Waiting on Second MCAT scores. What now?

[avi530]

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[Pandaeac]

Hey Guys,

I took the mcat on May 23rd and am currently waiting for the scores (should be up here any minute). But I feel as though i did not do too well. I dont know why I didnt void my score, but for whatever reason I did not. The good news, however, is that I just retook the mcat on June 20th and felt as though I did much better on this test. I have a 3.5 cumulative GPA from a UC and have a lot of volunteer work/ extra curriculars. I am wondering what to do now. Should I wait until July to apply? Or should I apply with my first set of MCAT scores even if they are bad? How does the process work if you apply with one set of scores while waiting for another? Are you able to note this on your application? Please help me out guys! I am so confused :/

EDIT: May 23 MCAT scores:

VR:8
PS:9
BS:6
23

🙁

I'm very sorry you're disappointed! 🙁 Was there something very different about the test you took on June 20th where you believe your score will be much improved?

 

[avi530]

Yes, I felt much more confident about the June test questions. I was scoring in the 30s on practice tests and the May test just killed me. I really hope that my June test was more like my practice tests. It felt that way at least.

 

[DrEnderW]

Hey Guys,

I took the mcat on May 23rd and am currently waiting for the scores (should be up here any minute). But I feel as though i did not do too well. I dont know why I didnt void my score, but for whatever reason I did not. The good news, however, is that I just retook the mcat on June 20th and felt as though I did much better on this test. I have a 3.5 cumulative GPA from a UC and have a lot of volunteer work/ extra curriculars. I am wondering what to do now. Should I wait until July to apply? Or should I apply with my first set of MCAT scores even if they are bad? How does the process work if you apply with one set of scores while waiting for another? Are you able to note this on your application? Please help me out guys! I am so confused :/

EDIT: May 23 MCAT scores:

VR:8
PS:9
BS:6
23

🙁

You can select that you have another MCAT score pending and enter the date. Technically, schools are suppose to wait for the new score but who knows if that's true.

My advice would be to apply to one throw away school so you can start the process of AMCAS verification. Once your new score comes in and if it is a dramatic increase (like 7 points), I would start adding the schools you're interested in. Consider submitting an AACOMAS app if your scores increases as well.

 

[Pandaeac]

Yes, I felt much more confident about the June test questions. I was scoring in the 30s on practice tests and the May test just killed me. I really hope that my June test was more like my practice tests. It felt that way at least.

OK! That's definitely a good sign then. Here's my personal advice, though keep in mind I'm also applying now, so definitely not an expert 🙂.

I would submit your application now so that you can get yourself inline to be verified. Based on the way things were last year and the extra slowness this year, it seems like your app won't be verified until about mid-end of July at the earliest, which is about when your June 20th MCAT scores will be available anyway. None of your application is sent to schools until you are verified, so, most likely, most of your schools will not actually see your application until the new MCAT score is there.

Now, because you don't know your new MCAT score yet, I would just apply to one school for now and add the rest later. You'll still be verified in the same amount of time, and once you're verified and add the other schools, it will automatically be sent to them. Maybe just put in your state school(s).

While you wait to be verified, do some research on schools and what their policy is for MCAT retakes (e.g. schools that only look at the best/most recent scores are ones you'll definitely want to consider!)

I really wish you the best and hope this helped 🙂

 

[avi530]

Should I submit a AACOMAS app before my second score is released? And once my second score is released, if I have submitted one app and my grades have been verified applying to the rest of the schools will be much faster right? As in they won't have to reverify my grades right?

 

[Pandaeac]

Should I submit a AACOMAS app before my second score is released? And once my second score is released, if I have submitted one app and my grades have been verified applying to the rest of the schools will be much faster right? As in they won't have to reverify my grades right?

Correct that they will not have to re-verify. Not sure about the AACOMAS question though.

 

[avi530]

ok thank you for the help! Any idea how much this horrible score will hurt my app? Do most schools average or take the best score?

 

[Pandaeac]

ok thank you for the help! Any idea how much this horrible score will hurt my app? Do most schools average or take the best score?

I don't actually know 🙁. I think you could start by just googling "____ medical school mcat" and see what comes up. So, I think if you submit your application ASAP, get a 30+ on the second MCAT, and apply very broadly, you'll be OK. Additionally, maybe re-post a thread to ask which schools take only the recent and/or best MCAT score, because someone may have done some research already that could help you!

 

[avi530]

Should I apply ASAP if I do not have all of my letters in? I have two of my five submitted. I am waiting on the others to finish them. They have all said they are in the process of finishing the letters and will submit them ASAP. Should I wait on them?

 

[Pandaeac]

Should I apply ASAP if I do not have all of my letters in? I have two of my five submitted. I am waiting on the others to finish them. They have all said they are in the process of finishing the letters and will submit them ASAP. Should I wait on them?

Naw, don't wait on the letters. Don't need 'em to be verified. Mine haven't been sent yet, either.