WAMC... should I start preparing to retake MCAT for next year?

[excitedmedapp]

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Overall GPA: 3.62, Sciences GPA 3.59
Science related major with two science related minors
Had an MCAT increase from 499 to 506
Multiple research teams and still working on them during my gap year, several abstract acceptances with poster presentation at multiple national / international conferences. Working on a couple manuscripts for publication. (Gap year was voluntary)
LizzyM 65.2

Should I start studying to take my MCAT again in case I don't get in? Got secondaries to all but two I applied to, but I've had radio silence since then from everybody.... Don't know if I'm overthinking or not...

 

[GloballyMed]

Overall GPA: 3.62, Sciences GPA 3.59
Science related major with two science related minors
Had an MCAT increase from 499 to 506
Multiple research teams and still working on them during my gap year, several abstract acceptances with poster presentation at multiple national / international conferences. Working on a couple manuscripts for publication. (Gap year was voluntary)
LizzyM 65.2

Should I start studying to take my MCAT again in case I don't get in? Got secondaries to all but two I applied to, but I've had radio silence since then from everybody.... Don't know if I'm overthinking or not...

No, you don’t need to retake the MCAT if you are applying for DO. Your current stats are competitive for them. If you are aiming for MD, then you’d need to retake it and need to score significantly higher (at least 513+). I wouldn’t recommend retaking if you didn’t score in the range or higher on the practice tests. When were you complete for the schools you had applied to? MD or DO? If DO, then dont worry yet as their cycle is much longer. You could be getting IIs all the way in March and April for some schools. If you only applied to MD, then prepare for a reapp if you dont get any II by Thanksgiving. Assuming you have decent ECs, you should have some success with DO.

 

[GloballyMed]

Also how many schools did you apply to? Which ones?

 

[excitedmedapp]

I have applied to 9 MD and got secondaries from 7! Three I am instate or viewed as such, and others I am out of state. I have an extensive list of EC that make me a well-rounded applicant!
I was complete at various dates...
May start studying again to push harder on MCAT for next year just in case.

 

[GloballyMed]

What state are you from? Are you URM? If you dont mind DO, then you still can apply to them now but you need to act quickly.

 

[mvsrocks]

Most people apply to many more schools (avg=15). Is there a reason why you did not apply to more?

 

[excitedmedapp]

Most people apply to many more schools (avg=15). Is there a reason why you did not apply to more?

Honestly I didn't know that people applied to so many until I got on this website! Most everybody I know applied to max 5, so I was applying to more than usual I thought this summer. It's also pretty pricey to apply to a lot so I stopped around 9 because of that too.

With my stats also I didn't really see myself having a chance with a lot anyways (which is very pessimistic but was trying to be realistic with myself)

 

[excitedmedapp]

What state are you from? Are you URM? If you dont mind DO, then you still can apply to them now but you need to act quickly.

I am from TN. Not URM! Am not planning to pursue DO schools, just not a fan of it is my long story short on why not haha

 

[mvsrocks]

The advice people on SDN will probably give you is to not apply until you are ready. Applying multiple cycles costs even more money, which is partly why others apply to so many schools all at once. Since your goal is MD, then you should definitely prioritize raising your MCAT score. It's probably the biggest thing holding you back. If you need to reapply next cycle, it would be best to apply to more schools and have people on SDN help w/ your school list. Certain schools are known to be donations (low yield), while others are higher yield.

 

[excitedmedapp]

The advice people on SDN will probably give you is to not apply until you are ready. Applying multiple cycles costs even more money, which is partly why others apply to so many schools all at once. Since your goal is MD, then you should definitely prioritize raising your MCAT score. It's probably the biggest thing holding you back. If you need to reapply next cycle, it would be best to apply to more schools and have people on SDN help w/ your school list. Certain schools are known to be donations (low yield), while others are higher yield.

Definitely felt / still feel ready! But yes I think I will definitely work to get MCAT up and add some more schools to the list if I have to apply next year. I'm sad I didn't find this website until this fall, it would've been helpful earlier this year! Fingers crossed I'm worried for no reason though..!! Thanks for advice 🙂