Should I retake my mcat?

[Montana7000]

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3.8 cum/3.7 sci
509(80th percentile): 128/124/126/131
PA resident
ORM
Research (no pubs)
Lot of clinical experience, shadowing, teaching, and volunteering
I plan on applying in June 2018.
Interested in applying to MD schools in the east coast (PA/NY/NJ/CT/), but will apply broadly ~30 schools

My CARS and bio score is low. Should I retake because of it?

 

[Microbug]

Are you applying to MD or DO? And what tier schools are you looking at?

 

[Montana7000]

Are you applying to MD or DO? And what tier schools are you looking at?

Low tier MD

 

[jazzmetal]

3.8 cum/3.7 sci
509(80th percentile): 128/124/126/131
PA resident
ORM
Research (no pubs)
Lot of clinical experience, shadowing, teaching, and volunteering
I plan on applying in June 2018.
Interested in applying to MD schools in the east coast (PA/NY/NJ/CT/), but will apply broadly ~30 schools

My CARS and bio score is low. Should I retake because of it?

Do you have reason to think you would score higher on a retake? A 509 once is probably better than a 509 + 511, but not as good as a 509 + 517... Some schools do have a (formal or informal) 125 cutoff per section though, so if you do retake, be very sure that you can bump CARS above that without dropping below in other sections.

 

[Microbug]

Do you have reason to think you would score higher on a retake? A 509 once is probably better than a 509 + 511, but not as good as a 509 + 517... Some schools do have a (formal or informal) 125 cutoff per section though, so if you do retake, be very sure that you can bump CARS above that without dropping below in other sections.

I would agree with that also. If you can bump it 515+, I would say it’s worth a retake. But even with 509, if you choose school list correctly, you would be okay. What is your state of residence?

 

[lol_new_user]

To be honest, I feel like with your GPA, your MCAT is kind of "holding you back" from some schools in terms of initial screen. That said, I would suggest if you REALLY think you can study hard and retake and do at least 515, then do it.

 

[Montana7000]

Do you have reason to think you would score higher on a retake? A 509 once is probably better than a 509 + 511, but not as good as a 509 + 517... Some schools do have a (formal or informal) 125 cutoff per section though, so if you do retake, be very sure that you can bump CARS above that without dropping below in other sections.

I don't think I would be scoring a 517, because I was averaging 511 on the 2 AAMC FLs. So in all honestly a retake would be around a 511. So the question is, whether those points are worth retaking. My main concern is mainly the 124 in cars.

 

[Montana7000]

I would agree with that also. If you can bump it 515+, I would say it’s worth a retake. But even with 509, if you choose school list correctly, you would be okay. What is your state of residence?

PA Resident!

 

[jazzmetal]

I don't think I would be scoring a 517, because I was averaging 511 on the 2 AAMC FLs. So in all honestly a retake would be around a 511. So the question is, whether those points are worth retaking. My main concern is mainly the 124 in cars.

Yeah, you're in that tricky 508-512 range like I am. A 124 is probably not fatal, but I think you're right to pinpoint that as the key subscore. Like, if you took it again and got 511 (129/124/127/131), you might not be much better off. So maybe plan not to retake unless you are consistently cracking that 125 CARS barrier in practice.

If it wouldn't break you financially, I would probably apply now and see what happens, and save your retake for a possible reapp cycle. You're not going for Top 20, so I think with the right school list, you have a good shot. Put a lot of energy into your PS and essays, and work on getting strong LoRs if you don't have those lined up already. Also apply as early as you possible can.

 

[Montana7000]

Yeah, you're in that tricky 508-512 range like I am. A 124 is probably not fatal, but I think you're right to pinpoint that as the key subscore. Like, if you took it again and got 511 (129/124/127/131), you might not be much better off. So maybe plan not to retake unless you are consistently cracking that 125 CARS barrier in practice.

If it wouldn't break you financially, I would probably apply now and see what happens, and save your retake for a possible reapp cycle. You're not going for Top 20, so I think with the right school list, you have a good shot. Put a lot of energy into your PS and essays, and work on getting strong LoRs if you don't have those lined up already. Also apply as early as you possible can.

Yeah definitely planning on writing all my essays well and submitting early June since I have time to work on it now. Still wondering about overall how a 124 cars will affect my app. And how schools view this.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

I don't think I would be scoring a 517, because I was averaging 511 on the 2 AAMC FLs. So in all honestly a retake would be around a 511. So the question is, whether those points are worth retaking. My main concern is mainly the 124 in cars.

No.

 

[TheBiologist]

sub 125 could be bad at a lot of schools, combined with 126 bio.. as its been said, it would only be significant if you got 514/515 or higher.

 

[Montana7000]

No.

Thank you for the reply

 

[Montana7000]

sub 125 could be bad at a lot of schools, combined with 126 bio.. as its been said, it would only be significant if you got 514/515 or higher.

Very true point, will have to keep that in mind

 

[Montana7000]

If it helps: I had one low subscore (a 125 bio) and got a secondary at a very highly-ranked school that screens heavily. Doesn't mean I'm getting in, but I wasn't screened out. Use MSAR and apply appropriately/broadly and you should be ok if all the other elements of your application are in order.

That’s still encouraging nonetheless

 

[Montana7000]

Any advice? @Goro @LizzyM @gonnif @gyngyn

 

[mistafab]

I probably would not retake.

509 is decent enough that it won't "hurt" you. If you apply broadly (with a smart list) I would expect many interviews.

If you think 509 is a fluke and honestly could get a 515 then I would retake. 511 would not really help. 513 could give a nice boost. 509 again would be a bad look. Anything lower than 509 on the second time around and I would not look at your app for my MD school.

 

[MCATISEZ]

The 124 limits you. But honestly with a 509, many schools in that range would have a 10th percentile of a 124. I had a 125 on CARS, with a higher overall score. But most interview I have gotten have been at schools with a 10th percentile of a 124 and I have not gotten any interviews from schools with a 10th percentile of 126 (although I scarcely applied to such programs)

Look at MSAR and take what you can from it. Make a list of programs you would be reasonably competitive at given your scores and see if you are happy fighting (because that is what this process is like) to get into them.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[Dwight Snoot]

I would say only retake it if you are looking to get into top tier programs. You should be able to get into some mid-tier schools with that MCAT. I think your time would be better spent doing something else (work, volunteering, relaxing). Plus, no guarantees you will do any better. Good luck!

 

[Goro]

Do I have to reach through the electrons and smack you upside the head? If you have a good list, that's MCAT score will not hold you back

3.8 cum/3.7 sci
509(80th percentile): 128/124/126/131
PA resident
ORM
Research (no pubs)
Lot of clinical experience, shadowing, teaching, and volunteering
I plan on applying in June 2018.
Interested in applying to MD schools in the east coast (PA/NY/NJ/CT/), but will apply broadly ~30 schools

My CARS and bio score is low. Should I retake because of it?

 

[Goro]

3.8 cum/3.7 sci
509(80th percentile): 128/124/126/131
PA resident
ORM
Research (no pubs)
Lot of clinical experience, shadowing, teaching, and volunteering
I plan on applying in June 2018.
Interested in applying to MD schools in the east coast (PA/NY/NJ/CT/), but will apply broadly ~30 schools

My CARS and bio score is low. Should I retake because of it?

You should have some DO schools on the list as well

 

[DokterMom]

Do you have reason to think you would score higher on a retake? A 509 once is probably better than a 509 + 511, but not as good as a 509 + 517... Some schools do have a (formal or informal) 125 cutoff per section though, so if you do retake, be very sure that you can bump CARS above that without dropping below in other sections.

Very well said.

What is the weakest attribute of your overall application? Work on that.

 

[mistafab]

Leave it to Goro on SDN to give good, SWIFT advice right upside the head.

Legendary.

Do I have to reach through the electrons and smack you upside the head? If you have a good list, that's MCAT score will not hold you back

 

[JonathanHusky]

you should apply with that score at least once and see how it goes, just be smart about it and stay away from reach schools.. retaking w/o applying at least once to see where you stand would be very risky IMO