Retake expiring MCAT?

[OddBallPreMed]

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I took my MCAT in August of 2016 and scored an evenly split 509 (127/128/127/127). At that time I had been studying daily and using a prep course but I had not taken any physics or OChem lab. I applied for medical school initially in May 2017 for 2018 matriculation but while I got a couple interviews I was ultimately not accepted. This is primarily due to some issues with my experience in medicine, my personal statement, and not a broad enough school list as statistically my stats look like an average MD matriculant. Not wanting to rush into the next application cycle (i.e. the current one) I decided to postpone my reapplication until May 2019 for 2020 matriculation to get more experience in the medical field.

The problem is that my MCAT will be expired for many MD schools and almost all DO schools (who normally require an MCAT within 3 years of matriculation), but there are still 15-20 schools that I will be able to apply to. I don't know whether I should retake the MCAT (I still have all my study materials) to get a score that will be usable at more schools, or if I should hold on to my even average school and hope that this next application cycle works out.

...Or plan C I could apply to Low tier MD schools and DO schools this cycle, despite being late to the game?

Advice appreciated!

 

[evasive fish]

If last cycle's outcomes were not the ones expected, it would probably be better to rule out plan C, since you already have the intention of applying until next year.
If you have the time to study again and are confident that you can score better on the MCAT, it may be a good idea to re-take, as you will not have to worry about expired test dates for some schools and you'll have a better chance if you improve you score and get more of the experiences you're planning on expanding (provided, of course, that you apply broadly and include schools that match your stats).

 

[Catalystik]

I took my MCAT in August of 2016 and scored an evenly split 509 (127/128/127/127). At that time I had been studying daily and using a prep course but I had not taken any physics or OChem lab. I applied for medical school initially in May 2017 for 2018 matriculation but while I got a couple interviews I was ultimately not accepted. This is primarily due to some issues with my experience in medicine, my personal statement, and not a broad enough school list as statistically my stats look like an average MD matriculant. Not wanting to rush into the next application cycle (i.e. the current one) I decided to postpone my reapplication until May 2019 for 2020 matriculation to get more experience in the medical field.

The problem is that my MCAT will be expired for many MD schools and almost all DO schools (who normally require an MCAT within 3 years of matriculation), but there are still 15-20 schools that I will be able to apply to. I don't know whether I should retake the MCAT (I still have all my study materials) to get a score that will be usable at more schools, or if I should hold on to my even average school and hope that this next application cycle works out.

...Or plan C I could apply to Low tier MD schools and DO schools this cycle, despite being late to the game?

Advice appreciated!

If you didn't spend the last cycle strengthening your application in regards to active clinical experience and possibly shadowing, then don't apply again this cycle.