Should I retake 509 or focus on ECs?

[Navyyy]

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Hi everyone! I am a current senior, planning on applying in the upcoming cycle. I recently got my mcat scores back and am unsure if I should retake or focus on extracurriculars. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you in advance!

1. cGPA and sGPA as calculated by AMCAS or AACOMAS
   • 3.98 cGPA, not sure how to calc science GPA
2. MCAT score(s) and breakdown. Include all (non-voided) attempts.
   • 509 127/128/127/127
3. State of residence or country of citizenship (if non-US)
   • PA
4. Ethnicity and/or race
   • Asian
5. Undergraduate institution or category
   • State University
6. Clinical experience (volunteer and non-volunteer)
   • 530 hrs of scribing
   • 50 hrs of hospital volunteering (will continue this)
7. Research experience and productivity
   • just started volunteering in lab, currently 15hrs
8. Shadowing experience and specialties represented
   • 40 hrs emergency medicine
   • 20 hrs family medicine
9. Non-clinical volunteering
   • Crisis Text Line, also just started this 20 hrs
10. Other extracurricular activities (including athletics, military service, gap year activities, leadership, teaching, etc)
    • Anatomy and Physiology TA - just started 10 hrs
    • A+P Tutor also just started 10 Hrs
    • Research Mentor for underserved highschool students - 160 hrs
11. Relevant honors or awards
    • University academic award
    • Deans list every semester
    • STEM scholarship
12. Anything else not listed you think might be important
    • Taking a gap year planning on getting a clinical job

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Hi everyone! I am a current senior, planning on applying in the upcoming cycle. I recently got my mcat scores back and am unsure if I should retake or focus on extracurriculars. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you in advance!

Welcome to the forums.

Answer to your question: Yes. You can (should) walk and chew gum at the same time.

Slightly seriously, I sense that you want to gun for "brand name programs," which is why you want to retake your MCAT. Goal should be +10 from your first score, so 519+. If your practice tests have been this high, you should retake. Give yourself enough time to prepare properly.

You definitely need more experiences, especially service orientation. In-person experiences where you are comfortable with uncomfortable people in a humble role, not as a subject matter expert or "leader." You must have 150 hours when you submit; if you're going for brand-name schools, you must have 250 hours. Crisis text line is not face-to-face experience. With zero hours currently listed, your application may be summarily screened out.

 

[Navyyy]

Welcome to the forums.

Answer to your question: Yes. You can (should) walk and chew gum at the same time.

Slightly seriously, I sense that you want to gun for "brand name programs," which is why you want to retake your MCAT. Goal should be +10 from your first score, so 519+. If your practice tests have been this high, you should retake. Give yourself enough time to prepare properly.

You definitely need more experiences, especially service orientation. In-person experiences where you are comfortable with uncomfortable people in a humble role, not as a subject matter expert or "leader." You must have 150 hours when you submit; if you're going for brand-name schools, you must have 250 hours. Crisis text line is not face-to-face experience. With zero hours currently listed, your application may be summarily screened out.

Thank you for your reply! I don’t really care about brand name programs, just trying to get in the door. I am not confident in my abilities to test significantly higher than my current. I think my highest FL was around a 512. I am just concerned that my 509 won’t be good enough for MD schools in PA, which all seem to have an avg around 512. I will also try to get more in person experiences.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Thank you for your reply! I don’t really care about brand name programs, just trying to get in the door. I am not confident in my abilities to test significantly higher than my current. I think my highest FL was around a 512. I am just concerned that my 509 won’t be good enough for MD schools in PA, which all seem to have an avg around 512. I will also try to get more in person experiences.

According to AAMC FACTS Table A-20 (2024), the average matriculant MCAT among Pennsylvania applicants (regardless of medical school) was 513.2 with 5.7 SD, so yes, you're a little below the average but within the SD. 736 PA applicants received offers and matriculated. To compare, A-19 says there were 1554 PA applicants with average applicant MCAT of 507.5, SD 9.7.

Penn State's average MCAT for the last reported matriculating class is 510. Drexel is next at 512. (MSAR)

I'm pointing out that you didn't perform so badly, but I can see where a strong retake can help you. Don't overinterpret numbers; MCAT doesn't tell you if you get an offer.

 

[Faha]

You should accumulate 150+ hours of non clinical volunteering such as food bank, homeless shelter before you apply.
I suggest these schools with your stats:
Drexel
Temple
Jefferson
Penn State
Geisinger
West Virginia
Albany
Vermont
Quinnipiac
George Washington
Virginia Commonwealth
Eastern Virginia
Wake Forest
Methodist
Belmont
NOVA MD
Alice Walton
TCU
Roseman
Rosalind Franklin
Medical College Wisconsin
Oakland Beaumont
Wayne State
Ponce (St. Louis)