junior year of college, received a 33, didn't end up applying. Three years later, score expired, re-took and received a 31. I only had two interviews (lowish stats, late applicant) but I do not feel like the decreased score was a red flag.

The topic did not come up in one interview and the other interviewer brushed it off when I tried to explain, stating that as long as it was above a 30, it's not a problem. I was very surprised by this response, lol! I don't know if that's the attitude that all schools take, but I would not worry about it.

Good luck this cycle! Get that application in good and early! 😀

 

[fox916]

I'm only one data point, but hopefully my situation can help you.

I took the MCAT junior year of college, received a 33, didn't end up applying. Three years later, score expired, re-took and received a 31. I only had two interviews (lowish stats, late applicant) but I do not feel like the decreased score was a red flag.

The topic did not come up in one interview and the other interviewer brushed it off when I tried to explain, stating that as long as it was above a 30, it's not a problem. I was very surprised by this response, lol! I don't know if that's the attitude that all schools take, but I would not worry about it.

Good luck this cycle! Get that application in good and early! 😀

What a relief! Thanks for sharing your story!