Should I retake the MCAT? Please Help!

[eac006]

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I just got my MCAT scores back today. I am from Arkansas and went to the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. I got a 30. 10 VS, 11 PS, and 9 BS. I have a 3.97 overall and a 4.0 science GPA. I am applying to 16 schools, 5 in Texas, 2 in Louisiana, 1 in Tennessee, 4 in Chicago, 1 in Virginia, 1 in Pennsylvania, 1 in California, and 1 in Arkansas. I am afraid my BS score will hurt me.
I do have 2 good medical volunteer gigs, 1 non medical volunteer, a summer research internship, a publication where I am coauthor, 2 leadership positions, study abroad experience, I am a peer mentor in engineering, run triathlons, and I am in a sorority, which I am not sure if I should put on my application. I have some other activities and awards on my application that fill in 15 slots, but these are the major ones. Do I have a good chance of getting accepted to several schools or should I retake the MCAT? I know the BS sections is very important. Thanks for your help!

 

[DreamerAchiever]

No.

 

[DreamerAchiever]

No.

Let me clarify, No, do not retake your MCAT.

 

[claduva94]

A full list of schools would be helpful. But with a 30 your odds are historically ok. I wouldn't say you have a good chance of being accepted to "several" schools but you only need one.

 

[Lamel]

Unless you were averaging 35+ on the practice exams, I wouldn't retake it.

 

[eac006]

All the schools, except 3, that I applied to my mcat falls above the 10th percentile range, a few average and above. I would love to get in to Texas, but I am from Arkansas. My fiancé will probably get a job in Texas. My research was at Texas A&M. What do you think my chances are to get in to Texas?

 

[claduva94]

Which schools?

 

[eac006]

Baylor (long shot), UT Houston, UT Galveston, Texas A&M, and UT Southwestern (long shot)

 

[eac006]

These are the ones closer to where he could have possible jobs

 

[WeCanOnlyTry]

go to MSAR and check to make sure your numbers are in range... your list above looks a bit tight though

 

[eac006]

all are in overall mcat score range except baylor, UT Southwestern is in the low range.

 

[Goro]

It will be faster if you flush your money down the toilet.

Invest in MSAR Online and apply to private schools whose median numbers are closest to you own. Also aim for all new MD schools, your U AR, and any DO program.

Baylor (long shot), UT Houston, UT Galveston, Texas A&M, and UT Southwestern (long shot)

 

[eac006]

@Goro You don't think I have a chance even with a big research experience and publication at Texas A&M?

 

[eac006]

It will be faster if you flush your money down the toilet.

Invest in MSAR Online and apply to private schools whose median numbers are closest to you own. Also aim for all new MD schools, your U AR, and any DO program.

You don't think I will have a change even with a good research internship at Texas A&M and a publication from there?

 

[Goro]

Nope.

You don't think I will have a change even with a good research internship at Texas A&M and a publication from there?

 

[eac006]

Which schools?

What is your opinion?

 

[WeCanOnlyTry]

Also, what's your major?

 

[eac006]

Also, what's your major?

biomedical engineering

 

[GFP]

If you just want to get into any medical school, I wouldn't recommend retaking the MCAT. This is because I believe your best chance is at the University of Arkansas--your GPA and MCAT are on target with the school's stats. And since you are a resident of the state, you will most likely get an interview. From there you have good odds that you can get an acceptance.

It is clear that you want to be in Texas to be near your fiancé. In that case, you should retake the MCAT because as an OOS, you will need to be a remarkable applicant. However, I think a possibly better alternative is to delay your application at least a year and work on obtaining Texas residency. As a TX resident with a 30 MCAT, you have better odds at getting into a TX med school.

 

[eac006]

If you just want to get into any medical school, I wouldn't recommend retaking the MCAT. This is because I believe your best chance is at the University of Arkansas--your GPA and MCAT are on target with the school's stats. And since you are a resident of the state, you will most likely get an interview. From there you have good odds that you can get an acceptance.

It is clear that you want to be in Texas to be near your fiancé. In that case, you should retake the MCAT because as an OOS, you will need to be a remarkable applicant. However, I think a possibly better alternative is to delay your application at least a year and work on obtaining Texas residency. As a TX resident with a 30 MCAT, you have better odds at getting into a TX med school.

Thanks! That is helpful. So, if I were to become a Texas resident, do you think I should retake or keep my score?

 

[GFP]

Thanks! That is helpful. So, if I were to become a Texas resident, do you think I should retake or keep my score?

Obviously if you retake it and do markedly better, it will help you in any case. But it depends on how well you were scoring on your AAMC practice tests and if the 30 was due to bad luck. A 30 is right at the threshold, which makes retaking it kind of risky, because if you drop to a 28-29, it would raise some eyebrows. Only retake it if you absolutely know you can do much better.

Btw, definitely look up on TMDSAS about how to establish TX residency because it could be a complicated process.

 

[eac006]

Obviously if you retake it and do markedly better, it will help you in any case. But it depends on how well you were scoring on your AAMC practice tests and if the 30 was due to bad luck. A 30 is right at the threshold, which makes retaking it kind of risky, because if you drop to a 28-29, it would raise some eyebrows. Only retake it if you absolutely know you can do much better.

Btw, definitely look up on TMDSAS about how to establish TX residency because it could be a complicated process.

Thanks for your help!

 

[rspatton]

Hey I went to the U of A and am starting at Emory med this summer. I'm happy to talk you through my application process (with my stats/ school lists/ etc) if that would be helpful. Just pm me 🙂