Retake the MCAT while still applying?

[Apparition]

I got waitlisted at a school I really liked and the weakest point in my application, I believe, is the MCAT. I have one more interview scheduled but I'm too pessimistic to hope for an acceptance. I think I'm going to retake the MCAT in Apirl in case I want to reapply. If I'm still on the waitlist at my top choice, would I be able to send them a new set of scores in June to improve my chances of getting off the list? Has this been done before? Thanks for any input.

 

[CalBoi82]

I think it really depends on your MCAT score, if it is not horribly low then I don't think it is worth re-taking it right now...

 

[Pontifex Maximus]

What was your score? GPA, ECs?

 

[Apparition]

What was your score? GPA, ECs?

27, 3.5, not that many ECs but some unique ones unrelated to medicine, volunteered in a hospital for a year, a little research.

 

[CalBoi82]

Well, I think you should ask the school that you are interested in to see if they will look at yout new score, if so I would do it... but make sure that you can have a 2 point gain (ie. 29 or better). Hope this helps!

 

[silas2642]

I got waitlisted at a school I really liked and the weakest point in my application, I believe, is the MCAT. I have one more interview scheduled but I'm too pessimistic to hope for an acceptance. I think I'm going to retake the MCAT in Apirl in case I want to reapply. If I'm still on the waitlist at my top choice, would I be able to send them a new set of scores in June to improve my chances of getting off the list? Has this been done before? Thanks for any input.

Kinda depends where you got waitlisted, too. The thing of it is, that test is a bitch, and like the previous poster said, you really need to make sure you improve this second time around. 27 isn't that bad of a score, it's average for applicants, and many people have gotten into good medical schools with a 27. I wouldn't despair yet, because it still is relatively early in the application cycle. My friend had a 28 and ended up getting into Dartmouth and UVM, but he didn't get his first acceptance until spring. You may be in the same boat.

If you really really liked this school, why don't you write a letter of intent. That could make all the difference in the world. Good luck

 

[Jaider]

I got waitlisted at a school I really liked and the weakest point in my application, I believe, is the MCAT. I have one more interview scheduled but I'm too pessimistic to hope for an acceptance. I think I'm going to retake the MCAT in Apirl in case I want to reapply. If I'm still on the waitlist at my top choice, would I be able to send them a new set of scores in June to improve my chances of getting off the list? Has this been done before? Thanks for any input.

Hey Apparition,

I'm considering taking the MCAT again the Spring as well (my score looks a lot like yours). I think I have a good shot at my state school, but I'm freaked out by having to wait for news until April. If I have to reapply next year, I will put my applications in EARLY and I want a significantly higher test score. And that will take a lot of studying.

So, right now I'm working on a proposal to reduce my work hours (I'm a nontrad-- work full-time) and I'm considering dropping Biochem from my class schedule to allow more time for the MCAT (I'm a part-time student).

This situation sucks! Let me know what you decide to do.

 

[Apparition]

Hey Apparition,

I'm considering taking the MCAT again the Spring as well (my score looks a lot like yours). I think I have a good shot at my state school, but I'm freaked out by having to wait for news until April. If I have to reapply next year, I will put my applications in EARLY and I want a significantly higher test score. And that will take a lot of studying.

So, right now I'm working on a proposal to reduce my work hours (I'm a nontrad-- work full-time) and I'm considering dropping Biochem from my class schedule to allow more time for the MCAT (I'm a part-time student).

This situation sucks! Let me know what you decide to do.

I haven't decided for sure yet but I think I will begin studying in December. It's just so strange to study while applying and waiting for decisions, really depressing. But I will regret it in the spring if don't get in and haven't studied.
I also work full-time as I did while studying for last April's MCAT. It will suck to just work and study for a few months again.

 

[Jaider]

It will suck to just work and study for a few months again.

I hear ya.

 

[2DEG]

I haven't decided for sure yet but I think I will begin studying in December. It's just so strange to study while applying and waiting for decisions, really depressing. But I will regret it in the spring if don't get in and haven't studied.
I also work full-time as I did while studying for last April's MCAT. It will suck to just work and study for a few months again.

I am in the same boat - well, no waitlist or acceptances yet. I have done 4 interviews (two out of state). What would really suck is if I only get accepted at an OOS school and if I have to give that up for financial reasons. I don't know how I can manage 40k+ tuition and living expenses for myself and for my family. Even if my wife finds a job, it would still be hard for us - not to mention less time for our daughter.

I hope you do get in this year and I desperately hope I do get into one of our state schools this year. While I am hoping for the best, I want to prepare for the worst. Thats why, I am gonna start MCAT prep beginning next week.

With full-time work, family life, school - I don't know if I can spend more 2 hours per day on MCAT prep. It would suck if I can't improve score after all the stress.

On the positive side..I kind of liked preparing for MCAT - going from physics, to gen. chem, to organic to bio to verbal..I found it exciting. I know that sounds geeky perhaps. But in a way, I actually did enjoy it. I just wish I could spend more time.

At any rate..I sincerely wish you the very best. Start preparing for MCAT but I hope you don't have to re-take it.

S.

 

[indigoblue]

Kinda depends where you got waitlisted, too. The thing of it is, that test is a bitch, and like the previous poster said, you really need to make sure you improve this second time around. 27 isn't that bad of a score, it's average for applicants, and many people have gotten into good medical schools with a 27. I wouldn't despair yet, because it still is relatively early in the application cycle. My friend had a 28 and ended up getting into Dartmouth and UVM, but he didn't get his first acceptance until spring. You may be in the same boat.

If you really really liked this school, why don't you write a letter of intent. That could make all the difference in the world. Good luck

i'm probably taking mcat again this spring, and i'm pretty confident in my abilities... that said, my score isn't that bad (32p) it's just i ended up with a 7 vr (i really felt like i misbubbled after i got my score back). i doubt i can break my 14 in ps...