Everyone must be busy studying and filling out AMCAS because this thread needs a bump!!
I'm thinking about retaking for a July/August test date and this time taking the ExamKrackers classroom course to help prepare. I was also thinking about not checking the "will retake MCAT in the future" box on AMCAS so that my application will get verified sooner (I understand this is a risk and that I may be screened out due to my old scores, correct?) However, I imagine completing the secondaries sent out to all applicants will be very time-consuming and I don't know how this will mix well with studying for the retake. Anyone else have experience with doing these two simultaneously?
Or, should I hold off on retaking and only do so towards the end of the year if my application is not well-received and reapply next cycle? The idea of taking an ExamKrackers course is not so attractive due to the cost on top of how much I will have to pay to submit primary and secondary applications (from a financially disadvantaged background). But, if I take the MCAT again, I want to do it one more time and use all of my ability to do it right.
Please PM if you had (or know someone who had) a similar experience or if you need more information from me to give your two cents.
Thanks to everyone in advance.
Hi quitecontrary! I too am pretty nervous at the thought of studying for my re-take and trying to complete secondaries at the same time . . . especially while working full-time. I think I'm going to take some time off of work to try to get things done and I'll put the harder secondaries off until after my retake (July 8).
Just to clarify a couple of things in your post, checking the "retake" box on AMCAS won't delay AMCAS verification (because you already have a score). If you're nervous about getting "screened out" by schools on the basis of your score, definitely check the box. It will let all of your schools know to hold judgment on your app until your retake scores are available. Most schools (the ones that don't screen) will send you automatic secondaries, so you can (and should) do those, even before you get your scores back, because that way as soon as you get your scores, your schools can evaluate your app. However, if you feel pretty nervous about the re-take and would prefer to hold off on sending in secondaries until you get your re-take scores back, that's an option . . . but depending on when your retake is, it could put you at a disadvantage to wait. If you're submitting secondaries in August, that's not too bad. September, not as good, October worse, etc..
Doing a retake in January or April of next year if your app cycle doesn't go well is another viable option. I don't know where your score is, but if it's a 28 or above, you may want to play your hand without a retake this cycle. I certainly can't make that decision for you (and of course, you need to take into account all kinds of things like GPA, ECs, LORS, etc. to really make that decision). I'd recommend doing some mdapps searches with your MCAT score and the schools you're applying to to see if there are others that have gotten in with stats similar to yours.
Ok, there's my 2 cents. I'm too sleepy now to add more, but I'll be back!
Ooh . . . and I put in a little request on the 2008 non-trad progress thread for a mod to create one of those for 2009 . . . hopefully that will happen soon and we can all "hang out" there.
to all!