Retaking MCAT but don't want schools I've already applied to to know

[arosmom]

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Hello,

So I have a balanced 30 on the MCAT and have already applied to about 12 schools that I have an ok shot of getting into with that score. I know though that I can score in the mid-30's and am planning on retaking in August. When I submitted my apps I didn't check that I was retaking the MCAT(I hadn't yet signed up for it then) and I don't want the schools I've already applied to to know since it would then delay my application. As long as I don't tell them is there any way for them to know that I'm retaking?

 

[MedPR]

No

 

[plumhill]

Most likely, yes. I wouldn't risk it...just let them know that you've changed your mind and are deciding to re-take. Although to be honest, I don't know why you are retaking...If you have 12 schools that you can get into with a 30, there really isn't a point to retaking.

 

[jesse120]

I'm pretty sure as soon as you register for the MCAT, all the schools that you've applied to will see that.

 

[BecksTriad]

No

they automatically load ur MCAT scores on ur AMCAS. of course they'll see it.

 

[flyers]

they automatically load ur MCAT scores on ur AMCAS. of course they'll see it.

They load your score of course... But that doesn't happen till a month or so after the test! Search around on here and the MD/PhD forum, but I'm pretty sure that as long as you don't add the intended date on AMCAS, the schools you've already applied to will NOT know you're retaking. That is, until they see your new score once it comes out.

 

[carramrod06]

They load your score of course... But that doesn't happen till a month or so after the test! Search around on here and the MD/PhD forum, but I'm pretty sure that as long as you don't add the intended date on AMCAS, the schools you've already applied to will NOT know you're retaking. That is, until they see your new score once it comes out.

I thought schools "download" the AMCAS primaries and they aren't automatically updated. If you've already submitted your primary and they've downloaded it AND you didn't indicate a new test date, I doubt they'd download another copy unless you informed them you had new scores so they can download your app again.

 

[arosmom]

If I can score in the mid to high 30's like I have on my practice exams, I'd like to apply to some more higher ranked schools...even if it means waiting a year. The question isn't will they receive my score once it comes out as much as will they know I'm scheduled to take the MCAT and therefore put my whole app on hold. I applied about 3 weeks ago, have gotten one secondary so far from George Washington.

 

[carnelian]

You're putting your entire app on hold to retake a 30... Not the best idea:
1) if you do worse, you'll risk having these schools see the new score and be late in the cycle (assuming by "on hold" you mean not doing/submitting secondaries in order to study for the MCAT)
2) if you do well and decide to wait another year: you might be marked as a reapplicant (at least for the schools you've already applied to) if your primary has been verified; and even if you continue this cycle, you'd be late for the new schools you add

Bottom line: if you're aiming for "more higher ranked schools," withdraw your application, study hard for the MCAT, and apply next year. Otherwise just take the 30 and focus on the schools you've already applied to. Any reason that you want to go to a more higher ranked school other than the fact that it's more higher ranked? Maybe there are "lower ranked schools" that match your goals.

If I can score in the mid to high 30's like I have on my practice exams, I'd like to apply to some more higher ranked schools...even if it means waiting a year. The question isn't will they receive my score once it comes out as much as will they know I'm scheduled to take the MCAT and therefore put my whole app on hold. I applied about 3 weeks ago, have gotten one secondary so far from George Washington.

 

[flyers]

I thought schools "download" the AMCAS primaries and they aren't automatically updated. If you've already submitted your primary and they've downloaded it AND you didn't indicate a new test date, I doubt they'd download another copy unless you informed them you had new scores so they can download your app again.

Exactly. They won't download another copy at all. They'll judge the OP's app based on his original score, because there is no intent to retake on his/her app. The only thing that will happen is they'll receive a new score a month after the OP retakes, but by then they may have made a decision to interview already so it won't necessarily matter (though that's a gray area).

If I can score in the mid to high 30's like I have on my practice exams, I'd like to apply to some more higher ranked schools...even if it means waiting a year. The question isn't will they receive my score once it comes out as much as will they know I'm scheduled to take the MCAT and therefore put my whole app on hold. I applied about 3 weeks ago, have gotten one secondary so far from George Washington.

I don't think they'll know that you're scheduled to retake unless you yourself put it on your AMCAS, which I'm assuming you haven't. Like I said, search around, especially on the MD/PhD forum - the problem you have is a more common problem for MD/PhD applicants.

 

[deleted127837]

.

 

[Davidasaurus]

You just walked into an interview, shook their hands, got that big smile you hope doesn't seem nervous going. They gesture for you to sit, you do, and they pull out your application. It's late November, and even though it was cold outside, you're still sweating in your suit. This is it.

They flip through some pages, then look at you. An older gentlemen sits back, fingertips touching, and looks you in the eye. "You wrote on your application that you weren't going to retake the MCAT, but we got another score for you a few days ago. Why is that?"

...

How would you answer?

Eloquent, and exactly the situation the OP needs to put him/herself in.

My advice? Balanced 30 should suffice, unless your GPA/EC's weren't at the matriculant averages you should be fine. You're not going to get into Harvard/Stanford/Hopkins/etc. but even if you scored 35+ the first time around all those schools would still be a toss-up. Not worth putting your application off for a year if you can get into your state school or another school this time around.

 

[Irish Football]

-As soon as you list that you plan on taking another test on AMCAS, then the schools will know.
-If you do not list it on AMCAS, once your scores are released 35 days after the test, the schools will know.

So if you do not list your planned test on AMCAS then you do have a window of 35 days in which schools will not know about your retake. However, I have been told that schools do not like receiving scores for tests that they did not know about, and they can judge you based on your original score only and are under no obligation to consider your new scores. Some schools will add your new scores to your application but it's no guarantee. Your call...

 

[arosmom]

You just walked into an interview, shook their hands, got that big smile you hope doesn't seem nervous going. They gesture for you to sit, you do, and they pull out your application. It's late November, and even though it was cold outside, you're still sweating in your suit. This is it.

They flip through some pages, then look at you. An older gentlemen sits back, fingertips touching, and looks you in the eye. "You wrote on your application that you weren't going to retake the MCAT, but we got another score for you a few days ago. Why is that?"

...

How would you answer?

A) Your scenario is ridiculous and would never happen. With all the things med school committees look for making sure a second MCAT score corresponds to a checked box doesn't rank.

B) Truthfully. I hadn't yet signed up to retake when I sent in my AMCAS. I hadn't even got back my scores from my first MCAT at that point.

 

[TipToad]

A) Your scenario is ridiculous and would never happen. With all the things med school committees look for making sure a second MCAT score corresponds to a checked box doesn't rank.

Just because it's not what you want to hear doesn't mean it's ridiculous.

 

[BABSstudent]

You just walked into an interview, shook their hands, got that big smile you hope doesn't seem nervous going. They gesture for you to sit, you do, and they pull out your application. It's late November, and even though it was cold outside, you're still sweating in your suit. This is it.

They flip through some pages, then look at you. An older gentlemen sits back, fingertips touching, and looks you in the eye. "You wrote on your application that you weren't going to retake the MCAT, but we got another score for you a few days ago. Why is that?"

...

How would you answer?

This is what I was thinking exactly. You may even get an interview before October and November, which would be based entirely off your old scores.

Just list if you are going to retake or don't retake at all.

Or the OP would