Took MCAT too early?

Started by richardlo
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richardlo

MD/PhD applicant
15+ Year Member
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I took MCAT in April 2005 and am planning to apply in summer 2007 for 2008 matriculation, so the score will be 3 years old. Does anyone know any school that won't accept a 3-year-old score?

Thank you very much.
 
I belive most schools say 3 or greater years, but it would definatly be something to check up on. If u don't have recent courses or something to show that your still intelligent after a 3 year gap then it won't matter much anyways.
 
I graduated in Dec 2003 and then worked in a lab for almost 3 years. Managed to write one first-authored paper and two second-authored papers during that time. Some micellaneous volunteer activities as well. Do the publications count as something intelligent? I surely hope so; those took up a lot of my time. I haven't taken any course, though.
 
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I took MCAT in April 2005 and am planning to apply in 2007 for 2008 matriculation. I asked the question "schools that won't accept 3-year-old MCAT?" in the MCAT forum, and someone replied that if I didn't take any course or do something intelligent during the three-year gap, then it won't matter anyway. It kind of scares me... I didn't take any course after I graduated in Dec 2003 and I spent the next three years working in a lab, getting one first-authored paper and two second-authored papers published. Those things took up a lot of my time. I am just wondering if schools won't like my "old" score, even though they still accept them. I got a 38 that time, so I definitely don't want to retake it. I took it much earlier than my planned matriculation because I wanted to get it out of the way as soon as possible. Does anyone know that a 3-year-old score will pose a problem?

(I posted this question here because I am planning to apply for MSTP.)
 
I took MCAT in April 2005 and am planning to apply in 2007 for 2008 matriculation. I think most of the schools accept a 3-year-old score, but does anyone know that a 3-year-old score will not be viewed as favorably as a new score? I got a 38 that time, so I don't want to retake it. Plus, I took it early because I wanted to get it out of the way as quickly as possible. I did research for three years (2004-2006) and got three papers published, so I wasn't wasting time and not doing anything worthwhile.
 
richardlo said:
I took MCAT in April 2005 and am planning to apply in 2007 for 2008 matriculation. I think most of the schools accept a 3-year-old score, but does anyone know that a 3-year-old score will not be viewed as favorably as a new score? I got a 38 that time, so I don't want to retake it. Plus, I took it early because I wanted to get it out of the way as quickly as possible. I did research for three years (2004-2006) and got three papers published, so I wasn't wasting time and not doing anything worthwhile.
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I think you're fine esp w/ a 38. Maybe they'd think a 2007 score is better than a the same score in 2005 (only in that its a more recent example of your abilities) but I can't imagine it really matters that much! Good job on the awesome score & GL with apps next year!
 
besides after all this research and all, one would imagine you only got smarter...so yeah you should be good. good job.
 
As far as I know you should be fine with a 3-year score. I know that some schools say you should have taken the MCAT "3 years prior to matriculation", and if you go by months, then you miss that deadline. However, I'm not sure exactly how strict they are about this. My guess is that with a great MCAT score and great research, you will be just fine. My understanding is that MSTP committees tend to be a bit more lenient about arbitrary requirements and cutoffs and deadlines. I could be wrong on any of these points, however...

richardlo said:
I took MCAT in April 2005 and am planning to apply in 2007 for 2008 matriculation. I asked the question "schools that won't accept 3-year-old MCAT?" in the MCAT forum, and someone replied that if I didn't take any course or do something intelligent during the three-year gap, then it won't matter anyway. It kind of scares me... I didn't take any course after I graduated in Dec 2003 and I spent the next three years working in a lab, getting one first-authored paper and two second-authored papers published. Those things took up a lot of my time. I am just wondering if schools won't like my "old" score, even though they still accept them. I got a 38 that time, so I definitely don't want to retake it. I took it much earlier than my planned matriculation because I wanted to get it out of the way as soon as possible. Does anyone know that a 3-year-old score will pose a problem?

(I posted this question here because I am planning to apply for MSTP.)
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Please don't cross post the same thread in multiple forums. I'll leave your thread here since you want opinions from MD/PhD students.

In answer to your question, if you took the test in 2005 and you're applying in 2007, you should be fine. Most schools have a two year limit, so you won't get a second chance to apply with that MCAT, however. (In other words, many schools won't take it if you apply in 2008.) If you're concerned, you should contact the schools where you plan to apply and double check with them. :luck: to you.
 
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