Should I write an explanation about my low MCAT score of 492? Retook for a 505.

[whosyodaddy]

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I took the mcat very unprepared the first time, and retook a year later for a 505, still not great but much better.

Should I write anything about this in the "anything else" category for secondaries?

I don't really have a legitimate excuse like a family death or something tragic, i was just not prepared.

 

[atomi]

No. If asked in the interview you can address it.

Nobody will believe anything other than you didn’t study hard enough. Unless you had a traumatizing life event the day before, and still probably not.

 

[altblue]

Yeah, I wouldn't draw attention to it.

And it's good that you're honest about the reason why. I didn't hit my goal score personally , and while life didn't interfere, I attribute it to poor motivation and preparation

 

[Goro]

I took the mcat very unprepared the first time, and retook a year later for a 505, still not great but much better.

Should I write anything about this in the "anything else" category for secondaries?

I don't really have a legitimate excuse like a family death or something tragic, i was just not prepared.

Can you enlighten us as to why you took a career deciding high stakes exam while not being fully prepared?

 

[PreMedMissteps]

Can you enlighten us as to why you took a career deciding high stakes exam while not being fully prepared?

This!

And to those who will soon be signing up for next year’s exams ~ Retakes are messy.

 

[Govols22]

My girlfriend was in a similar situation with similar scores and she ended up with 2 MD acceptances.

She did not bring it up, and no one asked her about it in any of her interviews for whatever reason. Don’t add light to your flaws. Just hope they don’t ask about it and if they do... say that you made a mistake, own it, and move on.