TMDSAS and COVID- Apply early with old MCAT or wait till late June after new MCAT?

[whatsthepoint]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi all. I'm currently in quite the quandary and really could use some advice. I'm a TX resident with 507 MCAT, 3.69 cGPA and 3.7 sGPA. I had 4 interviews this past cycle, sitting on 4 WLs, and have another interview next Tuesday. I'm planning to reapply TMDSAS here in the next month or so.

I've been studying hardcore for an MCAT retake which I'm scheduled to take June 5, but hoping to snag a June 20 date when registration re-opens. The problem is that I'm not sure if I'm shooting myself in the foot waiting to submit my primary until after I take my new MCAT. Since applying early is king for TMDSAS, should I take a couple weeks off studying and get the primary in? I can indicate on TMDSAS that I'm scheduled for another MCAT. I know some TX schools will look at your app if you have a pending MCAT, so I'm not sure if I could utilize my current score to my advantage and apply early this cycle when most applicants can't bc they haven't had a chance to take the MCAT at all. I'm almost done with my updated personal statement and have my LORs figured out, so it wouldn't take me much more time to get in the primary.

OR would it benefit me more to just focus solely on my retake and submit my primary after? This means I wouldn't be able to submit my primary until mid-late June, and probably won't be processed until July. Any advice helps, sorry for the long post, thanks in advance!

Edit: Only had 1 TMDSAS interview, SHSU. The rest of them were AMCAS or AACOMAS schools.

 

[wysdoc]

Apply early with your present MCAT, this will be a good year for re-applicants. I don't think your MCAT score held you back this year. What school is still interviewing in May?

 

[whatsthepoint]

Apply early with your present MCAT, this will be a good year for re-applicants. I don't think your MCAT score held you back this year. What school is still interviewing in May?

Thank you for your reply! Do you know if most TX schools will look at my app even when I have a pending MCAT score?
Touro Nevada! I was so surprised when I got an II last week.

 

[gulli_97]

You got 4 TMDSAS interviews with that MCAT score, I'd just re-apply unless you felt that some of the high MCAT avg. schools - UTSW, UTSA, Baylor, were holding out on you for interviews.

I think it is more important as to what have you done this current cycle to improve your app - what was lacking EC wise? Weak LOR? Address those issues first to the schools you re-apply to. Your MCAT score didn't keep you out of those schools. I also wouldn't rush an MCAT retake if you don't feel confident in at least a 4-5 pt increase as you'll want a 512-515 type score.

 

[whatsthepoint]

You got 4 TMDSAS interviews with that MCAT score, I'd just re-apply unless you felt that some of the high MCAT avg. schools - UTSW, UTSA, Baylor, were holding out on you for interviews.

I think it is more important as to what have you done this current cycle to improve your app - what was lacking EC wise? Weak LOR? Address those issues first to the schools you re-apply to. Your MCAT score didn't keep you out of those schools. I also wouldn't rush an MCAT retake if you don't feel confident in at least a 4-5 pt increase as you'll want a 512-515 type score.

Thank you for your advice! I actually only interviewed at one of the TMDSAS schools - SHSU. I was aiming for all the other TMDSAS schools, so I didn't consider it a great cycle. I had one MD interview (TCU) and the rest were DO schools not on TMDSAS. I think it was a combination of things that held me back from TMDSAS last cycle- my MCAT and applying too late. I do have significant new ECs, new LORS, and a higher GPA since applying last year. Do you still think applying early and focusing on my MCAT later is my best move?

 

[gulli_97]

Thank you for your advice! I actually only interviewed at one of the TMDSAS schools - SHSU. I was aiming for all the other TMDSAS schools, so I didn't consider it a great cycle. I had one MD interview (TCU) and the rest were DO schools not on TMDSAS. I think it was a combination of things that held me back from TMDSAS last cycle- my MCAT and applying too late. I do have significant new ECs, new LORS, and a higher GPA since applying last year. Do you still think applying early and focusing on my MCAT later is my best move?

If that's the case then I do think the MCAT may be an issue. Are you deadset on an MD school or are you okay with DOs? I'm sure you'll receive an acceptance to one of the DOs possibly this cycle or next. If you are going to reapply MD, I think it may be best to push your cycle to next year, and focus on your MCAT retake to try to get above a 512+ unless you feel confident that you can do this in June. That'll open the door at the mid-tier MDs in Texas.

You should also post in the re-app thread, some of the folks there may be better suited in giving you advice.