Retake MCAT in January while applying advice

[Rogue42]

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Hey everyone, I recently got my score back from the MCAT - and I was not pleased with it; however, my pre-med advisor pulled historical data of applicants from my school and there have been people get accepted with my score and GPA. So, she said to go ahead and give it my best shot.

With that said, I applied - and I have actually received secondaries. But, I do not believe my score would get me in - I believe it will get me interviews.

I have already looked into every school I applied to, and they all accept a January MCAT *retake.* But does anyone know how this works? Do they evaluate me now - and then again later? Or will they completely put my application on hold until the next one? If I wait until after my secondaries to sign up for the January MCAT, would it change the process at all?

Note that if it would not really change anything - as in outcome, then I would retake april, ready to rock and roll by the first day to apply.

 

[Faha]

What is your actual MCAT score and breakdown ? Which schools did you apply to ?

 

[Rogue42]

What is your actual MCAT score and breakdown ? Which schools did you apply to ?

498 (124/124/124/126). VCOM, NYIT-Arkansas, LMU-DCOM, KYCOM, WVSOM. Tennessee Resident.

 

[workaholic181]

Getting secondaries doesn't signify anything OP. Schools make money off them. There are a handful of MD schools that selectively send secondaries but the vast majority of schools will send them out liberally.

I think it's unfortunate your pre med adviser didn't listen to your doubts. It is always best to apply with your strongest app. That said I think you have a shot at the schools on your list.

If you want to retake the Mcat, do it. But don't fall into some arbitrary deadline to do so. It would be better if you took it in April and significantly improved. Don't rush a January mcat unless you genuinely feel that this is enough time for you to prepare and succeed on your second try.

Could it help you? Sure. Especially if you're wait listed at one of these schools. But you wouldn't be getting your score back until February, at that point these schools would have taken a decent chunk of their class. So again, my advice would be do not rush a retake, take it when you feel you can do best regardless if that impacts this cycle or the next. Good luck.

 

[Faha]

What is your cGPA and sGPA ? Do you have any physician shadowing hours of clinical volunteering hours or employment ?

 

[Rogue42]

What is your cGPA and sGPA ? Do you have any physician shadowing hours of clinical volunteering hours or employment ?

Yes. I have around 300 shadowing hours with about 15-20 with a DO and have worked part-time the past year as a scribe (and continue to do so) while going to school giving me about 1200 hours. I have minimal health care volunteer at about 20 hours.

EDIT: Also, taught about 100 hours (500 hours in total in undergrad) - if not more - of biology labs while scribing. cGPA 3.59, sGPA 3.52

 

[Faha]

I suggest adding all these DO schools to your application this week:
ACOM
ARCOM
BCOM
ICOM
UIWSOM
VCOM (all 3 schools)
WCU-COM
CUSOM
PCOM Georgia and South Georgia
LECOM (all schools)
The schools you already applied to and these schools I listed have MCAT medians in the 498 to 502 range so you could receive interviews at any of them. It is important to submit all your secondaries by the end of October.

 

[Rogue42]

Yes. I have around 300 shadowing hours with about 15-20 with a DO and have worked part-time the past year as a scribe (and continue to do so) while going to school giving me about 1200 hours. I have minimal health care volunteer at about 20 hours.

I suggest adding all these DO schools to your application this week:
ACOM
ARCOM
BCOM
ICOM
UIWSOM
VCOM (all 3 schools)
WCU-COM
CUSOM
PCOM Georgia and South Georgia
LECOM (all schools)
The schools you already applied to and these schools I listed have MCAT medians in the 498 to 502 range so you could receive interviews at any of them. It is important to submit all your secondaries by the end of October.

Thank you! I applied VCOM, NYIT-Jonesboro, KYCOM, WVSOM, and LMU-DCOM, but I will definitely be expanding my list.

 

[PapaGuava]

@Rogue42
Keep your spirits high and keep pushing forward! If you plan on a re-take in January, just make sure you are fully prepared for it.

 

[Angus Avagadro]

I dont think you got good advice from your pre med advisor. 498 is not a good score. Yes, some get in with those stats, but not the majority. How many of them flounder and remediate or repeat? I dont think that data is available.I think you have a better chance at the newer schools. Anyway, The Die is Cast, kill the interview when you get an invite. Good Luck and best wishes.