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[j306c954]

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Hi all- I am just wondering if your chances of getting accepted are truly significantly impaired by applying a little later. The deadline for my school is October 15th. I was planning on having everything in sept 1, but unfortunately I am having to retake the MCAT so that is what I am focusing on. I am planning on having everything in Sept 26.

GPA is 3.96, lots of EC's (surgery shadowing, honors thesis, suicide hotline phone counselor, departmental honors, graduated with distinction, etc...) and good letters of rec, one even coming from a department director from the school I am applying to


Any thoughts?

 

[moisne]

It does affect your chances, fairly significantly. Apply now, send update later.

 

[Plecopotamus]

Hi all- I am just wondering if your chances of getting accepted are truly significantly impaired by applying a little later. The deadline for my school is October 15th. I was planning on having everything in sept 1, but unfortunately I am having to retake the MCAT so that is what I am focusing on. I am planning on having everything in Sept 26.

GPA is 3.96, lots of EC's (surgery shadowing, honors thesis, suicide hotline phone counselor, departmental honors, graduated with distinction, etc...) and good letters of rec, one even coming from a department director from the school I am applying to


Any thoughts?

Assuming you're talking about AMCAS submission, that's pretty late. An applicant with a really strong app might still pull through, but if you're retaking your MCAT, I wouldn't count on that being you. I would wait until next year and would defer the MCAT if you can in order to maximize improvement of your score.

 

[ThisCouldBeYou]

Skip this year if you're taking the MCAT on 9/26. You won't get verified by that Oct. 15th deadline.

 

[j306c954]

Skip this year if you're taking the MCAT on 9/26. You won't get verified by that Oct. 15th deadline.

I'm taking it the 18th. And the school said that that's the last test day they will accept scores from for this cycle, so I'm good in that regard.

 

[claduva94]

I'm taking it the 18th. And the school said that that's the last test day they will accept scores from for this cycle, so I'm good in that regard.

Submit AMCAS ASAP and note you will take another MCAT.

 

[ProbablyAPenguin]

Hi all- I am just wondering if your chances of getting accepted are truly significantly impaired by applying a little later. The deadline for my school is October 15th. I was planning on having everything in sept 1, but unfortunately I am having to retake the MCAT so that is what I am focusing on. I am planning on having everything in Sept 26.

GPA is 3.96, lots of EC's (surgery shadowing, honors thesis, suicide hotline phone counselor, departmental honors, graduated with distinction, etc...) and good letters of rec, one even coming from a department director from the school I am applying to


Any thoughts?

Sorry, just to clarify... are you only applying to one medical school?

 

[j306c954]

Sorry, just to clarify... are you only applying to one medical school?

Oh sorry, no. I am just talking about the one I would like to get into. I would like to go to University of Kansas Medical School, and I am also a Kansas resident.
The average GPA of accepted in-state applicants is 3.7, and average MCAT is 28. That is why I feel like other than my MCAT (as of right now), my application is pretty strong.

 

[claduva94]

When did you last take the MCAT? Also what did you get? I understand that is personal information but it helps us advise you. If you took the test last month you likely will not see an increase if you take it again shortly thereafter.

 

[j306c954]

When did you last take the MCAT? Also what did you get? I understand that is personal information but it helps us advise you. If you took the test last month you likely will not see an increase if you take it again shortly thereafter.

Well, to start, I have a very good friend that had the same situation as me two years ago. Took the MCAT, completely bombed VR, took it again a month later and raised his score by 7 points (he practiced rigorously every day for a couple weeks). He ended up being accepted.

At this point, I am just hoping for at LEAST a 27 (I have a friend with a lower GPA that got accepted with a 26). My average practice score (AAMC and Kaplan) has been 26 over the past couple months, although recently I been trending 27 either 1 or 2 points away from a 28.

During the actual MCAT (August 1st), I did AWFUL (8/4/8), but I honestly believe (I'm not trying to make excuses for myself) that is was due to other factors. I have very bad ADHD and all my life I have been given a separate room for exams. Any noise or movement (and I mean ANY) is enough to severely distract me. I was seated directly next to the door during my exam, and there were people constantly walking in and out. I could also hear over the "noise-cancelling" headphones. All of that was enough to distract me, screwing up my timing, perpetuating my anxiety, etc...

A week after I took it I began studying again because I knew I did bad. So I have been studying for the retake a little over a month (placing a STRONG emphasis on VR). I called the location of my retake and asked if it was possible to request to be seated in the corner and they said it was no problem.

 

[Ismet]

During the actual MCAT (August 1st), I did AWFUL (8/4/8), but I honestly believe (I'm not trying to make excuses for myself) that is was due to other factors. I have very bad ADHD and all my life I have been given a separate room for exams. Any noise or movement (and I mean ANY) is enough to severely distract me. I was seated directly next to the door during my exam, and there were people constantly walking in and out. I could also hear over the "noise-cancelling" headphones. All of that was enough to distract me, screwing up my timing, perpetuating my anxiety, etc...

Are you sure you are controlled enough in order to tackle med school? The MCAT is nothing compared to what's ahead. Not asking about medication or giving advice or anything, it's just more of a question you need to ask yourself and perhaps discuss with your doctor.

 

[j306c954]

Are you sure you are controlled enough in order to tackle med school? The MCAT is nothing compared to what's ahead. Not asking about medication or giving advice or anything, it's just more of a question you need to ask yourself and perhaps discuss with your doctor.

Uhm, yes. And actually, I know many current medical students that just took either step 1 or step 2 as well as doctors (parents of close friends) who have told me that exams in medical school, even boards, are in a sense "easier" than the MCAT because they are more directly testing what you know rather than how well you know the test. Although I do see you are in medical school as well, this has been the opinion of many. My issue is not content, but the design of the standardized test. I believe my GPA (3.96) is indicative of that. Especially seeing as how my major (behavioral neuroscience) had a curriculum inclusive of many rigorous graduate level courses. Just because I have ADHD and my brain lacks the ability to inhibit external stimuli as well as others may be able to does not indicate that I am not "controlled enough" to tackle medical school.

Another thing, I am prescribed to ADHD medication. However, I was unaware that different generic brands sometimes have different effectiveness. I recently discovered that the generic brand I used during the MCAT has a far less profound effect on helping me focus than the previous generic brand I had been taking. And no, this is not something I am concluding on my own. My Doctor confirmed that this is a high possibility as well.

 

[Ismet]

Uhm, yes. And actually, I know many current medical students that just took either step 1 or step 2 as well as doctors (parents of close friends) who have told me that exams in medical school, even boards, are in a sense "easier" than the MCAT because they are more directly testing what you know rather than how well you know the test. Although I do see you are in medical school as well, this has been the opinion of many. My issue is not content, but the design of the standardized test. I believe my GPA (3.96) is indicative of that. Especially seeing as how my major (behavioral neuroscience) had a curriculum inclusive of many rigorous graduate level courses. Just because I have ADHD and my brain lacks the ability to inhibit external stimuli as well as others may be able to does not indicate that I am not "controlled enough" to tackle medical school.

Another thing, I am prescribed to ADHD medication. However, I was unaware that different generic brands sometimes have different effectiveness. I recently discovered that the generic brand I used during the MCAT has a far less profound effect on helping me focus than the previous generic brand I had been taking. And no, this is not something I am concluding on my own. My Doctor confirmed that this is a high possibility as well.

I don't know anyone who thinks Step 1 was easier than the MCAT, and I'd venture to say I know a lot more med students and doctors than you do. Not saying that the people you've talked to are lying, as I'm sure there are people out there who think the MCAT was harder, but USMLE exams are completely different beasts from the MCAT and require an exponentially higher knowledge base as well as knowledge of the test. It's still a standardized test and you still have to "learn" how to take it by doing hundreds or thousands of practice questions. Added to that is the anxiety of knowing that you can't retake a low but passing score, which can severely limit your residency choices, whereas with the MCAT you can theoretically take it as many times as you want.

My response above obviously wasn't meant to attack you or your intelligence, so please don't take it as such. I'm sure you are completely capable of the academics of med school. It was just something to consider, and it seems like you have considered it. What you were describing, that slight noise or movement severely affect your performance, can easily be reproduced during pre-clinical exams, board exams, and while on wards. The anxiety level is much higher for most people taking Step 1 vs taking the MCAT. There are distractions 24/7 in the hospital, when you have to be concentrating and making decisions. Like I said, just something to consider. It's not just limited to the MCAT. Either way, best of luck on your retake.

 

[j306c954]

I don't know anyone who thinks Step 1 was easier than the MCAT, and I'd venture to say I know a lot more med students and doctors than you do. Not saying that the people you've talked to are lying, as I'm sure there are people out there who think the MCAT was harder, but USMLE exams are completely different beasts from the MCAT and require an exponentially higher knowledge base as well as knowledge of the test. It's still a standardized test and you still have to "learn" how to take it by doing hundreds or thousands of practice questions. Added to that is the anxiety of knowing that you can't retake a low but passing score, which can severely limit your residency choices, whereas with the MCAT you can theoretically take it as many times as you want.

My response above obviously wasn't meant to attack you or your intelligence, so please don't take it as such. I'm sure you are completely capable of the academics of med school. It was just something to consider, and it seems like you have considered it. What you were describing, that slight noise or movement severely affect your performance, can easily be reproduced during pre-clinical exams, board exams, and while on wards. The anxiety level is much higher for most people taking Step 1 vs taking the MCAT. There are distractions 24/7 in the hospital, when you have to be concentrating and making decisions. Like I said, just something to consider. It's not just limited to the MCAT. Either way, best of luck on your retake.

Thank you for clearing that up, sometimes things can be interpreted differently when reading it on a screen. My problem is more-so when trying to focus on reading something. I am familiar with being faced with making decision in high anxiety situations though. I have been a phone counselor for the National Suicide Prevention Hotline for over 3 years, and although I know this is different than being in the same environment as the patient, there have been many high anxiety situations during which I had to stay calm and make rational decisions.

I would have done fine in that room if I wasn't next to the door. One of the proctors was walking in and out literally every 5 minutes or so and did not even attempt to be quiet or discrete. He just kind of barged on through. I guess slight movement doesn't distract me as much as noise. Whatever the case, I won't let those small factors hold me back from achieving my goal. I will have to adapt somehow.

 

[j306c954]

I don't know anyone who thinks Step 1 was easier than the MCAT, and I'd venture to say I know a lot more med students and doctors than you do. Not saying that the people you've talked to are lying, as I'm sure there are people out there who think the MCAT was harder, but USMLE exams are completely different beasts from the MCAT and require an exponentially higher knowledge base as well as knowledge of the test. It's still a standardized test and you still have to "learn" how to take it by doing hundreds or thousands of practice questions. Added to that is the anxiety of knowing that you can't retake a low but passing score, which can severely limit your residency choices, whereas with the MCAT you can theoretically take it as many times as you want.

My response above obviously wasn't meant to attack you or your intelligence, so please don't take it as such. I'm sure you are completely capable of the academics of med school. It was just something to consider, and it seems like you have considered it. What you were describing, that slight noise or movement severely affect your performance, can easily be reproduced during pre-clinical exams, board exams, and while on wards. The anxiety level is much higher for most people taking Step 1 vs taking the MCAT. There are distractions 24/7 in the hospital, when you have to be concentrating and making decisions. Like I said, just something to consider. It's not just limited to the MCAT. Either way, best of luck on your retake.

Also, I didn't necessarily mean that the USMLE exams were easier than the MCAT. Just for me at least knowing that the material on the USMLE exams as actually going to applicable to my medical carrier would make it easier for me to motivate myself to prepare, unlike the MCAT that has a lot of content that I know I will probably never use again.

 

[Ismet]

One of the proctors was walking in and out literally every 5 minutes or so and did not even attempt to be quiet or discrete. He just kind of barged on through.

That happened when I took Step 1. I'm in a city with a rather large Prometric center, and there were well over 20 people in the room taking different exams, most of them starting later than me (and finishing earlier). I'm usually not that easily distractible with those headphones on, and I was very distracted that day. I was even as far away from the door as possible, but the proctor had a very loud whisper when he was giving instructions to each person when they got to their computer. Sounds like these proctors need better training in being quiet 😉

 

[ThisCouldBeYou]

Are you sure you are controlled enough in order to tackle med school? The MCAT is nothing compared to what's ahead. Not asking about medication or giving advice or anything, it's just more of a question you need to ask yourself and perhaps discuss with your doctor.

This is one of the reasons why the MCAT is considered the best indicator of how you'd do in med school.

 

[j306c954]

This is one of the reasons why the MCAT is considered the best indicator of how you'd do in med school.

As a researcher and someone with a minor in statistics, I would like to see statistical evidence as to if there truly is a significant correlation between MCAT score and a construct developed to represent performance in medical school.
It is only then that I will truly believe this correlation.

 

[ProbablyAPenguin]

As a researcher and someone with a minor in statistics, I would like to see statistical evidence as to if there truly is a significant correlation between MCAT score and a construct developed to represent performance in medical school.
It is only then that I will truly believe this correlation.

I found this!
I didn't read it but it looks statistical: http://www.internationalgme.org/Resources/Pubs/Donnon et al (2007) Acad Med.pdf

 

[j306c954]

This is one of the reasons why the MCAT is considered the best indicator of how you'd do in med school.

A

I found this!
I didn't read it but it looks statistical: http://www.internationalgme.org/Resources/Pubs/Donnon et al (2007) Acad Med.pdf

Well that's one experimental study in support of my hypothesis 🙂

 

[HinduHammer]

As a researcher and someone with a minor in statistics, I would like to see statistical evidence as to if there truly is a significant correlation between MCAT score and a construct developed to represent performance in medical school.
It is only then that I will truly believe this correlation.

https://www.aamc.org/students/download/267622/data/mcatstudentselectionguide.pdf

Note Table 3 and all the tables in the appendix. 1/3 of the people with your GPA and MCAT will not graduate medical school in 4 years.

 

[ThisCouldBeYou]

As a researcher and someone with a minor in statistics, I would like to see statistical evidence as to if there truly is a significant correlation between MCAT score and a construct developed to represent performance in medical school.
It is only then that I will truly believe this correlation.

https://www.aamc.org/students/download/267622/data/mcatstudentselectionguide.pdf

Note Table 3 and all the tables in the appendix. 1/3 of the people with your GPA and MCAT will not graduate medical school in 4 years.

"The value of UGPAs and MCAT scores in predicting students’ performance in medical school has been well established (Donnon, Paolucci, & Violato, 2007; Dunleavy, Kroopnick, Dowd, Searcy, & Zhao, 2013; Julian, 2005; Koenig & Wiley, 1997; Kroopnick, Dunleavy, Dowd, Searcy, & Zhao, 2013; Kuncel & Hezlett, 2007). Studies show that undergraduate grades and MCAT scores predict students’ grades in medical school, academic difficulty or distinction, time to graduation, scores on USMLE Step exams, and unimpeded progress toward graduation."6 (page 9)

 

[j306c954]

https://www.aamc.org/students/download/267622/data/mcatstudentselectionguide.pdf

Note Table 3 and all the tables in the appendix. 1/3 of the people with your GPA and MCAT will not graduate medical school in 4 years.

Uhm, sorry but do you know how to interpret experimental data and statistical information? First of all, you cannot conclude that. Second of all, the correlation must be of statistical significance at an alpha level of at most .05. I do not see where it says that they found a statistically significant indication of that in this experiment. If you find it, please provide me the correlation coefficient as well as the p value.

Second, I am retaking the MCAT. Obviously I am not getting in with my current score.

 

[j306c954]

"The value of UGPAs and MCAT scores in predicting students’ performance in medical school has been well established (Donnon, Paolucci, & Violato, 2007; Dunleavy, Kroopnick, Dowd, Searcy, & Zhao, 2013; Julian, 2005; Koenig & Wiley, 1997; Kroopnick, Dunleavy, Dowd, Searcy, & Zhao, 2013; Kuncel & Hezlett, 2007). Studies show that undergraduate grades and MCAT scores predict students’ grades in medical school, academic difficulty or distinction, time to graduation, scores on USMLE Step exams, and unimpeded progress toward graduation."6 (page 9)

Hahaha this isn't experimental data, this is raw data gathered by the AAMC. For anything to be considered "predictive" there are a lot of experimental factors that one must consider. Determining a true relationship requires statistical tests and data analysis, as well as high power for the test. One cannot draw "conclusions" based on raw data. One must be familiar with experimental research methodology an statistics to understand that though. I am talking about peer-reviewed, published experiments.

 

[Aerus]

How were you scoring on the AAMC's official full lengths? Were they stimulated under real conditions? (AKA took the test timed at a library or similar place with lots of people)

 

[j306c954]

How were you scoring on the AAMC's official full lengths? Were they stimulated under real conditions? (AKA took the test timed at a library or similar place with lots of people)

Yes. I went to an isolated area of the library where no one else was, and simulated under actual tests conditions. There were a couple times I did not feel up to par because I could not sleep well that night, but I figured that I should take it anyways because there's a possibility I wouldn't sleep well the night before the actual MCAT either. Surprisingly, my best score was when I got only 2 hours of sleep...haha

 

[j306c954]

How were you scoring on the AAMC's official full lengths? Were they stimulated under real conditions? (AKA took the test timed at a library or similar place with lots of people)

Perhaps I should take them in less isolated areas. Thanks!

 

[Aerus]

Perhaps I should take them in less isolated areas. Thanks!

What were you averaging?

 

[j306c954]

What were you averaging?

26. I probably should have done a bit more content review before taking them though :\

 

[Aerus]

26. I probably should have done a bit more content review before taking them though :\

More content review would help, but practicing passages is far more high yield. Did your studying consist of a lot of practice passages each day? Reading prep books repeatedly is significantly less useful if you're already familiar with the material.

 

[j306c954]

More content review would help, but practicing passages is far more high yield. Did your studying consist of a lot of practice passages each day? Reading prep books repeatedly is significantly less useful if you're already familiar with the material.

Yea, I practiced passages religiously. A good portion of my studying towards the end was spent taking practice tests and doing very in-depth post-phrasing. On the days I didn't take practice tests I would also do Kaplan's timed section tests. However after I began studying for the retake, I began counting how many questions I missed that were purely content, and some were enough to make a 1-2 point difference. So I have been reviewing the topics I have had difficulty with and my score has increased a little since.

 

[SkipJunior]

I don't mean to discourage you but have you considered podiatry as a back up? Your MCAT score is competitive for pod schools and it's still not too late to apply to pod schools for this cycle. You can still receive a doctorate of medicine degree, work with patients, and earn a 6 figure salary.

 

[pezzoil]

yeah man pod = automatic surgical specialty, and an almost definite scholarship with your GPA. it's my back up, and the safety net envelops me like a warm blanket when i'm up at night fretting over my apps

 

[j306c954]

I don't mean to discourage you but have you considered podiatry as a back up? Your MCAT score is competitive for pod schools and it's still not too late to apply to pod schools for this cycle. You can still receive a doctorate of medicine degree, work with patients, and earn a 6 figure salary.

I appreciate the advice, but like I said I am retaking with hopes of a more competitive score. I am not going to change my career choice because of one low score. I want to be a doctor and earn my MD. Not because of the money, but because I know it is my passion. I will keep trying until I achieve my goal. I know many people who increased there score significantly the second time around even given a small amount of time.

Medical school requires hard work and perseverance. If you want something enough you will find a way to achieve it, and that's what I am going to do.

 

[j306c954]

yeah man pod = automatic surgical specialty, and an almost definite scholarship with your GPA. it's my back up, and the safety net envelops me like a warm blanket when i'm up at night fretting over my apps

Thank you for the idea, but with my specific goals in mind, that would not be the best route for me to take.

 

[HinduHammer]

Uhm, sorry but do you know how to interpret experimental data and statistical information? First of all, you cannot conclude that. Second of all, the correlation must be of statistical significance at an alpha level of at most .05. I do not see where it says that they found a statistically significant indication of that in this experiment. If you find it, please provide me the correlation coefficient as well as the p value.

Second, I am retaking the MCAT. Obviously I am not getting in with my current score.

You really don't need to get so defensive. I am a published researcher also, so please don't throw jargon at me from Introductory Statistics in order to defend your position.

Good luck to you in your endeavors.

 

[j306c954]

You really don't need to get so defensive. I am a published researcher also, so please don't throw jargon at me from Introductory Statistics in order to defend your position.

Good luck to you in your endeavors.

Sorry, I was never taught to draw conclusions from histograms with raw data. My position is that only through proper methodology and analyses one can draw conclusions, and as a published researcher, I know you understand that as well.

 

[mehc012]

Sorry, I was never taught to draw conclusions from histograms with raw data. My position is that only through proper methodology and analyses one can draw conclusions, and as a published researcher, I know you understand that as well.

Those things aren't always available. You work with what you've got. Absolute inflexibility is insanity.

 

[j306c954]

Those things aren't always available. You work with what you've got. Absolute inflexibility is insanity.

Inconclusive evidence does not imply absolute absolute inflexibility. Never said it wasn't useful information, just said you cannot draw conclusions.

 

[mehc012]

Inconclusive evidence does not imply absolute absolute inflexibility. Never said it wasn't useful information, just said you cannot draw conclusions.

If you draw no conclusions whatsoever from a body of data, you are pretty much calling it useless, because you got nothing from it in any direction.

If you draw preliminary conclusions, or at least conclude that A is more likely than B, though not definitively proven, sure, it's useful. But that still requires you to draw some conclusions.

You've repeatedly stated that you aren't going to listen to anything that's not 100% perfectly done statistical analysis...that is inflexible and refuses to make ANY sort of conclusion unless under ideal circumstances, and it is simply unrealistic. Honestly, it smacks of denial disguised as meticulousness.

 

[j306c954]

If you draw no conclusions whatsoever from a body of data, you are pretty much calling it useless, because you got nothing from it in any direction.

If you draw preliminary conclusions, or at least conclude that A is more likely than B, though not definitively proven, sure, it's useful. But that still requires you to draw some conclusions.

You've repeatedly stated that you aren't going to listen to anything that's not 100% perfectly done statistical analysis...that is inflexible and refuses to make ANY sort of conclusion unless under ideal circumstances, and it is simply unrealistic. Honestly, it smacks of denial disguised as meticulousness.

I am using the term "conclusion" scientifically, meaning that it relies upon proper hypothesis testing. Showing that A is more likely than B is an observation. "Preliminary conclusions" as you put it are hypotheses. Those hypotheses are then tested using the scientific method. I am sorry but having extensive research and statistics courses and completing research projects has drilled these basic principles into my head so I cannot ignore them. Reading over my initial response again, I do apologize and realize I may have come off extremely defensive.

Anyways, this has gone too far and my point was merely that I think it would be interesting to see a published study (such as the meta analysis provided in a link above) of MCAT correlations. Please show me where I said that "I will not listen to anything that's not 100% done statistical analysis". I guess the dispute is due to differences in defining "conclusion". Yes, I do believe you cannot draw the definite conclusion that "X amount of students for sure will not get in with X GPA and X MCAT score", BUT I never said the information was "useless" as you put it. It is still helpful to notice trends, but does not allow one to draw an absolute conclusion.

Not even the point of my original post, so that's all I have to say on that matter.

 

[mehc012]

I am using the term "conclusion" scientifically, meaning that it relies upon proper hypothesis testing. Showing that A is more likely than B is an observation. "Preliminary conclusions" as you put it are hypotheses. Those hypotheses are then tested using the scientific method. I am sorry but having extensive research and statistics courses and completing research projects has drilled these basic principles into my head so I cannot ignore them. Reading over my initial response again, I do apologize and realize I may have come off extremely defensive.

Anyways, this has gone too far and my point was merely that I think it would be interesting to see a published study (such as the meta analysis provided in a link above) of MCAT correlations. Please show me where I said that "I will not listen to anything that's not 100% done statistical analysis". I guess the dispute is due to differences in defining "conclusion". Yes, I do believe you cannot draw the definite conclusion that "X amount of students for sure will not get in with X GPA and X MCAT score", BUT I never said the information was "useless" as you put it. It is still helpful to notice trends, but does not allow one to draw an absolute conclusion.

Not even the point of my original post, so that's all I have to say on that matter.

You seem to be avoiding the trends as well, and just dismissing them all as 'inconclusive'. Anyway, as you said, not the point of the thread, so no use in discussing further.

As to the point of the thread, yeah, you can apply that late, but no, it's not a great idea.

 

[claduva94]

https://www.aamc.org/students/download/271680/data/retestertotalscorechange.pdf
So your odds of improving are around 66%. However, being one month removed is not to your advantage. Clearly you have deficits that need to be address. Here are a couple possible scenarios:
Retake now: Improve a few points. Great! But you will be complete late, meaning odds are you could end up reapplying.
Retake now: Don't improve or go down. Now you have two data points below the average. AND you are rushed. That means your last score is much less likely to be treated as an outlier. So not only are you disadvantaged for this cycle, but others as well.
Retake later: Odds of improving go up. Sure, it takes another year, but you can strengthen your app and put an even better app forward overall.
It is up to you. But you already have two strikes against you (1st MCAT and Applying Late). Do you really want to risk a third?

 

[j306c954]

https://www.aamc.org/students/download/271680/data/retestertotalscorechange.pdf
So your odds of improving are around 66%. However, being one month removed is not to your advantage. Clearly you have deficits that need to be address. Here are a couple possible scenarios:
Retake now: Improve a few points. Great! But you will be complete late, meaning odds are you could end up reapplying.
Retake now: Don't improve or go down. Now you have two data points below the average. AND you are rushed. That means your last score is much less likely to be treated as an outlier. So not only are you disadvantaged for this cycle, but others as well.
Retake later: Odds of improving go up. Sure, it takes another year, but you can strengthen your app and put an even better app forward overall.
It is up to you. But you already have two strikes against you (1st MCAT and Applying Late). Do you really want to risk a third?

Thank you for responding. I think as long as I feel I did better on the retake (I will not receive my score before the application deadline), I am just going to give it a shot since I've come this far. No harm in trying (besides monetarily), right? Also, my source on this is just another pre-med friend, but he said that with my GPA as long as I get above a 24 it guarantees me at least an interview. I do not know for sure if this is true, but interviews are one of my stronger suits. I guess I would rather try and fail than not even try at all. If I do not get accepted, I will try again next year.

 

[j306c954]

https://www.aamc.org/students/download/271680/data/retestertotalscorechange.pdf
So your odds of improving are around 66%. However, being one month removed is not to your advantage. Clearly you have deficits that need to be address. Here are a couple possible scenarios:
Retake now: Improve a few points. Great! But you will be complete late, meaning odds are you could end up reapplying.
Retake now: Don't improve or go down. Now you have two data points below the average. AND you are rushed. That means your last score is much less likely to be treated as an outlier. So not only are you disadvantaged for this cycle, but others as well.
Retake later: Odds of improving go up. Sure, it takes another year, but you can strengthen your app and put an even better app forward overall.
It is up to you. But you already have two strikes against you (1st MCAT and Applying Late). Do you really want to risk a third?

Also, how late is considered really late? I am putting all my energy towards the MCAT right now, and I am going to hammer out the rest of my application next weekend. My transcripts have already been received and I have 1/5 of my letters of rec in. I need to finish up the EC's and of course my personal statement.

 

[claduva94]

Also, how late is considered really late? I am putting all my energy towards the MCAT right now, and I am going to hammer out the rest of my application next weekend. My transcripts have already been received and I have 1/5 of my letters of rec in. I need to finish up the EC's and of course my personal statement.

I'd say you are pushing it. But I'd stay you won't be quite really late. At this point all you can do is hope. Best of luck!

 

[j306c954]

I'd say you are pushing it. But I'd stay you won't be quite really late. At this point all you can do is hope. Best of luck!

Thanks!

 

[Plecopotamus]

26. I probably should have done a bit more content review before taking them though :\

All this quibbling about data aside, you glossed over my response & the fact that at least 3 experienced, active adcom members endorsed it. Deadlines in this process are meaningless -- submitting by the deadline is tantamount to offering your app fee as a donation. There's not going to be any hard and fast rue as to when that becomes the case (2 weeks before a deadline? 3?), but it is prudent to ask yourself *why*, with plenty of other qualified applicants, they would wait on pending information from *you*. In the case of your state school, you might be lucky, but other schools will have no good reason to wait for a pending score from you -- some do it as policy, but others won't. The problem with taking that gamble, is that if things don't pay off this cycle (if your new MCAT remains inadequate or you are otherwise without an acceptance), you have actually voluntarily hurt your application for next year.

You cannot rely on something unreliable. Having better testing conditions during your retake is not in your control. You were getting 26 on practice exams but got a 20 under what sounds like very common pronetric testing circumstances (the girl next to me during step 2 shook the table w her leg, the girl behind me wouldn't stop coughing; during step 1 the a/c went out in a room full of stressed bodies & computers on a >100 degree day). So...you should probably count on performing 6 points below your practice scores rather than at them . . . and be grateful as hell if you don't experience that dip. Why? Judgment. If you have an extremely low score and your retake yields a noncompetitive score it becomes concerning for something other than your test taking ability. I would venture to say that submitting an application with any 4 MCAT subscore is going to raise similar questions. There is no part of medical training that favors instant gratification, so most of the time deferring application a year to present a superior package is going to be viewed much more favorably than submitting one with a glaring gap that you're hoping you can overcome with luck. There are plenty of examples in the re-app forum of high GPA applicants who hit their MCAT out of the park on a 3rd attempt, yet keep failing to secure admission after applying with one or more scores on the 20s. Reapplication in and of itself is not something to take lightly. Voluntarily allowing wonky factors greater weight in the mix is just not prudent.

 

[SkipJunior]

There is another more radical option if you don't mind practicing overseas. Your stats are competitive for low cost Caribbean medical schools like Windsor School of Medicine in the island of St. Kitts or St James School of Medicine in Bonaire, Anguilla, and St.Vincent's island (3 campuses).

Now it will be very difficult to match into a US residency from these schools though you can try when the time comes (you will probably have a 10-20% chance). However, you can receive your MD diploma and then set up a clinical practice in a nice safe relatively developed city in a African country.You will have to apply for licensing in that country but that's not too difficult, especially if you know how to grease the right palms. You can live a cushy life and practice medicine everyday.

 

[milski]

Thank you for responding. I think as long as I feel I did better on the retake (I will not receive my score before the application deadline), I am just going to give it a shot since I've come this far. No harm in trying (besides monetarily), right? Also, my source on this is just another pre-med friend, but he said that with my GPA as long as I get above a 24 it guarantees me at least an interview. I do not know for sure if this is true, but interviews are one of my stronger suits. I guess I would rather try and fail than not even try at all. If I do not get accepted, I will try again next year.

There is harm in applying when not ready. If you don't get admitted this year, you will have to check the Yes box when answering have you applied before question. Depending on the school, that may have little consequence or be a big impediment. You will also have to answer the question about what did you improve during the year between your two applications and while improved MCAT is not a bad answer, you'll want to be able to tell more.
In short, why not a disaster, applying with little chance of getting accepted will harm your chances next year. Do it once, do it right.