Taking MCAT in Aug/Sep too Risky?

[TortillaChip]

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Hey guys. I never thought I would post on here, but here I am. I am a nontraditional/first-time applicant. GPA: 3.38 BCMP 3.3. Post-Bac GPA: 4.0. Lots of research, the whole shebang. I also have an interesting story, was injured in college that contributed toward my GPA.

I've already submitted my apps to both MD and DO. My AMCAS is already processed. BUT I have yet to take the MCAT. My scheduled date is Aug 3rd, but I am thinking about postponing to end of Aug or early September to maximize score. Is a few weeks worth a higher score? I am borderline 500 right now. Starting to get worried that my application will be SO late that I will have a 0.01% chance.

I guess I'm feeling a little defeated and stressed. I have waited a while to apply to work on my application, but had to postpone MCAT due to working and classes.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Any success stories out there? I am from FL and I have applied to about 44 MD/DO schools all together ( I know, I know, don't even ask me how much I spent).

Do you think taking the MCAT end of Aug or early Sep will be extremely detrimental to my application?

 

[Lannister]

Not sure how the DO cycle works, but if your goal is to get into an MD school, I'd apply next year. August is pretty late, and a 500 is likely not going to cut it.

 

[TortillaChip]

Not sure how the DO cycle works, but if your goal is to get into an MD school, I'd apply next year. August is pretty late, and a 500 is likely not going to cut it.

Honestly yes. I completely agree. I'm shooting for a score of 510-513 I still have 2 months left of studying.

 

[bannie22]

You wont get into MD

 

[Lannister]

Honestly yes. I completely agree. I'm shooting for a score of 510-513 I still have 2 months left of studying.

Ah okay, definitely possible to pull it up! I still think August is quite late though, I always heard that you should take it before July.

 

[Tabiyou]

N=1. I took my MCAT in July, submitted primary in September, and completed secondaries in October. First interviews in December, with first acceptance in January. That being said, I would not recommend others follow my footsteps.

 

[njtrimed]

MD is highly unlikely. If you had applied with a complete application, and a decent (510+) MCAT score that was available by July, you would have had a chance, but it's doubtful since your score won't be released until September. I think the DO cycle is more forgiving in terms of timing, so if you score 505+, you may be fine. But I personally wouldn't take the MCAT until you're confident you can score 510+, even if that means delaying another month, because it's not an exam you want to ever retake. Just my opinion.

 

[ThoracicGuy]

Hey guys. I never thought I would post on here, but here I am. I am a nontraditional/first-time applicant. GPA: 3.38 BCMP 3.3. Post-Bac GPA: 4.0. Lots of research, the whole shebang. I also have an interesting story, was injured in college that contributed toward my GPA.

I've already submitted my apps to both MD and DO. My AMCAS is already processed. BUT I have yet to take the MCAT. My scheduled date is Aug 3rd, but I am thinking about postponing to end of Aug or early September to maximize score. Is a few weeks worth a higher score? I am borderline 500 right now. Starting to get worried that my application will be SO late that I will have a 0.01% chance.

I guess I'm feeling a little defeated and stressed. I have waited a while to apply to work on my application, but had to postpone MCAT due to working and classes.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Any success stories out there? I am from FL and I have applied to about 44 MD/DO schools all together ( I know, I know, don't even ask me how much I spent).

Do you think taking the MCAT end of Aug or early Sep will be extremely detrimental to my application?

I'll echo what others have said. If you are interested in MD schools, your application will be too late to consider for the most part. At this point, you don't have a completed application at any school, so you can get your MCAT score back and then apply smartly based on your stats and scores to maximize your chances. You wouldn't be considered a reapplicant at that time. If you do submit this year late and don't get in, then you'll be a reapplicant next year and your chances will be worse.

A borderline 500 score will hurt you. You need to make sure you are ready to take the test and your goal is to take it only once. This is a marathon and not a sprint. These schools are not going anywhere and its in your best interest to put forth your best application the very first time. Shoot for getting your test done when you are ready and have your applications ready to submit on the first day they are open for next year.

Good luck.

 

[WedgeDawg]

Moving to pre-allo

 

[candbgirl]

Why did you apply to all of those schools without a MCAT score? Your GPAs are low for MD but might be okay for DO. Taking the MCAT in late August will give you your scores late September. That's really late for MD. DO has always had a longer cycle so if that's still the case you might be okay. But being borderline 500 isn't a good thing for either app. So with low GPAs, a late MCAT and no idea of the score your MD chances are low.


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[theonlytycrane]

If you're near 500 on your practice tests by 8/3 then withdraw your app and reapply next near.

I took my Mcat last August, completed secondaries in September, and starting interviewing in October but I would not recommend this.

If you can do 511+ on your August Mcat you have a chance for this cycle.

Edit: I didn't know that you already applied to schools. This makes it so you'll be a reapplicant if you withdraw...


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