Should I retake? Please help.

[skydancing]

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Hi guys,

I scored a 31Q (11 BS 11 PS 9 VS) in May of 2007. I felt okay with my score back then, but now that applications are coming up I feel as though the 9 in VS is going to keep me from good schools. I'm feeling a lot of pressure to retake...however, the statistics seem to say that people go down if they scored above a 9 in each. I wish that my Verbal actually reflected my abilities (I had a mini panic attack during this section out of the blue), because on practice CBTs I was getting around 13-14s. Also, I have a 3.58 GPA with a 3.4 in BCPM, which means that my score isn't so safe with these numbers...

What should I do? 😕

 

[RPedigo]

Which state are you a resident of? How much does it matter how 'highly ranked' your medical school is?

 

[skydancing]

I'm from RI, and sadly, we don't have a state med school 🙁

I don't care about prestige too much, but my dream always involved going to a med school like Brown or Dartmouth.

 

[mterp45]

I'm from RI, and sadly, we don't have a state med school 🙁

I don't care about prestige too much, but my dream always involved going to a med school like Brown or Dartmouth.

Your statement seems a bit oxymoronic.

 

[RSAgator]

Hi guys,

I scored a 31Q (11 BS 11 PS 9 VS) in May of 2007. I felt okay with my score back then, but now that applications are coming up I feel as though the 9 in VS is going to keep me from good schools. I'm feeling a lot of pressure to retake...however, the statistics seem to say that people go down if they scored above a 9 in each. I wish that my Verbal actually reflected my abilities (I had a mini panic attack during this section out of the blue), because on practice CBTs I was getting around 13-14s. Also, I have a 3.58 GPA with a 3.4 in BCPM, which means that my score isn't so safe with these numbers...

What should I do? 😕

When are you applying? If you have all the time and all the motivation in the world to study for it then go for it, take it again. I think you need to have some realistic expectations as far as where you want to go to school though. There's got to be some point where you decide "you know what, I may not make it into brown or dartmouth, let me see where else I would like to go." Provided everything else is good, with those stats you'll be able to get into a med school. It may not be a dartmouth or a brown, but realize that even with the 34-36 you might have gotten had you performed well in verbal it would have been tough. If you have all the time in the world then sure, go for it, but don't do it because you're obsessed with going to x or y school because of the name when it is likely you haven't even visited their med schools. Though they're your dream schools, your reality schools may make you happier.

 

[chr123]

unless you totally blew a section, why would you retake it?

A 31 is a pretty high precentile. What happens if you blow it next time? lets say you get a 28 next time? ADCOMS may see that 31 as a fluke.

I got a 27 the first time. 8 PS, 9 VR, and 10 BS. I usually ace the PS section and 27 it on the low side so I retook.

The second time, I got a 30, 11 PS (where it should have been), 7 in VR (no idea how that happened), and 12 in BS.

There is room for error in the science sections, but missing only a few VR ones will really screw you.

I say take the 31 and move on. Your time is better spent studying for real classes or volunteering or something.

You have very little to gain and a lot to lose.

 

[skydancing]

Thanks for your perspective, guys. I was losing my head this weekend trying to decide what to do about the MCAT. I think I will save my money and time and just try to finish out Senior year with good grades. I guess I am just scared that I'm going to be disappointed with myself in the end.