To delay the MCAT or not to delay the MCAT?

[BeLikeBueller]

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I'm applying for this admissions cycle. I am a 4th year pharmacy student (2 years of undergrad, 4 years of pharmD program). I have a 4.0 GPA, good clinical experience (thanks to pharmacy school), and good letters of rec from two clinical pharmacists that I did rotations with, and one professor I did research with.

The problem is...the MCAT. I'm kind of late to the ball game as far as deciding on med school. I was scheduled to take the MCAT on August 2nd, but I'm not sure I'm going to be ready in time. I'm self-studying (classes were too expensive), so I feel like I need more time to review the study books that I have (It has been four years since I've seen a lot of this stuff...).

I'm thinking about taking it September 6th, which is the next time my rotation schedule would allow.

I'm just worried that if I put it off until then, my application won't be viewed favorably. By the same token, I don't want to take the MCAT and bomb it...

Any thoughts/personal experience?

 

[brewdog11]

Your situation is a bit unique, and I'm sure your application will certainly garner some special attention (and I mean that in a positive way), but I'd personally advise against taking the MCAT later than August. You'll hear from plenty of folks on here who took it in September and got interviews and acceptances, so if you take it in Sept. it won't be the end of the world.

How are you faring on AAMC practice tests? If you're doing relatively well, I'd say go ahead and take it in August. Just my $0.02.

 

[HinduHammer]

If I were you, I'd take the MCAT in like November in case you needed to retake in January. Obviously you'd have to wait to apply until next year, but it seems that would be the best option. The MCAT is a beast for me. I'm taking it next week and applying this year. I've been "studying" since like May and I don't feel nearly prepared. If I didn't have other full time commitments I would put mine off for sure.

 

[sillyjoe]

I'm applying for this admissions cycle. I am a 4th year pharmacy student (2 years of undergrad, 4 years of pharmD program). I have a 4.0 GPA, good clinical experience (thanks to pharmacy school), and good letters of rec from two clinical pharmacists that I did rotations with, and one professor I did research with.

The problem is...the MCAT. I'm kind of late to the ball game as far as deciding on med school. I was scheduled to take the MCAT on August 2nd, but I'm not sure I'm going to be ready in time. I'm self-studying (classes were too expensive), so I feel like I need more time to review the study books that I have (It has been four years since I've seen a lot of this stuff...).

I'm thinking about taking it September 6th, which is the next time my rotation schedule would allow.

I'm just worried that if I put it off until then, my application won't be viewed favorably. By the same token, I don't want to take the MCAT and bomb it...

Any thoughts/personal experience?

What are you scoring on your practice exams? As others have said you certainly are unique and would be looked at favorably. You will however, still need a good MCAT score. You could probably still apply this cycle if your MCAT goes well. That being said, you would be putting yourself in the best situation by doing well on the MCAT and applying June 1st next cycle.

 

[BeLikeBueller]

I appreciate the responses so far.

I understand that the "best" thing is to delay applying until next year. However, I don't want to take a gap year if I don't have to.

The other thing I should say is - I'm only looking at in-state, middle-of-the-road MD programs. I'm not trying for anything top tier. The reason I'm not doing top-tier is because of finances, but I'm also hoping that having good stats at a middle-of-the-road program will help me out as far as applying "late."

I have not hit practice tests yet. I'm hoping to continue cramming as much as I can and take a practice or two this coming week. Just keep in mind, it's been 3.5 years since I've seen a lot of the physics and chemistry. (No, pharmacy doesn't focus as much on chemistry as people think). The good thing is, I had a lot of physiology in pharm school, so that should help a lot with Biology. It's going to be the chemistry that kills me if it's anything.

 

[sillyjoe]

I appreciate the responses so far.

I understand that the "best" thing is to delay applying until next year. However, I don't want to take a gap year if I don't have to.

The other thing I should say is - I'm only looking at in-state, middle-of-the-road MD programs. I'm not trying for anything top tier. The reason I'm not doing top-tier is because of finances, but I'm also hoping that having good stats at a middle-of-the-road program will help me out as far as applying "late."

I have not hit practice tests yet. I'm hoping to continue cramming as much as I can and take a practice or two this coming week. Just keep in mind, it's been 3.5 years since I've seen a lot of the physics and chemistry. (No, pharmacy doesn't focus as much on chemistry as people think). The good thing is, I had a lot of physiology in pharm school, so that should help a lot with Biology. It's going to be the chemistry that kills me if it's anything.

What are you scoring on your practice exams?