taking MCAT a 3rd time?

[biffbuddy]

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So I need some advice on whether or not I should take the MCAT a 3rd time this august to apply for the class of 2004
1st MCAT (April 2002): 24 (6,8,10)
2nd (Aug) 27S (8,8,11) (VR, PS, BS)
Both times I took it I was involved in way too many things and could only study at nights when I was exhausted- If I took them again this summer, I wouldn't work and would just study, and I feel that I could very likely break a 30 (I was scoring 30's this summer on my practice tests- I went down 3 pts in VR on the real one)
My other stats:

GPA: 3.5 BCPM/3.70 Non-Science/3.9 (major- International Studies)
2 summers research at NIH, 2 publications being submitted
Volunteered at Children's Hospital 5 months, several other volunteer activities
Several other extracurriculars
Studied abroad Fall of Junior year in London
Deans List past 3 semesters, AED, NSCS, National Deans list

I haven't seen many threads on people who've taken in 3 times, and I'm wondering if the disadvantages outweigh the benefits of improving my score

Let me know what you all think, personal stories wanted
thanks
Biffbuddy

 

[sunflower79]

Hi Biffbuddy,
It depends on what you want. With your solid qualifications I'm pretty sure you would get into A medical school. (search for acceptances/interviews with mcat <30 thread) If you are aiming for a top 10 school then you may want to retake, but ask whether that is worth it to you. I sure as hell wouldn't take it a 3rd time, and I took it twice.

Caveat: If you apply for 2004, taking mcat in august will put you behind in the app cycle. If I were you I'd apply in June to a wide range of schools. But then I'm NOT you. 😉

best of luck 🙂

 

[biffbuddy]

hey sunflower79,
thanks for the advice- I am not aiming anymore exclusively for a top 20 school- I am going to apply to b/w 15 and 20 schools, some are in top 20, some aren't, mostly I want to go to a research oriented school in a big city. But bottom line, I want to go to medical school, and I don't care what ranking it is if I like everything else about it.

about delaying the app cycle- I am shooting to send out my apps on June 1st or as early as I can- do you know if the schools will look at my app and possibly give me interviews based on my old mcat scores and everything else before they get the august scores, or will they just put the entire app on hold?,

BB

 

[sd77]

Hi biffbuddy. here is some of my experience.

i, like you, took the mcat twice in situations when i could not dedicate myself at all to studying for the test. the first time, i was taking a full load of summer school, and working two part time jobs. the second time, i was only working one job, but the hours were 7pm to 4am, and worked about 50 hours a week. in other words, i wasn't dedicated to the test the first two times.

so, last summer i decided to drop everything and study for the test. even then, i didn't study as hard as i probably could have, due to some personal issues. i know there are many out there (i have met them) that make studying for the test a full-time job, even more. personally, no matter how dedicated i was, i couldn't study that much, i'd lose my mind...anyways, the fact is that the test was my #1 priority for the first time. I made a 28Q the first time, the second time when i wasn't taking it seriously for reasons i will not get into here, i made a 27S. the third time, i studied much more, made it my priority, and made a 34S. The sad thing is, although I was very satisfied with that score, I couldn't help thinking to myself that if I actually dedicated as much time as other people did, I could achieve a 38+ score.

So, hopefully you will have even more success in your efforts. By the way, many people will tell you, "oh, don't take the mcat three or four times, that is a big "red flag". well, forget about that, i can guarantee you that if dedicate yourself to the test and improve your score, that will be a high point in your application and show your dedication to medicine. it was discussed at every single one of my interviews and i was congratulated, as all of them said they were impressed with my persistence. they also wanted to know what happened...so i told them the truth...i studied for the test for a change. you will be amazed at how much you learn about the test itself when you start studying not just the content, but the administration of it as well.

So, IN GENERAL, i would say that one of the most determinant factors (if not the most important) of your MCAT scores is how much time your dedicate to preparation. I know brilliant people that made mid 20's on their MCAT and will make EXCELLENT physicians, much better than people i know that have made high 30s, being that some of these people are really not that intelligent when it comes to interpersonal relations, but can do well on the test. ok, hope that helps, go for it...just be sure that if you are going to retake it, do it for real this time, that way you won't have any regrets that you could've done better.

ps-in my opinion, the fact that i had taken the test 3 times did not adversely affect my applications at all...it actually helped some by showing perservance.

and oh yeah, don't give up on the top 15-20 schools. i am "at the top" of the waiting list of a top 10-15 school, and still waiting to hear from others...so go for gold!

 

[sunflower79]

Originally posted by biffbuddy
hey sunflower79,
about delaying the app cycle- I am shooting to send out my apps on June 1st or as early as I can- do you know if the schools will look at my app and possibly give me interviews based on my old mcat scores and everything else before they get the august scores, or will they just put the entire app on hold?,

BB

Please check me on this, but I believe for most schools they will WAIT until Aug scores are in (I guess in case you bombed it or something). I think a few schools may go ahead since you have old scores. If I were you I'd call a few schools and ask as a random survey.

good luck!

 

[NE_Cornhusker1]

The 11 and the S scores really stand out to me. Obviously your a bright guy and if don't think that score reflects by all means then retake it. BTW sit around and read SDN posts on Saturday afternoon and night, study up a bit, and take MCAT on Sunday [make up some BS reason for the MCAT Program Office- I happened to graduate on 8/17/02 so I took it 8/18]. Peace.

 

[XCanadianRagwee]

Originally posted by NE_Cornhusker1
The 11 and the S scores really stand out to me. Obviously your a bright guy and if don't think that score reflects by all means then retake it. BTW sit around and read SDN posts on Saturday afternoon and night, study up a bit, and take MCAT on Sunday [make up some BS reason for the MCAT Program Office- I happened to graduate on 8/17/02 so I took it 8/18]. Peace.

Ah...glad to see cheating is alive and well.

 

[biffbuddy]

thanks all for replying!
another question for people who took the August MCAT the same year they were applying:

Is there a place you check on your AMCAS app or on secondaries to say that you will be taking the Aug exam, or does it just come up in your interviews (if you get one based on previous MCAT scores)?

Please respond more to my initial post- its helping a lot!
BB

 

[NE_Cornhusker1]

Originally posted by XCanadianRagwee
Ah...glad to see cheating is alive and well.

I feel some resentment that as a first-generation graduate of college from my family I enjoyed celebrating with my family and friends 8/17/02 and instead opted to take the MCAT 8/18. If I was truly sneaky I would have taken the April 2002 MCAT on Sunday too.

If y'all remember you sign an agreement not to dissemniate any parts of the MCAT so this really shouldn't be an issue. Also with the MCAT being a problem solving test and not a regurgitation of facts knowing that there is a problem about whatever doesn't help much if you can't solve the problem.

The guy is looking an edge on the MCAT, if you're jealous that he might get an edge by reading SDN posts then don't post stuff about the MCAT right after you take it. Go out, party that it's over, enjoy life, and honor your agreement that you signed with the MCAT office. Peace.

BTW about the most 'scouting' of the MCAT I did was talk to my friend about his general impression of how hard it was esp. verbal. Peace.

 

[XCanadianRagwee]

Originally posted by NE_Cornhusker1
I feel some resentment that as a first-generation graduate of college from my family I enjoyed celebrating with my family and friends 8/17/02 and instead opted to take the MCAT 8/18. If I was truly sneaky I would have taken the April 2002 MCAT on Sunday too.

Yup...so cheating is still OK. Guess there really is no honor out there.

 

[NE_Cornhusker1]

Originally posted by XCanadianRagwee
Yup...so cheating is still OK. Guess there really is no honor out there.

Those are your words and not mine.

 

[mimi1]

Why does every thread have to turn into an argument?

Any way, in response to the poster, I am a 3rd time MCAT taker too. I took the exam in Aug. 2000 and got a 27 (9,9,9). I felt as though I could do better and waited until April 2002 to retake it since I wasn't applying yet. I studied my butt off for that test and ended up scoring a 26 (8,8,10). Needless to say, I was terribly disappointed. I think the problem was nerves since i now had a specific score that I felt I had to beat. I am now studying for a 3rd time and am working on my test anxiety. My response to you is that you should only retake it if you truly have enough time to study and devote yourself to understanding the concepts and also practice them thoroughly. I don't think that there is any shame in taking the MCAT a 3rd time. For me, it's kind of a personal thing that I don't want to settle for a 26. My other advice is to try to relax during the exam. It sounds as though you already improved 3 points, and are probably capable of improving even more. You just need to put forth all of your effort. Good Luck!

 

[sd77]

mimi: i feel for you. in my opinion, getting a 27 shows that you are capable of understanding the ins and outs of the test. i would not be surprised to see your score significantly improve once overcoming the anxiety issue. My sister who, in my biased opinion, is extremely bright, studied very hard for the lsat, but then had some bad anxiety during the test, almost got up and left, but finished, and didn't score nearly as well as she knew she could. she hasn't retaken it yet, but is now focusing on the anxiety issues like you, and i think you'll both do much better.

biff: to answer your question, yes, the AMCAS application does have a place to indicate whether or not you will be taking the August MCAT, and some schools will ask you if you want them to wait until your new score comes out before making any decisions (as you know, mid-oct). the bad thing is that some schools, even though you say you are taking the august mcat, may just go ahead and make a decision based on your old scores (absolutely ridiculous, but it happened to me. their excuse? your scores are not competitive enough...errr). but then again, maybe they could justify it because some schools will look at your best score, some will average, etc, so it may benefit you to contact each school individually before selecting them on your amcas application to make certain that they will wait. again, downside is that you never know, because people with 27s have gotten into top schools before, and will do so again, but making them wait to review your application until october hurts you in itself. i doubt the adcoms are really going to distinguish between someone that gets their scores in mid october so their application can be reviewed, and the person that gets their entire application in mid-oct. hope this helps. if you expect a significant increase (and why else would you retake it after the advice in this thread) then check the box. good luck.

oh yeah, since i'm on the topic...regarding the individual scores...verbal was always my toughest topic, i could study study study and only increase from an 8 to 10. but math is my stronger subject. the same studying time in math would increase my score twice as many points, from 9 to 13. point being, when it comes down to crunch time, focus on doing what you do best even better, because this is where you will see the most results. in other words, it may be easier to make that 11 a 14, than to make an 8 an 11. but of course, you want some consistency too, SO IT ALL DEPENDS. good luck.

 

[Iffy premed]

Reading these posts bring back the MCAT nightmares. I am so glad that I am over it!
If you feel that you can improve significantly, then study ur butt off and take it. But if you feel that you can't commit the time, or have reached your "standarized test taking" potential, then concentrate on ur application. 26--27 scores are not uncommon in acceptance pool.
for people with test anxiety: try Tums. I must have popped 2 dozens of them the day before and the day of the test. I found it soothing. hahaha...told you that it was a nightmare.

 

[biffbuddy]

ok, trying something new that might help out more people
so.... more people post!!!!!

What I want to know is the status of people who have taken the august MCAT and how they are doing- I know a thread has been done on this topic, but it would be more helpful if it was more specific, so if you could, post:

A) If you have taken the MCAT before and breakdown of scores

B) If any schools told you that your app would not be read until your scores came in (more appropriate for those who already took it once) and what schools they were

C)What your August scores were

D)What interviews you have received so far

E)What acceptances you have received so far


Thanks!
BB

 

[lola]

a. N/A
b. N/A
c. 9,9,9, m
d. uvm, nymc, gtown, drexel, pitt, loyola, tulane, uci, ucd
e. none!

 

[biffbuddy]

thanks lola for the stats- can anyone else share their info now that the app cycle is drawing to a close?
I'd really appreciate it- I am still debating taking the august mcat and delaying my app (even though I will definitely send in everything I can in early June) or just gambling with a 27S
thanks again

 

[Trizi]

a. 7 BS 7PS 9V P (April 2001 MCAT)
b. all schools waited for August scores
c. 8 BS 8PS 11V Q (don't know how my bio score was so low)
d. 1 interview (SUNY Upstate), app. 20 rejections, waiting to hear from 3
e. none yet (interview 4/23)

I actually thought I would get more invites, but this was obviously not the case. If you honestly think you will improve your score by taking it again, go for it. My 27Q is the only problem I can find with my application. My friends and I don't understand why else I didn't get invites at certain schools. Good luck!!!

 

[lola]

after going through this process with a 27, i would suggest retaking the mcat. maybe my having no acceptances so far is a result of taking the mcat in august, but i also think it has a lot to do with the actual score. i have somewhat higher gpa's than you, also studied abroad in london, grad school with a 3.9+gpa, and 4 years full-time work experience in public health -- still no acceptances. if you think you can break 30, i think you should retake the mcat (unless you have something to make you stand out on your app or are a urm). of course, this whole process is so dang random that you might be one of the lucky ones to get in with a 27. good luck!

 

[Trizi]

Biff, after reviewing your original post, I definitely think you should go ahead and take the MCAT again, but only if you definitely will improve your score. If I had the motivation to study at night after work all day like I did last summer, I would take it a third time. The MCAT fell on my brother's wedding day last August, so the day before I got up at 4 am to fly to the wedding and the night before I was so wound up I barely slept. More power to you if you are willing to study again because I can't imagine doing it again. I am a postbac IRTA at NCI (since last June) and will have two publications in the near future. I also volunteered in college, did an internship in the OR, was involved in music and athletics, was an RA, and yada yada yada. Still, I've gotten only 1 interview. My undergrad cum was a 3.85 (history major, bio. minor) and BCPM was right around a 3.7. I'm not bragging about my stats or anything, but from what I can tell we are pretty comparable and I wanted to put everything in perspective for you. Lola is completely right about the process being random. I have a friend with a lower GPA and 26 MCAT (non-URM) who got two interviews. I have another friend who had the same MCAT/GPA as me and far fewer extracurriculars who got interviews at so many schools and is now at NYU (he's from mainland Puerto Rico). So if you are a URM, definitely apply with the 27. Good luck to you whether or not you decide to re-take the MCAT!

 

[biffbuddy]

hey Trizi,
did you apply to UMD? if you did, and didn't get an interview or acceptance, did you ask why? I can't believe that with your credentials you have only received one interview- even if your mcat was borderline like me-
p.s- i might also do an IRTA at NIH next year, at NIAID in the lab I worked at the past two summers- what have you thought about the experience so far?
biff

 

[Trizi]

No, I didn't apply to UMD. If I remember correctly, the MSAR said that UMD prefers in-state residents. I'm a NY resident. So far my IRTA experience has been great. I work in a great lab with fun people and love the research I'm doing (genetics and genomics stuff). I also love the DC area. I really think the experience depends on the lab you are in. I know other IRTAs who don't like their lab and aren't getting much out of being here. I also got a great recommendation from my PI, although it hasn't seemed to help much. If I don't get in this year, I plan on staying another year and re-applying to a few schools along with graduate schools (at least I know they'll want me). 😛