retake MCAT or apply early decision?

[Biruchan]

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I got a 28O on the MCAT (10P, 8V, 10B) with 3.76GPA graduated from a state school, Asian, have been working in a lab at a top institute for 2 years, and have a paper in a top journal. I have a good amount of community service and clinical experience.

Do you guys think I should retake my MCAT in August or would that be too late?

Should I apply early decision to my state school with a 28 or wait until Aug to retake and apply broadly??

 

[Biruchan]

Retake in August and apply broadly if you can expect to score 35+. If not, apply early decision to your state school and hope for the best. With a 28O, your chances aren't zero, but they aren't good.

The problem with that is is that the state school ED apps are due in August and I wouldn't know my score until September. I don't expect to score more than 35 to be honest, probably 32, 33 especially because I will be doing supplementals and working full time. Are you talking about my chances for the ED for state school or in general? Thank you!

 

[Ironmandoc]

If you don't get in to the EDP your app is super late at any other schools you apply to. Be warned

 

[jmb10]

If you don't get in to the EDP your app is super late at any other schools you apply to. Be warned

This is exactly why I NEVER advise students to apply early decision unless the school they're applying to is the only school they would ever attend. Otherwise, it's best to apply to a broad range of schools early in the process. Interviews are offered on a rolling basis and if you apply early, your chances of landing an interview and an acceptance are much higher.

 

[supportivehubby]

From my understanding, EDP is for people who have absolutely no doubts about their scores, stats, grades, LORS, etc and are the number one draft picks of the applicant cycle. There are very few of these people. It is my understanding that EDP is not for most of us. The 99% who are wishing that a nice admissions committee member sees that we are a a diamond in the rough. 🙂

I would email admissions to see what sort of reply you get from them. . . unless it is a phone call saying "yes please we are so excited to learn about you" then I would recommend retaking and applying broadly. It is more likely that you will get a generic response listing the bare minimum requirements and referring you to the FAQ section of the website.

Hope is important in this process. But, beware because it can cloud your judgment. Hope is not enough for this path, Unfortunately.

Be a rockstar for the applications
. . . save your hopes and dreams for later.

Good Luck!!!!!!!!!

 

[charju]

can't say your chances are 0, but you'll have a tough cycle. with a 28 even with all the other stuff. My friend with a 28 who had stellar GPA got in but that was the only school she got into.

 

[Captain Fantastic]

Retake in August and apply broadly if you can expect to score 35+. If not, apply early decision to your state school and hope for the best. With a 28O, your chances aren't zero, but they aren't good.

Why recommend EDP at a state school with a 28? The state school I went to has GPA and MCAT cut-offs for EDP (3.75 GPA and a minimum of 30 MCAT and even that doesn't necessarily make you a competitive EDP applicant, that just marks the floor from which they will consider your app). A 28 would not get you an interview through EDP here except in very unusual circumstances.

OP, I agree you should retake the MCAT if you can be ready and improve your score. Even getting to 30 or 31 would greatly improve your chances. Of course getting 35+ would be the bees knees, but that sort of improvement is rare and even scoring that highly on the exam is rather uncommon. I'm sure you know the mean MCAT for matriculants last cycle was 31.1 (SD 4.1, and 32.3 with a SD of 3.7 in your demographic), so even a little bump would put you right in the thick of it.

You can apply with the 28 but you'll need a very strong application in other areas if you expect an acceptance. Improving your MCAT score would help, no doubt, but remember the application encompasses much more than just MCAT and GPA.

 

[Biruchan]

hmm i called the school today and they said their average MCAT is 30 and GPA is 3.5. If the average is 30, my score doesn't seem that bad. But it is true that i would be putting all my eggs in one basket.

Is Aug 10 too late to retake to apply this cycle normally (not ED)?

 

[linebacker57]

From my understanding, EDP is for people who have absolutely no doubts about their scores, stats, grades, LORS, etc and are the number one draft picks of the applicant cycle. There are very few of these people. It is my understanding that EDP is not for most of us. The 99% who are wishing that a nice admissions committee member sees that we are a a diamond in the rough. 🙂

I would email admissions to see what sort of reply you get from them. . . unless it is a phone call saying "yes please we are so excited to learn about you" then I would recommend retaking and applying broadly. It is more likely that you will get a generic response listing the bare minimum requirements and referring you to the FAQ section of the website.

Hope is important in this process. But, beware because it can cloud your judgment. Hope is not enough for this path, Unfortunately.

Be a rockstar for the applications
. . . save your hopes and dreams for later.

Good Luck!!!!!!!!!

I wouldnt exactly put it this way, people use EDP in a few different other ways:

1) they are less competative than average at a school, but have some kind of connection/relationship with the school and have carefully selected a school. (see theWUbear)

2) average applicants with geographic restrictions (like im raising my family in Denver, my sig. other has a job there) do EDP

 

[supportivehubby]

I wouldnt exactly put it this way, people use EDP in a few different other ways:

1) they are less competative than average at a school, but have some kind of connection/relationship with the school and have carefully selected a school. (see theWUbear)

2) average applicants with geographic restrictions (like im raising my family in Denver, my sig. other has a job there) do EDP

Two very excellent points I had overlooked!

Is this a cumulative evaluation for OP?
"Unless you are one of the following, EDP does not sound like a good option"
1. First Round draft pick for 2013 app cycle (top 1%)
2. are less competative than average at a school, but have some kind of connection/relationship with the school and have carefully selected a school. (see theWUbear) . . . not to be interpreted as "I once spoke to the dean" or "I have emailed the secretary a few times"
3. average applicants with geographic restrictions (like im raising my family in Denver, my sig. other has a job there)
4. For whatever reason, you only want to be a doctor if you can go to this one school (from jmb10 earlier advice)

OP: you are correct, 28 is not that bad. However, 28 will not get adcoms jumping out of their seat without one/some of the above circumstances justifying your application.

Try not to think of EDP as a strategic way to be seen as more dedicated or interested. It carries a risk of excessive delays in your application to other schools that statistically will disadvantage you. Are you going for a 1% chance in EDP or a 30% chance in the regular admission cycle? Unfortunately, the reality appears to be that the lower the MCAT score the more schools you need to apply to in order to push through the number filter.

Focus on strengthening other elements of app instead of strategical distractions. GPA, experiences, PS, LORS and the MCAT. This is where your energy needs to be.

Best!