Should I retake my mcat or not? (not a repost, there's a lot of info). any advice?

[mrh125]

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[mrh125]

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[gyngyn]

don't some schools take the highest score and doesn't a 31/32 still look better than a 29?

A series of MCAT's tells a story. If you get a similar, albeit slightly better score after experiencing the test already and studying like a madman (which is what we will assume) you have changed no ones's mind about your test-taking ability. Nay, some will actually be less impressed.

 

[BestDoctorEver]

most people seem to have trouble breaking 30.

Not in SDN... Lol. I think 31 is a heck of a lot better than 29 and would make you app more competitive

 

[mrh125]

A series of MCAT's tells a story. If you get a similar, albeit slightly better score after experiencing the test already and studying like a madman (which is what we will assume) you have changed no ones's mind about your test-taking ability. Nay, some will actually be less impressed.

so what would you recommend if my goal is an MD school? I've heard mixed stories from people with similar gpas, mcat scores (29), and ecs and a lot of them having trouble getting into md school. Is it really worth taking the chance with a 29 mcat score? I dont want to waste a cycle. Retake and study ridiculous hard?

 

[mrh125]

Not in SDN... Lol

yea, i know i saw the mcat threads and people were debating whether to retake when they got 35s =/. I was hoping a 30 or 31 would improve my odds enough to make getting into a MD school enough. sitting on a 29 just seems pretty bleak and i'm not ready to resign myself to DO schools (no offense to those in DO schools)

 

[BestDoctorEver]

yea, i know i saw the mcat threads and people were debating whether to retake when they got 35s =/. I was hoping a 30 or 31 would improve my odds enough to make getting into a MD school enough. sitting on a 29 just seems pretty bleak and i'm not ready to resign myself to DO schools (no offense to those in DO schools)

Retake it and aim for 32+... I think you will always have a DO spot with your 29 assuming that your c/sGPA is 3.0+, and you have the usual ECs.

 

[BeancheBlanco]

In my infinite wisdom as a pre-med who has no idea what he is talking about, I recommend that you re-take if your AAMC average is at least 2 points above your actual score. Even then I would only re-take if your GPA is kind of low. If you have a high GPA, a 29 should be ok.

 

[mrh125]

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[BestDoctorEver]

my gpa is a 3.62 gpa and I can show you my ECs. I did a lot of stuff, no publications or super leadership. lots of volunteering, research, two jobs, tutoring, non-profit work



gpa is a 3.62 which people have said is "average". idk what means but a 31 on the mcat is the new average =/ >_<.

What is your state of residency? You GPA is a little bit below average for M.D. I think you need to retake and aim for 32 since 31.6 is the average for matriculated applicants...

 

[mrh125]

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[BeancheBlanco]

If you want an MD school, I recommend re-taking (GPA of 3.62 won't compensate). If your AAMC average is below a 32, you have a lot of work to do to reasonably expect that score. Study hard and you can do it though.

 

[BestDoctorEver]

CA, which is pretty much the worst state to be a premed in. >_< my dream school is davis, which is where i went to undergrad. a friend of mine got an interview w/ a 33.

You have to retake since you are from CA and a 32 will not even be good enough...

 

[mrh125]

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[BestDoctorEver]

even for out of state schools? >_< I just want in an average MD school realistically though UC Davis is my dream school.

You will be ok for mid-to-low tier OOS schools with 31+. The way I look at it now is that you are already good for most DO schools; therefore, you van retake to improve your chances for MD.

 

[gyngyn]

so what would you recommend if my goal is an MD school? I've heard mixed stories from people with similar gpas, mcat scores (29), and ecs and a lot of them having trouble getting into md school. Is it really worth taking the chance with a 29 mcat score? I dont want to waste a cycle. Retake and study ridiculous hard?

Plenty of good candidates get into MD schools with a 29 (just not a high % in CA). If you are going to retake, take all the time you need to get a 33 or better.

 

[WierdScience]

I would say that if you are not willing consider DO that you should retake the MCAT for sure. It seems like you have done a lot of studying already though and so maybe you need to reevaluate your methods. I know a couple people who had around 25 MCAT scores that were able to boost to 30+ by using Altius test prep, originally out of Utah. That course will help you understand how to effectively approach the material from other sources as well. Also, it is very straightforward and didn't have way more info than is needed like some of the other programs. I know they claim like a 33 average for their students. Exam Krackers is a good supplement to go along with this one.

 

[mrh125]

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[gyngyn]

exactly, which is another rason for me to retake. If I apply to an out of state school though, my odds are significantly lower if i'm not from that state right? my other backup plan was mass applying to md schools in diff states, but in-state students are given preference.

Actually, many of the CA applicants with your stats are more successful OOS than IS. CA exports 2/3's of our successful pre-meds to medical schools in other states.

 

[sourdoughllama]

exactly, which is another rason for me to retake. If I apply to an out of state school though, my odds are significantly lower if i'm not from that state right? my other backup plan was mass applying to md schools in diff states, but in-state students are given preference.

You should aim for:
OOS public schools with relatively high acceptance rates for Californians (U of Colorado - but this one has high stats, UVM, Ohio State, U of Az - I've heard mixed opinions)
OOS privates with high acceptance rates for lower stats (Creighton, RFU, SLU, Albany, Wayne State, Rush?, Virginia Commonwealth) <-- This is better IMO

Avoid:
Using George Washington/Georgetown/Jefferson as back ups even though they have deceivingly low stats
OOS public schools with low acceptance rates for Californians even though they might sound friendly (UW, U of NV)

 

[mrh125]

You should aim for:
OOS public schools with relatively high acceptance rates for Californians (U of Colorado - but this one has high stats, UVM, Ohio State, U of Az - I've heard mixed opinions)
OOS privates with high acceptance rates for lower stats (Creighton, RFU, SLU, Albany, Wayne State, Rush?, Virginia Commonwealth) <-- This is better IMO

Avoid:
Using George Washington/Georgetown/Jefferson as back ups even though they have deceivingly low stats
OOS public schools with low acceptance rates for Californians even though they might sound friendly (UW, U of NV)

hmm, Do you think I could get in those schools with a 29, 3.62 + good ecs?

 

[gyngyn]

hmm, Do you think I could get in those schools with a 29, 3.62 + good ecs?

Have you looked at the MSAR!

 

[mrh125]

Have you looked at the MSAR!

i tried looking at it yesterday and it was down most of the time and when it finally worked again it wouldnt show me stats for any of the schools. i think they're in the process of updating it for 2014.

 

[juliuspepperwood]

Gyngyn convinced me not to retake my mcat in the panic thread.

If you are only expecting a couple point increase I would definitely agree against a retake.

 

[WierdScience]

I agree that if you don't expect at least a two point increase that it isn't worth it. However, the difference between a 29 and a 31 is pretty big in my opinion and I think it is worth it to try and get above that magic 30 number.

 

[Goro]

I suggest aiming for the low tiers, and you'll be fine. Think NYMC, MCW, Loyola, Rush, etc. As my learned colleague has already suggested, get the MSAR and aim for schools whose median stats are close to yours.

hmm, Do you think I could get in those schools with a 29, 3.62 + good ecs?