Retake the MCAT or not?

[KCMT21]

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I recently received my MCAT score and got a 500 with a 125/124/124/127 breakdown.

I'm planning to apply this cycle to a few MD and mostly DO schools but am starting to reconsider because of the MCAT score. For reference, I scored 502 on FL 1, 506 on FL 2, and 516 on FL 3 before the test and felt like I should've done better on the real thing, especially considering the 516 was 3 days before. Should I retake and see what I can get or just apply and see what happens this cycle? I'm fine with going to a DO school but want to get into the best school possible obviously and feel I scored lower than I should've.

cGPA: ~3.7 sGPA: 3.4x (upward trends)

 

[KCMT21]

@gonnif Year by year GPA breakdown:
cGPA: 3.3/3.8x/3.8x
sGPA: 2.7/3.7x/3.7x

I haven't been verified and don't have the grid.

 

[mmchick]

I haven't been verified and don't have the grid.

Sigh.. this is the grid: https://www.aamc.org/download/321508/data/factstablea23.pdf

24.6% acceptance rate with your stats.

 

[KCMT21]

@mmchick I've seen that grid but I believe this was the one @gonnif wanted to see. I could be wrong though.

 

[mmchick]

Alright, potentially my mistake. Though a bit nerving if so.. seems pretty identifying for you to show your entire breakdown of GPA per year. Either way, would take the odds as your deciding factor. If you're comfortable with a 75% chance of rejection, apply with your current MCAT.

 

[nm06003]

Retake the MCAT.

 

[JustAUser]

I recently received my MCAT score and got a 500 with a 125/124/124/127 breakdown.

I'm planning to apply this cycle to a few MD and mostly DO schools but am starting to reconsider because of the MCAT score. For reference, I scored 502 on FL 1, 506 on FL 2, and 516 on FL 3 before the test and felt like I should've done better on the real thing, especially considering the 516 was 3 days before. Should I retake and see what I can get or just apply and see what happens this cycle? I'm fine with going to a DO school but want to get into the best school possible obviously and feel I scored lower than I should've.

cGPA: ~3.7 sGPA: 3.4x (upward trends)

You might have chances for DO this cycle.

But the better option is to retake the MCAT when you are READY and then hopefully apply by next cycle. You don't want a repeat of the same score.

Figure out why you scored so low. Do you have testing anxiety? Did you take your practice exams under test-like conditions?

 

[OchemOficionado]

For “the best school possible”, you’ll need a retake. You could possibly swing it with your score and a balanced school list, but why take such a huge risk and then possibly “settle” if you could just retake?

 

[KCMT21]

You might have chances for DO this cycle.

But the better option is to retake the MCAT when you are READY and then hopefully apply by next cycle. You don't want a repeat of the same score.

Figure out why you scored so low. Do you have testing anxiety? Did you take your practice exams under test-like conditions?

I took the practice tests under test-like conditions and never scored that low so I was honestly very surprised I scored that low on the real thing and didn't feel that bad walking out of the test or I would've voided if I did. I took it with only taking gen chem and gen bio so I don't think that was the best idea but I felt I was prepared based on my practice tests.

My current plan, I think anyway, is to apply to my state schools since their 10th percentiles stretch to 500-1 and a few DO schools to see what happens but plan to retake the mcat and re-apply next year. I would be completely fine with going to a DO school and am not set on MD only.

 

[Gilakend]

I took the practice tests under test-like conditions and never scored that low so I was honestly very surprised I scored that low on the real thing and didn't feel that bad walking out of the test or I would've voided if I did. I took it with only taking gen chem and gen bio so I don't think that was the best idea but I felt I was prepared based on my practice tests.

My current plan, I think anyway, is to apply to my state schools since their 10th percentiles stretch to 500-1 and a few DO schools to see what happens but plan to retake the mcat and re-apply next year. I would be completely fine with going to a DO school and am not set on MD only.

It's always best to apply with the best possible app. Being a re-applicant is never good.

If you're going to apply, I suggest going all in (applying to state MD and broadly DO) and not just a few schools.

However, I'd suggest a retake. I went 500 --> 516 and had a great cycle.

 

[JustAUser]

I took the practice tests under test-like conditions and never scored that low so I was honestly very surprised I scored that low on the real thing and didn't feel that bad walking out of the test or I would've voided if I did. I took it with only taking gen chem and gen bio so I don't think that was the best idea but I felt I was prepared based on my practice tests.

My current plan, I think anyway, is to apply to my state schools since their 10th percentiles stretch to 500-1 and a few DO schools to see what happens but plan to retake the mcat and re-apply next year. I would be completely fine with going to a DO school and am not set on MD only.

Why did you think it would be a good idea to take it without some ochem and biochem content? When are you going to take those classes?

To get into the best possible school, you need the best possible app. Although you do have an upward trend, your overall cGPA and sGPA would benefit by taking a gap year and keeping up the good grades.

In addition, are you URM? Do you have any clinical experiences, non-clinical volunteering, etc?

 

[KCMT21]

Why did you think it would be a good idea to take it without some ochem and biochem content? When are you going to take those classes?

To get into the best possible school, you need the best possible app. Although you do have an upward trend, your overall cGPA and sGPA would benefit by taking a gap year and keeping up the good grades.

In addition, are you URM? Do you have any clinical experiences, non-clinical volunteering, etc?

Took ochem 1 in June, in ochem 2 now. Taking biochem, genetics, and physics next year.

Not urm
~150 hours ED volunteer
~150 hours food pantry volunteer
30 hours shadowing with DO letter
College baseball player
Started a non profit focused on health/fitness promotion and coaching a few years ago that I still run
No research

 

[Goro]

I recently received my MCAT score and got a 500 with a 125/124/124/127 breakdown.

I'm planning to apply this cycle to a few MD and mostly DO schools but am starting to reconsider because of the MCAT score. For reference, I scored 502 on FL 1, 506 on FL 2, and 516 on FL 3 before the test and felt like I should've done better on the real thing, especially considering the 516 was 3 days before. Should I retake and see what I can get or just apply and see what happens this cycle? I'm fine with going to a DO school but want to get into the best school possible obviously and feel I scored lower than I should've.

cGPA: ~3.7 sGPA: 3.4x (upward trends)

If you're boning for MD, retake and get a 510+.

Otherwise, Any DO school except the NY and CA Touros, CCOM, and AZCOM. I can't recommend LUCOM, Wm Carey, nor Nova for different reasons. MSUCOM? Read up on Larry Nasser and you decide. CalHS is too new and appears to be too limited in rotations sites.

 

[erdoc111]

You should really reconsider your plan. Finish your prerequisite classes this year. Buff up your application with. study hard for your classes, more hours in every category, study for the MCAT and take when you are ready and then apply next year with a much stronger application. How will you even interview while taking 3 prerequites?

 

[chemdoctor]

Retake the MCAT and apply next cycle. Maybe look into some post bacc classes at a local CC in the Fall and Spring so you can show a better trend? I know you have an upwards trend but your GPAs are still on the low side.

You got a 516 on FL 3 so that definitely shows that you can do well. I would definitely retake the MCAT and apply MD/DO next cycle