Should I take MCAT again while I'm applying?

[Hopeful_student]

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[DrStephenStrange]

Hi everyone!

Just received my MCAT score yesterday. This was the second time I took it, and the first time I received a 508 and this time, a 511 (128, 128, 128, 127), which is still not ideal. I flunked the P/S section and actually did the better on that section the first go around. I think my MCAT score is definitely the weaker statistic that I have and am worried that it's going to affect my chances. I did my undergrad at Hopkins, where my cGPA was 3.78 and science GPA was 3.77. I'm thinking of going ahead and applying anyways, and retaking my MCAT (hopefully, aiming for a 514) in June and submitting it blind. Not sure if this a great idea, so please provide any advice you can!

Also, for further consideration, I'm not looking at top schools at all. Some schools on my list are Drexel, GW, Tufts, Tulane, etc.

If you're not looking at top schools, I think your score is perfectly fine. People have even gotten into mid-tier medical schools with your first score, so I don't see what you're worrying about. It would be foolish to retake such a decent MCAT score. As long you have a reasonable amount of ECs, I say apply early the coming cycle.

Sent from my SM-G950U using SDN mobile

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Absolutely do not retake. And some serious lolz at you “failing” the psych section with a 127.

 

[Goro]

Hi everyone!

Just received my MCAT score yesterday. This was the second time I took it, and the first time I received a 508 and this time, a 511 (128, 128, 128, 127), which is still not ideal. I flunked the P/S section and actually did the better on that section the first go around. I think my MCAT score is definitely the weaker statistic that I have and am worried that it's going to affect my chances. I did my undergrad at Hopkins, where my cGPA was 3.78 and science GPA was 3.77. I'm thinking of going ahead and applying anyways, and retaking my MCAT (hopefully, aiming for a 514) in June and submitting it blind. Not sure if this a great idea, so please provide any advice you can!

Also, for further consideration, I'm not looking at top schools at all. Some schools on my list are Drexel, GW, Tufts, Tulane, etc.

So help me, if you retake when you have that fine score, I will reach through the electrons and smack you upside the head!

Here are schools where I think you're competitive:
Hofstra
Rochester
U VM
Miami
George Washington
Georgetown
SLU
Albany
Rochester
Rush
Rosy Franklin
NYMC
MCW
VCU
EVMS
Wake Forest
Netter
Jefferson
Temple
Drexel
Creighton
Tulane
Loyola
Uniformed Services University/Hebert (just be aware of the military service commitment)
Oakland-B
Any DO program. I can't recommend Touro-NY, Nova, or LUCOM, for different reasons
Your state school.

 

[HomeSkool]

#1: Your score is fine, and retaking it will likely harm your application by making you a 3X test taker. Taking the MCAT is like getting married: ideally you only do it once, and the more times you do it the worse you start looking to suitors with good judgment.

#2: I can't understand for the life of me why anyone would ever aim for less than 528. That's still the best score, right?

#3: Great big facepalm over saying you "flunked" a subsection with a 127. Srsly.

 

[DSM_302.0]

Oh poor child 🙁
Sounds like you've been hanging out with too many gunner Hopkins undergrads. This is a great score. This might not win you awards, but it won't hold you back from an MD program.
Congrats on the strong GPA from Hopkins and the great MCAT score, now take the time you'd spend studying on the 3rd MCAT and make your AMCAS as strong as possible. Write, rewrite, rewrite, get a friend or mentor's feedback repeat x10.
Good luck!

 

[PreMedMissteps]

Hi everyone!

Just received my MCAT score yesterday. This was the second time I took it, and the first time I received a 508 and this time, a 511 (128, 128, 128, 127), which is still not ideal. I flunked the P/S section and actually did the better on that section the first go around. I think my MCAT score is definitely the weaker statistic that I have and am worried that it's going to affect my chances. I did my undergrad at Hopkins, where my cGPA was 3.78 and science GPA was 3.77. I'm thinking of going ahead and applying anyways, and retaking my MCAT (hopefully, aiming for a 514) in June and submitting it blind. Not sure if this a great idea, so please provide any advice you can!

Also, for further consideration, I'm not looking at top schools at all. Some schools on my list are Drexel, GW, Tufts, Tulane, etc.

What is your home state?

 

[Goro]

#1: Your score is fine, and retaking it will likely harm your application by making you a 3X test taker. Taking the MCAT is like getting married: ideally you only do it once, and the more times you do it the worse you start looking to suitors with good judgment.

I am so stealing this line!

 

[TheVFibKid]

Hi everyone!

Just received my MCAT score yesterday. This was the second time I took it, and the first time I received a 508 and this time, a 511 (128, 128, 128, 127), which is still not ideal. I flunked the P/S section and actually did the better on that section the first go around. I think my MCAT score is definitely the weaker statistic that I have and am worried that it's going to affect my chances. I did my undergrad at Hopkins, where my cGPA was 3.78 and science GPA was 3.77. I'm thinking of going ahead and applying anyways, and retaking my MCAT (hopefully, aiming for a 514) in June and submitting it blind. Not sure if this a great idea, so please provide any advice you can!

Also, for further consideration, I'm not looking at top schools at all. Some schools on my list are Drexel, GW, Tufts, Tulane, etc.

Retaking the MCAT and improving only marginally can be worse than not retaking it at all. You went from a 508 to a 511. This was probably actually a worthwhile retake, because even though it is only a three point increase, there is an unconscious psychological barrier at 510 (i.e., 51something looks better to most people than 50something).

However, if you retake a 511 and only get a 513 or so, adcoms might wonder why you didn't spend your time doing something more productive, and might question your ability to really learn and improve if you put massive amounts of time into studying to take it again and then only manage to increase your score by a little bit. You'd really need to hit the high 5 teens (517 or higher) for it to make a difference at this point. Not worth the gamble, in my opinion.

 

[Hopeful_student]

Thanks for your feedback everyone! I agree I was overreacting about the P/S section lol but it’s just that it’s usually my best section. I retract that statement.

I’ve also decided not to take it again!!

 

[Hopeful_student]

Retaking the MCAT and improving only marginally can be worse than not retaking it at all. You went from a 508 to a 511. This was probably actually a worthwhile retake, because even though it is only a three point increase, there is an unconscious psychological barrier at 510 (i.e., 51something looks better to most people than 50something).

However, if you retake a 511 and only get a 513 or so, adcoms might wonder why you didn't spend your time doing something more productive, and might question your ability to really learn and improve if you put massive amounts of time into studying to take it again and then only manage to increase your score by a little bit. You'd really need to hit the high 5 teens (517 or higher) for it to make a difference at this point. Not worth the gamble, in my opinion.

Yeah, my advisor strongly suggested I retake it to get at least 510. So definitely understand where you’re coming from!

 

[Hopeful_student]

What is your home state?

California... which might not be to my advantage because I heard public California schools are actually tougher to get into than other state schools.

 

[21Rush12]

my advisor strongly suggested

 

[Hopeful_student]

Oh poor child 🙁
Sounds like you've been hanging out with too many gunner Hopkins undergrads. This is a great score. This might not win you awards, but it won't hold you back from an MD program.
Congrats on the strong GPA from Hopkins and the great MCAT score, now take the time you'd spend studying on the 3rd MCAT and make your AMCAS as strong as possible. Write, rewrite, rewrite, get a friend or mentor's feedback repeat x10.
Good luck!

Haha you’re not wrong! It’s hard to be optimistic when everyone around you is getting 518s and higher. But thank you for the kind words 🙂