Retaking mcat

[arj218]

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Hello, here's my situation: I have a 3.76 cGPA, 3.58 sGPA and was looking to apply this cycle. I have sent in my primary application it was processed and I am currently sending secondaries back to school. I took the mcat and got my score back recently, didn't do nearly as well as I wanted to, I got a 504 (127/123/127/127). Would I be able to retake the late July/early august and still have that score go towards my application this cycle? Is this advisable or should I not retake the mcat and see what happens this cycle?

 

[gyngyn]

Did you apply to schools where this MCAT is near the median?

 

[Dagrimsta1]

N=1
Apply this cycle to schools you actually have a chance of getting into. Chances are you'll get an interview...
if you retake in july/august, you're making yourself late and there is no guarantee your score will change significantly.
If this cycle doesn't go the way you want with your current score, apply DO or retake in April/May with good prep.

 

[arj218]

1)More importantly, why did you apply to schoold without knowing your MCAT?
2) retaking the MCAT without planned prep and on a rush basis is a mistake
3) retaking the mcat while the cycle is in motion is a mistake
4) retaking the mcat when you have submitted an application already with score means you will be evaluated before the new score arrives

I would reconsider which secondaries you are going to actually submit solely for the @Goro tax

would schools wait until my new score arrives to accept/reject me if I inform them I will be retaking the exam?

 

[arj218]

Did you apply to schools where this MCAT is near the median?

yes, does this mcat score seem too low to get into an MD program?

 

[gyngyn]

yes, does this mcat score seem too low to get into an MD program?

Under most circumstances, yes.
The occasional spectacular candidate can overcome this score (in the right state).

Which MD schools did you find where 504 was near the median?

 

[arj218]

N=1
Apply this cycle to schools you actually have a chance of getting into. Chances are you'll get an interview...
if you retake in july/august, you're making yourself late and there is no guarantee your score will change significantly.
If this cycle doesn't go the way you want with your current score, apply DO or retake in April/May with good prep.

mcat score may have ruled me out from getting into an MD program this cycle?

 

[arj218]

Under most circumstances, yes.
The occasional spectacular candidate can overcome this score (in the right state).

and would retaking the mcat in the beginning of august is not be advisable? I spent 5+ months preparing for the exam in June and was doing better on the practice exams, usually in the 508-512 range, so I felt prepared and conditioned for it.

 

[arj218]

But I am under the impression the OP has already submitted primary so there is no formal mechanism to let schools know that there is a planned MCAT. Therefore the score that is there is the one schools will use

yes i have submitted my primary

 

[gyngyn]

But I am under the impression the OP has already submitted primary so there is no formal mechanism to let schools know that there is a planned MCAT. Therefore the score that is there is the one schools will use

In fact, I would take it a step further and say that no school is under the obligation to wait for a (proposed) additional score before making a decision on the application, even if one were indicated in the primary.
I was responding to the 504 as a freestanding score.

 

[arj218]

Under most circumstances, yes.
The occasional spectacular candidate can overcome this score (in the right state).

Which MD schools did you find where 504 was near the median?

Wright State, NEO, East Carolina, Southern Illinois, Loyola, Mercer

 

[arj218]

In fact, I would take it a step further and say that no school is under the obligation to wait for a (proposed) additional score before making a decision on the application, even if one were indicated in the primary.
I was responding to the 504 as a freestanding score.

it is possible to still update the primary application and indicate that an exam will be taken in the future

 

[gyngyn]

Wright State, NEO, East Carolina, Southern Illinois, Loyola, Mercer

SIU is a mission-based school. Are you a resident of Southern IL?
Neomed is also a mission-based school. Their median is 506. Do you fit the mission?
E Carolina's median is 508... and they matriculated no OOS applicants are you IS for them?
Mercer matriculated no OOS applicatns. Are you IS for them?
Loyola's 10th percentile is 506...
Wright's median is 507.

 

[OchemOficionado]

SIU is a mission-based school. Are you a resident of Southern IL?
Neomed is also a mission-based school are you from Northeast Ohio?
E Carolina's median is 508... and they matriculated no OOS applicants are you IS for them?
Mercer matriculated no OOS applicatns. Are you IS for them?
Loyola's 10th percentile is 506...
Wright's median is 507.

You’re fast! Was that from memory?

 

[gyngyn]

it is possible to still update the primary application and indicate that an exam will be taken in the future

The primary application cannot be updated with this information.
Even if it were, there is no obligation to wait for it!

 

[mariposas905]

But I am under the impression the OP has already submitted primary so there is no formal mechanism to let schools know that there is a planned MCAT. Therefore the score that is there is the one schools will use

Oh is the AMCAS the only place we can indicate a pending MCAT? I thought we could change this after submission as well... or that it would next be noted in secondaries?

 

[Goro]

Hello, here's my situation: I have a 3.76 cGPA, 3.58 sGPA and was looking to apply this cycle. I have sent in my primary application it was processed and I am currently sending secondaries back to school. I took the mcat and got my score back recently, didn't do nearly as well as I wanted to, I got a 504 (127/123/127/127). Would I be able to retake the late July/early august and still have that score go towards my application this cycle? Is this advisable or should I not retake the mcat and see what happens this cycle?
.

A 504 is circling the drain for MD schools. You're fine for DO.

 

[mariposas905]

You can change MCAT date post submission but has your application been transmitted ?

I already indicated my retake date on the application. But I was just curious about this...if it's been verified and transmitted to schools, that means you can't change it anymore?

 

[fathergoat]

1)More importantly, why did you apply to schoold without knowing your MCAT?
2) retaking the MCAT without planned prep and on a rush basis is a mistake
3) retaking the mcat while the cycle is in motion is a mistake
4) retaking the mcat when you have submitted an application already with score means you will be evaluated before the new score arrives

I would reconsider which secondaries you are going to actually submit solely for the @Goro tax

Hey, why would retaking the mcat while the cycle is in motion be a mistake? I currently have a 511 mcat from a year ago (unsuccessful cycle; applied late though) and submitted again after taking some classes (GPA is 3.55). I feel like my old mcat will not keep me out but not help me get in. Also ORM.

 

[ciestar]

Wright State, NEO, East Carolina, Southern Illinois, Loyola, Mercer

Yeahhh.. that was a mistake.

 

[fathergoat]

Its a mistake as
1) prepping for the MCAT requires a near 100% time, energy and focus, especially when trying to improve over a solid score
2) completing AMCAS and 10-25 secondaries requires near 100% time, energy and focus as highly polished, well written applications are expected
3) most student do not plan and prep for a retake until they get their first score back, then requires rush and pushing away other priorities.
4) schools are not required to wait for any planned MCAT
5) you now have the conflict in timing. Do I want them to consider your application early when more interview slots are open or wait until a second score when slots are reduced
6) while some schools may superscore, AAMC recommends that schools average across MCAT scores. This is due to research that correlates STEP I exam scores are more like average of MCAT and not any single score

So I have already applied so they are already considering me. I would not retake unless I take the practice exam and score 517+. Also is #6 true? I actually took the mcat for the first time 3 years ago (i'm a non-trad) and got a 504. I didn't apply then because I didn't think I would get in. If they average the scores, then I definitely need to retake as my average would be a 507.5. I talked to two schools about this and one said they would supersede my score (make it a 512 (CARS on 1st exam was 126 and second it was 125) and the other said they would only consider my latest score.

 

[theKingLT]

I'd say don't bother with most of your md secondaries, save the lower stat and/or highly mission oriented ones that fit your EC's well. Then focus all your time on applying DO. Assuming you've got some EC's, your mcat and gpa are good enough for some DO interviews. If you're dead set on MD, the beautiful island of Puerto Rico rocks the lowest MCAT averages, but I imagine that's largely due to high numbers of ESL applicants. They may not give native English speakers as much wiggle room, but I don't really know

 

[Blanky]

You need a WAMC with full ECs and everything and quick. You also need to seriously consider DO or just stop and wait until next year with a new MCAT.

 

[theKingLT]

So I have already applied so they are already considering me. I would not retake unless I take the practice exam and score 517+. Also is #6 true? I actually took the mcat for the first time 3 years ago (i'm a non-trad) and got a 504. I didn't apply then because I didn't think I would get in. If they average the scores, then I definitely need to retake as my average would be a 507.5. I talked to two schools about this and one said they would supersede my score (make it a 512 (CARS on 1st exam was 126 and second it was 125) and the other said they would only consider my latest score.

So this is your 2nd time scoring 504? If so you really need to apply DO