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What are my chances?
- Thread starter preston johnnson
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Why is the mcat too low?
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It wasn’t a stupid comment actually. Don’t waste your time or money applying. I certainly understand family emergencies but why on earth did you take the most important exam you have ever taken knowing you weren’t prepared or focused? And you did it not once but twice. Why didn’t you cancel or reschedule? Despite the fact that you feel you are done with the MCAT, if you want to go to med school you’re going to have to take it again and score well into the 500s to make up for your past exams. AMCAS rec. that schools average multiple MCAT scores. (Your average would be 492. Totally uncompetitive for any medical school.)Some schools do this and some don’t but all of your scores are visible to reviewers. If nothing else, schools will look at your scores and question your judgement in taking this exam at all.
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OP, you would be DOA at my school and many others. I cannot recommend applying at this time. Study properly for the MCAT retake it but this time do not take it unless you are 100% ready for it.
The MCAT is as much a test of judgment as it is of competency.
The MCAT is as much a test of judgment as it is of competency.
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I think you would have a good app if you added a bit more clinical time interacting with patients (not sure what is involved in your research trials) and properly studied and took the MCAT. You shouldn't have taken it so soon after those stressful family events, but I think you could explain that to schools once you get a better score. You'll just say that you had these major events and made the mistake of taking the test right after them without proper studying. I think you would be doing yourself a disservice by applying now instead of fixing your score.
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Look past is done. Thought I could do better but obviously it didn't work out. Not going to beat myself up for something I can never change. I have scheduled the exam in 5 weeks. And have laid out a great study plan. Thanks to all for the advice.
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You’re right, the past is done. But it’s important to reflect on the past in order to have a more productive future. Are you completely sure that you are prepared for the MCAT in 5 weeks? It takes a LOT of preparation and study to go from a 497 to 512+, which is where you need to get to.
Trust me, you do not want to go into that exam in 5 weeks unless you are 100% prepared to perform at your full potential.
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True... I have quit my job and deactivated my social media accounts. I WILL get it done in 5 weeks.
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Best of luck OP. 5 weeks to go up 15 points seems very difficult but I hope it all works out for you.
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Regardless of how you feel about OP's situation/post, please respond in a respectful manner to them and each other. Thanks!
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OP's ECs seem spectacular. They're only 19; it might be advisable to revisit this in a few years with more life experience. You'll want to shoot for a 505+ for DO schools, 510+ for your state MD schools, 513+ for mid-tiers, and 520+ for top-20 schools.
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Strongly suggest not retaking until you are you ~100 % ready. Med schools aren't going anywhere .
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You are right. Today I pushed my MCAT exam to May. Just my whole life I have been able to complete coursework very fast and do well. But this is a beast that I need to slow down and take my time with. I have told my job I will take a leave of absence and have hired a tutor to help me with my weak subjects.
Don't want to sound too braggadocios but I have a great GPA & EC that could get me into med schools. And it would be a waste if I don't all cause I couldn't get the MCAT down.
So time to buckle down and attack.
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Go for it. Advice:
- Use official AAMC practice tests. Those are most like the real deal. Third party tests are pretty much fodder, good mostly for testing content knowledge and getting you used to taking eight-hour exams.
- Morale is important. Don't neglect this.
- If studying full-time, around 5 hours/day seems to be the sweet spot.
