Should I take MCAT for 3rd time??

[mojojojo33]

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I am in a desperate need of advice, as none of the people I know have been or are in this predicament! The first time I took the MCAT I got a 28 (11,8,9) and the second time I got a 27 (10,6,11) 😡

I don't know what happened. I didn't think I did that bad on Verbal, but I guess I need to polish up this score. I'm planning to apply this application cycle (this June), and to study for the MCAT this time would mean studying for it on top of my classes. So what should I do? Definitely retest?? If I pass this application cycle, I would be taking 2 years off and I don't want that!!

 

[SoulinNeed]

Hell no, just apply DO with your top score, and hope for the best.

 

[notbobtrustme]

Two takes on the MCAT and you still scored +/- 1 point. Unless you think you can drastically improve (eg 5+ points), I wouldn't bother. You are competitive for a DO, assuming your GPA is inline.

 

[valkener]

As the other's said, don't take it unless you improve at least 4-5 points. Consider an Osteopathic Medical School - not a bad choice at all! Make sure that your application is as strong as possible and apply early.

 

[mightymoose02]

I am in a desperate need of advice, as none of the people I know have been or are in this predicament! The first time I took the MCAT I got a 28 (11,8,9) and the second time I got a 27 (10,6,11) 😡

I don't know what happened. I didn't think I did that bad on Verbal, but I guess I need to polish up this score. I'm planning to apply this application cycle (this June), and to study for the MCAT this time would mean studying for it on top of my classes. So what should I do? Definitely retest?? If I pass this application cycle, I would be taking 2 years off and I don't want that!!

I am not sure how old you are but taking 2 years off and getting away from the MCAT and beefing up your application doesn't hurt. There are plenty of people who take years off from med school applications/MCAT and work on other degrees and volunteer in the field.

Btw, a lot of people that post here are probably the top 5% in terms of MCAT scores. Most people who do below 30 are not going to come here and give out advice. If you need some inspiration, I suggest you dig through some of the posts and find others that are in your situation. It might help you figure out what you need to do for the future.

Also... do not take the real test unless you have at least scored 30+ on your practice tests on a consistent basis.

I know bunch of people just say... Go for the D.O. schools. But if you truly believe that medicine is for you and you have experiences to back up your belief then you can make it to a M.D. school I think.

There are also threads out there that are for people who got interview invites or acceptances with below 30 MCAT scores.

Good luck 👍

 

[mojojojo33]

Just an update since the last time I was considering taking the mcat for the 3rd time:

I DID take it a 3rd time and landed myself with a 30. First time was 28, second was 27. But I had personal reasons why I was struggling with the MCAT and mentioned it in my personal statement (I had a great personal statement too). I just received secondaries from UCSF, UCD and UCI along with other schools. Goes to show that sometimes tenacity can trump stats.

 

[AktionPOTENTIAL]

Just an update since the last time I was considering taking the mcat for the 3rd time:

I DID take it a 3rd time and landed myself with a 30. First time was 28, second was 27. But I had personal reasons why I was struggling with the MCAT and mentioned it in my personal statement (I had a great personal statement too). I just received secondaries from UCSF, UCD and UCI along with other schools. Goes to show that sometimes tenacity can trump stats.

Nice! Good luck w/ everything man.

 

[Heplayer92]

Good work man, best of luck in this application cycle!!

 

[inycepoo]

Just an update since the last time I was considering taking the mcat for the 3rd time:

I DID take it a 3rd time and landed myself with a 30. First time was 28, second was 27. But I had personal reasons why I was struggling with the MCAT and mentioned it in my personal statement (I had a great personal statement too). I just received secondaries from UCSF, UCD and UCI along with other schools. Goes to show that sometimes tenacity can trump stats.

Good job, bro. Best of luck.

Not to be a debbie downer here, but it'd be interesting to see if those 2º turn into IIs and then ideally acceptances. i.e., how far will adcoms go in forgiving a score well below their school averages to give the applicant a second chance, particularly when there is a valid reason? It's especially interesting since you are in CA, a notoriously competitive state.

 

[SN2ed]

Good job, bro. Best of luck.

Not to be a debbie downer here, but it'd be interesting to see if those 2º turn into IIs and then ideally acceptances. i.e., how far will adcoms go in forgiving a score well below their school averages to give the applicant a second chance, particularly when there is a valid reason? It's especially interesting since you are in CA, a notoriously competitive state.

Something important to remember is that the other aspects of his app may be particularly strong which could garner some invites.

 

[inycepoo]

Something important to remember is that the other aspects of his app may be particularly strong which could garner some invites.

Yeah that's what I meant. Curious to see how "holistic" CA schools have gotten and this seems like a good chance to see.