Wait for next cycle?

[Teddybaire]

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Hi all,

I am 25 yrs old and currently living in Chicago. I finished my M.S. in biotechnology in 2015 and applied for DO schools for the previous cycle (2016-2017) using the old MCAT which I took right before the new one went into effect. My score was a 28 after only studying for about 1 month.

I had a few interviews for the 2016-2017 cycle and am still on the waitlist for a couple schools. The latest I can hear back is Aug 2nd I was told (from TUNCOM).

However, I will now have to re-take the MCAT since schools no longer accept the old format. Since I work full time in research, I really don't want to screw it up or take it more than once so I won't be taking it until January 2018 at the earliest.

In your opinion, should I just wait until May 2018 (the 2018-2019 cycle). Since I applied once already, I know that would be way too late for the 2017-2018 cycle, but I have a few friends who have taken their MCAT in January, applied for that cycle, and gotten in. Seems like too huge a gamble to me. Any advice?

 

[workaholic181]

Hi all,

I am 25 yrs old and currently living in Chicago. I finished my M.S. in biotechnology in 2015 and applied for DO schools for the previous cycle (2016-2017) using the old MCAT which I took right before the new one went into effect. My score was a 28 after only studying for about 1 month.

I had a few interviews for the 2016-2017 cycle and am still on the waitlist for a couple schools. The latest I can hear back is Aug 2nd I was told (from TUNCOM).

However, I will now have to re-take the MCAT since schools no longer accept the old format. Since I work full time in research, I really don't want to screw it up or take it more than once so I won't be taking it until January 2018 at the earliest.

In your opinion, should I just wait until May 2018 (the 2018-2019 cycle). Since I applied once already, I know that would be way too late for the 2017-2018 cycle, but I have a few friends who have taken their MCAT in January, applied for that cycle, and gotten in. Seems like too huge a gamble to me. Any advice?

If I were you I would wait and apply next spring. If you have a job that you enjoy somewhat then the extra year won't be so bad. You could apply then update with your MCAT score as your friends did but while this might lead to success it at the very least will close some doors for you. Best to apply when all your ducks are in a row.

Good luck!

 

[Dr. Stalker]

Study hard and aim for an early MCAT test date; Say the first administration in January 2018. If you can study and ace it by then, you should be good. By preparing for a January MCAT test date, if you feel uncertain, you can delay. You CANNOT delay if you're prepping with the May 2018 mcat in mind! Good luck!