Should I declare a that I am retaking the MCAT July 8?

[jadealer]

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I took the MCAT Sept 2009 and got a 29P (B11 P8 V10). I didn't submit my primary until the middle of october when I received my scores and most of my secondaries were not complete until Nov/Dec. Despite these facts, I still received 3 interviews although sadly I am waitlisted at all three schools.

I have a cGPA 3.8 and a sGPA 3.7. Since my application, I have several more research conference presentations and a two pending publications. I also started volunteering with a local hospice program, a homeless shelter, and will be volunteering a hospital over the summer. Plus I have added more shadowing hours to my application. I am planning on taking my MCAT on July 8, but I have my primary application ready to apply June 1. I plan on applying to mostly middle and lower tier schools.

I really don't want to be late in the application cycle again, as this is what I believe ruined my chances of acceptance the first time around. Is it okay if I submit June 1 without declaring my MCAT retake?

 

[lstone13]

If you want the Admissions Committee to wait until your second set of scores arrives before you are reviewed, then yes, indicate that you are retaking it. If you are comfortable with them beginning the review process with your old set of scores, then no, do not indicate you are retaking the MCAT, and they will automatically be updated with your new scores.

 

[flip26]

If you want the Admissions Committee to wait until your second set of scores arrives before you are reviewed, then yes, indicate that you are retaking it. If you are comfortable with them beginning the review process with your old set of scores, then no, do not indicate you are retaking the MCAT, and they will automatically be updated with your new scores.

I have no experience with this, but wouldn't he run the risk of med schools not bothering to take a second look at his app after evaluating it based on the first MCAT score?

OP, I know you don't want to hear this, but you really should have taken the MCAT by now to avoid this very situation.

My gut tells me you should indicate the retake to avoid any confusion with med schools.

What does AMCAS say about this in the PDF? I would go with the instructions.

 

[jadealer]

I have no experience with this, but wouldn't he run the risk of med schools not bothering to take a second look at his app after evaluating it based on the first MCAT score?

OP, I know you don't want to hear this, but you really should have taken the MCAT by now to avoid this very situation.

My gut tells me you should indicate the retake to avoid any confusion with med schools.

What does AMCAS say about this in the PDF? I would go with the instructions.

It wasn't really planned.. I had 3 interviews but I didn't find out that I was waitlisted at all three places until April. And honestly, I didn't have $250 sitting around to waste on a MCAT if I were accepted into medical school.... I was still paying off my applications from 2009-2010.

 

[justdoit31]

I would say to declare- usually if you don't say you are retaking they will evaluate the application and if they decide the 29 isn't good enough reject you flat out.

Do you think that you can keep the science sections at the level that you scored originally and have your PS scores improved? I think you want to be careful to not retake and get lower scores.

I honestly think that if your EC's are solid with a 29 and your GPA you could get in somewhere if you applied early.

I had a 27 with a slightly lower GPA and was complete in late September (late I know) had 3 interview offers within a month and was accepted mid-Nov which is when I pulled my app from all other schools. Applying early helps a lot.

 

[RogueUnicorn]

If you want the Admissions Committee to wait until your second set of scores arrives before you are reviewed, then yes, indicate that you are retaking it. If you are comfortable with them beginning the review process with your old set of scores, then no, do not indicate you are retaking the MCAT, and they will automatically be updated with your new scores.

fraud

 

[jadealer]

fraud

I don't believe its fraud. Its just saying you applied, but then decided to try to improve your app and are sending them an update. No different than sending an update letter in my opinion.

 

[lstone13]

fraud

Not fraud. I had this same question when I was considering re-applying and was also signed up to retake the MCAT. I wanted to know if they could just review my application based on my first set of scores without having to wait until the July MCAT scores were released. Anyway, I actually asked the AMCAS people, and that is what they told me.

OP, just as a word of caution, you should always ask the authority on the subject for the most accurate answer. SDN is a great resource, but sometimes, the advice can be inaccurate.

 

[jadealer]

Not fraud. I had this same question when I was considering re-applying and was also signed up to retake the MCAT. I wanted to know if they could just review my application based on my first set of scores without having to wait until the July MCAT scores were released. Anyway, I actually asked the AMCAS people, and that is what they told me.

OP, just as a word of caution, you should always ask the authority on the subject for the most accurate answer. SDN is a great resource, but sometimes, the advice can be inaccurate.

What did they tell you? I am confused. It is fraud or not fraud? I am a little confused.

 

[lstone13]

What did they tell you? I am confused. It is fraud or not fraud? I am a little confused.

I am declaring that the advice that I originally told you is not fraud. That was a comment directed to bleargh who claimed that it was fraud.

If this helps, below is the exact question I posed to AMCAS and their exact answer.

Question: Is it possible to submit my application in June and not indicate that I am registered for the MCAT again in July? Basically, I want to give schools the go-ahead to review my application with my current MCAT score in June when I submit my application and then have them be updated with a newer score once the new MCAT score is released, as opposed to having schools wait to review my application until after the second MCAT scores have been released.

Answer: Once you begin the 2011 application you will have the option of indicating a future MCAT test date. If you do not indicate that you will be taking the MCAT again, the medical schools may begin reviewing your application based solely on your old MCAT scores. However, if you do take the test, your scores will automatically be released to the medical schools you have selected. At this point the medical school may take your new scores into account, regardless of whether you indicated a future test date in your AMCAS application. For further information regarding testing and/or admissions policies, please contact the individual medical schools.