Retake a 34T MCAT?

[InNotOf]

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Just got my scores: 11 PS, 12 VR, 11 BS, T. I'm a little bummed about BS, as a 12 or 13 was w/in reach, but I am pleased with the other sections. Note, I'll be applying with a 3.73ish GPA, 3.5 years of research, a couple posters, a talk, and 1-2 pubs (one first-author, the other third-author). I'll be applying to range of MSTPs, likely 20-25 programs.

Is it worth my time/energy/money to retake?

 

[Ariodant]

No.

 

[189362]

I think I remeber reading 26 being the national avg. unless you are really trying to make up for something then Id say dont do it. There is the potential for you getting a worse score - just saying.

 

[dkb86]

I def don't think you should retake - I think it's an awesome score...but it's really up to you...

 

[InNotOf]

I def don't think you should retake - I think it's an awesome score...but it's really up to you...

Trust me, I really don't want to retake! Thanks for your input, everyone.

 

[xanthines]

My gut says no, but you need to ask yourself two things. Do you have your heart set on one school in particular? How certain are you that you'll do better the second time? Statistics are against you on the second one (the AAMC site used to have that info somewhere). Your score is good enough to get you into several MSTP's. Maybe the one you want will fall through, but I think that could happen no matter your score. So unless you're really sure you can better, I'd say the risk isn't worth it. Just my opinion, though!

-X

 

[Neuronix]

From a risk/reward perspective - don't retake. You probably won't have the best shot at WashU since their average is almost 37, but you'll be competitive at most places with publications.

MSTP averages for matriculants at all programs for which I'm aware have an average MCAT for matriculants of 36.5 +/- 1. WashU is no different in this regard. For the top 20 programs the average MCAT scores are 36.x-37.x.

 

[sunshine8i8]

Don't retake unless you know you can so significantly better without jepordizing other sections. So what if 34 is a little below average; average means they still accept people with lower scores. Your GPA is fine, (having) pubs is awesome, lots of research. Have good LORs, write good essays, apply broadly, present yourself well at interviews, you'll be fine. There is more to apps (and life in general) than increasing your score by 2 pts.

 

[QofQuimica]

Don't retake unless you know you can so significantly better without jepordizing other sections. So what if 34 is a little below average; average means they still accept people with lower scores. Your GPA is fine, (having) pubs is awesome, lots of research. Have good LORs, write good essays, apply broadly, present yourself well at interviews, you'll be fine. There is more to apps (and life in general) than increasing your score by 2 pts.

I agree.

OP, you have a beautifully balanced, 90th percentile score. The rest of your app sounds very strong, especially your pub record. Don't get so obsessed about one slightly undersized tree that you miss the whole forest here. Best of luck to you. 🙂