should i take the mcat a third time?

[dp1286]

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Hi guys,
I'm debating whether or not to retake the MCAT a third time. I applied for 2009 with a 22 and 29 and did not get any interviews. for 2009, i applied with a 3.6 gpa from University of Texas, 1 year of clinical experience, and 1.5 years of volunteering. right now, i'm doing other things to help my application - working full time in the ER, taking 2 science courses, and volunteering at 2 places. should i also retake the MCAT? thanks so much for your help! 🙂

 

[gman33]

An improved MCAT score would do a lot to help your app.
Don't take it again unless you are fairly certain you can improve at least 3 points.

What is your science gpa? Also, did you apply to any DO schools?

 

[MSmentor018]

Hi guys,
I'm debating whether or not to retake the MCAT a third time. I applied for 2009 with a 22 and 29 and did not get any interviews. for 2009, i applied with a 3.6 gpa from University of Texas, 1 year of clinical experience, and 1.5 years of volunteering. right now, i'm doing other things to help my application - working full time in the ER, taking 2 science courses, and volunteering at 2 places. should i also retake the MCAT? thanks so much for your help! 🙂

29 and 3.6 are decent stats...how many places did you apply to? unless you can really push your mcat up, I'd keep the 29. plus you only get 3 yrs to use that score so if you apply broadly, you should get an interview somewhere. also have someone look at your PS and see if that can be polished. every little bit will help. good luck, hang in there!

 

[dragonfly99]

Hi guys,
I'm debating whether or not to retake the MCAT a third time. I applied for 2009 with a 22 and 29

What do you mean a "22 and 29"? Did you take the MCAT twice? What was your score breakdown? How did you study for the MCAT, and are you usually a good standardized test taker.

I agree with taking some classes (make sure you ace them) and continue volunteering. Not sure if I think you should retake MCAT, until/unless I know more about your particular situation.

 

[dp1286]

thank you all for your replies

gman33 - My science GPA is 3.5. I didn't decide to do medicine until my last year of undergrad. I took all of the prereqs and some other science courses. I only applied to one 1 DO school in Texas.

MSmentor 018 - I applied to 15 schools this past year. I applied to all 9 schools in Texas (including 1 DO), and 6 schools in the Northeast - including Tufts, Boston, Temple, NYMC, Vermont, and George Washington.

dragonfly99 - Yes, I took the MCAT twice. I think I'm an ok standardized test taker. The only other standardized test I've taken is the SAT and I scored a 1300. I took the Kaplan classroom course which I didn't like very much. I just continued to use the same material the 2nd time around. I think if I take it again, I'm definitely going to use different material.

As for LORs and PS:I work with ER physicians right now who I know will be able to write me LORs. I will have worked with them a year this May. I didn't have many people read my PS last year - just a few family members and friends. I know now that I should have had more people read it. I'm definitely going to make use of my school's writing center this time. I might be able to have a few doctors read it too.

Other things: I'm taking two science courses right now and will continue taking more this summer - probably 3. I am also looking for a research position, hopefully i'll have one by next month.
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/member.php?u=158159

 

[dragonfly99]

OP, the 29 is not bad but the 22 was a low MCAT score. Perhaps the schools looked at both and that was hurting you? What was the score breakdown of your 29?

It seems that you should have gotten at least some interviews. Did you?
Did you apply too late in the year? Was one of your LOR's or your personal statement not strong?

Definitely try to get a LOR from one of the ER docs...perhaps a couple of them could write it together?

 

[MSmentor018]

thank you all for your replies
MSmentor 018 - I applied to 15 schools this past year. I applied to all 9 schools in Texas (including 1 DO), and 6 schools in the Northeast - including Tufts, Boston, Temple, NYMC, Vermont, and George Washington.
u=158159"][/URL][/B]

what was your criteria for the schools? location? distance? dual degrees? 15's not a lot (texas has their own system of applications) and those are some strong schools you applied to...depending on the current stats, you may need stronger scores, they vary every yr. if you like the DO way, apply to more of those. I highly encourage you to apply to some lower mcat/gpa schools but if there's somewhere specific you absolutely want, then keep reapplying and do whatever it takes.
my only criteria was: I used usn&wr as my scale of "where I fit in", applied a few with higher scores and everything below. then I narrowed it down from the interviews/acceptance letters. then location/style of learning/cost
good luck!