Due to a program I was in i was kind of forced to take the mcat when it was the least convenient. They made me take it during spring 2012, and summer 2012 while. Summer 2012 one was right after their summer program too leaving little time for improvement. Either way I graduated may 2013, and I am working at a chemical company. I am thinking about taking mcat third time... Difference: More resourses and time. I work 8-5, 40 hours a week, but it pays well. Here is the question: If i blow this mcat out of the water (30+), will it make a difference in the application process MD wise? Or should I stick with my 25: ps:8, bs:9,vs 8 and apply to some DO schools? I really want to take the mcat again because I know i can do better, but I wonder if they will even look at my application? gpa:3.5. One suggestion has been to apply to DO schools, and If i do well, apply again 2015 except at MD schools, if I dont do well, at least I have some DO school offers to fall back on. Any intelligent input will be appreciated. Thank you.
Third times the charm?
- Thread starter booa373
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hey, i'm in the same boat. I'm a third time taker. First time, i underestimated this thing. Second time, I froze up and had bad test anxiety and didn't do as well (scored 7 points below my average). I'm studying for a third time now because I want revenge. I know i can do better and I'm "out for blood" so to speak. If you want something bad enough, go get it. Have no regrets.
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30+ is hardly "blowing the MCAT out of the water" considering the median for MD admission is 32. 35+, a 10-point jump, would be considered blowing it out of the water.
Even 25 is circling the drain for DO. What did you get the first time you took it?
I envision a few scenarios:
1) You've more or less plateaued on MCAT score. Taking it a third time, and getting a similar score (<28) will simply reinforce to adcoms that you might struggle severely with the academics.
2) You get a significantly better score (29-32). This is not nearly as good as getting a 29-32 on the first take, but it's decent. It'll make some programs that wouldn't consider you before look at your app, but they'll wonder why it took so many tries and whether you can perform on command.
3) You blow it out of the water and get a 35. This will make people raise their eyebrows and perhaps grow concerned that you have the ability but just didn't care all that much the first TWO times. I think this is the range you'll need to be in to have a good shot at MD.
Even 25 is circling the drain for DO. What did you get the first time you took it?
I envision a few scenarios:
1) You've more or less plateaued on MCAT score. Taking it a third time, and getting a similar score (<28) will simply reinforce to adcoms that you might struggle severely with the academics.
2) You get a significantly better score (29-32). This is not nearly as good as getting a 29-32 on the first take, but it's decent. It'll make some programs that wouldn't consider you before look at your app, but they'll wonder why it took so many tries and whether you can perform on command.
3) You blow it out of the water and get a 35. This will make people raise their eyebrows and perhaps grow concerned that you have the ability but just didn't care all that much the first TWO times. I think this is the range you'll need to be in to have a good shot at MD.
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I think most of your advice is pretty good. As for OP, they definitely need to improve their score. Fortunately improving from a 25 isn't that difficult. If you are scoring less than 27, it means you have a lot of gaps in your basic knowledge which can be filled by studying. If you are going to retake the MCAT, I suggest you put together an aggressive plan that makes full use of your nights and weekends, so that you can be fully prepared. Working full time does not allow you the luxury to "take the weekend" off, if you are really serious about it.
I also wanted to comment on the quote above. I always thought that a plateau was a bad thing. I had a plateau when I took the MCAT and scored 29 twice. When I went to interviews I mentioned how embarrassed I was about it to the Physician interviewing me. He actually said it was a good thing, because it demonstrated I had a fundamental grasp of the key concepts. It looks much worse to drop in score your second/third time taking the test. Obviously you want to improve every time, but I don't think you need to feel down on yourself if you get the same score and you are sitting on a 30+
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I think most people are pretty busy when they take the MCAT. I was working full time, in school half time, and doing a dozen other things. Don't try to make excuses for your MCAT scores.
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Yes a significant drop would be very bad. Plateauing at 29 is sorta meh. At 25 is significantly different. A solid balanced 29 shows at least some level of mastery of all the sections; at the level of 25 (and assuming the first MCAT was even lower) means that you're significantly lacking in ability/knowledge in at least one of the major topics.
A 29 can be 10/10/9. Solid. A 25 has at least two 8s.
